The way to go

That the graph of terrorist incidents in Pakistan has spiked - and quite sharply at that - in the wake of the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 is uncontestable. The numbers speak pretty loudly and clearly. Islamabad's incessant calls for Kabul to take action against the TTP anarchists that are behind the violent activities in Pakistan have fallen on deaf ears, causing the ties between the two sides to deteriorate - to the extent of hot pursuit warnings from none other than Pakistan's defence minister.

However, just recently signs of some ice-breaking have emerged, with Kabul and Islamabad agreeing on a number of steps to ease simmering tensions between them. The breakthrough has come with the culmination of a three-day visit to Kabul by Pakistan's special representative for Afghanistan Muhammad Sadiq, this past Sunday. The reports that the two sides have agreed to establish a mechanism for regular interaction, and to keep trade and economic cooperation insulted from any political tensions are indeed welcome. The points agreed upon by the two neighbours need to be taken to the implementation stage.

Negotiated settlement of issues between Islamabad and Kabul is indeed the way to go, especially now that the Trump administration too seems to have decided to engage with the Taliban 2.0 - something that is evident from the release of an American citizen just last week, followed by the release of two others in January. Needless to mention that it's not just Pakistan that is bearing the brunt of the nefarious pursuits of terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil. Apart from TTP, other terrorist outfits like Al-Qaeda, ETIM and IMU are also holed up in Afghanistan and exporting terror in the neighbourhood. Thus, countering terrorism through concerted efforts is in the interest of the whole region. To top it all, a peaceful Afghanistan is in the interest of the war-weary Afghan nation itself. How long will it take for the Taliban to realise the very fact?