According to Iraf, Ahmadullah Wasiq, a member of the Taliban’s Contact Commission with Afghan personalities, in his latest statement announced that Ashraf Ghani, the former president of Afghanistan, from the perspective of this commission, “has the right to return” to the country.
He emphasized in an interview with Shamshad Network that so far no contact has been made with Ghani for his return, but “there is no obstacle to his presence in Afghanistan and he can live in his homeland like any other Afghan.”
Wasiq, referring to the official policy of this commission, said: “Every Afghan, without exception, has the right to return to his country and live as a citizen in his land. This is their natural right and undeniable privilege.”
Ashraf Ghani, on August 15, 2021, simultaneously with the collapse of the previous government and the Taliban’s return to power, fled Afghanistan and since then has resided in the United Arab Emirates.
During these years, he has repeatedly commented on developments in Afghanistan and in some instances has criticized Taliban policies.
Last year, Ghani in remarks called for a national dialogue to overcome Afghanistan’s crisis and stated that if the people wish, he is ready to play a role in this process.
After taking power, the Taliban established an institution called the “Contact Commission with Afghan personalities”; an institution whose mission is stated to be bringing political figures and former officials back to the country.
Some former government officials have also returned to Afghanistan at the invitation of this commission, but prominent political figures, senior officials of the previous government, and civil activists have so far refused to accept this invitation.
While the Taliban claim that with the withdrawal of foreign forces and their re-establishment in power, the war in Afghanistan has ended, opposition political currents believe the country is still entangled in deep political, economic, and social crises and that the Taliban lack national and international legitimacy.
These currents emphasize the necessity of inclusive political dialogue with the Taliban; a demand that so far has been ignored by the current ruling authority.
The formation of an inclusive government with the participation of all ethnic groups and social sectors, respect for human rights, and guaranteeing the fundamental rights of citizens—especially women’s rights—are among the most important demands of Taliban opponents.
In this context, Fawzia Koofi, former member of Afghanistan’s parliament, in response to the Taliban’s invitation for the return of political figures, said: “Return only has meaning when people return as free citizens with rights, not to pledge allegiance to a regime that lacks domestic and international legitimacy.”
