Pakistan has done enough for Afghanistan by going out of the way, and by segregating trade and security. But the realpolitik blunders of the Taliban have made Pakistanis pay a huge cost of the largesse they have shown over the years. The pampering of TTP, and other terrorist groups, by Kabul – which seems caught in a nexus of compatibility with their jihadi brethren of yesteryears – is unbecoming of any responsible government.
The point, however, is that the TTP and the likes cannot be retained on the shelf for exigent purposes. The sooner the Taliban realise it, the better. The volume of trade between the two countries is estimated at $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion in fiscal year 2023-24. Thus, with the closure of Torkham and Chaman border posts, the landlocked Afghanistan is in a misery of its own. Yet, Kabul continues to antagonise Pakistan by looking the other way as cross-border terrorist activities go on unabated.
It is a foregone conclusion that trade and terrorism cannot go hand in hand. Thus, the suspension of trade by Pakistan is a legitimate act that goes in line with the norms of inter-state relations as well as the international law. Likewise, the reservations expressed by Islamabad that multi-billion dollar energy projects such as TAPI and CASA-1000 can be a victim of terrorism and Afghanistan’s adamant attitude are totally justified.
Taliban 2.0 must rescind their support to terror groups, and engage with international forums in all earnest. The Istanbul dialogue, sponsored by Qatar and Turkiye, was a blessing in disguise; it is high time Kabul reverted to it unconditionally. Let diplomacy stand a chance.