After the TTP pulled out of its truce, the government would review their tactics.
According to a Pakistani official, the country’s tolerance for the Afghan Taliban regime is running out.
ISLAMABAD: The government is now reconsidering its approach in reference to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which terminated the ceasefire agreement it had reached with the government of Islamabad in June as part of a pact brokered by the Afghan Taliban.
After the proclamation made by the TTP earlier this week and the subsequent rise in the number of terrorist strikes, official sources have indicated to The Express Tribune that Pakistan’s strategy will undergo a “evaluation.” After a number of discussions between Pakistani leaders and the terrorist organisation in Afghanistan, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) made an announcement in June that they would be ceasing hostilities permanently.
The Afghan Taliban leadership, which had been resisting pressure from Pakistan to take action against the TTP and its affiliates operating out of the neighbouring nation, was the one who facilitated the discussions between the opposing parties. However, in light of the recent shift in leadership at the TTP and the organization’s subsequent rebirth, the government is planning to explore all of the available methods for countering the militant threat.
According to observers, the new Chief of the Army, General Asim Munir, had previously served as the head of both the Military Intelligence (MI) and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) during the course of his career. As a result, he was able to comprehend the dynamics of the Taliban and Afghanistan.
In his role as Director General of the ISI, General Asim led the initial efforts to facilitate direct talks between the United States and the Afghan Taliban. Given these circumstances, it is quite possible that the head of the army would provide an important recommendation to the government led by Prime Minister Shebhaz Sharif regarding the review of policy regarding the TTP and Afghanistan.
The TTP continues to pose a threat from across the border, according to a government official who works with the matter and spoke with The Express Tribune. This person said that Pakistan’s patience with the Afghan Taliban leadership was wearing thin as a result.
Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, travelled to Kabul on Tuesday to lead a Pakistani delegation on a visit that lasted for one full day. There was no mention of Pakistan’s concerns on the terrorist acts that occurred across the border in a handout that was distributed officially.
But according to the sources, this was one of the subjects that was discussed. Since Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special envoy, was there as a member of the delegation, it is reasonable to assume that the topic of the TTP was brought up during the meetings. According to some of our sources, there is a chance that the administration will reconsider its plan to engage in direct dialogue with the TTP.
Apparently, according to the sources, the administration did not favour a direct approach towards the TTP in the past. Officials working on the topic in the Foreign Office were of the opinion that holding direct talks with the TTP was not a strategic move and that this view was shared by those officials. Ambassador Sadiq made the suggestion that talks be held with the TTP via the Afghan Taliban.
Given the recent uptick in attacks by the TTP, it is quite possible that Pakistan would refuse to engage in dialogue with the TTP and instead pursue alternative strategies to eliminate the danger posed by terrorists. As a result of a shift in command, some commentators are of the opinion that the TTP’s announcement that they will abandon the truce may be a negotiating ploy to obtain additional concessions from Pakistan.
According to the sources, a gathering of the National Security Committee (NSC), which is the highest venue for discussing matters related to national security and defence, will most likely be convened to examine the potential implementation of a new strategy.
