M Arham Malik
It is often said that evil eventually perishes where it was born. The same may now be proving true in Afghanistan. For years, the Taliban’s brutal actions and extremist ideology have held the entire region hostage, spreading fear and instability across borders. Yet, change appears to be unfolding from within. The Afghan people, long silenced and oppressed, seem to have finally begun to rise against the tyranny that has defined their lives for over two decades. The situation in Afghanistan today is evolving rapidly. The Taliban regime, which once projected an image of total control, is now facing both public discontent and internal fractures. Reports from various provinces indicate a growing wave of organised resistance, not merely sporadic unrest. Unlike past uprisings, this movement appears indigenous, coordinated and increasingly bold. The Afghan populace and local resistance groups are no longer waiting for international intervention; they are taking matters into their own hands.
In recent weeks, the National Resistance Front (NRF) has intensified its operations against the Taliban. On November 10, 2025, a Taliban checkpoint along the Islam Qala road near Herat came under attack, resulting in the death of two Taliban terrorists and the seizure of their weapons. This was not an isolated event. Since October 2025, resistance factions have carried out a series of successful strikes across multiple provinces, reportedly killing at least 53 Taliban militants. Among those leading this renewed push is Ismail Khan, the veteran commander popularly known as the “Lion of Herat,” who has once again taken up arms to reclaim his homeland from extremist control. These developments mark a significant turning point, a realisation among Afghans that the solution to their suffering may not come from outside powers, but from within their own borders. What once seemed an unshakeable Taliban regime is now being challenged not only by a crumbling economy, internal power rifts, and growing international isolation, but by its own people who refuse to remain subjugated.
For Afghanistan’s neighbours, particularly Pakistan, these changes carry both challenges and opportunities. The history of relations between Islamabad and Kabul is deeply rooted in shared faith, culture and geography. Pakistan has for decades extended unparalleled hospitality to millions of Afghan refugees and consistently advocated for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and stability at every international platform. Yet, despite Pakistan’s goodwill and sacrifices, the trust between the two nations has been eroded in recent years largely due to the Taliban’s failure to curb the activities of the TTP operating from Afghan soil.
Islamabad’s concerns are neither new nor unfounded. Multiple intelligence reports, along with findings from the United Nations and other international agencies, have confirmed that the TTP continues to use Afghan territory to plan and launch terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. These cross-border assaults have claimed the lives of countless civilians and security personnel, undermining regional peace and threatening Pakistan’s hard-earned stability. Instead of addressing these legitimate concerns, the Taliban regime has often responded with denial and misplaced accusations, further straining bilateral ties. However, Pakistan’s stance remains measured and constructive. Rather than resorting to aggression, Islamabad continues to emphasise dialogue, intelligence cooperation, and regional counterterrorism mechanisms. The emerging anti-Taliban resistance within Afghanistan, if properly supported and guided by a desire for peace rather than revenge, could become a crucial factor in eliminating the safe havens that have fuelled terrorism for decades. A stable, inclusive and terror-free Afghanistan aligns not only with Pakistan’s national interests but with the broader regional and global pursuit of peace.
The writer is a former diplomat and freelance columnist.
