Experts for Afghan border monitoring
Islamabad: Experts have called on the government to continuously monitor the evolving security environment in Pakistan-Afghanistan border region and ensure that a favourable environment is denied to Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP), besides preventing the group from reconnecting with sectarian outfits.
This was a consensus view among analysts and former senior officials at a panel discussion on ‘Change in Afghanistan: Potential Resurgence of TTP’ organised by Islamabad Policy Institute (IPI).
In a press release issued on Thursday, the think-tank said that there was a consensus among speakers that Pakistan needs to prepare for the possibility of an instability resulting from developments in Afghanistan, which could potentially embolden TTP.
Mr. Amir Rana, security analyst; Lt Gen (R) Asif Yasin Malik, former Defence Secretary; Lt Gen Naeem Lodhi, former defence secretary; and Prof. Rashid Ahmed, from National Defence University shared their views.
This event was held in the backdrop of marked increase in activities of TTP in former tribal areas, and continuous reports of clashes between military and TTP terrorists.
Panellists hotly debated the role of Afghan Taliban in the emerging equation. For Mr. Rana, “the Afghan Taliban are avoiding becoming entangled in the TTP-Pakistan conflict, and prefer to stay neutral.” He worried that the TTP threat was being downplayed here in Pakistan by those expecting geo-political and strategic dividends of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
Rana opined that a bigger challenge for the government would be maintaining ties with Taliban regime in a cooperative mode on this issue especially after they gain international recognition.
Gen Malik, meanwhile, contended that Pakistan should “leave Afghan Taliban to deal with TTP, while emphasizing early resolution through backchannel.”
He feared that certain quarters can foment instability in Afghanistan and Pakistan – a situation that could be conducive for TTP.
“We have to review the overall environment in the border regions – the erstwhile FATA. The districts of that area must deny favourable environment for the operations of TTP,” he recommended. This, he believed, could be done through expediting socio-economic projects in the newly merged districts of KP province, holding local bodies polls there, and maintaining a regular liaison with tribal elders.
He also proposed intensification of Intelligence-based Operations in the bordering regions to take out TTP elements and their support network.
Gen Lodhi was confident that “Afghan Taliban wouldn’t harbour any elements to carry out activities in Pakistan.”
Dr. Ahmed highlighted the nature of evolving relationship between TTP and other militant groups. Most importantly, he underscored that TTP has given clear signals that it remains aligned with Afghan Taliban. This, he believed, is important for the terrorist group to “capitalize on the widespread support among Pashtun tribesmen for the Afghan jihad, which in turn boosts the its own resources and legitimacy.”
Executive Director IPI Prof Sajjad Bokhari noted that Pakistan is faced with an elevated threat of a resurgence of TTP after the ascendency of Taliban in Afghanistan. Right-wing extremist groups within Pakistan, he maintained, were seeking inspiration from Taliban’s ‘victory’ in Afghanistan.
