Editorial 1: The rebounding of Pakistan’s Afghan strategy

The Rebounding of Pakistan’s Afghan Strategy

Context

The return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan has transformed the country from a “strategic depth” to a “strategic ditch” for Pakistan’s security establishment. Pakistan now faces a grave crisis, dealing with increasing terrorism, deteriorating relations with Kabul, and the growing challenge posed by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Introduction

On December 27, 2024, Pakistan’s military spokesperson highlighted the toll of counter-terrorism operations, reporting 383 casualties among Pakistani security forces and the elimination of 925 terrorists, including members of the TTP. Ironically, Pakistan’s long-standing support for the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network during the insurgency against the U.S.-backed Afghan government now backfires. Relations with Afghanistan are at an all-time low, marked by airstrikes, retaliatory attacks, and diplomatic tensions.

Strategic Missteps and Consequences

1. Deteriorating Relations with Afghanistan
   • Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province on December 24, following a TTP attack that killed 16 Pakistani soldiers.
   • In retaliation, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence claimed strikes on Pakistani territory, exacerbating the crisis.
   • Kabul’s refusal to recognize the Durand Line, a colonial-era border, as legitimate underscores Afghanistan’s defiance.
2. From “Strategic Depth” to “Strategic Ditch”
   • Pakistan’s decades-long strategy of fostering influence in Afghanistan has backfired.
   • The Taliban regime, initially expected to serve Pakistan’s interests, has deepened instability, with TTP attacks undermining Pakistan’s security.
3. Escalating Tit-for-Tat Killings
   • Mutual hostilities have worsened, plunging bilateral relations into a dangerous stalemate.
   • The Afghan Taliban’s ideological ties with the TTP further complicate Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts.

Challenges from the TTP and Afghan Taliban Nexus

1. Shared Ideologies
   • The TTP and Afghan Taliban share ideological affinities, leading to suspicions that the Taliban provides sanctuary to TTP operatives.
2. Public Pressure in Pakistan
   • Pakistan faces mounting domestic pressure to act against the TTP, complicating its diplomatic calculus.
3. Irony of U.S. Assistance
   • A desperate move to involve the U.S., including a proposal for drone bases targeting Afghan militants, reflects Pakistan’s dwindling options.
4. Pashtun Nationalism and Irredentism
   • The Afghan Taliban has fueled Pashtun nationalist sentiments, reviving calls for a “Greater Pashtunistan” and undermining Pakistan’s territorial integrity.
   • Kabul’s opposition to border fencing further escalates tensions.

Historical Oversights and Strategic Misjudgments

1. Afghan Taliban as a Proxy
   • Pakistan’s security apparatus miscalculated the Afghan Taliban’s autonomy and its nexus with the TTP.
   • The Taliban’s refusal to prioritize Pakistan’s security concerns highlights the flawed assumption of its pliancy.
2. Post-9/11 Missteps
   • Pakistan missed the opportunity to extract itself from Afghanistan’s conflict post-9/11.
   • Its obsession with using the Taliban to counter India led to long-term instability.
3. Durand Line Dispute
   • No Afghan regime has accepted the Durand Line as a legitimate border, complicating Pakistan’s territorial claims.

Pakistan’s Limited Options

1. Military Responses
   • Airstrikes and targeted operations have yielded limited success, often worsening relations with Afghanistan.
2. Diplomatic Failures
   • Diplomatic engagements, such as visits by Pakistan’s representatives to Kabul, have failed to de-escalate tensions.
3. Internal Challenges
   • Pakistan faces internal political instability and economic crises, further limiting its ability to respond effectively to the TTP and Afghan Taliban.

Conclusion

The Taliban’s return has exposed the fragility of Pakistan’s Afghan strategy, forcing a reassessment of its approach to regional security. The nexus between the Afghan Taliban and the TTP has emerged as a significant threat, undermining Pakistan’s sovereignty and stability. Addressing these challenges requires Pakistan to move beyond its obsession with using Afghanistan as a strategic buffer and focus on sustainable, cooperative policies. Failure to do so risks further entrenching Pakistan in a “strategic ditch,” with diminishing avenues for resolution.

