Arshad Mahmood Awan
Terrorism has once again cast its shadow over Pakistan’s federal capital. The deadly suicide bombing outside Islamabad’s district court, which claimed at least 12 lives and injured many more, has shattered the fragile sense of security that had gradually taken root in the nation’s heart. For years, militant violence had been largely confined to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan — the so-called peripheries of the state. Yet this latest attack proves that no part of the country, not even its most fortified city, is beyond the reach of terror.
The incident marks a grim reminder of the dark years when suicide bombings and targeted attacks were a daily reality. Tuesday’s carnage targeted civilians, unlike earlier attacks primarily aimed at security forces. Adding to the nation’s grief, the assault came as security personnel were still engaged in a clearance operation at Cadet College Wana, another civilian target besieged by militants. The simultaneous nature of these attacks exposes a renewed coordination among extremist groups that had previously been forced into retreat — and now appear to be re-emerging with deadly confidence.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombings, calling them acts of “Indian state terrorism in the region” while also linking Afghanistan-based elements to the violence. He referred to the “khawarij” factions within the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch separatist groups as the perpetrators. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif went further, warning that Pakistan is now effectively “in a state of war”. His statement may sound alarming, but it reflects an uncomfortable truth: militancy is once again testing the state’s will and capacity to defend itself.
The first step forward must be to conduct a comprehensive investigation into both the Islamabad and Wana attacks. If credible evidence points to Indian or Afghan involvement, Pakistan must take the matter up immediately with New Delhi and Kabul through both diplomatic and international channels. However, while external threats deserve attention, the greater challenge lies within. The fact that a suicide bomber penetrated Islamabad’s tight security grid exposes glaring lapses in domestic intelligence coordination and urban counterterrorism readiness.
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It is time for Pakistan to re-examine its counterterrorism doctrine. Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad may have dismantled militant networks temporarily, but the persistence of extremist ideologies and their recruitment pipelines means that military success alone cannot guarantee lasting peace. The state must focus on intelligence reforms, border management, and de-radicalisation strategies — all backed by robust political will. The resurgence of terrorism also demands better coordination between provincial and federal security institutions, which too often operate in isolation or at cross-purposes.
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If Pakistan is indeed at war, as the defence minister warned, then this is not a battle the government can fight alone. It requires a national response grounded in unity, not division. Political parties must rise above partisanship, cease mutual accusations, and work together in formulating a cohesive, long-term strategy. Civil society, the media, and security experts must be included in this dialogue. The fight against terrorism is not just military — it is ideological, institutional, and deeply social.
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Unfortunately, Pakistan’s political class remains entangled in confrontation, neglecting the existential threat terrorism poses to the nation’s democracy and sovereignty. The ongoing strategy — reactive, fragmented, and politicised — has failed to contain violence or prevent the loss of lives, both civilian and military. Statesmanship, not political opportunism, is needed to steer the country through this crisis. Parliament should lead this effort by fostering consensus and ensuring oversight of security operations within constitutional bounds.
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The Islamabad attack is not just another tragic episode — it is a wake-up call. Pakistan must treat terrorism as an absolute national emergency, demanding zero tolerance for extremist networks, their sympathisers, and the political narratives that enable them. Peace cannot be negotiated with those who reject the Constitution and target innocent citizens. The state must demonstrate resolve, unity, and justice to ensure that the blood spilled in Islamabad and Wana becomes the turning point, not another entry in a long list of forgotten tragedies.
