The Facts
On Monday, nine people were killed in two separate bombing incidents in Pakistan. In the country's southwest, a local politician and six others were killed by a roadside bomb, while two people were killed by a suicide bomber in the nation's northwest.
The suicide bombing, which killed a married couple, occurred in a region of Waziristan that used to be a Pakistani Taliban stronghold. The second bombing occurred only a few hours later, killing Balochistan Awami Party politician Ishaq Yaqub among others.
The Spin
Narrative A
Terror attacks are on the rise Pakistan, with many analysts predicting that threats are set to increase further as elections approach. Districts that were once major focus points during the global war on terror are seeing heightened activity and tension, especially since the Taliban retook control in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021. Pakistan's government should be prepared for the TTP to take further action against officials in an attempt to destabilize the country.
Narrative B
Rather than undermine relations with it's geopolitical neighbor, Pakistani officials should be communicating directly with Taliban leaders in Afghanistan about concerns over cross-border terrorism. Disseminating baseless claims to international media outlets will only create more trouble, while dialogue and transparency with the Islamic Emirate with a view to ensuring stability would be in the best interests of Pakistan's government and its people.