Defence and strategic affairs expert Dr Maria Sultan has expressed serious concern over the current situation in Afghanistan during a special interview with HTN. She claimed that if the Taliban’s current style of governance continues for another year, Afghanistan’s territorial integrity could face severe threats.
According to Dr Maria Sultan, the survival of the Afghan state depends on recognizing the rights of all ethnic groups. Otherwise, the risk of the country breaking into multiple parts may become unavoidable.
Ethnic Diversity and Governance Challenges
Dr Maria Sultan stated that Afghanistan has historically been home to diverse ethnic communities that were part of different security and political structures long before the rise of the Taliban.
She argued that if the Taliban government continues to ignore the reality that all ethnic groups have an equal right to participate in the state and society, the situation could spiral further out of control.
Need for an Inclusive and Progressive System
The analysis emphasized that Afghanistan requires modern and progressive institutional structures to ensure long-term stability. According to the discussion, failure to establish an inclusive political system and clarify policies regarding human rights could intensify internal unrest and ethnic tensions.
Observers warn that growing divisions among communities may eventually push the country toward deeper instability and fragmentation.
Concerns Over Afghanistan’s Future
Dr Maria Sultan’s remarks come at a time when international pressure on the Taliban is increasing to form a representative and inclusive government.
Analysts believe that unless ethnic grievances and political exclusion are addressed, Afghanistan could once again move toward a new phase of internal conflict, with serious consequences not only for the country itself but for the wider region as well.
