Highlights

• Strategic Interests-Pakistan has historically sought to use non-state actors as proxies to further its strategic objectives in regional conflicts, including its longstanding rivalry with India and its involvement in Afghanistan.
• Kashmir Dispute-Pakistan's support for militant groups has been partly motivated by its desire to contest India's control over the disputed region of Kashmir.
• Security Dilemma- Pakistan perceives an existential threat from its larger neighbor, India. This perception has led it to adopt certain policies, including supporting militant groups, as a means of asymmetric warfare and to maintain leverage in the region.
• Afghanistan Conflict- During the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s, Pakistan played a significant role in supporting Afghan mujahideen, some of whom later transformed into extremist groups.

Pakistan, a country with a rich history and diverse culture, has been plagued by a persistent issue—the alleged support of terrorist groups. Over the years, Pakistan has faced accusations from various countries and international organizations regarding its involvement with terrorist organizations. Understanding the reasons behind such support is a complex endeavor that requires examining historical, geopolitical, and internal factors.

History of Terrorism in Pakistan

The first major terrorist attack in Pakistan took place in 1986, when a bomb exploded in the Jamaat-e-Islami party's headquarters in Karachi. The bombing killed 12 people and injured dozens more.

In the 1990s, Pakistan became a safe haven for terrorist groups that were fighting in Kashmir. These groups, such asLashkar-e-Taiba andJaish-e-Mohammed, were responsible for numerous attacks in Kashmir and India.

In 2001, the September 11 attacks in the United States brought Pakistan's support for terrorism to the world's attention. The Pakistani government was accused of harboringal-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, and the country was placed under intense international pressure to crack down on terrorist groups.

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Pakistan has taken some steps to crack down on terrorism since 2001, but the problem persists. In 2008, a group of terrorists attacked Mumbai, India, killing 166 people. The attack was carried out by the Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terrorist group that is based in Pakistan.

In 2014, the Pakistani Taliban attacked a school in Peshawar, killing 132 children. The attack was the deadliest terrorist attack in Pakistan's history.

Evidence of Pakistani Support for Terrorism

There is evidence to suggest that the Pakistani government has supported terrorist groups. In 2009, a US intelligence report found that the Pakistani military had provided financial and logistical support to the Haqqani network, a terrorist group that is based in Pakistan.

In 2011, the US Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden in a raid on his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The raid revealed that bin Laden had been living in Pakistan for years, and that he had been protected by the Pakistani government.

In 2015, the Pakistani government released a report that acknowledged the country's role in supporting terrorism. The report found that the Pakistani government had provided financial and logistical support to a number of terrorist groups, including the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Terrorism's breeding ground is Pakistan. They center around this instead of focussing on the improvement and wellbeing of its residents.

The reasons for supporting terrorism by Pakistan are-

• Pakistan wants to be at the top of the Islamic world by hook or by crook
• Pakistan's primary reason to raise psychological warfare is to drain India, which is the greatest barricade for its plan to convey the PAK Islam movement banner on its shoulder. This has been apparent since the segment in 1947. Pakistan can not overcome India in eye to eye war, subsequently, it is utilizing psychological oppression against India.
• Because Pakistan is so "Beimaan and Namak Haram," the United States, which was once its mentor and a major funding source, was hurt by the 9/11 terrorist attack. It indirectly contributed to that crime by training a small number of the 9/11 terrorists. Pakistan gave haven to Osama Bina Loaded, the most needed fearmonger.

Other reasons will be-

• Strategic Depth and Afghanistan

During the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s, Pakistan, with support from the United States and other allies, played a crucial role in supporting Afghan mujahideen fighters opposing the Soviet invasion. The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan provided training, weapons, and safe havens for these fighters, including figures who later became influential in the global jihadist movement.

After the Soviet withdrawal, Afghanistan descended into civil war, and Pakistan continued to pursue its policy of "strategic depth" by maintaining influence over its neighbor. This policy aimed to ensure that Pakistan had a friendly government in Afghanistan to counter its arch-rival, India. However, the unintended consequence was that Pakistan's support for some Afghan factions inadvertently fostered extremist ideologies and militant groups.

• Divergent National Interests

While the Pakistani government may not explicitly support terrorism, some elements within the state apparatus and intelligence agencies have pursued their objectives independent of official policy. There have been instances where rogue elements within the ISI or the military have had links with extremist groups, leading to an ambivalent stance toward terrorism.

Additionally, Pakistan's government has faced challenges in asserting full control over certain regions, particularly along the border with Afghanistan. In these lawless areas, militant groups have found sanctuary, complicating the government's efforts to root out extremism completely.

• Domestic Political Considerations

In some instances, political parties and leaders in Pakistan have pandered to extremist elements to secure electoral support or maintain political influence. Appeasing extremist groups or turning a blind eye to their activities has been a tactic used by some politicians to gain backing from conservative constituencies.

This approach can create a dangerous feedback loop, where extremist groups gain legitimacy and political influence, leading to further demands and concessions from the government.

• Anti-India Sentiment

A significant portion of Pakistan's population holds deep-seated anti-India sentiments due to historical conflicts, particularly the Kashmir issue. Some extremist groups exploit this sentiment to recruit members and gain support for their activities.

Anti-India rhetoric and narratives are used to mobilize followers, as they present an external enemy that needs to be confronted. This creates an environment where extremist ideologies can flourish and draw recruits from disaffected segments of society.

Pakistan's involvement with terrorist groups is a complex issue that stems from a combination of historical, geopolitical, domestic, and external factors. While the majority of Pakistan's population condemns terrorism, there have been instances where elements within the state apparatus or intelligence agencies have supported or tolerated extremist organizations for strategic, political, or ideological reasons.