For decades, Pakistan has been Afghanistan’s largest trading partner, primary transit corridor and most reliable humanitarian outlet. Not only this, but Pakistan also openly welcomed millions of Afghan refugees as its own in times of conflict. The state not only provided them with shelter but also gave them the leeway to operate businesses for almost four decades, despite the toll it took on its own economic and social fabric. However, instead of reciprocating Pakistan’s favours with gratitude and kindness, Pakistan was repaid with hostility and terrorist attacks on its civilians and security personnel. The Taliban government showed its true colours by providing the non-state actors with patronage against Pakistan. Despite recurring engagements and actionable evidence provided by Pakistan, the Afghan government did not budge from its policy regarding the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). No one wants to favour a parasitic and thankless neighbour. Hence, Pakistan cut off border trade with Afghanistan, resulting in increased difficulties for traders, and initiated the repatriation of Afghan refugees. These actions also stem from the economic strain caused by millions of refugees, national security and an obligation to protect its citizens. Resultantly, in lieu of falling in line with Pakistan’s demands, the Taliban government has ordered its traders to find alternate routes. However, redirecting trade toward Iran or Central Asia cannot replicate the speed, scale, or affordability of Pakistan’s transit routes.
What the Afghan government fails to understand is that giving terrorist groups the liberty to operate freely not only poses a threat to regional security but also jeopardises its own internal security and stability.
This inaction against the TTP and other terrorist groups is perceived to have stemmed from the Taliban’s fear regarding the potential rise of dissidents within its ranks who might join hands with the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). The latter has emerged as the most deadly group in Afghanistan, perpetrating several attacks since the Taliban’s return to power. Taking action against the TTP would mean opening another front internally for themselves. However, what the Afghan government fails to understand is that giving terrorist groups the liberty to operate freely not only poses a threat to regional security but also jeopardises its own internal security and stability. Some even argue that the Taliban group is milking non-state actors to use them as a potential kinetic option against any security threats in the future.
To further feed the anti-Pakistan actions by the Taliban group, New Delhi has restored its ties with the Afghan government. Lacking the military muscle to fight Pakistan in a traditional combat zone, India is using the Afghan Taliban to exert pressure on Pakistan’s security apparatus. Afghanistan is mistaken to assume that it can isolate Pakistan in the region by joining hands with India, together with the TTP and BLA. Afghanistan possesses a sovereign right to develop ties with India; however, it should not come at the cost of Pakistan’s security. Otherwise, the Pakistani state possesses the capability to give a befitting response to any threat to national security. The Taliban group needs to adopt a pragmatic approach, as prioritising ideological affiliations with non-state actors over national interest will only exacerbate the matter for Afghanistan.
The writer is a freelance columnist.