Pakistan has fought back militancy and is still encountering the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan reached out to the terrorist outfit for peace talks. In November 2021, the former Prime Minister, Mr. Imran Khan released more than 100 low-key prisoners as peace talks with TTP were completed. Pakistan having battled militancy for more than a decade opted for peace talks hoping that TTP might give up its barbaric actions. Whether, it was a wise decision and how instrumental it proved later? The recent surge in terrorism in Pakistan is an answer. TTP is the terrorist organization that killed the children of Army Public School (APS), Peshawar, such an inhumane act. On APS attack, TTP commander Mullah Fazlullah remark, “the prospective military leadership is being taught.” By attacking the school children, TTP showed their inhumane nature which is against the Islamic teachings of peace and humanity. The “granting of clemency to TTP on laying down arms” was being rather insensitive to the victims of terrorism.
TTP has unilaterally ended the ceasefire with government. Since then the outlawed terrorist organization has intensified terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. TTP seeks to spread terror so that a sense of insecurity prevails throughout the country. This tactic of TTP is to weaken Pakistan economically as with terrorist attacks, the business is greatly impacted. Thus, the appeasement policy towards TTP was a failure. It was perceived as a weakness and the peace efforts taken for-granted. TTP’s actions make it clear that it is exclusively a danger to Pakistan. With this new wave of terrorism, it has become essential to eradicate TTP. TTP’s outreach to Baloch insurgent groups is another serious concern that might open multiple fronts for Pakistan. Thereby, a national consensus on conducting a full fledge military operation to effectively flush out the TTP militants is needed. To flush out the militants, military operations are being undertaken. In addition, Pakistan’s security forces have adopted a countervailing strategy wherein Intelligence Based Operations are being conducted. On 7 February 2023, security forces conducted an Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) in Lakki Marwat. 12 TTP terrorists were killed in the operation. Pakistan is also trying to engage with Afghan government on the issue of terrorism. Government’s decision to review the policy on Afghan refugees is to ensure that all illegal Afghans’ are sent back to their country.
The loss of peace and sufferings due to terrorism are a global challenge. TTP has been banned by the United Nations. The international community, in wake of recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan has issued threat alerts for foreign individuals living in the country. However, these steps are not enough to counter the transnational challenge of terrorism. Instead, the developed world needs to cooperate with developing countries to defeat terrorism. If Pakistan can be a frontline state ally in the war on terror than why not the international community supports Pakistan against TTP. After all the terrorist attacks impact the peace of entire region. Terrorists seek refuge in Afghanistan and have support from Indian intelligence agencies. Regional stability can only be achieved if Pakistan’s neighbouring states focus on regionalism and truly implement the concept on ground. There have been reports that the TTP has regrouped in Afghanistan. Pakistan has been repeatedly asking the Afghan government to ensure that its soil is not used for terrorism. But the Afghan government has failed to live up to the expectations. Pakistan also needs to reach out to the Central Asian states, China and Russia to deter the anti-peace elements in region. The narrative should be that to move on with economic connectivity, the anti-peace elements in region need to be countered regionally, and for that regional concerted efforts are needed. The platform of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) can be utilized to gather regional support and together defeat the anti-peace elements.
Student of Peace & Conflict Studies at National Defence University (NDU); Working as Research Intern at Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI)