The situation in Afghanistan is getting very much complex and the complexity has turned the scenario dubious and uncertain. The inability to see the future clearly has made the government authorities frustrated. Not finding the guarantee that they would be able to find a reputable favor of the people in the times to come, they have started to go to any extreme so as to quench their thirst of power and authority. The most can be observed in the current attitude of the Presidential office to deal with the growing political opposition.
The need of time and of a truly democratic country and culture is that the political opposition should be regarded with respect so that it should play a positive role in the democratic development. There can be strict measures against the political opposition when the demands made by them are non-democratic and anti-state, but as long as the demands are in accordance to the constitution, they should be listened to carefully and dealt with due respect. What is the use of democratic political system if it does not have the capacity to have tolerance for the difference in notions and freedom of expression?
The political opposition in Afghanistan is flourishing with each passing day, which is the sign of democratic evolution in the country. It basically points at a more civilized choice, when the objectives and goals are pursued through political institutions and groups. One such political alliance is Afghanistan National Front (ANF), which seems to have gained much favor in the recent times and has become a major voice of the political opposition for the Karzai government. However, recently the alliance has been claiming that the Karzai government has started to see their development with suspicion and considers it a threat for the future strife for power.
ANF leader, Ahmad Zia Massoud, in a press conference in Kabul on Monday June 11, 2012, expressed that the government has adopted undemocratic means to undermine the political opposition, which includes the misuse of authority and power by the Presidential office.
He referred to the attacks on ANF leader, Haji Mohammad Mohaqqiq, in Bamyan as a conspiracy of the government to pressurize ANF. He also mentioned that the recent accusation of the ANF leader Gen. Dostum is also a part of heinous machination of the government to prove that ANF leaders are traitors. Gen. Dostum was recently referred as traitor by National Security Council to the Attorney General Office as he was blamed for creating hurdles to the exploration of oil and gas in the Amu River basin. However, he said that Dostum was branded traitor because he stood for the rights of the local people. He demanded from the company owned by President Karzai's cousin to make sure local labors are used in the project that is why he has been called as 'traitor'.
Massoud said, "Those who looted $900 million from Kabul are national traitors, those who built private houses on the property of Ministry of Defense in Kandahar are national traitors, and those who misused the Ghori Cement plant and took financial benefit from it are national traitors."
The inappropriate allegations, undemocratic attitude to crush opposition and political intolerance will not support Afghan democratic environment in any way. The important thing is that both the opposition and the government must maintain favorable political culture and try to use the difference in thoughts and ideas for the betterment of the society.
The President must also keep one thing in consideration that if he is ready to call Taliban 'brothers' even after their armed pursuit of interests, why he cannot embrace those his brothers who are following their interest through political means and in accordance to the constitution.