Pakistan faces twin crises of militant violence and Kashmir protests

Pakistan is confronting simultaneous security and political crises after a surge in militant attacks blamed on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and weeks of mass protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir that have led to violent clashes with security forces. The twin emergencies have intensified domestic political strain, prompted cross-border diplomatic friction with Afghanistan and drawn sharp criticism from India at the United Nations.

The federal government and the military have publicly blamed fighters operating from Afghan territory, alongside the Pakistan Taliban, for a recent wave of attacks that has killed scores of security personnel and civilians since mid-September. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking outside a military hospital in Bannu on September 13 after the deaths of soldiers in frontline fighting, warned the Afghan interim authorities to act or risk severed ties. He said Afghanistan must choose "one of two paths" and offered to cooperate if Kabul showed goodwill. Kabul has rejected allegations that it is sheltering anti-Pakistan militants and urged reciprocal information sharing to counter threats, a Taliban spokesperson said.