Following Pakistan’s lawful and defensive operation against militant hideouts in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, Amnesty South Asia Regional Director Smriti Singh issued an immediate response. However, analysts say the statement reflects bias and double standards
Smriti Singh raised questions over Pakistan’s counterterrorism action, but critics argue that she ignored the fact that Pakistan itself has been one of the worst victims of terrorism.
💢Amnesty South Asia Under Smriti Singh: A Mouthpiece for India, Not Human Rights@amnestysasia, under Ms. Smriti Singh since 2023, has abandoned impartiality and operates as a de facto mouthpiece of #India. Its selective reporting disproportionately criticises #Pakistan while… pic.twitter.com/xIHl9wrRCu
— Taymur Malik (@BlueMist911) February 24, 2026
Last month, a suicide attack at a mosque in Islamabad killed more than 30 worshippers and injured dozens. Yet no immediate concern or strong response was reportedly issued by Amnesty South Asia regarding that tragedy.
Similarly, the recent martyrdom of Lieutenant Colonel Shehzad Gul Faraz and a soldier in a terrorist attack, along with another incident where armed attackers allegedly fired at an ambulance and burned injured personnel inside it, also did not receive significant attention from the organization, according to critics.
On Tuesday, a terror attack in Kohat’s Shakardara Road area resulted in the martyrdom of DSP Wahid Mehmood, six police officers, and one civilian passerby. Police were on routine patrol when unidentified armed men ambushed them. The attack caused panic in the area, and security forces launched a large-scale search operation.
Authorities state that Pakistan is a frontline state in the fight against terrorism, where security personnel and civilians continue to sacrifice their lives daily.
Despite this, Smriti Singh has questioned Pakistan’s legal right to self-defense, while analysts argue that the sacrifices of martyrs and the bloodshed in places of worship and on streets are not reflected in such reports. Critics claim this approach reinforces the perception that human rights standards are applied selectively based on political interests.
Further allegations have also been made that under Smriti Singh’s leadership since 2023, Amnesty South Asia has faced accusations of abandoning neutrality and acting as an unofficial spokesperson for India.
Analysts note that while Pakistan faces disproportionate criticism, alleged violations by Indian security forces — particularly incidents of violence and civilian casualties in Manipur over the past three months — have reportedly been overlooked.
Pakistan maintains that its counterterrorism operations are lawful and conducted under Article 51 of the UN Charter, exercising its inherent right to self-defense. Officials say the strikes targeted verified militant camps linked to banned groups operating from Afghan soil, and that only terrorist elements were targeted in compliance with international humanitarian law.
It has also been emphasized that Afghan authorities must prevent their territory from being used as safe havens by militant groups. Under the principle of “unwilling or unable” and UN Security Council Resolution 1373, Pakistan asserts its right to take necessary and proportionate action.
Analysts describe the issue as not merely bilateral but a regional security crisis. Reports have highlighted broader instability along the Tajikistan–Afghanistan border, where officials have identified cross-border militant activity as a major security concern.
According to UN Security Council reports released in February 2026, 21 international terrorist organizations are reportedly operating from Afghan territory, posing serious threats to Pakistan, Central Asia, and beyond.
Pakistan has urged Amnesty International to acknowledge alleged bias, take corrective steps, and recognize that its counterterrorism operations are lawful actions taken under its right to defend national security.
