Taliban Forcibly Evicts Leader of Hezb-e-Islami Party From His Kabul Residence
The Taliban has forcibly evicted Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of the Hezb-e-Islami Party, from his home and office, asserting that these properties are state-owned assets.
The Taliban has forcibly evicted Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of the Hezb-e-Islami Party, from his home and office, asserting that these properties are state-owned assets.
This action contradicts Hekmatyar's claim that he occupied these spaces under an agreement with Afghanistan's former government.
Issued by Taliban’s leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and executed by Minister of Justice Abdul Hakim Sharei, the eviction highlights a stark property dispute.
Despite denials of a siege on Hekmatyar's Kabul home from close sources to the Hezb-e-Islami leader, there's confirmation that Hekmatyar will relocate.
The disagreement centres on the land's ownership, with the Taliban alleging it belongs to their Ministry of Defence. Habib-ur-Rahman Hekmatyar, Gulbuddin’s son, clarified that while his father's residence is not under siege, a relocation is imminent.
He noted that discussions with the Taliban concluded that the peace agreement with Ashraf Ghani's government is now void, leaving the Darul Aman residence as the only remnant of that accord.
This eviction follows a Taliban directive from October 2022, led by Abdul Hakim Sharei, to reclaim encroached lands. Notably, the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice announced in November 2023 that deliberations over 26.5 acres assigned temporarily to Hekmatyar in Darul Aman had concluded, though details remain undisclosed.
Hekmatyar, initially supportive of the Taliban's return, has increasingly criticised their governance, particularly the harsh policies towards women and girls. His outspoken stance on the non-compulsory nature of certain dress codes as per Islamic texts and the right for Afghans to choose their political system have been pivotal points of contention.
These critiques, culminating in the temporary cessation of his Friday sermons in February 2023, underscore the tension between Hekmatyar and the Taliban.
Despite halting his public addresses under pressure, Hekmatyar has persisted in vocalising his disagreements with the Taliban.
