Kabul, Afghanistan – Political figures still in Afghanistan expect the Taliban government to collaborate for any future decision concerning all aspect of the country, according to sources, following the establishment of a commission that engages former politicians.
In March, the Taliban officials had established a “Commission for Return and Communications with Former Afghan Officials and Political Figures” to encourage return of the former government officials and political figures who fled the country after the Taliban takeover in August last year.
But according to these figures, the commission has been inactive, saying the so-called Islamic Emirate government has forgotten politicians inside the country.
“I think the establishment of this commission is very good, in terms of composition as well, and I hope that they will have relations with the elders inside the country and get their views,” said Asif Nang, the former governor of Laghman, as local media quoted.
Meanwhile, the political figures suggest transparency and open talks with politicians residing in Afghanistan, which is said to be one of the main objectives of the commission.
“First, the commission should make it clear about what it is talking about with them, and then talk once with a number of them who are inside Afghanistan, along with the figures who have been involved in Afghan politics for 45 years,” said Sayed Ishaq Gailani, the leader of the Afghan People’s Solidarity Movement.
While the commission aims to facilitate internal communication, encouraging former authorities to return to the country, a number of politicians are concern whether they will be handed back their role in respective government bodies, questioning the context of the commission and its usefulness for the former officials.
“Those who have left Afghanistan want to come back if they can resume their activities in the society, in the government and in the political society of the country, and this commission has not proposed this,” said Tariq Farhadi, a political analyst.
“If these figures, the government officials and professional cadres, who have left Afghanistan are not given chances, then I think this will add to the number of unemployed,” said Ghulam Sakhi Ehsani, a university lecturer.
Meanwhile, the commission head assures those who return to the country will have their legitimate demands met, saying it has drafted a procedure in fifteen articles that provided short-term accommodation for political figures and former military personnel.
Although the “Commission for the Return and Communications with Former Afghan Officials and Political Figures” was established in March, it formally started operation on Saturday.
The commission is chaired by Shahabuddin Delawar so as to facilitate communication channels and safe pathways for the return of the former officials and political figures who fled the country during the chaotic troop withdrawal last year.
After the Taliban takeover in August 2021, a huge number of Afghan security forces, politicians, university professors, social and human rights activists, including high-ranking government employees, fled the country, fearing a deadly future under the Taliban regime.
