Dawn Editorials 16th September 2025

Kabul’s choice

IT is apparently a very simple proposition. The Afghan Taliban can either cooperate with Pakistan and eliminate safe havens for the banned TTP and other terrorist outfits on their soil. Or they can continue to nurture an array of violent outfits and sour Afghanistan’s chances of regional integration and greater diplomatic recognition, along with torpedoing any chances of better ties with Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made the offer to Kabul’s rulers while visiting Bannu on Saturday, asking the Afghan Taliban to “choose between Pakistan and TTP”. The PM’s comments reflect the frustration of the administration towards the Taliban. The current dispensation has tried both carrots and sticks with Kabul to help stop terrorist attacks from Afghanistan-based militants, but neither approach has delivered results.

The frustration is understandable because terrorist attacks have resulted in high troop losses for Pakistan. Just last week, at least 19 troops were martyred during operations against terrorists in KP. The military also says that Afghan nationals have been involved in attacks on Pakistan. To its credit, Pakistan has tried to mend fences diplomatically with the Afghan Taliban, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has undertaken several visits to Kabul.

Additionally, a trilateral mechanism involving Pakistan, China and Afghanistan has been launched to try and ‘mainstream’ the Taliban, offering them incentives for cutting ties with terrorist groups. On the other hand, Pakistan has also undertaken kinetic action inside Afghanistan to target militant sanctuaries. However, so far, neither method has been successful in convincing the Taliban to change their ways.

It is true that the TTP and the Afghan Taliban are linked by ideology. But if the Taliban seek greater engagement with the outside world, they must decide whether to stay wedded to their ideology, or assure their neighbours that they will not allow terrorist groups to threaten regional security. The Taliban may be reluctant to act against militant groups; however, they must guarantee that these violent actors will not pose a threat to neighbouring states.

The Taliban’s denial that they are hosting militants does not fly, as a special UN monitoring body has confirmed on several occasions that various militant groups, including the TTP, are active in Afghanistan.

For Pakistan, the dilemma is acute. The status quo is obviously not an option, as anti-Pakistan terrorist groups find sanctuary and support in Afghanistan. However, cutting ties with the Taliban is not a viable option either, as it may drive the Afghan rulers into a more extreme direction. The least bad option at present seems to be limited engagement with Kabul, with pressure from regional states, especially China, on the Taliban to do more against the militants. Moreover, Pakistan must also improve its counterterrorism methods to stop the infiltration of terrorists, and prevent troop and civilian losses.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2025

Insolence on the field

DIPLOMATIC ties between India and Pakistan might continue to be strained following the arch-rivals’ four-day stand-off in May, but at least the restoration of cricketing ties between them had appeared to be a step forward. Despite the boycott calls in the country, India seemed to be open to playing against Pakistan in multilateral tournaments, following the trend of the last decade — the two sides have not played a bilateral series since 2012.

Sunday’s Asia Cup match — their first clash since the war in May — could have broken the ice had India not decided to politicise the matter. Boycott calls in India — there were widespread protests — had been at an all-time high before the match took place. India’s fielding coach, Dutchman Ryan ten Doeschate, had stated on the eve of the game that it was a “sensitive” matter for his players. But it was during the toss that the match referee, ostensibly bowing to India’s call, told Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha that there would be no handshakes — a move undermining the very spirit of the game.

Perhaps India was trying to appease its fan base after their captain Suryakumar Yadav was criticised for shaking hands with Salman and Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi — also Pakistan’s interior minister — during the tournament’s opening press conference last week. On the field, Pakistan were no match for India, which powered to a seven-wicket victory. But while the Pakistanis waited to congratulate their rivals, Suryakumar and Shivam Dube — the batters at the centre — rushed to the dressing room. No handshakes again. Understandably, Salman skipped the post-match presentation. Suryakumar went on to bring up the Pahalgam terror attack, dedicating the cricket win to India’s armed forces and terming it a “perfect reply”.

Political statements are barred by the International Cricket Council’s code of conduct and Pakistan have lodged a protest, asking for the removal of referee Andy Pycroft for his overall conduct. The Pakistan Cricket Board should, however, realise that India will not discontinue its practice of politicising the game. The new reality is that sports and politics are joined at the hip. The PCB has repeatedly called for sports and politics to be kept separate but it should perhaps now change tack. India and Pakistan could well meet again at the Asia Cup and India’s inexcusable actions should fire up the team to deliver on the pitch.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2025

Transgender policy

THE transgender community has endured contempt for too long. Abuse, sexual violence, battery and isolation persist due to official indifference. As many as 267 cases of violence against trans people over five years were recorded in KP in 2024, with just one conviction. Recently, a jirga in Swabi declared that all trans persons be expelled from the district. The shocking announcement came after the community participated in a music programme, where they allegedly clashed with police, leading to arrests, including of two trans persons. Amid these developments, Balochistan’s Transgender Policy comes as a ray of hope. It aims to protect the rights of the marginalised and ensure their socioeconomic inclusion through education, employment and social development initiatives. An Endowment Fund for Minority Welfare has been sanctioned for equal opportunities and resources, such as scholarships for trans persons and minorities.

Criminal othering, as seen in the jirga ‘verdict’, is rooted in collective intolerance. While the HRCP has issued a condemnation, saying that “no one can be deprived of the right to reside, earn a livelihood anywhere in Pakistan on the basis of gender identity”, the harsh truth is that biases keep transgender citizens out of the workforce, pushing them into sex work, dance performances and begging. As the world moves towards acceptance, our policymakers continue to fail these citizens. The absence of any political commitment to justice for them makes trans persons fearful of approaching the law enforcers — most of those who do take legal action end up opting for out-of-court settlements. Laws have, so far, not worked. For instance, parts of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018 — including self-recognition of an individual’s identity — were rejected by the Federal Shariat Court. Balochistan has shown the way. Other provinces, KP and Punjab in particular, must tread the same path. We must remember that transgender rights are human rights.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2025