Taliban Leader Sends Delegation To Press Karzai Into Exile

Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has sent a delegation from Kandahar to Kabul to press former Afghan President Hamid Karzai to leave the country, sources told Afghanistan International.

The delegation delivered a written directive from Hibatullah that ordered Karzai to obey the Taliban leadership and banned him from political or party activity, the sources said.

Karzai reportedly refused, telling the envoys that Afghanistan was his homeland and he had no intention of leaving. The timing of the meeting was not disclosed.

A copy of the five-point directive, obtained by Afghanistan International, prohibited political and media activity and barred Karzai from making public statements on national or international issues. It also banned the commemoration of prominent figures and the celebration of special occasions.

Sources said Karzai’s meetings with foreign officials and diplomats have been increasingly restricted in recent months. His most recent meeting was with businessman Mirwais Azizi in Kabul, during which Karzai welcomed plans to invest in Afghanistan’s electricity and energy sector.

Over the past four years, Karzai has occasionally met foreign diplomats in Kabul and spoken on key issues, especially girls’ education. He has consistently urged the Taliban to reopen girls’ schools and allow women to return to work.

Two weeks ago, Karzai expressed concern over media reports of a Pakistani airstrike in Nuristan province. More recently, he welcomed the Taliban’s decision to resume pension payments and issued a message marking Afghanistan’s Independence Day.

According to the sources, the Taliban also warned Karzai to stop commenting on women’s education and employment.

Earlier reports indicated that Hibatullah made the demand for Karzai’s exile after informants secretly recorded a private conversation in which Karzai allegedly said he represented the end of Hibatullah’s political life and that the Taliban leader feared him.