US designates members of Pakistan armed groups as ‘terrorists’
Al JazeeraNov 27, 2022
The Facts
A suicide car bombing during a police stop in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Friday has claimed the lives of at least one police officer and the two perpetrators, with four officers and two civilians suffering injuries.
The Islamabad police chief stated that the vehicle had failed to stop at a police checkpoint and detonated their explosives in a "suicidal blast" as police were in pursuit.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
In a cruel twist of fate, Pakistan is under threat from a group they once vocally supported in their fight against the US. Afghanistan has failed to take steps against the TTP, and Pakistan is helpless against insurgents launching attacks from their Taliban-controlled neighbor. They have reaped what they've sown with regards to support for rouge terror groups. More innocent civilians are being victimized as a result of this foreign policy blunder.
Pro-establishment narrative
The situation with Afghanistan, and their support or indifference to attacks originating from their country, is a reality that cannot be wished away. It would be foolish to disengage with Kabul over the security situation, as it's clear that a solution can only come from cooperation between the two nations. Pakistan will continue the fight against insurgents the best it can without resorting to such drastic measures. While there is disappointment that Afghanistan is not taking measures against militant groups, Pakistan's fight is against the TTP, not Afghanistan.
