TTP-Taliban nexus

Listen to article

Pakistan's long-held assertion that the Afghan Taliban continue to provide support to the banned TTP has now been validated by a recent United Nations report. Despite Islamabad's repeated diplomatic engagements and security concerns, the Afghan Taliban have persisted in offering logistical and financial support to TTP, allowing the group to sustain and expand its terror activities, confirms the UN report, vindicating Pakistan.

The report highlights that the TTP has further consolidated its presence, establishing new training centres in Kunar, Nangarhar, Khost and Paktika provinces. And the TTP's recruitment efforts are growing, even drawing from the Afghan Taliban's own ranks - an indication of the deep ideological and historical ties between the two groups. This continued collaboration has strengthened TTP's operational capacity, posing a direct threat to Pakistan's internal security. Islamabad has, on multiple occasions, raised concerns over cross-border terrorism, urging Kabul to take decisive action against TTP. However, the Taliban's reluctance to sever ties with the group has only emboldened militants. The resurgence of TTP has led to an uptick in attacks within Pakistan, with security forces bearing the brunt of the violence. The situation is further compounded by the Afghan Taliban's consistent denial of harbouring anti-Pakistan elements, despite mounting evidence to the contrary.

Pakistan must now recalibrate its approach. While Islamabad needs to reinforce diplomatic pressure and border security measures, it must also engage with the international community to hold the Taliban accountable. The UN report provides Pakistan with concrete evidence to push for stronger global action. The Taliban rulers too need to understand that mere assurances will no longer suffice and they have to take a decisive action against not just the TTP but other terrorist outfits also. It's about time the Taliban leadership understood that a peaceful Afghanistan is in the interest of the Afghan nation itself more than anybody else.