Kabul has recently become a central stage for diplomatic developments that could redefine Afghanistan’s political landscape and its relationships with neighboring countries. The visit of Zalmay Khalilzad, a prominent U.S. diplomat with longstanding ties to the region, has hinted at a groundbreaking shift: direct negotiations between the United States and the Taliban, sidelining traditional intermediaries. This move has sparked unease in Pakistan, which had banked on leveraging former U.S. President Donald Trump’s anti-Taliban rhetoric to align American interests with its own, particularly to pressure the Taliban into addressing the persistent threat of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Read more on Zalmay Khalilzad’s visit to Afghanistan here

Taliban Leaders Removed from U.S. Bounty Lists

Adding intrigue to this diplomatic pivot, Taliban-affiliated spokesperson and media outlets have claimed that Sirajuddin Haqqani, a senior Taliban leader, has been removed from the U.S. State Department’s “Rewards for Justice” list. Yet, a contradiction persists—his name remains on the FBI’s website as a wanted individual, leaving his status ambiguous. Local reports further indicate that the U.S. has lifted bounties on three key Haqqani network figures tied to the Taliban:

• Sirajuddin Haqqani, previously listed with a $10 million reward.
• Abdul Aziz Haqqani and Yahya Haqqani, each carrying a $5 million bounty.
  This apparent rollback of financial incentives signals a potential softening of U.S. policy toward the Taliban, though the discrepancies between agencies suggest an unresolved internal debate.

Following Khalilzad’s arrival, the Taliban hosted Mohammad Sadiq Khan, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, marking his second trip to the city. Radio Pakistan reported that Khan’s visit, directed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, aimed to bolster bilateral ties and foster cooperation across multiple sectors. These engagements highlight a transformative moment in Afghanistan’s political narrative, as the Taliban seeks to cement its authority both at home and abroad.

Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations Hit New Lows

Despite these diplomatic overtures, the relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan continues to fray. Recent border tensions have escalated into verbal clashes and heightened friction between Taliban and Pakistani officials. Mohammad Sadiq Khan’s appointment as special representative—succeeding Asif Khan Durrani—initially raised hopes that his experience and influence could bridge the divide. Yet, far from improving, the situation has worsened. The Taliban’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, recently pointed to Pakistan as the sole neighbor with whom the Taliban has disputes, a statement that lays bare the depth of their discord.

This tension was vividly illustrated during Khan’s previous Kabul visit, when the Pakistani military launched airstrikes on a TTP hideout in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. The attack inflamed an already volatile situation, with some analysts suggesting it reflected discomfort within Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) over Khan’s presence in Kabul. The airstrikes underscored Pakistan’s inconsistent approach to the Taliban—oscillating between diplomacy and military action.

Khan’s latest trip to Kabul reflects Pakistan’s urgent push to mend ties and ease mounting tensions. Posting on his official X account, he noted that both sides agreed to pursue high-level talks to strengthen relations. However, Pakistan’s anxiety has deepened as the U.S. engages directly with the Taliban, upending Islamabad’s strategy of using American leverage to influence Taliban behavior.

Direct Negotiations Reshape Regional Dynamics

The U.S. delegation’s visit to Kabul, led by Zalmay Khalilzad, marks a turning point in U.S.-Taliban relations. Khalilzad’s close connections with the Taliban, bolstered by discreet lobbying efforts in Arab nations—have paved the way for open negotiations in Kabul. No longer reliant on intermediaries, the two sides have begun direct talks, yielding a notable outcome: the Taliban reportedly secured the removal of Sirajuddin Haqqani’s name from the U.S. list of global terrorists in exchange for releasing an American prisoner.

For Pakistan, this shift is a double-edged sword. Pakistani officials had hoped that Trump’s return and his hardline stance against terrorism would align U.S. policy with their goal of pressuring the Taliban to act against the TTP—a hope reinforced by a joint operation that nabbed a suspect linked to an attack on Kabul airport. Yet, with the U.S. now negotiating directly with the Taliban, Pakistan finds its influence waning, heightening its sense of vulnerability in an increasingly complex regional landscape.