By Jamila Mirwais 

(London-based Afghan analyst)

Since the return of the Afghan Taliban to power in Kabul in 2021, the group initially sought to project a softer and more moderate image to both Afghans and the international community. Taliban leaders portrayed themselves as representatives of a war-weary population that had suffered through decades of conflict since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.

Over four decades of war left deep scars on Afghan society. Hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives, millions were displaced internally or forced to flee abroad, thousands were injured, and countless families lost homes, businesses, livelihoods, and loved ones.

However, many Afghans now say the Taliban’s promises of moderation have gradually faded. Across different provinces, residents describe a climate dominated by fear, restrictions, armed control, and uncertainty about the future.

Noor (full name withheld for security reasons due to potential risk of Taliban retaliation), a resident of Nangarhar Province, told me that he and his family had been living in Pakistan before returning to Afghanistan last year to rebuild their lives on ancestral land.

According to Noor, when his father began constructing a house on family property, local Taliban authorities intervened and halted the work.

“They told us we could not build without their approval,” he said. “They said the land may belong to us, but it is now considered government property. They decide how much land people can use and whether construction is allowed.”

He also described difficulties after attempting to open a business in Jalalabad. Local Taliban officials allegedly demanded permits and recurring payments before allowing operations to continue.

Residents and local observers also allege growing social pressure and interference in private family matters in some rural areas.

Noor claimed that in several instances, local commanders pressured families regarding marriage arrangements involving Taliban fighters. Such claims are difficult to independently verify because of restrictions on media access and fear of reprisals among residents.

Meanwhile, regional security concerns surrounding Afghanistan continue to intensify. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban administration of allowing militant groups to operate from Afghan territory, particularly along the porous border regions shared by the two countries.

Pakistani officials say attacks in Pakistan have increased significantly since 2021, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

Islamabad has consistently said that militants linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are using safe havens inside Afghanistan to plan and launch cross-border attacks. The Afghan Taliban regime has denied despite the facts that TTP and BLA terrorists are openly living in border provinces and running their terror camps.

According to Afghan journalists and local analysts, multiple militant organizations remain active inside Afghanistan, including factions linked to Islamic State Khorasan Province, Al-Qaeda, the Turkistan Islamic Party, and separatist or militant groups affecting neighboring countries.

Particular concern has focused on eastern Afghan provinces such as Kunar Province, Nuristan Province, Khost Province, Paktika Province, and Paktia Province, where TTP militant infrastructure and training facilities continue to operate.

The United Nations has also raised concerns in multiple reports about the continued presence of extremist organizations inside Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover. International observers warn that instability in Afghanistan could have broader regional consequences affecting not only Pakistan, but also China, Russia, Iran, and the wider Central Asian region.

Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban leadership to take action against groups accused of carrying out attacks from Afghan territory. However, Afghan Taliban are not ready to take any action against these terror groups who are now living in Afghanistan.

Analysts warn that if militant networks continue to regroup and expand their presence inside Afghanistan, the security threat may not remain confined to one region alone. They argue that without stronger international engagement and effective counterterrorism measures, Afghanistan could once again emerge as a center for transnational militancy with implications far beyond South Asia.

*Opinions expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of The South Asia Times