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Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan warns of imminent Indian military strike along LoC amid rising post-Pahalgam tensions
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that India may carry out a military strike along the Line of Control at any moment, as tensions escalate following the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan has accused India of stoking regional instability and called for an international investigation. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed 'firm and decisive' action and given full freedom to the armed forces to respond. Both sides have adopted hardened positions, deepening the diplomatic and military stand-off. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Accusations against India resurface Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Call for international probe Pakistan's military vows strong response Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India signals tough measures Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday said India may launch a military strike at any time along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. The warning followed the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, including several tourists.'There are reports that India may strike at any point along the LoC... New Delhi will be given a befitting reply,' Asif told reporters in Islamabad, as reported by remarks came as both nations appeared locked in a growing confrontation, marked by strong statements and escalating diplomatic the same press conference, Asif sharply criticised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi , accusing him of exacerbating regional tensions for political ends.'Modi is pushing the region to the brink of nuclear war for political gains,' he said. He further alleged that 'New Delhi was involved in terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan'.Asif claimed that Pakistan had earlier shared 'videos of India financing terrorism' with the United Nations in 2016 and 2017. He also linked the recent uptick in terror activity in Pakistan's western provinces to Afghan-based groups, which he alleged were 'backed by India'.Adding to his remarks, Asif said that Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had formally sought an independent investigation into the Pahalgam incident.'Such a probe would expose whether India itself or any internal group was involved, and clarify the truth behind New Delhi's baseless allegations,' Asif warning by the Defence Minister was echoed by Pakistan's Army Chief, General Syed Asim Munir , who emphasised a firm stance on national Munir said the military would 'respond with full force' to safeguard the 'national prestige and prosperity of his people'.These declarations were not the first of their kind. Just last week, Pakistan's Information Minister Atta Tarar had signalled a 24 to 36-hour window as critical, suggesting that Indian military action could be imminent. That period passed without incident, but the rhetoric from Islamabad has remained the Pahalgam attack, India took a series of steps to ramp up pressure on Pakistan. These included the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty , closure of the Attari-Wagah border — the only land crossing between the two nations — and a downgrade in diplomatic Minister Narendra Modi has made India's position clear. He said the country is committed to taking 'firm and decisive' action against terrorists and those who support also issued a directive to India's military leadership, granting 'complete operational freedom' to determine the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed, have seen their already-fraught relationship take a sharp downturn since the deadly attack in Pahalgam. With no formal talks underway and both capitals issuing tough messages, tensions along the LoC remain dangerously region has witnessed flare-ups in the past, but the current situation carries added weight due to the scale of the civilian toll and the intensity of the diplomatic fallout. Whether either side takes a step back remains uncertain.(With inputs from PTI)
Express Tribune
14-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Wakhan Corridor can act as a shield against terrorism
The writer is a public policy analyst based in Lahore. She can be reached at durdananajam1@ Listen to article Pakistan's relationship with Afghanistan has been marked by shared histories, cultural ties and decades of geopolitical upheaval. Despite these commonalities, the bilateral relationship has often been fraught with mistrust and conflict. While Pakistan played a crucial role in supporting Afghanistan during times of crisis, it has borne huge costs — economically, socially, and in terms of security. Today, emerging threats such as the Wakhan Corridor risk further destabilising Pakistan, presenting challenges that require urgent attention and innovative solutions. Pakistan's involvement in Afghanistan's wars has left it grappling with dire consequences. The 1980s witnessed Pakistan becoming a frontline state in the Afghan-Soviet conflict, a role that reshaped its internal dynamics. With the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in the 2000s, Pakistan once again became enmeshed in its neighbour's chaos. Despite providing crucial support to Western efforts and suffering from the spillover effects of Afghanistan's instability, Pakistan's contributions were often overlooked. The statistics paint a grim picture. Over 80,000 lives were lost, and direct and indirect economic losses exceeded $450 billion - a staggering sum that dwarfs any financial aid Pakistan received. Between 2001 and 2017 alone, Pakistan suffered annual losses of $7.7 billion, totaling $123.2 billion, far surpassing what it spent on education, healthcare and welfare during the same period. Western aid was mere reimbursement rather than compensation for the massive toll inflicted by Afghanistan's enduring crises. This relentless instability also crippled Pakistan's infrastructure, displaced millions and fueled extremism within its borders. Amidst these challenges, a new threat has emerged in the form of the Wakhan Corridor - a narrow, mountainous passageway that connects Afghanistan to China while skirting Pakistan's northernmost border. This corridor, historically linked to Pakistan before colonial demarcations, has become a porous gateway for Afghan-based militants. Its unchecked nature enables terrorist groups to infiltrate Pakistan, China and Central Asia, destabilising the entire region. Adding to this is Afghanistan's paradoxical stance on regional connectivity. While the Taliban openly allows India access to Afghan airbases and trade routes, they resist Pakistan's legitimate ambitions for regional connectivity. This clear bias undermines Afghanistan's own economic interests and highlights the complexities of the geopolitical landscape. Such policies create further isolation and hamper cooperation that could benefit all. The Wakhan Corridor's vulnerability to extremism and its role in obstructing regional trade make it a critical issue for Pakistan. Without security measures, this passageway risks becoming a transit hub for militants, exacerbating Pakistan's internal security threats and undermining its efforts to promote regional stability. To address this multifaceted challenge, Pakistan must adopt a proactive approach. First, Pakistan could explore diplomatic and legal avenues to negotiate the leasing or acquisition of the Wakhan Corridor, securing a direct trade route to Central Asia. Such a move would not only enhance regional connectivity but also reduce reliance on unstable Afghan transit routes. If negotiations fail, Pakistan might consider constructing a tunnel to bypass Afghanistan altogether, providing a stable and secure link to Central Asia. Second, Pakistan must collaborate with neighboring countries, including China and CARs, to advocate for collective security measures in the Wakhan Corridor. Joint initiatives could prevent the corridor from becoming a safe haven for terrorists while promoting shared economic interests. Lastly, Pakistan should invest in regional dialogue, emphasising the mutual benefits of connectivity and stability for all stakeholders, including Afghanistan. The Wakhan Corridor represents both a historical legacy and a contemporary challenge for Pakistan. The corridor offers an opportunity to redefine regional dynamics. With strategic foresight and collaborative efforts, Pakistan can transform this neglected gateway into a bridge of economic prosperity and peace.
