The departure of foreign troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 did not bring the expected relief to Pakistan’s western border. Instead, incidents of terrorism surged, intensifying each month, especially after the breakdown of secret peace talks with the TTP in November 2021. Pakistan, already grappling with multiple crises and an economic meltdown, found itself unable to afford the resurgence of terrorism, which it had successfully subdued at a high cost.
High-powered delegations visited Kabul to urge the interim regime to adhere to the Doha accord, close safe havens of the TTP in Eastern Afghanistan, and rein in the terrorist activities. However, these requests were turned down, with the interim regime denying any terrorism emanating from Afghan soil and asserting that Pakistan needed to address its internal issues.
