Since the withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan, there has been a 60 per cent increase in terrorism in Pakistan. Following this withdrawal, the ideological kins of the Afghan Taliban, who had fought alongside the United States, redirected their hostility towards Pakistan. Once allies in counter-terrorism efforts, the U.S. policy regarding security assistance to Pakistan now remains nebulous. […]

August 26 of this year marks the 18th anniversary of Pakistan’s assassination of Nawab Akbar Bugti – who was neither a terrorist, nor a jihadi commander, nor a secessionist rebel, but a former defense minister of Pakistan, a former chief minister of the country’s largest province of Baluchistan elected by its people, a former governor of the province who stood […]

This report includes two translations. One is a translation of a Dari-language media report published on Afintl.com about Afghan Taliban cleric Mullah Sultan Muhammad Saqib, who is the head of Afghan Taliban’s jihadi madrassa in Nangarhar province and has followers among the Taliban fighters. He tells his followers that the unbelievers are occupying Jerusalem and jihad has become obligatory on […]

The challenge ahead is a formidable one that will require the military-intelligence services to fully focus on this newly metastasized terrorist threat in order to emerge victorious, which in turn necessitates their top brass giving them the order to abandon the all-out nationwide crackdown against the opposition. Pakistan’s prior large-scale anti-terrorist operations succeeded precisely because those carrying them out weren’t […]

The tribal areas of Pakistan, particularly in regions like North and South Waziristan, have long been known for their complex social dynamics and occasional violent clashes. The recent tragic incident involving Hazrat Naeem, also known as Gilaman Wazir, is a stark reminder of the volatility that exists within these communities. Despite various development efforts, these regions remain fraught with tensions […]

“We have never seen a Chinese reaction like this one,” says regional security affairs analyst Ahmed Rashid, referring to Beijing’s persistent public demand that Pakistan ensure the safety of Chinese nationals since a March 26 suicide attack killed five Chinese workers there. As Pakistan fights a resurgent wave of terrorism that has killed hundreds of local civilians and security personnel […]

The recent diplomatic breakthrough between Pakistan and Turkmenistan to expedite the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project marks a significant stride towards regional energy cooperation and economic integration. This agreement, forged amidst a complex geopolitical landscape, underscores Pakistan’s commitment to bolstering its energy security while fostering stronger ties with its Central Asian neighbor. The TAPI project, once completed, promises to deliver […]

The Pakistan Stock Exchange experienced volatility throughout the week ended on July 29, 2024, heavily influenced by political noise. The benchmark index lost 2,088 points 0r 2.61%WoW at close at 78,029 points. With Pakistan’s agenda yet to be included in the IMF board meeting, authorities are focusing on fulfilling other external financing requirements, with efforts including visit to China for […]

Terrorism in Pakistan and particularly in KP has become active again after the Taliban captured the power in Afghanistan. Taliban mostly through Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is regarded as responsible for instigating this violence more often. This has not gone well with the Afghan Taliban’s main patron, the Pakistani government, who has put a lot of pressure on the Afghan […]

Suicide bombers and gunmen penetrated a military base in northwestern Pakistan last week, killing eight soldiers. It was just the latest in a string of deadly attacks to hit the South Asian country, where militant violence has surged in recent years. But what was significant about the July 15 attack in the city of Bannu was the group that claimed […]