The rugged borderlands of northwestern Pakistan, known for lawlessness and militancy, have seen a renewed wave of terrorism since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Despite efforts by President Barack Obama to address the situation, including a 2018 merge of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas into Pakistan’s mainstream political and legal framework aimed at promoting economic progress and reducing violence, these efforts have largely failed. Over 1,000 people were killed in terrorist attacks across Pakistan in 2023, up from 250 in 2019, with the region now being ranked as one of the countries most affected by terrorism. The merger of the underdeveloped region into a neighboring province has not resolved deep-rooted issues, with deteriorating law and order adding to the nation’s economic instability and political turmoil. The Pakistani Taliban, aiming to overthrow the government and establish an Islamic caliphate, has continued its relentless assault on security forces. Critics argue that the integration process was abrupt and failed to adequately address the needs of the region’s people.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/22/world/asia/pakistan-tribal-terrorism.html