Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori
Talibanization in tandem with terrorism is a real threat for the world. The US and NATO forces came to Afghanistan to eliminate Al-Qaeda and strengthen democracy as an alternative to Talibanization. After 11 years of war, expending $ 600 billion, with a toll of over 2000 Americans killed and 18,000 wounded, the prime danger still lurks, even if weakened—Taliban, Americans, terrorism & drug trade, Business Recorder, June 25, 2021
The history of Taliban begins in the early 1990s when a group of students and commanders, emerging from the devastation of the Afghan civil war and nurtured by harsh madrassa environments across the Pakistan and Afghanistan border, forged a militant movement that claimed to offer order, justice and stability, yet from its origin relied on rigid interpretations of religion and coercive enforcement that soon became a symbol of their rule.
The rise of Taliban in its first phase culminated in the 1996 capture of Kabul, but their second return to power in 2021 followed a dramatically different pathway, rooted in the Doha Agreement signed between the United States and the Taliban, under which the withdrawal of foreign forces proceeded in exchange for Taliban commitments on counterterrorism and political dialogue, commitments that the group involved selectively and ultimately used to position itself for a full military takeover.
The departure of President Ashraf Ghani on August 15, 2021, created a sudden vacuum that allowed Taliban forces to march into Kabul unopposed, not through a negotiated power sharing arrangement but through the collapse of the Afghan Republic’s security structure, leaving the nation shocked and the world confronting the return of a regime whose behavior had long been associated with repression, brutality and global security risks.
The takeover of Afghanistan by Taliban has been accompanied by a series of steps that have alienated nearly every major international actor, as their governance structure excluded all political rivals, reinstated harsh restrictions on civil liberties and systematically dismantled institutions designed to uphold human rights, particularly in relation to women and girls.
The international community has repeatedly expressed deep concern over the Taliban’s rigid stance on girls’ education, as schools and universities for females have been closed or severely restricted, preventing an entire generation from accessing learning opportunities and cementing Afghanistan as the only country in the world where girls are officially barred from secondary and higher education.
Taliban’s approach to human rights has been obvious through public flogging, arbitrary detentions, suppression of media, retaliation against former government employees and the reestablishment of a moral police force, all of which reflect a worldview unwilling to align with universally recognized human rights norms and obligations.
The group’s long-standing ties to terrorist organizations including Al-Qaeda, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and various regional extremist networks have contributed to growing evidence that Afghanistan is again becoming a hub for terrorism, as documented by multiple UN reports that highlight the consolidation of militant sanctuaries and training facilities on Afghan territory.
The recent findings of global monitoring bodies warn that under Taliban rule Afghanistan’s illicit economy, particularly drug trafficking and cross-border smuggling, has remained resilient despite periodic announcements of bans, with narcotics trade networks adapting, diversifying and continuing to funnel resources to extremist elements, thereby sustaining a parallel economy of violence and instability.
The neighbouring countries have begun to feel the intensifying impact of this terrorism export, as militants reassured by sanctuary in Afghanistan have expanded operational footprints in Pakistan, Central Asia and even attempted cross continental radicalization, demonstrating that the country’s internal governance under the Taliban is generating severe external security threats.
The government of Pakistan has repeatedly protested to the Taliban leadership in Kabul regarding escalating attacks launched from Afghan soil by the TTP, whose fighters enjoy a permissive environment and logistical space within Afghanistan, yet despite diplomatic engagement, intelligence sharing and high level warnings, Kabul has largely dismissed the concerns and offered minimal cooperation in curbing anti-Pakistan terror networks.
The security situation in Pakistan’s border regions has deteriorated significantly, with targeted killings, ambushes and suicide attacks rising, and evidence consistently suggesting that the operational planning, training and movement of militants involve support structures inside Afghanistan that the Taliban authorities show little willingness to dismantle.
The situation is not confined to Pakistan, as Tajikistan has faced infiltration attempts, recruitment campaigns and cross-border militant movement linked to Afghan based extremist factions, leaving Central Asian governments apprehensive about the Taliban’s inability or unwillingness to control groups that threaten the stability of the broader region.
