Pakistani media outlets have cited differences in Pakistan’s policy towards Afghanistan as the reason for the removal of Asif Ali Durrani from his position as the country’s special representative for Afghanistan.
According to these reports, the Pakistani military was dissatisfied with Durrani’s performance, and he had become frustrated because his policy recommendations were ignored by his superiors.
A Pakistani media report states: “Despite thirty-two years of diplomatic service, he was seen as an outsider in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs due to his unique mission, which forced him to report to the military and seek guidance from them. As a result, he felt excluded from discussions related to Afghanistan within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
“There is a civilian government and a military government in Pakistan. When the military government makes a decision, it imposes it on the civilian government to accept it,” said Amanullah Hotaki, a political analyst.
The report also mentioned that Asif Ali Durrani opposed the mass deportation of illegal Afghan immigrants due to its adverse impact on Pakistan’s border control and believed that Pakistan should address the issue of terrorism within the country.
“The instability and insecurity problems in Pakistan are related to wrong policies, which have caused instability and insecurity in Pakistan,” said Fazl Rahman Oria, another political analyst.
Asif Ali Durrani was appointed as Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan by the Pakistani government in May 2023.