Taliban Leader Sends Delegation to Karzai, Orders Former President’s Exile and Compliance
Sources report that the Taliban leader has sent a delegation from Kandahar to Kabul to meet with Hamid Karzai, requesting that he leave the country. The delegation also delivered Hebatullah's decree, emphasizing obedience to the Taliban leader and prohibiting party and political activities.
Kokcha News Agency: Sources familiar with Afghanistan International said that former President Hamid Karzai told the delegation sent by Hebatullah Akhundzadeh that he would not leave the country.
According to sources, Mr. Karzai emphasized that Afghanistan is his homeland and home, and he will not go anywhere. The exact time of the meeting between the Taliban leader’s delegation and Hamid Karzai is unknown. Sources say that the delegation handed over Hebatullah Akhundzadeh’s five-article decree to Mr. Karzai.
A copy of this decree has reached Afghanistan International, which emphasizes “obedience to the Islamic Emirate, prohibition of any political and media activities, and restrictions on commenting on national and international issues.” The decree states that “commemorating famous figures, celebrating special occasions, or issuing statements on national and international issues” is prohibited.
Sources said that in recent months, Hamid Karzai’s meetings with foreign officials and diplomats have been limited. Most recently, Mr. Karzai met with Mirwais Azizi, a businessman in Kabul, and expressed his satisfaction with Mr. Azizi’s investment in the electricity and energy sector in the country and the start of the project’s implementation.
Over the past four years, Mr. Karzai has repeatedly met with foreign diplomats in Kabul and occasionally comments, especially on the education of girls. He is a supporter of education and work for girls and women and has called on the Taliban to reopen girls’ schools and allow women to work and be active. Two weeks ago, the former president expressed concern about media reports of a Pakistani airstrike in Nuristan province, and in recent days, he welcomed the Taliban’s decision to pay pensioners’ salaries and also congratulated Afghanistan’s Independence Day.
Sources emphasized that the Taliban have asked Karzai to refrain from commenting on the education and employment of women. Earlier, sources reported that the Taliban leader had asked Karzai to leave the country after eavesdropping on a private conversation.
According to sources, the Taliban leader’s informants recorded Karzai’s conversation, in which the former president said: “He will mark the end of Hebatullah’s political life, and Hebatullah is very afraid of him.”
