As per available data on terrorism, over 1000 Pakistani nationals were killed in various terrorist attacks during 2023. The majority of these incidents occurred either in former FATA districts and militancy hit parts of the Balochistan Province. The killings include both civilian population the men and security personnel. The most disturbing aspects of these terrorist attacks are that; there is a rapid rise in the militancy and terrorism in the country. This rise in the terrorism and number of casualties during year-2023 has been the highest in the country since 2017. By 2017, Pakistani Military had mainly ended the active military operations against the militant organizations. In a way, Pakistan defeated the terrorists and terrorism through various military operations, last active military operation was code named; Operation Zarb-e-Azb. Thereafter, combating and countering terrorism was through intelligence-based indirect operations like- Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.
Besides, most of these terrorist attacks in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southwestern Baluchistan were conducted by the terrorists while entering from adjoining areas of Afghanistan. Otherwise, the trend of terrorism increased in Pakistan ever since August 2021, since the establishment of Interim Government of Taliban in Afghanistan. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), separatist’ sinsurgents from Balochistanand elements from Islamic State of Khorasan (Daesh) are involved in these deadly attacks. Indeed, terrorism and militancy are anti-thesis of Islam and Interim Afghan Government under Taliban considered itself as the follower of Islam. This Holy religion is all about peace, respect and love for the human beings. In Pakistan, the main terrorist outfit is Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which claims to be the Muslim organization having linkages with the Afghan Taliban. This terrorist outfit has damaged the image of Pakistan, Islam and Muslims ever since it formally started its terrorism in various parts of Pakistan in 2007. It was banned and declared outlawed terrorist organization by the Government of Pakistan. There are four prominent features of this terrorist organization: A) it uses Islam as its philosophy and ideology to attract and conceal its evil designs and the hidden motives, B) it is brutal and inhuman in its actions and behaviour which goes against the ideology of Islam, C) it is heavily funded from across the frontiers with strong control of regional and international spying networks and D) it is totally against the state, society and the Constitution of Pakistan.
The terrorists of this banned organization undertake their terrorist acts while using highly sophisticated weaponry and war munitions which include modern surveillance system and night vision goggles. This means that they are being used against Islam, Muslims and Pakistan by the forces which are against all three in essence and strategy. TTP and other militant organizations are operating from Afghan soil. As reported, after Taliban took over Afghan Government, TTP, Daesh and Baloch separatists gained control over the huge weapon and ammunition left by NATO and U.S forces. These militant organizations are using this modern weaponry against Pakistan in their acts of terrorism along Pak-Afghan border, in former FATA areas and in the province of Balochistan. Pakistan has repeatedly asked Interim Afghan Government (IAG) for stoppage of militant attacks using Afghan soil. In fact, Pakistan firmly believes that, if IAG takes decisive steps to control TTP and other anti-Pakistan militant organizations, there will be no militancy in Pakistan. Notably, among all the countries in the region, Pakistan stand out as the only nation whose security situation has been deteriorated following the Taliban only country whose security situation take-over of Afghanistan by Taliban in August 2021. This is despite the fact that, Taliban take-over of Afghanistan was made possible because of hectic Pakistani efforts. It was Pakistan which brokered the negotiations between Taliban and United States on the request of former US President Donald Trump.
The process of pull-out of US and NATO and take-over of Afghanistan by Taliban was quite peaceful. The non stop terrorist attacks in bordering areas of Pakistan all along western borders have created serious concern for the state and people of Pakistan. The IAG must take serious actions against TTP and all other terrorists, using Afghan soil for terrorism in Pakistan. Pakistan cannot afford terrorism since the nation has suffered a lot in its prolonged fights against terrorism from 2001 to 2023. Terrorism against Pakistan is a well-conceived international conspiracy to declare it as a failed state.
The international forces and power centers are eying at the pivotal geopolitical location of Pakistan besides its nuclear programme and the strong and professional Military. Through political destabilization and economic crises, these forces tend to undermine the state’s sovereignty and independence. The people of Pakistan must be aware about the hidden designs of the rival forces of Pakistan. The armed forces are being defamed for creating a clash between masses and men in uniform.
The need of the hour is that; all stakeholders in Pakistan must read between the lines and prepare a strategy to counter the terrorism and militancy. It has become essential for Pakistan to stand against all forms of terrorism and militancy through a national resolve. In this regards, the Government must formulate a comprehensive response against the terrorism of TTP, its splinter groups and its abettors besides the so-called sub-nationalists. With zero tolerance against all forms of terrorism and terrorist groups, operating against the state and society, let’s have a National Reconciliation Policy. Through this policy, Government must engage with the people who have genuine grievances or else became part of any groups under any circumstance and desire to comeback in the national main stream.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
Email: [email protected]
views expressed are writer’s own.
