The Taliban has reportedly agreed to relocate the TTP within its borders. Many fear a rise in ethni

The Taliban has reportedly agreed to relocate the TTP within its borders. Many fear a rise in ethnic tension and terrorism as a result.
Sara Abbasi | July 26, 2023

The Pakistani government has come to an agreement with the Taliban for the approximately 4,000 Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) members along the border of the two countries to be relocated to northern Afghanistan. These militants form a distinct extremist group commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban, created in 2007, that is considered an offshoot and ally of the Afghan Taliban. The two groups are ideologically similar, with the TTP providing support to the Taliban during its 2021 take-over, as well as ethnically similar, both of them being Pashtun. Their goal is to create an Islamic Emirate in Pakistan, which has prompted hundreds of attacks against the Pakistani government and security forces.

The Pakistani government has long sought an agreement with the TTP through mediation. These attempts have historically been unsuccessful, however, until recently when a Taliban spokesman declared that residents of the historically porous border region would be relocated north. Some speculate that this agreement is the result of Pakistan directly approaching the Taliban with money in exchange for a reduction in the number of attacks.

While this agreement may be a positive step for the Pakistani government, it has also ignited fears of greater instability due to a rise in ethnic tensions. In fact, a spokesman for the National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan party stated that “tensions will increase especially between different ethnic groups if this continues.” Given ethnic singularity of both groups, many fear that ethnic minorities will suffer from this relocation.

In addition to ethnic tension, there are concerns that this move will foster a growth in terrorism. Since the Taliban’s rise to power, the TTP has enjoyed a newfound access to sophisticated weaponry and strategic positioning. The relocation of its members within Afghanistan will only strengthen their strategic advantage, and previous concerns of TTP terrorist activities will be magnified. Ultimately, this agreement will create a growth in instability in an already volatile region. In a country affected by decades of war, famine, and other challenges, a rise in ethnic conflict and terrorism will put the Afghan population at even greater risk.

Sources:

Asia news 07/04/2023; VoA 07/08/2023; Combatting Terrorism Center 05/2023