(Malik Zaeem)
The state of Pakistan has been fighting against internal and external challenges valiantly. In the times where 5th generation warfare is an active mean, anti-Pakistan forces try to disseminate fake and fabricated news to tarnish the image of Pakistan, in which they fail. The security apparatus of Pakistan has been active in combatting the menace of terrorism for more than two decades. Although Pakistan was successful in curbing the menace of terrorism, but since last three years, after the fall of Kabul, Pakistan is again facing the challenge of terrorism. It is evident that Taliban government in Afghanistan has failed itself in controlling the outgrowth of terrorist outfits as these outfits use Afghan soil as their breeding ground. Even in this evident scenario, yet there are some “so-called” media organizations who spew disinformation and somehow falsely try to blame Pakistan for the unrest.
Similarly, a foreign media organization, named ‘Al-Mirsad English’ spewed disinformation regarding the presence of ISIS-KP in KPK province of Pakistan. Moreover, this organization falsely justified the stern actions taken by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan to curb the terrorism inside Afghanistan and stated that Afghanistan is no longer the hotbed and breeding ground of terrorist organizations. In addition to this, it also tried to inculcate that recent terrorist attacks were conducted by Tajiks, not Afghans, in order to justify the actions taken by the Taliban regime. The Afghan Taliban, via Al-Mursad’s X account, has been issuing three separate narratives of blame, including that the terrorists came from Tajikistan, that it was an international conspiracy, and that Iran was tipped off by the Taliban about the terrorist attacks. Indeed, states try to justify their actions in accordance to their national interests, but that justification is based on facts, not on blatant lies.
Several reputable organizations have reported the gruesome conditions of Afghanistan regarding terrorism perpetrated through Afghan soil. The United States Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism for 2022 have revealed a severe and worrying condition in Afghanistan. According to the research, Afghanistan has become a breeding ground for multiple terrorist organizations under Taliban administration.
The Taliban recognizes ISIS-K’s presence and activity as a danger. This acknowledgment, however, is masked by the Taliban’s ongoing sheltering and support for numerous terrorist organizations. These organizations use Afghanistan’s land to plan and commit terror attacks on neighboring countries, flagrantly violating international treaties and norms, all with the TTA government’s direct backing. The death of Al-Qaida leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan by US forces in 2022 illustrates the country’s ongoing terrorist operations. Furthermore, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operates from Afghan territory, adding to the region’s instability. This study by a respected American think group paints a grim image of Afghanistan as a hub from which terrorism flows into neighboring countries, undermining regional peace and posing a significant danger to international peace and security.
It can be further chalked out that IS-KP is a proxy of TTA maintained by them as the monstrous threat under which they justify their kill squads and security apparatus. And to justify foreign interference, they need to maintain a bogey of US threat and ISKP as a perfect vehicle. Afghanistan’s Taliban administration has given a free hand to TTP, which claim that they have pledged on the supreme leader of TTA, making it a proxy to be used against Pakistan. Moreover, IS-KP and TTP, drawing their ideological motivation from same roots, operate in the same eastern provinces of Afghanistan.
It is noteworthy that the actual vehicle of external western interference in Afghanistan as a counter to TTA, if required, is NRF, ex-Northern Alliance. Since NRF is a geographically and ethnically justified entity, whose political narrative finds roots within parts of Afghanistan, including liberals of all hue and color, TTA doesn’t want to name and label them as their main political and strategic rivals. They perceive it as a risk of glorifying and promoting them. Therefore, they play ISKP card and link it up with neighboring countries including Tajikistan from where NRF bases mainly operate.
It is not the first that some state media organization has tried to disseminate false and baseless allegations against Pakistan’s security apparatus. Pakistan has always been fighting these challenges valiantly. The presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan has the potential to destabilize the entire region and create an atmosphere of uncertainty and insecurity. Terrorism spreading from Afghanistan is a major threat to the entire region. Afghanistan’s neighboring countries are constantly suffering from the effects of this terrorism.
Since decades, the Pakistan Army has fought heroically against terrorism. Pakistan was fortunate to enjoy a terrorist-free period because to the sacrifice of blood and effort. Since the TTA administration assumed control of Kabul and began offering safe heavens and sanctuaries to terrorist organizations, the revival of terrorist acts has posed a challenge to the state’s attempts to combat the curse of terrorism. It goes without saying that Afghanistan under the Taliban government is a threat to global peace and harmony, but Pakistan bears the brunt of these threats right now. The Pakistan Armed Forces have worked tirelessly to achieve peace and stability in the country, and any actor who dares to challenge the writ of the state or peace in the country will not be tolerated, as the national interests of Pakistan are paramount for the people of Pakistan and the Armed Forces.
