Opinion | Narco-Terrorism and Pakistan

Behind the facade of insurgency, Pakistan’s deep-rooted nexus of narcotics and terror funding reveals a dark strategy that bleeds both borders and minds.

In the shadowy corridors of geopolitics and asymmetric warfare, narco-terrorism has emerged as one of the most dangerous tools used by rogue states and non-state actors alike. When we speak of narco-terrorism, one country frequently appears at the intersection of this lethal nexus: Pakistan. A nation where intelligence agencies, militant outfits, and drug cartels have forged alliances that blur the lines between ideology and illicit profit, Pakistan stands accused of exporting both terror and heroin to fund a complex web of destabilization in South Asia, particularly in India and Afghanistan.
To understand Pakistan’s involvement in narco-terrorism, one must first peel back the layers of its strategic depth doctrine. Since the 1980s, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s premier spy agency, has played a pivotal role in shaping regional conflicts. Initially, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan provided Pakistan with an opportunity to partner with the United States in training and funding mujahideen fighters. However, that war also laid the foundation for a parallel economy built on drugs. Vast poppy fields in Afghanistan, protected by warlords and smugglers, began to funnel opium into Pakistan. This opium, refined into heroin in clandestine labs often located in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), soon found its way to Europe and beyond. The profits were staggering. According to various estimates, by the late 1980s, drug trafficking had become a billion-dollar industry in Pakistan. While the world looked at Pakistan as a key ally in the Cold War, its military-intelligence complex was already entangled in a silent, yet immensely profitable war of drugs. Narco-money became a major funder of extremist groups, many of which later evolved into global terror networks.
Post-9/11, as the global gaze shifted more sharply toward Pakistan’s internal security dynamics, it became increasingly clear that narcotics were not just an economic activity but a strategic weapon. Groups like the Taliban, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e-Taiba have all, at various points, been accused of using drug money to fund their operations. The porous borders between Pakistan and Afghanistan allow easy transit for narcotics. Once the drugs cross into Pakistan, a sophisticated distribution network takes over, moving the contraband into Iran, India, and through maritime routes to Africa and Europe.
India, in particular, has been at the receiving end of this narco-terrorism strategy. In Punjab, a state that once stood tall as the granary of India, drug addiction has taken root in disturbing ways. Heroin smuggled through tunnels, drones, and hidden compartments in trade consignments has flooded border towns and villages. The aim is not merely to make money—it is also to rot the social fabric from within. By weaponizing drugs, Pakistan attempts to weaken India’s youth and, by extension, its future.
What makes Pakistan’s case more alarming is the involvement of state machinery. Unlike independent drug lords in Latin America, Pakistan’s narco-network often has the blessings—or at least the blind eye—of powerful quarters. The ISI is widely believed to facilitate drug trafficking to fund covert operations and avoid tracing through official channels. With sanctions tightening and scrutiny increasing, narcotics become a convenient source of liquidity for proxy warfare.
Afghanistan’s poppy economy continues to play a central role in this ecosystem. Even during the Taliban’s brief anti-poppy campaigns, production rarely dipped significantly. The reality is stark: when the Taliban needed funds to regroup, poppy fields mysteriously flourished again. Many of those funds, whether through Pakistani handlers or local conduits, trickled into the hands of militants operating in Kashmir, Baluchistan, and even across the Line of Control.
Pakistan has long denied these allegations, pointing to its efforts in drug control and the sacrifices it has made in the fight against terrorism. But the numbers, the patterns, and the ground realities suggest otherwise. Interceptions made by Indian security forces, testimonies of surrendered militants, and even leaked diplomatic cables all point to a sustained narco-terrorist strategy rooted in Rawalpindi’s long game.
The consequences for the region are dire. Narco-terrorism not only finances violence but also undermines governance, fuels corruption, and erodes public trust. In places like Kashmir, where Pakistan attempts to project insurgency as an indigenous movement, drug routes blur the line between militancy and criminality. Young boys are not only handed guns but are also pushed into the underworld of addiction, where loyalty to cause is often purchased with a few grams of white powder.Countering this threat requires more than just border vigilance. It demands an international spotlight on Pakistan’s dual role as both an alleged victim and benefactor of narco-terrorism. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has already kept Pakistan in its grey list for terror financing concerns. However, the drug angle is often downplayed in these discussions. Yet, ignoring it would be a grave mistake. For every kilogram of heroin that crosses into India, a part of Pakistan’s undeclared war against its neighbor is executed.
It is also crucial to empower communities on the frontlines—whether in Punjab, Kashmir, or Baluchistan—through education, rehabilitation, and economic alternatives. While security agencies must choke the supply lines, civil society must drain the demand. And internationally, Pakistan must be held accountable not just for harboring terrorists but for sponsoring them through the drug trade.
As the world focuses on more visible conflicts, the silent war waged through syringes and suitcases continues to take its toll. Narco-terrorism, as fostered by Pakistan, is not just a challenge for one country—it’s a threat to the very idea of peace in South Asia.
Pakistan’s path to redemption lies in dismantling this parallel empire of drugs and death. Until that happens, the victims of this dark trade—whether in Kabul, Pathankot, or Peshawar—will continue to pay the price.The world community must hold Pakistan accountable for using narco-terrorism as a tool to destabilize its neighbors and fund extremist networks. Turning a blind eye to this deadly nexus only fuels conflict, addiction, and regional insecurity.
Writer can be reached on syedjahanzeeb2@gmail.com