Interim Afghan Government’s Intransigence Towards Pakistan On The TTP Question – OpEd
Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has seen a significant increase in terrorist activities, primarily driven by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating from Afghan soil. Despite longstanding historical, cultural, and religious ties between the two nations, the Interim Afghan Government has taken a complex and seemingly contradictory approach towards Pakistan. This stance is particularly puzzling given significant diplomatic, political and economic dividends available for the bilateral relations, which offer more strategic benefits to Afghanistan than to Pakistan itself.
Ideally, both the nations should have enhanced their bilateral relations by leaps and bounds since 2021. Unfortunately, that has not materialized so far. A primary factor driving the resurgence of violence in Pakistan is the safe havens of TTP (declared as Khawarij by Pakistan) within Afghanistan. These sanctuaries not only allow the TTP to operate with relative impunity but also serve as logistical and operational bases from which the group plan and execute attacks across the border. Terrorist sanctuaries inside Afghanistan have been affirmed by UNSC committee on Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team; highlighting that that Al-Qaeda, ISIK, TTP, and ETIM are growing in Afghanistan. These reports have further emphasized that TTP operates with support of elements within TTA inside Afghanistan. These are alarming developments and raises alarm bell for the international community. This also creates doubts on the credibility of Taliban Regime regarding fulfillment of its commitments, made in the Doha Accord.
Despite longstanding ties between Pakistan and the Taliban, the Afghan Interim Government’s failure or reluctance to curb TTP activities has strained bilateral relations and raised questions about its priorities. This inaction by the Taliban regime has fostered an environment of mistrust and insecurity, further complicating relations between the two countries. The growing divergence between Afghanistan and Pakistan comes at a time when both countries could greatly benefit from closer cooperation. The Taliban has repeatedly asserted the lack of capacity in dealing with TTP or avoiding a new front against the TTP. This assertion does not seem to be rooted in reality.
The TTP issue is well within the Afghan Taliban’s capacity to address, and taking meaningful actions can significantly improve relations with Pakistan. The TTP leaders have, on the record, sworn allegiance to Afghan Taliban’s Supreme Leader – Sheikh Haibatullah. The Afghan Taliban also shares ethnic affinities with the TTP. These two factors viz: religious allegiance and Pashtunwali (historical Pashtun code of conduct), if invoked by Afghan Taliban, can greatly help in reducing the cross-border threat to Pakistan. In doing so, the Taliban can suppress the issue while avoiding any chances of fighting with TTP within the Afghan territory. However, this needs sincerity and a strategic thought which apparently the Taliban regime is overlooking.
The Taliban regime, in turn, may seek certain incentives from Pakistan. The incentives and concessions can be manifold particularly in diplomatic and economic domains. On the other hand, Pakistan also need to enhance its diplomatic parleys and security engagement with the Taliban regime. Positive engagement may open valuable avenues of bilateral cooperation. In doing so, both the governments could not only reduce the threat of terrorism but also foster goodwill and pave the way for greater regional stability and development. Hence, the current situation calls for urgent regional cooperation and a reassessment of strategies to address the growing threat of terrorism in South Asia. The Afghan government’s approach—or lack thereof—remains pivotal to the region’s security dynamics.
