A Neutral Perspective on Pakistan’s Counterterrorism Efforts and International Engagement

1. Pakistan’s Frontline Position in the Global War on Terror

Pakistan has stood as a key frontline state in the global war on terror since the early 2000s. Following the events of 9/11, Pakistan aligned itself with U.S.-led counterterrorism initiatives, providing intelligence cooperation, military bases, and logistical support. The country has conducted extensive military operations in tribal areas — including Operation Zarb-e-Azb, Radd-ul-Fasaad, and Rah-e-Nijat — to eliminate terrorist sanctuaries. Despite operational successes, the presence of splinter groups and emerging threats such as the Islamic State–Khorasan Province (IS-KP) have made this fight long and ongoing.

2. A Bleak Statistical Reality in 2024

Recent data illustrates the gravity of Pakistan’s struggle. In 2024, terrorism-related deaths surged by 45%, totaling 1,081 fatalities — a clear indicator that terrorist networks remain active and emboldened. The number of terrorist incidents more than doubled, from 517 in 2023 to over 1,099 attacks in 2024. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), emboldened by the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, accounted for over 52% of these deaths. Targeted regions such as Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have faced recurring attacks on security personnel, polio teams, and even public infrastructure, placing civilians in constant peril.

3. Global Narrative Disparities: Pakistan vs. India

Despite these alarming statistics, Pakistan’s sacrifices often receive muted acknowledgment in global discourse. In stark contrast, when India faced the April 22, 2025 attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians lost their lives, it launched Operation Sindoor — a swift and media-savvy military operation. India’s campaign, backed by diplomatic outreach and international media engagement, successfully shaped a global narrative that positioned it as a victim and a resolute responder. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s condemnation of the attack and calls for a measured response were largely sidelined in major international forums.

4. Missed Opportunities by Pakistani Diplomatic Missions

Pakistan’s diplomatic missions, particularly in the United States, have significant untapped potential. With an embassy in Washington D.C. and consulates in New York, Houston, Los Angeles, and Chicago, these missions are strategically placed to influence policy and media landscapes. However, their engagement remains sporadic. Few sustained efforts have been made to host think-tank roundtables, liaise with Congressional representatives, or organize educational briefings about Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy. This lack of proactive diplomacy has left a vacuum often filled by more organized Indian lobbying efforts and diaspora influence.

5. Reviving Diplomacy through Community and Policy Engagement

For Pakistan to reassert its position, a recalibrated diplomatic strategy is necessary. Missions must increase outreach to U.S. lawmakers, participate in counterterrorism symposiums, and foster stronger relations with media outlets to ensure a more balanced international perspective. Equally important is leveraging the Pakistani-American community, which boasts professionals in healthcare, law, education, and technology. Engaging this diaspora through town halls, cultural diplomacy, and issue-specific forums can create organic advocates for Pakistan’s narrative in Western media and politics.

6. Conclusion: Realigning Strategy with Recognition

The data is indisputable: Pakistan is paying a heavy price in its fight against terrorism. However, sacrifices alone are not enough to shift global opinion. Only through deliberate, sustained, and professional engagement — both diplomatically and publicly — can Pakistan command the respect and support it seeks on the world stage. It is time for Pakistan to speak not just through numbers, but through strategy.

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Editorial 2: Advocating for Pakistan’s Narrative in the Global Fight Against Terrorism

1. Pakistan’s Deep-Rooted Commitment to Counterterrorism

Since joining the U.S.-led coalition against terrorism, Pakistan has endured economic instability, internal displacement, and the deaths of over 80,000 civilians and military personnel. Operations like Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan and Radd-ul-Fasaad targeted banned outfits, leading to the destruction of hundreds of militant hideouts. Despite being labeled ambiguously in global counterterrorism discourse, Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies have disrupted numerous plots aimed at both domestic and international targets.

2. A Crisis of Recognition Despite Rising Terrorism

In 2024, terrorist violence surged dramatically. The rise in attacks by the TTP, which has regrouped in Afghanistan’s border regions, poses a major cross-border challenge. The group’s recent alliance with Islamic State-affiliated factions and Baloch separatists has led to complex, multi-pronged attacks targeting Pakistan’s law enforcement, economy, and infrastructure. Yet, the global narrative often questions Pakistan’s intentions rather than acknowledging these challenges. This double standard persists despite Pakistan’s consistent role in capturing or neutralizing high-value targets, including operatives from Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

3. The Media Disparity: India’s Advantage

Following the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, India mobilized its diplomatic corps to project its response — Operation Sindoor — as a justified retaliation. Global news outlets amplified India’s framing of the issue, while Pakistan’s condemnation and appeals for de-escalation were either downplayed or ignored. India’s investments in media influence, tech diplomacy, and think-tank sponsorships in Washington, London, and Brussels have given it a decisive edge in shaping perceptions. Pakistan, meanwhile, has yet to establish a comparable global communications architecture.

4. Dormant Diplomacy: The Underperformance of Pakistani Missions

Pakistan’s diplomatic infrastructure in the U.S. — comprising five missions — is inadequately leveraged. Unlike their Indian counterparts, which maintain deep relationships with policymakers, tech lobbyists, and the Indian-American community, Pakistani missions often lack a long-term advocacy strategy. There are few regular briefings with U.S. lawmakers on Pakistan’s security situation, and limited interaction with major think tanks such as CSIS, Brookings, or Council on Foreign Relations. As a result, Pakistan’s narrative remains reactive rather than proactive.

5. The Untapped Power of the Pakistani-American Diaspora

With over 500,000 Pakistani-Americans in the U.S., many of whom are highly educated and economically established, there is untapped potential for community-led diplomacy. Initiatives such as “Friends of Pakistan Caucus” in Congress, if revitalized, could provide institutional support. Furthermore, collaborations with student groups, professionals, and Pakistani-led NGOs can build a grassroots lobbying network. Their voices, when empowered, can contest hostile narratives and promote Pakistan’s strategic relevance in South Asia.

6. China’s Backing and Its Strategic Implications

China’s increasing support for Pakistan — including logistical and intelligence assistance during recent Line of Control skirmishes — has added a new layer to regional dynamics. Reports indicate Chinese military supplies and surveillance tech being deployed in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir to bolster border security. This support is not just strategic but symbolic: Beijing views Islamabad as a counterweight to India in South Asia. However, reliance on China alone is insufficient. Without balanced ties with the West, Pakistan risks deeper isolation in the global counterterrorism narrative (ndtv.com).

7. Conclusion: A Call to Action

Pakistan stands at a critical juncture. Its fight against terrorism is real, documented, and ongoing. But global recognition will not come by default; it must be earned through strategic diplomacy, consistent narrative-building, and deep engagement with allies and adversaries alike. This is not just a war of weapons, but of words — and Pakistan must start winning both.