Afghanistan has once again emerged as the epicentre of global and regional terrorist organizations, with extremist groups including the Kharijite faction and other militant outfits operating in a coordinated and organized manner under Taliban rule posing a grave threat to regional peace and stability.
Under the Doha Peace Agreement, the Afghan Taliban had pledged that Afghan soil would not be used for terrorism or cross-border attacks. However, ground realities have starkly contradicted these commitments.
According to the latest report of the United Nations Monitoring Team, terrorist activities in Afghanistan have reached alarming levels, while the relationship between the Taliban regime and Al-Qaeda remains not only intact but has deepened further. The report revealed that the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul serves as undeniable evidence that the group continues to operate from Afghan territory. It further disclosed that terrorists infiltrate Pakistan’s Balochistan province through routes originating in Zabul, Wardak, Kandahar, Paktia, and Helmand.
The report stated that the leadership of the Kharijite faction enjoys full sanctuary, resources, and financial support on Afghan soil. It added that Taliban authorities provide Noor Wali Mehsud with a monthly stipend of USD 50,500, while various terrorist groups remain in possession of advanced weaponry left behind by U.S. forces.
The report also confirmed that these very elements were involved in attacks such as the Jaffer Express bombing and the Zhob Cantonment assault, with irrefutable evidence linking them to these incidents.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) has reported a concerning surge in terrorist incidents across Pakistan in recent months, indicating a clear spillover of militancy from Afghanistan. These developments underscore that the Doha Peace Agreement has effectively become a paper promise. It is now imperative for the international community to hold the Afghan Taliban accountable within the framework of the agreement and impose stringent measures to ensure regional peace, stability, and Pakistan’s security.
