The strained Bangladesh-Pakistan ties further exacerbate the situation, as Islamabad has yet to apologize for the atrocities committed during the 1971 independence movement.

Pakistan’s involvement in destabilizing South Asia has been a persistent and multifaceted issue, manifesting in the spread of radicalism, drug operations, and funding terrorism across the region.¹ This article critically examines Pakistan’s role in spreading radicalism in Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, its drug operations in South Asian countries, and its funding of terror activities in India. In Bangladesh, the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka has been accused of interfering in the country’s internal affairs by supporting radical student protesters. The Pakistan mission is suspected of backing these student protests to destabilize the Hasina government, aiming to capture power through street protests and violence. The strained Bangladesh-Pakistan ties further exacerbate the situation, as Islamabad has yet to apologize for the atrocities committed during the 1971 independence movement.

The main architect behind the turmoil in Bangladesh that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government and left over 300 dead is believed to be the Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS), the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh.² The organization is believed to have the backing of the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI. In the last two years, many Islami Chhatra Shibir cadres have been admitted to various universities in Bangladesh, from where they started instigating university students. Thus, the protesters who took to the streets in the last two months over a controversial quota system for government jobs were university students only. The main centers of Islami Chhatra Shibir are Dhaka University, Chittagong University, Jahangir University, Sylhet University, and Rajshahi University. In fact, all the student organizations that won university elections in the last three years won with the support of Islami Chhatra Shibir. The organization has very deep connections with the ISI, with many cadres going to Pakistan. ISI members had joined the student movement by putting fake DPs of students and engaging in instigating them on social media. Amid the turmoil, Sheikh Hasina had alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing were exploiting the protests and instigating violence, leading the government to ban the party last week.

In the Maldives, the rise of radicalism can be traced back to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. After the disaster, religious scholars and groups from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia arrived in Male, ostensibly to help the people. However, many of these groups were related to communal and armed organizations, such as Idara Khidmat-e-Khalq, the charity arm of Lashkar-e-Taiba.³ They used the disaster as an opportunity to spread radical Islam, taking gullible and unemployed youths for religious training in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. These radicalized youths have returned to the Maldives, contributing to the spread of extremist ideologies. Maldives has seen a significant number of its citizens join terrorist organizations like ISIS and al-Qaeda, with the country earning the dubious distinction of contributing the highest per capita number of fighters to these groups. Nepal has also not been immune to Pakistan’s influence. The porous Indo-Nepal border has been exploited by Pakistani intelligence agencies to push counterfeit currency and fund terrorist activities in India. Radical elements have found a safe haven in Nepal, using it as a base to plan and execute terror operations in India. The increase in radicalization and terrorism in Nepal poses a significant threat to regional stability.

Pakistan’s involvement in drug operations across South Asia has further destabilized the region.⁴ The country has been a major transit point for drugs originating from Afghanistan, which is the world’s largest producer of opium. These drugs are smuggled into India, Sri Lanka, and other South Asian countries, funding terrorist activities and criminal enterprises. The drug trade has not only fueled addiction and crime in these countries but also provided a steady stream of revenue for terrorist organizations. The smuggling of drugs from Pakistan into India has been a significant concern. The drug routes often overlap with terrorist infiltration routes, making it a dual threat. The proceeds from drug trafficking are used to finance terror activities, buy weapons, and support sleeper cells in India. The rise in drug-related crimes in Indian states like Punjab has been directly linked to Pakistan’s drug operations.

Pakistan’s funding of terrorism in India has been a longstanding issue, with significant implications for regional security. The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency, has been accused of supporting terrorist organizations like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen. These organizations have carried out numerous attacks in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the 2019 Pulwama attack. The ISI has been instrumental in providing training, financial support, and logistical assistance to these terrorist groups. Camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are used to train militants in guerilla warfare and bomb-making techniques. The ISI also facilitates the infiltration of terrorists across the Line of Control (LoC) into India, helping them carry out attacks on Indian soil.

Pakistan’s diplomatic missions have also been implicated in supporting terrorism.⁵ The Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka has been suspected of backing anti-Hasina movements, with reports suggesting that the mission is in touch with radical student protesters. This interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs aims to destabilize the region further and create an environment conducive to terrorism. Pakistan’s role in South Asia has long been a subject of concern, particularly in relation to its involvement in spreading radicalism, supporting terrorism, and engaging in destabilizing activities. This article critically examines Pakistan’s actions in Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, its drug operations in the region, and the funding of terrorism in India.

Pakistan has been accused of spreading radical ideologies across South Asia, notably in Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. In Bangladesh, the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka has been accused of interfering in internal affairs by supporting radical student protesters linked to Jamaat-e-Islami, a banned organization in the country. The Jamaat-e-Islami and the opposition BNP have allegedly hijacked student protests to foment unrest. This interference has exacerbated tensions, as Bangladesh still grapples with the legacy of atrocities committed during its 1971 independence movement, for which Pakistan has yet to offer an apology. Pakistan’s involvement in drug trafficking in South Asia has further destabilized the region. The country has been implicated in the narcotics trade, which funds various militant and terrorist activities. The drug trade not only fuels internal conflicts but also finances extremist groups operating in neighboring countries, including India. The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s intelligence agency, has been accused of orchestrating drug operations that channel funds to terrorist organizations.

The funding of terrorism in India by Pakistan-based groups is another critical issue. The ISI has been linked to various terrorist organizations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, which have carried out numerous attacks in India. These groups have received logistical, financial, and training support from Pakistan, contributing to a cycle of violence and instability in the region. The persistent hostility, particularly over the Kashmir issue, serves as a pretext for Pakistan’s involvement in these activities, despite international condemnation. Pakistan’s destabilizing role in South Asia, characterized by the spread of radicalism, drug trafficking, and support for terrorism, has created significant challenges for the region. The country’s internal political struggles, marked by military dominance and weak civilian governance, exacerbate these issues. A strategic shift towards transparency, accountability, and cooperation is essential for Pakistan to contribute positively to regional stability. Without such changes, Pakistan risks further isolation and internal strife, with severe consequences for its people and the broader South Asian region.