Evolving discord

There is a visible discord between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the evolving security situation. Kabul’s vendetta-laden rejoinder to Defence Minister Khwaja Asif’s submission that Islamabad could opt for hot pursuit is at the root of confusion. The Taliban leadership, while warning of ‘consequences’, had simply failed to evaluate where it had blinked. Asif had highlighted the pathetic equation on the borders, and the failure of Taliban 2.0 in keeping its promise of checking non-state actors. The last five months of the calendar year had seen a spiral of almost 80% in terrorist activities inside Pakistan, as the TTP remains unchecked on Afghan soil. This is a violation of Doha Accord 2020, wherein the Taliban are under an obligation to exterminate terror characters apart from ushering in an inclusive government.

It’s high time for the reclusive dispensation in Kabul to realise that Pakistan has gone out of its way to support the Afghan brethren, and been a major succour provider despite its own socio-economic limitations. Rather than opting for knee-jerk reactions, it should indulge in introspection and act against unscrupulous elements that are out to destabilise the region. The bounties of geo-economics and connectivity are at a standstill, and mushrooming of terror is threatening peace and security. It is also noticeable that Pakistan faces an uptick in terrorism, compelling it to redraft another counter-intelligence operation in the name of Azm-e-Istehkham.

It would be more sanguine of Kabul to be part of the anti-terror drive launched by Islamabad, and not to rupture the congeniality. Pakistan’s Foreign Office, nonetheless, went on record to reiterate that “Islamabad respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan”, and this should put to rest the revulsion. Regrouping of terror apparatus is an existential threat, and Afghanistan cannot sit idle for reasons of complicity. It has to act, and that too in all sincerity.