Sumera Rehman
TALIBAN who capitalize religion for their nefarious terrorist activities are totally exposed now. There is no religion or Sharia there. They use it for their advancement; just like religious tourism it’s a case of religious business. The Popes and clergy of Medieval Europe did it, the Taliban of our times are doing it. Religion is a guise, a cover for their personal power. To maintain and enhance this power they are ready to go for any skewed interpretation of Islam.
And that’s where these bandits in robes with their flowing beards are so more dangerous than all the politicians/ bankers/ generals of the world. Since they play with Allah’s deen, Allah and His Prophet PBUH told us about them- the ‘Khawarij’. Taliban soft corner towards India is another proof of them being hypocrites of highest order and Khawarij indeed. If it is about religion and Muslims. Strangely the Islam of Talibans is so welcoming towards Hindu genocide of Muslims, rape of women and making them drink cow urine and chanting jishri ram. It may seem hypocrisy to us but for these traders of religion it’s just normal.
TTP, who is hell bent to carryout terrorism, killings and bombing of mosques in the name of Islam in Pakistan, is closely connected to TTA and receives comprehensive assistance and backing from TTA including safe sanctuaries, logistics and training facilities. In fact, TTP is a proxy, used by TTA to serve its interest by keeping the security situation unstable especially in areas of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan. This strong collaborative relationship between the two entities, sharing resources, goals, and strategies has become more pronounced recently after Pakistan government announced stream lining of Afghanistan Transit Trade and repatriation of illegal Afghan refugees.
TTA uses TTP as a negative leverage over Pakistan since TTA leadership directly has multiple business and other interests in Pakistan including unidentified properties, recruitment from madrasahs, smuggling, narcotics and Afghan Transit Trade exploitation. To enjoy its negative leverage over Pakistan optimally, it is in the greater interest of TTA that TTP remains actively involved in terrorist activities against Pakistan. Presumably TTA has developed this wrong notion that they could coerce Pakistan through unabated terrorists’ activities of TTP. These actions indicate TTA’s intent to influence Pakistan for its own gain and potentially undermine the stability and security of the region. TTA is ready to be facilitated in this regard by Indian RAW.
In order to safeguard its interests in Pakistan, TTA relies on specific facilities and facilitators. One of the key facilities is presence of an open border with Afghanistan, which allows for the movement of people and goods between the two countries. Additionally, the significant Afghan population living throughout Pakistan with predominantly illegal status is another important factor that aids in the maintenance of TTA’s interests. This situation suggests that the porous border and the Afghan diaspora in Pakistan play crucial roles in enabling TTA’s activities including facilitation of TTP in their terrorist activities in Pakistan.
Pakistan has taken several legitimate actions to enhance border control, enforce proper documentation and passport requirements, deport illegal Afghan residents, combat smuggling and narcotics activities, and regulate the Afghan Transit Trade. These measures align with international standards are considered essential components of the social contract between a state and its citizens. As a result, these actions have had a direct impact on TTA and TTP’s illegitimate economic interests and curtail their liberty of action, potentially disrupting their activities and objectives against Pakistan, both in its economic and security domains.
Now in response to the actions taken by Pakistan, both TTP and TTA have reacted under RAW oversight. TTP has resorted to terrorism, as evidenced by incidents such as the one in Mianwali. Meanwhile, TTA has employed multiple approaches, including: Using additional proxies like BLA for a terrorist attack in Pasni. Baloch terrorist organizations are also harboured and facilitated by TTA representatives. Issuing statements from prominent figures such as the Prime Minister and Defense Minister, along with other officials.
Activating aligned business and political interests, possibly within few Nationalist Political Parties and so called Ethnic Social Movement and others. Utilizing social media for influence operations through paid campaigns and anti-state elements. Such consolidated responses demonstrate the multifaceted strategies employed by TTA in reaction to the actions taken by Pakistan to protect its interests and security.
Pakistan has the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle to safeguard its citizens and interests and has no inhibition to expose the double and triple standards employed by TTA. And rightly so, since the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is a principle endorsed by international community as well as all ethical and religious standards. In fact, the only way forward for a strong and prosperous Pakistan is to make TTA understand that it should stop behaving like a non-state entity rather as a responsible state and understand once and for all that Pakistan and Afghanistan are two separate states who can flourish in all spheres through mutual respect and cooperation.
By no means coercion and dirty tactics of using proxies like TTP will end well.
