A Pakistani diplomat handling Afghanistan’s diplomacy has raised concerns, warning that another 9/11-style attack could originate from the war-torn country of Afghanistan, which he says the world has largely forgotten about.

The diplomat stated that after the Ukraine war and the ongoing Palestinian conflict, the priorities of the international community have shifted, and Afghanistan is no longer making headlines, not even in the inner pages of news outlets, The Express Tribune reported.

He revealed that 97% of the current Afghan population is living below the poverty line, which is a concerning statistic. The diplomat also warned about the presence of various terrorist groups, including Daesh Khorasan, which pose a major challenge for the region and beyond.

“Afghanistan has almost been forgotten. There is no doubt about it and this was in fact highlighted during the Doha 3 session in June. Humanitarian assistance is not up to the mark. Even last year only one-third of the commitments were fulfilled,” Pakistan’s special representative on Afghanistan Ambassador Asif Durrani during a talk at the Ambassadors’ Lounge added.

The diplomat criticized the Taliban’s actions, stating that while they may suit the Afghan conditions, they do not align with Islamic principles, which the Taliban claim to have implemented.

The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has deteriorated under the Taliban regime, as the Taliban have refused to take action against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) threat. The diplomat said that while Pakistan welcomes peace in Afghanistan, the TTP attacks have increased by 70% in Pakistan, which has become a problem for the country.

When asked about Pakistan’s options to deal with the TTP issue, the diplomat expressed confidence in diplomatic efforts, stating that Pakistan is determined to resolve the TTP issue despite the Taliban’s reluctance to take action against terrorist sanctuaries.

“We should not forget that they are faced with tremendous challenges. Number 1, they are not recognised by any country, secondly, when they came to power, their coffers were empty, thirdly, they were not expecting of a meltdown of Ashraf Ghani government,” he said.

“My worry is that ISKP is gaining ground inside Afghanistan and that should be a source of concern for everyone in the region and beyond because of their actions in Iran, their actions in Moscow and also many operations inside Pakistan. If that can happen here it can happen elsewhere.”

Read more

UN report: Afghan Taliban increasingly support anti-Pakistan TTP terrorists

Factbox: Who are the banned TTP?

Afghan Taliban urged to eliminate terrorist groups based in Afghanistan

“On the balance, if you look at it during the past 3 years, I think the security situation in Afghanistan has improved, there is less corruption, which is internationally acknowledged,” he further said.

Recently, the Taliban celebrated the 3rd anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan with a military parade in Bagram, the former US airbase. The parade featured Soviet-era tanks, fighter jets, and goose-stepping security forces. Security has been a priority for the Taliban, as they have consolidated their power over the past 3 years by implementing laws based on their strict interpretation of Islam. However, many Afghans feel that the Taliban’s vision of security does not match their reality.