Russia hosts Afghanistan conference as Taliban violence rises in Pakistan

Afghan and Pakistani Taliban fighters have often co-ordinated over decades of instability in the two countries

A Taliban fighter in the Spera district of Khost province in south-west Afghanistan. June 26, 2022. AFP

Russia's presidential envoy to Afghanistan on Wednesday called for a regional summit on Afghanistan, expressing discontent at the Taliban’s government formation and calling for the militant movement to be more inclusive of minorities.

In language reminiscent of the western-led coalition ― which struggled to build a representative Afghan government ― Zamir Kabulov said the Taliban had not begun the "prompt formation of an ethno-political inclusive government".

"They [the Taliban] continue to insist on the opposite, that their government is inclusive. We can't agree with this," he said.

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  Taliban fighters celebrate the first anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan, in front of the former US embassy in Kabul. AP

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  A girl cries on the pavement as men ride by on a motorbike, during celebrations in Kabul marking the first anniversary of Taliban's return to power. Getty

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  Taliban fighters hold weapons as they ride on a humvee in Kabul as during celebrations marking a year since their return to power in Afghanistan. AFP

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  On August 15, 2021, the Taliban took control of Kabul after an 11-day blitz through Afghanistan. AP

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  Afghan boys hold weapons as they join the celebrations. AP

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  A Taliban fighter mans his weapon during the mass gathering in Kabul. AP

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  Taliban fighters drive in procession through the streets of the Afghan capital. Reuters

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  There were also celebrations in Kandahar, the extremists' seat of power. EPA

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  Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi gives a speech at an event in Kabul marking the first anniversary of the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan. AFP

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  Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi at the podium at an event in Kabul marking the first anniversary of the Taliban's return to power. AFP

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  Acting Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqoob speaks at a gathering in Kabul to mark the first anniversary of the Taliban's return to power. AFP

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  Taliban leaders attended an anniversary ceremony in Kabul. Reuters

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  Outside the US embassy, fighters chanted victory slogans. AFP

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  The fighters' show of force. AP

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  Taliban fighters hold rifles while chanting victory slogans at Ahmad Shah Massoud Square near the US embassy. AFP

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  Taliban fighters ride in a convoy near the US embassy in Kabul. AFP

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  A year ago, the country's western-backed government fled and the Afghan military crumbled in the face of the Taliban advance. AP

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  The chaotic withdrawal of foreign forces continued until August 31, as tens of thousands of Afghans and foreigners clamoured to board flights out of the country. AP

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  The Taliban authorities have so far not announced any official celebrations to mark the anniversary, but state television said it would air special programmes. AP

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  For ordinary Afghans, especially women, the return of the Taliban has increased hardships. Aid agencies say that half the country's 38 million people face extreme poverty. AFP

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  Initially, the Taliban promised a softer version of their harsh interpretation of Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001. But many restrictions have been imposed on women. AFP

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  Tens of thousands of girls have been shut out of secondary schools, while women have been barred from returning to many government jobs. AFP

His remarks come amid a deterioration in the security situation in northern Pakistan, where the Taliban have a local, affiliated group known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). On Wednesday, it was reported that the Pakistani Taliban had killed six police officers in an ambush.

For years, foreign observers have warned that the two Taliban movements could create a continuous zone of instability, endangering security in Pakistan and potentially destabilising the region. Since about 2007, when the TTP formed, Pakistan has fought Taliban insurgents along the rugged, Pashtun-majority border with Afghanistan.

Mr Kabulov called for "key countries of the region to gather and discuss how to proceed", adding that "our question is to provide a true national reconciliation in Afghanistan".

Russia was hosting the meeting on Afghanistan with representatives from China, Turkey, Qatar, as well as countries neighbouring Afghanistan, including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran and Pakistan.

The Taliban representatives were not present at talks this year.

Although Moscow has designated the Taliban a terrorist group and outlawed it on Russian soil, the Taliban has representation in Russia and a delegation attended the recent St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

"Our question is to provide a true national reconciliation in Afghanistan, ie, the creation of such a state, in which all the main political groups will be presented, whose voice would be heard."

Pakistan attacks

In Pakistan, the six police officers were killed in an ambush in the north-west of the country on Wednesday, officials said.

The Pakistan Taliban share common lineage with the Afghan Taliban and have staged an increasing number of raids in the year since Kabul fell into the hands of the hardline Islamists.

Gunmen with automatic rifles launched an attack at about 7am on a police vehicle patrolling the village of Shahab Khel, 100km from the Afghan border.

"All the six policemen were killed" under fire from both sides, Tariqullah Khan, a district official in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, told AFP.

The Pakistan Taliban said the police were "coming for a raid" when they were ambushed.

It said in a statement to AFP its own fighters "managed to reach their base safely" after looting weapons and ammunition.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered his condolences and said on Twitter, "terrorism continues to be one of Pakistan's foremost problems".

The TTP were at the height of their power in Pakistan between 2007 and 2009, when they held sway over the Swat valley just 135km north of Islamabad.

They were pushed into Afghanistan by an army offensive after a barbaric schoolhouse bombing that killed nearly 150 pupils in 2014.

Analysts say the TTP have found a vital foothold and shelter there since the chaotic US departure and the Afghan Taliban takeover in August 2021.