The Future of Afghanistan – Post US Withdrawal
Panelists: Mr. Faheem Dashty, Chairman, Afghan Journalists Union, Kabul; Ms Farkhunda Zehra Naderi, Member, High Council for National Reconciliation, Afghanistan; and Mr. Mushahid Hussain, Chairman Senate Defence Committee, Pakistan 

Chair: Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Ashok K. Mehta

The Taliban seems headed towards imposing a military solution in Afghanistan triggered off by the hasty and irresponsible withdrawal of US and NATO forces. The virtual collapse of Afghan National Security Forces after the Taliban offensive on 1st May has come as a big surprise. The Taliban have reportedly captured nearly 200 of the country’s 419 districts including trade and transit points on borders with Pakistan, Tajikistan and Iran. Afghanistan’s future seems to be returning to the dark past under the Taliban with Kabul’s mentors, failing the Afghans in preserving the two-decade old gains.