THE failure of the Taliban regime to uphold its international commitments, particularly in preventing its territory from being used by transnational terrorist syndicates, has created a serious crisis between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Islamabad’s unreciprocated restraint has emboldened Taliban leadership to continue supporting anti-Pakistan forces, posing an immediate threat to Pakistan’s national security. The recent military response is a crucial step towards bringing the Taliban to reality and it is imperative that they start behaving rationally.

Islamabad’s persistent appeals for Kabul to rein in the Fitna al Khawarij, the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Fitna al Hindustan, the Baloch terrorist groups, which have found safe havens in Afghanistan, have been disregarded. Consequently, these groups continue to pose a significant and immediate threat to Pakistan, carrying out their terrorist activities. The continued terrorism and Afghan forces’ violation of the border have compelled Pakistan to use its military force to prevent the Afghan militaristic designs. Therefore, it launched precision strikes to destroy the terrorist hideouts located inside Afghanistan. For instance, on the........

© Pakistan Observer