Author: International Crisis Group
Organization/Publisher: International Crisis Group
Date/Place: June 30, 2021/ Brussels, Belgium
Type of Literature: Report
Number of Pages: 20
Keywords: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Taliban, Civil war
Brief:
Since the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan, Pakistan has played a key role to safeguard capitalistic goals of the United States in the region. Being a frontline ally of Washington DC, Islamabad used its territorial and sociocultural influence in Kabul to achieve geopolitical objectives. After the Soviet Union’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989, Pakistan backed the new insurgent group, the Taliban, in its goal to set up a shariah-based government in Kabul in 1996. Most of the Taliban leadership either trained or studied in Pakistan during the Cold War, therefore the religious intelligentsia of Pakistan had some influence on the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan. Furthermore, Islamabad has also utilized this influential capability to bring the Taliban to the table during different peace dialogues in Qatar. Moreover, with the announcement made by President Joe Biden regarding the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, the dynamics on the ground have been transformed radically. Now, the Taliban is rapidly expanding its control in Afghanistan in all directions, surrounding the key urban centers from the peripheries. Meanwhile, Pakistan has also lost its pressure-building capability over the Taliban due to the precipitous withdrawal of NATO and US forces. Being located at a strategic position and considering the decades-long baggage of the past, Islamabad has taken a neutral stance while assessing the volatile circumstances in Afghanistan. Pakistan has ensured its political support to the political setup in Kabul formed by the will of the Afghan nation—whether it’s the Taliban, Ghani regime or a coalition.
By: Muhammad Taimoor Bin Tanveer, CIGA Senior Research Associate
