Talks will fail if Taliban seeks superiority: Khan

KABUL (TOLO News): The Taliban’s leader Mullah Hibatullah in a statement released on Saturday called their deal with the United States a big victory against the occupation of the US and called on all the Taliban to come together–more than ever–and become stronger.

In the statement, Hibatullah referred to himself as a leader “zaeem,” using a different term than the usual “amir,” which some interpreted as a claim to newly increased authority. He urged his followers to ensure citizens’ rights under a “real Islamic law,” and said that “the Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate should make their lives more orderly, more active and stronger.”

Former Mujahideen leader Mohammad Ismail Khan said the message of the Taliban was ignorant, and that the way the talks were conducted has increased their feeling of superiority over the people of Afghanistan.

“Foreign ministers of the region and the world, as well as a number of Afghans, were invited and they (the Taliban) became convinced that they are a big power in the country, because (the US) will only sign with them. This created more ignorance,” Khan said. “The way the event was held pushed the Taliban to have more pride.”

The Taliban has said in the statement that anyone who is against them will be pardoned and that women and men’s rights will be ensured under Islam.

“This conveys the message that the people of Afghanistan are on the other side (of the conflict) and they have been pardoned and they will not be punished,” Khan said. “Such treatments cannot help the peace process to move forward smoothly.”

“The Taliban’s interpretation of Islam is an extremist interpretation,” said Salim Hussaini, a religious scholar.

A group of Taliban members, including Anas Haqqani, held a poetry session to celebrate the agreement. The footage was published on the nun.asia website, which often publishes the Taliban’s interviews and stories.

A former member of the Taliban, Jalaluddin Shinwari, said that the Taliban leaders’s call for members of the group to come together was aimed at achieving political goals.

“His message was meant to unite all personnel of the (Taliban) to advance political issues in the country,” he said.