ISLAM is a religion of peace, justice and compassion for all humanity. Its teachings promote harmony, mutual respect and coexistence among people regardless of their backgrounds. The central message of Islam is to cultivate peace by eliminating hatred, fear and prejudice from society. Through the promotion of justice, tolerance and mutual respect, Islam seeks to reduce conflict within societies as well as among nations, thereby fostering stability and peaceful coexistence at both the national and international levels. Contrary to these fundamental Islamic principles, Fitna-Al-Khawarij (FAK) has embraced a philosophy based on violence, terrorism and the killing of innocent people, including Muslims. Its ideology and actions stand in direct opposition to the core values and teachings of Islam.
Over the past two decades, FAK has attempted to mislead the world by operating under the banner of Islam while committing acts that are entirely contrary to Islamic teachings. Their inhumane and anti-Islamic activities have contributed to the emergence and strengthening of narratives such as Islamophobia, Political Islam and Islamic militancy. These narratives have often been shaped by the un-Islamic actions of extremist groups that falsely claim to represent Islam. In reality, FAK neither defends Islam nor serves the interests of Muslims. Instead, it spreads fear by attacking schools, markets, places of worship and civilian population centers throughout Pakistan.
FAK has terrorized innocent people while displaying complete hostility toward peace and humanity. It has attacked educational institutions, murdered young people and attempted to justify these crimes through distorted interpretations of religion. Such actions are fundamentally incompatible with both Islamic teachings and universal humanitarian values. Through bombs and bullets, FAK creates fear rather than justice. Its victims include women, children, worshippers and ordinary civilians. The group has also attacked civilian supply convoys and essential infrastructure, causing immense suffering to innocent people. Islam commands the protection of innocent lives, whereas FAK deliberately targets them.
The organization seeks to silence communities through intimidation, violence and ruthless coercion. During the last two decades, most of its terrorist activities have occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), severely damaging the region’s traditional Pashtun social fabric and cultural values. Pashtun culture is historically rooted in honor, mutual respect, hospitality and the institution of the Jirga, through which disputes are resolved through dialogue, consensus and reconciliation. Violence and terrorism have never been defining features of Pashtun traditions. FAK’s deliberate destruction of civilian supply convoys and commercial activities cannot be regarded as military success; rather, it represents an attack on the livelihoods of hardworking citizens. By targeting the poor and the powerless, FAK demonstrates that it serves no legitimate or just cause.
According to United Nations reports, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), now referred to as Fitna-Al-Khawarij (FAK), has received support from the Taliban government in Afghanistan since 2022. FAK and several other terrorist organizations responsible for attacks in Pakistan maintain secure sanctuaries inside Afghanistan. These groups reportedly receive logistical support and launching facilities from Afghan territory before infiltrating across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Pakistan has presented evidence to the United Nations regarding Afghan support for FAK. UN reports describe FAK as an alliance of terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan and identify it as the largest terrorist organization on Afghan soil. According to these reports, the group continues to operate on a significant scale from Afghanistan, conducting cross-border attacks into Pakistan while often utilizing Afghan nationals. The United Nations has estimated FAK’s strength at approximately 6,000 to 6,500 fighters.
The resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan cannot be fully understood without examining the close relationship among the Afghan Taliban, Al-Qaeda and FAK. Various analysts have highlighted these connections. Bill Roggio, Senior Fellow and Editor of FDD’s Long War Journal, argues in his article, Afghan Taliban and Al Qaeda Aiding Pakistani Taliban’s Insurgency, that FAK has continued its terrorist campaign with assistance from both the Afghan Taliban and Al-Qaeda. He concludes that the Taliban, with the support of Al-Qaeda, has provided shelter, training and logistical assistance to FAK despite repeated denials.
An important question is why FAK significantly intensified its terrorist activities against Pakistan after 2021. The return of the Afghan Taliban to power following the US-Taliban Agreement of February 29, 2020 and the collapse of the Afghan government in August 2021 fundamentally altered the regional security environment. Having regained control of Afghanistan after two decades of conflict, the Taliban’s success appears to have encouraged FAK to pursue similar ambitions within Pakistan. FAK intend to establish territorial control in former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), areas where it could impose its own rule and subsequently expand its influence.
Pakistan expects the Afghan authorities to prevent the use of Afghan territory for attacks against Pakistan and respect Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ultimately, FAK’s ideology is fundamentally incompatible with the teachings of Islam. It kills civilians, spreads fear, destroys communities and undermines peace. While falsely portraying itself as an Islamic movement, it stands in direct opposition to the ethical and moral principles of Islam. What FAK describes as “Islamic rule” is, in reality, brutality disguised as religion and has no legitimate basis in Islamic teachings. Peace, justice, mercy and the protection of innocent life constitute the true foundations of Islamic Shariah. By violating these principles, FAK positions itself not as a defender of Islam but as one of its greatest adversaries. Indeed, Fitna-Al-Khawarij is machine of terrorism in the guise of Islam.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
