Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of Hezb-e-Islami, has sharply criticized the current state of governance in Afghanistan, describing it as “unacceptable” to the Afghan people and calling for immediate political reform, including the holding of elections.
In a statement released on Saturday, Hekmatyar warned that the country’s political system falls short of public expectations, emphasizing the urgent need for a representative council, a constitution, and an elected government. “The current situation is not only contrary to the hopes and expectations of Afghan people, but is unacceptable to any Afghan,” he said. “Everyone seeks immediate and positive change within the framework of clear Islamic principles.”
Hekmatyar’s remarks come amid renewed efforts by the Taliban to encourage exiled Afghan leaders to return. Speaking at a gathering in Kabul, Shahabuddin Delawar, head of the Taliban’s political outreach commission, invited prominent political figures—including Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf, Mohammad Mohaqiq, Karim Khalili, Atta Mohammad Noor, Abdul Rashid Dostum, Ashraf Ghani, and Fawzia Koofi to return, assuring them of safety and stating, “Everything is forgiven.”
However, opposition parties, including the party of Karim Khalili, have indicated that a return would only be feasible if the country’s governance is restructured based on the will of the people. The statement emphasized, “The lasting resolution of Afghanistan’s political crisis is only possible through the creation of a just, inclusive political structure based on the free will of the people.” It also placed responsibility for the country’s ongoing instability squarely on the Taliban if reforms are not implemented.
Since reclaiming power, the Taliban have resisted calls for an inclusive government, forming an all-male cabinet dominated by members of their own ranks. Reports from the United Nations indicate that dozens of former government officials and security personnel have been killed or imprisoned over the past four years. According to a recent report from the Middle East Institute, over 90 percent of the Taliban’s leadership consists of individuals from a single ethnic group, underscoring concerns about the lack of political diversity.
Critics argue that the Taliban’s current governance structure systematically excludes large segments of Afghan society. Meanwhile, opposition leaders remain fragmented and have struggled to present a unified alternative, leaving the country’s political future uncertain.
Hekmatyar’s call for immediate elections and inclusive governance represents a significant challenge to the Taliban’s hold on power and highlights the deepening political crisis in Afghanistan.
