ISLAMABAD: Recent assertions by a parliamentarian alleging United Statesinterest in establishing an airbase in Tirah Valley have sparked debate,yet ground realities and official responses indicate these areunsubstantiated rumors. Shandana Gulzar Khan, a member of the NationalAssembly affiliated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, made the claim duringan interview, linking it to broader geopolitical dynamics near theAfghanistan border. Authorities have swiftly rejected the notion,emphasizing no such proposal exists and describing similar narratives asdeliberate misinformation campaigns aimed at stirring unrest in sensitiveareas.
The Tirah Valley, located in Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwaprovince, has long been a strategically significant mountainous regionbordering Afghanistan. Its rugged terrain and proximity to internationalfrontiers make it prone to security challenges, including militantactivities by groups such as Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. Over recent weeks,thousands of residents, predominantly women and children, have relocatedfrom the area, prompting speculation about impending military actions.Official sources attribute these movements to harsh winter conditions andvoluntary seasonal migration rather than any coordinated offensive orexternal base-related developments.
Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif addressed public concerns in arecent press conference, firmly denying any ongoing or planned large-scalemilitary operation in Tirah Valley. He clarified that intelligence-basedtargeted actions against approximately 400 to 500 TTP militants and theirfamilies continue without necessitating mass displacements. The ministerstressed that rumors of forced evacuations or foreign military involvementlack foundation, and any population shifts align with routine patternsobserved in previous winters, coordinated locally without federal or armydirectives for depopulation.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also issued statementscategorically rejecting claims of army-ordered evacuations, terming themmalicious and politically motivated. These assertions, according to theministry, seek to create alarm, undermine security institutions, andadvance vested interests. Analysts have echoed this view, noting that afterfailed attempts to mobilize public protests in urban centers, certainelements appear to target tribal areas like Tirah to incite localpopulations through unverified narratives.
Tirah Valley’s history includes past military operations against militanthideouts, but recent official accounts confirm no major new campaign hasbeen launched. Reports from local administration and security officialsindicate that while some precautionary measures exist due to militantpresence, these do not involve widespread forced relocations or invitationsfor foreign bases. The region’s strategic value, including its forests andmineral resources, fuels occasional speculation, yet no documented evidencefrom Pakistani or international sources supports active US interest in anairbase there.
Geopolitical context adds layers to such rumors. Pakistan’s relations withthe United States have evolved since the withdrawal from Afghanistan, withpast cooperation on airbases like Shamsi ending years ago amid shiftingpriorities. Current bilateral engagements focus on counterterrorism,economic ties, and regional stability rather than new militaryinfrastructure. Claims linking Tirah to American ambitions often surface inpolitically charged discussions but consistently fail verification byindependent observers and fact-checking entities.
Public discourse on social media and political circles has amplified theseallegations, sometimes tying them to displacement figures exceeding 70,000people. However, provincial and federal authorities maintain that movementsare influenced by weather and local agreements, not external pressures.Defence analysts have praised government responses for counteringassumption-based propaganda, urging residents to disregard unverifiedinformation that could exacerbate tensions in already vulnerablecommunities.
Read Top Stories
Security in northwestern Pakistan remains a priority, with ongoing effortsto curb militant infiltration across the porous border. Intelligenceoperations prioritize precision to minimize civilian impact, contrastingsharply with exaggerated claims of foreign bases or mass offensives. Theabsence of corroborating reports from credible international media ordiplomatic channels further undermines the airbase narrative, reinforcingthe official position that such assertions constitute disinformation.
As Tirah Valley navigates seasonal challenges and persistent militantthreats, clarity from authorities helps dispel myths. Sustainedintelligence-driven approaches, rather than large operations, aim to ensurestability without unnecessary displacement. The episode highlights the easewith which rumors spread in sensitive border regions, underscoring the needfor verified information to maintain public trust and regional peace.
Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630541/pakistan
ogimageimage-name
