Buying time with what? TTP saw this weakness of their economy and started killing Pakistani troops again.
Meanwhile the Jurnails are busy expanding their housing facilities budget with their defence money. decades of outsourcing combat to terrorists has resulted in these fat morons at the top conceited with power and landlord syndrome.
TTP violence has been as bad these days as it was at that time. Attacking FC outposts, shooting up hinterland postings, killing dozens of troops daily, it's back to the same level.
It's a matter of time before parts of Pakistan declare independence in the coming 3-5 years.
The number of claimed porki forces killed every year was 500+ between 2007-2016.
We aren't seeing those numbers again yet.
The number of pig killed have definitely increased over the past 3 years.
Porki claims on casualties are a huge question mark though.
While it's true their gernails are content with selling ghazwa e hind to their masses while fleecing, I don't think they are so dumb that they will allow such damage to their credibility and least of all, allow a rival power center to develop.
Additionally unlike 2014 Taliban control Afghanistan, and Pakis can't be sure of the outcome if they escalate with a huge action.
Changing loyalties and ethnic affiliations might see porks getting badly battered and their influence in Afghanistan back to what it was before the takeover.
There's the issue of economy to also consider.
Zarb a azb costed some 2 billion dollars.