Opinion | Pahalgam Attack : Pakistan at the Crossroads: Dismantle Terrorism or Face Collapse”

It is not too late for Pakistan, if it wishes to avoid total collapse.
It must immediately dismantle terror infrastructure, abandon using terrorism as a state policy, and focus on rebuilding its shattered economy, political structure, and international credibility.

The recent Pahalgam attack has once again exposed Pakistan’s deep-rooted involvement in sponsoring terrorism. As the situation inches toward a war-like state, Pakistan faces a stark choice: dismantle its terror networks or face inevitable collapse. India’s patience is wearing thin, and the international community grows increasingly wary. Only urgent reforms and a sincere shift toward peace can salvage Pakistan’s future.
Blaming Pakistan as a terrorist-supporting country is not a superficial accusation; it stems from decades of evidence and repeated incidents. Pakistan’s rogue actions have long classified it as a state sponsor of terrorism, threatening regional and global peace.
Post-partition, Pakistan made Kashmir a central piece of its foreign policy, often resorting to proxy wars, infiltration, and armed insurgency to destabilize the region. Having failed to defeat India militarily in 1947, 1965, and 1971, Pakistan devised a devilish strategy: bleed India through “a thousand cuts.” The idea was simple yet sinister, destabilize India from within by promoting terrorism under the garb of freedom struggles.

The insurgencies in Punjab during the 1980s under the Khalistan movement and later the militancy in Kashmir in the 1990s had clear fingerprints of Pakistani intelligence agencies like the ISI. As highlighted by Mr. Chranjeet Singh in his thesis at Simon Fraser University, Pakistan’s strategy was to first weaken Punjab and then use the destabilization to ignite Kashmir. The aim was never the welfare of the people but a larger geopolitical vendetta against India.
The Pahalgam Attack: Pakistan’s Old Tactics, New Targets

The recent Pahalgam attack targeting tourists is another grim reminder of Pakistan’s enduring policy of terror sponsorship. Instead of focusing on reviving its own crumbling economy and battered international image, Pakistan continues to indulge in anti-India activities.
Intelligence sources and global security analysts link the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack with terror groups operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), reaffirming the nexus between state machinery and terrorist outfits.

What makes the situation even more alarming is the open support shown by various Pakistani leaders and militant groups following the attack. Statements emerging from Pakistan and PoK openly glorified the violence, displaying blatant disregard for human lives and international norms.Ironically, the monster that Pakistan once nurtured to destabilize India has now turned against its master. The country is now reaping the bitter fruits of its decades-long policy of supporting terror groups.
As noted by BBC Urdu columnist Zubair Aazam and Voice of America’s Aasim Ali Rana, terrorism-related incidents in Pakistan have surged dramatically. In 2021 alone, terror attacks rose by 54%, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries. Even artists and intellectuals in Pakistan, such as the poet Ehsan-ul-Haq, testify how deeply terrorism has scarred the national psyche.

The fire Pakistan set to burn India has now engulfed its own cities, streets, and homes. Its once-celebrated “strategic assets” — the terrorist groups — have turned into existential threats. The booming sounds of bomb blasts and the cries of innocent citizens are now a common reality in Pakistan’s heartland.
Pakistan’s economic depression and political instability are alarming. The country is caught in a vicious cycle of inflation, debt, political chaos, and international isolation. Without political stability, commercial stability is impossible. The refusal of international financial institutions and major countries to lend unconditional support is a testament to Pakistan’s battered credibility. Given the current conditions, it is not irrational to conclude that Pakistan is dangerously close to collapse, teetering on the edge of an abyss where its fall seems inevitable.The relationship between India and Pakistan has never been cordial, but the continuous terror attacks have pushed the dynamics into a near war-like state. Every attack deepens distrust and hostility.
While India, under successive governments, has shown strategic patience, the tolerance is thinning. India can no longer ignore the persistent threat emanating from across the border, especially when civilians and tourists are targeted to disrupt peace and economic development in Jammu and Kashmir.

India needs a multi-pronged strategy to counter Pakistan’s terrorism:
International Isolation: India must continue to expose Pakistan’s terror links at international forums like the United Nations, FATF, and G20, ensuring sanctions and diplomatic pressures mount.
Defensive and Offensive Security Measures: Bolster internal security and proactively neutralize terror threats before they materialize. Support for Dissidents in Pakistan: India can subtly encourage democratic voices, human rights activists, and dissidents within Pakistan who oppose terror policies. Building Stronger Regional Alliances: Strengthen ties with neighbouring countries like Afghanistan, Iran, and Bangladesh to isolate Pakistan regionally. Tight Control in Kashmir: Keep strengthening democratic institutions and development in Kashmir so that terrorism finds no local support. It is not too late for Pakistan, if it wishes to avoid total collapse.
It must immediately dismantle terror infrastructure, abandon using terrorism as a state policy, and focus on rebuilding its shattered economy, political structure, and international credibility.
The path to survival is not through revenge and violence but through reforms, peace, and economic revival. Pakistan must understand that living in hatred and deceit has only brought destruction upon itself. The future demands accountability, introspection, and a sincere shift away from terrorism. Only then can Pakistan hope to survive as a respected member of the global community.
Writer can be reached on syedjahanzeeb2@gmail.com