RASC News Agency: Pakistan’s former Special Representative for Afghanistan, Asif Durani, has identified Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Interior Minister, as a significant and escalating threat to the stability of the Taliban’s regime and its future governance. Durani warned that Haqqani’s ambitions and influence could seriously undermine the Taliban’s authority in the coming years. Speaking at a session held in the Ambassadors’ Hall of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focused on the presence of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in eastern Afghanistan, Durani described Haqqani as a destabilizing force. He asserted that Haqqani’s role within the Taliban regime has the potential to become “even more perilous” at this critical juncture.
Durani disclosed that three Taliban ministers have reportedly endorsed an order from their leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, banning jihad in Pakistan. However, Akhundzada has refrained from making this directive public. The Pakistani military has repeatedly accused the Afghanistani Taliban of providing direct support to the TTP and of endorsing jihadist activities in Pakistan. During the session, retired senior military officer General Inam-ul-Haq highlighted the growing influence of the TTP in eastern Afghanistan, describing the group as evolving into “Sirajuddin Haqqani’s private militia.” He further noted that Haqqani appears to be gradually consolidating control over TTP operations.
Despite these allegations, the TTP has consistently denied receiving support from the Afghanistani Taliban. In recent months, Pakistan has faced intensifying sectarian violence and intra-group hostilities, with the Pakistani military attributing these conflicts to the TTP, which it claims is backed by the Afghanistani Taliban. Durani reinforced these concerns, stating, “The Afghanistani Taliban continues to support the TTP, which poses a direct threat to Pakistan’s national security.” He added, “You mentioned Kandahar; isn’t it plausible that the TTP’s sanctuaries and camps are located there? While Kandahar has emerged as Afghanistan’s political capital, Sirajuddin Haqqani remains an existential threat to the Taliban regime. His growing power could lead to even greater instability.”
Addressing Pakistani military officials, Durani questioned Haqqani’s dual loyalties, stating, “Haqqani presents himself as our ally, but is he not running with the hare while hunting with the hounds?”
