The proliferation of false narratives in South Asia is nothing new. However, the latest claim regarding Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) allegedly meeting with the terrorist group ISIS-K in Turkey is an outright fabrication aimed at discrediting Pakistan’s security establishment. The claim, originating from an Al Mirsad report and amplified by figures like Ehsanullah Ehsan, has gained traction among Afghan General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI)-affiliated accounts. The objective is clear: to shift focus from Afghanistan’s role as a terrorist sanctuary and destabilize Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts.
The Afghan GDI, which operates under the current Taliban-led government, has a vested interest in maligning Pakistan’s security agencies. By amplifying baseless accusations, they seek to deflect attention from their continued sheltering of terrorist outfits, including the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS-Khorasan Province (ISKP). These groups have been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including targeted killings of Chinese nationals and security personnel. The claim that ISI is engaging with ISIS-K is not only unsubstantiated but also contradictory to Pakistan’s longstanding counterterrorism policies. Islamabad has been at the forefront of dismantling terrorist networks, while the Afghan administration has shown little commitment to eliminating militant safe havens on its soil. If anything, it is the Taliban-led Afghan government that has engaged with extremist entities, evidenced by their continued interactions with the TTP despite peace agreements.
Pakistan has repeatedly warned international stakeholders about the dangers of leaving advanced weapons in Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal in 2021. These weapons have since found their way into the hands of groups like TTP and ISKP, allowing them to carry out sophisticated attacks. The Afghan government’s failure to control these groups has made Afghanistan a hotbed of terrorism that directly threatens regional stability. Moreover, Afghanistan’s ungoverned spaces have provided a safe haven for ISKP. Contrary to fabricated claims, there is no evidence to suggest that ISKP operates from Pakistan. On the contrary, ISKP has used Afghan territory to launch attacks on both Afghan and Pakistani targets. The notion that Pakistan would aid a terrorist outfit that regularly targets its own interests is illogical and defies strategic rationale.
It is no secret that India has been actively involved in fueling anti-Pakistan narratives through both direct and indirect means. The recent wave of disinformation regarding ISI’s alleged ties with ISIS-K is reminiscent of previous propaganda efforts aimed at maligning Pakistan. Indian intelligence agencies have been known to sponsor fake news campaigns and amplify narratives that paint Pakistan as a sponsor of terrorism. The dissemination of such false claims aligns with India’s broader strategy of diplomatic and media warfare against Pakistan. Additionally, India has a vested interest in ensuring that Afghanistan remains a source of instability for Pakistan. By supporting anti-Pakistan elements within Afghanistan, including factions within the Afghan intelligence apparatus, India aims to keep Pakistan engaged in a security quagmire. This strategy not only diverts Pakistan’s focus but also serves as a tool for diplomatic leverage.
While the Afghan Interim Government (AIG) has repeatedly denied harboring terrorist groups, evidence suggests otherwise. Multiple independent reports have confirmed that TTP continues to operate freely within Afghanistan, orchestrating attacks on Pakistan from across the border. The presence of these groups directly contradicts the Taliban’s earlier assurances to the international community. By allowing TTP to thrive, AIG has indirectly facilitated ISKP’s growth. The ideological and operational overlaps between these groups highlight a dangerous nexus that could destabilize the entire region. Rather than addressing these internal security concerns, AIG and its intelligence agencies prefer to push baseless narratives that serve political ends rather than security objectives.
Pakistan has consistently called for regional and international efforts to address the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan. However, disinformation campaigns designed to tarnish Pakistan’s image only serve to distract from the real issue. The international community must recognize these tactics for what they are: a deliberate attempt to shift blame and evade accountability. For sustainable regional peace, Afghanistan must dismantle terrorist networks operating from its soil. The focus should be on cooperation rather than baseless accusations. Any delay in addressing these concerns will only embolden terrorist outfits, ultimately making Afghanistan’s instability a global concern.
The ISI-ISIS-K narrative is a diversionary tactic aimed at deflecting from Afghanistan’s own failures in counterterrorism. The real issue remains the unchecked presence of groups like TTP and ISKP within Afghan territory. While Pakistan continues to combat terrorism with all available resources, it is Afghanistan that must demonstrate a genuine commitment to eliminating safe havens for terrorists. The international community must see through these propaganda campaigns and hold the Afghan government accountable for its role in fostering terrorism. Until then, baseless allegations will remain just that—baseless.