Growing shadows of cross-border terrorism
THE increase in the incidence of terrorism in parts of Pakistan is becoming a matter of grave concern.
Pakistan had defeated the scourge of terrorism by making many sacrifices, but after a while, the shadows of terrorism began to hover again.
Continued acts of terrorism in Pakistan from Afghan soil refuted the Afghan Taliban government’s claims that the Afghan mainland would not be allowed to be used against Pakistan, but anti-Pakistan forces are constantly using Afghan soil against Pakistan.
There is no doubt that Pakistan is the only country in the world that has played a vital role in restoring peace in Afghanistan.
Pakistan not only acted as a mediator in easing tensions between the Taliban and the United States, but also brought both sides to the negotiating table, as a result of which the Taliban have come to power in Afghanistan.
There was a strong hope that cold winds would blow from Afghanistan to Pakistan later but aside from stopping terrorism, there is a further increase in terrorist activities.
There was a general opinion on the formation of Taliban government in Afghanistan that now Pakistan will be able to eradicate terrorism in a better way as Taliban government of Afghanistan will not give shelter to terrorists nor will its land be allowed to be used against Pakistan.
If India does not achieve its nefarious goals peace will be established in the region with the elimination of terrorism, but this has not been possible in practice.
On the contrary, there are constant traditions of terrorism in different parts of Pakistan.
Instead of stopping the activities of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Afghan Taliban have been forcing Pakistan to negotiate with them.
The TTP cadres are still not only present on Afghan soil, but are also carrying out terrorist activities against Pakistan.
Even during the rule of Ashraf Ghani and Hamid Karzai, terrorist organizations did not have an open holiday in Afghanistan as seen in the Taliban era.
Border disputes were not so much before the Afghan Taliban government but the border fence was being erected in a very peaceful environment, this is also being objected to now and the environment that has been created during the Taliban regime was not like before.
Both countries call each other friends, while on the other hand there is an environment in which terrorists are in regular contact with their people in Afghanistan during terrorist operations, which clearly shows that there are still base camps in Afghanistan.
The question is, if the Taliban are our friends, then how are these base camps and anti-Pakistan alliances being formed?
If India is still in a position to use the territory of Afghanistan, then what is the Taliban government doing?
The Taliban government must not only reconsider its stance, but also take stern action against those who use Afghan soil against Pakistan.
The use of Afghan soil against Pakistan in the Taliban government is not only regrettable but also a threat to peace and security in the region.
Indian hand in terrorism in Kurram Agency cannot be ignored, India has been using Afghan territory against Pakistan in the past and will continue to do so in future, therefore, Pakistan should not be suffice with mere formal protests against terrorism across the Afghan border.
This issue needs to be raised at the global level as well.Pakistan can expose Indian terrorism to the world by presenting evidence in international forums.
—The writer is a regular columnist, based in Lahore.
