The anniversary of 9/11 reminds us that terrorism is not a relic of the past; it is a shape-shifting threat that continues to haunt nations, especially those like Pakistan that were thrust into the frontline of a war they did not start. In the aftermath of that day, Pakistan became a non-NATO ally, a designation that brought both strategic burden and moral ambiguity. The fallout was swift and brutal: the very groups once seen as proxies turned inward, and the country was plunged into a nightmare that lasted more than a decade.

The Lal Masjid siege in 2007 marked a turning point. It shattered the illusion that militancy could be contained or negotiated with. What followed was a relentless wave of violence — suicide bombings, sectarian killings and attacks on schools, shrines and security forces. Pakistan responded with resolve.

Let us pause and consider the sheer scale of Pakistan's military commitment to counterterrorism. Since 2002, the country has launched a series of major operations. Each targeted entrenched militant networks, reclaimed territory and........

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