RECENTLY, the leader of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Noor Wali Mehsud, has clearly mentioned his meetings with the top leadership of the Afghan Taliban. What does this mean for the relationship between the TTP and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA)? If this relationship continues, what could be the potential threats for Pakistan and the rest of the region? The TTP and TTA have fought together against American forces. Ideologically, both groups adhere to the Deobandi school of thought within Sunni Islam. Notably, when the TTA retook Kabul on August 15, 2021, the TTP was the first terrorist organization to extend its heartfelt congratulations to the TTA for their occupation of Kabul. This alliance poses serious security challenges for Pakistan and the region. Since August 15, 2021, the ongoing resurgence of attacks on Pakistani security forces and Chinese workers and engineers in Pakistan underscores the threat posed by the TTA-TTP nexus to both Pakistan and China.
Pakistan has consistently engaged in both Track-I and Track-II diplomatic channels in an attempt to address the security challenges posed by TTP, which operates from Afghanistan under the shadow of TTA. The nexus of TTP and TTA turned more fatal with the inclusion of East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM). Despite earnest efforts, the outcome of these endeavours has consistently encountered stagnation and failure. The alarming statistics of 306 attacks in Pakistan during 2023, with 82% attributed to the TTP are eye opening. Indian funding and supply of arms to TTP is evident to all. The importance of prioritizing counter-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan-related engagements is much more than ever. The danger from TTP is not just a problem for Pakistan. Connection between TTP and TTA allows other terrorist groups in Afghanistan, like Al-Qaida, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and ETIM to become more active. Afghan Taliban are closely connected to TTP and ETIM. All these terrorist groups have safe heavens in Afghanistan under TTA and have more freedom to act.
Al-Qaeda, TTA, TTP and ETIM are utilizing Afghanistan as a favourable environment for fundraising, recruitment, and training of its members. Al-Qaeda, TTA, TTP and ETIM camps in Afghan bordering province of Kunar are actively conducting suicide bomber training to aid operations in Balochistan and KP. Despite clear evidence of TTA’s support for TTP and other terrorist organizations, TTA is hesitant to take decisive action, maintaining a plausible deniability stance. This mirrors their behaviour in 1998 when the head of Saudi intelligence, Prince Turki al-Faisal al-Saud, met with Mullah Omar and requested the extradition of Osama Bin Laden to Saudi Arabia. Initially agreeing, Mullah Omar later reneged on the agreement, shifting blame to KSA for the sufferings of Iraqi and Afghan people and supporting USA. Three years later, Bin Laden orchestrated infamous attack on US twin towers. The present hesitancy of the TTA to act against TTP, ETIM and other terrorist organizations poses severe threats to Pakistan, China and other neighbouring states, extending to broader regional implications. Pakistan and China cannot afford resurgence of TTP, ETIM and Hafiz Gul Bahadur group under the patronage of TTA due to security policy, which emphasizes importance of human security and prioritizes geo-economics. This is neither economically nor socially feasible for the country. Nonetheless, TTA uses TTP, Al-Qaeda and ETIM as a strategic card against Pakistan and China. Also, by creating havoc in Pakistan, TTA is getting a subscription from local masses for not being puppet of Pakistan’s Establishment. Given the historic collaboration between ETIM and TTP, China is particularly concerned about TTA’s support for TTP and ETIM.
The Pakistani security authorities have found that joint responsibility for Dasu Dam attack on the Chinese nationals can be attributed to both TTP and ETIM. China is also alarmed by TTP’s significant ties with other terrorist groups, which are raising regional security concerns. Dasu hydropower project, being built under CPEC by the China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC) was jointly attacked by TTP and ETIM. In Central Asia, TTA has initiated Tehreek-e-Taliban Tajikistan (TTT) to exert pressure on the Tajikistan Government, urging them to align with TTA’s stance and recognize them as the legitimate Government of Afghanistan. Members of IMU reside in northern Afghanistan, posing a strategic challenge for Uzbekistan. It is reasonable to assert that Central Asian Republics and China face security risks emanating from Taliban-led Afghanistan which provides a conducive environment for globally-recognized terrorists to operate openly and establish their training centres. Is it fair for Pakistan alone to tackle the TTA’s support of recognized terrorist groups, or should other countries also step up? The threat is not just Pakistan’s concern; it is affecting entire region and beyond. When will other countries join in pressuring TTA to stop supporting terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda, ETIM, TTT, IMU and TTP? Terrorist attacks of TTA, TTP, TTT, ETIM, IMU, Al-Qaeda and Hafiz Gul Bahadur group are involved in sabotaging China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
—The writer is author of several books based in Islamabad.
