The convergence of historical infrastructure, evolving tactics, and transnational reach has reinforced Pakistan’s position at the centre of global terrorism concerns, writes Dr Sakariya Kareem
The latest Global Terrorism Index 2026 has placed Pakistan at the top of the global rankings, underscoring a reality that has been repeatedly flagged by international agencies over decades.
This assessment does not stand in isolation. A report released by the United States Congressional Research Service on March 25, 2026, has once again identified Pakistan as a base of operations for a wide array of terrorist organisations, some of which have remained active since the 1980s.
The findings reinforce a long-standing concern: Pakistan continues to function as both a host and an operational hub for multiple militant networks with regional and global reach.
These groups span a broad spectrum, including globally oriented organisations such as Al-Qaeda, regionally focused outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, as well as sectarian and domestic extremist factions.
Of the groups identified in the report, a significant majority are designated as Foreign Terrorist Organisations under United States law.
This convergence of networks, ideologies, and operational capabilities has sustained Pakistan’s position at the centre of global terrorism discourse.
A network decades in the making
The infrastructure underpinning these organisations has evolved over decades, but has not diminished.
The CRS report highlights that many of these groups emerged during the geopolitical upheavals of the late twentieth century and have since adapted to changing circumstances without losing operational relevance.
Lashkar-e-Taiba, founded in the late 1980s, continues to operate despite formal bans, often under alternative identities such as Jamaat-ud-Dawa. Its involvement in high-profile attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai assault, remains well documented.
Similarly, Jaish-e-Mohammed, established in 2000, has maintained its presence across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered territories, with a history of attacks targeting Indian institutions and interests.
Other organisations, including Harakat-ul Jihad Islami and Harakat ul-Mujahidin, trace their origins to the Afghan conflict of the 1980s but have since expanded their theatres of operation.
Hizbul Mujahideen, one of the oldest militant groups in the Kashmir region, continues to draw recruits and maintain an active cadre.
The persistence of these groups, despite repeated counter-terror operations, reflects a structural continuity rather than isolated lapses. Intelligence assessments have consistently pointed to the ability of these organisations to regenerate, reorganise, and rebrand.
Exporting extremism beyond borders
Recent incidents across multiple continents illustrate how this ecosystem extends far beyond South Asia.
On March 6, 2026, a Pakistani national, Asif Merchant, was found guilty in the United States of plotting to assassinate political figures, including senior government officials.
According to the US Department of Justice, the plot involved coordination with operatives and the recruitment of individuals believed to be capable of carrying out targeted killings.
The case drew attention not only for its scale but also for its transnational nature.
Merchant’s movements between Pakistan, Iran, and the United States, along with his alleged links to external actors, highlighted the fluidity with which individuals connected to extremist networks can operate across borders.
In a separate case, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a 21-year-old of Pakistani origin, pleaded guilty to attempting an ISIS-inspired attack on a Jewish centre in New York City.
Investigations revealed that Khan had planned a mass shooting intended to coincide with a significant date, aiming to maximise casualties. His communications with undercover officers and efforts to procure weapons underscored the operational intent behind the plot.
These cases, unfolding within the United States, demonstrate how individuals linked to extremist ideologies rooted in Pakistan’s broader ecosystem continue to pose threats far from their point of origin.
The East Asian link
The reach of this network has also been evident in East Asia.
On August 8, 2025, South Korean authorities arrested a Pakistani national accused of being a member of Lashkar-e-Taiba. The individual was charged under anti-terrorism and immigration laws after allegedly entering the country using falsified documentation.
Investigators reported that the suspect had undergone training in Pakistan, including the use of heavy weapons and infiltration tactics, before travelling abroad.
The arrest marked a significant development, as it was the first time a suspected member of a United Nations-designated terrorist organisation had been detained in South Korea.
The case raised concerns about the mobility of trained operatives and the potential for networks to establish footholds in regions previously considered peripheral to such threats.
Rising violence within Pakistan
While Pakistan remains a focal point for international concern, it is also experiencing a sharp rise in domestic terrorism.
According to the CRS report, terror-related fatalities in the country surged to 4,001 in 2025, a dramatic increase from 365 in 2019. This escalation represents the highest level of violence in over a decade.
The concentration of attacks in regions such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan reflects ongoing instability along the Afghanistan border.
The presence of groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and Islamic State-Khorasan Province has further complicated the security landscape.
Despite multiple military operations and intelligence-based interventions, the report notes that several designated terrorist organisations continue to operate within Pakistan’s borders.
The persistence of these groups, alongside rising fatalities, underscores the challenges faced in dismantling entrenched networks.
Financing and radicalisation
The financial and ideological dimensions of terrorism in Pakistan have also drawn sustained scrutiny.
The country’s placement on the Financial Action Task Force “grey list” between 2018 and 2022 highlighted deficiencies in countering terror financing.
Although Pakistan was removed from the list after implementing mandated reforms, concerns persist regarding the effectiveness and durability of these measures.
The CRS report points to ongoing issues related to radicalisation, including the role of certain educational institutions in promoting extremist ideologies. These factors contribute to a pipeline that sustains recruitment and ideological indoctrination.
The combination of financial adaptability and ideological reinforcement has enabled militant groups to maintain operational continuity despite international pressure.
Denial and divergence
Pakistan has consistently rejected allegations of harbouring terrorist groups, often attributing accusations to political motivations or regional rivalries. It has also countered with claims regarding external interference in its internal security challenges.
However, the accumulation of evidence from multiple jurisdictions—ranging from arrests in the United States and South Korea to intelligence assessments and international reports—has presented a more complex picture.
The repeated identification of Pakistan as a base of operations, coupled with documented activities of specific groups, has continued to shape global perceptions.
A continuing global challenge
The developments of 2025 and 2026 illustrate a pattern that extends beyond isolated incidents.
From assassination plots in North America to attempted mass-casualty attacks and arrests in East Asia, the footprint of networks linked to Pakistan remains visible across regions.
The convergence of historical infrastructure, evolving tactics, and transnational reach has reinforced Pakistan’s position at the centre of global terrorism concerns.
As highlighted by the Global Terrorism Index 2026 and the US Congressional Research Service report, the issue is not confined to a single geography or timeframe.
Instead, it reflects an enduring challenge with implications that continue to unfold across borders.
