Pakistani government withdraws special envoy to Taliban-led Afghanistan
- In Reports
- 07:08 PM, Sep 14, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Pakistan government dismissed its special representative to Afghanistan, Asif Durrani due to the escalating tensions between Islamabad and Kabul according to media reports on Saturday. According to an official notification, The Express Tribune newspaper reported on 10 September that Durrani had been "relieved of his responsibilities as Special Representative on Afghanistan in Management Position". An official reason for this decision was not provided.
However, the report, backed by sources, said that Durrani, who took over in May 2023, has failed to have a major impact on Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. It also stated that Durrani was not well-liked in Kabul, where he had little contact with the Taliban-led transitional administration. Furthermore, other sources mentioned that Durrani's resources were limited because of Pakistan's overarching plan. According to the Dawn newspaper, Durrani's performance had left the powerful military in the country unhappy, and he had also grown frustrated with his superiors' repeated disregard for his policy recommendations.
According to reports, Durrani confirmed his departure with a text message. He thanked the leadership for allowing him to serve Pakistan. The role of special envoy for Afghanistan was instituted in June 2020 after the US-Taliban Doha Accord, and the position entailed communication with the Taliban besides other nations concerned with Afghanistan. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated recently mainly because of the frequent attacks by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), along with recurring border skirmishes.
Pakistan has seen an increase in terrorist activities since the Taliban took over the Afghan government last year, dashing Islamabad's hopes that a government friendly to Afghanistan would help deal with militancy. Tense relations have always existed between Pakistan and Afghanistan because the Afghan Taliban vigorously refutes claims made by the Pakistani government that the outlawed TTP, operates from safe havens in Afghanistan.
Image source: News 18
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