Pakistan is in a fix over its Afghan strategy after recent setbacks that have compelled critics and retired diplomats to call for a review of its policy towards the Afghan Taliban, media reports said.
Background conversations with the people dealing with the matter told The Express Tribune that despite apparent disunion in ties with Kabul, Pakistan has no option but to seek engagement with the Afghan Taliban governance.
The incidents of the last many weeks have put Pakistan’s relationship with the Afghan Taliban in jeopardy, The Express Tribune reported.
Islamabad was formerly upset over Kabul’s failure to attack the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan( TTP) and the border clashes in Chaman further strengthened the extremity.
At least 19 Pakistani civilians lost their lives and several others were injured in two separate incidents at Chaman- Spin Boldak border when the Afghan border security forces resorted to unprovoked blasting, The Express Tribune reported.
After the first incident in which 18 Pakistani civilians were killed, Pakistan replied cautiously and didn’t indeed bother to summon the Afghan envoy.
The Foreign Office simply issued a statement condemning the incident while prompting the need for resolving the matter through dialogue. The conservative response from Pakistan raised numerous eyebrows as numerous were awaiting a tough response. still, sources said the reason behind Pakistan’s guarded response was to avoid farther escalation, the report said.
Four days later, the Afghan security forces yet again resorted to blasting and this time Pakistan had to call in the Afghan envoy in Islamabad to record a strong protest.
But despite Pakistan’s strong response there have been behind the scene sweats to lessen the situation.
“We’re in a fix. We’ve no option but to seek engagement with the Afghan Taliban,” a source said.
