Pakistan, strategically positioned in the heart of South Asia, finds itself embroiled in a proxy war that threatens its internal stability and security. This form of indirect conflict, where rival states support non-state actors, has inflicted serious damage on Pakistan’s internal cohesion. According to the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), foreign-funded proxy groups were involved in over 70% of terror incidents in Pakistan in 2022. This covert warfare has deeply impacted civilian life, national development, and state sovereignty.

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A proxy war is an indirect conflict where states use third-party actors to engage their adversaries. The Council on Foreign Relations defines proxy wars as conflicts where external powers support local actors to influence political outcomes without engaging in direct warfare. In South Asia’s nuclear context, proxy wars are used to avoid catastrophic escalation while maintaining leverage.
Pakistan’s longstanding rivalry with India is at the heart of its entanglement in proxy warfare. The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly presented evidence to the UN of Indian involvement in sponsoring terrorism through proxies like the BLA and TTP. India's support for such groups aims to exploit ethnic and sectarian divides within Pakistan and disrupt its regional alliances, especially with China.
China’s role in Pakistan, especially through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has added another layer of geopolitical tension. A 2023 report by the Center for Global Development notes that attacks on CPEC infrastructure are often traced back to Indian-funded militant outfits. India views CPEC as a strategic challenge, and its opposition has prompted the use of indirect methods to sabotage Pakistan’s development projects.
The United States also plays a nuanced role in this proxy landscape. The Carnegie Endowment reported that U.S. support for India is part of a broader strategy to counterbalance China’s rise in the Indo-Pacific, often at Pakistan’s expense. While not overtly hostile, U.S. actions indirectly strain Pakistan's position by enabling India's regional assertiveness and diminishing the strategic value of CPEC.
Israel, though geographically distant, has strategically aligned itself with India in intelligence sharing and military cooperation. According to Al Jazeera, Israeli arms exports to India reached $2.7 billion in 2022, making it one of the top defense suppliers. This military collaboration extends to joint surveillance and counter-insurgency operations aimed at containing Pakistan and Iran’s influence in the region.
Neighboring Afghanistan has long served as a launchpad for militant groups targeting Pakistan. The UN Security Council’s monitoring team confirmed that the TTP has regrouped in Afghanistan with tacit support from local power brokers. These groups, operating from Afghan soil, have intensified attacks within Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Iran’s involvement in proxy activities in Pakistan’s Balochistan region adds another layer of complexity. Reports from the Pakistani Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee point to Iranian links with Shia militant groups operating along the border. Iran’s support is driven by strategic interests and concerns over Saudi-Pakistani ties and sectarian dynamics in the region.
Non-state actors have become the instruments through which external powers pursue their interests in Pakistan. A 2022 report by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) lists over a dozen active insurgent groups in Pakistan with suspected foreign backing. These include ethnic nationalist groups like the BLA and religious militants like ISIS-K and TTP, which regularly target civilians and infrastructure.
The impact of these proxy conflicts is devastating. According to Pakistan’s National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), over 83,000 Pakistanis have died in terrorist attacks since 2001. Attacks on Chinese engineers, mosques, and ports have destroyed vital infrastructure and undermined foreign investment, especially from China.
To counter this multi-pronged threat, Pakistan must adopt a balanced approach that addresses internal grievances while strengthening external alliances. A recent paper by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) emphasizes that inclusive development and ethnic integration can reduce the appeal of proxy groups. Political dialogue, economic reforms, and social inclusion are essential for resolving internal divisions.
On the security front, Pakistan must bolster intelligence and counter-terrorism operations. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that in 2023 alone, more than 250 cross-border attacks were repelled due to enhanced surveillance and coordination. However, these efforts must be matched with diplomatic pressure on countries harboring or sponsoring insurgents.

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Pakistan’s strategic partnership with China must also be further leveraged. The Chinese Foreign Ministry reaffirmed in July 2023 that it views Pakistan’s stability as key to regional peace and pledged continued security support for CPEC. By deepening cooperation with China and engaging multilaterally with Russia, Turkey, and Gulf states, Pakistan can reduce its vulnerability to hostile interventions.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s engagement in a proxy war is not a result of internal weakness alone but a byproduct of its strategic significance in a volatile region. The International Crisis Group warns that without comprehensive reforms and international coordination, proxy wars may intensify, further destabilizing the region. To protect its sovereignty, Pakistan must implement an integrated national security strategy that combines diplomacy, military readiness, and inclusive governance.