Pakistan is currently facing multiple crises, each more severe than the other. Some analysts affiliated with PTI advocate for reconciliation with the opposition, believing that addressing PTI’s genuine demands is the only way forward. They hold the government and establishment responsible for the lack of engagement. However, the question arises—who is truly rejecting reconciliation and obstructing peaceful conditions?
Is it the coalition government that is unwilling to establish peace and political stability, which are essential for economic recovery and addressing complex national challenges? Or is it the army that does not desire harmony?
It is misleading to imply that the government and military favor conflict and disunity. Both institutions are on the same page in their eagerness to restore normalcy, lift the economy, combat terrorism, and confront external threats.
PTI, however, has consistently fostered agitation and chaos through malicious media campaigns, sit-ins, violent protests, and a refusal to cooperate. Economic revival necessitates unity among all stakeholders, including political power centers, rulers, and the public.
Yet, PTI’s rigid stance—considering itself the sole righteous entity while deeming all others corrupt, incompetent, and illegitimate—renders such unity nearly impossible.
There is little hope of PTI altering this mindset, as its cult-like followers lack the moral courage to challenge the party leadership’s wrongful stances. Even if PTI’s claims of superiority were hypothetically accepted, the party must substantiate its position with a track record of superior governance, democratic principles, and ethical standards.
Instead, PTI’s political culture contradicts democratic norms, and its leadership’s corruption and vendetta-driven politics undermine its credibility.
According to Imran Khan and his followers, the only acceptable resolution is to acknowledge PTI’s removal in April 2022 as wrongful, accept its claimed two-thirds majority victory in the February 2024 elections, and hand power back to the party.
Furthermore, PTI demands the exoneration of those involved in the May 9, 2023, events, insisting the nationwide vandalism was a false flag operation orchestrated by intelligence agencies. Notably, PTI wants these declarations to be made by the military establishment rather than the judiciary.
Amid these political tensions, Pakistan faces grave security threats. A recent terrorist attack at Bolan Pass saw the Jaffar Express train hijacked, with 450 passengers— including 150-180 unarmed servicemen—taken hostage by the BLA.
The terrorists meticulously planned this operation, choosing an inaccessible tunnel to hinder security forces’ response. Helicopters had to be deployed for troop insertion, highlighting the complexity of the rescue mission. The attack’s sophistication suggests foreign involvement, as such an operation required months of preparation.
Every patriotic citizen condemned this heinous act. However, PTI failed to denounce the terrorists and instead blamed intelligence agencies, the Interior Minister, and the Chief Minister of Balochistan.
PTI’s social media further exacerbated the situation by spreading fake news using old Indian media footage. While the nation stood united in grief and prayed for the hostages’ safety, PTI remained fixated on its political agenda. Shockingly, some PTI-affiliated bloggers even praised the BLA for releasing civilians.
No other nation tolerates such anti-state rhetoric from its expatriates and media influencers. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the province most affected by terrorism, suffers from an ineffective government.
Chief Minister Gandapur remains indifferent to rising terror incidents, prioritizing political confrontations over governance. Despite escalating violence in Kurram and Torkham and the highest number of terrorist attacks in 2024 occurring in KP, the provincial leadership focuses solely on destabilizing Islamabad and Punjab.
PTI’s leader has historically been lenient toward TTP and the Afghan Taliban, further explaining the party’s reluctance to criticize incompetence in KP’s administration.
Ironically, while PTI advocates for dialogue with TTP to curb terrorism, it refuses to engage with the government to resolve political disputes. During its tenure, PTI went to great lengths to rehabilitate 6,000 hardened militants, releasing jailed terrorists in a misguided effort to appease them.
This blunder directly contributed to the resurgence of terrorism, which continues unabated. PTI remains eager to engage with the Afghan Taliban government, despite its blatant violations of the Doha Agreement and support for cross-border terrorism. Meanwhile, Afghan refugees in Pakistan have been providing shelter and intelligence to TTP operatives.
Baloch Yekjehti Movement leader Mahrang Baloch, a known political ally of PTI, has remained silent on the Jaffar Express attack, reinforcing suspicions of PTI’s alignment with anti-state elements. PTM, which serves as the political front for TTP, also shares close ties with PTI.
The party’s opposition to military action against terrorists and its resistance to the repatriation of illegal Afghan refugees further underscores its misplaced priorities.
While PTI is open to dialogue with militant groups, it staunchly refuses negotiations with the government, dismissing it as illegitimate.
Despite having the full backing of state institutions during its tenure, PTI failed to deliver on governance, and it is likely to fail again due to its unchanged confrontational politics. The party thrives on conflict, disinformation, and political theater rather than constructive policymaking.
To ensure stability, the government must be allowed to complete its five-year tenure. A responsible opposition should hold the ruling regime accountable for corruption while supporting economic reforms and security initiatives, rather than obstructing progress for political gain.
All stakeholders must unite against terrorism, an existential threat to Pakistan. Military operations alone cannot defeat terrorism; coordinated efforts involving civil administration and the judiciary are essential.
Seeking the support of China, Russia, Iran, Central Asian states, and the U.S. is crucial, given Afghanistan’s refusal to honor the Doha Agreement and its role as a safe haven for extremist groups such as TTP, IS-K, Al-Qaeda, IMU, and TIM.
Additionally, social media, which has become a more significant menace than terrorism itself, must be regulated effectively. The National Action Plan should be implemented in its entirety, and Operation Azm-e-Istehkam must be launched in KP and Balochistan without further delay.
Operation Green Bolan, a joint effort by the Pakistan Army, FC, SSG, and PAF, exemplified the military’s prowess and commitment. Despite the treacherous terrain and high-risk conditions, security forces executed one of the largest and most successful hostage rescue missions.
The terrorists had strategically positioned suicide bombers inside and outside the train, using women and children as human shields. Pakistani snipers eliminated these threats, forcing the militants into disarray, and systematically cleared each train compartment.
The operation concluded at 8:30 PM, successfully rescuing all 346 hostages without any casualties among them. However, 21 civilians, including one FC soldier, lost their lives at the hands of the terrorists before the operation commenced.
Three FC soldiers were also martyred while guarding a railway picket. Not a single terrorist escaped, with all 33 militants neutralized.
The triumph of Operation Green Bolan uplifted the spirits of the nation, barring those with anti-Pakistan sentiments who had spread fake news and now face disappointment.
This victory marks a significant setback for Pakistan’s adversaries, who orchestrated the train ambush and the Bannu Cantt attack—both of which resulted in the complete elimination of terrorist elements.
As the DG ISPR rightly stated, the Jaffar Express incident has altered the security paradigm. The terrorists responsible have no association with Islam, Pakistan, or Balochistan.
The nation stands resolute with its armed forces, acknowledging their sacrifices in protecting the homeland. Given the escalating security threats in Balochistan, particularly from the BLA’s Majeed Brigade, which operates under foreign agendas, the time has come to eradicate this menace. The success of Operation Green Bolan is just the beginning of this crucial fight against terrorism.
