Still the target of several military operations and the bogeyman cited in any number of spending proposals, the Pakistani Taliban has long been kind of a misnomer, implying a top-down command like its Afghan counterpart where none exists. But to the extent the various “Taliban” movements in Pakistan have leadership, its losing influence.
That’s the report from analysts and tribesmen in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, with the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) umbrella faction said to be running low on cash and exercising less and less influence over the locals.
Hakimullah Mehsud, the TTP leader, was a major target for quite some time, and was “confirmed” killed several times in the past. Now analysts say that the local TTP factions have mostly given up on his leadership.
“Leaders are making their own peace talks with the government,” reported one analysts, “it could help the Pakistani government and military separate more leaders from the TTP.” Despite the optimism, these various factions have always had distinct agendas and a strong independent streak, and probably aren’t going to be any more eager to submit to Pakistani government demands than the umbrella group.