Return of the Pakistani Taliban to Power Amid the Collapse of Government Authority in Northwestern Pakistan

The extremist group 'Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan' (TTP) has regained its position in northwestern Pakistan, exercising brutal rule over hundreds of thousands of people. Those living under the TTP's leadership report that this radical Islamist group has severely restricted freedoms and fundamental rights, especially for women. They emphasize that terror, kidnapping, extortion, and harassment are prevalent in the daily lives of residents in this region. In 2014, the Pakistani army had destroyed the group's bases in a major military operation, but in recent years, the extremist group has regained its strength and significantly taken control of the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwestern Pakistan. The TTP often governs at night; according to locals, after dark, government forces return to their bases, and members of this extremist group take control, causing many civilians to remain indoors out of fear of encountering them. The return of the TTP to this region has led thousands of professionals, traders, and wealthy landowners to migrate from the area. Homayoun Mohsud, who recently fled South Waziristan, told Radio Free Europe, 'There is no safe place, and no one is immune from the presence of these extremists. They have returned with power.' Mohsud decided to flee his village after the TTP kidnapped and killed his brother, a government employee. He states that the Pakistani Taliban has established its own government in South Waziristan, a region with a population of over 900,000. Mohsud adds that the militants control the local economy and have set up temporary courts to resolve local disputes. The local atmosphere is one of fear; residents say that the Pakistani Taliban imposes its extremist version of Islam in areas under its control. Listening to or playing music is banned, barbers are prohibited from shaving or trimming men's beards, some girls' schools have been closed or destroyed, and restrictions on women's movement outside their homes have been imposed in certain areas. Saleem, a resident of the Laki Marwat district in northern Pakistan, says the Pakistani Taliban intends to restrict people's lives and repeat what the Taliban in Afghanistan did to its people. The Pakistani Taliban and the Afghan Taliban have close ideological and organizational ties. Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban, which took power in 2021, of sheltering Pakistani militants. Saleem, who has changed his name to protect his identity, states that the TTP has replaced local authorities in Laki Marwat, a region home to about one million people. He continues to tell Radio Free Europe, 'After the police forces were continuously attacked by the TTP, they abandoned their posts, and now thousands of locals are fleeing.' Mohsen Taba Khan, a political activist and former university lecturer, is among those who have lived in Laki Marwat. This critic of the TTP, who claims the militant group has threatened him, describes the situation in Laki Marwat: 'The atmosphere of fear is pervasive. Everyone locks their doors after sunset. The TTP targets local government employees and security personnel in this district.' He adds that if TTP members discover you have an ID card, you should be concerned for your life. However, the extent of the TTP's presence and influence is expanding day by day. Abubakar Kormiwal, a resident in the Kurram district, states that on August 14, the TTP kidnapped his cousin on charges of spying for the government, and four days later, his body was found by the roadside. Abubakar describes the conditions in his district to Radio Free Europe: 'Women cannot leave their homes for fear of these militants. They often force locals to provide food for them.' Abubakar adds that last month, the only school in his village was closed due to the flight of all its teachers. Mohsen Dawar, a former member of parliament, has witnessed the increasing influence of the TTP in his native region of North Waziristan. Dawar states that the group's rise to power began with forcing locals to provide food for them. Then, the militants extorted wealthy traders and landowners, and now they are destroying girls' schools in this district. Dawar, who leads the secular National Democratic Movement (NDM), tells Radio Free Europe, 'With the rise of the Pakistani Taliban, government authority is collapsing. They first want to kill individuals whose deaths will make headlines.' Dawar, who has survived several assassination attempts, adds, 'Everyone is at risk, but those who hold a position in society are more in their crosshairs.' Attacks by the TTP have increased in recent years in the country. This militant group often targets the army and police and largely refrains from attacking civilian targets. Abdul Saeed, a researcher on the Pakistani Taliban living in Sweden, says the group primarily aims to drive security forces out of the region by targeting them. Earlier this year, Pakistan announced that the army would launch a new operation to eradicate militants in this region. The planned military operation has faced strong opposition from local residents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Similar protests against the TTP and its return to the region have been held. Abdul Wahid, a local leader of the secular Awami National Party, states that local people, after enduring years of conflict, are no longer afraid of militants or the Pakistani army. Abdul Wahid, who is from the Khyber district, continues, 'There is now political awareness here. We will protest and resist peacefully.'