Support for Turkey

Although threat by IS to both Turkey and Pakistan is real, the way it manifests itself is different in both countries

Pakistan and Turkey have long enjoyed the best of relations. Turkey is currently in turmoil in the aftermath of the bombings in Ankara that have left perhaps as many as 128 dead — and no organisation has thus far claimed responsibility though the Turkish government is plain in its identifying of the Islamic state (IS) as the culprit. The Turkish government has invited Army Chief General Raheel Sharif to pay a visit in order to seek his advice on how to enhance security cooperation between our two countries as well as the contribution both make in the global fight against terrorism. The COAS has spoken of his “unflinching support” for Turkey, and there can be little doubt that both countries face an imminent threat from the IS, a threat that may be mitigated by mutual cooperation.



Although the threat by the IS to both Turkey and Pakistan is real, the way it manifests itself is different in both countries. The IS is in the run-up and proselytising stage in Pakistan, and is probably below operational capacity, whereas for Turkey it is across the border in Syria where it controls and administers large swathes of land across the Fertile Crescent, is militarily potent and exceedingly well-funded by a range of Gulf countries. It is operational in Turkey with considerable capacity.

Whilst the bombing campaign by Russia and its allies, as well as one by an American coalition — at least one of whose members also funds the IS — will be degrading the group’s capacity, it is far from weakened to the point at which it can be rolled back. There is much that can be shared, particularly on the technical side dealing with improvised munitions, but for both countries, the creation of a countervailing anti-terrorist narrative has to be of paramount importance. This requires a convergence of military and civilian goals that will bridge the divide between the two. In political terms, this is a difficult trick to pull off in both Turkey and Pakistan, but is something that must be pursued with vigour. One can only hope that the army chief’s visit to Turkey serves our mutual interests. There are lessons to be both given and learnt for both countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2015.

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