(Irfran Khan)
For years, the fight against terrorism in Pakistan has largely been viewed through the lens of military operations, security actions, and the number of militants eliminated. Every successful operation brings relief, but it also raises a deeper and more important question: Can terrorism truly be defeated by targeting terrorists alone, or does victory require dismantling the entire system that keeps terrorism alive?
As security operations continue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly the ongoing operation in Bannu that has entered its eighth day, this question has become more significant than ever. The real challenge is not only identifying and eliminating armed individuals but also cutting off the networks that provide them money, weapons, transportation, shelter, recruitment opportunities, and logistical support.
Terrorism is not sustained merely by ideology. Behind every armed group is an infrastructure a financial network, illegal businesses, facilitators, safe houses, and individuals who either support these groups willingly or are forced to cooperate because of fear. Unless these foundations are removed, military victories may remain temporary.
The primary concern of state institutions and security agencies is now shifting toward identifying and eliminating the complete network behind terrorist organizations. This includes sources of funding, weapons supply chains, explosive materials, communication systems, and places where militants receive protection.
The question is simple: if terrorists lose their financial resources and facilities, can their ability to continue violence decrease? The answer is yes, because no militant organization can survive without resources.
There are multiple factors behind terrorist financing. Some analysts point toward external involvement and regional rivalries, while others highlight internal weaknesses that allow illegal economies to flourish. The case of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav in Balochistan has often been cited by Pakistani officials as evidence of foreign interference and attempts to destabilize the country. The broader argument is that hostile actors may attempt to exploit existing conflicts and illegal networks for strategic purposes.
However, foreign involvement is only one part of a much larger picture. Internal illegal economies also provide opportunities for terrorist groups to generate resources. One major source of concern is the connection between illegal trade and militant financing. In areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, activities such as oil smuggling, drug trafficking, and the illegal trade of non-custom-paid vehicles have created underground economies worth billions.
During discussions about these issues, attention was drawn toward oil smuggling from Iran through Balochistan. Estimates mentioned that billions of rupees’ worth of oil are smuggled through the border every day, and a portion of this money can eventually reach criminal and militant networks. A 2021 survey conducted by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government through the University of Peshawar examined illegal activities in districts including Orakzai, Kurram, and Khyber. According to the findings discussed, drug production in these areas represents a massive illegal economy. The estimated financial value of this industry was calculated in the hundreds of billions of rupees annually.
Such figures highlight a serious reality: terrorism does not exist separately from organized crime. Illegal businesses create money, and that money can support violence. Drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and undocumented transportation networks provide terrorist groups with opportunities to collect funds and move resources without detection.
One example that demonstrates the connection between illegal markets and terrorism is the use of non-custom-paid vehicles in attacks. During the investigation of the attack on Chinese citizens in Shangla, it was revealed that the vehicle involved was a non-custom-paid vehicle. Because such vehicles often lack proper registration and ownership records, tracing their movement and identifying those responsible becomes extremely difficult.
This lack of documentation creates a security gap. A legally registered vehicle can be traced through ownership records, but an undocumented vehicle can change hands multiple times without leaving a clear trail. Terrorist organizations exploit these weaknesses. Illegal vehicles, illegal weapons markets, and smuggling networks provide them with mobility and operational advantages. Therefore, counterterrorism cannot be limited to military operations. It must also include strict action against illegal economies that indirectly strengthen extremist organizations.
Another major challenge is recruitment. Terrorist organizations do not only need money; they need manpower. Young people living in areas affected by poverty, unemployment, and limited educational opportunities can become vulnerable to extremist recruitment. When an unemployed young person is offered a monthly payment of Rs40,000 to Rs50,000, along with weapons, authority, and a sense of power, the attraction can become dangerous.