Editorial2: The imperilled life of the district journalist in India

The Imperiled Life of District Journalists in India

Introduction

The brutal murder of independent journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Chhattisgarh underscores the grave risks faced by district and mofussil journalists in India. Mukesh was allegedly killed for exposing poor road construction by a local contractor, echoing similar cases such as the 1988 murder of Umesh Dobhal in Uttarakhand by a politically connected liquor mafia. These incidents highlight the precarious nature of grassroots journalism and the challenges faced by journalists in holding power to account.

The Crucial Role of Grassroots Journalists

1. Voice of the Voiceless
   • District journalists are the lifeline of democracy, bringing to light “unseen and unheard” stories from India’s hinterlands.
   • Embedded in local communities, they document struggles, grievances, and stories of deprivation, often with a deep commitment to truth despite lacking formal training.
2. Challenges in Reporting
   • Many journalists work as stringers or retainers with minimal pay, job insecurity, and hostile conditions.
   • They act as vital local guides for national media but are often denied recognition, remaining “unseen and unheard” like the issues they cover.
3. The Rise of Independent Journalism
   • With mainstream media increasingly dependent on state advertising and local political interests, independent journalists like Mukesh use platforms such as YouTube and social media to pursue investigative reporting.
   • Their work often exposes powerful nexuses of contractors, bureaucrats, and politicians, leading to significant personal risks.

Legal Framework and Its Limitations

1. Chhattisgarh Protection of Media Persons Act, 2023
   • Enacted to ensure the safety of journalists, Mukesh’s murder highlights the limitations of such laws in offering real protection.
   • Legal safeguards remain inadequate without robust enforcement and mechanisms to address threats against journalists.
2. Culture of Impunity
   • Attackers of journalists often enjoy political patronage and impunity, creating a culture of fear and self-censorship.
   • This weakens the press, erodes democracy, and leaves communities vulnerable to unchecked corruption and injustice.

Systemic Challenges and Nexus of Power

1. Pressure on Regional Media
   • Regional media often avoids critical reporting due to dependence on local advertising and alignment with state governments.
   • This reduces space for investigative journalism, compelling journalists to rely on independent platforms.
2. The Nexus of Power
   • The powerful nexus of contractors, bureaucrats, and politicians, highlighted in the N.N. Vohra Committee report on the criminalization of politics, remains active in resource-rich states like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
   • Mukesh’s murder by a politically ambitious contractor exemplifies the risks of exposing such vested interests.

Need for Immediate Action

1. Strengthening Protections
   • There is an urgent need for comprehensive legislation that ensures the safety of journalists, with mechanisms for swift investigation and punishment of perpetrators.
   • Creating a conducive environment for independent journalism at the grassroots is essential for ensuring transparency and accountability.
2. Encouraging Independent Journalism
   • The role of district journalists as watchdogs of developmental projects and welfare schemes must be supported through training, financial stability, and recognition.
   • Strengthening their capacities will empower them to challenge corruption and hold authorities accountable.
3. Promoting Press Freedom
   • Efforts must be made to eliminate the culture of impunity for attacks on journalists.
   • Ensuring a free press is vital to safeguarding democracy, empowering citizens, and enabling informed decision-making.

Conclusion

The murder of Mukesh Chandrakar is a grim reminder of the threats faced by journalists who dare to challenge entrenched power structures. Their sacrifices underline the critical need for systemic reforms to protect and empower grassroots journalists. Ensuring justice for Mukesh and creating a secure environment for independent journalism is essential to upholding press freedom and strengthening India’s democratic fabric. His death must not go in vain—it should become a rallying point for ensuring accountability and safeguarding the right to free expression.