An earlier report suggested that the Afghan Taliban were persuading TTP leaders to settle their problems with Pakistan, get amnesty and return to the country along with their families. It was also suggested that Pakistan might consider the proposal after they had laid down weapons and renounced terrorism. Another report speaks about Pakistan having handed over to the Taliban a list of Afghanistan-based most wanted TTP affiliated terrorists for action against them.
Since TTP’s inception in 2007, terrorists affiliated to it have killed thousands of innocent civilians and security personnel. Military operations had to be conducted in Pakistan’s tribal agencies where the TTP challenged the writ of the state. For years terrorists were trained and dispatched from North Waziristan to the rest of the country to launch attacks on mosques, shrines and military installations. In Swat, TTP rejected Pakistan’s constitution, set up its own courts and planned to march to occupy Islamabad. Army had to be called in to restore the state’s writ. In another agency the TTP showed extreme disrespect for the dead bodies of the soldiers. It also ruthlessly killed 132 school children in Peshawar Army Public School. Any move considered to be a concession to the TTP is likely to elicit strong public reaction.
The TTP does not comprise a few dozen individuals. A report prepared for the UN Security council this year estimated its fighting strength to range from 2,500 and 6,000 members. Pakistan can ill-afford to give a clean chit to the bulk of the murderers after punishing a handful of leaders.
A number of terrorist groups that threaten the integrity of China, Central Asian states and Iran are sheltered in Afghanistan. An agreement reached on TTP without consulting these countries could create misunderstandings with Pakistan. Pakistan has also to take note of the fact that the UN and US have listed TTP as a global terrorist organization. Any concession could cause problems for it at international forums.
The best way should be to seek the repatriation of TTP leaders against whom Pakistan possesses proofs and get them sentenced through courts. As the TTP yearns for the type of system the Taliban want to introduce in Afghanistan, the remaining lot may be given Afghan citizenship by Taliban and told not to interfere in other countries.
