Britain's military chief is involved in an initiative in which Pakistan's intelligence is attempting to dissuade the Taliban from launching attacks on international forces as they leave Afghanistan.
The head of the British military, Gen Sir Nick Carter, travelled to Kabul recently for a meeting that brought together the Afghan president and head of Pakistan's military to discuss the Taliban and withdrawal of troops.
Gen Carter’s visit was confirmed by the Ministry of Defence, which on Thursday said he was there as part of the “peace process”.
Britain has 750 troops in the 7,000-strong Nato contingent alongside 2,500 Americans who will all withdraw by September 11 after 20 years fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.
But security officials disclosed that Pakistan Inter Service Intelligence, often accused of backing the Taliban, told the extremists to let foreign troops leave in peace to ensure their departure.
"The ISI is trying to persuade the Taliban not to launch attacks against international forces from now until September 11," a security source told The National.
“Pakistan is trying to moderate the Taliban so the international forces aren’t forced to stay if the security situation deteriorates. The ISI wants to continue its influence over Afghanistan once the British and Americans have left.”
If the Taliban launches successful attacks on foreign troops over the next five months, it could subsequently claim a significant victory in forcing the US and its allies to withdraw.
Pakistan ISI’s apparent intervention came after Taliban commanders threatened attacks on foreign troops when the new US administration ignored the deadline of May 1 set for withdrawal by former president Donald Trump.
“There was anger in their ranks that the Americans had broken the agreement and the Taliban wanted to launch a new offensive,” the source said.
However, it is also understood that no request was made for the Taliban to curb attacks on local Afghan forces or civilians. In a horrific bombing attack on Saturday, 85 people, mostly schoolgirls, were killed in Kabul, although this was claimed by the Afghan branch of ISIS.
Taliban fighters overwhelmed several Afghan government positions and this week seized a district in Wardak province, about 40 kilometres west of Kabul.
The deteriorating security situation led the Afghans to call on Pakistan for assistance, despite a fractured relationship with the country.
Gen Carter apparently facilitated the meeting between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Pakistan’s highly influential military chief Gen Qamar Bajwa and ISI chief Gen Faiz Hameed.
The British government did not disclose that Gen Carter had been in Afghanistan until confirming it with The National on Thursday.
The officer is seen as a key moderator having nurtured longstanding relationships during his time as Nato’s deputy commander in Afghanistan with Mr Ghani. He is on good terms with Gen Bajwa, whom he has hosted in London at the Ministry of Defence HQ, as well as at social events, including an international cricket match at Lord’s.
A senior Afghan official said the British general had played an "important part" in getting the Afghans and Pakistanis together, which was difficult given the recent history between the countries. He said it was important Gen Carter continued his "constructive role".
Mr Ghani’s office said the meeting on Monday involved “Pakistan’s role in the peace process and stopping violence in Afghanistan”.
The British government said Gen Carter was invited by Mr Ghani and had "participated in a bilateral meeting" with Gen Bajwa and the president that "included discussions on the Afghan peace process".
“Sir Nick Carter reaffirmed the UK’s continued commitment to work with both Afghanistan and Pakistan as partners in the fight against terrorism in the region,” the official said.
While the Nato withdrawal is unlikely to be as precipitate as the Russian exit in 1989, there are concerns that with the absence of western troops the Taliban will wait until it is strong enough to seize Kabul. That last happened in 1996, four years after Russia cut financial aid to the Afghan government, which was subsequently unable to pay its security forces.
Months before British troops left Iraq in 2009, senior military and intelligence officials negotiated an accommodation with local Shiite militias to end the fighting before their withdrawal.
More on Afghanistan US hands over base to Afghan National Army
Taliban and Afghan army locked in fierce combat
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The biog
Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.
Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella
Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"
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Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
