CoAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa while addressing the Chiefs of Defence Conference in Kabul attempted to reassure Kabul and Washington that Pakistan's counterterrorism operations are targeting elements carrying out attacks in Afghanistan. In turn he called for reciprocal cooperation against elements carrying out attacks inside Pakistan while holed up on Afghan soil. The conference was attended by the top military brass of the US, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, ie, the occupying power and almost all of Afghanistan's neighbours. Not surprisingly, given the state of relations between Tehran and Washington, Iran was the notable exception. General Bajwa went on to claim that all terrorist sanctuaries had been eliminated from Pakistan's soil and residual terrorists who meld into the 2.7 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan combined with border security coordination inadequacies are being targeted through the ongoing Operation Radd-ul-Fasad. The conference is part of efforts to develop a regional counterterrorism strategy, check the growing presence of Islamic State (IS) retreating from Iraq and Syria to Afghanistan and attempt to eliminate narco-trafficking believed to be the main source of funding for the Afghan Taliban. Whether, however, General Bajwa's reiteration of Pakistan's mantra will persuade the conference or the wider world remains a moot point because unfortunately, an anti-Pakistan narrative developed primarily by its enemies continues to gain traction in the developed world. The Afghan Taliban and the deadly Haqqani network that were hosted on Pakistani soil when the Taliban government was ousted by the US invasion in 2001 are perceived to be still based on Pakistan soil despite our vehement denials and assurances.
It is indeed disgusting that despite all its efforts and elaborate operations against terrorist networks Pakistan continues to be increasingly accused of duality in policy. US President Donald Trump has proved less tolerant of Pakistan's prevarication than his predecessors Bush or Obama. He has proved less amenable to the argument that the US cannot push Pakistan too much given Washington's logistical considerations in Afghanistan. While Trump has been blunt in his views and cut off some $ two billion of military aid, the US State Department and the Pentagon have been playing the 'good cop' by delivering a softer message that Pakistan must play ball or forego civilian and military aid. Trump has asked the US Congress to approve a reduced $ 336 million civil and military aid for Pakistan on the grounds that this will help defeat IS and al-Qaeda, aims the Pakistani military is comfortable with, but Congress has added the condition that the military component of this aid will only be given if Pakistan moves against the terrorist safe havens on its soil. Equally of concern, the US has moved to restore Pakistan's name on the terror-financing watchlist if it does not crack down on terrorist groups of all shades and hues, including those targeting India over Kashmir or internal sectarian groups. To stave off such an outcome, Pakistan has taken action against banned groups through a 'mini-crackdown' targeting groups such as Jamaat ud Dawa.
The three-cornered minuet being played out between Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US for many years now appears to be approaching its last movements. But unfortunately, our policymakers have yet to wake up to the implications of this endgame and grasp firmly the nettle of elimination of terrorist groups from our soil without discrimination or exceptions.