Former Pakistani Diplomat Harshly Criticizes Taliban Rule and Dire Conditions in Afghanistan
Asif Durrani, a former Pakistani diplomat and the country’s former representative on Afghan affairs, has strongly criticized the Taliban administration, accusing it of being content with ruling over an impoverished and starving population, and exploiting the nation’s dire economic situation for political gains.
In a post on the social media platform X on Sunday, December 6, Durrani wrote that Afghanistan has been auctioned off by leaders who now live in luxury abroad, while helpless citizens within the country struggle to find even two basic meals a day.
Durrani believes that the collapse of Afghanistan’s political system and institutional weakness is the result of a chain of historical missteps. He said instability began when Mohammad Daoud Khan overthrew King Zahir Shah’s monarchy. With the rise of the Mujahideen and later the Taliban, government institutions gradually disintegrated. According to Durrani, most leaders of these movements pursued self-serving deals under the guise of Afghan sovereignty, ultimately dividing the country’s wealth among themselves.
He further stated that Afghanistan has now turned into a safe haven for various terrorist groups. He added that the Taliban administration has not only taken no effective measures against this threat but has instead focused more on suppressing the population. In his message, Durrani wrote: “The current administration finds satisfaction in controlling a destitute population scrambling for a mere morsel of bread. May God have mercy on the afflicted people of Afghanistan.”
His remarks come at a time of deteriorating relations between the Taliban and Pakistan, which have led to the closure of border crossings and a halt in trade between the two countries. This disruption has driven up the price of food and medicine in Afghanistan, intensifying economic pressure on its citizens. With ongoing droughts, the return of refugees, and a drop in international aid, the economic crisis has worsened, with experts calling it one of the most severe in Afghanistan’s recent history.
