Sarwar Danish: Federalism a Solution for Fair Power Distribution in Afghanistan

DID Press: Former Afghan vice president Sarwar Danish stated that federalism could serve as an effective framework for reducing ethnic tensions and ensuring a fair distribution of political power in Afghanistan.

In remarks responding to comments made by Anwar-ul-Haq Ahadi, Danish rejected claims that federalism would be a “major disaster,” calling such views inaccurate and detached from academic and historical analysis.

Ahadi had previously described federalism as harmful and instead advocated for a centralized system based on civic nationalism.

Danish argued that federalism has been widely studied in Afghan political and academic discourse and is supported by comparative experiences from other small and medium-sized countries. He said it could help manage ethnic diversity, expand political participation, and reduce long-standing communal tensions.

He further emphasized that priorities such as justice, inclusive governance, and broad public participation outweigh concerns over administrative complexity. According to him, federal systems are not divisive but rather tools for reducing conflict and strengthening national unity.

Danish also criticized opposing views as a continuation of traditional ethnic nationalism, which he said has so far failed to build a stable and inclusive state in Afghanistan.