The mindset of the Taliban leadership appears shaped by ideological rigidity, a desire for absolute authority, suspicion of pluralism and a narrative that portrays external criticism as interference, which together foster an environment where the leadership sees no incentive to reform and no obligation to respond to either domestic demands or global expectations.
The tragic Washington shooting, in which an Afghan citizen opened fire on security personnel, has reignited global debate about radicalization, extremist influences and the potential export of violence linked directly or indirectly to the permissive environment now prevailing under Taliban rule, highlighting how the reverberations of Afghanistan’s internal dynamics can reach distant shores.
The lives of innocent security guards lost in the Washington attack serve as a painful reminder of the frontline sacrifices made by individuals whose only duty was to protect public spaces and ensure safety for ordinary citizens, and their courage deserves recognition as an embodiment of the quiet heroism that underpins secure societies.
The response of the United States to the Washington incident has included launching a federal terrorism investigation, deploying additional security resources in key areas, adjusting immigration and vetting processes, and enhancing intelligence coordination to ensure that potential threats linked to foreign radicalization or extremist affiliations are swiftly detected and neutralized.
The legitimacy of the Taliban government remains an open question, as no major country has recognized the regime, not merely because of procedural irregularities in their accession to power but because of their consistent violations of international norms and their refusal to uphold commitments that are essential for any responsible state actor.
The world’s continued reliance on “non-recognition” as the sole measure of pressure risks becoming counterproductive, for while Taliban remain unrecognized, they operate without accountability, consolidate their internal grip, expand their ideological agenda and continue to export instability to neighboring countries that are already paying a high price for Afghanistan’s unchecked militant networks.
The record of Taliban restrictions on girls’ education, bans on women’s work, closures of schools and universities, suppression of civil liberties and elimination of institutional oversight mechanisms shows a governance model designed not to serve the population but to enforce the ideological preferences of a small ruling core.
The unimpeded power structure in Kabul means the Taliban see themselves as answerable to no one, neither their citizens nor the international community which ensures that their policies remain insulated from criticism and that radical elements find a safe environment to operate, recruit and propagate their violent narratives.
The neighbouring countries have become the immediate victims of terrorism originating from Afghan soil, but if the present line continues, the world will eventually face consequences reminiscent of the 1990s, when extremist groups thriving under Taliban protection expanded their reach and ultimately executed the 9/11 attacks that claimed thousands of innocent lives.
The international community must therefore understand that disengagement is not a sustainable strategy, because leaving Afghanistan entirely in the hands of an unaccountable and extremist regime allows threats to incubate until they become global, forcing far costlier interventions later.
The way forward lies in building a coordinated international approach that engages the Taliban with a combination of pressure, incentives and accountability, compelling them to accept monitoring mechanisms, human rights commitments and counterterrorism obligations, simultaneously creating political space for democratic actors who can eventually lead the country toward credible elections.
The reality is that Taliban rule without checks and balances represents a threat not only to Afghans but to global peace, for history has already shown that permitting extremist ideologies to operate without restraint creates the conditions for transnational terrorism whose consequences extend far beyond the region.
The warning issued by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who described Afghanistan as a “hellhole,” reflects the severity of the situation, yet the deeper moral responsibility rests with the international community to protect innocent Afghans who remain trapped between extremism, poverty and international neglect.
The world cannot afford another catastrophic attack born from permissive militant safe havens, and it must therefore act collectively, decisively and responsibly to prevent Afghanistan from sliding further into a vortex of extremism and terrorism, whose consequences will not remain confined within its borders.
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Dr. Ikramul Haq, Advocate Supreme Court, specializes in constitutional, corporate, environment, media, ML/CFT related laws, IT, intellectual property, arbitration and international tax laws. He holds LLD in tax laws with specialization in transfer pricing. He was full-time journalist from 1979 to 1984 with Viewpoint and Dawn. He served Civil Services of Pakistan from 1984 to 1996.
He established Huzaima & Ikram in 1996 and is presently its chief partner. He studied journalism, English literature and law. He is Chief Editor of Taxation. He is country editor and correspondent of International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD) and member of International Fiscal Association (IFA).
