Ongoing incidents of terrorism across Pakistan highlight the complicated nature of the militant threat faced by Pakistan, reemphasizing the need for the state to clamp down on security lapses.
Last week, a bombing near the Karachi international airport—initially mistaken as an accident—killed three people, including two Chinese nationals, and injured over 10 others. Claimed by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the attack was clearly targeting the Chinese nationals, who militants have increasingly targeted in recent months. Additionally, resurgent militancy in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan continues unabated, with at least 13 Army and Frontier Corps personnel martyred in clashes with militants in North Waziristan and Kurram.
After the Karachi attack, the Chinese embassy reiterated calls for Pakistan to “thoroughly investigate the attack and severely punish the perpetrators.” It also called upon the state to protect its citizens and projects in the country. Thanks to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the success of Islamabad’s economy is intrinsically linked with Beijing more than ever before and threats to Chinese personnel risk harming this relationship and the country’s journey toward stability. The Karachi attack wasn’t even the first one targeting Chinese nationals this year; in March, an attack in Besham resulted in the deaths of five Chinese nationals and one Pakistani.
The current wave of terrorism illustrates how varied the militant threat is, ranging from separatist groups to religiously inspired fighters. The state must fully devote its energies to eliminating this threat, ideally through intelligence-based, targeted operations, or risk a halt to hard-won economic recovery and development. The state needs to go beyond rhetoric to take meaningful steps in this regard to survive attacks on its sovereignty.
Undoubtedly, Pakistan cannot afford reoccurring acts of terrorism as the economy begins a long journey of recovery, and the country re-engages with the world by hosting bilateral and multilateral exchanges. The Karachi airport, targeting a highly secure location, is a major cause for concern and requires a thorough probe to uncover the intelligence lapse. It is time for all arms of the state to unite and devote their full energies to eliminating the terrorist threat from the country.