PAKISTAN is facing a fresh wave of terrorism once again and this can be attributed to the strategic alliance and nexus between Afghan and Pakistani Taliban. Since coming to power, Afghan Taliban have been betraying Pakistan. They have stabbed Pakistan in the back by providing safe havens to the anti-Pakistan insurgent groups, such as Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Afghan Taliban have fallen short on their promises that they made during the Doha agreement.

The land of Afghanistan is once again being used as a safe haven by terrorists like it was used some two decades ago that invited the wrath of Western forces following the 9/11 attacks.

Despite witnessing turbulent decades of war, Afghan Taliban have maintained the status quo and have hardly transi-tioned towards political maturity.

Pakistan has time and again expressed its concerns on cross-border attacks from Afghanistan, but Afghan Taliban have made little effort in gaining Islamabad’s trust by ensuring that Afghan soil was not used for attacks by the TTP.

Moreover, Pakistan’s tone towards Afghanistan has always been soft. Despite huge breach of promises, Pakistan still wishes amicable relations with Afghanistan and has been pushing the world to recognise the Afghan interim government and provide humanitarian support to the people there.

Despite such favours by Pakistan, however, Afghan Taliban have increased the hostilities by challenging the status of the Afghan-Pakistan border and providing shelter to anti-Pakistan insurgent groups that have been wreaking havoc on Pakistan, launching several bloody attacks.

The recent bloodshed in Bajaur where at least 44 people lost their lives, and over 100 others got injured in a suicide attack, some analysts have stressed, was the handiwork of TTP militatnts even after the responsibility was claimed by the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K).

Owing to Afghan Taliban’s lack of commitment to stop TTP and other anti-Pakistan groups from launching attacks against the latter, tensions have mounted, in particular, due to the TTP’s growing attacks targeting Pakistani security forces and civilians.

The data of deaths, injuries and destruction caused by terror attacks is worrisome. Pakistan faces a dual Taliban crisis.

Despite achieving a remarkable success in its fight against terrorism, life in parts of Pakistan remains vulnerable to hostilities. Pakistan seems to have had an erroneous approach towards the Afghan Taliban.

Apparently, Pakistan welcomed their takeover of Kabul in 2021, believing that a friendly regime there would promote Pakistan’s security interests. But things got worse for Pakistan after the takeover.

The country is between the devil and the deep blue sea, as the twin Taliban crisis is dragging it towards severe socioeconomic crisis. Pakistan cannot and should not bear the consequences of cooperation between Afghan and Pakistani Taliban.

The recent strong and unambiguous statement by the army chief in this regard is a welcome change in Pakistan’s policy vis-à-vis Afghanistan, Afghan Taliban and the TTP. Pakistan badly needed to change its soft approach towards Afghanistan because when such a tone fails in having mutual respect and trust, the country has no choice but to adopt a harder tone.

There are several steps Pakistan needs to take in order to tackle the Taliban crisis. Pakistan should launch a military offensive against terrorist outfits across the country the way it did earlier. Pakistan should pressure Afghan Taliban to expel anti-Pakistan elements if it is interested in getting global recognition and support.

Pakistan right now is in a dire need to re-strategise its anti-terror efforts and to implement the National Action Plan (NAP) in its true spirit. We must strengthen our porous borders with Afghanistan to check the movement of terrorists and illegal trade.

Last but not least, Pakistan should use every bit of its strategic and diplomatic influence to seek support of global powers who may convince or coerce Afghan Taliban to stop providing support to the TTP.

Both Pakistani and Afghan Taliban have created a security dilemma for Pakistan that will be disturbing peace across the region.

A holistic approach and a firm stand are needed to resolve this critical problem.

Zain ul Abdin Jessar
Larkana

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2023