Daily Times

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz recently said that terrorism can only be defeated with unity and cooperation of the international community. There is no denying that terrorism has become a global issue, and terrorists following a common agenda of creation of fear and anarchy are acting without any discrimination of borders. In the face of increasing terrorist attacks, it is the responsibility of all victim states and those states from where terrorism is being perpetuated that they be united against the horrific reality of terrorism.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are two countries that fall into both categories: of being the perpetrator and the victim. The two countries share a nearly 2,600-kimometre border, mostly porous in the difficult mountainous terrain, and despite that illegal cross-border movement has also been a source of tensions. Afghanistan and US officials have long been claiming that from Pakistan Taliban militants cross the border into Afghanistan for attacks on foreigners and Afghan security forces. Moreover, they also infiltrate into India, which is another cause for concern since these alleged activities worsen the precarious relationship Pakistan has with India.

Despite reiteration of commitment of Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership that Pakistan would not let its land be used for terrorist activities against its neighbours, not much appears to have changed in reality. Pakistani security agencies believe that the Pakistani Taliban, who had fled as the result of military operations, now operate from the Afghan side of the border and launch attacks on the forces from there. This phenomenon needs joint efforts and a coordinated action plan.

Pakistan’s role is critical in rooting out terrorism from the region. It has long been accused that on the one hand Pakistan sees the Taliban as a strategic asset and a proxy to promote its interests and help it counterweigh India’s perceived influence in Afghanistan. But on the other hand, Pakistan claims to have only marginal influence with the Taliban, using it as an excuse not to fulfill the promises it made as a member of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG). Moreover, Pakistan needs to declare all militants in Pakistan and Afghanistan terrorists without any compartmentalisation. There should not be any discretion on the basis of using militants as strategic assets.

Along with advising Afghanistan to capitalise on the Operation Zarb-e-Azb, Islamabad itself has to review its policy of supporting the Afghan Taliban. Islamabad has to use its influence to bring all those factions of Taliban who are ready to lay down arms to the negotiating table. Besides, all stakeholder states must play their role for the elimination of militancy. So far, there is scant cause for optimism over the future of peace talks, and Afghan government’s efforts in the form of the QCG to get regional countries to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table has to date yielded no results. Pakistan’s role in facilitating peace talks is critical, given its influence within the Taliban. It is about time Pakistan manifests its sincerity to the cause of bringing peace in the region. And that would happen if there is no ambiguity in Pakistan’s stance vis-à-vis terrorism. Be it within or outside Pakistan’s borders.*