Epicentre of terror

Pakistan has done some plain-talking at the UNSC by driving attention of the world community towards the unbridled terror fissures emanating from Afghanistan. In a carefully worded and well-substantiated presentation, Munir Akram, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, denounced Kabul for providing safe havens to militants, and made no qualms about pointing out that TTP has outgrown as an umbrella entity in the region.

The fugitive body, holed inside Afghanistan with an estimated 6,000 fighters, is rapidly gaining strength by striking alliances with other terror outfits. The Al Qaeda, ISK , BLA, Majeed Brigade and many others are in cahoots with the TTP, rendering a serious threat to peace and security in the region and beyond. This cluster of 20 groups, unfortunately, seems to operate scot-free as Kabul has not lived up to its promise of exterminating this nuisance.

The Taliban 2.0 refuse to realise that these militants are an existential threat to them too. As they go on to intensify attacks on Pakistan, as is evident from a spike in terrorism in the year 2024 to almost 45%, they are ruining the prospects of geo-economics. That is why Pakistan's UN representative honed the point that Taliban authorities are found complicit in their cross-border attacks.

The way forward, as proposed by Ambassador Akram, is a stronger and well-coordinated counter-terrorism mechanism. Pakistan has always been at the vanguard in netting high-profile terrorists, and recent arrest of the Kabul Airport bombing suspect and his extradition to the US is a case of its sincerity.

It is altogether important because weapons capable of mass destruction were recovered from TTP bases in Pakistan, which were apparently abandoned by US forces during their hurried exit from Afghanistan.

The increasing volatility inside Pakistan, as well as the skirmishes witnessed at Torkham border, go on to confirm Akram's assessment that Kabul has a responsibility to shoulder. Rather than adopting an adamant attitude, Kabul should see reason and act immediately.