Recent reports suggesting that senior militants of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are residing in Kabul’s diplomatic enclave have reignited an old but unresolved debate: whether Afghanistan under Taliban rule can assure the world that its territory will not be used for militant activity. According to diplomatic sources, figures such as Noor Wali Mehsud, Hafiz Gul Bahadur and Bashir Zeb are allegedly being sheltered in the highly secure Green Zone of Kabul, particularly in the Wazir Akbar Khan area where many embassies and international organisations are located.

If these claims are accurate, the implications go far beyond a routine security concern. The Green Zone is meant to be the safest district of the Afghan capital; a place where diplomats, UN officials and international aid workers live and operate with a sense of protection. The suggestion that internationally wanted militants might be present in the same neighbourhood inevitably raises alarm among foreign missions and humanitarian agencies.

The issue, however, should not be reduced to a simple question of whether these specific individuals are indeed living in Kabul’s diplomatic district. The broader concern already exists: many militant groups linked to the Pakistani Taliban are widely believed to operate from Afghan territory. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of failing to restrain TTP fighters who carry out attacks inside Pakistan.

The suggestion that internationally wanted militants might be present in the same neighbourhood inevitably raises alarm among foreign missions and humanitarian agencies.

The suggestion that internationally wanted militants might be present in the same neighbourhood inevitably raises alarm among foreign missions and humanitarian agencies.

The Afghan Taliban government has consistently denied such accusations, insisting that it does not allow any group to use Afghan soil against other countries. Yet regional tensions suggest that the matter remains far from settled. In recent years, cross-border violence and military incidents have increased, largely driven by Pakistan’s claim that militants are finding refuge across the border.

Against this background, reports about militants possibly living near embassies in Kabul add a new and troubling dimension. Diplomatic districts in any capital carry symbolic as well as practical significance. They represent the host state’s commitment to international engagement and to the protection of foreign representatives. If militant figures are perceived to be present in such areas, it undermines the confidence of the international community and raises questions about the host government’s ability – or willingness – to enforce its authority.

For Afghanistan, this issue is particularly sensitive. The country is already facing economic hardship, diplomatic isolation and severe humanitarian challenges. Recognition by the international community remains limited, and many governments have adopted a cautious approach in dealing with the Taliban administration. In such circumstances, perceptions about security carry enormous weight.

No state seeking international legitimacy can afford to be viewed as a sanctuary for militant groups. Economic cooperation, foreign investment and diplomatic recognition all depend on the belief that a government exercises effective control over its territory. If Afghanistan is seen as a place where armed groups can operate freely – or even quietly coexist with state authorities – the prospects for international engagement become far more difficult.

This is why the debate surrounding these reports is not merely about Pakistan’s security concerns. It is about Afghanistan’s future place in the regional and global order. Stability in Afghanistan is closely tied to the security of its neighbours, and the actions of militant groups inevitably affect regional trust and cooperation.

The Taliban leadership in Kabul, therefore, faces an important test. It must demonstrate, through clear and verifiable steps, that Afghan territory will not serve as a base for militants targeting other countries. Words alone will not be enough. What matters is transparent action that reassures neighbouring states and the wider international community.

Afghanistan’s leadership today stands at a crossroads. One path leads toward constructive engagement with the world, economic recovery and gradual diplomatic acceptance. The other risks deepen isolation and mistrust. The choice ultimately rests in Kabul.

Hosting, or even appearing to tolerate, militant groups cannot bring lasting advantage. Instead, it threatens to damage Afghanistan’s reputation, strain relations with neighbours and discourage the international cooperation the country urgently needs. For a nation seeking stability after decades of conflict, the stakes could hardly be higher.

The writer is a freelance columnist

© Daily Times