A conflict of strengthening rhetoric aimed at undermining the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has appeared again over the past few weeks. This recent discourse, primarily driven by the Afghan media, particularly the Al-Mirsaad outlet, indicates a worrying tendency to simplify the intricate regional security matter and divert attention from the actual counterterrorism strategies. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) oppose to the cross-border threats, and Pakistan will have to keep on fighting hard to manage them. These propaganda-driven stories not only serve as a ground for the continuation of the conflict but also lead to the hiding of real and urgent security issues that are in the need of cooperation through borders.

The latest output from Al-Mirsaad follows on the same path that is quite common yet very damaging—overstated accusations, the alteration of truths and a total disregard for the wider context of militancy in the area. The media outlet, by repeating the notion that Pakistan is the main cause of the instability in the region, diverts attention away from the very important problem of the existence of violent groups in Afghanistan, among which is ISKP. These militants, who are mostly based in Afghanistan, have shown that they are capable of attacking not only the Pakistani military but also creating unrest in entire areas, thus making the whole process of bringing about a lasting peace even more difficult.

Even though the existence of ISKP in Afghanistan is well-documented and supported by intelligence reports from several international partners like the UN and the EU, Al-Mirsaad still keeps on telling lies regarding the situation. Besides, the rewiring of the security issue serves the purpose of discrediting Pakistan's rightful counter-terrorism operations and placing the blame for the region's unrest on its part. What is more concerning is not only the lack of evidence for these claims but also the fact that they overlook the main problem which is the freedom of action of international terrorist organizations in Afghanistan.


This is not only the inability of one nation to fight against militancy, but also the failure of a combined method to handle the threats which are common to them. The Pakistani government, even though it has to its cost human lives and economic setbacks amounting to huge billions, has never left the fight against terrorism. Its deeds, though sometimes not correctly perceived by outside observers, have been a major supportive factor in the war against terrorism in the region. Actually, Pakistan's counterterrorism triumphs—disruption of terror networks, restriction of areas where transnational terrorists can stay, and the stopping of radical ideas—have opened up ways for it to be recognized by different international organizations including the UN and the EU. The blessings from these institutions are not just political endorsements, but they also mirror the stringent, data-based evaluations of Pakistan's part in the larger combat against terrorism.

Yet, while the circumstances are changing, some Afghan media such as Al-Mirsaad still manage to portray Pakistan's anti-terrorism operations in a very negative light. By putting Pakistan's operations in the worst possible light and avoiding the unpleasant truths about the Afghan militant issue, these media channels maintain a negative and unhelpful story. The solution for the safety issues in the area is to accept the transnational character of the threat, instead of telling a one-sided story that highlights only Pakistan's involvement.


The increasing focus on such rhetoric by Al-Mirsaad and comparable media is an indication of a larger phenomenon where misinformation about Pakistan's counterterrorism role through media campaigns masks the actual work being done in the area. These stories, which quite often do not hold accountable the players responsible for inciting extremism in Afghanistan, not only create a wrong impression among the people but also obstruct the very communication which is needed for taking joint action. If the emphasis on shared responsibility and cooperation is not there, then the chances of making significant strides in the region will still be very dim.

The inclination of these media platforms to participate in clearly political talks—especially in military budget or counterterrorism strategy debates—has encouraged people to question their real motives. Al-Mirsaad, although it asserts to be neutral, has frequently paralleled the language of terrorist groups that the UN has labeled as major threats. The negative aspects of both the anti-Pakistan narratives and the extremist ideologies come so close to each other that they totally destroy credibility and make the outlet's impartiality and influence on the regional tranquility a matter of concern.

It is not by blaming others or engaging in political finger-pointing that we would solve this riddle, but by a cooperative and fact-based counterterrorism approach. The deflection and denial rhetoric of media like Al-Mirsaad would not lead to the region's peaceful co-existence; only the shared effort against common dangers can make the region's long-term security a reality. Pakistan's position has always been that of a collaborator and shared accountable party, and it has been highlighting that terrorism is a global issue calling for a regional and international response.Propaganda should be totally dismissed under such circumstances and replaced with positive engagement. Media should no longer be a source of distortion and blame but instead help create a more truthful and productive conversation that recognizes the difficult nature of counterterrorism in a global setting. The region is right at a turning point and it is important that every party involved weights the necessity of a united front, not only to bring about peace in the region but also to secure the world.

The situation is becoming more and more clear that the language which is used by the like-minded Al-Mirsaad is not just a negative comment on the Pakistan’s policies but a carefully calculated move to conceal the larger issues of the region. Thus, by disregarding Pakistan and giving out untrue accounts of its involvement, such media are actually causing the collapse of the counter-terrorism efforts. The point is that the region has to go past the blame games and work together to develop a coalition against terrorism, assist the populations impacted, and partake in multilateral talks that put the welfare and security of all countries first.