‘Al-Qaeda is leading force of all terrorist groups in Pakistan’

Islamabad:Iftikhar Firdous, the editor and founder of The Khorasan Diary, has said that al-Qaeda continued to be the leading force behind terrorism in Pakistan.

Mr Firdous was participating in a discussion hosted by Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) here Friday. Explaining the role of al-Qaeda offering ideological, logistical, and operational assistance to numerous militant groups, Mr Firdous underscored that while military actions diminished al-Qaeda's immediate threat, its strategic impact remained significant, influencing the tactics and goals of not only associated groups such as al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) but also the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

In a concerning development, he pointed out that the TTP was emerging as a quasi-governance entity, strategically shaping its narrative by weaponising public and bureaucratic discourse within Pakistan. He stated that by amplifying voices and opinions already present in society, TTP was attempting to legitimise its ideology and further entrench its influence. He added that the group used Pashtun nationalist themes and, in recent years, Baloch content to spread its message.

Mr Firdous shared that the TTP also spoke out on natural disasters and public injustices in Pakistan, claiming to speak for the people while manipulating these crises for its ideological goals.