Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – The interim government in Afghanistan is grappling with growing internal and external pressures as it enters 2025, raising questions about the sustainability of its rule in Afghanistan more than three years after seizing power.
Despite initial promises of reform, government policies have sparked widespread discontent. Women and minorities, in particular, have borne the brunt of these measures, with severe restrictions on freedoms and rights. The United Nations has documented numerous human rights abuses under the Taliban regime, including extrajudicial killings and the targeting of former officials and minority communities.
Afghanistan’s economic woes continue to deepen. Millions face acute food insecurity as the humanitarian crisis persists, compounded by the Taliban’s exclusion of women from the workforce. Experts have highlighted that the participation of women is vital for any meaningful economic recovery, but their continued marginalization exacerbates the country’s challenges.
Security concerns also loom large. Groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-KP) have re-established strongholds in the region, threatening stability and international security. The Taliban’s alleged ties to these groups have stymied its pursuit of international legitimacy, further isolating the regime on the global stage.
Compounding its troubles is a growing rift with neighboring Pakistan. Relations have soured over the Taliban’s failure to rein in the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has been responsible for a surge in cross-border violence. This escalating tension has destabilized the region and strained already fragile diplomatic ties.
Globally, the Taliban remains unrecognized by any nation, with the international community pointing to its human rights violations and alleged connections to terrorism. Recent United Nations meetings have underscored that formal recognition hinges on the regime’s adherence to human rights standards, particularly regarding the treatment of women.
As the Taliban navigates these mounting challenges, its grip on power appears increasingly precarious. The coming months will be pivotal in determining the future of Afghanistan under its rule.
