The Haqqani network is still a major irritant and a source of mistrust between Pakistan and Afghanistan despite a full-scale across-the-board military operation Zarb-e-Azb against all militant groups in bordering areas.
Although Pakistan gained significant achievements in the ongoing military operations against the militant networks from their base camps in North Waziristan when the Zarb-e-Azb was launched on June 15, 2014, the Afghan authorities still believe that the network is operating in the border areas especially along Paktia and Paktika provinces.
Paktika and Paktia are the most volatile regions bordering North Waziristan and Kurram Agency respectively where the Afghan security forces are facing heavy resistance and losses which the Afghan authorities blame on Haqqani network.
However, security analyst Brigadier Asad Munir (retd) said that Afghanistan has made it a routine matter to blame Pakistan for its failure to establish its writ.
He pointed out that it was not a new phenomenon to blame Pakistan for any terror incident in Afghanistan, adding President Ghani's predecessor Hamid Karazi also used to blame Pakistan.
About the presence of Haqqani network in Pakistan, he referred to a recent report of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the premier Afghan intelligence, in which it was revealed that Haqqani network is operating in 15 provinces of Afghanistan including Helmand, Paktia, Paktika and Kunduz, adding the Afghan government needs to take serous action to dismantle this network instead of indulging in a blame game against Pakistan.
"This is not a wise policy to blame Pakistan for each and every terrorist attack taking place inside Afghanistan. Instead, the two countries need to co-ordinate efforts to eliminate the common challenge of terrorism," he added.