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In the complex security landscape of South Asia, few countries have paid as high a price for its commitment to rooting out terrorism as Pakistan. Decades of sacrifice, resilience and strategic repositioning have marked its journey in the global war on terror. The nation continues to face threats on several fronts, particularly from the Islamic State Khorasan Province and the Balochistan Liberation Army. These two outfits represent ideologically divergent but operationally aligned threats aimed at destabilising Pakistan and projecting a distorted narrative of the situation to the world.
The ISKP, an offshoot of the Islamic State movement, has emerged as the key challenge to peace in Afghanistan and beyond. Its ideology is rooted in violent extremism. It thrives on chaos, sectarian discord and foreign funding. The BLA, on the other hand, is an ethno-nationalist terrorist outfit that has long exploited grievances in Balochistan for violent secessionist aims. While the former seeks to impose a theocratic utopia and undermine the state’s writ through religious radicalism, the latter peddles a manufactured narrative of marginalisation to justify attacks on civilians, state officials and development projects.
Despite their different worldviews, both groups converge on one crucial point: their hostility towards the Pakistani state. Both have repeatedly targeted security personnel, religious minorities, infrastructure and foreign investments, particularly those associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. These are not acts of rebellion; they are acts of terrorism—designed to strike fear, sow discord and obstruct progress.
Pakistan’s approach to both the ISKP and the BLA is rooted in its commitment to constitutionalism, territorial integrity and national unity. Unlike some global powers that cherry-pick terrorist organisations over tactical considerations, Pakistan has remained consistent in its rejection of all forms of terrorism. This uniform approach is not merely rhetorical; it is embedded in years of military operations, legislative reforms, counterterrorism measures and regional diplomacy.
The ISKP’s presence in the region is particularly insidious. Its fighters have established safe havens in ungoverned areas of Afghanistan. Since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021, the group has intensified its activities, targeting both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Suicide bombings in mosques, attacks on Shiite and Sufi gatherings and assaults on border security forces highlight its singular aim: to turn the region into a crucible of chaos. Pakistan has not only condemned the ISKP’s atrocities but also acted decisively through intelligence-based operations and strengthened border fencing to curb their cross-border infiltration. The government’s stance is clear: there is zero tolerance for terrorism masquerading as ideology.
The BLA, meanwhile, continues to operate under the false banner of “freedom.” Its attacks, often targeting Pakistani citizens of Chinese origin or Chinese nationals working on CPEC projects, provide a clue to the identity of its real backers. India’s Research and Analysis Wing has been providing training, funding and safe havens to BLA operatives. The arrest and confession of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav in Balochistan bear testimony to this fact. Pakistan has time and again raised this issue at international forums, urging the global community to recognise BLA for what it is: a foreign-funded terrorist outfit exploiting Balochistan’s development challenges.
Pakistan’s approach to tackling terrorism is multi-pronged. Military operations such as Zarb-i-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad have significantly limited the operational capabilities of both local and trans-national terrorists. The National Action Plan remains a cornerstone policy document, focusing equally on de-radicalisation, madrassa reform, monitoring of hate speech and improved inter-agency coordination.
The international community’s selective outrage is not just disappointing; it is also dangerous. When Western capitals host self-exiled BLA operatives or allow them to hold rallies on the pretext of “human rights activism,” they legitimise a violent fringe and marginalise the victims of terrorism in Pakistan. Similarly, the silence on ISKP atrocities while condemning other groups elsewhere reeks of geopolitical hypocrisy. Pakistan’s position on the matter is simple: the world must adopt a single standard on terrorism. There are no good terrorists or bad terrorists, only terrorists.
Pakistan’s approach to tackling terrorism has been multi-pronged. Military operations such as Zarb-i-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad have significantly limited the operational capabilities of both local and trans-national terrorists. The National Action Plan remains a key policy document, focusing equally on de-radicalisation, madrassa reform, monitoring of hate speech and improved inter-agency coordination. The creation of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) as a hub for data sharing and strategy-making has further strengthened the state’s resolve.
Balochistan, in particular, has been prioritised for development, dialogue and security. The CPEC projects have created thousands of jobs and improved connectivity in the region. The BLA and its allies attempt to portray this progress as exploitation. The BLA has denied the Baloch youth economic opportunities by targeting educational institutions, healthcare workers and development personnel. Its narrative of marginalisation is a smokescreen for its hidden agenda of sabotage and violence.
The security forces have borne the brunt of the terrorist activities. Their sacrifices have not been in vain. Pakistan is far more stable, far more secure and far more determined today than it was a decade ago. Its security institutions, the civil society and the youth are united against extremism and secessionism.
It is important here to highlight the role of the media and the academia in confronting these threats. Balanced reporting, responsible journalism and fact-based analysis are crucial to countering the disinformation spread by both the ISKP and the BLA. The public intellectuals, think tanks and the civil society must dismantle the ideological foundations of extremism and ethnic militancy. Pakistan’s youth deserve truth, not the poison of propaganda.
The ISKP and the BLA are two faces of the same evil—one cloaked in religion, the other in ethnicity. Both seek to destabilise Pakistan and derail its march toward peace and prosperity. Pakistan’s principled stand against them is a matter of survival, sovereignty and moral clarity. The world must support Pakistan in this fight and not just by issuing statements but also through actionable intelligence sharing and a firm commitment to rule of law.
The enemies of peace must be exposed and defeated. For Pakistan, there is no other choice.
The writer is a reporter at The News International. He can be reached at sherali9984gmail.com