#SanctionPakistan

US intelligence reports predict the imminent fall of the Afghan capital of Kabul to Taliban. Amid the ensuing chaos, Afghans are asking the world to #SanctionPakistan for openly aiding Taliban. But the world watches on. However, the rise of Taliban is a global risk that will trouble nations and societies badly.

Taliban offensive

Ever since the United States has begun withdrawing its forces from Afghanistan, Taliban has been on the rise. The Afghan forces are getting stretched beyond their capacity. Consequently, out of Afghanistan’s 34 provincial capitals, Taliban now holds sway over 9, including Zaranj, Sheberghan, Kunduz, Sar-e-Pul, etc. At the same time, large cities like Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, Herat, etc., are currently under Taliban attack and are struggling.

#SanctionPakistan

Amid all the chaos, Afghans are urging the international community, the United Nations, etc., to #SanctionPakistan for openly aiding Taliban. Recently, photographs of the passport of Taliban chief, Mullah Baradar, went viral on social media. Curiously, it showed he had a Pakistani passport. At the same time, Pakistan has fired artillery into Afghanistan to aid Taliban. They are providing them air support. Not only Taliban’s battle-hardened fighters but also child soldiers are being armed and trained by Pakistan. Several photos clearly proving the same have emerged. Women, children, the elderly, Taliban spares none when they take over towns but release jail mates so that their ranks can be augmented. However, despite the cries to ‘Sanction Pakistan’, the world continues to just look on as Taliban inches closer to power every day, in fact, every hour in Afghanistan.

Risk of Taliban

Taliban is ideologically opposed to Russia and Iran. Hence, despite the cordiality displayed by them in recent times, analysts believe that all countries of Central Asia, in addition to Iran and Russia, will face security challenges if Taliban comes to power. Taliban has smartly distanced itself from the Uyghur issue to win China’s support. Thus, Xinjiang or East Turkestan will continue to suffer Chinese atrocities contrary to the belief of many geopolitical experts. Europe and the United States may most certainly face waves of migrants from Afghanistan, putting their internal security and infrastructure under pressure. With drugs forming the backbone of Taliban income, societies and youth worldwide would be at heightened risk of falling prey to the contraband.

Afghanistan is reaching out to the world for support. If nations continue to maintain the so-called ‘strategic silence’ or ‘diplomatic neutrality’ without doing anything on ground to stop Taliban, the evil trio of Taliban-Pakistan-China is certain to trouble the world in several different ways.