The Afghan online platform Al-Mirsaad frequently blames Pakistan for regional instability, while largely ignoring Afghanistan’s own pressing security issues, such as weak governance and the presence of terrorist groups like ISKP. This selective narrative can complicate regional counterterrorism efforts and further distance the platform from widely accepted international perspectives.
Amid this, ISKP’s propaganda, along with supportive narratives from Indian social media, reinforces anti-Pakistan sentiments, mirroring a global network highlighted in a 2020 EU Disinformation Lab investigation. Recent reports indicate that ISKP’s leaders and operations are based in Afghanistan, while incidents such as the 2025 bombings in Kunar showcase the Afghan government’s inability to maintain security. UN reports reveal that TTP, financially supported by the Afghan Taliban, poses a significant threat, with funds funneled to its leadership.
Moreover, $7.1 billion worth of U.S. military equipment left in Afghanistan during the withdrawal is now being used by TTP for attacks on Pakistan. Investigations into extremist networks in Afghanistan continue to expose their influence on militant activities. A recent report from the Transatlantic Intelligence Consortium states that up to 44 terrorist organizations remain active in Afghanistan, asserting that inadequate countermeasures from the Taliban allow these groups to thrive.
The TTP/FAK and ISKP utilize fake, self-serving fatwas to confuse the public and recruit youth, though they lack credibility compared to Pakistan’s state-supported Paigham-e-Pakistan, which categorically rejects terrorism. Afghanistan would benefit from a similar state-endorsed, cross-sectarian fatwa aimed at delegitimizing terrorism, which could effectively counter extremist propaganda and divert youth from radicalization.
