‘Taliban can’t regain power in Afghanistan’

The session was moderated by the experienced journalist Nasim Zehra. The other panelists included Anatol Lieven author of ‘Pakistan: A Hard Country’ and Shahid Hussain, a former foreign secretary and ambassador. “There is no likelihood of the Taliban coming back to power,” said Dr Lieven, supported by other speakers. He explained that the Taliban may gain influence in rural areas but not major towns and cities. “A repeat of the 1990s position of the Taliban is impossible,” he added.