Hekmatyar: Political Change in Afghanistan Is “Inevitable and Near”

DID Press: Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of Hezb-e Islami Afghanistan, says political change in Afghanistan is “inevitable and near,” urging Afghans to prepare for what he described as “positive change” and arguing that the country’s political future should be determined by the will and votes of its citizens.

Speaking online to a group of his supporters, Hekmatyar called on the Taliban to transfer power to the people and said the group must choose between “war and peace.” He argued that Afghans should decide on the country’s future political system and government through elected representatives.

Hekmatyar called for a new constitution, a national council based on national consensus, and “fair and transparent” elections. He said the legitimacy of the political system should derive from the will of the people, with decisions on domestic and foreign policy, the budget, war and peace made through elected institutions.

He described Afghanistan as a common home for all its citizens and said no individual or group should have superiority over others. Hekmatyar also urged his supporters to “neither commit injustice nor submit to injustice,” describing political change as a “religious duty” for Afghans.

Hekmatyar further criticized the Taliban’s foreign policy and governance, accusing the group of political isolation and of failing to establish stable relations with countries in the region and beyond. He argued that closer relations between the Taliban and countries such as Russia, Iran and India are based on mutual interests and do not amount to unconditional support.

He also accused the Taliban of intolerance toward political opponents and critics, and called for political disputes to be resolved through dialogue and national consensus. Hekmatyar said proxy conflicts, unemployment, insecurity, poverty and the large-scale return of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries were adding to Afghanistan’s existing crises.