Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, has issued a stark warning that the international community is neglecting Afghanistan, which could lead to a dire humanitarian crisis and force many Afghans to flee the country in search of refuge in neighboring Pakistan.

Durrani highlighted that global attention has shifted away from Afghanistan due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Israel’s attacks on Palestine, causing Afghanistan’s plight to be largely ignored on the world stage. He emphasized that the limited media coverage and inadequate humanitarian aid are pushing Afghanistan towards a precarious state reminiscent of the pre-9/11 era.

“Afghanistan has nearly been forgotten. Humanitarian aid is inadequate. Only one-third of the commitments were fulfilled last year,” Durrani remarked, underscoring the urgent need for international support.

Despite these challenges, Durrani expressed optimism regarding the progress made by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan toward gaining international recognition. He noted that although the country started with “empty coffers” following the unexpected collapse of the Ashraf Ghani government, there have been notable improvements over the past three years, including an improved security situation and reduced corruption, which has been acknowledged internationally.

However, Durrani also pointed out that the relative peace in Afghanistan has coincided with an increase in security concerns for Pakistan. He reported that attacks by the Tehrik-i Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Pakistan have risen by 70% over the past three years.

Addressing long-standing accusations that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan allows the TTP to operate from its territory, Durrani emphasized the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts in tackling the issue and expressed confidence that it would be resolved through continued dialogue.

Durrani’s comments highlight the growing concern that Afghanistan’s deteriorating economic and humanitarian situation could lead to increased instability, both within the country and in the broader region, if the international community does not renew its focus on the war-torn nation. (ILKHA)