Kunar Hit by Reported Pakistani Artillery Strikes, Residents Flee

In an interview with Der Spiegel, Hamid Karzai stressed that people, regardless of ethnicity or ideology, should feel a sense of belonging and have both the right and responsibility to determine their country’s future.

He reiterated the importance of equal rights for all citizens in shaping Afghanistan’s future.

Asked why no organised resistance has emerged against the Taliban, Karzai said: “No one wants Afghanistan to descend into chaos again. But the Afghans certainly want girls’ education, women’s rights and a government based on the will of the people.”

Karzai acknowledged internal differences within the Taliban, saying such divisions can exist in any government. He added that Afghanistan needs economic growth, which requires inclusive participation and a stable political system.

Emphasising the need for intra-Afghan dialogue, he said the country can only progress if the Taliban and other Afghans work together to build a better future.

He also noted that the Taliban are part of Afghanistan, and that the country needs broad participation, a shared national identity and protection of citizens’ rights.

Karzai has previously voiced concern over the lack of an inclusive government and the closure of political space in Afghanistan. In this interview, he more explicitly highlighted the principle of equal citizenship, inclusive participation and the people’s right to determine the country’s future.

Danish made the remarks on Tuesday in response to comments by Anwar-ul-Haq Ahady, who had described federalism as a major disaster and backed a centralised system based on civic nationalism.

Rejecting Ahadi’s view as unrealistic, Danish said federalism is both feasible and long discussed in Afghanistan’s academic and political circles, supported by historical and analytical research.

He argued that such a system could offer an effective framework for managing ethnic diversity and distributing power more equitably.

Addressing concerns about the cost of a federal bureaucracy, Danish said justice, broader public participation and reduced ethnic tensions outweigh administrative expenses. He added that without such a system, internal conflicts could impose far greater costs.

Referring to smaller and medium-sized countries with federal systems, he dismissed claims that federalism is unsuitable for Afghanistan, saying it could be implemented while preserving national unity.

Danish concluded that federalism is a tool to promote justice and reduce ethnic divides, not deepen them, and described opposing views as rooted in traditional “ethnic nationalism”, which he said has failed to build a nation in Afghanistan, even if relabelled as civic nationalism.

Sergei Lavrov made the remarks on Monday, April 20, at a meeting of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly Council, referring to instability in Afghanistan, the Gulf crisis and rising tensions across the Middle East.

He also pointed to a deadlock in efforts to establish a Palestinian state, saying continued conflict and Israeli policies have reduced prospects for statehood and worsened conditions in Gaza and the West Bank.

Russia is the only country to have formally recognised the Taliban administration. Moscow has repeatedly warned about the consequences of instability in Afghanistan.

Russian officials have previously described Afghanistan as a regional threat, with the foreign ministry cautioning that the presence of extra-regional military actors could trigger further conflict in the country.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a report on Tuesday, April 21, that the quake damaged homes and infrastructure in Kunar and Nangarhar, disrupting access to education and healthcare.

The only health facility in the area treats more than 100 patients daily, while many residents must walk long distances for medical care. OCHA said funding shortages and declining global aid have hampered relief efforts.

A female head of household in Kunar said: “I only have a tent and my children are young. I have no money or home, and my children’s lives are at risk in the cold.”

The UN added that temporary tents do not provide adequate protection against cold, rain or summer heat, and available resources fall far short of what is needed for full reconstruction and long-term resilience.

The magnitude-6 earthquake in eastern Afghanistan destroyed homes and key infrastructure, killing more than 2,000 people. Survivors have yet to return to normal life.

The visit had initially been planned for late March but has now been postponed to the coming weeks.

A diplomatic source told AFP: “The idea is to invite them before summer” adding that the Taliban delegation would be a “technical” team.

Another source said European officials are assessing information on flights and Kabul airport capacity, while also discussing with the Taliban the fate of returnees.

The visit, coordinated by the European Commission and several member states, follows two earlier trips by European officials to Afghanistan for preliminary talks on the issue.

The EU’s migration commissioner had previously confirmed that the bloc has held discussions with the Taliban on returning Afghan asylum seekers.

The EU aims to return individuals whose asylum claims have been rejected, a move that has raised concerns among human rights groups and international organisations.

Around 20 EU countries are exploring ways to deport Afghan migrants, particularly those convicted of crimes.

Germany began this process months ago and has deported more than 100 Afghans since 2024 via charter flights operated with Qatar’s assistance. Austria has pursued a similar approach.

Although the EU has not formally recognised the Taliban administration, it has maintained a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan.

EU countries received around one million asylum applications from Afghans between 2013 and 2024, with Afghans forming the largest group of applicants last year.