September 23, 2022
2 mins read

Pak Taliban tighten its grip on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Siddiqa says the return of the TTP to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its rapidly mounting control spells disaster for Pakistan…reports Asian Lite News

The return of the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its rapidly mounting control spells disaster for Pakistan.

Ayesha Siddiqa, a Pakistan security expert at the University of London, sees little interest within the Pakistani military in stemming the rising Taliban tide along the country’s western borders with Afghanistan, RFE/RL reported.

She says that unlike the early rounds of Pakistan’s domestic war on terrorism, Islamabad is unlikely to receive Western financial support, particularly generous funding from the United States.

“Now, with no money on the table, the Pakistani military is unwilling to fight the Taliban, which is leading to extortion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” she said.

Siddiqa says the return of the TTP to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its rapidly mounting control spells disaster for Pakistan.

“What will start in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will not end in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It will extend all over the country,” she emphasised, RFE/RL reported.

Although not reported in the media, the TTP’s extortion is now so extensive across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that on September 20 the group issued a statement calling on people to not pay extortion in several northern districts of the province.

“If anyone asks you for a shakedown in the name of Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, please contact us so we can unmask them,” the statement said, offering a number for contacting the group, RFE/RL reported.

Despite the alarming increase in Taliban extortion demands, the issue is yet to attract national attention.

Last month, Pakistan’s powerful military described the return of TTP militants as a “misperception” that is “grossly exaggerated and misleading”. It has promised to deal with the group with “full force if required.”

But opposition politicians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are not convinced. Lawmaker Sardar Hussain Babak, a prominent leader of the secular Awami National Party, says the Taliban is tightening its grip on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Every well-off individual in this province, including me, is receiving threatening phone calls [from the Taliban] demanding extortion money,” he told lawmakers last week.

“We have repeatedly demanded action from the government but have not seen any political will,” he said, RFE/RL reported.

Since June, dozens of noisy protests and sit-ins across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have pressed Pakistani authorities to protect them from Taliban militants returning to the province.

The Pakistani military, however, says it is committed to protecting the country from militants.

“The Pakistan Army is determined to defend Pakistan’s borders against the menace of terrorism,” the military’s media office said.

ALSO READ: Taliban replace acting education minister in reshuffle

Previous Story

‘In such a scenario, investors could look at target maturity funds’

Next Story

Anti-hijab protests grip Iran

Latest from -Top News

Visa Interview Pause Nearing End, Says US

India is the source country for the largest group of international students in the US and Bruce’s comments will be closely followed there….reports Asian Lite News The United States said the pause

No Talks Till Terror Ends: India to Pakistan

The MEA’s strong response came at a time when Pakistan, pushed on the backfoot by India’s decisive Operation Sindoor, has suddenly started talking about its intent on having peace talks with India….reports

BNP ramps up poll demand

Chief Adviser Yunus had earlier promised elections in December 2025, but the timeline has since been pushed back first to February 2026 and then to June 2026, fuelling suspicion and dissatisfaction among

Saudi backs India’s strategic outreach

In a series of engagements, the Indian delegation met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State Adel Al-Jubeir and other senior officials. A high-profile Indian all-party parliamentary delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay

India clears stealth fighter project

New execution model paves way for private sector involvement in India’s ambitious stealth aircraft programme; Army showcases next-gen drone warfare systems. In a landmark decision bolstering India’s defence self-reliance, Defence Minister Rajnath
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Will Imran’s PTI be banned?

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led ruling alliance held a six-hour-long

Pakistan aims better start with Mullah Akhund as Afghan PM

He played a major part in opening diplomatic channels with