“And do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (Qur’an 8:46)
What weakens a nation more—an enemy at its gates or betrayal within? Who truly benefits when Pakistan and Afghanistan, bound by faith and history, are turned against each other? Are we fighting our own battles, or are we pawns in a greater game of division?
The poison of fitna has long been the weapon of those who seek to divide the Ummah. The ideology of the Kharijites, once responsible for bloodshed in the early days of Islam, has resurfaced under a modern alias: Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Are we prepared to recognize this threat for what it truly is, or will we allow history to repeat itself?
2024: A Year of Blood and Sacrifice
As January 2025 nears its end, it has continued the agony of 2024, a year that proved to be one of the most distressing for Pakistan. The nation has suffered 2,546 violence-related fatalities—an alarming 66% increase from the previous year. Seven lives lost every single day, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan bearing the heaviest toll. Despite nearly 60,000 security operations, the fight against terrorism remains relentless.
The numbers are horrifying, but the true tragedy lies in the ideology that fuels this bloodshed. This is not just a war fought with weapons but a war against the minds corrupted by Takfiri thought—the same ideology that led to the assassination of Hazrat Ali (RA) and the great trials of the early Muslim Ummah.
Kharijites: The Enemy Within
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) warned us about them: “They recite the Qur’an, but it does not go beyond their throats. They will leave Islam as an arrow passes through its target.”
These Kharijites wear the cloak of piety but act as executioners of Muslims. They spare the true oppressors of Islam but eagerly shed the blood of fellow believers. Today, the TTP embodies this fitna—attacking Pakistan, misusing Afghan soil, and sowing discord between two brotherly nations.
Also See: Let’s Not Be Divided by the Kharijites
Pakistan’s Rightful Defense: Targeting TTP, Not Afghans
The airstrikes in December 2024 in Paktika Province were not an act of hostility towards Afghanistan but a necessary defense against those who plotted daily massacres of innocent Pakistanis. Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Pakistan exercised its legitimate right to self-defense, precisely targeting TTP commanders and suicide training camps—not civilians, as falsely claimed by hostile propaganda.
Among those eliminated were Commander Sher Zaman alias Mukhlis Yar, Commander Abu Hamza, Commander Akhtar Muhammad alias Khalil, and Shoaib Iqbal, key architects of terrorism.
Photographic evidence of the eliminated terrorists further cements the credibility of Pakistan’s action. These weren’t innocents; they were architects of suicide bombings, assassinations, and destabilization plots. The world must not fall for the deceitful cries of the oppressor disguised as the oppressed.
Afghanistan and Pakistan: Brothers, Not Enemies
Pakistan has stood by Afghanistan through its darkest days—hosting millions of refugees, advocating for Afghan sovereignty, and ensuring economic support. Yet, the Afghan Interim Government’s reluctance to dismantle TTP sanctuaries raises troubling questions.
Let’s be clear: No enemy of Pakistan is a friend of Afghanistan. No enemy of Afghanistan is a friend of Pakistan. Our fates are intertwined, and the real enemy is the ideology of fitna that seeks to divide and destroy.
The people of Afghanistan must ask themselves: Would you allow your land to be used against a brother who has sheltered, supported, and protected you for decades?
A Call for Unity: Rejecting Takfir, Embracing Ta’lif
Islam teaches ta’lif—winning hearts, not takfir—branding Muslims as disbelievers. The Afghan Interim Government must take decisive action against TTP before it is too late.
Pakistan, while resolute in defending its people, remains open to dialogue and cooperation. Let us reject the whispers of fitna, stand firm against the Kharijites, and embrace the Qur’anic command:
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.” (Qur’an 3:103)
The path forward lies in brotherhood, not betrayal. If we fail to recognize our true enemy, we risk being mere pawns in their game. The choice is ours—will we stand united or let the Khawarij divide us once more?
PAYF Insights are social media threads by various authors, reproduced here for wider consumption.
