ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has labeled the banned terrorist group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as “Fitna al-Khawarij” in a notification issued from the Ministry of Interior on Wednesday. This designation aims to highlight the group’s misuse of Islam to further their own agenda.
Under this directive, the term “Khariji” will now precede the names of individuals associated with these militant groups in all official communications and documents. This move intends to expose their true nature and refute their distorted interpretations of religious teachings.
In addition to reclassifying the TTP, the government has also banned two other militant organizations: the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group (HGBG) and the Majeed Brigade (MB). These bans follow recommendations made after a two-year monitoring period, and the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) has added these groups to its list of proscribed organizations.
This announcement comes in the wake of a recent increase in terrorist activity, particularly in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces. According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the second quarter of 2024 saw 380 fatalities and 220 injuries due to violence, with KP and Balochistan accounting for nearly 92% of the fatalities and 87% of the attacks.
In response to this rising threat, the federal government has launched Operation “Azm-e-Istehkam,” part of the National Action Plan to enhance anti-terrorism efforts and address cross-border infiltration. These new measures, along with the ongoing operation, reflect the government’s commitment to tackling terrorism through both military and ideological means.
