Facing financial crunch, Taliban is negotiating with African countries to supply leftover American weapons. In lieu of the weapons, the outfit is seeking payments in diamonds to trade the same through white channels in the international markets.
The African diamonds are globally reputed to be of high quality and the Taliban is aiming to offset the financial crisis amid pending recognition of its regime from the international market and a staring drought in Afghanistan.
The crisis is such that the Taliban has started selling off seized properties of the political and ideological opponents. A number of such properties have already been sold off to the Pakistanis based in Kandahar. Several properties in other cities are also on the block.
In view of the financial mess the country is going through, the Taliban has sought aid from a number of countries like Germany and Iran as also from the international community.
In addition, the Taliban has already invigorated the drug cartel in collusion with the Pakistani military-ISI syndicate to the Al Qaeda affiliates in Africa like the Boko Haram and Al Shabab.
Founder President of the Afghanistan Republic Salvation Front and counter-terrorism expert Ajmal Sohail said, “Taliban is essentially a terrorist or an insurgent organization that has been involved in drugs trade and smuggling of antiques and has also relied on funding from the Sheikhs of the Gulf countries. But such funds cannot sustain a government at the helm in Kabul. Running a government is an altogether different ballgame than operating a guerilla organization. Having realized the constraints of governance, the Taliban is already amplifying messages of an inclusive government and respect of human rights, all of which are aimed at seeking recognition for its regime and subsequently gaining access to international funding.”
Meanwhile, attacks on Pakistani troops continue in Pashtun dominated areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Tehrik-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP) reportedly attacked a Pakistani military post in Bajaur late last night.
Quoting sources on the ground, Sohail said several Pak soldiers were killed and wounded in the attack by the TTP.
A spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban said in a statement that they had targeted a Pakistani military post in the Nawagai area of Bajaur, killing and wounding the militants.
The TTP is a breakaway faction of the Afghan Taliban active in Pashtun dominated areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.