Pakistan Violated Afghan Airspace 55 Times In 17 Days, Leaked Taliban Documents Reveal

Speaking in an interview with Afghanistan International on Tuesday, Mohaqiq, a participant in the Vienna Process, stressed that if opposition figures within the Taliban are willing to engage in peace talks, their participation would be welcomed.

He asserted that the international community has now reached the consensus that the Taliban regime is not sustainable, making discussions about a post-Taliban Afghanistan crucial. He highlighted that Afghanistan’s future must be decided through a democratic process, ensuring representation from all political and ethnic groups.

Referring to internal rifts within the Taliban and the suspension of international aid, Mohaqiq emphasised that Afghanistan’s political landscape is shifting. He noted that no regional country currently supports the Taliban, and global and regional powers have distanced themselves from the group.

“Regional countries are either openly opposed to the Taliban or increasingly concerned about their actions,” he remarked.

Mohaqiq also pointed to the deteriorating relations between the Taliban and Pakistan, stating that Pakistan’s security situation has worsened significantly since the Taliban’s rise to power. He argued that the lack of formal recognition of the Taliban government by any country reflects regional dissatisfaction with the group’s policies.

He further stated that the Vienna Process seeks to expand its reach and include a broader spectrum of political voices to develop a roadmap acceptable to all Afghan factions.

Mohaqiq participated virtually in the Vienna Conference, which took place on Tuesday and brought together 90 political figures and representatives. During the meeting, anti-Taliban leaders reaffirmed their commitment to armed resistance and declared that they are not waiting for the United States or any foreign power to initiate change in Afghanistan.

Massouda Jalal stated that they will continue their fight to defend the rights of Afghan women and girls.

The 17th Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy commenced on Tuesday, February 18, in Switzerland, with an opening speech by Hillel Neuer, the Executive Director of UN Watch. The summit focuses on human rights violations in various countries, particularly Afghanistan, Iran, and Russia.

During this conference, Massouda Jalal and her daughter Husna Jalal will be honoured with the International Women’s Rights Award. Expressing her gratitude, Massouda Jalal said that this award belongs to all Afghan women who continue their struggle.

She further emphasised that leaving Afghanistan does not mean surrendering. She added that she remains committed to advocating for women’s rights despite being in exile.

The letter, dated 5 April 2024, was sent by Sardar Ahmad Shakib to the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and highlights the diplomatic tensions and challenges in Pakistan-Taliban relations.

Shakib stated that Pakistan is convinced that American weapons have been used in attacks originating from Afghanistan, further straining relations between the two countries. The document also outlines ongoing diplomatic disputes, particularly Pakistan’s alleged violations of Afghan airspace and its reported facilitation of U.S. reconnaissance flights over Afghanistan.

According to the letter, Pakistan has intensified its claims regarding the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in Afghanistan, alleging that the Taliban administration provides moral support to the group. Pakistani officials reportedly believe that senior TTP leaders have established safe havens in Afghan territory.

The leaked document further indicates Pakistan’s growing dissatisfaction with improving Taliban-India relations, warning that direct engagement between the Taliban and New Delhi could diminish Pakistan’s influence in Afghanistan, leading to further deterioration in ties between Islamabad and the Taliban administration.

The report also sheds light on the politicisation of trade relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It states that trade and economic exchanges between the two countries have been disrupted due to the lack of a modern legal framework, causing financial strain on Afghan traders. The document asserts that this politicisation has led to increased costs, including higher taxes, import restrictions, and rising transportation expenses.

The letter emphasises that resolving border violations and diplomatic tensions requires sustained engagement and mutual cooperation from both sides. In his communication with the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shakib urged the Taliban leadership to engage constructively with Pakistan to address ongoing disputes and stabilise bilateral relations.

Otunbayeva made the remarks during a meeting with representatives of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Kabul, where she highlighted the severe consequences of ongoing restrictions on women’s education, employment, and access to healthcare.

On Tuesday, 20 February, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Otunbayeva reiterated that the Taliban’s policies are causing long-term damage to Afghan society. She stressed that women’s and girls’ rights must be prioritised and noted that her discussions with OIC representatives were both constructive and critical in addressing these concerns.

Her remarks were made during the “Workshop on Dissemination of the Jeddah Declaration”, held at the OIC office in Kabul on 17–18 February.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also issued a statement regarding Otunbayeva’s meeting with Tariq Ali Bakhit, the OIC representative in Afghanistan.

According to the statement, the two officials discussed joint cooperation between the UN and OIC in supporting Afghanistan’s people and tackling political, humanitarian, and security challenges.

Over the past three years, the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education beyond sixth grade has left 1.4 million female students unable to continue their studies. Women have also been barred from working in NGOs and pursuing higher education.

Despite international and domestic pressure, the Taliban maintain that the "Islamic conditions" in Afghanistan are not yet suitable for girls’ education.

The UN, OIC, and other international organisations continue to call for immediate action to restore Afghan women’s fundamental rights, which remain among the most severely restricted in the world.

Among the notable attendees are Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance Front (NRF), Yasin Zia, leader of the Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF), and Rangin Dadfar Spanta, former National Security Advisor of Afghanistan.

The two-day conference aims to foster political unity among Afghanistan's political, civil, and military movements. Since the fall of the previous Afghan government, the Vienna Process has emerged as one of the most significant platforms uniting opposition groups against the Taliban.

Organisers emphasised that the fifth round of conference provides an open political space where participants will transparently discuss solutions to Afghanistan’s ongoing crisis.

Ali Maisam Nazary, head of foreign relations for the NRF, wrote on X that the conference includes representatives from diverse political, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.

The Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) issued a statement welcoming political initiatives aimed at strengthening political groups, military fronts, women’s movements, and civil resistance efforts. The statement underlined the need for a comprehensive struggle to overthrow the Taliban regime and eradicate terrorism, extremism, and Taliban-led violence.

According to the agenda obtained by Afghanistan International, the first day features key discussions led by Hazara leader Mohammad Mohaqiq, AFF leader Yasin Zia, NRF leader Ahmad Massoud, former Afghan National Security Advisor, Rangin Dadfar Spanta, former MP Khalid Pashtoon, Rahela Dostum duaghter of former Vice President Marshal Dostum, women rights activist Fawzia Koofi, and former Afghan governor Rahmatullah Yarmal.

Discussions will focus on Afghanistan’s current state, the challenges ahead, and topics such as “unity for a common goal” and “the inevitable collapse of the Taliban regime”.

The second day will address Afghanistan’s future, global perspectives on the crisis, and the conference’s final declaration. The event will conclude with a press conference.