He is Visiting Faculty at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and member Advisory Board and Visiting Senior Fellow of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).
He has coauthored with Huzaima Bukhari many books that include, Tax Reforms in Pakistan: Historic & Critical Review, Towards Broad, Flat, Low-rate, and Predictable Taxes (third edition, 2024), Pakistan: Enigma of Taxation, Towards Flat, Low-rate, Broad and Predictable Taxes (revised/enlarged edition of December 2020), Law & Practice of Income Tax, Law , Practice of Sales Tax, Law and Practice of Corporate Law, Law & Practice of Federal Excise, Law & Practice of Sales Tax on Services, Federal Tax Laws of Pakistan, Provincial Tax Laws, Practical Handbook of Income Tax, Tax Laws of Pakistan, Principles of Income Tax with Glossary and Master Tax Guide, Income Tax Digest 1886-2011 (with judicial analysis).
He is author of Commentary on Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements, Pakistan: From Hash to Heroin, its sequel Pakistan: Drug-trap to Debt-trap and Practical Handbook of Income Tax. Two books of poetry are Phull Kikkaran De (Punjabi 2023) and Nai Ufaq (Urdu 1979 with Siraj Munir and Shahid Jamal).
He regularly writes columns/article/papers for many Pakistani newspapers and international journals and has contributed over 3000 articles on a variety of issues of public interest, printed in various journals, magazines and newspapers at home and abroad.
X (formerly Twitter): DrIkramulHaq
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Abdul Rauf Shakoori, Advocate High Court, is a subject-matter expert on AML-CFT, Compliance, Cyber Crime and Risk Management. He has been providing AML-CFT advisory and training services to financial institutions (banks, DNFBPs, Investment companies, Money Service Businesses, insurance companies and securities), government institutions including law enforcement agencies located in North America (USA & CANADA), Middle East and Pakistan. His areas of expertise include legal, strategic planning, cross-border transactions including but not limited to joint ventures (JVs), mergers & acquisitions (M&A), takeovers, privatizations, overseas expansions, USA Patriot Act, Banking Secrecy Act, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Over his career he has demonstrated excellent leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills and have also developed and delivered training courses in the areas of AML/CFT, Compliance, Fraud & Financial Crime Risk Management, Bank Secrecy, Cyber Crimes & Internet Threats against Banks, E–Channels Fraud Prevention, Security and Investigation of Financial Crimes. The courses have been delivered as practical workshops with case study driven scenarios and exams to ensure knowledge transfer.
His notable publications are: Rauf’s Compilation of Corporate Laws of Pakistan, Rauf’s Company Law and Practice of Pakistan and Rauf’s Research on Labour Laws and Income Tax and others.
His articles include: Revenue collection: Contemporary targets vs. orthodox approach, It is time to say goodbye to our past, US double standards, Was Due Process Flouted While Convicting Nawaz Sharif?, FATF and unjustly grey listed Pakistan, Corruption is no excuse for Incompetence, Next step for Pakistan, Pakistan’s compliance with FATF mandates, a work in progress, Pakistan’s strategy to address FATF Mandates was Inadequate, Pakistan’s Evolving FATF Compliance, Transparency Curtails Corruption, Pakistan’s Long Road towards FATF Compliance, Pakistan’s Archaic Approach to Addressing FATF Mandates, FATF: Challenges for June deadline, Pakistan: Combating the illicit flow of money, Regulating Crypto: An uphill task for Pakistan. Pakistan’s economy – Chicanery of numbers. Pakistan: Reclaiming its space on FATF whitelist. Sacred Games: Kulbhushan Jadhav Case. National FATF secretariat and Financial Monitoring Unit. The FATF challenge. Pakistan: Crucial FATF hearing. Pakistan: Dissecting FATF Failure, Environmental crimes: An emerging challenge, Countering corrupt practices .
X (formerly Twitter): Adbul Rauf Shakoori
The recent publication, coauthored by these writes with Huzaima Bukhari is:
Pakistan Tackling FATF: Challenges & Solutions, available at:
https://aacp.com.pk/book-detail/pakistan-tackling-fatf-challenges-and-solutions-35
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RXH8W46