By Sarah Salahuddin 

Over the past decades, terrorism related disturbances have contributed in formation of multi-layered collaborations between various terrorist and spoiler groups. Pakistan to settle its cross-border relations has played a key role in achieving end results of “Doha Agreement” 2020. Despite sincerest efforts to harbor security and peace in Afghanistan, TTP reverted to their hardline religious mandate that was further boosted when Afghan Taliban government was formed in Kabul. Critical development unfolded in the year 2022 with death of Chief of Jamaat ul Ahrar, Omer Khalid Khorasani and peaked after TTP’s unilateral decision to end ceasefire agreement.

The myth that Pakistan’s current security situation remains constantly periled has been refuted by an array of successful IBOs and counter terrorism operations by Pakistan security forces. Where global genesis fosters resentment over historic ties of Pakistan with TTP, the government and Pakistan’s armed forces have on multitude of occasions publicly denied any formal or informal understanding with the terrorists groups. Furthermore, observing the national and transnational nature of terrorist groups, country’s privileged offices under the National Action Plan (NAP) opted to revamp Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) with tactical agility on provincial level. Collection of intelligence, conduct of operations and investigation of hard-core terrorism offences overhauled security forces’ mandate against various spoiler and terrorist groups who were collaborating to dismantle security fabric of Pakistani society.

It has been made clear on multiple occasions that Pakistan seeks relief from cross-border overflow of instability from Afghanistan’s internal crisis. This may be a core reason for Afghan Taliban government to constantly neglect its crucial role to channelize TTP’s intentions until a certain time period in which stakeholders struggled to manage internal peace situation.

TTP’s outburst in form of Peshawar Mosque attack that resulted in almost a hundred casualties has triggered a new wave of anger and resolve amongst the government and security forces of the country. The incident became a key point for Pakistan’s stakeholders to adopt a “zero tolerance policy” towards terrorism by introducing upgraded measures regarding intra-governmental cooperation in dealing with this menace.

Under the “zero tolerance policy” towards terrorism, a one-page consensus between military and political leadership to implement National Action Plan has assisted Pakistan Army to successfully manage surveillance of Pak-Afghan border. Major success that is attributed to border control is well-implemented and timely project of Pak-Afghan border fencing i.e almost complete from total planned. During on ground implications to project its terrorist potential and influx from across the border, TTP falling short of schemes opts ways that would enable it to frame its terror in minds of Pakistanis. 

In the face of ever increasing crackdowns on the terrorist entity, TTP’s power remains mainly focused on creating psychological terror. Reality based statistics reveal that despite 27% increase in terrorist attacks in year 2022 as compared to year 2021, a sharp decline of Terrorists incidents has been noted in year 2023. Reduced terrorist’s attacks in Punjab, Baluchistan and other areas has enabled Counter Terrorism Forces to implement pro-active policies in KP, has led to building a successful control over the security situation in areas like FATA where hardly three incidents got reported in start of year 2023. Back to back intelligence-based operations (IBOs) and sacrifices of Pakistan Army’s martyrs are reasons for TTP’s prominent loss of territorial control in the country. Pakistan projects clear message to world communities that TTP has no place on any of the negotiation tables.

Another factor that has aided in the sustenance of TTP which had largely been in disarray due to Pakistan’s counter terrorism ops is it’s suspicious financial support system that leads to India based sponsors, has surfaced as a greater challenge to overall regional peace. While India continues to gather international support under G20 presidency on one hand, it seeks to boost capabilities of a demonized entity like TTP on the other. Such realities definitely raise questions about India’s seriousness to establish regional peace between neighbors if it continues to cause spoilers in Pakistan-Afghanistan peace and reconciliation process.  

*Opinions expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of The South Asia Times