The head of the Haqqani network, probably the most powerful of all the Taliban factions, is closest to Pakistan ISI. Its network has been responsible for most attacks on Indian interests in Afghanistan, including the July 2008 attack on the Indian embassy, in which 58 people were killed.
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For India, there are some semblance of new appointments – first, the Doha political office finds little support with the ISI-influenced core Taliban. Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanakzai, who was the political face of the Taliban in Doha, is a lowly deputy foreign minister. He recently met the Indian Ambassador to Qatar as part of the official outreach. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who led negotiations for the Doha peace deal, is the first deputy, indicating that he and his faction came second in the power sweepstakes.
Mullah Hassan Akhund, the new prime minister, a low-key, pre-9/11 Taliban leader close to Mullah Omar, was reportedly responsible for the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas, but did not have a power base of his own. This leaves the reins of power in the hands of Haqqani.
Second, the open ascent of Haqqani, a UN Security Council specially designated global terrorist with a bounty on his head, reflects Pakistan’s ISI grip on the new government. it’s a deal stitched by Pakistan ISI Chief Faiz Hameed. But, has he overplayed his hand?
The Haqqani Network is the most violent and brutal element in Afghanistan, and currently controls the security of Kabul. They also have links with both the ISKP and al-Qaeda. The new Taliban army chief, Qari Fasihuddin, hails from Badakhshan, who has close ties with ETIM and other jihadist groups.
Afghan journalist and commentator Bilal Sarwari tweeted, “like the appointment of ruthless killers to the Taliban’s “new” cabinet. Seraj Haqqani, Wasik, Taj Mir and other key security and intelligence posts have a warning sign. … The appointments are the most obvious indication that the modus operandi of the group has not changed. The absence of Qayyum Zakir, Sadar Ibrahim and Daoud Mozamil shows that the Haqqani are now victorious in the power struggle between Loy Kandahar and Loy Paktia. ”
About 18 of the 33 cabinet members are under UNSC 1267 sanctions as global terrorists. It also includes monolithic. Four of the infamous “Guantanamo 5” – Taliban leaders freed in exchange for US soldier Bowe Bergdahl – are in positions of power.
Pakistan, a primary ally of the Taliban, is unlikely to waive these sanctions. In fact, India is the chair of the Taliban Sanctions Committee till the end of 2022. Given that no one has yet recognized the Taliban government, the question is, who will propose their waiver? Without such exemptions, how will the Taliban run the country, especially if they do not have access to international finance?
The Taliban cabinet, as it is, may deepen the ethnic defect, given that it is almost entirely Pashtun from southern and southeastern Afghanistan. There are no Hazaras, Uzbeks, Tajiks or any other ethnic groups. Nothing on women’s affairs, while the obscure ministry for promotion of virtue and prevention of evil is back (in Taliban 1.0, this was the work of the current emir, Haibatullah Akhundzada). Her first announcement on Wednesday was a ban on women’s sports.
Sooner or later these fault lines will express themselves in the form of opposition. The protest has started and it will be ruthlessly crushed. But for how long.
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