Monitoring Desk: “Pakistan is a victim of constant cross-border terrorism planned and executed from Afghanistan that has become a haven for multiple terrorist groups who are attacking Pakistan under geopolitical designs”.
These were observations of security and geopolitics analysts such as AVM (R) Ijaz Mahmood Malik and Shazia Anwer Cheema in a PTV World Show–Fault Lines anchored by Shehzad Raza on Saturday.
Participants were of the view that terrorism inside Pakistan is directly linked with realities of multipolar world and terrorists using NATO grade weaponry left by allied forces in Afghanistan is being used by terrorists against the Pakistan Army, China’s interests in the region and innocent civilians in Pakistan.
They were of the view that the latest weapons were not left in haste by allied forces in Afghanistan but by design, and these weapons are already in the hands of terrorists. Shazia Anwer Cheema was of the view that the US’s decision of taking weapons back to the US is almost an impossible task as light weaponry has already been sold or distributed among terrorists. AVM (retd) Ijaz Mahmood believed that leaving weapons behind was a strategic move and heavy weaponry could be taken back to the United States, and it is also a difficult but possible task.
They lauded the appreciation of US President Trump who said Pakistan played a pivotal role in arresting global terrorists. They were of the view that Pakistan is constantly working against terrorists and Islamabad always fulfilled its commitment towards global demands, but every time there are misconceptions and doubts against Pakistan, although Pakistan is the victim of terrorism.
It is pertinent to mention that Afghan citizens are involved in conducting terrorist attacks inside Pakistan and the recent surge in terrorism is surely linked with Afghan sleeper cells operating both sides of the Pak-Afghan border.
A report titled “Afghans in Pakistan, chaos, carnage, and resolve” indicates 517 terrorist attacks were recorded in 2023, but this number surged to 1,099 in 2024, marking a 112% increase within a year, and is constantly rising in the first three months of year 2025.
These attacks have primarily targeted security personnel, Chinese citizens, Chinese infrastructure (CPEC projects) civilians, and government installations, leading to significant casualties and a growing sense of insecurity across the country. The most affected regions remain Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, where militant activities have intensified. Reports from the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) highlight a 174% increase in terrorist incidents in KP in 2023, while Balochistan experienced a 39% rise, reflecting a disturbing escalation in militant aggression.
Terrorist incidents in Pak-Afghan border areas have increased by 80%, because Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) are collaborating under the support of Afghan Taliban. There are reports that the Afghan Taliban interim regime has started collaboration with ISIS-K by demarcating areas of operations.
