The interim understanding reached between Pakistan and Afghanistan through the mediation of Qatar and Turkiye will be regarded as a welcome development by all those who believe in peace and settlement of disputes through dialogue by avoiding kinetic measures.
However the litmus test of any agreement or understanding is the honest and unrestrained implementation of the terms spelled out in the understanding and agreement. The statement issued at the conclusion of the dialogue in regards to the understanding indicates acceptance of Pakistan’s core demand of Afghanistan not allowing terrorist groups to carry out terrorist attacks in Pakistan; Afghanistan taking clear and verifiable measures against the terrorist groups like TTP and BLA and the establishment of a monitoring mechanism, details of which will thrashed out in the next meeting on November 6. The understanding also talks about extension in the ceasefire.
Now that the Taliban have formally accepted the presence of Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan on their soil and committed to subdue them, the onus of making the agreement successful lies entirely on them. It is they who have to actually prove their honesty in sticking to the understanding and also act on the final monitoring mechanism that is developed in the November 6 huddle.
Since the final shape of the agreement and the monitoring mechanism is yet to be determined, the Foreign Office has rightly expressed guarded optimism on the outcome of the dialogue so far. However it was said that the talks were proceeding on a positive trajectory.
Pakistan is pursuing a policy of cordial relations with its neighbours, more so with Afghanistan, because amity between the two achieved through resolution of the security issues, particularly tackling terrorism, is pivotal to regional connectivity and shared economic prosperity. Pakistan has always remained a well-wisher and supporter of Afghanistan, particularly the Taliban. It supported them in their war against the Northern Alliance and was one of the three countries which extended diplomatic recognition to their regime.
After their return to power following the exit of US and NATO forces, it justifiably expected the Afghan Taliban to quell terrorism emanating from their territory. Pakistan is on record as having made persistent efforts to engage the Taliban government in dialogue for resolving the issue of terrorism at the bilateral as well as at multilateral forums. But regrettably the Taliban never responded positively to these peace overtures.
Taking action against the terrorist groups and not allowing them to use Afghan territory for attacks in Pakistan and other neighbouring countries as well as meeting their international obligations in this regard is also imperative for the Taliban government for ending their global isolation.
They kept insisting that TTP was an internal issue of Pakistan thus not accepting the reality that they had training camps and bases in Afghanistan. The reality was that they encouraged and supported the terrorist groups like TTP and BLA which were acting as Indian proxies to increase the intensity of their attacks in Pakistan, particularly targeting security and law enforcing agencies. Pakistan would not grudge Afghan bonhomie with India provided it does not take the form of collusion to harm Pakistan.
The Taliban, repudiating the peace overtures from Pakistan and setting aside repeated requests to control the terrorist groups, also committed the indiscretion of launching unprovoked attacks on several security posts of Pakistan along the Pak-Afghan border which was crossing a red line and forcing Pakistan to take retaliatory action under its new normal policy.
The severity of the response made the Taliban realize their folly and they immediately requested a ceasefire. Pakistan accepted the request and agreed on a 48-hour ceasefire. On the intervention and request from Qatar and Turkiye it also agreed to their mediating role in resolving the issue. It indicated Pakistan’s abiding commitment to peace.
After the understanding reached at Istanbul Pakistan expects credible evidence of action including dismantling of militant hide-outs, disruption of logistical channels, arrests or prosecution of leadership of the terrorist groups and transparent reporting through the agreed monitoring and verification mechanism. It is believed that the monitoring and verification mechanism established under the auspices of mediators will serve as the impartial and essential instrument to determine compliance by Afghanistan.
Pakistan enters this phase in good faith tinged with realism. It firmly believes the past patterns of border violence do underscore the need for sustained implementation and not only formal commitments. If Afghanistan fails to deliver verifiable proof of agreed steps or if militants continue to launch attacks from Afghan soil, Pakistan will deem it a violation of the ceasefire and reserve the right to take all possible measures to safeguard its sovereignty and lives of its citizens. It must be understood that the truce or the ceasefire is not an open-ended undertaking. It is conditional and hinges on demonstrable responsibility by the Afghan side.
The government of Pakistan and armed forces are united in delivering the message that peace is their preference but protection of the territorial integrity is non-negotiable. The Pakistani nation is also on the same page with them in this regard.
The fact is that the terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is affecting all the regional countries in varying degrees, more so Pakistan, besides threatening peace and security in the region. Afghanistan being part of the region will be the ultimate loser if it fails to fulfill its commitments made in the Doha Agreement and the likely agreement with Pakistan at Istanbul.
Taking action against the terrorist groups and not allowing them to use Afghan territory for attacks in Pakistan and other neighbouring countries as well as meeting their international obligations in this regard is also imperative for the Taliban government for ending their global isolation.
