WHILE Pakistan is engrossed in election activities, disconcerting reports indicate the so-called Islamic State is increasing its influence in Pakistan, Tajikistan, Iran and Russia.

What lends credence to IS influence close to our border and probably within the country are videos concerning the names of suicide attackers Rahman Tajiki, Ebrahim Tajiki, Saad Khurasani, Jafar Herati and Muslim Kabuli.

Both Tajikistan and Iran have conveyed their concern to visiting delegations from Pakistan.

Many people in Pakistan believe that pseudo-democracy in Pakistan has failed to deliver goods. They are looking forward to an avatar or messiah like Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. Reports indicate that he is sheltered in Afghanistan and is being pampered by the US.

Let us wake up to the menace before it is too late.

Abdul Hameed Malik

Peshawar

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2018