Editorial
The unchecked proliferation of U.S.-supplied weapons following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 poses a serious threat to Pakistan’s internal stability and the broader regional security architecture. Reports, including UN assessments and BBC investigations, confirm that up to half a million pieces of military equipment—including advanced U.S. firearms—have either been lost, smuggled, or sold on the black market. This uncontrolled flow of arms has empowered militant groups across the region, with direct implications for Pakistan’s security.
Among the most concerning developments is the access of U.S.-origin weaponry by al-Qaeda affiliates, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). For Pakistan, the TTP’s strengthened arsenal poses a renewed insurgent threat, especially along its porous western border, where state forces have already faced mounting attacks. The influx of weapons enables more sophisticated, well-armed operations that could further destabilize the region.
The situation is exacerbated by the Taliban’s decentralised command structure, which has allowed local commanders to sell or gift weapons to consolidate their own power. This has facilitated the emergence of thriving underground arms markets, particularly in areas like Kandahar, where WhatsApp-based deals between commanders and wealthy buyers have replaced open market sales.
Pakistan, already reeling from internal economic and political instability, now faces an emboldened TTP equipped with modern U.S. arms. This dramatically raises the stakes for counterterrorism operations and border control. The spread of weapons also risks destabilizing Central Asia and even parts of the Middle East, as networks like Ansarullah in Yemen reportedly gain access to the same stockpiles.
The Taliban’s denial of these smuggling claims only deepens the accountability crisis. Unless international and regional actors address this arms leakage collectively, Pakistan and its neighbors could see a resurgence of violence, insurgency, and transnational terrorism.
