Pakistan Taliban Threatens Military Businesses Amid Rising Violence

Islamabad, Pakistan – The outlawed Pakistan Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has escalated its threats against the Pakistani military, warning of attacks on its commercial ventures. This development marks a significant shift in the group’s tactics, targeting key military-run entities like the Fauji Foundation, National Logistics Cell (NLC), and other enterprises.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the TTP vowed to target the Pakistani military's economic interests. Among the named targets were Fauji Fertilizer Company, military-run housing authorities, the Frontier Works Organisation, and other organizations contributing to the military’s financial backbone. Civilians were urged to divest from these enterprises within three months, with employees being advised to seek alternative livelihoods.

Rising Tensions with the Afghan Taliban

The TTP’s threats come amidst growing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of providing safe havens for TTP fighters, enabling cross-border attacks on Pakistani security forces. In retaliation, Pakistan has launched airstrikes targeting alleged TTP hideouts in Afghanistan, further straining relations between the two neighbors.

Despite ideological ties with the Afghan Taliban, the TTP has independently waged a violent insurgency against Pakistan since its formation in 2007. Its demands include the imposition of strict Islamic law and reversing the merger of Pakistan’s tribal regions with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Violence Reaches New Heights

In 2023, Pakistan saw nearly 1,000 fatalities attributed to TTP attacks, with a sharp rise in violence continuing into 2024. According to the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), 2024 was one of the deadliest years, recording 2,526 deaths, including 700 security personnel and 900 civilians. Analysts warn that the group’s recent threats signal a potential escalation of urban violence.

Security researcher Abdul Sayed noted a shift in the TTP’s strategy under the leadership of Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud. Recent Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Bermal district, which resulted in civilian casualties, may have pushed the group’s hardliners toward adopting more aggressive tactics.

Exploiting Political Divisions

Analysts believe the TTP is also leveraging Pakistan’s internal political turmoil. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has been critical of the military, accusing it of orchestrating Khan’s removal from power. Following protests and social media campaigns to boycott military-run businesses, the TTP appears to be exploiting this fractured landscape.

Qamar Cheema, a political expert, remarked that such divisions weaken national cohesion, making it easier for groups like the TTP to expand their operations.

Economic Contributions by Military Enterprises

Military-run organizations, including the Fauji Foundation and NLC, have significantly contributed to Pakistan’s economy. In 2023, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) revealed that these entities collectively paid over 360 billion rupees ($1.3 billion) in taxes and duties. Despite these contributions, they remain under public and political scrutiny.

The Road Ahead

Experts caution against dismissing the TTP’s warnings. Imtiaz Gul, executive director of the CRSS, emphasized that the group’s threats are designed to pressure the military into halting cross-border strikes in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Sayed warned that the TTP’s evolving tactics could lead to increased violence in urban areas, creating new challenges for Pakistan’s security forces.

The TTP’s renewed aggression highlights the growing complexities in Pakistan’s fight against militancy, with rising violence threatening the country’s stability and economic progress.

Source: Al Jazeera