With the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) underway, the problem of cross-border terrorism has been brought into the limelight once again by Pakistan. For decades, the country has been struggling with the threat of militant factions that act within its borders, most notably in Afghanistan. Although this has always been a constituent of the Pakistani security discourse, new developments, including international designations of specific militant groups and domestic political complexities, are shaping a fresh diplomatic push. It is a critical moment when Pakistan can gain international backing, but it also sheds light on the internal and external challenges that Pakistan has to face.
The Designation of BLA and New Diplomatic Momentum
One of the major occurrences at the diplomatic level is the recent declaration of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) by the United States as a terrorist group. This action, which comes after several years of consistent assaults against security agencies and infrastructure in Pakistan, gives Islamabad a potent instrument. Several attacks, including the attacks on Chinese nationals and projects within the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), have been claimed by the BLA, an ethno-nationalist insurgent group. Now with the US designation, Pakistan is better able to lobby the international community, positioning the BLA as not a localized insurgency but as a global terrorist force. This gives its anti-terror campaign a fresh impetus, enabling it to pursue increased intelligence sharing, money tracing, and collaborative activities to destroy the network of this group.
The Broader Threat: TTP and Infiltration
The challenge, however, goes far beyond the BLA. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) remains a formidable threat, with a recent report from officials in Peshawar revealing the presence of over 8,000 “Fitna-ul-Khawarij” terrorists who have infiltrated from Afghanistan. Not only are these militants attacking security forces and citizens, but they are also putting up unlawful checkpoints on important transportation corridors, such as the CPEC highway. This capability of the groups to merge into the local population also complicates counter-terrorist endeavors, as it is hard to deploy a full-scale military response without collateral damage. This pervasive infiltration explains why a concerted multifaceted approach is necessary, but Pakistan faces an unexpected obstacle from within its own borders.
A House Divided: The Role of the KP Government
As the federal government is determined to launch a decisive anti-terrorist campaign, the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has shown a special and paradoxical counter-narrative. Recently, the Chief Minister of KP stated that the federation gave the provincial government a green light to make direct contact with the interim Afghan government. Though this initiative might have a good motive to resolve the cross-border problems in the region more effectively, it may be perceived as a weakening of the powers of the federal government in terms of foreign policy. The Chief Minister’s vow to travel to Afghanistan even with a blocked passport underscores the political tensions at play and raises questions about a unified national approach to counter-terrorism. Such an internal difference may be seen as an indicator of the split front, which may undermine the position of Pakistan at the international level.
The Shadow of External Backing
Worsening the situation is the long-standing allegation of Indian-sponsored insurgencies in Pakistan. Over the years, Pakistani officials have produced evidence of foreign state interference in instigating unrest and support for the separatist and militant factions. Although these assertions are usually met by diplomatic responses, they add a layer of complexity to Pakistan’s narrative. Foreign sponsorship of terrorism and insurgency is one of the main issues that Pakistan should raise in the international forum. Pakistan can use the UNGA to emphasize how foreign aid to militant organizations is destabilizing the region and complicating its process of securing borders and making sure that its people are at peace. This is an important point to consider in regard to the multi-pronged nature of security threats posed to Pakistan.
To sum it up, Pakistan is at a crossroads as it goes through the UNGA 2025. The US designation of the BLA is a new diplomatic break; however, this opportunity needs to be exploited in the face of the wider and more sophisticated dangers of organizations such as the TTP. To be successful in its mission, Pakistan requires a cohesive national policy, a decisive and singular policy towards its own political factions within the country, and international cooperation towards all types of cross-border terrorism, whether homegrown or externally funded.
Also See: Pakistan Confronts Infiltration of Over 8000 Terrorists from Afghanistan
