Pakistani authorities are engaged in talks with an outlawed organization that has been involved in the heinous crimes of the APS massacre and numerous bomb blasts across the country, which took thousands of innocent lives. Despite their past criminal record and an insurgent march against the state, Pakistan offered them a general amnesty. In return, they were asked to disband their organization, give up violence against the state institutions, and peacefully live in their erstwhile areas. Moreover, a delegation of Ulma was sent to placate and convince them of the state offer however, all the efforts were to no avail, they refused the requests of the Ulma-e-Kram.
The establishment’s engagement with an outlawed organization that has inflicted disastrous blows on the economy, security, infrastructure, and institutions of the state is itself criticized in different circles around the country. Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto showing concerns over talks with TTP said that all terrorism-related decisions must be made in the parliament. However, now with the involvement of some elected representatives, the establishment, has held talks with the proscribed TTP organization. The negotiations have so far bore no fruits since the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan is adamant to drop its demand to reverse the merger of erstwhile FATA.
Perhaps one of the reasons for the TTP’s unyielding attitude towards Pakistan is that it has found a stronghold in Afghanistan after the return of the Afghan Taliban to the realms of power. Being in the safe heavens the group easily can operate its activities across the border, as it did last year, killing almost 120 military personnel of Pakistan. In return, Pakistan retaliated with air strikes targeting the hideouts of the banned group along the Durand line. Later, the fierce bloody attacks were ceased by a peace truce until both the parties could reach an agreement. The development instead of reaching a joint agreement, is giving the militants enough time to reorganize and trained their personnel, as they show no sign to reach a reconciliation.
According to a UN report, the number of TTP fighters has been raised to around 3000-4000. Moreover, other militants from the Khorasan province and al-Qaida can also align with this terrorist organization. The political instability and security issues in Afghanistan have resulted in thousands of lives of religious minorities. According to the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan report, in the past ten months, 2106 civilian casualties have been recorded (700 killed, 1406 wounded). The report further states that “The majority of civilian casualties were attributed to targeted attacks by the armed group self-identified ‘Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province’ against ethnic and religious minority communities in places where they go to school, worship, and go about their daily lives.”
This should not be a matter of concern for Pakistan only but for other countries in the region as well. The Khorasan militants are attacking the Hazara community in the north of Afghanistan, who are Shias. The Chinese may also face the ripples of extremism that they recently have tamed in their northern province.
The Pakistani predicament is that the arrival of the Taliban in Afghanistan has fanned extremism in the Pakistani religious circles. The Madrasah students across Pakistan idealize the Taliban in Afghanistan and have great reverence for the new Afghan government because of this, most of them, try to intimate the Taliban government by allying against the state, as they did in the past. This can further jeopardize the security situation of the county.
Pakistan in the wake of continuous failures with this militant group must now understand its position. It should not give further free space to the group as in such a case the militants will strengthen their organization and might avail support from other terrorist groups in the middle east. The Tehreek-e-Taliban growing influence over the Afghan government can also exacerbate tensions with the neighboring country over the border. Therefore, Pakistan has to review its policy and must put an end to the growing strength and influence of the militant group in the region. The Afghan government should be asked for assistance against the TTP so that this menace to the integrity and security of the country must end once and for all.
