Taliban leaders often use the term “Islamic system“ to defend their backwardness and inadequacies while claiming to be acting in accordance with Islam. They accuse those who oppose them of being anti–Islamic and against the Islamic system. When asked about their plans for the country, they state that they are focused on strengthening the Islamic system, and when asked to not impede the Afghan people‘s connection with the world, or stop boys and girls from receiving education and expertise to enable the country‘s prosperity, they claim that they are working towards establishing an Islamic system to solve all issues.
Despite the Taliban‘s favored people governing and leading the so–called Islamic system, why has the situation in Afghanistan deteriorated day by day? Have any of the country‘s political, economic, educational, cultural, linguistic, ethnic, regional, diplomatic, or administrative issues been resolved under the Taliban’s Islamic rule? The answer is a resounding no. The people of Afghanistan have experienced numerous disasters and an apocalyptic situation.
Given that the system which is purported to be the key to resolving issues and the only way to ensure security, peace, and prosperity has not brought any benefits or advancement in almost two years, why has the Islamic rule they profess to uphold not improved the lives of people and why is the nation continuing to descend further into poverty and distress on a daily basis?
For nearly a century, attempts have been made to set up a progressive national government. People have taken the initiative at different points to remove impediments and create a responsible government that is in line with the demands of the times; however, these attempts have been met with resistance. Those who are against progress have purported to have better solutions, but in truth, they have only opposed transformation and have devoted their energy to obstructing social advancement and disseminating false information about idealized pasts.
Nearly a century ago, in response to the progressive movement that began with the first Constitutional movement and was led by progressive individuals, the anti–progress reactions began, allegedly supported by foreign entities and led by suspicious figures such as Mullah Lang. This ultimately weakened Amanullah Khan‘s fledgling progressive government, and eventually, Habibullah Kalakani, who was a pawn of Afghanistan‘s enemies of freedom and progress, came to power. In fact, those who were ignorant of the intricacies of politics and were tools of foreign conspirators challenged one of the nationalist progressive movements under the guise of defending religion and people‘s traditions, thus hindering the country‘s progress. Religion had become a mask for deceiving the people, and the Islamic system was a Trojan horse in which professional killers and predatory invaders were hiding with their poisonous daggers.
After a period of chaos and years of tyranny and oppression, the seeds of progress began to take shape again in the 1960s. Under the increasing pressure of educated individuals, intellectuals, and those who believed that a government based on law and the people‘s vote was necessary for the country‘s progress, the constitutional monarchy embarked on reforms and took steps towards constitutionalism and freedom. However, this movement faced challenges due to extreme reactions. One group argued that the reforms were too slow and revolutionary action was needed for change, while another faction of politicians who opposed change labeled civil liberties as signs of corruption and worked to impede the reform process. As a result, an absolute monarchy under the rule of Daud Khan came to power, and the path of democratic change was derailed. The coup d‘etat republic of Daud Khan marked the beginning of a series of coups and overthrow attempts, and our nation endured bloody storms, unprecedented killings, and destruction imposed by extremists on both the right and the left, eventually falling into the clutches of the Taliban‘s bloody and treacherous rule.
Many of our fellow citizens had anticipated that the Taliban would bring peace and tranquility, as promised, leading to the country attaining security and stability, and creating a conducive atmosphere for education, study, work, and progress. However, the Taliban attempted to crush the last vestiges of hope for peace and tranquility through the use of force and policies based on denial and restrictions. They invaded the private lives of people in the most oppressive and primitive manner and imposed archaic restrictions on work, education, and travel, particularly for women. Simultaneously, by providing shelter to individuals and terrorist groups with global ambitions, they facilitated the invasion of the United States and its allies and brought powerful foreign armies to our war–ravaged land.
The people of Afghanistan endeavored to take advantage of the presence and assistance of the international community to set up a standardized administration and a republican government. They wholeheartedly participated in the 2004 elections, welcomed attempts to introduce comparatively progressive laws, constructed schools and universities, and devoted their attention to the study of science and technology. Nevertheless, after a few years of relative tranquility, reactionary forces and the tools of those who wished ill for the homeland initiated a destructive and murderous campaign under the guise of defending Islamic values. They demolished bridges and schools, decapitated engineers and teachers, planted bombs in schools and on roads, and committed suicide attacks to impede the procession of progress and transformation. After years of bloodshed and war, that movement was brought to a halt, and the Taliban established the so–called “Islamic system“ for the second time, a system that no other Islamic or non–Islamic country recognizes as legitimate. This “system“ has become a combination of all conceivable backwardness in this era. All eminent experts in Islamic societies have censured the Taliban‘s inhumane policies and labelled it a project for the destruction of Afghanistan and the defamation of the Islamic world.
The End of Taliban‘s Oppressive Reign
Upon careful examination of the developments of the past century, it is evident that none of the regimes that have governed the country have been able to garner the trust of the people and lead a sustained and stable effort for peace and prosperity. While some governments have implemented positive and constructive work at various stages, they have been preoccupied with unrealistic plans and lacked the necessary connection with the people‘s needs, thus failing to achieve success.
If unemployment and poverty persist, as they have in the past, some people will be forced to seek refuge in other countries. These people will struggle to survive on meager incomes and a few bites of bread. Some may even resort to armed resistance against a government that has caused hunger and deprivation. In fact, the inept rulers provide the opportunity for the continuation of war and instability. Incompetent and ignorant officials in providing services create the conditions for unrest and war, and instead of providing the necessary freedoms for work and life, they engage in empty rhetoric and repression.
