Rahmatullah Nabil, the former head of Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS), in an interview with Afghanistan International, revealed that Pakistan is pressuring the Taliban to form a 'confederation' with it.
This arrangement would grant Afghanistan some independence but make it subordinate to Pakistan in specific areas.
No official statement from Pakistani authorities has confirmed the push for Afghanistan to join a Pakistan-led confederation. However, historical reports, such as a 1954 New York Times article, suggest that General Ayub Khan, then Pakistan's military leader, had similar aspirations. His goal was to counter perceived threats from India and the former Soviet Union by aligning Afghanistan's foreign policy with Pakistan's.
Analysts have long noted Pakistan's efforts to influence Afghanistan's foreign policy, particularly through support for the Taliban and other groups. The former Afghan intelligence chief elaborated that Pakistan's current pressure aims at a confederation where Afghanistan retains some independence whilst being partly subject to Pakistan's authority.
He also mentioned Pakistan's long-term investment in the Taliban, suggesting that Pakistan wouldn't readily abandon its influence for issues like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which Pakistan reportedly had a hand in creating.
Additionally, the interview touched on the Taliban's connections with Al-Qaeda, highlighting the recent killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan. The former intelligence head claimed that despite reports of Al-Qaeda's diminished capacity, the group remains active and influential in Afghanistan, supported by financial resources and the freedom to recruit and train.
He concluded by emphasising the unbreakable relationship between the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, suggesting that groups like Hamas draw inspiration from the Taliban's successes.
