Afghanistan, Regional Instability, and the Unfinished Struggle for a Representative Government.

Afghanistan, Regional Instability, and the Unfinished Struggle for a Representative Government

The evolving geopolitical landscape of South Asia and the Middle East is once again drawing global attention toward Afghanistan—its internal dynamics, its regional alliances, and its growing impact on neighboring countries. India’s increasing proximity to the current Afghan administration, the rise of terrorist incidents inside Pakistan, and Iran’s accusations of Afghan nationals spying for Israel have intensified concerns across the region. Iran’s recent decision to expel large numbers of Afghan migrants further reflects the deepening mistrust and volatile environment linked directly or indirectly with the policies of the Afghan Taliban.

The Question of Militancy and Selective “Jihad”

The Afghan Taliban have long portrayed themselves as a revolutionary “jihadi” movement. However, their actions reflect a sharp contradiction. Despite their rhetoric, they have never taken any meaningful stand for oppressed Muslims in Kashmir or Palestine—two of the world’s most significant humanitarian struggles. Instead, their violent operations have historically targeted Muslims: mosques, schools, markets, religious centers, and public gatherings inside Afghanistan, Pakistan, and beyond.

This troubling pattern raises an important question:

What ideology defines a movement that claims to fight for Islam, yet sheds Muslim blood in its name?

The global Muslim community, and especially Afghan citizens, deserve clarity on this reality.

The Economy of Illicit Networks

Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Afghanistan has witnessed the expansion of an underground economy based on:

• Drug production and trafficking
• Arms smuggling
• Human trafficking
• Extortion
• Money laundering
• Cross-border terrorism support networks

This shadow economy does not strengthen Afghanistan—it traps the Afghan nation in economic dependency, poverty, and international isolation. These criminal networks also destabilize the entire region, especially Pakistan, Iran, and Central Asia.

A stable and prosperous Afghanistan cannot be built on foundations of illegal money and violence. Only transparent governance and legitimate state institutions can offer a way forward.

Neighbors Who Helped, and the Pain of Betrayal

For more than four decades, Pakistan, Iran, and Tajikistan opened their borders to Afghan refugees. These countries provided food, shelter, jobs, and opportunities for millions of Afghan brothers and sisters fleeing war. Yet, the rise in smuggling, terrorism, and cross-border crime emerging from Afghan soil has strained these relationships.

This fracture is tragic—not only politically, but emotionally—because the region historically stood by Afghanistan in its darkest moments.

Afghan People Deserve Their Right: A Representative Government

The greatest victims of Afghanistan’s political turmoil are not its leaders—it is the Afghan people.

Afghans have endured endless cycles of war, displacement, poverty, and international isolation. And the root cause of this suffering lies in the absence of a real, representative, people-driven government.

A government that:

• Represents every ethnic group: Pashtun, Tajik, Uzbek, Hazara, and others
• Protects the rights of women and men equally
• Allows education for all
• Creates opportunities for jobs, business, and stability
• Rejects terrorism as a political tool
• Respects international norms so Afghanistan can rejoin the global community

This is not a foreign idea—this is the fundamental right of every Afghan citizen.

For Afghanistan to rise again, the world must hear the voice of its people—not the commands of armed groups.

The Future Depends on Afghan Unity

The path to stability begins with unity among Afghan citizens—scholars, elders, youth, women, and the Afghan diaspora. No lasting peace is possible without a political system chosen by the people themselves.

Afghanistan must reclaim its dignity through a system where:

• Power belongs to the people
• Leadership is elected, not imposed
• Policies serve the nation, not external agendas

Only then can Afghanistan transform from a global security concern to a hub of trade, culture, and economic revival for the entire region.

Syed Ali Raza Naqvi Bukhari

Unity of Peace, Economic Reform, and Global Unity

Founder & Chairman of Tehreek Istehkam Pakistan, and the author of “Law of God” and “Social Democratic System.”

Advocate for truth, social justice, and reform in all sectors of society.