A senior Pakistani diplomat has issued a stark warning that another 9/11-style attack could emerge from Afghanistan, a country he claims the international community has largely abandoned.
“Afghanistan has almost been forgotten. There is no doubt about it,” said Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s special representative on Afghanistan, during a recent discussion at the Ambassadors’ Lounge. Durrani highlighted the lack of adequate humanitarian aid to the war-torn nation, noting that only one-third of last year’s commitments were fulfilled.
He emphasized that global priorities have shifted, particularly after the war in Ukraine and the ongoing crisis in Gaza. “Afghanistan is no longer in the news,” Durrani remarked. “It’s not on the front pages, the back pages, or even the inner pages.”
Durrani expressed concern that the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan could push the country back to the conditions that preceded the 9/11 attacks. He pointed out that 97 percent of the Afghan population now lives below the poverty line, with more than half of the population dependent on international aid.
“If the economic situation continues to deteriorate, people in Afghanistan may start leaving the country, with Pakistan as their most likely destination,” Durrani warned, urging the international community to recognize its responsibilities.
The diplomat also raised alarm about the growing presence of terrorist groups, including ISIS-Khorasan (ISKP), which he described as a significant threat to the region and beyond. “My worry is that ISKP is gaining ground inside Afghanistan,” Durrani said, citing their operations in Iran, Moscow, and Pakistan as evidence of the group’s expanding reach.
Reflecting on the Taliban’s three years in power, Durrani suggested that the group is gradually moving towards international acceptance, despite the immense challenges they face, including their lack of recognition by any country and the empty state of the national coffers when they assumed power.
“On balance, if you look at the past three years, the security situation in Afghanistan has improved, and there is less corruption, which is internationally acknowledged,” Durrani said. However, he criticized the Taliban’s strict enforcement of rules, particularly their ban on girls’ education, which has hindered their chances of gaining international legitimacy.
Durrani also commented on the deteriorating relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan under the Taliban regime, particularly regarding the Taliban’s refusal to neutralize the threat posed by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He noted that TTP attacks in Pakistan have increased by 70 percent since the Taliban took power.
“For Pakistan, peace in Afghanistan is welcome,” Durrani said. “But at the same time, our complaint is that their peace has become a problem for us because of the TTP.”
Despite the Taliban’s denials of TTP presence in Afghanistan, Durrani remained optimistic that diplomatic efforts could resolve the issue, expressing confidence in Pakistan’s ability to address the TTP threat despite the Taliban’s reluctance to act against terrorist sanctuaries. The Taliban, meanwhile, have offered to mediate peace talks between Pakistan and the TTP if requested.
