TTP is regrouping

The cat is finally out of the bag. A report compiled by a United Nations committee that monitors terrorist activities has come out with some candid on-ground observations. It says that the fugitive and outlawed TTP is regrouping, and is trying to seek refuge under the umbrella of the dreaded Al-Qaeda. The document officially stipulates before the UN Security Council that Pakistan’s fears are well-founded, and the militia is a real threat for the region at large.

This revelation should be taken as an SOS and member states of the world body should prevail over the beleaguered government of Afghanistan to act promptly to flush out all such elements from its soil. The Taliban are in a fix, as they seem to be clueless in acting against the non-state actors who had penetrated so deep into the body-fabric of the strife-torn country. Though the regime in Kabul sincerely believes in eradicating terrorism, as they have themselves been a victim for years, the proposition is that they have exhibited undue compromise in calling a spade a spade.

The Taliban, perhaps, fear a backlash taking into account the well-knitted aspects of religious influence in the society and the inroad these elements have made in it. They need to understand that appeasement is no solution to it. The rude manner in which the Taliban leadership had snubbed Pakistan recently, by asking it to enter into talks with the TTP is nothing but an immature analysis of the grave situation. These disgruntled souls are out there for nuisance, and no amount of persuasion has helped in striking a relationship of sanity.

The UN report should not gather dust on the respective desks of states who are at the receiving end of terrorism. It comes as an opportunity for the US, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Central Asian States to reorient their counter-terrorism strategy, and act well before the TTP and the likes go on a rampage. Al-Qaeda, the TTP and the IS-Khorasan have the potential to act as sleeping cells, and coalesce with many misguided religio-political outfits. This has to be stemmed for good.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^st, 2023.

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