Afghanistan: The Rising Threat.

For Pakistan, the increase in cross-border clashes shows a need of smart planning, so to tackle both current and future security issues in the region.

Shabbir Hussain Imam

In a surprising and aggressive move, the Taliban fired heavy weapons at Pakistani checkpoints. This unprovoked attack led to a swift retaliation from Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of eight Taliban fighters and injuring sixteen others, including two prominent commanders. Those who attack Pakistani border check posts, security personnel, and police stations have the latest weapons, these weapons were left there by NATO forces while withdrawing from Afghanistan, in addition to the Afghan National Army was prepared by the United States during the governments of Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani and this Afghan army was equipped with modern weapons by the United States and Britain. The Afghan National Army surrendered without fighting according to its tradition, and a large number of these soldiers went home and those who survived joined the Taliban. Thus, all these weapons came into the custody of the Afghan Taliban.

The question arises how did this modern weapon controlled by the Afghan Taliban come to ttp terrorists, obviously, this is not possible without the support of the Taliban administration. On the other hand, the interim Taliban government of Afghanistan never paid attention to Pakistan's concerns but supported and supported the TTP, which continues even today and all this is happening openly. Here the question arises despite repeated protests by the Government of Pakistan, why is Afghan soil being continuously used against Pakistan? The recent attack is strong evidence that the links of terrorist activities on the Pakistani border and inside Pakistan come from Afghanistan.

On August 15, 2021, when the Taliban took control of Kabul under the Doha Agreement, the leadership and intellectuals of the then-Pakistani government and far-right political parties expressed happiness. The terrorists should be eliminated because the Taliban will destroy India's training camp and consular office in Afghanistan. Pro-Taliban writers and activists of organizations started threatening India, saying that "first Kabul was conquered, now we will conquer Kashmir", they kept propagating among the Pakistani people that the Afghan Taliban are supporters and sympathizers of Pakistan but our brothers.

However, after some time, the Taliban removed the misconception of Pakistanis by issuing a statement that Kashmir is a bilateral dispute between India and Pakistan and that the Afghan Taliban will not go to Kashmir to fight. The Afghan Taliban broke the jails before taking power and escaped the arrested TTP terrorists and later announced the honorable release of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists involved in terrorism in Pakistan.

Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and a couple of religious parties, the remaining popular political leadership and writers had opposed the pro-Taliban policy of the Pakistani government and warned about the terrible and dangerous consequences, which has now proved to be true. Terrorism in Pakistan has increased manifold since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan. The tragedy of Pakistan is that despite the martyrdom of Pakistani security forces and innocent civilians, many so-called defense and political analysts, PTI leadership, leadership of religious political parties and some religious figures still support the Taliban using the weapon of so and ifs and buts.

Supporters of the Taliban in Pakistan used to argue that if NATO forces leave Afghanistan and the Taliban come to power, there will be peace in Pakistan too, but the current situation testifies that the remaining peace of Pakistan has also been destroyed due to the Taliban coming to power. Pakistan's economy has collapsed. The Taliban government of Afghanistan has not made any effort to stop the smuggling of this illegal and prohibited dangerous product on its behalf.

Afghanistan's soft policy has played a central role in the growing wave of terrorism in Pakistan, the participation of Afghans in terrorist incidents in Pakistan has been found, and many suicide bombers entered Pakistan from Afghanistan.

Pakistan's northwest remains a safe haven for terrorists due to its backwardness and a few influential people. Given the role of Pakistan's peace process, there was a strong hope that after the Taliban's interim government in Afghanistan, the series of terrorist activities in Pakistan would end and the Kabul administration would pave the way for good relations and friendship with Pakistan. Pakistan is concerned about the safe havens available to proscribed organizations and independent operations from Afghan soil.

Need of the hour is, the interim government of Afghanistan should abide by the commitments made in the Doha Agreement. Pakistan is a sympathizer of Afghanistan. If the Taliban government of Afghanistan is facing difficulties in cracking down on TTP, ISIS, or al-Qaeda, they should take Pakistan and other regional powers into confidence on this issue so that the problems can be resolved. Pakistan is also using diplomatic efforts along with effective actions to deal with the attacks of Khawarij on its soil. Pakistan has been facing opposition from Afghanistan even before August 14.

Afghanistan opposed Pakistan's membership of the United Nations. During 1960 and 1961, Afghanistan also invaded. When the Government of Pakistan realized the intentions of Afghanistan, the Afghan forces had to retreat due to retaliation. The links of terrorist acts in Pakistan are traced back to Afghanistan. Even today, the Taliban government of Afghanistan has developed good relations with India. Look at the mindset of India's policymakers that they are not ready for Pakistan's dialogue but have a good relationship with Afghanistan, although Pakistan has always talked about good relations with India.

There is a need for the world to take measures to prevent another 9/11 instead of waiting for it to happen. Regional and international forums should support a range of issues, including the economic problems of Afghans, while efforts can be made to avoid a new crisis, including a flood of refugees, by linking the trade relations of different countries with Afghanistan with measures to prevent terrorism.

Pakistan has been asking the Afghan government to ensure effective border management along the border because if there is no border management, it will be difficult for both countries. If the Kabul administration continues with its course, the fear is that the little sympathy that exists about it in the world will not end. If the Government of Afghanistan is not missing out despite repeated complaints from Pakistan, then Pakistan has to defend its citizens and the border.

Ends.