Taliban reject TTP claim
THE Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) commonly known as the Taliban Regime in Afghanistan has rejected the claim of banned militant organization, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) that the latter is part of IEA.
The spokesperson of the IEA Zabihullah Mujahid has categorically rejected this claim while addressing a press conference in Kabul on 11 December 2021.
In a way, the Afghan Taliban have finally distanced themselves from TTP, a terrorist outfit, responsible for killing thousands of innocent Pakistanis.
Earlier, Mufti Noor WaliMahsud, the head of banned TTP has claimed that, “Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan is a branch of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, [and] is a part of that umbrella on this land.
” This decision was most needed from Taliban Government, since any intimate relationship with TTP would have raised questions about the character of IEA, since it promised not to support or allow use of Afghan soil by any militant organization.
Ever since the takeover of Kabul, IEA was largely seen as supportive of TTP which was distorting their image among the neighbouring states especially Pakistan.
Indeed, TTP stepped-up its terrorist activities in many areas of former FATA and on Pakistani military posts along Pak-Afghan border area in initial two months of Taliban rule (15 August 2021 to October 2021).
These attacks were largely seen as revival of TTP even in the absence of an active role of RAW and NDS in Afghanistan.
The people of Pakistan were getting upset over the increased number of terrorist attacks by TTP.
Later on, it was revealed to media that IEA is negotiating a deal between Pakistan Government and TTP.
The news was later authenticated by Prime Minister Imran Khan and IEA which further raised questions about the legitimacy of TTP to negotiate with the state of Pakistan.
Indeed, the people of Pakistan considered TTP as a terrorist and non-state actor which must be eliminated by all means.
Thus, there should be no negotiations or any deal with such a terrorist organization.
The announcement of IEA has created an atmosphere of trust between Afghan Taliban Government and the people and state of Pakistan, since the masses in Pakistan were sceptical about this ambiguous relationship between TTP and Afghan Taliban.
Now once there is a clear decision from IEA about its relation with TTP, let’s there be no space for them on Afghan soil.
The claim of TTP that, it is a branch of Afghan Taliban was indeed maligning the Taliban and their Government (IEA) as the supporter of terrorist organization (TTP).
Any support to TTP by IEA could have contradicted its earlier commitment with international community and regional states.
Indeed, besides Pakistan, the regional states needed a clarity from Afghan Taliban Government about the future direction of IEA as the supporter or otherwise of any militant organization or militancy in general.
An intrinsic linkage or otherwise with TTP was a test case for IEA, since it is the only overt terrorist organization operating on Afghan soil with total impunity.
After distancing itself from TTP, there is only one option for IEA with respect to TTP.
All the militant lot of TTP, currently residing and operating on Afghan soil should be repatriated to Pakistan for necessary legal procedures and prosecution as per the law of land.
The Government of Pakistan has the option to evaluate the exact nature of offence against each and punish them accordingly.
Indeed, leaving them unpunished would encourage them to re-start the acts of militancy once again.
In case, the IEA leave these free in Afghanistan, the TTP will be free to decide their fate.
They will have two options for their status; one, they may continue the terrorist attack against Pakistan, using Afghan soil as in the past.
Two, they may opt to become part of the Daesh; Islamic State of Khorasan (IS-K).
Both options are very dangerous and deadly for IEA and Pakistan besides the regional states.
In case TTP remains in Afghanistan and opt to continue its terrorism against Pakistan, it will create mistrust between Pakistan and Taliban Government.
Such an act will lead towards worsening of inter-state relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Neither Kabul nor Islamabad would like to opt for such a scenario, since it may lead towards an unending conflict, pushing both states towards desolation.
IEA must realize that, if TTP can kill its brothers being the citizens of Pakistan, it can do so against the masses and Government of Afghanistan under Taliban if so directed by its founders.
Nevertheless, Pakistani military had defeated TTP once, it can do so again.The people of Pakistan are expecting no concessions for this banned terrorist outfit at the level of the state and Government of Pakistan.
In case, TTP opt to become part of IS-K, it will be amounting to ruining the IEA rule internally as well as externally.
IEA must know that, IS-K was brought to Afghanistan to defeat the growing power of Taliban against US and NATO forces.
While being part of IS-K, TTP can fight against IEA as well as the neighbouring states.
The people and Government of Pakistan welcome the decision of Taliban Government (IEA) for distancing itself from the TTP, the banned terrorist organization, which has killed thousands of innocent Pakistanis.
After this landmark decision, let there be an enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan without any misgivings.
A close collaboration and responsible relationship between Kabul and Islamabad will pave the way for a larger acceptability for IEA.
In fact, such acts of IEA will lead towards a larger regional consensus and confidence building measures between Taliban Government and regional states.
Indeed, regionally and globally IEA stands at a higher pedestal after distancing itself from TTP.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
