Durrani: Taliban Isolation Could Trigger Regime Change in Afghanistan

DID Press: Pakistan’s former special envoy for Afghanistan warned that the Taliban’s continued international isolation could push the country toward a shift in its power structure and potentially widespread instability.

Asif Durrani, a veteran Pakistani diplomat and former special representative on Afghanistan, wrote in a recent commentary that the interim Taliban government—due to its rigid policies and inability to properly govern—has placed Afghanistan on a trajectory that may lead to systemic change. According to Durrani, such a path could have dangerous consequences for the country and the wider region.

Durrani argued that the Taliban have not only failed to establish effective governing institutions but have also isolated themselves internationally because of their restrictive policies.

He stressed that this isolation has severely weakened the government’s capacity to manage domestic affairs and respond to mounting security and economic challenges.

The former diplomat added that United Nations and international reports indicate a rise in the activity of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, and that the Taliban have been unable to contain them.

He warned that if current trends continue, the power structure in Kabul could face serious strain, potentially paving the way for regime change.

Durrani also cautioned regional countries against repeating past mistakes by engaging in attempts to alter Afghanistan’s government, saying any foreign interference would only further complicate the crisis.

He urged Islamabad to draw lessons from its costly past experiences and adopt a cautious policy toward Kabul, prioritizing regional stability.