A coordinated propaganda campaign against the State of Pakistan has once again gained momentum on social media. Accounts linked to Afghanistan’s intelligence agency, the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), along with certain self-proclaimed analysts, are actively working to craft an anti-Pakistan narrative aimed at discrediting the country on the global stage. This campaign notably coincides with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India.
Last night, Adil Raja, known for his anti-state rhetoric, claimed that ISIS-Khorasan is operating in Balochistan under the leadership of Shafiq Mengal. He further attempted to link the issue of opium cultivation in the province to this narrative. Raja’s claims gained further traction when Ehsanullah Ehsan, a former spokesperson of the TTP, endorsed his statements. Ehsan alleged that ISIS-K’s activities are based in Pakistan, not Afghanistan, but that the blame is deliberately being shifted onto Kabul, suggesting a coordinated effort to build pressure against the Afghan government.
Indian Media Joins the Chorus
Interestingly, Indian media outlets have also begun reporting on the alleged presence of ISIS in Pakistan. The timing of these narratives surfacing precisely when the Afghan Foreign Minister’s visit to India is underway raises questions about the motives behind such synchronized propaganda efforts.
Pakistan’s Response
Pakistan’s security institutions and independent analysts have dismissed these claims as baseless. They reaffirm that groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba remain proscribed and inactive within Pakistan. The state has undertaken decisive and unprecedented counterterrorism measures acknowledged and appreciated by international bodies, including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
In contrast, several Afghan social media accounts affiliated with the GDI appear to be amplifying a campaign reminiscent of India’s past disinformation drives against Pakistan, clearly aimed at tarnishing Pakistan’s global image and undermining its diplomatic standing.
Afghanistan -A Hub for Terrorist Networks
Pakistani analysts assert that Afghan authorities continue to overlook ground realities, a pattern long observed in Kabul’s approach. Presently, Afghanistan has become a sanctuary for terrorist organizations, including the TTP, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS-Khorasan.
This position was reaffirmed during a recent multilateral meeting involving China, Iran, Russia, and Pakistan, where Afghan representatives were unequivocally urged to eliminate terrorist presence from their soil.Experts note that the latest propaganda campaign reflects how certain Afghan nationalist elements are exploiting religion and ethnicity as tools to promote anti-Pakistan sentiment.
Pakistan’s stance remains consistent: terrorist groups are operating from Afghan territory to target Pakistan. Instead of deflecting blame, Afghan authorities must take decisive measures to dismantle these networks and prevent cross-border terrorism.
