Last week after a cursory look at K-P, sociologically and politically, we surmised that in the province's predominant Pakhtun universe, the force of argument, or overwhelming force, play out effectively in resolving conflict. That in governing the lar (lower i.e. K-P/Balochistan) au (and) bar (upper i.e. Afghanistan) Pakhtunkhwa, the British governance model entailing minimal governance, self-rule and inducements was more successful, as compared to the recent US/NATO's Afghanistan model of central authority, pervasive governance and outlandish ideas, that failed. We discuss terrorism and the political mosaic of K- P.

Terrorism first. Having debated TTP's Afghanistan based framework, it is important to understand that terrorism also has a domestic dimension, besides Afghanistan's inspirational swamp. IEA power grab and six years in Kabul provide a lot of motivation to the would-be jihadists. The 'Jihad Enterprise' per se remains a reliable employer, caring even for the families of suicide bombers. Misguided religious notions dub Pakistani state as an impediment to Sharia implementation, and confederation with Afghanistan. Pakistan's military is painted as a non-religious entity by the ranking cadre of IEA and TTP. Afghan Taliban, TTP, al-Qaeda and IS-K find it easy to fish in Pakhtunkhwa's troubled waters, where sociology is supportive to their cause. And lack of economic opportunities especially in the Upper Pakhtunkhwa/Afghanistan provide an ideal environment for ethno-religious terrorism.

IEA, more precisely, Loya Paktia (Haqqanis) and Qandahar reckon that TTP manipulation can be used as an effective residual leverage with Islamabad, even if it is negative. The murky world of........

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