THE United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has recently released a damning report highlighting the troubling nexus between the Afghan Taliban and terrorist groups operating across the region, notably the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
This report paints a stark picture of the Afghan Taliban’s continued support for extremism and her failure to act as a responsible state actor.
Rather than prioritizing regional diplomacy, the Taliban seems to be focused on reinforcing and nurturing terrorist networks that threaten not only Afghanistan but also neighbouring countries like Pakistan.
One of the most alarming findings in the UNSC report is the Taliban’s ongoing support for Al-Qaeda and her failure to take effective action against ISIS in Afghanistan. Despite the Taliban’s initial promises of countering terrorism, they have allowed these terrorist organizations to thrive under her regime. For Pakistan, this poses an escalating security threat. The persistent denial of these issues by the Taliban, particularly their reluctance to address the presence of ISIS and Al-Qaeda militants on Afghan soil, only exacerbates tensions in the region.
Perhaps the most concerning revelation from the UNSC report is the direct link between the Afghan Taliban and the TTP. The TTP is responsible for numerous deadly attacks in Pakistan. Over the course of just six months, the TTP orchestrated 600 attacks within Pakistan. TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud is reportedly receiving significant financial support from the Taliban. Mehsud is allegedly receiving $43,000 per month from the Taliban, which significantly bolsters Pakistan’s longstanding concerns about the Taliban’s role in facilitating cross-border terrorism. Yet, despite the mounting evidence, the Taliban continues to deny any involvement or responsibility.
The Afghan Taliban’s refusal to address this issue is a direct challenge to regional stability. Pakistan, which has borne the brunt of the violence stemming from Afghan soil, has repeatedly called on the international community to recognize and act upon these threats. The report’s findings validate these concerns, as the Taliban’s lack of action allows groups like the TTP to operate with impunity, further destabilizing the region.
Moreover, the infiltration of ISIS militants into the Afghan Taliban’s ranks is a growing concern, amplifying fears of an increasingly volatile situation. The weak governance and absence of state control in Afghanistan have created fertile ground for extremism, which only exacerbates the security dilemma for Pakistan and her neighbours.
The UNSC’s warning about the rising threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan underscores the urgency of international intervention. With the Taliban’s continued support for terrorist groups, regional security is at risk of spiraling out of control. As Pakistan and other regional powers call for immediate action, the international community must not turn a blind eye to the growing threat. Failure to do so could jeopardize global peace and security, as the situation in Afghanistan becomes increasingly untenable. The time to act is now!
—The writer is an alumnus of QAU, MPhil scholar & a freelance columnist, based in Islamabad.
(fa7263125@gmail.com)
