A United Nations Security Council report has confirmed that the Afghan Taliban’s ongoing support for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has significantly escalated terrorist activities within Pakistan.
The report indicates the Taliban provides the TTP with logistical support, operational space, and financial assistance, including a monthly payment of approximately $43,000. This backing has emboldened the TTP, leading to over 600 attacks in Pakistan during 2024 alone, most orchestrated from Afghan territory.
The report validates Pakistan’s established position that the Afghan Taliban are harboring and facilitating terrorists who perpetrate attacks against its security forces and civilians. These allegations have been substantiated further by incidents in which terrorists have been found with identification proving their Afghan affiliation.
Despite the mounting evidence, the Afghan Taliban maintain the TTP is an internal matter of Pakistan, denying any involvement in cross-border terrorism. They assert no terrorist groups are allowed to operate within Afghanistan, rejecting reports—including from international bodies—that suggest otherwise.
The Afghan Taliban’s intransigence has prompted Pakistan to take unilateral actions, including airstrikes targeting suspected TTP hideouts within Afghanistan. While Pakistan defends these operations as a means to ensure its security, they have further strained ties between the two nations and raised concerns over sovereignty and regional stability.
The simmering scenario bears a troubling resemblance to the pre-9/11 era, when terrorist networks in Afghanistan exploited safe havens to plan and execute attacks with global repercussions. The international community cannot afford a repeat of history. It is imperative for global powers, regional stakeholders, and international organizations to unite in addressing the escalating threat. Collaborative efforts should focus on pressuring the Afghan Taliban to sever ties with terrorist organizations, enforcing stringent sanctions against entities supporting terrorism, and providing support to Pakistan in its counter-terrorism initiatives.
The current wave of terrorism is primarily targeting Pakistan. As past is prologue, it is unlikely to remain restricted to its borders. Only a unified, decisive response can prevent the repetition of past mistakes and ensure peace and security, both regionally and globally.