Former Afghan Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali has warned that Afghanistan under Taliban rule is no longer an internal matter but is increasingly emerging as a serious threat to regional stability and global security.
Speaking at a session held in the British Parliament, Jalali expressed deep concern over the direction of governance and societal restructuring in Afghanistan under the Taliban administration. He stated that the ongoing developments within the country have far-reaching implications beyond its borders, particularly for neighbouring regions and the wider international community.
Jalali highlighted the rapid expansion of approximately 23,000 religious schools under Taliban rule, warning that this shift is effectively replacing Afghanistan’s existing education system with what he described as an ideological framework. According to him, this system is systematically eliminating modern education pathways, restricting access to schooling for girls, and shaping a generation raised in an isolated environment vulnerable to extremist influences.
He further stressed that the continued deprivation of educational opportunities, particularly for women and girls, risks long-term social and economic consequences, not only for Afghanistan but for regional stability as a whole.
The former Afghan Interior Minister also asserted that five years of international engagement with the Taliban has failed to produce meaningful or constructive change. He cautioned that the consequences of this prolonged engagement strategy are likely to be felt across the region, warning that neighbouring countries will not remain insulated from its impact.
Jalali urged policymakers and the international community to reassess their current approach, emphasizing the need for a more effective and principled strategy that addresses both governance and security challenges in Afghanistan.
He concluded by reiterating that the situation in Afghanistan represents a broader geopolitical concern, and that continued neglect or ineffective engagement could further deepen instability in the region.
