BEIJING: Regional forces secretly backing terrorist organizations to undermine the progress of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the amicable partnership between Beijing and Islamabad.
The regional players have covertly supported terrorist organizations to conduct terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, said Cheng Xizhong, a Visiting Professor at Southwest University of Political Science and Law, in an op-ed published by Asia Pacific Daily.
Xizhong said that two suicide bombings in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province shocked the world. The United Nations and peace-loving nations worldwide have vehemently decried these attacks. Cheng Xizhong conveyed the deep shock and strong condemnation of the Chinese people, extending heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and expressing sincere sympathy to the injured.
Cheng Xizhong recounted that in the 1980s and 1990s, Pakistan’s social security situation was notably robust, with development indices, including security, surpassing those of other South Asian nations. However, the influx of terrorism into South Asia following the foreign intervention in Afghanistan had a devastating impact on Pakistan, making it the primary target. Pakistan’s security forces responded with resolute and effective anti-terrorism measures, gradually ameliorating the security landscape over the years.
Key Factors Contributing Deteriorating Security Situation
He identified two key factors contributing to Pakistan’s deteriorating security situation. First, the long-shared border between Pakistan and Afghanistan facilitated the movement of terrorists. Despite the Afghan Taliban’s assertions against terrorists using Afghan territory for cross-border attacks, the interim Afghan Taliban government struggled with limited control, enabling terrorists to operate within Afghanistan and launch attacks into Pakistan.
Second, Cheng Xizhong pointed out the evident external support for terrorist organizations. As Pakistan’s general election draws near, regional forces are likely to intensify their backing of terrorist groups to disrupt Pakistan’s political processes and societal stability. Cheng Xizhong stressed the necessity for heightened vigilance in response to this threat.
