Mubashar Nadeem
Pakistan’s ongoing battle against terrorism is far from over. The latest Global Terrorism Index (GTI) ranks Pakistan as the second most terrorism-affected country in the world, a stark reminder of the country’s continuing struggle against extremism. This alarming statistic isn’t merely a number; it is a sobering reflection of the harsh reality that Pakistan faces today. The deadly attack in Bannu, where 18 lives, including those of five security personnel, were lost, is just the most recent in a string of tragic events that underline the severe and persistent threat of terrorism in the country.
At the heart of this crisis lies the resurgence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group that has taken full advantage of the political vacuum and instability following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan. With Afghanistan now a safe haven for militants, the TTP has been able to regroup, reorganize, and launch deadly attacks against Pakistan from across the border. Despite repeated assurances from the Afghan Taliban that Afghan soil would not be used to launch attacks against neighboring countries, their actions have contradicted these promises. Instead of neutralizing the TTP, the Taliban regime has effectively emboldened the group by either refusing to act or, in some cases, providing covert support to its resurgence.
Pakistan’s attempts at diplomacy have been futile. The government has engaged in talks with the Afghan Taliban in hopes of curbing the TTP threat, but these efforts have been woefully unsuccessful. Peace negotiations with the TTP in the past have similarly failed, with the militant group showing little interest in political engagement or peace. This disillusionment with diplomacy has led to a growing consensus that the TTP cannot be reasoned with and that further attempts at negotiations are not only unproductive but dangerous.
While Pakistan’s security forces have mounted an ongoing campaign against militants, the frequency and scale of terrorist attacks have only increased. The time for half-hearted measures is long past. The country is facing a challenge that is no longer sporadic but systemic, with terrorist attacks becoming a direct challenge to the state’s authority. The provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, in particular, have become hotbeds of insurgency, where attacks on military and police personnel have become routine. These attacks are no longer isolated incidents but rather represent a sustained effort by militants to destabilize the state.
The situation is increasingly reminiscent of the early 2010s when Pakistan was embroiled in an all-out war against militant groups. However, the key difference now is that the enemy is no longer confined to Pakistan’s borders. The TTP, with the assistance of the Afghan Taliban, is operating from across the border in Afghanistan, using the country as a base to launch terrorist activities inside Pakistan. This external dimension to the problem adds a layer of complexity to Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism.
It is clear that a more aggressive counter-terrorism strategy is required. Pakistan must abandon the timid, reactive posture it has adopted in recent years and instead shift to a proactive, military-driven approach. This should include an intelligence-driven strategy that seeks out and dismantles terror cells both within Pakistan and across the Afghan border. Military operations alone will not be sufficient; the state must also focus on targeted intelligence gathering, rapid response capabilities, and cutting off terrorist financing.
Moreover, Pakistan must apply diplomatic and strategic pressure on the Afghan Taliban. If Kabul continues to harbor and support the TTP, Pakistan will have no choice but to take action to protect its citizens. While diplomacy and negotiation are always preferred, the protection of Pakistan’s sovereignty and national security must come first. If Afghanistan proves unwilling to cooperate in dismantling terrorist sanctuaries, Pakistan must be prepared to act unilaterally to ensure its security, regardless of Kabul’s stance.
Domestic security reforms are also crucial. The fact that terrorists continue to breach security perimeters and launch high-casualty attacks raises serious questions about the efficacy of Pakistan’s intelligence and law enforcement agencies. While the security forces have made progress in counter-terrorism operations, the persistent security lapses indicate that there are still significant weaknesses in the country’s intelligence and law enforcement apparatus. Strengthening domestic intelligence capabilities and enhancing coordination among various security agencies is critical in preventing further attacks.
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The National Action Plan (NAP), which was once heralded as Pakistan’s blueprint for eradicating terrorism, has unfortunately become little more than a theoretical framework. It is long overdue for a comprehensive review and revitalization. The plan must be fully implemented to address key areas such as dismantling militant networks, curbing extremist financing, and combating radicalization at every level of society. Without serious commitment to these issues, terrorism will continue to plague Pakistan.
The economic consequences of ongoing terrorism cannot be understated. As long as terrorism remains unchecked, Pakistan will continue to suffer from a reputation of instability and violence. No investor, be it domestic or foreign, is willing to commit capital to a country mired in terrorism and insecurity. This further compounds Pakistan’s economic woes, as the country struggles with rising inflation, a mounting debt crisis, and declining foreign direct investment. The government’s ability to tackle the economic crisis is directly linked to its success in defeating terrorism. If the country cannot offer a stable and secure environment, it will remain unable to attract the investment needed to revive its faltering economy.
Political instability further complicates matters. Security strategies require long-term policy continuity, something that is currently lacking in Pakistan’s fractured political climate. With political parties in constant conflict, there is little consensus on national security policy. This weakens the state’s ability to implement a unified and coherent counter-terrorism strategy. Political instability is also a vulnerability that terrorists exploit, knowing that a divided political system makes it harder to launch effective security measures.
The past two decades of fighting terrorism have not been in vain, but they have proven that complacency cannot be afforded. Despite Pakistan’s significant sacrifices and efforts, the resurgence of militancy proves that the country must stay vigilant. The time for half-measures, failed peace talks, and political hesitation is over. Pakistan must take a firm stance against terrorism and ensure that no further opportunities are given for extremist groups to regroup and attack.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s war against terrorism is far from over, and the nation must adapt its strategies to the evolving threat landscape. The resurgent TTP, emboldened by the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, represents a serious challenge to Pakistan’s stability. The country can no longer afford to rely on failed negotiations and half-hearted security operations. Instead, it must pursue an aggressive, coordinated strategy that involves decisive military action, enhanced intelligence capabilities, and diplomatic pressure on Afghanistan. Failure to act decisively could mean the continued erosion of the state’s authority, with disastrous consequences for Pakistan’s security, economy, and political cohesion. The time for half-measures is over; it is now time for Pakistan to take control and eliminate the terrorist threat once and for all.
