The feared outcome has occurred. With the failure of Pakistan-Afghanistan talks, a wave of terrorism has begun to intensify in Pakistan. The terrorist attack on Wana Cadet College has been foiled, while the terrorists of the India-backed group “Fitna al-Khawarij” had planned an extremely dangerous attack similar to the APS Peshawar tragedy, which the security forces thwarted with skill and excellent strategy, rescuing all students and teachers safely. The terrorists were in constant contact with Afghanistan and were receiving instructions from there.
Unfortunately, in the federal capital Islamabad’s G-11 sector, near the district courts, a suicide blast claimed the lives of 12 people and injured 27. According to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s statement, the suicide attacker was trying to enter the court premises; he stood there for 10 to 15 minutes, planning to go inside. When a police vehicle arrived, the attacker carried out the blast. The first priority will be to identify the suicide bomber, and those involved in the court attack will also be exposed.
The nation has not forgotten the 2014 Army Public School tragedy in Peshawar, and it seems that the terrorists had planned to massacre the students and teachers of Wana Cadet College with the same brutality. Two terrorists were killed first, and later three more were sent to hell.
India has launched a proxy war against Pakistan and, using the weapon of fifth-generation warfare, continues to promote terrorism. Security forces are on alert in other major cities of the country as well, and the hope is that terrorism will continue to be curbed as effectively as it was today. Security forces and law enforcement agencies, while implementing the National Action Plan, are busy eliminating terrorists. At this time, the public must also keep their eyes and ears open and assist the security forces in every possible way.
This week, Türkiye’s foreign minister, defense minister, and intelligence chief will also visit Pakistan, and discussions are expected with them regarding measures to overcome the challenge of terrorism. On one hand, Afghanistan’s interim Taliban government has damaged its relations with Pakistan, while on the other hand, India has completely tightened its grip on it, and now the Taliban’s inclination seems to be toward India, which is promoting terrorism in Pakistan using Afghanistan’s shoulder.
In the past, just as India established hundreds of info labs to spread toxic propaganda against Pakistan and China, now the Narendra Modi government of India is targeting Pakistan by exploiting the Afghan people and poisoning public minds — a dangerous trend.
Pakistan must adopt a competitive policy to counter this propaganda, and it is already implementing such a policy, but more concrete steps are needed. If this propaganda intensifies, Pakistan will be compelled to target terrorist hideouts inside Afghanistan — not only to ensure national security but also to exercise its right under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
According to Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, the TTP and Fitna al-Khawarij are proxies of the Afghan Taliban, and the cowardly attacks on Pakistan have extinguished hopes of achieving any meaningful progress in peace talks with the Taliban.
Earlier, talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s interim Taliban government ended without result, after which terrorist attacks increased. On November 7, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated that the negotiations had concluded, with no program or hope for the next round. Türkiye and Qatar support Pakistan’s position. The Afghan delegation insisted that their verbal assurances be trusted, which was not acceptable during discussions — as final matters are always put in writing. The Afghan delegation appeared to agree with Pakistan’s stance but was unwilling to put it in writing. Now even the mediators have withdrawn. If the mediators had seen a ray of hope, there might have been a reason for the Pakistani team to stay.
Afghanistan’s violation of the Doha Agreement and its open promotion of terrorism could lead to severe consequences. Afghanistan may become further isolated internationally; funds from the United Nations and other agencies may decrease; and under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, multilateral action could be taken against Afghanistan. This would not be good for Pakistan, as the common people of Afghanistan are our brothers. However, the Afghan administration has decided not to act against terrorist groups.
It is better that the Afghan Taliban recognize the ground realities, completely withdraw their support from all terrorist groups, and seriously consider Pakistan’s position — as well as the evidence and proofs Pakistan has presented for regional peace and stability. If the Afghan leadership continues to turn a blind eye to reality, the consequences could prove harmful not only for Afghanistan but for the entire region. In such a situation, countries like India could exploit it to pursue their political and strategic objectives through every possible conspiracy and tactic.
Pakistan’s security forces have, in the past, made unparalleled sacrifices to eliminate terrorism, extremism, and organized crime. They have fulfilled their duty to protect the nation in every difficult phase and are ready to face every challenge in the future for the peace, stability, and progress of the country. The time has come for Afghanistan to learn from past mistakes and adopt the path of lasting peace and cooperation in the region so that this region can enter a new era of development, stability, and mutual respect.
