TTP TTA TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN
The resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan is a stark reminder of the deeply intertwined fates of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Afghan Taliban. Despite their claims to the contrary, both groups are two sides of the same coin, driven by the same extremist ideology and sharing operational and logistical support. The Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan has undeniably emboldened the TTP, resulting in a marked increase in terrorist activities within Pakistan. This is evidenced by the alarming hike in Pakistan’s ranking on the Global Terrorism Index, where the country now tragically stands at number four from the top.
The TTP’s ability to operate with impunity from Afghan soil is no longer just an accusation leveled by Pakistan’s security forces. It has been confirmed by the United Nations, which recently highlighted that the TTP is the largest terrorist group in Afghanistan, with an estimated strength of 6,000-6,500 fighters. The UN report also emphasized the growing support the TTP receives from the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, which enables the group to conduct cross-border attacks into Pakistan. This collaboration is undeniable, with Afghan nationals actively participating in terrorist activities on Pakistani soil, as confirmed by multiple reports and intelligence findings. The statement by Afghan spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, claiming that the TTP is Pakistan’s “internal matter,” is nothing short of a farce, considering the blatant cross-border terrorism being orchestrated from Afghanistan.
The operational and structural mimicry between the TTP and the Afghan Taliban further underscores their deep connection. The TTP’s establishment of shadow governments within Pakistan, akin to the Taliban’s former strategy in Afghanistan, is a clear attempt to destabilize the state. This strategy, however, is not new and reflects the TTP’s persistent efforts to undermine Pakistan’s sovereignty and sow chaos across the region. Yet, the TTP conveniently ignores the horrors it has inflicted on the people of Pakistan, choosing instead to amplify voices of separatism in Baluchistan and level baseless accusations against the state’s security forces.
One of the most tragic reminders of the TTP’s true nature is the massacre at the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar, where over 140 people, most of them children, were mercilessly slaughtered. These were innocent kids, pursuing education to secure a brighter future for themselves and their country, yet they became victims of the TTP’s ruthless ideology. The trauma inflicted on their families and the nation as a whole cannot be forgotten or forgiven. It is these very forces of terror that the TTP seeks to align with, while hypocritically accusing the state and its security forces—the real protectors of Pakistan—of human rights abuses. The blood of those children, and countless other victims of TTP’s violence, stains the hands of these so-called “freedom fighters,” who are nothing more than purveyors of death and destruction.
The TTP’s call for a Shariah-based government in Pakistan is not a pursuit of religious piety, but a thinly veiled attempt to replicate the failed experiment of the Afghan Taliban. Under the guise of religion, they seek to impose their draconian laws and exploit vulnerable populations to further their extremist agenda. However, the people of Pakistan have seen through this facade. The Afghan Taliban’s disastrous rule, marked by economic collapse, social repression, and international isolation, serves as a grim warning of what the TTP aspires to bring to Pakistan.
This alliance between the TTP and Afghan Taliban, both hell-bent on destabilizing Pakistan, must be exposed for what it is—a dangerous fitna (strife) that threatens the very fabric of our nation. While they may present themselves as champions of Islam, their actions speak otherwise. Their terror tactics, disregard for innocent lives, and collusion with foreign elements reveal their true agenda: to destabilize and weaken Pakistan.
The TTP’s attempts to deflect blame onto Pakistan’s security forces are a desperate effort to distract from their own atrocities. The men and women of Pakistan’s armed forces have laid down their lives to protect the nation from the scourge of terrorism. They have battled against insurgents in some of the most difficult terrains, often at great personal cost, to ensure the safety and security of the Pakistani people. The TTP’s narrative, which seeks to vilify these forces, is not only false but deeply insulting to the sacrifices made by these brave individuals.
It is imperative that we remain vigilant and united against this threat. The international community must also recognize the TTP and Afghan Taliban for what they are—two sides of the same coin, working together to spread terror across borders. The evidence is clear: from the UN’s findings to the documented increase in cross-border attacks, the connection between these groups cannot be ignored.
The TTP’s rhetoric may seek to win hearts and minds, but their actions reveal their true intentions. They are not freedom fighters or defenders of Islam; they are terrorists, plain and simple. Their fitna, fueled by violence and hatred, must be confronted head-on, with the full force of the law and the unwavering resolve of the Pakistani people. Only then can we ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for our nation, free from the scourge of terrorism.