Since the collapse of the former republic regime in Afghanistan, political leaders, politicians, and elites from various parts of society have departed the country. Over the past nineteen months, numerous political figures from outside of Afghanistan have advocated for the formation of multiple political parties and the establishment of a decentralized government. Recently, a new political party known as the “Afghan Citizens Party” was founded in France, led by Dr. Zakir Hossain Irshad, a university professor, and composed of several prominent figures from politics and culture. This party has entered the election contest with the slogan “Afghanistan for All Citizens” and the citizen-oriented principle. The “Afghan Citizens Party” is currently considering the selection of a successor to the Taliban government. The members of this party believe that the inclusive government under Taliban rule is a continuation of the political cycle, a continuation of the severe social crisis, and a threat to the global order. Furthermore, they view the Taliban’s involvement and acceptance of international and regional entities as an act of blackmail.
On Friday, March 10, the “Afghanistan Citizens Party” announced its arrival in the French Parliament. During his inaugural speech, the party’s leader, Dr. Zakir Hossain Ershad, strongly emphasized the need to reform the “exclusivist principles and rules of politics”. Dr. Zakir declared his intention to create a decentralized, citizen-centered democratic system in which all Afghans feel a sense of ownership. According to the party’s members, the party is composed of prominent political, cultural, and trade figures. During the party’s ceremony, some members of the French Parliament were present in the French Parliament’s offices.
Mr. Irshad identified foreign interventions, ethnic superiority, religious extremism, and monopolization in Afghan politics as the primary causes of Afghanistan’s instability and crises in recent decades.
Hush-e-Subh has obtained a recording of a speech given by Dr. Zakir Hossain Irshad, the president of the “Afghan Citizens Party”. In this address, Dr. Irshad asserted that foreign espionage and fascist groups had aided the Taliban terrorist group in taking control of Afghanistan. He made it clear that his party is determined to overthrow the Taliban’s authoritarian government in Afghanistan. The leader of the “Afghanistan Citizens Party” implored that all available means should be employed to overthrow this oppressive regime.
This party hopes to create a responsive political system in Afghanistan through sustained political efforts with the support of the international community, based on the people’s votes. Dr. Zakir Hossain also stated that one of its strategic objectives is to end the monopoly of politics and to give the public a sense of belonging.
At the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Ershad provided the solutions and leading principles of the Afghanistan Citizens Party campaign. He emphasized the intrinsic worth and dignity of every person, as well as their inherent legal standing, as a major idea of the campaign. Furthermore, the leader of the Afghan Citizens Party highlighted the party‘s proposed federal system, stating that they believe in a policy of win–win games by emphasizing mutual reliance among political units and the necessity of globalizing war and peace. Mr. Irshad went on to say that, in their view, contact and good ties with neighbors and the international community, as well as acknowledging their country‘s interests in the area, are part of Afghanistan‘s national interests. He concluded by stressing the importance of respecting Afghan strategic principles, which includes upholding democratic, international, human, and women‘s rights.
The leader of the “Afghan Citizens Party“, Mr. Zakir Hossain, declared the Taliban to be a global menace. He argued that fundamentalism is a danger to all people on Earth, as well as to the current world‘s modern and democratic values. He stated, “Any involvement, any acceptance, and any effort to gain short–term advantages by any individual or group through terrorism and hardline Taliban factions means surrendering to a strategic ransom.”
Mr. Ershad further stated in his statement to the world community that the issue is not the Taliban‘s method of governing, but rather the ideology and system of the Taliban. He asserted that an inclusive government within the Taliban regime would merely be a continuation of the political cycle, the stifling of society, and the disruption of the global order. He concluded by urging the world to consider the general transformation and replacement of the Taliban rule if they wish for Afghanistan to be a partner of the world and a world free of terrorism.
The National Freedom Party of Afghanistan, led by Rahmatullah Nabil, the former director of national security in Afghanistan, has been established both domestically and abroad. During a virtual conference on January 16th of last year, Mr. Nabil stated that the Taliban had caused humiliation to the Afghan people and that all those who had been wronged should come together to achieve the liberation and freedom of their country. Additionally, Mr. Nabil expressed his desire for a decentralized system in Afghanistan.
Several former government officials have established their own political parties, such as the Justice and Freedom Party, founded by Sarwar Danesh, the former second vice president of the regime. Mr. Danesh has declared his intention to establish a federal government in Afghanistan, a goal he was unable to achieve while serving as vice president under Ashraf Ghani. The National Movement for Peace and Justice, founded by Mohammad Hanif Atmar, the former minister of foreign affairs, and Masoom Stanekzai, the former general director of national security under the Ashraf Ghani government, has been established outside of Afghanistan. Additionally, Jalil Shams, a former minister of the economy, has founded another political party, which is focused on “interconnected structural elements and administration“ in Afghanistan, based on the votes and will of all Afghans, including women.
Nevertheless, some Afghans view the formation of such political parties as “parties without geography“ and believe that the Taliban should be approached in a practical way. They argue that, in order to gain the trust of all citizens and the international community, all political forces must demonstrate the necessary unity and collaboration; otherwise, “online“ politics will not be able to improve Afghanistan‘s dire situation.
