Pakistan Ousts Afghan Envoy Amid Escalating Tensions

Pakistan has relieved its special representative to Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, from his duties amid rising tensions between the two nations. Official sources cited Durrani's lack of impact and limited engagements with the Taliban-led interim government as reasons for his removal. Relations have worsened due to terrorism and border skirmishes.

The Pakistan government has removed its special representative to Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, amid heightened tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, media reports said on Saturday. According to an official notification, Durrani was "relieved of his responsibilities as Special Representative on Afghanistan in Management Position" on September 10, as reported by The Express Tribune newspaper.

No official reason was provided for Durrani's removal. However, sources indicated that Durrani, who had been appointed in May 2023, failed to make a significant impact on Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. His limited acceptability in Kabul and few engagements with the Taliban-led interim government were also cited.

Further sources noted that Durrani had limited tools at his disposal, given Pakistan's overall strategy. The Dawn newspaper reported that the military was dissatisfied with his performance, and Durrani experienced frustration as his policy advice was often ignored.

Durrani confirmed his departure in a text message, expressing gratitude to the leadership for allowing him to serve Pakistan. The post of the special envoy for Afghanistan was established in June 2020 following the US-Taliban Doha Accord, with the aim of engaging with the Taliban and other nations involved in Afghanistan.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated recently, largely due to frequent attacks by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and border skirmishes. The number of terrorist incidents in Pakistan has increased since the Taliban took over Kabul in 2021. The Pakistani government has repeatedly accused the TTP of operating from sanctuaries in Afghanistan, a claim denied by the Afghan Taliban.

(With inputs from agencies.)