Express Tribune
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Kabul complicit in TTP attacks: Pak envoy
Pakistan has, yet again, drawn the attention of the international community towards the greatest threat to the security and stability in Afghanistan — and the entire region, saying it will take all necessary measures to stop cross-border terrorist attacks. In a statement during the UN Security Council briefing on Afghanistan on Monday, Pakistan's envoy noted that the Afghan interim government utterly failed in addressing the threat posed to the region and beyond by Afghan-based terrorist outfits such as Al-Qaeda, the TTP and Baloch terrorists, including the BLA and the Majeed Brigade. Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which was perceived as enjoying Kabul's patronage, had been fast emerging as an umbrella organisation for regional terrorist groups, whose objectives, he added, were to undermine the security and stability of all of Afghanistan's neighbours. "Given its long association with Al-Qaeda, the TTP could pose not only a regional but also a global terrorist threat," the ambassador emphasised. He said that the TTP, with 6,000 fighters, was the largest, designated terrorist organisation operating from Afghanistan. "With safe havens close to our border, the TTP has conducted numerous attacks against Pakistan's soldiers, civilians and institutions resulting in hundreds of casualties," he added. "We have evidence that the Kabul authorities have not only tolerated but are also complicit in the conduct of the TTP's terrorist cross-border attacks." Ambassador Akram noted that the TTP was collaborating with other terrorist groups present in Afghanistan, like the BLA and the Majeed Brigade, which sought to destabilise Pakistan and "disrupt our economic cooperation" with China, especially the CPEC, through their terrorist campaign. "The TTP also receives external support and financing from our principal adversary."
Voice of America
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
UN Security Council raises alarm over rising IS-K threat from Afghanistan
United Nations counterterrorism officials warned during a Security Council meeting Monday that an Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan remains a significant threat to regional and global security. The discussion centered on the threat posed by Islamic State, also known as Daesh, and its regional offshoots to international peace and security. The Afghan-based Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) was highlighted as one of the 'most dangerous branches' of the transnational terrorist group. It has carried out repeated high-profile attacks targeting Afghan civilians and members of the country's de facto Taliban rulers. 'ISIL-Khorasan has continued to pose a significant threat in Afghanistan, the region and beyond,' Vladimir Voronkov, U.N. undersecretary-general for counterterrorism, told the meeting, using another acronym for IS-K. He stated that IS-K supporters had plotted attacks in Europe and were actively seeking to recruit individuals from Central Asian countries. 'There were also reports of small numbers of foreign terrorist fighters continuing to travel to Afghanistan,' Voronkov said. He renewed a U.N. appeal for all member states to come together to prevent the South Asian country from 'again becoming a hotbed of terrorist activities.' While addressing the meeting, U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea described IS-K as a significant global threat. 'We remain concerned about ISIS-K's capabilities to plot and conduct attacks, as well as sustain recruitment campaigns, particularly in Afghanistan and Pakistan,' Shea stated, using another acronym for IS-K. Chinese envoy Fu Cong cautioned without elaborating that terrorists linked to IS-K, al-Qaida and the anti-China East Turkestan Islamic Movement 'are very active' in Afghanistan and 'are colluding with each other.' 'China calls on the Afghan interim government to take visible and verifiable action to disintegrate and eliminate all terrorist organizations entrenched in Afghanistan,' Fu said, referring to the Taliban government, which is not recognized by any country. Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's ambassador to the U.N., attributed the increasing threat of IS-K to the hasty withdrawal of U.S.-led NATO troops from Afghanistan in 2021. 'The growing activity of ISIL-Khorasan is no coincidence. While hastily leaving Afghanistan, NATO troops abandoned vast quantities of weapons and equipment there, which then fell into the hands of ISIL inter alia [among other things],' Nebenzya asserted. Munir Akram, Pakistan's envoy to the U.N., questioned the validity of U.S. claims that IS-K is conducting recruitment campaigns in his country. He cited U.N. findings that Afghanistan is 'the main hub for ISIL-K's recruitment and facilitation' and rejected 'any imputation that there is any such recruitment in Pakistan.' Taliban authorities have not responded to the U.N. assertions but have persistently downplayed IS-K activities in the country, claiming that no foreign terrorist groups operated on Afghan soil. De facto Afghan leaders assert that Taliban counterterrorism forces have nearly eliminated IS-K hideouts, and the group can no longer pose a threat to Afghanistan or other nations from its territory. However, IS-K has routinely conducted and claimed attacks targeting members of the Afghan Shiite community and the Taliban. Last December, an IS-K suicide bomber targeted and killed Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani, the Taliban's minister of refugees, along with several of his associates inside his ministry in Kabul, the Afghan capital. This marked the most high-profile assassination since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, following the withdrawal of NATO troops from the country.
