The Diplomat Praises Pak Army & Criticizes KPK Govt’s Polices

According to the comprehensive report by The Diplomat, Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts have seen commendable achievements and few critical setbacks, largely influenced by internal political differences and conflicting policy approaches. This report underline a pressing and multifaceted crisis where military successes are being undermined by strategic misalignments between provincial and federal governments. Pakistan’s armed forces have indeed conducted several highly successful military operations in their campaign against terrorism, the most notable of which are Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. These operations, which were meticulously planned and executed by the Pakistan Army and intelligence agencies, significantly dismantled militant infrastructure across the tribal regions, reclaimed vast swathes of territory, neutralized thousands of terrorists, and disrupted key supply lines and sanctuaries. The International Journal has specifically acknowledged the effectiveness of these operations, noting that they not only degraded the operational capabilities of terrorist groups but also sent a strong message about Pakistan’s resolve to combat extremism.

The Diplomat has also drawn attention to the serious policy blunders that followed these military victories—particularly the previous government’s decision to pursue a negotiation-based strategy and to withdraw force presence prematurely in certain areas. The report suggests that this approach, rather than consolidating peace, emboldened terrorist elements who interpreted these actions as signs of weakness and disunity. The policy of negotiation without clear preconditions, and of withdrawal without comprehensive ground intelligence, allowed many militants to regroup, reorganize, and re-enter areas where the military had made significant gains. These miscalculations effectively reversed much of the progress achieved through years of military sacrifice and enabled terrorist groups to revive their operational capabilities in vulnerable regions. The Diplomat, in its detailed analysis, has echoed these concerns and gone further by highlighting the damaging impact of political divisions within Pakistan on the overall effectiveness of its counter-terrorism framework. It specifically identifies the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) provincial government’s divergent approach as a critical point of friction that is complicating national efforts to eradicate terrorism.

While the federal government has consistently adopted a firmer stance—advocating for uncompromising military action, strengthened border controls, and the repatriation of illegal Afghan nationals believed to be aiding militants—the KPK government has often pursued an alternative route. According to The Diplomat, KPK continues to emphasize negotiation and has reportedly been hesitant in launching or fully supporting wide-scale military operations within its jurisdiction, opting instead for selective or limited actions. This inconsistency in strategy has, as per the report, created an operational vacuum that terrorists have quickly exploited. The situation is further exacerbated by the KPK government’s insistence on pursuing dialogue with certain factions, despite repeated failures of similar past attempts. This position, while perhaps politically motivated or based on localized considerations, directly clashes with the federal government’s broader national security doctrine, which recognizes the futility of negotiating with ideologically rigid and violent groups such as those associated with Fitna Al Khawarij. The International Journal has revealed that the Afghan government has integrated hundreds of these extremists into its administrative setup, a move that has been strongly condemned by Pakistan. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in his official statement, criticized Kabul’s actions as non-serious and indicative of an unwillingness to take tangible steps against militant organizations that pose a direct threat to Pakistan’s internal security. The incorporation of such radical elements into the state machinery across the border not only legitimizes their existence but also empowers them with resources and political cover—factors that directly impact Pakistan’s security environment, especially in the border provinces like KPK and Balochistan.

The Diplomat has also brought to light another significant area of discord between Islamabad and Peshawar—the return and deportation of illegal Afghan refugees. The federal government has presented strong evidence suggesting that a significant number of illegal Afghan migrants are functioning as logistical and ideological facilitators for terrorist networks operating within Pakistan. These individuals often blend into vulnerable communities, provide safe houses, and assist in the movement of arms and funds. The federal position is based on intelligence assessments that link refugee settlements in urban and semi-urban centers with rising incidents of targeted killings, extortion, and sectarian violence. Despite this, the KPK government has reportedly resisted aggressive deportation drives and border tightening measures, citing humanitarian concerns and political pressure. This disjointed approach, where one level of government views certain populations as a threat while another hesitates to act decisively, creates further operational paralysis and gives terrorist groups ample room to maneuver.

The core message presented by this international publication is clear and urgent: the absence of a unified and coordinated policy between the federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration is seriously hampering Pakistan’s ability to defeat terrorism. The Diplomat has gone so far as to warn that continued defiance of federal directives by provincial authorities cannot shield KPK from the consequences of its inaction. The region remains highly vulnerable, and without a unified approach backed by both military might and political consensus, any isolated effort will fall short of delivering sustainable peace. Terrorists thrive on chaos, confusion, and division, and when state institutions fail to act in unison, they unintentionally create the very environment that extremists seek to exploit. Political bickering, strategic contradictions, and fragmented enforcement of national policy not only weaken the state’s position but also endanger the lives of millions of citizens who have already borne the brunt of violence and instability for far too long.

In light of these findings, it is evident that Pakistan’s war against terrorism requires more than just military strength—it demands political will, institutional harmony, and, above all, national unity that rises above all forms of division. The situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as illuminated by The Diplomat, serves as a sobering example of how internal discord can derail even the most valiant counter-terrorism efforts. The choice before Pakistan’s leadership is stark but simple: act together or fail separately. The threat is real, the enemy is resolute, and time is of the essence. Only through complete alignment—between the federal and provincial governments, between civil and military institutions, and between the state and its citizens—can Pakistan hope to secure lasting peace and permanently rid itself of the scourge of terrorism.