Pakistan is preparing to host a rare gathering of senior Afghan opposition leaders later this month, in what intelligence officials describe as a desperate attempt by Islamabad to pressure the Taliban regime and claw back influence in Kabul at India’s expense.
According to top intelligence sources cited by CNN-News18, Pakistan’s calculation is not limited to counterterrorism. Instead, the move is aimed at ensuring Afghanistan remains divided, thereby preventing New Delhi from securing a reliable ally in Kabul. “The calculation is clear -- if Afghanistan remains divided, New Delhi has no firm ally in Kabul. That weakens India’s reach and strengthens Pakistan’s hand,” one intelligence source was quoted as saying.
The meeting, orchestrated by Pakistan’s ISI, is expected to bring together key figures from the Resistance Council, including Younis Qanooni, Mohammad Mohaqiq, Atta Mohammad Noor, and Salahuddin Rabbani. Speculation is rife that Ahmad Massoud, son of legendary commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, may also attend, though officials warn his participation could backfire. “Massoud aligning too closely with Islamabad risks diluting his credibility and could be seen as undermining his father’s anti-Pakistan legacy,” a source noted.
Officials told CNN-News18 that discussions could pave the way for the Resistance Council to set up a formal political office in Pakistan -- a move reminiscent of the Taliban’s old Doha bureau. This, analysts argue, would expose Islamabad’s double game: cultivating Taliban ties on one hand, while propping up their opponents on the other, in a bid to remain the indispensable broker in Afghan politics.
The trigger for this renewed interference is Pakistan’s festering dispute with Kabul over the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Islamabad accuses the Taliban regime of harboring TTP militants who carry out cross-border attacks, while the Taliban has resisted serious action.
One intelligence official told CNN-News18: “The Taliban’s reluctance to curb the TTP has forced Pakistan to consider alternatives it once avoided.”
Even as it conspires against Kabul, Pakistan’s top brass has ramped up hostile rhetoric. In Brussels, Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir publicly threatened Afghanistan, accusing the Taliban of policies that destabilise Pakistan and of spilling “the blood of Pakistani citizens.” He warned, “It is our duty to take revenge for the blood of every Pakistani.”
Munir further lashed out at India, alleging that New Delhi was using proxies to weaken Pakistan. In remarks published by Jang, he was quoted as saying, “We have been kind and helpful to the Afghans for years, but instead of repaying, they have been conspiring against us in connivance with India.”
Analysts note that Munir’s outbursts underscore Islamabad’s insecurity. By seeking to control both Taliban and anti-Taliban factions, Pakistan is attempting to keep Afghanistan permanently unstable --limiting India’s role and maintaining leverage with Western powers. But critics warn this policy only exposes Pakistan’s duplicity, its reliance on militancy as a tool of statecraft, and its failure to secure its own borders.
As one intelligence source told CNN-News18, Pakistan’s agenda is clear: “It is not just about countering militants. It is about leverage — with Kabul, with New Delhi, and with the West.”
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
