ISIS warrants collective move against Taliban

As per ISPR, Afghanistan is high on the agenda the Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif. However there are issues of more serious concern like Putin’s Syria moves isolating Washington, Moscow’s growing influence in the Mideast, Iran and Pakistan, President Putin’s visit to Pakistan next month, Iran’s key role in Yemen, and the prevailing situation in Afghanistan with reference to ISIS presence there. Pentagon’s desire to check Pakistan’s tactical weapons program may be overshadowed by Obama’s new vow to cooperate with Paris. The presidential election campaign has already shifted its focus from taxing, debt servicing and employment to terrorism, courtesy the ISIS claiming the responsibility of Paris attacks. The speculation that Gen Raheel would discuss Nawaz government’s inability to govern, etc., seems only a figment. A TV anchor’s private video news that “Nawaz Sharif can stage a replay of 1999 on Gen Raheel’s return”, seems ridiculous; neither Nawaz is that goof to repeat the blunder, nor does Raheel aspire to take over though there are many who are inviting him, surprisingly the PTI including. Social media posts read “Countdown starts”; such a move on part of the Prime Minister would be suicidal because the COAS is being virtually ‘worshipped’; and on part of the COAS such an act would drown his popularity as the situation is not like that of ’99. Nor has Riyadh given any signal during Gen Raheel’s visit, as was speculated.

To fight the ISIS to the finish would warrant a collective move against the Taliban in Afghanistan as it warrants post-Paris. Pakistan needs the world community’s support to eliminate the TTP, its umbrella and shadow organizations in Pakistan. Pakistan has proved its mettle; only the world needs to correctly understand how big and significant its fight is. Blaming Pakistan and holding Islamabad responsible will not suffice.