Pakistan’s Bilawal Bhutto Warns of Regional Instability Due to Taliban’s Violations of Doha Agreement

Reported by Kokcha News Agency:
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, has raised concerns over the Taliban’s failure to uphold the commitments made under the Doha Agreement, warning that such violations are fueling regional instability. Speaking at a seminar in Islamabad titled “Pakistan: A Barrier Against Terrorism”, Bhutto emphasized that adherence to the Doha Agreement is critical for maintaining peace and combating terrorism.

Bhutto highlighted that terrorism is not just a local issue but a global threat, and Pakistan has paid a heavy price in its fight against extremism—both in terms of human lives and economic losses. He directly addressed the Taliban leadership, urging them to remain faithful to the pledges made in the Doha Accord, which could help prevent further destabilization and build regional trust.

Doha Agreement and Taliban’s Commitments
Under the Doha Agreement, signed in February 2020, the Taliban had promised not to allow extremist groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS to use Afghanistan’s territory to threaten other nations, particularly the United States. However, doubts over the Taliban’s compliance with these commitments have persisted since they returned to power in August 2021.

Tensions Between Pakistan and the Taliban
Despite Taliban assurances that Afghanistan’s soil would not be used against neighboring countries, Pakistani authorities have accused the group of sheltering members of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for numerous attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban have denied these allegations, maintaining that no foreign militant groups are being hosted in Afghanistan.

UN Calls for Support for Pakistan
The warning from Bhutto comes as the United Nations called for “massive investments” to help Pakistan recover from the devastating floods of 2022. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that Pakistan has been “doubly victimized” by climate change and a “morally bankrupt global financial system.”