The Taliban have disregarded the true issues facing their homeland, believing that they can solve them in this manner. Over time, however, these crises have become more severe, and minor issues that could have been addressed with foresight have developed into complex and crisis–inducing dilemmas. We can see similar examples in the world today. The rulers of Pakistan, by treating minorities unjustly and disregarding the needs of the disadvantaged, have pushed the country into a deep abyss of devastating crises. Now, discontent and rebellion in some parts of the country are consuming the resources and opportunities that could have been used for progress and prosperity. The country has been plunged into an unprecedented vortex of conflicts. In Pakistan, the practice of denying reality has become a political tradition, and rulers have attempted to downplay problems by ignoring protests and the demands of their opponents. However, denial has not resolved disputes; it has only made them more complicated.
Many disputes stemming from class, religious, regional, and ethnic differences have been left unresolved in our homeland, leading to dangerous divisions in the country. We are divided on the type of system, education, economy, development path, and a host of other important issues for the country. Neglecting to resolve these issues has resulted in people being deprived of basic human rights, inadequate living and working conditions, and no administration taking action to address these problems.
The Taliban are soon to experience a crisis that will lead to the downfall of their regime, as a result of the path they have chosen. This power was obtained through battling their own people and engaging with powerful foreign forces. They have not come to an agreement on the distribution of power and resources among themselves, nor have they reconciled with the public. Furthermore, they have not taken into consideration the political, economic, and educational needs of the country, and thus, have not achieved internal legitimacy or been able to escape international isolation.
The famous Pashto proverb by Guldara is applicable to their situation, which states: “A student is never a Mullah; your eyes are on the book, and your mind is on the green moles of girls.” In light of the Taliban having forsaken books and schools and instead turning to drugs, guns, and power, the message of that renowned proverb can be rephrased as: “Taliban, you will never be deserving of ruling; you are occupying the throne and squandering a great nation.”
Changing the name of the government, its flag, and slogans will not solve any problems. To address the complex issues of a country and its tens of millions of people, an administration must rely on the people‘s power and take into account their needs and votes when planning and implementing reform and development programs, rather than relying on pre–set prescriptions and foreign support. Neither a hollow republic lacking the essential features of a republic nor a Taliban dictatorship that shuns any semblance of republicanism, voting, and consultation with the people, and imposes personal preferences on the people in the name of Sharia and Emirate, can remove the numerous obstacles on the path to peace and prosperity.
Unless the current conditions in the country are taken into consideration, the wishes and opinions of the citizens will not be respected, and healthy political rivalry will not be tolerated, meaning that no faction will be able to address Afghanistan‘s issues. Moreover, history has demonstrated that a government which is not in line with the needs and desires of the people will not endure. Rule cannot be sustained solely through coercion and intimidation.
The fervent pride that has taken hold of the Taliban with swift authority will soon lead to their downfall, as monopolizing power is not a viable solution and has dire repercussions. People do not accept the rule of an individual or a group simply due to coercion and oppression. History is rife with examples of this, and many tyrants and autocrats have experienced failure and historical condemnation by attempting this approach.
Under the Taliban, unemployment has become a major and devastating problem. Unemployed and hungry people can become a very dangerous force, and some may resort to activities that could endanger collective order and security in order to find food and provide for themselves. Although there were more job opportunities during the Islamic Republic, due to insecurity and insurgency, many rural youths joined the ranks of the Taliban in order to escape poverty and hunger.
If unemployment and poverty persist, as they have in the past, some people will be forced to seek refuge in other countries. These people will struggle to survive on meager incomes and a few bites of bread. Some may even resort to armed resistance against a government that has caused hunger and deprivation. In fact, the inept rulers provide the opportunity for the continuation of war and instability. Incompetent and ignorant officials in providing services create the conditions for unrest and war, and instead of providing the necessary freedoms for work and life, they engage in empty rhetoric and repression.
The Taliban have disregarded the true issues of their homeland, believing that they can solve them in this manner. Over time, these crises have become more severe, and minor issues that could have been addressed with foresight have developed into complex and crisis–inducing dilemmas. We can observe similar examples in the world today. The rulers of Pakistan have treated minorities unjustly and neglected the needs of the disadvantaged, leading the country into a deep abyss of crises. Now, discontent and rebellion in some parts of the country are consuming the resources and opportunities that could have been used for progress and prosperity. The country has been plunged into an unprecedented vortex of conflicts. In Pakistan, the practice of denying reality has become a political tradition, and rulers have attempted to downplay problems by disregarding protests and the demands of their opponents. However, denial has not resolved disputes; it has only made them more complicated.
Many disputes stemming from class, religious, regional, and ethnic differences have been left unresolved in our homeland, leading to dangerous divisions in the country. We are divided on the type of system, education, economy, development path, and a host of other important issues for the country. By neglecting to resolve these issues, we have reached a point where people are denied basic human rights, deprived of basic living and working facilities, and no government is taking action to address these problems.
The Taliban are soon to experience a crisis that will lead to the downfall of their regime, as a result of the path they have chosen. This is due to their failure to agree on the division of power and resources amongst themselves, as well as their lack of reconciliation with the people. Furthermore, they have neglected the country‘s political, economic, and educational priorities, leading to a lack of internal legitimacy and international isolation.
The famous Pashto “Landay”, a special poetic genre of Pashtu, can be precisely applied to their situation, which goes like this: “O seeker of Knowledge! enlightened you may not become/ As you’re singing songs on moles of girls when reading book.” Now that the Taliban have abandoned books and schools and resorted to drugs, guns, and power, the message of the poetical lines can be reported as follows: “Oh seeker of reign, ruler you may never become; you are sitting on throne whilst destroying a nation.”
