Talks with TTP

The government is contemplating for a peace of brave hearts. In an extraordinary attempt, the state of Pakistan has reached out to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to bring an end to nefarious activities of the group inside Pakistan. Reports say that a temporary agreement has been reached with the outlawed entity, and its future course of action shall be decided in a month’s time. The Federal Minister for Information came with an official statement as he confirmed that talks were underway in line with the Constitution, and the ceasefire in force would be extended in view of progress attained.

This is an unprecedented development, and has come against adverse public opinion to a larger extent. But the government and stakeholders believe that cultivating the militant group by formally placing olive branches in their guns is the way out. The TTP is behind numerous terrorist attacks in Pakistan, and in a state of war. The group, its foot soldiers and the leadership, nonetheless, have been on the run since the armed forces crushed the non-state actors in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. It, however, remains to be seen in what parameters and narrative the government is involved with the TTP, and how effective will be the final deal?

The initiative to subside terror threat from the TTP was apparently seized as the Afghan Taliban took control of Kabul in the wake of the US exit from the war-weary country. While the TTP is holed up inside Afghanistan and operates on both sides of the frontiers, it was a strategic move to win them over through a policy of carrot and stick. Thus, with the Afghan dispensation acting as interlocutors, the task became much easier. However, Pakistan will have to tread a fine balance between accommodation and prosecution with the lethal wing, in order to ensure security on the internal and external fronts. It is difficult to say whether it could be called a process of reconciliation, as most of them are Pashtuns, or a smart move to keep them away from Pakistani soil by promising amnesty for their checkered past. This strategic confusion must be addressed earnestly.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2021.

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