(Arif Yousafzai) In the rugged mountains and valleys stretching from South Waziristan to Chitral, a harsh and enduring reality continues to unfold one that is often reduced to statistics but rarely understood in its full human and strategic complexity. Pakistan is not merely confronting sporadic militancy; it is engaged in a prolonged, evolving conflict that […]
A newly updated report by the Middle East Institute has highlighted ongoing concerns regarding the Taliban’s internal structure and its connections to transnational militant networks, including Al Qaeda, underscoring challenges facing international engagement with the group. Drawing on its “Taliban Leadership Tracker,” the institute analyzed a database of 1,213 Taliban members and officials. The report
What Groups Are the Afghan Taliban Linked to and How Deep Do Those Ties Go? Read More »
A recent report published by Asia Times points to evolving regional dynamics, suggesting that Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement has gained increasing international attention, particularly in the context of recent tensions involving the United States and Iran. According to the report, Pakistan has played a notable role in facilitating dialogue and de-escalation efforts during the recent
Security forces conducted a successful counter-terrorism operation in the Azam Market area of Baka Khel, Bannu, resulting in the neutralization of one Khawarij associated with the Hafiz Gul Bahadur (HGB) group, while two others were injured, official sources confirmed on Saturday. According to security officials, the operation was launched on the basis of credible intelligence
One Khariji Neutralized, Two Injured in Counter-Terrorism Operation in Bannu Read More »
A comprehensive new dataset compiled by an Australia-based research institution has mapped more than 1,200 Taliban leaders and officials, revealing a concentrated pattern of international sanctions targeting the group’s senior leadership and underscoring its continued isolation within the global system. The Middle East Institute reports that it has collected, verified, and analyzed detailed profiles of
The persistent threat of terrorism and narcotics trafficking originating from Afghanistan continues to pose a serious challenge to regional peace, security, and socio-economic stability, according to recent reports and security assessments from Central Asian authorities and international media. Citing coverage by The Times of Central Asia, security officials in Tajikistan confirmed that two Afghan drug
Authorities have received a detailed statement from Rahima Bibi, a resident of Faisal Colony, Dalbandin, in connection with an ongoing investigation into individuals allegedly linked to extremist network activities associated with “Fitna-e-Hindustan.” In her recorded account, Rahima Bibi, wife of Manzor Ahmed, described a series of events spanning from April to December 2025, which she
In a series of fast-moving diplomatic developments, Pakistan has positioned itself at the center of multiple high-stakes international engagements, contributing to de-escalation efforts across several regions marked by rising tensions and uncertainty. Senior officials highlight that recent diplomatic outreach led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Deputy
Ongoing diplomatic engagements in Islamabad involving the United States and Iran represent a significant step forward in international diplomacy, yet officials and analysts caution that the process remains far from a final settlement, with key issues still unresolved after decades of strained relations. Describing the development as an “important diplomatic opening,” sources familiar with the
Senior government and law enforcement officials on Saturday underscored growing concerns over cross-border terrorism affecting Balochistan, stating that recent militant activities and infiltration attempts are directly linked to elements operating from across the Afghan border. Addressing a joint press conference in Quetta, the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Balochistan, Hamza Shafqat, along with Deputy Inspector General
