Choose your battles wisely!

Following Pakistan's stellar performance on the battlefield and in foreign policy front there should have been a more careful calibration of how those gains could turn into a solid foundation for a more stable internal and regional environment. It surely was not going to come easy. India, in desperate attempt to sully Pakistan's re-enthused image in the global community, opted to double down on its use of terror and sub-conventional warfare through proxy groups in Afghanistan. If Pakistan is seen fighting a rearguard battle in its midst reeling under a siege of dissident groups, the image of a victorious military force could be effectively dulled. India has opted for this approach to compensate for its loss of prestige. Sponsored articles in the Western press and frequent reports of another war, now on the western border, adequately keep the news alive to reinforce the perception. This image of a resolute, strong and a capable Pakistani military force is thus under attack through the composite agency of malice and terror emanating out of Afghanistan under Indian bidding.

There has been a growing call for the state to respond to the spate of terror from Afghanistan that had increased both in frequency and intensity. Pakistan had only mollycoddled the Taliban regime on the issue despite suffering heavy losses over the years. But Taliban regime's persistent failure to rein in elements, especially of the TTP, who find both bases and protection in Afghanistan, has only meant that Pakistan had to counter terror at the base of its inception. While Pakistan has done its utmost to keep matters congenial and peaceful, Afghanistan has failed to keep up with its part of the responsibility. They have chosen to turn a blind eye, or dismiss these requests, or are unable to control them, or mean to keep the sources of terror alive to use as bargaining chips and leveraging or simply push Afghan relevance through nuisance emanating from these groups. Pakistan was forced to take measures to secure itself from such direct threat to its sovereignty, securing life of its people, and retaining its writ and integrity as a state.

Afghanistan has never been an easy neighbour, but Pakistan had found a way to overlook its excesses and deviations and coexist as peacefully as possible. It may not count under the circumstances, though it must, that Pakistan has hosted between four to five million Afghan refugees in the last four decades when Afghan people suffered incessant strife and war in Afghanistan turning it into a battlespace of superpowers. We hosted them, fed them, and gave them a life as a neighbourly responsibility in brotherhood. The Taliban regime instead has only turned increasingly hostile to Pakistan. With the recent visit of the Afghan foreign minister to India, and India's open declarations of using Afghanistan as a conduit to assault Pakistan, the relationship has not only plummeted it is turning adversarial. Consecutive governments in Kabul during and after the US war in Afghanistan have continued to hurl abuse and smear on Pakistan. Continuing failures of Afghan leadership to shape a state and establish principles and structures of sustainable governance has found an easy escape of blaming it on the neighbours who have for decades been Afghanistan's only lifeline in a difficult regional environment.

Consider. The Afghan challenge has taken on four different, yet integrated shades. Kabul and the regime there now stand openly hostile to Pakistan in collusion with those who only mean harm. The border conflict with Afghanistan is the sign of how quickly the relations have deteriorated. While Pakistan has and will defend all attacks against its territory it will need to quickly graduate to the level of a clear and intended message that any further escalation will only mean even greater strife for the people of Afghanistan who are barely recovering from a long war of over four decades. Use of the military instrument is a valid tool of policy, but it must help create space for diplomatic and political engagement. That alone will help check resident Afghan animus. Many in Afghanistan still respect Pakistan for their sustenance and economic survival. It is important to not let that sentiment be overwhelmingly by anti-Pakistan rhetoric. All avenues of diplomatic and political engagement must remain open and active even as we face off unwarranted attacks by the Taliban elements.

Cross-border terror is Pakistan's next predicament. TTP is blatant in its attacks in open declaration of war, even if sub-conventional. This threat and its enactment need an equally ferocious and effective response to eliminate the seeds of such terror. There should be no hesitation in using complete arsenal of capabilities appropriate for the desired effect. The aim is to keep such a war short and decisive even if it needs engaging targets across the border. It should be made clear to the Taliban regime that those targeted are terrorist groups within their territory, not the Afghan people, government, or their interests. If India ever finds such facilitation against Pakistan in Afghanistan to assault Pakistan, it too will become a valid target for Pakistan to engage. In it there is also the message to the Afghan Taliban to review their approach.

Fighting terror needs a wholesome and an integrated approach which involves internal security apparatus as well as governance mechanisms in the region of external assault. Inevitably, the role of political governments in provinces become critical. The whole gamut of the National Action Plan is a good guide but to fully on-board these provinces through the chosen representatives and government and administrative apparatus will need frequent coordination and cooperation. K-P's new administration must be integrated into the bigger national scheme, regardless of any political rhetoric from polarised forums in the current social and political climate. The state must be inclusive in all its manifestations and undertakings to carve a wholesome response to challenges that evolve with time. Negotiations and interaction work wonders whether external or internal. Provincial governments too need to enhance their governance and support the national effort to eliminate the evil of terrorism.

Finally, more assured the central governance system of the state is the more invested the people are in its promise and their faith in the future. Whatever it takes to engage people in working together as a nation adds to their level of belief in governing mechanisms and ruling structures. A political dialogue is the rallying cry when challenges have increased multifold within and without. Politics is alive in the country. It must play its honest part in getting the country together. War is not a game. We may remember what we trumpeted when we fought India. The same holds true when baying for blood and a war in Afghanistan. It is not about scoring points in a school debate. It is about blood, treasure, and nuanced coexistence. It is about choosing your battles wisely. Do not hand over to India in a platter what she failed to achieve in war.