Pakistani diplomat warns of another ‘9/11-style attack’ originating from Afghanistan

Its been more than two decades since 9/11 attacks occures in which thousands of people were killed in New York. The attack remains one of the most traumatic events, and now senior Pakistani diplomat, warned that Afghanistan’s neglect by the global community could lead to another similar attack.

Ambassador Asif Durrani pointed out that Kabul is largely forgotten amid other global crises, with humanitarian aid falling short and 97percent of population living in poverty. He expressed concern over the rise of terrorist groups like Daesh Khorasan, posing regional and international threats.

Durrani highlighted deteriorating Pak-Afghan strained ties due to Taliban’s failure to address TTP terrorism, though he remains hopeful for a diplomatic resolution.

The envoy said global shift is now towards Ukraine conflict and Palestinian crisis, leaving Afghanistan out of the spotlight. He warned that this neglect could push the country back to pre-9/11 conditions, potentially leading to similar security threats.

Durrani was of view that economic decline could lead to a wave of Afghan refugees, with Pakistan being a likely destination. He urged the global community to take responsibility for addressing these challenges.

He also sounds alarm about militant groups like Daesh Khorasan in Afghanistan, which he sees as a growing threat not just to the region but internationally. He warned that the group’s influence is spreading, as seen in its actions in Iran, Russia, and Pakistan, and could pose risks elsewhere.

Reflecting on Taliban’s three years in power, he acknowledged some improvements, such as better security and reduced corruption, but noted that the Taliban still face significant challenges, including lack of international recognition and economic difficulties.

Ties between Islamabad and Kabul worsened under Taliban, largely due to the TTP issue. Durrani noted that while peace in Afghanistan is positive, it has led to increased problems for Pakistan, with a 70% rise in TTP attacks.