ISLAMABAD: The spirit of the Doha Peace Agreement has been violated as Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, continues to serve as a safe haven for terrorist organizations, posing a serious threat to regional peace and stability.
Despite commitments under the 2020 Doha Peace Accord — in which the Taliban pledged that Afghan soil would not be used for terrorism or cross-border attacks — militant networks remain active and organized across Afghanistan.
Under the Taliban regime, groups such as Fitna Al Khawarij and other terrorist outfits are operating freely and in a coordinated manner. According to the latest report of the United Nations Monitoring Team, terrorist activity inside Afghanistan has increased to alarming levels, and the links between the Taliban government and Al-Qaeda not only persist but have grown stronger.
The report also noted that the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul was clear proof of the group’s continuing presence in Afghanistan. It further revealed that militants infiltrate Pakistan’s Balochistan province through routes in Zabul, Wardak, Kandahar, Paktia, and Helmand, using well-established terror sanctuaries inside Afghanistan.
The UN report disclosed that the leadership of Fitna Al Khawarij enjoys full refuge, resources, and financial support on Afghan soil. The Taliban regime allegedly provides USD 50,500 per month to the group’s leader, Noor Wali Mehsud, who also possesses advanced weaponry left behind by U.S. forces.
Evidence has also linked recent terrorist incidents — including the Jaffer Express blast and the Sibi Cantonment attack — to elements operating from Afghanistan.
According to data from the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), terrorist incidents in Pakistan have risen to a deeply concerning level in recent months.
It is increasingly evident that the Taliban administration has failed to honor its international commitments. Observers assert that it is now imperative for the global community to impose strict sanctions on the Taliban under the framework of the Doha Agreement to prevent Afghanistan from being used as a launchpad for terrorism.