Hekmatyar Criticizes the Imposition of Partisan Flags as Afghanistan Symbols

Kokcha News Agency: Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of Afghanistan’s Islamic Party, has spoken out against the use of partisan flags as national symbols, particularly on the occasion of Afghanistan’s National Flag Day.

In a note published on Thursday, 9 Asad, Hekmatyar highlighted that over the past century, numerous flags have been raised, changed, torn down, and even burned in the Presidential Palace (Arg), each reflecting the personal or party interests of those in power.

Without explicitly naming the Taliban, Hekmatyar emphasized that a national flag should symbolize national unity and should be chosen by the true and elected representatives of the people in a credible and trusted council. He lamented that this void has yet to be filled.

The current national flag of Afghanistan was approved by the Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) and enshrined in the 2004 Constitution. The previous government designated 7 Asad as National Flag Day, and many citizens continue to celebrate this day annually.

Hekmatyar urged that the symbol of national unity should not be turned into a source of division or used as a tool for condemnation and violence. He stated, “Such a flag is not considered sacred in Islam, and kissing or bowing before it has no place in religion.”

Since the Taliban’s return to power, they have replaced the national tricolor flag with their white flag and have banned the display, publication, and carrying of the tricolor flag. Recently, the Taliban’s Vice and Virtue Ministry in Kandahar arrested at least 24 young people for posting images of the national flag on social media.

Hekmatyar also criticized certain political figures, accusing them of using the national flag and commemorating its day while having previously “sold religious and national values to the Soviet Union and NATO.”