Just before the flood wrecked most of the country, the Pakistani Taliban surprised the policymakers and security administration by returning to the northern mountainous areas of Pakistan. The terrorist group — Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — infamous for launching carnage across the country was pushed into Afghanistan by the Pakistan military. Thereafter, calm and peace prevailed in the country. However, what the policymakers and military establishment didn’t know was that peace wouldn't last too long. After landing in Afghanistan, the terrorist group found refuge with the Afghan Taliban.
Taliban have inflicted phenomenal human and material loss in Pakistan. Their terrorist activities uprooted many towns and displaced thousands of people. The areas that were famous for their diverse culture were turned into radical zones. Where once the peaceful and meditative learning of Buddhism resonated, violence and bloodshed found ground. Women were forcefully restricted to their houses, and a dress code was introduced for them. Girls were barred from going to school. Men were punished for not growing beard. Peoples’ mental health suffered.
As the Afghan Taliban stormed the Afghan capital, Kabul, and established their rule last year, many terrorist groups, especially the TTP benefitted from their achievements. The TTP members got free from prison. Before the Afghan Taliban established their rule in Afghanistan, the Pakistani Taliban hiding in Afghanistan was given a tough time by the US coalition forces. The return of the Afghan Taliban to power lifted the pressure from their ideological brethren — the Pakistani Taliban.
In case, the group succeeds in consolidating its former position, Pakistan will face difficulty is in subduing them, as Afghan Taliban would back them. Also, other militant groups in the region would get emboldened.
The promises made by the Afghan Taliban in the peace deal have proven false and deceptive. Not only have they worsened life for Afghans, they have also transformed the terror landscape. Islamic State’s Khorasan chapter found the newly-restructured terror landscape welcoming. Al-Qaeda’s chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri was killed by an American drone strike in Kabul. It is also said that he was in close communication with the Taliban government before his death.
The blame for the resurgence of Taliban in Pakistan falls squarely on Afghan Taliban. They had assured the international community at Doha of remaining faithful to promises on security and peace. For this hypocrisy, Afghan Taliban deserve a strong rebuke and severe punishment.
Conclusively, the resurgence of Pakistani Taliban in Swat and Dir, where they were formerly evicted from, is quite disturbing and sickening. The human and material losses Pakistan has borne to oust the terrorist group would prove futile if they return. In case, the group succeeds in consolidating its former position, Pakistan will face difficulty is in subduing them, as Afghan Taliban would back them. Also, other militant groups in the region would get emboldened.