Imran Khan's Afghan strategy backfires as Taliban now aims to destabilise Pakistan: Report

In a twist of events in Pakistan, Taliban, who was aided by neighbouring Islamab to takeover Kabul on August 15, 2021, and overthrow n Presiden Ashraf Ghani-governed democratic regime, is allegedly aiming to destabilise Pakistan's Democratic Parliamentary form of federal government. In a stark instance of what experts say 'what goes around comes around', Islamist armed student group based along Pakistan-Afghanistan border Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) that is battling Islamab, is seeking to launch a 'jih' in Pakistan.

Cementing predicament of political analysts in 2021 and ir apprehensions of losing peace and stability in subcontinent once Taliban inved Kabul, hardline organisation is reportedly hell-bent on expanding its regime and taking undue influence of a vulnerable Pakistan i.e. derailed economy, grey list in FATF, allegedly a safe haven for notable terrorists, etc. 

Taliban seeking to launch 'jih' in Pakistan

Literally, word 'jih' denotes a struggle or fight against enemies of Islamic faith while ors interpret spiritual struggle within oneself against sin as 'jih'. 

A March 13 report in Pakistan's national daily Friday Times published hand-written pamphlets allegedly distributed by TTP in Afghanistan and seeking donations for waging jih across Pakistan, where concept is outlawed. It was brought to fore that leaflets circulated by Taliban are seeking said donation in Afghanistan's Khost and Kunar provinces, where group has managed to remobilise, subsequent to Taliban's return to power. 

ANI reported a Pakistani journalist from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province stating that TTP has been raising funds from sourn Afghanistan. Also, social media is flooded with TTP's circulation of raging 'jih' across Pakistan and same is causing concern among residents of Pakistan, Times of Israel. 

Furrmore, a TTP source confirmed fundraising and told a journalist, " "We're doing what our brors (Afghan Taliban) used to do (collect donations) in Pakistan".

In light of se developments, critics have said that Prime Minister Imran Khan will have to deal with consequence of alleged  Pakistan's nefarious activities eventually.

Who are TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan)?

 TTP was founded by Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan at end of 2007. group was formed in response to a Pakistani military operation clearing Lal Masjid mosque in Islamab where a rical preacher held sway. However, after formation of TTP, group went on a rampage against Pakistani state, targeting both civilians and security forces. But Pakistani army retaliated and pushed TTP leership to Afghanistan, where it has been based since 2015, conducting a "low-intensity" warfare against Pakistan. 

TTP, known as Pakistani Taliban, has been under rar for several dely attacks across Pakistan. banned terrorist outfit is blamed for attacks including an attack on Army hequarters in 2009, assaults on military bases and 2008 bombing of Marriott Hotel in Islamab. Following attack at Afghan border, TTP released a statement claiming five deaths. According to international agency reports, TTP informed that five personnel namely Naik Ajab Noor, Ziaullah, Naheed, Sameer Khan and Sajid were killed while four ors were injured.