Pakistan’s long-standing support for the Taliban has backfired dramatically, as the militant group now declares a ‘holy war’ on the nation. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Noor Wali Mehsud has stated that Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership has ordered the full conquest of Pakistan. This alarming declaration came shortly after a fatal clash along the Afghan border resulted in the deaths of five Pakistani soldiers, plunging Islamabad into a state of heightened alert.
The narrative has shifted from Pakistan wielding influence over the Taliban to being a target of the same militant ideology it once fostered. Cross-border incursions by Afghan Taliban elements are occurring, while the TTP systematically undermines Pakistan’s security from within its own borders. The brazenness of TTP leaders is evident, with reports of Noor Wali Mehsud issuing commands for the ‘conquest of Pakistan’ from within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region seemingly beyond Islamabad’s firm control.
Diplomatic efforts to curb militant activities, notably discussions in Istanbul, failed as the Afghan Taliban refused to engage with Pakistan’s request to rein in the TTP. Instead, they suggested Pakistan engage in direct dialogue with the terrorist organization, highlighting Afghanistan’s unwillingness to collaborate on dismantling militant networks.
The breakdown of military authority is becoming increasingly visible, with alleged incidents of TTP forces capturing and destroying Pakistani military vehicles and establishing their own checkpoints in areas like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Beyond these immediate threats, concerning revelations suggest that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal may not be fully under its own command, potentially due to security concerns about its control and safekeeping. Pakistan is now facing an unprecedented existential crisis, caught between internal rebellion and external pressures.