Amidst the current reemergence of terrorism in Pakistan, there is a dire need for non-kinetic efforts, along with kinetic measures, to fight against this new wave of terrorism. The situation has been exacerbated over the past few years, and in 2024, 1612 military personnel and civilian lost their lives in 444 terrorist attacks. These attacks were waged mainly by the Tehreek e Taliban (TTP) and Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP), which are both internationally banned terrorist organizations.

The post-2021 resurgence of terrorism is intertwined in many factors; the contextual reasons for resurgence are linked with inadequate state’s non-kinetic measures, such as the nomination of credible mediators who have disputed reputation in public, and the other reason is a failure in the Post-Conflict reconstruction phase; as in 2014 civilian authority failed to take over the governance completely to construct infrastructure and to built hope which had created a gap between state and its people.

The immediate reason for the TTP’s resurgence is the U.S.’s swift withdrawal from Afghanistan

The immediate reason for the TTP’s resurgence is the U.S.’s swift withdrawal from Afghanistan, in which the U.S. allied forces lifted billions of dollars of weapons, which later fell into the hands of militants in the black market. It is also worth mentioning that in 2021, the negotiation process led by the previous government, Tehreek e Pakistan (PTI), had provided time for terrorist elements to retaliate.

In Pakistan, the Religious-Right has always been on target because they hold moderate views regarding suicide bombing and negate the deadly Takfir and expansionist ideology perpetrated by TTP and ISKP. For instance, figures like Maulana Hassan, a prominent Jamiat Ulema e Islam-F (JUI-F) member, was assassinated as he issued a Fatwa (decree) against suicide bombing. Additionally, in 2023, a tragic suicide attack cost the lives of 63 people at the JUI-F rally in Bajaur, which the ISKP later claimed.

The reason for the religious right is self-evident, as they expose every distorted interpretation of Islam presented by terrorist groups, which hinders their long-run ambitions. In 2023, renowned religious scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani, along with a prominent, issued a Fatwa (decree) that the agencies involved in fighting against the state were rebels and Haram, which was indeed a significant non-kinetic measure against the war against terror.

TTP was also involved in the deadly Army Public School (APS) attack of 141 people, including 132 innocent children

TTP emerged in 2007 as an Al-Qaeda-inspired insurgent organization operating mainly in Pakistan. TTP has declared so-called Jihad against Pakistan’s state authority and conducted alleged attacks on the state’s authority, civilian and military infrastructure. TTP was also involved in the deadly Army Public School (APS) attack of 141 people, including 132 innocent children. The primary driving force of the TTP is Takfir Ideology: the legitimate right to declare someone infidel.

The ISKP’s organizational trajectory is complicated, with two phases: 2015 to late 2019 and 2020 onwards. The first phase focuses on growth and solidifying power in eastern, northeastern, and northern Afghanistan, which contradicts the TTP’s ideology. However, this initiative was unsuccessful owing to the organization’s lack of financial resources and the Taliban’s attack. The ISKP varies from the Afghan Taliban and other regional extremist organizations in terms of doctrine, ethnic makeup, and geographical limits.

Their Salafi Takfeeri doctrine opposes the Taliban, JUI-F, and the whole Deobandi branch of Islam. The ISKP is more ethnically and globally diverse than the TTP or the Taliban, with its leadership incorporating former TTP’s fighter, Afghan Taliban members, and foreign terrorists. Their activities in Pakistan have grown in the last three years, targeting Baluchistan and Sindh and increasing their foothold in other provinces.

Pakistan is on the verge of chaos because of political and economic challenges; the hostile groups will exploit every fault line

Pakistan is on the verge of chaos because of political and economic challenges; the hostile groups will exploit every fault line through which they can harm the state. However, in recent moves, the JUI-F have cautioned their workers for their safety as they have suffered several attacks at the hands of Khawarij-TTP in the recent past. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, a political and religious force, encourages the public to stay home during Eid celebrations, which is seen as a “victory” by terrorists.

This retreat is seen as a failure, not progress. The general public, particularly religious and political leaders, should demand complete security and a robust operation against terrorists. The response to terrorism should be unity, resolve, and collective resistance, as retreating today could lead to the loss of mosques, madrasas, and minarets. The nation must unite and not leave the field empty.

The state can eradicate this growing threat by adopting non-kinetic and kinetic measures

The retreat of the recent wave demands a comprehensive strategy to cope with the imminent threat. The state can eradicate this growing threat by adopting non-kinetic and kinetic measures. Non-kinetic measures need comprehensive and practical mass appeal based on logic, credibility, and emotions to grab public support, which can be propagated through films, documentaries, and narratives.

Kinetic measures such as security operations are essential, but they require a delicate approach to targeting the culprits only and minimizing the collateral damages. However, there are still reservations from the relevant stakeholders due to the gap created in the Post-conflict reconstruction phase since 2014 onwards, but it can be resolved through developing consensus and confidence building.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.