Afghan Taliban Seek Recognition In Exchange For Action Against TTP
In ongoing discussions between representatives from Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, it has been conveyed that the Taliban is prepared to either neutralize all Pakistani militant groups operating within Afghanistan or facilitate their extradition to Pakistan.
The interim government of Afghanistan has put forth a formal request to Pakistan, urging them to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Taliban-led interim administration in Afghanistan as the true representatives of the Afghan people. In exchange for this recognition, the Afghan authorities have pledged to take decisive action against operatives affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
In ongoing discussions between representatives from Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, it has been conveyed that the Taliban is prepared to either neutralize all Pakistani militant groups operating within Afghanistan or facilitate their extradition to Pakistan. However, the successful establishment of diplomatic channels between the two nations hinges on Pakistan’s official recognition of the Taliban-led government as the rightful authority representing the Afghan populace. This information was disclosed by a reliable source who was directly involved in the recent negotiations between the Pakistani delegation and the Taliban government.
The Afghan government’s primary argument revolves around the inherent difficulty in meeting Pakistan’s demands without the establishment of formal diplomatic relations. They contend that without such diplomatic ties, it becomes challenging for them to comply with the prerequisites set by Pakistan. Additionally, garnering support for this proposition among lower-ranking officials within the Afghan government proves to be an arduous task. The dilemma lies in convincing these lower-ranking officials that those who had stood by Afghan Taliban during their fight against the NATO led forces in Afghanistan, providing support and sanctuaries, that the government is now poised to hand them over to a country that does not even recognize Taliban as a legitimate government.
Conversely, the Taliban maintains a perspective that underscores the necessity of diplomatic collaboration. They assert that the potential for joint efforts to address security concerns hinges on Pakistan officially acknowledging the Taliban-led administration. This acknowledgment, they argue, is a vital step toward fostering an environment conducive to bilateral cooperation, ultimately facilitating the resolution of shared challenges.
In negotiations, the Taliban government cites yet another rationale, asserting a shortage of resources to combat the TTP and other groups. However, when Pakistan offers to take independent action, the Taliban contends that allowing Pakistani operations within Afghanistan would undermine their credibility. Pakistan has exerted significant pressure on the Taliban, urging them to rein in not only the TTP but also another militant faction led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur. The latter has been implicated in orchestrating recent attacks against security forces within Pakistan.
During a weekly media briefing, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson for the Foreign Office, underscored Pakistan’s escalating concerns regarding the presence and activities of terrorist groups in Afghanistan. Ms. Baloch stated: “With respect to the terrorist groups, which have sanctuaries and hideouts in Afghanistan, Pakistan has serious concerns about their continued presence as these individuals and entities continue to attack Pakistan and cause loss of life inside Pakistan.”
In negotiations, the Taliban government cites yet another rationale, asserting a shortage of resources to combat the TTP and other groups. However, when Pakistan offers to take independent action, the Taliban contends that allowing Pakistani operations within Afghanistan would undermine their credibility. Instead, the Taliban proposes that Pakistan assist the Afghan government by providing weaponry and drones, enabling them to conduct operations against the TTP and other militant factions. Pakistan is unwilling to entertain this proposal due to its lack of confidence in the Afghan government’s commitment to effectively combatting the TTP and other extremist groups.
Pakistan possesses the capability to pinpoint the locations of militant hideouts within Afghanistan. However, the primary concern lies in the potential for collateral damage, resulting in the loss of innocent lives. Pakistan is steadfast in its commitment to avoiding harm to the Afghan civilian population, as conveyed by the source to TFT.
“We provided comprehensive intelligence to the Afghan premier intelligence agency, the General Directorate of Intelligence, pertaining to the financing and safe havens of TTP, Baloch militants, and Hafiz Gul Bahadur group operatives. Shockingly, TTP operatives are openly navigating Afghan cities, including the capital, Kabul. Our intelligence included detailed information on how Hafiz Gul Bahadur receives funding from Indian sources, complete with the specifics of his accommodations. We even disclosed the identity of the hundi wala (money changer)—a conduit employed by Indian intelligence to channel funds to him. It was revealed that Gul Bahadur resides with Qari Zia ur Rehman, the governor of Ghaziabad district in Kunar province,” the source disclosed.
Hafiz Gul Bahadur, originally from North Waziristan, was once a pro-Pakistan militant closely aligned with the Haqqani network. Initially involved in attacks against American forces in Afghanistan, he has now become a significant concern for Pakistan due to his substantial influence across districts in Sawabi, Bajaur, Kurram, and North Waziristan. Furthermore, he holds a significant presence in the Mehsud belt of the South Waziristan district.
When questioned about the Taliban’s hesitance to take action against Hafiz Gul Bahadur, the source outlined two primary reasons—moral and financial. From a moral standpoint, Gul Bahadur is perceived as having fought alongside the Afghan Taliban against the Americans, fostering a sense of camaraderie. On the financial front, Gul Bahadur’s substantial wealth, sourced from Indian funding, plays a pivotal role. He distributes these funds among lower-ranking members of the Afghan Taliban, creating a tacit understanding where they, in turn, overlook his activities within Pakistan.
Furthermore, ordinary Afghans harbor the belief that Pakistan financially benefited from the protracted Afghan conflict and is now exacerbating the plight of Afghan refugees. This perception has generated profound animosity and mistrust toward Pakistan in Afghanistan, as shared by the source.In response to inquiries about why the Taliban appears to indirectly support Baloch insurgents despite their lack of historical ties, the source clarified that it’s not a deliberate form of support. Rather, due to the porosity of the borders and the Taliban’s limited control, Baloch insurgents can easily cross into Afghanistan after conducting attacks within Pakistan.
Regarding the issue of refugees, the source conveyed that the Taliban has a strongly negative stance, viewing Pakistan as an unreliable partner. The Taliban is unwilling to distance themselves from their allies, the TTP and Hafiz Gul Bahadur, to assist Pakistan in this matter. According to their perspective, Pakistan expelled Afghan refugees at the urging of the Americans to exert pressure on the Taliban government to align with the American agenda in the region.
Furthermore, ordinary Afghans harbor the belief that Pakistan financially benefited from the protracted Afghan conflict and is now exacerbating the plight of Afghan refugees. This perception has generated profound animosity and mistrust toward Pakistan in Afghanistan, as shared by the source.
“We made a significant miscalculation by heavily favoring the Afghan Taliban. Our anticipation was that their ascendancy to power would result in a friendly Afghan government devoid of Indian influence. I have no reservations in acknowledging that our judgment was profoundly flawed,” expressed a diplomat closely monitoring the unfolding developments in Afghanistan, who shared these insights anonymously.
The diplomat suggests that Pakistan should reevaluate its approach to the Afghan Taliban. Rather than directly engaging with them, Pakistan should leverage its regional allies, particularly China, which wields considerable influence over the Afghan interim government. The objective would be to persuade the Afghan government that it is mutually beneficial for Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the overall prosperity and connectivity of the region to eradicate the menace of terrorism once and for all.