Pakistan’s former envoy for Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, has warned that the Taliban’s alleged harbouring of terrorist groups poses serious risks to regional stability and could, in his view, lead to consequences comparable to the 9/11 attacks.
In a detailed note published on Saturday, 4 July, Durrani stated that the Afghan Taliban should recognise its lack of international legitimacy and address growing concerns regarding the presence of multiple armed terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.
He alleged that the Taliban is providing shelter to several organisations, including the Pakistani Taliban, Islamic State (ISIS), and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). These claims have not been independently verified.
Durrani further expressed concern over alleged external financial support for certain terrorist groups, claiming that reported backing from India to the Pakistani Taliban and the Baloch Liberation Army was “alarming” and risked escalating regional tensions. He warned that continued reliance on proxy networks by regional actors could have unintended and destabilising consequences.
“The use of violent proxies has historically shown that such forces eventually turn against those who support or harbour them,” he noted, cautioning both the Taliban authorities and New Delhi against policies that could further destabilise the region.
In a separate interview with Afghanistan International on Friday, Durrani also stated that Pakistani military strikes inside Afghanistan would continue if cross-border attacks by Pakistani Taliban terrorists persisted. He maintained that tensions between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban would remain unresolved unless terrorist threats originating from Afghan soil were effectively eliminated.
Durrani’s reference to a possible “repeat of 9/11” underscores concerns tied to one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in modern history. On 11 September 2001, members of al-Qaeda hijacked four passenger aircraft, two of which struck the World Trade Center in New York, killing nearly 3,000 people and injuring thousands more. The attacks led to the collapse of the Taliban’s first government and triggered a prolonged international military intervention in Afghanistan.
The former envoy’s remarks come amid continuing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over cross-border terrorism and counterterrorism operations. His statements reflect growing regional anxieties over the evolving security landscape and the long-term implications of terrorist safe havens.
No official response from the Taliban authorities or the Government of India was immediately available regarding Durrani’s claims.
