Image credit: VOA
by Zafar Yousafzai 11 September 2023
The recent release of a video by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has stirred controversy and raised concerns about the group’s intentions and objectives. The propaganda video appears to be aimed at discrediting Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies (LEAs) by suggesting their inability to eliminate TTP hideouts, bases, and strongholds. However, it is essential to separate fact from fiction and delve into the larger context surrounding this propaganda campaign.
The TTP’s propaganda efforts seem designed to serve multiple purposes, including supplementing the public narrative of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IAG) to relieve pressure exerted by Pakistan and the international community. The video attempts to convey the message that Pakistan, rather than Afghanistan, is the problem in the region. However, a closer examination of the ground realities presents a different picture.
Contrary to the TTP’s claims, substantial evidence suggests that the group has relocated to Afghanistan following military operations in Pakistan in 2008. The TTP has even fought alongside the Taliban in Afghanistan against US and NATO forces and has established permanent operational and planning bases there, which have been acknowledged by international bodies, including a UN Security Council report from August 2023.
The TTP’s audacity has seemingly increased after the 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the subsequent takeover by the Taliban. Several TTP leaders have been killed in Afghanistan, a fact acknowledged even by TTP leaders themselves. Interviews with TTP’s current commander, Noor Wali Mehsud, conducted from Afghanistan, have been reported by international media outlets.
Cross-border attacks, border fence-cutting incidents, and interceptions of TTP militants crossing the border into Pakistan have been widely reported. The TTP also maintains links with Al-Qaeda, as highlighted in the August 2023 UNSC report, operating safe havens within Afghanistan. Furthermore, the TTP’s engagement in reconciliation dialogues with Pakistani tribal leaders in Afghanistan and reports of the IAG’s willingness to relocate TTP settlements to the west in Afghanistan further debunk the TTP’s narrative.
Despite the TTP’s attempts to sow discord and spread false narratives, Pakistan remains resolute in its fight against terrorism. The Pakistani state, along with its law enforcement agencies, has established the writ of the state in the formerly tribal areas, once considered volatile. “No Go Areas” no longer exist, as governance apparatus is firmly in place.
Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating terrorism within its borders is unwavering. The nation has paid a heavy price in its struggle against TTP terrorism, and this commitment will not falter. TTP’s presence in Afghanistan poses a serious security challenge, but Pakistan remains steadfast in addressing this threat.
The recent TTP propaganda video should be viewed with skepticism, considering the extensive evidence that contradicts its claims. Pakistan’s commitment to combating terrorism within its borders is resolute, and there is no tolerance for terrorist organizations. The TTP has become a liability for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and its actions are a curse not only for Pakistan but also for the Afghan people.
Pakistan’s enduring commitment to peace and stability is evident in its efforts to root out terrorism and establish governance in the tribal regions. Despite the challenges posed by groups like the TTP, Pakistan remains determined to protect its people, its sovereignty, and the stability of the region. The fight against terrorism will continue, and Pakistan is steadfast in its resolve to make the country and the region peaceful.