KABUL: Afghanistan, under Taliban control, has once again become a safe haven for terrorist organizations, undermining the very spirit of the Doha Peace Agreement.
Despite the Taliban’s commitment in the accord not to allow Afghan soil to be used for terrorism or cross-border attacks, militant groups continue to operate freely across the country. These safe havens are reportedly being used against Pakistan on a regular basis.
According to a recent UN Monitoring Team report, terrorist activities in Afghanistan have surged to alarming levels. The report confirms that ties between the Taliban government and al-Qaeda not only persist but have grown stronger. The killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul further proves that the group remains active inside Afghanistan.
The report adds that terrorists from these camps infiltrate Pakistan through routes in Zabul, Wardak, Kandahar, Paktia, and Helmand. It also highlights that the extremist group “Fitna al-Khawarij” enjoys full protection, resources, and financial support within Afghanistan.
UN findings reveal that the Taliban government provides $50,500 per month to the group’s leader, Noor Wali Mehsud, who also possesses advanced weapons left behind by U.S. forces.
Evidence has also linked Afghanistan-based militants to recent terrorist attacks, including the Jaffar Express bombing and the Sibi Cantonment assault.
Data from the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies indicates a sharp rise in terrorist incidents within Pakistan, further underscoring the growing regional threat.
Analysts stress that the time has come for the international community to impose strict measures on the Taliban regime under the framework of the Doha Agreement to prevent Afghanistan from continuing as a hub of global terrorism.
On October 19, Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire during talks mediated by Qatar and Turkiye, following a week of intense and deadly clashes along their disputed border. Doha had officially announced that both countries would hold follow-up meetings in the coming days to ensure the continuity of the ceasefire and verify its implementation in a credible and lasting manner.
However, a week later, delegations from Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban met again in Turkiye and agreed to extend the ceasefire for at least another week after a series of discussions that initially reached a deadlock due to the Taliban’s resistance to Pakistan’s legitimate demands. Both mediators, Qatar and Turkiye, acknowledged Pakistan’s concerns that Afghan soil must not be used against it and that the Afghan Taliban must stop sheltering terrorists. Despite attempts by the Taliban to derail the negotiations, the mediators urged Pakistan to give the Afghan delegation another chance.
On October 30, Afghanistan and Pakistan once again agreed to extend the ceasefire for at least another week during talks in Turkiye. Another round of high-level discussions between the two sides is scheduled for November 6 to finalize the mechanism for implementing the ceasefire.
