PAKISTAN is once again confronting a renewed wave of terrorist violence. The recent suicide bombing outside Islamabad’s district courts and the armed assault on Cadet College Wana have shaken public confidence and exposed the fragility of ongoing peace efforts with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). These attacks are not isolated—they are symptomatic of deeper structural and strategic challenges that demand urgent attention and a recalibrated national response. On November 11, 2025, a suicide car bomb detonated near the entrance of the district and sessions court in Islamabad’s G-11 sector. The blast killed at least 12 people and injured dozens, including lawyers, security personnel and civilians. The attack occurred during peak hours, targeting a symbol of justice and civic order.

Just a day earlier, militants affiliated with the TTP launched a coordinated assault on Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan. Security forces repelled the attack, killing five assailants, but the incident sent a chilling message: even educational institutions in conflict-prone regions are not beyond reach. The symbolism is stark. Courts and colleges—pillars of democracy and development—are now frontline targets. These attacks are designed not just to kill, but to intimidate, destabilize and undermine the state’s legitimacy. These attacks come amid renewed peace talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, who are mediating with the TTP. The third round of negotiations, held in Kabul earlier this month, aimed to explore ceasefire mechanisms and reintegration pathways. Yet the timing of the violence raises serious doubts about the........

© Pakistan Observer