THOSE in favour of negotiating with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan mistakenly believe that the group is a legitimate insurgent movement. The Afghan Taliban see them as a comparable entity, deserving of talks with the Pakistani state, citing their own negotiations with the US as a precedent. Pakistan’s approach to talks with the TTP or similar militant groups has been consistent — falling into the category of the same flawed rationale. The TTP does not meet the criteria of a popular insurgent movement that would merit political engagement.

The TTP was an abrupt reaction to the post-9/11 situation, where the militant and religiously motivated political parties had felt a religious obligation to support the Taliban and Al Qaeda in the context of the US-led invasion of Afghanistan. Tribesmen from former Fata and Pata regions came forward on the call of the religious political parties. These parties played both sides, ie, the establishment and militants, leaving the tribesmen trapped. The militant groups that were close to the establishment faced disintegration on the question of jihad, and many joined the Al Qaeda camp of global jihad and later formed an umbrella organisation, the TTP.

The process was not as simple as described, but the TTP was merely a reaction to the situation that evolved in the region after 9/11. It was the state that had mishandled the situation, and Al Qaeda and like-minded militant organisations took full advantage of the situation. The establishment might have more significant designs in mind; usually, sceptical minds argue........

© Dawn