The fragile ceasefire agreed upon in Doha on October 19 is holding. However, it has done little to ease Pakistan’s concerns about terrorism emanating from Afghan soil. Islamabad continues to insist on firm commitments to dismantle militant sanctuaries. Regional powers like China are closely monitoring the situation.

The Taliban’s failure to project credibility abroad is a direct consequence of their failures at home to set up a broad-based government. The narrow, Pashtun-dominated system, threatens to alienate other ethnic groups. This governance crisis is exacerbated by Afghanistan’s profound diversity. While Pashtuns are a majority, Tajiks, Hazaras and Persians make up large minorities.

Recent border clashes involved cross-border firing, airstrikes and artillery exchanges. They resulted in hundreds of deaths, including the martyrdom of 23 Pakistani soldiers. “Precision strikes” by Pakistani forces in Kandahar and Kabul were followed first by a ceasefire and then Doha talks.

In a statement that appeared to avoid a clear pledge, Afghan spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid that “they will not support groups carrying out attacks against the government of Pakistan.” Later in the day, he also said the Islamic Emirate had had a consistent policy of not allowing Afghan soil to be used against any other country.” Framing their stance as a general policy rather than a specific pledge to address Islamabad’s concern regarding the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, appeared to be calculate to avoid making commitment to dismantle TTP safe havens or extraditing militants. Such ambiguity allows the administration in Kabul to maintain influence over such groups........

© The News on Sunday