SINCE returning to power in August 2021, the Afghan Taliban regime has consistently failed to honour the commitments it made to the international community, particularly to the United States, under the Doha Agreement of February 29, 2020. Their promise not to allow Afghan soil to be used against other states, especially neighbouring countries, has been blatantly violated. Instead of promoting peace and stability, the Taliban regime has become a source of renewed militancy and cross-border terrorism, particularly targeting Pakistan. Over the past three years, Pakistan has witnessed a sharp resurgence of terrorism originating from Afghanistan. TTP (FAK) has intensified attacks with active support and sanctuary provided by the Afghan Taliban regime. This has directly contributed to worsening Pakistan–Afghanistan relations and led to several deadly border clashes, most notably in October 2025.
Despite multiple rounds of talks in Doha and Istanbul, no meaningful progress has been made toward resolving these core security concerns. The stalemate is largely due to Kabul’s rigid stance and continued patronage of the TTP. The Taliban regime refuses to guarantee that Afghan territory will not be used against Pakistan or to act against TTP militants residing in Afghanistan. This position constitutes a grave violation of international norms and an outright breach of the 2020 peace accord with the United States. Pakistan’s primary concern is the Taliban regime’s continued support and shelter for terrorist groups such as TTP and BLA. These groups have used Afghan soil to plan and execute attacks inside Pakistan, killing security personnel and civilians alike. Both the Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA) and the TTP operate as ideological twins, sharing resources, ideology and manpower.
Instead of addressing Pakistan’s concerns, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has repeatedly dismissed the issue, claiming that terrorism in Pakistan is its “internal matter.” Such statements ignore the undeniable evidence that militants use Afghanistan as a base for cross-border terrorism. If the Taliban regime were to withdraw its support for these terrorist networks, it would not only help end militancy in Pakistan but also pave the way for improved bilateral relations. Two recent attacks: (a) Wana Cadet College and (b) Islamabad District Courts have dramatically escalated tensions between the two countries. These attacks demonstrated that militants, operating with Afghan backing, could strike even in high-security zones and Pakistani capital.
Despite written and verbal commitments to prevent the use of Afghan soil against other countries, the Taliban regime has repeatedly reneged on its word. The Doha Agreement and subsequent trilateral understandings with Pakistan and the UAE have been rendered meaningless. The Taliban have benefited from international concessions and financial assistance but have failed to uphold their obligations in return. The first part of the 2020 Doha Agreement required the Taliban to begin intra-Afghan negotiations and to ensure that released prisoners would not return to militancy. Yet, soon after the release of 5,000 prisoners, most rejoined the fighting. Instead of pursuing dialogue with broader Afghan groups, Afghan Taliban captured Kabul by force.
Since returning to power, “Taliban 2.0” have reverted to their old exclusionary and repressive governance style; banning girls’ education, restricting women’s work and marginalizing non-Pashtun ethnic groups: Tajiks, Uzbeks, Hazaras and Baloch. The Kandahar Shura, which provides ideological direction, is composed entirely of Pashtuns. Besides, Taliban’s failure to cut ties with terrorist organizations is well documented. In August 2022, Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in Kabul, confirming that Al-Qaeda leadership was being sheltered in Afghanistan. The 35th UN Monitoring Report (February 2025) revealed that Saif al-Adl is reorganizing Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. The 36th UN Report (2025) confirmed that the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) provided guest houses, travel permits and immunity to TTP leaders in Kabul. The 66th SIGAR Report (January 2025) estimated 6,000–6,500 TTP fighters and 12 Al-Qaeda leaders present in Afghanistan. The 68th SIGAR Report (July 2025) noted Taliban-provided safe havens for ISIS-K, Al-Qaeda and TTP operatives. These findings expose the Taliban regime’s duplicity in claiming to combat terrorism while actively harbouring and facilitating extremist groups.
A trilateral agreement signed in 2024 among Pakistan, the UAE and the Taliban regime required relocation of TTP militants away from border areas. Although the Taliban received funds from the UAE for this purpose, only a small number were moved, without oversight or accountability. Many of them re-engaged in terrorism soon after. Meanwhile, the Taliban regime continues to receive around USD 80 million per month from the United States, along with substantial humanitarian funding from UN agencies. However, these funds have brought no improvement in governance or peace. Reports suggest that part of this assistance is being diverted to TTP and other militant groups under the guise of refugee support.
Since the Taliban’s return to power, Pakistan has made extensive diplomatic efforts to persuade Kabul to stop supporting the TTP and BLA. However, continued defiance from the Taliban regime leaves few options. It is now imperative for Pakistan to mobilize the international community and the Muslim world to hold the Taliban accountable for their broken promises and active promotion of terrorism. The Afghan Taliban regime must be pressured and penalized for its sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. Its actions represent not only a violation of international law but a direct threat to regional and global peace. Unless the world takes collective action, the Taliban’s broken promises will continue to fuel instability across South and Central Asia besides Pakistan.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
