Hezb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has accused the Taliban of pursuing a policy of hostility toward all political groups, warning that Afghanistan lacks national unity under their rule.
In a series of posts on X on Monday, Hekmatyar questioned whether Afghans could agree on a “national covenant” that would provide a unified and inclusive approach to the country’s challenges. “If we build this capacity and ability within ourselves, we can move toward light,” he wrote.
Hekmatyar pointed to strained relations with Pakistan, the inability of Iran to provide support, and joint counterterrorism exercises by Russia and Pakistan near Afghanistan’s borders as signs of the country’s isolation. He also referred to the recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, saying it remained unclear what their agenda was for Afghanistan. Quoting Putin’s remark that “we defeated a common enemy,” Hekmatyar asked whether that enemy was Germany or Afghanistan, and whether the defeat came 77 years ago or 25 years ago.
Hekmatyar argued that Ukraine, Gaza, Iran’s nuclear programme and Afghanistan are now the most pressing issues for Washington and Moscow. He said Afghanistan remained the last place where both the US and Russia had fought against the Mujahideen and the Taliban, adding that after America’s 20-year occupation and the Soviet withdrawal, “we believe Putin’s target is Afghanistan.”
He claimed Trump appeared to be offering concessions to Putin over Ukraine but that Putin could only deliver something meaningful to Washington through Afghanistan. “Only in Afghanistan can he, as in the past, assist America,” Hekmatyar wrote, suggesting such help would come via northern neighbours and groups linked to Moscow that had cooperated with the US during its occupation.
Hekmatyar’s remarks come as the Taliban continue to ban political parties and movements across Afghanistan, showing no sign of willingness to pursue national dialogue or an inclusive political agreement.
