In a recent speech, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid declared that it was Afghanistan, not the Pakistani government, that had signed the Doha Agreement with the United States. In response to this statement, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif proclaimed that Pakistan is firmly committed to eradicating terrorism from its soil using all available resources, regardless of Afghanistan’s position. This announcement came following an attack by a group of gunmen on a Pakistani army center in the Zhob region of Balochistan province, which resulted in the death of more than ten Pakistani soldiers. After the attack, Pakistan’s defense minister criticized the Afghan Taliban for providing shelter to members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and urged the Taliban to cease TTP’s activities in accordance with the Doha Agreement. This elicited a reaction from Mujahid, who stated that the Taliban would not engage with Pakistan based on the Doha Agreement. Asif reiterated to Mujahid that Pakistan would eliminate terrorism using all means, regardless of the Taliban’s position.
Asif’s statements are made amidst allegations that the government of Pakistan is among the top institutions that support and cultivate terrorism, lacking a genuine and resolute commitment to combat terrorism and exploiting this phenomenon for their benefit. The Pakistan Army has played a significant role in the expansion and fortification of the terrorist industry, profiting the most from its existence. For several decades, the Pakistani military has been responsible for establishing and controlling terrorist groups to achieve their strategic objectives. The Taliban is among these groups that ultimately triumphed in dominating Afghanistan with the aid of the Pakistan Army.
Initially, Pakistani officials celebrated the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan, but they have since realized that it has not been to their advantage; in fact, it has exacerbated Islamabad’s problems. The Taliban’s triumph in Afghanistan has significantly bolstered the TTP’s psychological, political, financial, and logistical position. According to the TTP, jihad has thrived in Afghanistan and now it is Pakistan’s turn. Not only the TTP but all radical Islamic groups in Pakistan are content with the Taliban’s seizure of power in Afghanistan and view it as a step towards the realization of the global jihad project. It is unsurprising that following the Taliban’s reinstatement in Afghanistan, TTP attacks against the Pakistani army have escalated.
The upsurge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan cannot be attributed solely to the fact that the Afghan Taliban have granted TTP members complete freedom of action, providing them with all necessary facilities to attack the Pakistani army. The issue is not so straightforward. In fact, the Afghan Taliban have made significant efforts to control the TTP, including transferring members of this group across the Durand Line to north and west Afghanistan, which has been welcomed by the Pakistani government. However, the Pakistani Taliban, similar to the Afghan Taliban and other terrorist organizations, cannot be entirely contained. These groups are well-versed in circumventing restrictions, and due to their mafia-like structure, they can operate under various guises simultaneously and even serve new masters if pressure intensifies.
In most cases, fighting against terrorist groups results in the expansion of these organizations and networks instead of their destruction, making the war against terrorism more intricate. This complexity leads to war attrition and ultimately creates an environment for terrorist groups to prevail. The Taliban’s control over Afghanistan is a prime example of this phenomenon. Terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan is deeply entrenched, and it cannot be eliminated through one or more fleeting military operations. While these operations may be advantageous in the short term, in the long run, they are not only unprofitable but also increase terrorism.
The roots of terrorism in both countries lie in the religious convictions of the populace. Due to the institutionalization and promotion of these beliefs over many centuries, they cannot be readily eradicated and supplanted with new ones. Fighting against religious beliefs necessitates an unwavering, long-term, and time-intensive effort that is beyond the purview of any government. Additionally, terrorism stems from factors such as unemployment, poverty, and chronic political crises, which are difficult to manage, particularly in less developed countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan.
As such, the statements made by Pakistan’s Defense Minister regarding the “eradication” of terrorism in the country can only be viewed as political rhetoric, primarily intended for domestic consumption. In order to sway public opinion, government officials in Pakistan often make statements or utter words that are purely for propaganda purposes. Even if Asif’s objective is simply to eliminate the TTP, it remains a formidable task. While the Pakistan army may be able to destroy the TTP, it cannot “eradicate” terrorism as it claims. Islamic extremism in Pakistan is deeply ingrained in society and has robust social foundations. Currently, neither the government of Pakistan has the sincere intention to eliminate it, nor is it capable of doing so.
The Unsuccessful Strategy of Combating Terrorism
The present-day approach to combatting terrorism, both on a global and local scale, has not only proven to be futile, but it has also led to the proliferation and intensification of this phenomenon. One of the primary reasons for the inefficacy of this strategy is the failure to acknowledge the stable and deeply ingrained social foundations that foster and sustain terrorism. The eradication of Islamic extremism cannot be achieved solely through the use of force. In fact, military intervention often has the opposite effect, making terrorist groups more determined, as demonstrated by the experiences of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The utilization of terrorism as a geopolitical tool by governments, in which the Pakistani army is particularly adept, has also contributed to the failure of the counterterrorism strategy. However, the instrumentalization of terrorism has significant repercussions, which are increasingly felt by Pakistani soldiers. Terrorism, which was previously fostered by the Pakistani army to restrain its adversaries, has now shifted its focus and is targeting Pakistan itself.
