Islamabad: After the Taliban took control of Kabul, the eyes of the world are fixed on the relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan. There is also religious, cultural, and ethnic affiliation between the two countries. Even former Afghan President Hamid Karzai described the two countries as “two brothers who never parted”. However, after the control of the Taliban, there has been a new twist in Afghan-Pak relations. It was being said in some reports that without the support of Pakistan, the Taliban might not have reached Kabul. Also, there are reports that Pakistan’s army has also helped the Taliban in the attack on Panjshir. Now a look at the relationship between the two nations-
Pakistan’s support to Taliban
Many experts have said that Pakistan’s ISI is supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan. From the beginning of the Mujahideen against the Soviets in 1980, Pakistan stood with the US in support of the Afghan Mujahideen. After the victory against Soviet forces, the Taliban emerged as the most powerful military group in Afghanistan and ruled the country for a short time. When the US targeted the Taliban after the 9/11 attacks, Pakistan became a haven for the rebel group’s fighters. The old Afghan government has alleged that the Taliban used to get financial and military help from Pakistan.
The international community does not see Pakistan as a strong ally against jihadi terrorism. Many countries, including India and the US, have long been accusing Pakistan of providing aid to the Taliban and terrorist organizations, while some deny this. Having supported the Taliban for two decades, Pakistan has become one of the few countries that have formally recognized their government.
After the capture of Kabul on August 15, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the group was “breaking the shackles of slavery.” Islamabad also sees Afghanistan as its strategy against India. That is why he is ready to adopt a new government in Kabul.
Pakistani soldiers fighting with Taliban?
Even though Pakistan denies supporting the Taliban, the strings of Taliban fighters’ deaths in Panjshir are linked to Islamabad. According to a report in Times Now, Pakistani soldiers were also fighting with the Taliban to capture the Panjshir Valley. An ID card has been recovered from the Pakistani soldier killed in the retaliatory attack by Panjshir, which gives evidence of cooperation. The ID card was allegedly in the name of Pakistani national Mohammad Wasim. A day earlier, the Pentagon claimed that they had no evidence to verify that Pakistanis were fighting with the Taliban.
Is Pakistan also afraid of the Taliban?
The arrival of the Taliban in Afghanistan is not entirely good news for Pakistan. Due to Tehreek-e-Taliban, some factions in Pakistan have opposed the government. Some in the Pakistan government believe that the rise of the Taliban and any wrong move can strengthen the TTP. According to a report in The Indian Express, TTV has proved to be dangerous even against Pakistan, as its main objectives include ‘enforcement of Sharia law’, fighting US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and conducting jihad against Pakistani forces.
Pakistan’s deteriorating relations with the West
In the last few years, Pakistan’s relations have deteriorated, especially with Western countries including America. President Joe Biden had also refused to talk to Pakistan PM Khan on the phone after taking over the top post. According to the BBC report, former US security adviser Lt Gen HR McMaster had said that if Pakistan did not stop supporting jihadist groups, it should be considered a ‘Paraiah State’. Parayah refers to a country that is seen as isolated in the international community.
He reportedly said, “We have to stop pretending that Pakistan is a partner.” Behaving towards the state.