At the age of 18 to 20, many young individuals are searching for identity, respect, and financial security. Terrorist groups exploit these needs by presenting themselves as a source of income and influence. The state’s response cannot only be military action. A long-term strategy requires investment in education, technical skills, employment opportunities, and youth development programs. If a young person has access to education, vocational training, and a respectable livelihood, extremist groups lose one of their biggest recruitment advantages.
Security forces and intelligence agencies have an essential role in eliminating terrorist networks, but society’s role is equally important. The fight against terrorism is not only a battle of weapons; it is also a battle of ideas. There must be a clear public message that terrorism is not a religious duty or a legitimate struggle. It is violence, destruction, and disorder that damages communities and destroys opportunities.
The media has a responsibility to spread awareness and educate people about the reality of extremist organizations. Local governments, elected representatives, religious scholars, political leaders, and community figures can play a crucial role because they have direct connections with ordinary citizens. Local religious scholars from different communities, political parties, and respected social figures can help prevent extremist narratives from taking root.
A successful awareness campaign must reach villages, streets, schools, and communities not only television studios and government offices.
The ongoing security situation has also raised questions about the priorities of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. Citizens in areas such as Mohmand have expressed concerns that while terrorism is increasing, political activities and protests are receiving more attention than public security challenges. At a time when operations are continuing in Bannu, South Waziristan, Mohmand, and Khyber districts, many believe the provincial government should demonstrate greater seriousness.
Instead of focusing primarily on political gatherings and protests, critics argue that the government should call meetings of the Apex Committee, review security strategies, evaluate existing action plans, and coordinate closely with security institutions. Counterterrorism requires political ownership. Security forces cannot carry the entire burden alone. Civil institutions must also contribute through governance, development, policing reforms, and community engagement.
The government must ask difficult questions: What is the recruitment prevention strategy? What economic opportunities exist for vulnerable youth? How are illegal businesses being controlled? How effective is local administration? These are the measures that determine whether terrorism is reduced permanently or continues to return.
Meanwhile, developments in Afghanistan are creating additional concerns for the region. Reports from Afghanistan indicate clashes between the Taliban and the Afghanistan Freedom Front in Badakhshan province. According to reports, 21 Taliban fighters, including important commanders, were killed, while 37 others were injured. The situation reflects the changing dynamics inside Afghanistan. Resistance groups challenging Taliban control have been gaining attention, particularly in areas where opposition movements have historical roots.
The resistance movement associated with Ahmad Shah Massoud’s legacy has remained significant among opponents of Taliban rule. If resistance groups expand their influence in Badakhshan and other areas, it could create serious challenges for the Taliban government’s ability to maintain control.
Afghanistan’s internal instability has direct consequences for neighboring countries, especially Pakistan. Any increase in conflict, militant movement, or uncontrolled spaces can affect regional security.
Former Afghan leaders, including Hamid Karzai, Ashraf Ghani, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, and other influential figures such as former ambassador Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, have reportedly remained engaged in diplomatic discussions with international representatives regarding Afghanistan’s future.
The fight against terrorism requires more than operations. Operations are necessary, but they address only one part of the problem. The complete solution requires four major steps: First, terrorist financing networks must be destroyed. Money is the fuel that keeps militant organizations alive. Second, illegal economies such as smuggling, drug trafficking, and undocumented vehicle networks must be controlled because they create financial opportunities for criminal and terrorist groups.
Third, young people must be protected from extremist recruitment through education, employment, and social development. Fourth, governments, security institutions, media, religious scholars, and communities must work together to create awareness and resilience. The lesson from years of conflict is clear: terrorism cannot be defeated only on the battlefield. The battlefield is where terrorists are confronted, but the roots of terrorism exist in financing, recruitment, illegal markets, and social vulnerabilities. Pakistan’s security depends not only on how many terrorists are eliminated but on whether the system that produces and supports terrorism is dismantled.
The real victory will come when terrorist organizations no longer have money to operate, people to recruit, places to hide, or communities to manipulate. That is the battle that will determine the future of peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and the entire region.
