Following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, a lot of volatility has been witnessed, both in terms of the security situation in the war-torn country and setting up a government. Apart from a string of attacks in Kabul there have been protests against the new regime and there are now legitimate concerns that a food shortage crisis is imminent unless a steady supply line is not established in the coming weeks. To that end, Pakistan sent a planeload of food and medical supplies earlier this month and yesterday 278 tonnes of edibles were delivered to Kabul in seventeen container trucks. While the quantitates sent thus far are hardly enough to last for a few days and are of course insufficient to feed the entire Afghan population, it is the gesture that counts. The PTI has therefore done well from a humanitarian and diplomatic standpoint and should continue with this strategy while making sure there is no pressure on Pakistan’s limited resources. It is necessary that other regional countries do their part as well to alleviate the misery of a population that is facing food insecurity and quite possibly civil war as a result if some significant relief is not provided soon. Western countries have expectedly made any aid conditional upon the Taliban making good on certain promises that were made. This includes a more inclusive cabinet that has representation of minorities and women.
Unfortunately, the interim Afghan government led my Mullah Hasan Akhund is filled with members who ruled the country from 1996 to 2001 before the US occupation, when a repressive and brutal version of Shariah law was imposed that violated basic human rights, especially affecting women who were violently restricted from getting an education and working. Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced the other day that his government has initiated a dialogue with the Taliban for a more inclusive government. However, Pakistan no longer has the sort of leverage required to force the Taliban to make these changes. The US however does, as it has the keys to the countries $9.5 billion foreign exchange reserves and has demanded that the Taliban honor the terms of the peace deal if it wants access to those funds. With an economy in tatters and a civil war looming, the Taliban will have to soften its stance on many key issues if it wants to survive as a born-again country.
