ISLAMABAD (Khyber Mail): Iftikhar Firdous, editor and founder of The Khorasan Diary, highlighted al-Qaeda’s continued role as the primary force behind terrorism in Pakistan during a discussion hosted by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) on Friday.
Firdous explained that al-Qaeda provides ideological, logistical, and operational support to various militant groups, including al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Despite military actions diminishing al-Qaeda’s immediate threat, its strategic impact remains significant.
In a concerning development, Firdous noted that TTP is emerging as a quasi-governance entity, attempting to legitimize its ideology by weaponizing public and bureaucratic discourse within Pakistan. The group amplifies existing voices and opinions in society, uses Pashtun nationalist themes, and recent years have seen it leverage Baloch content to spread its message. TTP also speaks out on natural disasters and public injustices, manipulating these crises for its ideological goals.
Firdous also discussed al-Qaeda’s influence on radicalization through propaganda, particularly via digital platforms used to disseminate extremist narratives, recruit militants, and orchestrate attacks. The year 2021 was a catalyst for the Taliban in Afghanistan, with TTP leveraging its presence in Pakistan to bolster its operations and influence. This shift underscores the group’s evolving approach, using a blend of ideological, ethnic, and socio-political narratives to reinforce its standing in the region.
Regarding Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy, Firdous emphasized the need for intelligence-based operations, diplomatic engagements, and policy measures. He cautioned against involving civil society or local communities in counter-terrorism efforts, as this had historically led to unintended consequences. Firdous also suggested that India’s potential involvement in terrorist propaganda against Pakistan warrants further scrutiny.
In his concluding remarks, IRS President Ambassador Jauhar Saleem called for a holistic response to counter-terrorism, focusing on empowering citizens in border areas through better governance, rule of law, social justice, and redressal of public grievances as part of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism strategy.