By Afshain Afzal

The month of March 2025 is vital, not only Afghanistan but also for the peace in South Asian region and beyond. The mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) was extended until 17 March 2025, through Resolution 2727 (2024). The Resolution called on all relevant stakeholders to coordinate with UNAMA in the implementation of its mandate and to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of UN and associated personnel throughout the country. The Secretary-General is furnished report every three months on the situation in Afghanistan and the implementation of UNAMA’s mandate. The latest report being compiled bears prime impotence for the recognition of Afghanistan as an independent and sovereign state. However, the enemies of Afghanistan are trying their level best not to allow Afghanistan’s recognition to materialize.

In the same regard, the latest drama, which bears footmarks of at least three countries, 16 Pakistani government employees belonging to Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) were reportedly kidnapped from Lakki Darra Tang Road in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is being blamed by authorities but they have distanced themselves from any such act. Within hours security forces claimed that in a search operation eight of the hostages got freed and efforts were underway to secure the release of the rest. There are reports that they were working on mining development projects related to nuclear power stations and electric power generation. In a engineered video that surfaced on yesterday, the abductees asked the government to accept the demands of kidnappers including release Mujahideen and their family members, including children, and not to demolish their houses and disrespecting the dead bodies and compensation by the government for their damaged houses.

If we recall, in a Press Briefing dated 19 November 2024, Mr Matthew Miller, Spokesperson Department of State was asked a question to reflect as all terrorist groups are based in Afghanistan, and Taliban, who promised not to allow these terrorist groups to use Afghan soil as a launching pad are actually patronizing these terrorist groups but Mr Miller the US has the capability to target these terrorist dens, but the US has important bilateral counterterrorism partnership with the Government of Pakistan, and it includes to counter these type of threats. In other words it means the actions and strategies by Islamabad have blessings from Washington.

Despite these tense relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan due to misleading inputs from other agencies and negative propaganda against Taliban, there are many positive developments that reflects hope for a stable Afghanistan. In the latest development, on 12 January 2025, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Faisal Torki Al-Buqam, called on Afghan Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss matters related to expanding bilateral relations between Afghanistan Saudi Arabia, delivering consular services to Afghans nationals residing in Saudi Arabia, capitalizing on existing opportunities to enhance cooperation. Regional courtiers including China and Russia have also signaled to boost trade and investment in Afghanistan.

In another development, on 3 January 2025, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Dr. Majid Takht Ravanchi visited India and discussed review of bilateral relationship, including situation in Afghanistan, Chabahar Port, trade and economic issues. Both sides agreed that where Islamabad is being compelled to discourage Afghan trade through ports of Pakistan, Chabahar Port will be used to support Afghanistan’s reconstruction and economic development. Beside meeting with Vikram Misri, India's Deputy Foreign Minister, Dr. Majid Takht Ravanchi also called-on the External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and discussed Pakistan and Afghanistan issue.

As a follow up of the Indo-Iran meetings, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met acting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on 9 January 2025, and offered expanding relations between India, Iran and Afghanistan to boost trade through Chabahar Port in Iran, which India has been developing for goods to bypass the ports of Karachi and Gwadar. One wonders a dangerous game is being played against Afghanistan by New Delhi and other foreign nations to tarnish the image of Taliban in the eyes of international community and United Nations. Blame game against Afghanistan for their involvement in terrorism is in full swing and likely the links of kidnapping of Pakistani officials will also be joined with Taliban which in baseless and untrue. It is high time that UN Secretary General demand impartial report from UNAMA to allow Afghan people enjoy long awaited independence and sovereignty that will ensue not only peace in Afghanistan but whole region and beyond.