Opinion

When Neighbours Become Adversaries: Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Dangerous Politics of Distraction

Opinion /

There are moments in a nation’s history when the difference between political theatre and matters of survival becomes painfully clear. Pakistan appears to be living through precisely such a moment. On one side is an increasingly bitter relationship with Afghanistan, a relationship complicated by terrorism, border tensions, accusations and counter-accusations, and the collapse of confidence between two neighbours who cannot simply walk away from each other. On the other is a deteriorating security environment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where

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TTP, PTI's TTP Policy, Taliban Khan, PTI's KP Government and War Against Terror, Pakistan's Fight Against Terrorism and PTI's Dirty Politics

The TTP Talks Have a History, And So Does PTI’s Role in Them

Opinion /

The question of how the PTI leadership has approached the Taliban and terrorism is not new. Since 2009, there have been repeated statements about negotiations, ceasefires, amnesties, rehabilitation and resettlement. The party’s founder has himself made around 16 such statements, including remarks to international media. At one point, he said that if they came into

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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Security Crisis, Afghan Taliban and Terrorist Safe Havens, ISPR, Operation Ghazab Lil Haqq and Pakistan's War on Terror

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Security Crisis and the Growing Pressure on the Afghan Taliban

Opinion /

The security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains deeply concerning. Intelligence-based operations are continuing, weapons and ammunition are being recovered, and security forces are conducting operations against terrorists. At the same time, terrorist attacks continue to take place in different parts of the province. In the last week of September, terrorist incidents were reported in Kohat,

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The Long March, the Missing Consensus and the Prison Gates: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faces a Test of Political Credibility and Security

Opinion /

Fida Adeel  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is once again at the centre of a political storm, with the province simultaneously witnessing intense political activity, an increasingly uncertain long-march strategy and a deteriorating security environment. At the heart of this unfolding situation is Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, whose political seriousness, organizational command and ability to deliver on repeated promises have become subjects of intense debate. The proposed long march towards Islamabad has already generated questions about its date, route, leadership,

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Security, Governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Terrorism and Counterterrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI's Long March, Sohail Afridi and October 04

KP Must Answer for Security, Governance and the Money Spent on Both

Opinion /

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s security situation cannot be separated from the provincial government’s responsibilities, its spending priorities and the capacity of its police and counter-terrorism institutions. After the 18th Amendment, law and order is among the core responsibilities of the provincial government, along with health, education, infrastructure development and rehabilitation. When we look at the security situation

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The Taliban’s Digital Propaganda, Rising Resistance and the Return of Repression

Opinion /

Shamim Shahid Afghanistan is once again standing at a critical political and security crossroads. On one side, the Taliban government is attempting to project an image of a secure, stable and functioning Afghanistan through social media, digital platforms, carefully selected footage and coordinated online campaigns. On the other side, reports of growing resistance, political opposition, worsening tensions with Pakistan and the arrest of women are presenting a very different picture of the country.

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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, KP Leadership, Pakistan War on Terror and PTI's Double Game, Pakistan's Fight against Terror and PTI's Dirty Politics, CM Sohail Afridi on Terror

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Has Everything Except the Leadership It Needs

Opinion /

The biggest complaint against the current Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, and his predecessor, Ali Amin Gandapur, is that they have neither taken ownership of the war against terrorism nor openly supported the fight against it. The provincial government appears to be more concerned about its political survival than the security of its

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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Silent Emergency: Terrorism, Political Drift and the Threat of a Wider Conflict

Opinion /

Irfan Khan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is once again standing at a dangerous crossroads. The province is confronted with a worsening crisis of peace and security, with terrorist incidents, militant activity and attacks on security personnel and civilians creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty across several districts. At the same time, the political landscape remains dominated by protests, rallies, political campaigns and partisan confrontation. This growing contrast raises a fundamental question that can no longer be avoided: who is taking ownership

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Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions, TTA-TTP-PTI Nexus, Pakistan's War on Terror and Afghan Taliban's Double Game, Operation Ghazb Lil Haq and Afghan Safe Havens, Pakistan's Fight against Terror and PTI's Dirty Politics

Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions Set to Escalate as Taliban Refuse to Act Against TTP

Opinion /

Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions are likely to continue escalating, and I believe Pakistan’s airstrikes inside Afghanistan will increase in the coming days. The fundamental reason is that the Afghan Taliban are still unwilling to accept what various countries, international organizations and forums, including the United Nations and the European Union, have repeatedly highlighted: Afghan soil is being

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