A story based on deflection cannot be maintained for very long before reality comes to light. The comments made recently by the spokesperson for the Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, in an attempt to deflect the blame for ISIS-K on Pakistan were not only misleading but an intentional diversion away from some facts that have been established and are well-known to most people.
ISIS-K did not spring out of nowhere. It was not imported into Afghanistan; it did not force itself into existence. ISIS-K developed in Afghanistan and after 2014, it planted itself firmly within eastern provinces of Afghanistan like Nangarhar, Kunar, and Nuristan.
The year, 2021, marked a defining point. The downfall of the Afghan government opened up the area for invasion, and ISIS-K immediately stepped in to take advantage of the situation. The Bagram prison escape allowed the release of terrorists back into action and, even worse, some of them joined other extremist groups. The one incident was enough not only to restore ISIS-K but also to boost its strength.
These statements are not allegations. This is something that is accepted around the world within the realm of security issues. Then again, if ISIS-K is not based in Afghanistan, why are its bases found there?
In all the hype about Afghanistan being under the control of ISIS-K, another picture emerges. Families in Pakistan mourn their losses caused by the terrorist group. They are not signs of passivity; on the contrary, they show the country fighting against terrorism despite losses.
Pakistan remains steadfast at the forefront of this fight. The security agencies are working to break down terrorist networks, disrupt their activities, and stop any further loss of innocent lives. There is sacrifice. There is determination. There is commitment. Blame cannot make ISIS-K weaker. Denial cannot break down its networks. And rhetoric cannot change the geography.
The duty is clear. If one holds authority over a certain area, they are expected to make sure that no part of it is being used for carrying out acts of terror. It is not about politics; it is the bare minimum of one’s responsibilities. Because facts cannot conform to narratives. Until reality sets in, all there is, is evasion.
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