Contrary to Robert Frost’s saying, “good fences make good neighbors”, Pakistan’s geopolitical reality presents a complex situation. Both the eastern and western borders have become fault lines of persistent instability and a breeding ground for terrorist activities.
No other country has borne the brunt of war against terrorism as Pakistan with a staggering toll in the form of human and economic loss. Pakistan has witnessed a devastating loss of 80,000 civilians and ten thousand security officials. Besides this, in the economic landscape, 150 billion dollars have been lost in the last two decades. After the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, the surge in terrorism incidents is proof of the Taliban government’s inability to rein in TTP and other terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan soil.
The persistent inaction of Kabul in addressing terrorism, despite overwhelming evidence presented by Pakistan reflects their tacit approval. It goes without saying that Indian terror financing is the main factor behind terrorism in Pakistan and regional instability. Pakistan has also presented a dossier, providing solid evidence of Indian terror financing to TTP, BLA and other anarchist training camps.
Pakistan has not only consistently voiced concerns about the increase in cross-border terrorism since the Taliban claimed power but also took concrete measures to address its security concerns. One among such measures include heavily investing in fencing its own border with Afghanistan.
The persistent inaction of Kabul in addressing terrorism, despite overwhelming evidence presented by Pakistan reflects their tacit approval.
Due to the similar nature of threat, Iran has also decided to construct a 295 km long wall along its border with Afghanistan. This step echoes Pakistan’s long standing stance regarding Afghanistan being the hotbed of terrorism. Another recent development in this regard was the proposal in a meeting in Moscow on 8th Nov, 2024, supported by the CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev for establishing a joint working group to develop a joint comprehensive plan for the creation of a security belt around Afghanistan.
The security belt will help in controlling terrorism from Afghanistan by dismantling the narco-terror nexus of terrorists, smugglers and illegal immigrants operating from the Afghan side. The concept of a security belt around Afghanistan was announced by the Tajik President, Emomali Rakhmon, at a special CSTO summit in January 2022.
The fear of terrorism spreading from Afghanistan is not only limited to Pakistan, rather it has created security threats for the entire region. In an effort to remind Kabul of its commitment in the Doha accord, Pakistan once again briefed Chinese authorities and shared compelling evidence of TTP and its affiliates sanctuaries in Afghanistan.
As terrorism emanating from Afghanistan has become a perpetual threat to regional countries, therefore, only through sincere and concerted efforts can the menace of terrorism be eliminated completely. China, as the main regional player, is in a position to exercise its leverage and persuade the Afghan Taliban government to comply with its commitment made with the world community. Pakistan has made it clear that the fate of bilateral relations with Kabul depends on taking solid actions against terrorist sanctuaries. Hence, it’s high time for the International community to take a collective stance against the Afghan Taliban in order to persuade them to meet the promises they made to the international community.
The writer is a freelance columnist with special focus on issues concerning national security.