Magnanimity with price.

There has been a rising trend in terrorist activities in Pakistan during past few months and some of the deadly attacks have taken place claiming scores of lives. Unfortunately, most of them were abated from the soil of Afghanistan whom Pakistan has always helped when in crises. It is needless to mention that Pakistan hosted the largest number of Afghan immigrants after Soviet invasion and post 9/11 attacks by the USA. Up till recently, when its western province of Herat was struck with the earthquake Pakistan was first to offer requisite relief items on priority.

After the Taliban took over government in Kabul, Pakistan has been repeatedly approaching them for denying use of their land for any terrorist activity against Pakistan, however they have not been able to live up to their pledges. The rise in terrorism has coincided with the frail economic indicators in Pakistan which has compounded our situation.

Pakistan's grievances against Afghan Taliban for supporting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are not unfounded and are acknowledged worldwide. For instance, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Mr. Thomas West addressed a seminar at Stimson Centre on 12th of September, 2023 on 'US Policy towards Afghanistan' and acknowledged that the TTP is posing the gravest threat to the stability of the region. He further stated that since the birth of the TTP, they were pushed across the border (into Afghanistan), and became allies of the Taliban during the war who have been TTP's financial, logistical, and operational supporters. The ties between them are quite tight.

The US representative for Afghanistan also touched upon the burning question whether the Taliban are supporting TTP attacks against Pakistan or not. He was ambivalent but accepted that it's the primary point of concern for Pakistan. He acknowledged that Pakistan is a help in diffusing situation in Afghanistan and bringing stability there. He further endorsed that Pakistan has been supportive in handling Afghan refugees. The statements and opinions of the US representative on Afghanistan are testament of Pakistan's positive role in...