- By: Barrister Usman Ali, Ph.D.
Recent incidents of terrorism have once again made it painfully clear that this war is not the responsibility of security institutions alone, but a collective obligation of the entire nation. At such a critical moment, protests, political confrontation, and point-scoring offer no solution. What Pakistan needs instead is dialogue, unity, and shared national decision-making to free the country from this menace.
The wave of terrorist attacks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Islamabad, resulting in the martyrdom of hundreds of civilians and members of the security forces, has plunged the nation into mourning and deep anxiety. After every tragedy, the same questions resurface: when will this violence end, how long will innocent lives continue to be lost, and when will the state and society finally succeed in containing this threat? Terrorism is no longer merely a security challenge; it has evolved into a multidimensional national crisis with profound social, political, and ideological implications. Any attempt at a lasting solution that ignores these dimensions is bound to fail.
Terrorism in Pakistan is not a recent phenomenon; it has a long and complex history. Its causes have varied across different periods. It must be acknowledged that certain past state policies, regional conflicts, and the competing interests of global powers contributed to the rise and spread of militancy. However, it is equally true that in recent years the state has corrected its course and adopted a clear, indiscriminate policy against all terrorist and extremist elements. The National Action Plan, improved coordination among intelligence agencies, and the dismantling of numerous dangerous networks are evidence of this strategic shift.
In response to this clarity of purpose, internal and external hostile actors have intensified their efforts to destabilize the country through coordinated strategies. This is no longer a war fought only with guns and bombs. Suicide attacks and targeted killings are accompanied by a parallel battle of narratives. Disinformation, propaganda, and systematic indoctrination through social media have become central tools, particularly aimed at the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. By exploiting grievances and perceptions of deprivation, these forces seek to convert frustration into rebellion.
The role of external actors in this process cannot be ignored. Terrorist groups continue to receive financial, logistical, and ideological support from across the border. In areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa adjacent to Afghanistan, the writ of the state is being directly challenged, while in Balochistan, terrorist and separatist groups remain actively organized. This is not a series of isolated incidents but part of a deliberate strategy to keep Pakistan trapped in a perpetual defensive posture.
In such circumstances, the fight against terrorism cannot remain the sole burden of law-enforcement agencies. It must be embraced as a shared national duty. While security personnel continue to lay down their lives in defense of the country, it is deeply unfortunate that certain groups, driven by narrow political interests and personal agendas, undermine national unity. Among them are political actors and entrenched mafias who fail to recognize that without stability, politics, the economy, and democracy itself cannot survive.
This is precisely the moment when maturity and statesmanship are required. This is not the time for street agitation, political theatrics, or attempts to humiliate rivals. Internal confrontation only strengthens the enemy when the country is facing a coordinated terrorist campaign. If segments of society have legitimate grievances, their resolution lies not in paralysis and confrontation, but in dialogue, parliamentary engagement, and mutual consultation. Both the government and the opposition have a responsibility to prioritize national interest over political gain, sit across the table, and arrive at workable solutions that reinforce political stability while enabling the state to defeat terrorism.
It should also not be forgotten that nearly all major political parties have held power at different times, and terrorist violence persisted in every era. Those who have governed know well that each administration faces similar constraints and pressures. Yet the habit of adopting one narrative in government and an entirely different one in opposition continues to undermine the national cause.
Terrorists are no one’s allies. They are enemies of the state and of society itself. Their sole objective is to spread fear, bloodshed, and chaos. Every citizen, therefore, bears a responsibility to rise above ethnic, linguistic, and political divisions and stand united against this threat. State institutions, for their part, must confront not only armed militants but also the ideological ecosystem that sustains them. Vigilant oversight of social media is essential. Those who celebrate terrorist attacks, glorify suicide bombers, or express joy at the martyrdom of security personnel and worshippers killed in mosques and places of worship reflect the same extremist mindset as the perpetrators themselves. Both are equally reprehensible and must be dealt with accordingly.
There is one truth that must be stated without ambiguity: Pakistan can succeed in this war only if the nation stands together as one. Unity, trust, and collective resolve are the only forces capable of uprooting terrorism at its core. This is a decisive moment. Either we remain trapped in our internal divisions and allow the enemy to exploit them, or we set aside our differences and lay the foundation for a secure, peaceful, and stable Pakistan. History shows that when nations unite, even the gravest crises fail to break their resolve.