In a latest interview conducted by CNN-News 18, with a member of the Taliban negotiating team and the spokesman of the political office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), Mohammad Suhail Shaheen gave an outlook for Afghanistan after the US exit, peace and relations with India and Pakistan.
Shaheen when asked that how genuine was Taliban’s bid to engage the international community, responded, “As per our policy, we don’t target embassies, consulates and NGOs. We only attack military forces of the Kabul administration that are engaged in fighting with us. We want to have relations with the international community and the world.”
He said that they were an Islamic liberation force that fought against the occupation for the last 20 years to gain independence. And that it is their legitimate right. He added that no one should worry that they will pose a threat to anyone. He also added that after gaining independence, they will focus on the reconstruction of their country and maintain good relations with the world on the basis of mutual respect and interests.
On being questioned about the present scenario between the Afghan forces and the Taliban, he said,
“Most of the districts falling to us recently was the result of negotiations and intermediation of religious scholars and tribal elders. Hundreds of armed forces of the Kabul administration joined us voluntarily. All weapons, whether heavy weapons or light ones, that were handed over to us, are duly registered and kept securely.”
He also added that there was no risk of their being lost or damaged. Many of the current Afghan forces can be part of the future Afghan army after vetting when a new Islamic government is in place, he said. Shaheen said that they were Afghans and that they have the right to serve their country, but right now, they should stop killing their own people for the sake of prolongation of a moribund foreign-installed regime.
Further, he was asked about women’s education and the Jaziya imposed on the minorities, to which Shaheen responded by saying, “We have no problem with women’s education and work, but it should be as per Islamic rules, i.e., they should wear a decent uniform and clothes in school and workplace. Minorities have full right to profess their faith and hold government posts. No one is required to pay jaziya in Afghanistan.”
On the questions pertaining to the hostilities between the Taliban and the Afghan government, Shaheen said, “Our Supreme Leader has announced amnesty for all our adversaries if they abandon their hostility against us or leave the files and ranks of the enemy forces. You may have watched videos showing our mujahideen putting garlands of flowers around the necks of those who are coming over to us.”
Shaheen added that they don’t harbour any intention of revenge when the opposition stops fighting. “We, the Afghans, should accept each other and start peaceful coexistence in a new Islamic government. The Afghans have passed through a lot of sufferings and tragedies,” he concluded.
Shaheen was further asked about the governance structure, to which he said, “We have left this question to the two negotiating teams to decide and reach a solution. We can’t say anything before the conclusion of the negotiations because it is an issue to be discussed on the table.”
He said that any decision taken there by the two negotiating teams will be acceptable to them.
When it came to relations with the neighboring country, Pakistan, Shaheen said, “Pakistan is a neighbour Muslim country. We have shared values and history and want good relations with them on the basis of mutual respect and interests. They have been hosting the Afghan refugees for decades, which we appreciate. However, we take our decisions independently. This is important to us.”
Finally, when asked about India, he said that Indians lived in almost a vaccum. And that they view the Taliban from their angle of discrimination, bias and hostility. “As far as the ground realities in Afghanistan are concerned, the Indians are living almost in a vacuum. Furthermore, they look at us from their angle of discrimination, bias and hostility. This is their origin of perception about us but it has not served them in the long run,” said Shaheen.
He said that India sided with a foreign-installed government in Kabul which killed it’s own people in order to stay in power. He said that India needs to remain impartial in the Afghan issue.
“They are siding with a foreign-installed government in Kabul which is killing its own people to stay in power. India should remain at least impartial in the Afghan issue, rather than supporting an occupation-born government,” Shaheen concluded.
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