The Prime Minister's travels to Türkiye and Iran in search of a path towards regional peace highlight the importance of stability abroad, but Pakistan must first confront the bitter truth that its own homeland is far from peaceful. The recent shooting of civilians from Karachi, who were on their way to Quetta for a vacation, and the attack on the Rangers headquarters in Karachi by Afghan-based militants have once again exposed the scale of the threat at home.
Recurring Violence and Ineffective Responses
Pakistan has tried retaliatory strikes, limited operations, demarches, strong statements, and diplomatic protests. All have been done before. None have produced lasting peace because the pressure has too often been temporary, fragmented, and reactive. The state responds after blood has been shed, only to ease off once the immediate shock fades. According to security analysts, this pattern has allowed militant networks to regroup and strike again.
Lessons from Past Operations
It is time to return to what worked. Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, under the command of COAS Raheel Sharif, pushed terrorists back and restored a degree of confidence that had long seemed impossible. The results were clear: markets reopened, cities breathed again, and the public saw the state reclaiming space from fear. However, the gains of those operations, and the follow-up promised under the National Action Plan, were gradually abandoned.
Need for Sustained Counterterror Campaign
There can be no peace diplomacy abroad without hard security at home. Pakistan must pursue a sustained, full-spectrum counterterror campaign in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, backed by intelligence, policing, political will, and economic follow-through. Kabul must also be made to understand that sanctuaries used against Pakistan will carry a cost. There can be no compromise with those who murder civilians and soldiers alike.
