Taliban’s Primitive Approach To Governance – OpEd

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Afghanistan stands at a crossroads. Under the current Taliban regime, the country has regressed into a governance model based on outdated and rigid interpretations of Islamic law that fail to meet the needs of its people, particularly its youth, women, and minority communities. The Taliban’s refusal to adapt to the changing dynamics of the 21st century has pushed Afghanistan further into isolation, exacerbating regional tensions and global insecurity. The regime’s authoritarian and exclusionary policies, marked by repression and intolerance, have led to profound suffering among ordinary Afghans and compounded the challenges of rebuilding a war-torn nation. 

One of the most glaring issues with the Taliban’s governance is its refusal to engage constructively with neighboring countries and the broader international community. Diplomatic isolation has isolated Afghanistan, leaving it vulnerable to exploitation by hostile actors and regional instability. Rather than embracing dialogue and cooperation, the Taliban has only deepened its ties with extremist groups, fueling instability that ripples across South Asia and beyond. Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, has become a sanctuary for organizations like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terrorist factions. These groups thrive under the regime’s indifference to the broader threats of radicalization and terrorism, undermining regional security and contributing to global extremism.

However, it is not just terrorism that plagues the nation. The Taliban’s treatment of women represents a particularly dark chapter in the country’s post-conflict history. Women in Afghanistan have been systematically denied the most basic rights and freedoms, including education, employment, and freedom of movement. The regime’s severe restrictions on women not only violate fundamental human rights but also hinder the social and economic development of the nation. By excluding women from the workforce and education, the Taliban is depriving Afghanistan of half its human capital, stifling the potential for progress and undermining the aspirations of a generation yearning for change.

International aid, much of it provided by U.S. taxpayers, has also been misused by the Taliban regime. Reports indicate that funds intended for humanitarian relief have been diverted to bolster extremist networks and strengthen the Taliban’s grip on power. Instead of alleviating the suffering of the Afghan people, this aid has inadvertently sustained the very forces that are driving Afghanistan into a state of perpetual crisis. The failure of the Taliban to manage aid effectively has deepened the economic collapse and humanitarian disaster that grips the country, leaving millions in poverty and despair.

What is perhaps most disturbing, however, is the Taliban’s utter disregard for pluralism and inclusivity in governance. The regime has marginalized ethnic and religious minorities, stoking resentment and fueling potential conflict. Under Taliban rule, the rights of Hazara Shiites, Tajiks, Uzbeks, and other groups have been trampled in the pursuit of a mono-ethnic, rigidly conservative state. This rejection of diversity is not only a moral failing but a strategic blunder that threatens the unity and stability of Afghanistan.

The path ahead for Afghanistan remains bleak, yet there is hope—if the global community takes immediate and deliberate action. There is a growing momentum within the Middle East, led by reformist factions, to champion liberalization and modernization. These actors, aware of the importance of gender equality, technological advancement, and inclusive governance, have expressed their belief that a more moderate and inclusive approach in Afghanistan is not only possible but necessary for regional stability. The message is clear: if the Middle East, with its own tumultuous history of reform, can champion progressive values in its societies, so too should Afghanistan be encouraged to pursue a more inclusive and modern future.

The world cannot afford to ignore the current trajectory of the Taliban regime. Afghanistan’s isolation and its descent into lawlessness and economic collapse pose a direct threat to regional security and global peace. The international community must prioritize engagement with both the Afghan people and moderate factions within the Taliban who seek to pursue reforms. Without such efforts, the Taliban will continue to govern through fear and repression, perpetuating instability and stifling the dreams of millions who long for peace, prosperity, and a more inclusive future.

It is time for the world to act, to push for the reforms that the Afghan people so desperately need, and to stand in solidarity with those who seek a brighter future for Afghanistan. Global engagement, targeted diplomacy, and robust support for moderates can still chart a course toward peace and progress. But without such intervention, Afghanistan’s painful slide into extremism and isolation will only continue, with devastating consequences for the region and the world

Haris Gul

Haris Gul is a student of BS International Relations at University of AJK.

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