By Junaid Qaiser
The recent intelligence-based strikes carried out by Pakistan against terrorist hideouts along the Pak–Afghan border underline a difficult but unavoidable reality: no country can remain passive when its citizens become the targets of cross-border terrorism. The decision followed a string of devastating attacks, including a suicide bombing at an imambargah in Islamabad and deadly incidents in Bajaur and Bannu, tragedies that once again reminded the nation of the human cost of militancy.
According to official statements, the attacks were orchestrated by militants associated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Islamic State’s regional affiliate, groups that have long sought to destabilize Pakistan through violence and fear. The government stated that it had gathered conclusive evidence linking these attacks to networks operating from across the border. In response, Pakistan conducted carefully targeted operations against seven identified camps believed to house these militants.
These actions must be understood within the broader context of Pakistan’s ongoing struggle against terrorism. Over the past two decades, the country has paid a staggering price in this fight. Thousands of civilians, security personnel, and public servants have lost their lives. Families across the country carry memories of loved ones taken by suicide bombings, targeted killings, and attacks on places of worship, schools, and markets.
Terrorism and proxy conflicts have inflicted deep wounds not only on Pakistan but on the entire region. For years, South and Central Asia have remained trapped in cycles of instability fueled by militant networks and geopolitical rivalries. The victims are rarely those who sponsor or manipulate these conflicts; instead, it is ordinary citizens who suffer the consequences. The worshipper attending prayers, the child walking to school, and the shopkeeper trying to earn a livelihood often become casualties of violence they neither created nor support.
Pakistan’s position has been consistent: it seeks peace and stability in the region, but it cannot ignore threats to its national security. The government has repeatedly urged Afghanistan’s authorities to ensure that their territory is not used by militant groups to launch attacks across the border. Preventing such sanctuaries is not only a bilateral concern but a fundamental responsibility under international commitments aimed at curbing terrorism.
At the same time, the challenge of extremism cannot be solved by military action alone. Lasting stability requires cooperation, responsibility, and trust among neighboring states. Countries must ensure that their soil is not used for activities that endanger others. The politics of proxy warfare — which has plagued this region for decades — must finally be abandoned if genuine peace is to take root.
The consequences of continued instability extend far beyond security. Terrorism drains national resources, discourages investment, and slows economic development. Every bomb blast or militant attack erodes public confidence and diverts attention away from the urgent tasks of education, infrastructure, and poverty reduction. For millions of people in this region, peace is not an abstract concept; it is the foundation upon which their hopes for a better future depend.
The people of South Asia and its neighboring areas truly deserve a new path—one that’s shaped by collaboration and progress rather than violence. With trade routes, cultural exchanges, and economic partnerships, there’s a real chance to turn the region into a vibrant hub of connectivity and opportunity.
However, this hopeful vision can’t thrive as long as extremist groups take advantage of political instability and fragile borders. Pakistan’s recent actions are more than just a tactical security move; they send a powerful message that we can no longer tolerate cross-border terrorism. Protecting citizens is the primary responsibility of any government, and when that safety is at risk, taking decisive action is essential.
In the end, though, true success won’t just be about military operations. It will be realized when the region steps out from the shadows of proxy wars and embraces a future filled with stability, cooperation, and shared prosperity. Only then can the people who have faced years of conflict finally enjoy the peace they’ve longed for.
