By: Naseebullah Khan
The real test of the Taliban has started. Defeating America on the battlefield might be a victory for them, but the real triumph will be when the Taliban succeed in a vibrant governing system, formation of an inclusive government, safeguarding human rights, protecting the official segment of the country, and bringing them back into the country, social security, economic robustness, and ensuring democratic setup.
After 15th August when the Taliban took reign, millions of Afghans have displaced, thousands are on the borders of Pakistan and Iran to enter both countries, the economy had collapsed, the social system has deteriorated, the government machinery is standing still, the country is being run without the constitution, human rights issues have emerged, poverty and unemployment are on the peak, brain drain has dented the governing system, experts are sidelined which we have seen in the episode of vice-chancellor of Kabul University, Infrastructure devastation, health miseries have, and trust deficit against the Taliban which has increased are the thorns ahead for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA). How the Taliban deal with the pathetic social, political, and economic indicators in the country will decide their fate.
This is no doubt that after a prolonged war since King Zahir Shah was overthrown, the two decades (importantly, the hold of Ashraf Ghani) since 9/11, Afghanistan witnessed better in economic, governance, and in social sectors. A network of Dams, production of electricity, infrastructural development, a setup of a competent bureaucracy, institutional building, and plausible development in educational and health sectors are the credits that go to Ashraf Ghani. The Taliban have a different and stable Afghanistan than that of their first tenure. The trial of governance has stated.
During the past twenty years of armed struggle, the Taliban had been posturing America, the Nato, and the US-backed Afghan government for all the ills of the country. Now, the ground is prepared for the Taliban to rule according to their whims. Blaming and making responsible others will not work more. If they fail to deliver and address the redresses of the common folk, the Taliban will be swept away with a bang.
The writer is a Freelance Columnist. He tweets at @Naseebk95976870
