Afghanistan has become a serious threat not only to Pakistan but to the entire region. Since the Taliban came to power, terrorist hideouts and safe havens in Afghanistan started getting stronger, especially that of Daesh. This is not only becoming a serious threat for Pakistan but for the entire region. There are more than 25 terrorist groups in Afghanistan, five of which have international agendas. Daesh is the leading one among them. Al-Qaeda is also regrouping in Afghanistan. In Nangarhar and nearby provinces, their activities are increasing. Arabs have also joined them. As for Saif Al-Adel, it is said that he is in Tora Bora. According to international media, he has brought 300 to 600 Al-Qaeda terrorists with him via Iran.
In this way, Daesh’s agenda is very dangerous, particularly because its sectarian (‘Maslaki’) inclination is a dangerous factor. Two countries are very concerned about this issue. One is Pakistan, because millions of Shia people live here and they are very important. In this way, a big threat is created in Iran as well. If Daesh becomes stronger and the Afghan government keeps on patronising it, or quietly turns a blind eye towards them, then Daesh’s agenda is very dangerous for the entire region. This is a theoretical and ideological perspective.
Daesh has carried out a lot of attacks in Pakistan in 2024 and during the current year. Many Daesh networks have been caught before the attacks. The world has realised that there is no room for tolerating Daesh’s activities in Afghanistan.
Regarding the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, recently the DG ISPR held a press conference. On 7 December, the PTI had a jalsa. There were a lot of statements and political talks, but no serious discussion about peace and security. The DG ISPR represented and defended Pakistan’s forces in a very aggressive manner. He fought their case. The PTI is complaining that DG ISPR, a government official, used harsh language. No, this is their domain. When there is a war in a province or in certain areas, and army soldiers, police, and CTD officers are being martyred, and people are facing a threat, then in such a situation, if the DG ISPR does not speak, then who will? The armed forces are fighting on the front. The PTI has never taken a stand on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s law and order situation.
The campaign launched by PTI, or the tone set by the CM KP against the DG ISPR, may appeal to public consumption, but no matter how much they try to demoralise Pakistan’s security forces, it cannot happen. However, there is an impression among the general public that this is the position of the government and the federal forces. Therefore, the reaction of the DG ISPR was natural. The purpose of PTI’s anti-DG ISPR campaign is to weaken relations between the public and Pakistan’s security forces. The PTI is not a party of that level that it should be given the right to represent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa despite having received a mandate. They did receive a mandate due to a reactionary environment, but that does not mean the rest of the people have no say in provincial affairs. Other parties are with Pakistan’s security forces, including ANP, because they understand the dynamics and implications of this war.
As far as Daesh or Al-Qaeda, or their revival and regrouping, there will be a lot of international pressure on the KP government. International media, including an American report, mention TTP and other terrorist groups as a big threat to Pakistan’s security and the entire region. There will be more attempts by the establishment to push back the KP government.
Regarding the strict return of Afghan immigrants, they are not being treated harshly in KP. It is not a joke that the federal government repeatedly threatened that if the KP government does not provide a roadmap for the return of Afghan citizens as per federal orders or decisions of Pakistan’s security forces, then the state will consider using federal institutions, such as the Frontier Corps and the Federal Constabulary. We need to think about this. Why is the KP government using the issue of Afghan repatriation as a political tool? This is inappropriate. They should be sent with dignity. Tolerating them more than necessary is also against the state’s decision. When the state decides, the KP government’s stance does not matter. People sent from Punjab to cross the Torkham border have been transferred to Hazara Division or sent to Peshawar. In Peshawar, there has been an increase in traffic and crimes.
Instead of using this issue for political point scoring, the Chief Minister had announced he would call for a meeting of the Apex Committee. When he holds it, he should set aside political differences and focus on security issues. The Apex Committee includes secretaries and the Corps Commander. The Chief Minister and his team should start paying attention to KP’s security challenges.
Terror groups like TTP, Al-Qaeda, and Daesh are increasing daily. Attacks are also increasing. The Afghan Taliban do not take practical action against them. This issue has spread globally. There can be two or three factors behind this: one is that they are patronising these groups. They are certainly backing TTP and all other groups against Pakistan, about 15 in total, though they do not openly admit it. Negotiations have been held with no result. Internationally, the presence of Daesh, Al-Qaeda, and TTP in northern Afghanistan is a dangerous situation for Russia, China, the United States, and the region.
Therefore, the people of KP, its government, and its media should not present this issue as solely a KP problem but as a matter of Pakistan and the entire region. Pressure will increase internationally, and joint ventures between Pakistan and the United States are possible. The KP government and ruling party need to reconsider their attitude. They must take a clear position: are they with the state or against it? Current statements by party members, including Sohail Afridi, have harmed the state. Media coverage, domestic and abroad, misrepresented DG ISPR’s words as insulting KP’s people. In reality, the PTI’s baseless accusations provoked the reaction. Security and national peace should not be politicised.
The state, considering all options, including the possible imposition of governor rule, must take the steps it deems necessary if KP and PTI remain insistent or do not support federal directives.
