South Asia

Pakistan claims terrorist attacks up by 60% since return Taliban govt

Published: 15:37, 8 November 2023

Pakistan claimed on Wednesday that terrorist attacks in the country have increased by 60% in the last two years since the Afghan Taliban reclaimed power in August 2021.

Interim Premier Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar made this announcement while speaking to reporters in the capital city of Islamabad. He pointed fingers at the interim administration in Afghanistan, accusing them of supporting the Tehreek-e-Taliban-e-Pakistan (TTP) and allowing them to use Afghan territory for launching attacks against Pakistan.
'Over the past two years, since the Afghan Taliban assumed power, terrorist attacks in Pakistan have increased by 60%, with suicide attacks witnessing a staggering 500% rise', Kakar stated. This grim escalation has resulted in the loss of 2,267 lives among Pakistanis.
Prime Minister Kakar further revealed that Pakistan had shared detailed information with the Afghan interim government regarding the presence of TTP terrorists in Afghanistan and their use of Afghan soil for hostile actions against Pakistan. However, he expressed disappointment, noting that no action had been taken by the Afghan authorities to address this issue.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban-e-Pakistan (TTP) is a coalition of various Pakistani militant groups that Pakistan alleges are currently operating from within Afghanistan. In contrast, Kabul firmly denies any involvement in activities directed against Islamabad.
In response to these escalating security concerns, Kakar announced that Pakistan has decided to deport undocumented foreign nationals in accordance with the country's legal framework. The authorities are determined to expel all illegal immigrants residing within Pakistan without valid documentation.
Notably, last month the Pakistani government had declared its intent to deport all undocumented foreigners, with a deadline set for October 31st. According to information from Kabul, over 300,000 undocumented Afghan refugees have already returned to their home country.