Opinion | Afghanistan–Pakistan Tensions: The Blowback of Pakistan’s Proxy Policy

It is often argued that Pakistan has acted as a patron of groups like HM, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Lashkar-e-Taiba, using them as proxies in the region. The world must recognise the urgency of this issue to protect global peace. Strikes on Afghanistan in the name of targeting TTP appear to many as strategic tools rather than pure counterterrorism. The United Nations and the international community should demand accountability and ensure that consistent standards are applied to maintain regional stability.

There are countries that face wars on multiple fronts, mostly external. Then there are countries that face battles both outside and within their own borders. When we speak about this second kind of situation, one country that often comes to mind is a 78-year-old rogue and unstable South Asian nation, Pakistan. A country that has been surviving on IMF bailouts, world bank loans and aid from rich nations.

Currently, Pakistan is facing all sorts of crises. Baluchistan is burning, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir/Gilgit-Baltistan are protesting, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is boiling. The country is dealing with human rights violations, terrorist attacks, unsafe minorities, corruption, and a financial crisis, and whatnot, but still Pakistan manages to nourish and export terror into its neighbours for reasons only known to Pakistan. Pakistan has been a lovely mother to terrorism for eons; it has nurtured terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, and many more in the name of so-called jihad, something foreign to Islam and the Prophet’s teachings. These terror groups, through the help of the ISI, the Pak Army, and the government, have unleashed brutalities and atrocities on the innocent people of Kashmir. They manipulated them and filled their minds and hearts with violence and extremism in the name of religion, maligning our peaceful religion, Islam. Pakistan used its terror-spoiled kids against India. Pakistan painted Jammu and Kashmir with terror and extremism, ruined families, murdered the youth and their future, bringing the region’s tourism, stability, and economy to a stalemate. It has carried out multiple terror attacks and assassinations in India, from the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack to the recent Delhi terror attack and everything in between, costing the lives of civilians and security forces. Pakistan has a very vicious policy that is “bleed India through a thousand cuts,” meaning if you cannot face India in direct military-to-military confrontations, use proxies, extremism, or kill innocents, and so on. That is where Pakistan’s beloved terror groups come into action. By doing this, they hurt and wage war against India without directly involving themselves in the war, to dodge international scrutiny and prevent India’s retaliation, something Pakistan has had substantial success in. Owing to India’s response to recent terror attacks, like last year’s Pahalgam terror attack and the military response, Operation Sindoor, Pakistan was brought to its knees and forced to change its policy and gun barrels but not fully yet.

Pakistan is now once again coloring itself in the colours of terrorism. There has been a great deal happening between Afghanistan and Pakistan, largely owing to Pakistan’s actions. Recently, tensions between the two countries have risen sharply. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of doing what it has itself been accused of doing against India for years, an irony that cannot be ignored. Pakistan has been carrying out military operations and airstrikes deep inside Afghan territory. The question is, why? Pakistan claims that the Taliban is hosting the TTP militia, which launches attacks against the Pakistani state. TTP, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, is a group that openly rebels against Pakistan. However, no rebellion is born without a cause. Years of misgovernance, negligence, human rights violations, killings, and repeated military operations in the tribal regions forced various rebel groups to unite, ultimately leading to the formation of TTP in 2007.After the United States withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban returned to power, TTP found renewed hope. It seeks to replace what it calls a weak and corrupt government, which it sees as one of its primary objectives. Beneath this conflict lies a deep history of mistrust, fear, anger, and suffering that the Pakistani state’s policies have created among tribal communities. TTP has targeted the Pakistani army, police, government buildings, and infrastructure. Ironically, Pakistan accuses others of actions it has itself been linked to beyond its borders for years. Pakistan alleges that Afghanistan is giving shelter to TTP, yet it has long been hosting groups like HM and Lashkar-e-Taiba, as well as designated individuals such as Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar. Afghanistan has repeatedly denied the allegations of harbouring TTP or allowing its land to be used against Pakistan. Despite having no clear public proof to support its claims, Pakistan has remained firm in its accusations and carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan, describing them as a major military success. It claimed to have eliminated several key TTP commanders. However, what followed was widespread destruction of civilian homes and property, along with the deaths of many civilians. No confirmed TTP commander was found among the casualties; the losses were overwhelmingly civilian.

Is striking Afghanistan without any clear proof to support the claims not a violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity? And is killing civilians and targeting civilian property not a violation of the Geneva Conventions? If there is no clear proof, then why does Pakistan carry out such attacks? Perhaps it is for its own strategic benefit, to create fear and send a message. While nurturing terrorism for years, Pakistan has also tasted this bitter medicine itself. Attacks by groups like BLA or TTP, the Jaffar train hijacking, and the recent Islamabad Mosque attack show that when you spread instability, it eventually returns to you. If you throw dirt at others, your own hands get dirty tool. If Pakistan truly wants to eliminate TTP, then why is there so much civilian destruction and zero confirmed TTP casualties? Why are homes destroyed and civilians killed, while key militants often remain untouched? This raises serious questions. It creates the impression that such actions may be aimed more at instilling fear among ordinary Afghan citizens than at genuinely eliminating militant threats. If that is the case, then it suggests intentions that go beyond counterterrorism and move toward coercion and intimidation, which only deepen instability and resentment in the region

At the same time, Pakistan laments India’s actions inside its territory, where India has claimed to act with clear proof. Whether it was the Balakot airstrike, the surgical strikes, the response after the Mumbai attacks, or Operation Sindoor, India has maintained that its actions were based on specific intelligence and direct provocation. This raises an important question of consistency. If sovereignty and international law are to be respected, then the same standards must apply to everyone. One cannot condemn cross-border action in one case while justifying it in another without clear evidence and accountability. In a widely circulated video, several Pakistan news personalities were seen mocking Afghans after the airstrikes, calling them names and making fun of their suffering and hurling stereotypes while even Defence Minister Khawaja Asif spoke about war without presenting any clear proof or direct provocation from Afghanistan, reflecting a serious lack of responsibility at a time when restraint and evidence were needed most

It is high time for the global community to stop Pakistan from disturbing regional and international peace. While many countries are known for exporting rice, cotton, sugar, technology, and medicine, Pakistan has built a different reputation. It is often seen as an exporter of extremism and violence. Wherever instability grows, whether in India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, or elsewhere, Pakistan’s name frequently appears in the discussion. The world community must come together and hold it accountable. Financial assistance meant for development should not end up strengthening military or terror networks. Aid should support social welfare, education, and public development, not terrorism. When policies are shaped in GHQ Rawalpindi rather than in Islamabad, the militarisation of the state becomes visible. And when the military dominates decision-making, confrontation and weaponisation of policy become almost inevitable.

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