Afghan Taliban in despair
The Taliban government of Afghanistan can sign several commercial and economic agreements with neighboring countries. But so far they have not been able to get any official recognition from any side. Why is the international community not accepting them; The Taliban have a clear understanding of that. However, they are seeking validation from domestic and foreign parties on their own terms. A country's government cannot function solely on commercial agreements without formal recognition.
That is why the frustration of the Taliban is gradually increasing. And the primary focus of their anger is Pakistan. That is why they are openly criticizing neighboring countries. A few weeks ago. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif warned the international community about the presence of foreign extremists in Afghanistan in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. He also mentioned that the activities of these extremists sitting on Afghan soil are a threat to Pakistan.
Interestingly, other Muslim countries have expressed concern in tune with the Prime Minister of Pakistan. For example, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan has called for cooperation among all countries to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a center for the expansion of terrorism. But the Taliban government reacted strongly to Shahbaz Sharif's statement.
Strong reactions are coming from various Taliban officials. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Abbas Stanikzai made a statement expressing his anger at the incident. He alleged that Pakistan is trying to gain economic benefits from the Afghan conflict. From here they are trying to save their own interests.
Stanikzaire's statement made a dangerous allegation. He claimed that Pakistan has a manipulative role in Afghanistan. They have that proof too. He said, if we become rebellious against all this, no one can suppress us.
His statement can be interpreted as a threat. That is, Afghanistan is thinking of responding at their own appropriate time. They will look at Pakistan!
Taliban considers Pakistan's complaints about Afghanistan as inappropriate. Because they are trying to suppress the rise of Islamic State-Khorasan in their country. They are even expecting international support for their action against IS.
After the Taliban came to power, they claimed that IS-Khorasan would be eliminated within weeks. But the ideological opposition in their shadow has taken deep roots in the Afghan soil. It is time to think about how much it can be removed. More than sixteen diplomatic missions have started functioning in Kabul so far. IS wants to prove that the Taliban's claim of providing security to these missions is false. The IS attack on the Russian diplomatic mission is believed to be from that perspective.
On the other hand, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has made it difficult for the Taliban to gain support in the international arena. Their rise also means a growing situation for groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic Movement of East Turkmenistan, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. If the TTP is strong, they too will find solid ground under their feet. Which will become a cause of concern for China and Central-Asian countries.
The Taliban government has secured some commercial and economic cooperation agreements with various parts of Pakistan including China, Uzbekistan, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Iran. Some assets seized in the United States have also been recovered. But these resources can never be enough to run a state. Trade alone is not enough for the relationship of one government with another. Strong diplomatic ties are also essential.
In a statement to the United Nations General Assembly, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Afghanistan is returning to stability from chaos. He urged everyone to help the country in this difficult situation to boost the morale of the Taliban.
Similar demands have been raised from other neighboring countries including Russia. But the Taliban think that Pakistan has joined the United States at this critical juncture in Afghanistan. They are not staying with the Afghans. So they have less hope of getting help from the neighboring country.
Taliban government's bitterness towards Pakistan is also affecting bilateral relations. It is damaging the relationship between the two countries. It is also increasing differences among the factions of the Taliban.
Meanwhile, the international community and human rights organizations are closely monitoring the ongoing situation in Afghanistan. Women's education is an important issue for them. Again, many of the Taliban disagree with the senior leaders regarding the discrimination and deprivation of women in education. Deputy Foreign Minister Stanikzai is one of them. In a recent meeting, he criticized the senior leaders of the Taliban. According to him, depriving women of education and basic rights is against the teachings of Islam. Education is an equal right for men and women. All top religious leaders and Muslim Ummah of Afghanistan agree on this essential responsibility.
After his statement, there were rumors that he would be deposed. There have also been media reports that he may be relieved of his duties. But it will not be an easy task. Because he has massive support from Taliban fighters. That's why he remains in office even after making such a statement.
There is a common rift between the Taliban and Pakistan's security agencies. Neither side likes inclusiveness, nor can they control it. It has long been said that Pakistan should diversify its relations with the common people of Afghanistan. Involving the Taliban in everything can cause great damage later on. Rather, Islamabad needed to increase relations with ordinary Afghans.
When Afghan political leaders were invited to Pakistan for dialogue months before the Taliban took control of power, it created a chilling opportunity to improve Pakistan's relations with the general Taliban. The dialogue was organized to form an inclusive government in Afghanistan. But it was too late. Meanwhile, the bitterness between the Taliban and Pakistan has increased. Gradually they are leaning towards different poles.
Taliban leaders—especially Mullah Hibatullah Akhunzada and his close associates—have a similar mindset. They do not want to give up their rigid attitude in governance and political decisions. They prefer to be immersed in their own ideological delusions. Will not come out of it. They are also inflexible towards diverse political, social, ethnographic and religious views. They have to shoulder the responsibility of the sure failure.
Pakistan could not take home much by supporting the Taliban. They returned empty-handed from the Afghan crisis. They could not improve border security, eliminate terror networks, increase trade and connectivity with Central Asian countries. But those who make Afghan policy in Islamabad have given up hope; Not even that. They believe that the Taliban will eventually overcome the economic and humanitarian crisis. They will be Pakistan's greatest allies.
But such a claim is nothing but greed. And if the truth remains, there is a demand to bring it to the public in Pakistan.
