Asad Mirza

The once honky-dory relationship between Pakistani military and its protégé, the Taliban in Afghanistan has gone sour. After Taliban’s return to power in 2021 for the second time, Pakistan has recognisedit as a legitimate government and provided military assistance to it.

But it would be naïve to describe relations between Pakistan and Taliban 2.0 as honky dory. Within months after coming back to power, Taliban raised the issue of an ongoing Pakistani project to erect fencing along the shared border between Afghanistan and Pakistan (Durand Line) – the demarcation of which prior Afghan governments have never accepted. In fact, the skirmishes between the two sides started in early 2022.

Also, contrary to expectations, the Taliban 2.0 refused to bow to different Pakistani demands and pursued the path of governance all alone. But in this process their efforts to establish peace and an effective government in Afghanistan, were hampered by the infighting amongst their internal factions, viz, the Haqqani network; the political wing led by Mullah Abdul GhaniBaradar; and the military wing represented by Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob and Mullah Abdul QayamZakir.

In addition, crucially the Taliban 2.0 has also failed to rein-in the remaining terrorist elements after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.

These splinter terrorist groups include elements of Islamic State........

© Kashmir Images