In recent days, there have been some major developments regarding the peace deal between Afghan government and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar who was the former Prime Minister of Afghanistan. This is one of the major development because Gulbuddin Hekmatyar leader of the anti-Soviet resistance and now a designated “global terrorist” by the US state department.
There have been tense relations between Afghanistan regime and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. But the current regime in Afghanistan has signed a peace deal to put Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and his party Hezb-e-Islami (HIG) in the political process.
Shadi Khan Saif a senior journalist from Kabul talked with Eurasia Diary on this major development.
Eurasia Diary: Could you please provide some details on the major developments regarding peace deal between Afghan government and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar (the former Prime Minister of Afghanistan and founder and active leader of the Hezb-e-Islami (HIG).
Shadi Khan Saif: Indeed, this is a big development but on the war front it might not bring any major change. It is more of a symbolic, and indeed an achievement for the government that has convinced Gulbuddin Hekmatyar to announce a formal ceasefire, and will to accept the Constitution, and work in line with Afghan laws, practice as a normal political party.
Eurasia Diary: How do you think it can impact on the current situation in Afghanistan and ongoing operations against the militants and Taliban’s?
Shadi Khan Saif: As I said before, this might not change the nature of the conflict, at least in the short term, because many of Hekmatyar’s fighters were already not that much active across the country. However, politically, it has its dimensions. As you may know, hundreds of thousands of refugees are coming back to the country at the time when Gulbuddin has inked this peace agreement with the government. Gulbuddin has many followers among the refugees. So, these two major developments are happening side by side. And if the elections take place in the near future, then Gulbuddin has a chance to become one of the leading politician in the country.
Eurasia Diary: What was the core of the conflict between Afghan government and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar because he is out from the politics for several years and no one knows where he is?
Shadi Khan Saif: Gulbuddin has maintained his own identity for all these years. The insurgency in Afghanistan is led mainly by the Taliban fighters. Gulbuddin was also opposed to the government established here by the western powers. He was against this set-up from the beginning but he never merged his party or his fighters with the Taliban. He has always followed his agenda, which is the same to that of the Taliban that demanded foreign forces to quit. However, the difference between him and the Taliban movement is that he is now seen as more flexible and willing to reach his goals politically rather than just struggling on the battlefield. Now, apparently, we see that Gulbuddin is accepting the presence of American forces in Afghanistan. He is willing to play his part as a political figure in presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan.
Eurasia Diary: The USA put the name of Gulbuddin in the list of International designated terrorists. So, is there a possibility that his name will be removed from that list?
Shadi Khan Saif: The representatives of Kabul government do not deny that it would be done. The names of the HI leaders are likely to be removed from the black list, and they will be allowed to practice political activities in the country. They even will get their own offices with the government providing them security. These promises have been made in return for the His claim that they will respect the Constitution, and law of the government.
Eurasia Diary: Who are the main supporters of this agreement from both sides?
Shadi Khan Saif: Gulbuddin’s son frequently visited Kabul for meetings and talks with the officials of the Kabul government. In September 22, the agreement was signed between the government and Mohammad Amin Karim who is the head of the HI delegation.
Eurasia Diary: Do you have any idea about the impact of this agreement in the near future?
Shadi Khan Saif: Many leaders from this group are already in Afghanistan and in fact, many of them are appointed on the higher posts. Others were living in the refugee camps in Pakistan but they are likely to return. I would like to mention that Kabul government also promised that the leading commanders of the Hezb-e-Islami (HI) party will get jobs in the security institutions.
Eurasia Diary: Do you see the connection between this agreement and the return of refugees from Pakistan to Afghanistan?
Shadi Khan Saif: Yes, as many analysts are saying this is a positive development. The Solidarity Party in Afghanistan however, has protested against it, and has demanded that Gulbuddin should be trialed for human rights violations that he allegedly committed during the 1990s. As I said before, the political settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan has been presented as the only solution to the crisis by many observers, and it has been a top demand of the local community.
