Since 2004, US drone strikes on tribal areas of Pakistan have killed nearly 2,500 militants including al-Qaida and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders. Recent killing of TTP chief, Hakimullah Mehsud along with his guards and driver once more highlighted the role of drone strike in reaching high-profile and dangerous leaders of terror networks such as al-Qaida and Taliban. Such attacks have been used to weaken TTP and its affiliates. That is why the US signals no readiness to cease its drone strikes despite repeated requests from Pakistani authorities.
There have been controversies regarding the drone attacks. Pakistan has, on certain occasions, called these attacks as a violation of its sovereignty and requested US to stop the attacks. In his recent visit to US, Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, requested US president Barrack Obama to seize the drone attacks in Pakistan. However, the final decision is yet to be taken in this regard as the drone attacks have continued.
On the other hand, US has considered the drone attacks as effective and efficient. US has been able to target some very wanted terrorists through these attacks but at the same time there have been certain occasions when civilians have been targeted as well, which has given rise to various controversies.
At the same time there are some intellectuals who think that there have been a dual standard in treating Pakistani Taliban and Afghan Taliban, although both have the same purpose and objective. At times when TTP is under continuous drone strikes, the Afghan Taliban leaders enjoy full safety. Additionally, it is the Afghan Taliban for whom an office was opened in Qatar. They are offered various incentives by the Afghan government and thousands of their prisoners have been released from Afghanistan and Pakistan jails over the last year or so.
Such soft instance towards Afghan Taliban has assisted them to grow stronger and it is feared that they will be recognized as a legitimate political faction by the Afghan government one day. In contrast, Pakistani Taliban have a very different position. Afghan and Pakistani Taliban are two sides of one picture but are treated differently. This double standard raises many questions on the ongoing counter-terrorism war.