Hamdard returns, vows to be active in Balkh politics

Monitoring Desk

MAZAR-I-SHARIF: A former governor and member of the Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) leadership council, Juma Khan Hamdard, says he would launch his political activities soon in northern Balkh province.

Addressing a political gathering in Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial capital, Hamdard in a reference to future elections, asked the masses to be clever and avoid repeating past mistakes.

HIA supreme leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s son Habib Rahman Hekmatyar was also present in the gathering besides Hamdard, who called on armed militants and the government to reconcile.

He said the only way to resolve the ongoing conflict were peace talks. Calling the Taliban as the sons of the soil, the former jihadi leader said the Taliban would comeback regardless of some people’s wish.

He said anyone committing crimes no matter they were the Taliban or the government the perpetrators were criminals. Referring to a recent airstrike in Kunduz, he said killing common people was not acceptable.

Hamdard said he had been living in Kabul in the past and had not been politically active in Balkh. He told the residents of Balkh that he had made a comeback and would be active politically in Balkh.

He encouraged the masses to take part in the upcoming elections. Hekmatyar’s son also spoke on the occasion and called on the Taliban to begin talks with the government.

Besides HIA loyalists, tribal elders and youth from Balkh also attended the gathering.