Pakistan Decided To Sort Its Mess Out

Pakistan is cleaning the house...

In 1994, the Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) created the Taliban in order to have an Afghani government that would be favourable to Pakistan's strategic goals (i.e. keep the land routes, for trade with central Asia, open and safe). Once the goal was achieved, the Pakistani military and secret services undertook the mission of funding and offering logistical support to the Taliban. When, in 2001, the US deposed the Taliban regime, Pakistan saw itself obliged to harbour the beast it had created. The monster grew out of control, networked with other extremist groups, and eventually it turned against Pakistein. The Pakistani people paid the price.

Nearly a fortnight ago, PM Nawaz Sharif authorised strikes against the militant strongholds in the Waziristan region (known for harbouring the Haqqani Network's and for being the safe haven for AQAM [Al-Qaeda Associated Movements]).

Some have stated that Pakistan is the true terrorist nerve centre in the world and a real threat to global security. They are not entirely wrong because some of the most lethal terror attacks in the world were perpetrated by individuals who were either recruited, indoctrinated, trained in or deployed from Pakistan - e.g. Haroun Fazul (who participated in the twin VBIED attacks Kenya & Tanzania, in 1998, studied, was recruited and was trained in Pakistan); Mohammed Atta, Marwan al-Shehhi and Ziad Jarrah (the 9/11 hijacker-pilots, who were recruited by Al-Qaeda in Karachi, 1999); Ajmal Kasab (the LeT member, the sole militant survivor of the 2008 Mumbai attacks sanctioned by Pakistan) and Mohamed Merah (the Toulouse shooter who received training in Pakistan in 2011).
These facts eventually put Pakistan at odds with the US inasmuch as it was receiving millions of dollars from America to counter terrorism, while probably using those funds to help the Taliban, train LeT elements, to finance safe havens for radical Islamic groups and other sort of illicit yet convenient activities.
Pakistan, struck with political instability (much of it involving the monster it created), suddenly saw itself in a position of being unable to refuse US drone strikes within its borders: that way, the Pakistani leadership killed two birds with one stone (i.e. appease the US and keep the Ogre under control).

When Nawaz Sharif took office, he laid out the poor state of the Pakistani economy and urged the US to stop the drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal belt (one of the Taliban demands). These words were indicative of a policy shift: thenceforth, Pakistan would focus on curing its economic ailment (as opposed to being obsessed with bringing India down through terror and with Afghan matters) and, for that it would need to deal with its home-grown Fiend.
The Pakistani PM tried to sit, talk and reach a peaceful agreement with the Taliban; however, the talks failed and PM Sharif made a capital decision: the time has come to sweep the house, if the country is to move forward once and for all.

This willingness to change doesn't necessarily mean that Pakistan is backing down from an aggressive policy. It wants to improve its economy - excellent, a lot of time and resources have been wasted - but the question is, how:

• Will it continue to be Saudi Arabia's nuclear test lab and dealer?
• Will it continue to be the mediator of the nuclear business between Iran and North Korea?
• Will it resume the gas pipeline business with Iran?
• Will it agree to exchange information with China (over its dealing with certain allies & perceived foes) in exchange for even more profitable trade agreements?

Surely, it has to start from somewhere.

Over the weekend, the Taliban offered a month truce - allegedly to resume talks. This may be seen as a victory to the government, however it would do well to undertake an operation to disrupt the Taliban nodes of supply (financing, weaponry, men) before they re-group.

It is important for Pakistan to show strength and resolve at this moment. With the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pakistan may become a vital regional player if it manages to put the Iblis under control.