Former Balochistan Intelligence Chief Calls for Action Against Taliban Government

Jan Achakzai, the former intelligence chief of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, has made unprecedented and bold statements urging Islamabad to take formal action to overthrow the Taliban government. He called for the handing over of the Afghan embassy to opposition groups and the establishment of a buffer zone for anti-government armed factions…

Escalating Tensions and a Call for Action

In the wake of deteriorating relations between Kabul and Islamabad, Jan Achakzai, a controversial political figure and former intelligence minister, has put forth a clear and multi-step plan for the downfall of Afghanistan’s ruling regime. In a direct message shared on social media platform X, he declared that the time to change the Taliban government has arrived and urged the Pakistani government to shift its policies from diplomacy to direct confrontation and support for the overthrow of the Taliban. The urgency of his call comes amid reports, such as the dossier prepared by Kabul accusing Pakistan of supporting terrorism and violating human rights.

Formal Recognition of Armed and Civilian Opposition

Achakzai’s blueprint includes transferring the Afghan embassy in Islamabad to opposition groups and officially opening offices for the National Resistance Front (Panjshir) and the Freedom Front in Pakistan’s capital. He believes that this move would practically recognize the opposition as a provisional government of Afghanistan. Moreover, he emphasized the necessity of supporting civil movements, particularly women’s rights advocates, as part of a broader strategy to exert social pressure. This aligns with the growing discontent towards the Taliban’s policies, similar to the critiques expressed by Ahmad Massoud on security issues.

Establishing a Buffer Zone and Air Support for Northern Fronts

The military aspect of Achakzai’s proposals includes creating a 30-kilometer deep buffer zone along the Durand Line, to be monitored by armed opposition groups. He has even gone further by calling for targeted attacks against Taliban leaders, the destruction of Afghanistan’s air infrastructure, and providing aerial support to armed opponents in northern provinces including Badakhshan and Panjshir.

Proposed Establishment of a Greater Kandahar Office in Quetta

In a move that could stir ethnic and tribal sensitivities, this Pakistani politician has suggested the creation of a political office for the opposition, named Greater Kandahar, in the city of Quetta. This proposal signifies an effort to establish a powerful political base near the southern borders of Afghanistan to challenge the Taliban’s stronghold in Kandahar. These statements come at a time when Taliban officials have previously accused Pakistan of harboring and inciting opposition groups, reflecting the growing concerns over potential agreements between the Taliban and Pakistan.