Peace and Security Review, Vol.1 No. 2 - International Centre for ...

18 Peace and Security Review Vol.1, No.2, Second Quarter, 2008
the negotiations leading up to a peace agreement that Bahadur was having at
that time with the government.
A deep schism also reportedly exists between the leadership and
followers of the TTP over the issue of whether to fight a “defensive” war
against Pakistani government and security forces. 65 Some of the militants
and mid-level leadership of Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM)
in Bajaur and Swat believe that that they are more comfortable with fighting
the ISAF-NATO troops in Afghanistan instead of waging a war inside
Pakistan. 66 They also claim that they have owed allegiance to Mullah Omar
and not to Baitullah Mahsud and therefore, would abide by the instructions
of Mullah Omar. 67
Meanwhile, Baitullah Mahsud continues to strengthen his relationship
with the Al-Qaeda leadership presently based in the North Waziristan
Agency. Mahsud is reportedly receiving financial and logistical support from
Al-Qaeda. 68 Al-Qaeda also favours attacks against Pakistani government and
security forces. As such, the policy of Afghan Taliban and Baitullah Mahsudled
Pakistani Taliban aligning themselves with Al-Qaeda is facing serious
problems and is working at cross-purposes with each other. This is also
evident from the recent statement by Mullah Omar in which he said that the
Taliban movement is not a threat to other countries. According to him, “This
is our right to defend our country. We are not a threat to other countries. But
we have to use our rights when our country is occupied by foreign forces.”
He also emphasised that the people of other countries should pressure their
governments not to send troops to Afghanistan. 69
The peace agreements have had their ups and downs. They influenced
the developments in tribal and mainland Pakistan. For instance the cessation
of military operations by the Pakistani military led the local Taliban to
strengthen their stronghold in the region, which in turn benefited Al-Qaeda
and other foreign militant groups taking refuge in the area. A lack of clarity
on the part of the Pakistani government and its policy of “one step forward,
two step backwards” seem to have given room for the Pakistani Taliban to
strengthen itself. In due time, this could benefit their foreign guests, such as
Al-Qaeda.
65 Ibid.
66 Ibid.
67 Ibid.
68 “Spotlight Falls on Taliban man Accused of Murdering Benazir,” Daily Times, 28 January 2008.
69 “Taliban no threat to US, Europe: Omar,” Dawn, 12 February 2008.
Vol.1, No.2 2008 pp.1-25