ON 15 August, the Afghan Taliban celebrated their third year in power, following the departure of US and allied forces from Kabul. To gain recognition from the international community, the Taliban government was required to meet three main conditions: forming an inclusive government, preventing the use of their territory for terrorist activities, and promoting women’s empowerment and girls’ education. Despite lacking official recognition, the Taliban have engaged with international organizations, notably through their recent participation in the Doha talks. It is essential to assess the impact of their governance on Afghanistan, particularly in terms of enhancing living standards and the welfare of the population. These critical issues warrant examination in this opinion piece.
The initial Afghan Taliban administration assumed power in 1996 and was recognized for its strict governance. Although they maintained control over most of the country, approximately 15 to 20% remained under the authority of opposition forces. The subsequent Afghan government, which governed for two decades following 9/11, was unable to effect substantial improvements. While it purported to be a republic or adhere to democratic principles, it did not fully embody democratic values. Presidents Karzai and Ashraf Ghani did not emerge as authentic grassroots politicians or leaders. The withdrawal of American forces resulted in significant upheaval. The fundamental question that arises is whether the Taliban have undergone a transformation that will foster peace and stability within their borders and in their relationships with neighbouring countries.
After three years of Taliban rule, the group has achieved notable diplomatic successes, especially through their involvement in the Doha talks, indicating growing acceptance by the international community. Despite these advancements, the Taliban faces significant challenges. Firstly, they lack recognition from any nation. Secondly, when they took power, they found themselves with nearly empty coffers and lacking substantial financial resources. Additionally, the unexpected collapse of the Ashraf Ghani government and the bloodless capture of Kabul took the group by surprise, indicating a relatively peaceful transition of power in Afghanistan. But did it actually help Afghanistan or improve the security situation in Afghanistan?
Over the past three years, there has been an overall improvement in Afghanistan’s security situation, internationally recognized due to reduced corruption and improved security measures. However, the Taliban’s implementation of certain regulations, while in line with their preferences, departs from the Islamic principles they claim to uphold. Despite some security improvements, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is still very concerning. Approximately 23.7 million people in Afghanistan need humanitarian aid, including 6.3 million internally displaced individuals. Only 25% of the required funds for the 2024 humanitarian appeal have been secured, leading to the closure of 52% of mobile health teams. This raises the critical question of whether Afghanistan is being forgotten, with worries about global neglect. Last year, only a third of commitments were fulfilled, and with only 25% of the 2024 funding secured, the situation remains extremely dire. With 52% of the population relying on humanitarian aid, the international community needs to fulfill its obligations. If economic conditions continue to worsen, Afghanistan could regress to conditions reminiscent of the circumstances leading to the events of 9/11.
The Taliban rule is characterized by both positives and negatives, as they continue to face daunting challenges. The first challenge is how to make their government inclusive. They are yet unable to give everyone their due share in politics. Their internal political rivals continue to exist. The second challenge is how to control terrorism. For Pakistan, the pursuit of peace in Afghanistan is seen as a positive development. Pakistan has communicated this sentiment to the Taliban regime. However, Pakistan is deeply concerned that their peace efforts have led to an increase in TTP attacks, with a rise of almost 70% in Pakistan since their Kabul takeover. While Pakistan welcomes their peaceful emergence, the Taliban needs to take measured steps to ensure regional stability by controlling terrorist activities from its soil. The situation in Afghanistan presents significant challenges regarding women’s rights, especially their right to education and employment under Taliban rule. Girls from grades 6-12 are still unable to attend school. It is uncertain how the Taliban will address this issue and manage various sectors such as health without female doctors and support teams. They require female doctors to treat women, but at the same time, they do not support girls seeking education.
The UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, has described the current situation as a systematic form of discrimination, segregation, disrespect for human dignity, and the exclusion of women and girls. Maybe his assessment was the major reason behind why the Taliban barred United Nations-appointed Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett from entering Afghanistan, accusing the human rights watchdog of “spreading propaganda”. Since women have been effectively excluded from public life, the Afghan Taliban must understand the seriousness of their actions. It’s important to assess how the Taliban is addressing these concerns. Are they willing to adapt and address the criticisms or are they continuing to lead without paying attention to major issues such as inclusive governance, terrorism, and women’s rights?
—The writer is Assistant Professor at Dept of Government and Public Policy, NUST, Islamabad.
