PAK-AFG RELATIONSHIP.
1. TALIBAN-TTP RELATIONSHIP PROS AND CONS.
PROS.
a. Taliban can use TTP to threaten the safety of Chinese nationals in
different development projects in Pakistan. Thus damaging,
Pakistan relationship with China.
b. Taliban can use TTP as a security challenge for Pakistan and
Washington. Thus posing threat of terrorism to them.
c. TTP can make bonds with Baloch insurgents and ex-FATA local
extremist groups to threaten the Pakistan hollow development
prospects.
d. Taliban can use TTP as to meet potential external aggression and
obtain concessions—recognition, commercial ties etc – from
different regional countries.
CONS.
i. Taliban have ideological bonds with TTP. TTP have been
emerged in the ranks of Taliban. If Taliban threaten them to
leave they can make alliance with the other terrorist group
called Islamic state Khorasan and can break the inner
ranks of the Taliban, thus harming them from the very
inner core.
ii. TTP are war experienced group so they can damage the
Taliban rule militarily thus damaging the little hopes of ,
economic and social stability.
2. CHANGES BETWEEN OLD AND NEW TALIBAN GOVERNMENT.
a. Old Taliban were more united internally than the current Taliban.
Now they have more internal fissures.
b. Old Taliban were more isolated internationally than current
Taliban. In the past, they were only recognised by Pakistan, SKA
and UAE while China, India and Iran looked up to them as
enemies but today all three of them are developing relationships
with Taliban.
c. In the past, Taliban rule was accepted by Pakistan but then
Pakistan had done some diplomatic and reputational damages to
the relationship due to some questionable benefits. Thus, Taliban
do not seem to have the same healthy relationship with Pakistan
as in the past.
3. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PAKISTAN RELATED TO TTP.
a. Pakistan need to address politically TTP because the past kinetic
measures proved ineffective. Kinetic measures need to be
adjunct with the political actions. Pakistan need to politically
isolate TTP from other communities which can be done by
addressing the grievances via increase socioeconomic
opportunities, reduced political marginalisation, and better
governance.
b. Pakistan has to encourage and facilitate the informed
democracy, rule of law and strong institutional architecture
because these three can guarantee the social welfare of the
marginalised groups and thwart the extremist infrastructure.
SOURCE.
“The Taliban Concern” by Tauqir Hussain, 20 Aug 2024, Opinion, DAWN
newspaper.