Khizer Iqbal
Currently, the various appearing readings; find that the so called Daesh or ISIS is facing difficulties in maintaining its sole existence. Not only at the places known for their evolution, but also at the places of its expected rise, like in Afghanistan. The situation came under setbacks, when the myth about Daesh, being undefeatable got shattered in Iraq , Syria and later on in Afghanistan, by opposition forces. Initially, the terrorists cult of Daesh, reasonably succeeded in gaining ground successes and later on ,exporting the intended wave of terror across the globe by showing their brutal and merciless videos of butchering the innocent human beings. They might have achieved the intended impact of creating terror by terrorizing the innocent people, but in the long run they were loosing the self created war against the humanity. Their mentors had forgotten the lessons of the past, that such actions can not mold the nations and its people, rather it might had suppressed the people but not their thoughts. Despite of the fact that Daesh captured and implemented the distorted and self explained version of the religion, which was duly rejected and condemned by Muslim scholars. During the process, the cult of Daesh terrorists were garnering the global hatred and offered a unique platform of global unity for putting unified efforts of defeating the ideology and very much existence and its metamorphosing in the other parts of the globe including Afghanistan. The episode of “rise and fall” of Daesh has although not yet reached at its climax, but the ground realities are depicting its clipping. Experts, argue that maintaining the monster and its further exploitation by the mentor of this evil is probably getting out of control. Daesh has possibly become a liability, due to lack or failure of its self-generating and self-sustaining process, which was earlier envisaged for its existence. Besides, the over stretched administrative and operational expenditures of the cult could also be factor of diminishing role. Additionally, the unexpected continuous failures of Daesh in the battle field, have worsen the situation and conditions for her existence . Despite the desperate need of Daesh in the areas being currently engaged, the fall of Daesh has become a reality.
The rationale behind the fall of Daesh is the fact that the said terrorist network along its hologram leadership have been under constant threat and pressure since its outset. It has faced huge reversals in both Iraq as well as in Syria. The world at large is more averse to the brutalities and the false propaganda of successes being spread around by Daesh and its mentor , through the use of all possible medias, led by the internet. Recent claims by the US administration have shown the figures of the Daesh followers in Iraq and Syria around 25000, at least 6000 less than what it was a few months earlier. The ideology has been vastly condemned by the Muslim Scholars as well as the leadership, who unanimously declare it detrimental to the Islamic cause. The evil organization is being dubbed as Islamic Terrorist by the likes of Trump and affiliates whereas, Muslims and saner leaders around the world declare it a terrorist organization formed to defame and harm the cause and repute of Islam and Muslims. The carved name for Daesh as “Islamic State” is also one of the mal intended reason, besides its activities , so that values and teachings of Islam could be targeted, demonized, confused and defamed, as well as Muslims. Whereas, the very much basis and pillar of Islam is peace. It is beyond any exaggeration that Pakistani nation has paid unprecedented price in the fight against the menace of terrorism. Pakistan has suffered over 85,000 causalities and a loss of over 118 Billion US Dollars. Some disgruntled and defeated terrorists’ elements have found refuge in neighboring Afghanistan. Pakistan has long been asking international forces present in Afghanistan and the Afghan National government to tighten the security arrangements on Pak Afghan border.
Pakistan has successfully flushed out TTP led terrorism from its soil as a result of major operations. These defeated TTP fighters have later joined hands with the Islamic State in Khorasan (ISK), a chapter of Daesh claiming to be operating in the region. Same group was involved in the terrorist attacks in Quetta’s Police academy, shrine in Hub, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine and Lahore mall road blast as well. However, strict follow up action has unearthed some of the remaining scattered networks as well. Leadership of the group was targeted by US drone strikes as well through the ground actions by Afghan and US Forces in last quarter of 2016 and the initial quarter of 2017. Recent being the killing of an Al-Qaeda terrorist namely Qari Yasin, having ties with the TTP, in a drone strike in Afghanistan. The Defense Secretary of US, Jim Mattis has been quoted as saying that ‘the death of Qari Yasin is evidence that terrorists who defame Islam and deliberately target innocent people will not escape justice”. Experts narrate that Daesh threat in Afghanistan has been reduced from 12 districts to about 3 districts in Northern Province of Nangarhar. An important fact in fight against the Daesh in Afghanistan is that the Afghan Taliban also oppose them and have defeated them in number of areas. Russia and China also consider Afghan Taliban as important force to counter the threat of Daesh in the region. Elements of Daesh in Afghanistan are also demoralized because of the reversals faced by the Daesh in its area of birth i.e. Iraq and Syria. These defeats have also crippled the sources of funding for the regional wings of the organization. Therefore chances of reemergence of the Daesh in this region are remote; however they can conduct sneak attacks. Daesh has found no wider support in Pakistan and hence centered itself in Afghanistan’s Northern Region, bordering with Pakistan.
Return of peace has led to the era of development in Pakistan, spearheaded by the CPEC. Pakistan has asked neighboring countries including Afghanistan and even India to join in this project of great significance. However, proxies continue from across Pakistan’s eastern as well as from the western borders. International Community has started taking Afghan Taliban as a political reality. However, this fact is not liked by the Afghan government and its Indian sympathizers. Hence the over projection and hype of the Daesh by Afghan and Indian media is taking place. However, the reality reads Daesh in the region as a defeated entity. Pakistan has interests in a peaceful Afghanistan and new leadership has demonstrated its resolve to confront and defeat all terrorist or banned outfits irrespective of any affiliation. Hence chances of Daesh finding a refuge in Pakistan are very low. President Trump, based on his America First Policy is likely to reduce US overseas defense expenditure, Afghanistan being top on the list. Afghan government is under strain amid likely policy of Trump in curtailing the finances. In a bid to secure funds Afghan National Government is over projecting Daesh threat in Afghanistan. However, there is need to rethink its approach and consider wiser available options. Besides, experts view that since, US President Trump has displayed resolve to defeat Daesh ,then logically, let Pakistan, Russia, China and US converge on this common cause of defeating the monster. Pakistan and Afghanistan need to improve coordination and cooperation in their counter terrorism and extremism efforts. Blaming each other for the petty gains and false public support can be disadvantageous in this struggle Pakistani society as a whole has rejected the extremism and terrorism and favors moderation. Afghanistan needs to learn from Pakistan on how to undermine extremist mindset without blaming others.
