Afghanistan today stands at the centre of an uncomfortable truth: its permissive environment continues to fuel the flames of regional terrorism. Despite repeated claims of control, multiple international reports, including one released in August, have pointed to the presence of at least 21 terrorist organizations operating from Afghan soil. These findings directly contradict the IAG’s narrative and expose how militant groups exploit sanctuary spaces, porous borders, and unchecked supply chains to expand their reach. For Pakistan, the consequences are severe.
With Afghanistan serving as a staging ground, cross-border violence has intensified, spilling over into Pakistani territory. An analysis published in January recorded an alarming 279.8 percent surge in terrorist attacks between 2021 and 2024, most of them linked to Afghan sanctuaries. Islamabad has repeatedly raised concerns over Kabul’s failure to rein in groups like TTP and ISKP, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, during his May 2024 visit, demanding the arrest of TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud.
Yet, weapons stockpiles left behind after the withdrawal of US forces, coupled with the Taliban administration’s release of imprisoned fighters, have emboldened groups like ISKP, TTP, and BLA to rearm, regroup, and extend their operational depth across provinces such as Kunar, Nangarhar, Khost, and Paktika.
Pakistan’s frustration is grounded in experience. For years, its counter-terrorism strategy has revolved around denying militants the permissive spaces they rely upon. Successive operations such as Zarb-e-Azb, Radd-ul-Fasaad, and more recently Operation Sarbakaf systematically dismantled domestic sanctuaries and crippled terrorist networks inside Pakistan. This contrasts sharply with the Afghan situation, where weak governance and fragmented authority have allowed ISIL affiliates to thrive. The result is a regional imbalance: while Pakistan has narrowed space for terrorists, Afghanistan continues to serve as the central artery of extremism.
The United Nations has repeatedly underlined the importance of national ownership in counter-terrorism policies, and Pakistan stands as a practical example of this principle. Its fight has been forceful, rooted in decisive state action, and strengthened through collaboration with international partners. Unlike in Afghanistan, ISKP within Pakistan is reduced to isolated cells that struggle for cohesion and survival. The results of this sustained pressure are also reflected in the UN’s 21st report, which notes that ISKP’s inability to establish roots in Pakistan is the direct outcome of continuous counter-terrorism measures.
The trajectory is becoming clear: ISKP is fractured, on the run, and increasingly incapable of mounting the kind of coordinated campaign it once aspired to. Pakistan’s persistent operations have reduced its presence to fragments, exposed the foreign support structures sustaining it, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s position as a bulwark against terrorism in South Asia. The challenge now lies in translating these tactical victories into durable regional stability— a task that requires both Kabul’s cooperation and international resolve.
International recognition reinforces this position. Pakistan’s appointment as Chair of the UN Security Council’s Sanctions Committee (Resolution 1988) and Vice-Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (Resolution 1373) underlines global confidence in Islamabad’s credibility and commitment. These roles are not symbolic alone— they allow Pakistan to contribute to shaping international counter-terrorism frameworks, ensuring its own experiences and sacrifices help guide collective action. Leadership attrition is another visible achievement: senior ISKP commanders have been neutralized, while others have been transferred to partners such as the USA and Turkey, depriving the group of operational continuity.
The internal disintegration of ISKP further demonstrates the effects of Pakistan’s relentless pressure. The infighting that led to the death of Abdul Malik is not a marker of strength but of desperation. Pakistani operations across tribal districts, Balochistan, and urban centres have shattered organized networks, leaving commanders to turn on one another. The UN’s July 2025 Sanctions Monitoring Committee report confirmed that ISKP’s real organizational hubs remain in Afghanistan, not Pakistan. Despite scattered operatives, the group cannot sustain itself on Pakistani soil.
Islamabad has also drawn attention to the role of external actors. Beyond Afghan sanctuaries, India’s financial and logistical support to ISKP and TTP has been highlighted as part of a broader strategy to destabilize Pakistan. These designs, however, have been blunted by successive security operations. Every militant neutralized is a symbolic and strategic blow to the extremist cause. Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach has consistently reminded global partners that the nexus of state-sponsorship, proxy warfare, and unchecked militancy threatens not just Pakistan but the wider region.
The international community has acknowledged these sacrifices. From UN reports validating Pakistan’s role to senior US generals describing Islamabad as a “phenomenal partner in counter-terrorism,” global voices recognize the country’s frontline contributions. Yet, recognition alone is insufficient. Pakistan continues to press for a more coordinated regional and international approach, one that addresses the Afghan sanctuary problem head-on. Without political stability and genuine counter-terror action in Afghanistan, the threat of spillovers will persist.
Looking ahead, Pakistan’s experience offers a cautionary but constructive lesson. Counter-terrorism cannot succeed in silos. A single state’s sacrifices, no matter how extensive, will falter if neighboring environments remain permissive. Pakistan has shown that decisive action, coupled with national ownership, can dismantle entrenched networks. But unless Afghanistan develops the capacity and political will to mirror this approach, groups like ISKP will continue to find breathing space across its provinces.
The trajectory is becoming clear: ISKP is fractured, on the run, and increasingly incapable of mounting the kind of coordinated campaign it once aspired to. Pakistan’s persistent operations have reduced its presence to fragments, exposed the foreign support structures sustaining it, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s position as a bulwark against terrorism in South Asia. The challenge now lies in translating these tactical victories into durable regional stability— a task that requires both Kabul’s cooperation and international resolve.
