Khyber mayhem: Pakistan killing its own people with impunity

IT’s a double whammy for the hapless residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan’s troubled northwestern province. Ravaged by floods in recent weeks, they are also bearing the brunt of a ruthless military operation presumably aimed at eliminating terrorists of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Alleged bombings carried out by Pakistan Air Force jets in the Tirah valley have claimed the lives of at least 30 civilians, including women and children. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded an inquiry into the airstrikes near the Afghanistan border, even as the police have unconvincingly attributed the deaths to a blast in a compound where the TTP had stored explosive material.

Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir seems bent on maintaining the façade that his country is a victim, not a perpetrator, of terrorism. This ploy has worked well in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, with the international community being generally reluctant to blame Pakistan for this horrifying massacre on Indian soil despite telltale signs. On the pretext of combating terrorism, Pakistan’s military and political leadership is trying to undermine the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The PTI, the country’s main Opposition party, has been struggling ever since its founder, ex-PM Imran Khan, was put behind bars over two years ago.

The airstrikes, along with human rights abuse and forced displacement of people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have laid bare the nefarious designs of the Pakistani State, which is treating its own province like foreign territory. Ironically, Pakistan — itself a sponsor of cross-border terrorism for decades — wants the Taliban government to ensure that Afghan soil is not used to carry out acts of terror. Munir’s misadventures have damaged his country’s relations with Afghanistan, imperilling regional peace and stability. The mayhem in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should prompt India to corner Pak allies such as China, the US and Turkiye. They must be called out for turning a blind eye to the atrocities unleashed by Pakistan on its own citizens.