KABUL, Afghanistan: In a surprising turn of events, Anas Haqqani, a prominent figure within the Islamic Emirate, conveyed a message of openness and interaction with the world.
Speaking at an exhibition showcasing remnants of war equipment from the UK, the Soviet Union, and the US in the province of Khost, Haqqani expressed the Islamic Emirate’s willingness to engage with the international community.
Haqqani’s statement highlighted a significant shift in the Islamic Emirate’s approach. He announced the end of the war with those who had invaded Afghanistan, even in the face of past atrocities committed against his people. His words resonated with a call for reconciliation and rebuilding.
“We announced the end of the war and opened the arms of interaction to the entire world, even when those who attacked us did not respect the dignity of these people, and shed holy blood,” Haqqani stated.
At the exhibition, Haqqani also emphasized the importance of strengthening the forces of the Islamic Emirate, advocating for both modern weaponry and self-sufficiency in production. Additionally, he underscored the need for a balanced education system that includes religious and contemporary education for the country’s next generation.
Now is the time to build this country; it is the time to bring together hearts. After that, we should have the same conveniences as other developed nations. Our devoted army should have modern weaponry; we should have our own products, and the next generation should receive both religious and modern education, Haqqani asserted.
However, while Haqqani’s words may signify a desire for engagement and progress, international concerns remain. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, expressed reservations about disengagement with the Taliban, stating that it could lead to further chaos in Afghanistan.
Speaking at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Al Thani said, “We strongly believe that disengaging with the Taliban will create a bigger chaos and will create a vacuum in the country… We kept encouraging all parties to continue engaging, but we believe that unfortunately, after the withdrawal and the Taliban assuming power, there was an absence of a clear roadmap for the way forward for Afghanistan.
