THE nation’s top civilian and military officials put their heads together in the just concluded National Security Council meeting to deliberate on two of Pakistan’s foremost threats: terrorism and the dire economic situation. The results of the huddle were not unexpected, with both the elected leadership as well as the military top brass vowing to crush militancy with the full might of the state. Coming on the heels of last month’s corps commanders’ conference, the perception emerging from that meeting as well as the NSC conclave is that a kinetic operation is on the cards, especially in light of the increase in violent activities by the proscribed TTP. Considering that the TTP has for all intents and purposes launched an insurgency after it tore up the truce with the state, and that violence in Balochistan is increasing again, a military operation seems to be the only viable option to counter the terrorist threat. And striking now, when the militant insurgency is in its incipient phase, may be a wise move, before the terrorists gain potency. Without directly mentioning the Afghan Taliban rulers, the NSC meeting stated that “no country will be allowed to provide sanctuaries and facilitation” to anti-Pakistan terrorists. Other key decisions included the revival of provincial apex committees, and the resolve to improve training of security personnel fighting militancy.

While the state — both the civilian leadership and the establishment — made a mistake by attempting fruitless peace talks with the TTP, which the militants insisted should be held on their terms, the realisation has finally dawned upon the rulers that the fight must be taken to the terrorists. This will likely entail clearance operations in parts of KP and Balochistan where militant activity has seen a significant upswing, though the administration must also beef up the defence of cities, as the Islamabad suicide attack has shown. As for dealing with Afghanistan, the interior minister’s threat of going after TTP sanctuaries across the western border has elicited a harsh response from Taliban officials. Pakistan should refrain from getting involved in a war of words with the Afghan Taliban, but otherwise the messaging should be clear: no TTP or other anti-Pakistan militant sanctuaries will be tolerated in Afghanistan. The Taliban claim that there are no TTP operatives on Afghan soil is hard to believe, and it is the responsibility of the Kabul regime to uproot elements in their country responsible for destabilising Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2023