Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Monday, April 29th, 2024

Qazi Hussein Responds to Letter of Mr. President Karzai

Last month when Malala Yousufzai was shot by Taliban militants in the tribal agency area, along with presenting condolence to her family and people of Pakistan, President Karzai sent several enclosed letters to influential and key figures within or out of the government.  In those letters, he asked them to play critical role in restoring peace in Afghanistan as well as Pakistan through combating insurgent groups.

On Sunday, Qazi Hussein Ahmad, the leader of Jamat-e-Islami, said that he had sent response back to Mr. President. He said that in his letter he asked President Karzai to call on Loya Jirga or grand assembly in which representative of Taliban and Hizb-e-Islami should also be invited.

"Such an assembly is essential for the unity of Afghans. I have mentioned in my letter that unity among different groups of Afghans is essential, particularly after foreign military withdrawal in 2014", He continued. He also claimed that he has close contact with Pakistani officials and oppositions "who are involved in the issues of Afghanistan". 

"I have close relation with Afghan government and its armed oppositions including Taliban and Hizb-e-Islami. Thus, on the basis of such relation, I can play the role of a mediator". No doubt, the relation between Pakistan and Afghanistan has not moved on smooth track. Frequently, it has got tense during past eleven years.

Afghan officials often point fingers towards Islamabad for lack of efforts against presence of militants in tribal agency areas. They vividly say that without fighting with the roots of insurgents, indirectly pointing to lawless tribal areas across border, Taliban and its al-Qaeda ally will not be eliminated from Afghanistan.

On the other hand, Islamabad has constantly rejected any hidden contact with militants and highlight blow to government as result of cooperation and aligning with Kabul and its foreign allies in war against insurgency.

Perhaps, Qazi Hussein Ahmad unintentionally accept that individuals within and out of the government are involved in issues of Afghanistan, which somehow support the position of Kabul. Meanwhile he asked both Iran and Pakistan to end to their interference to domestic issues of Afghanistan, noticing that a stable and peaceful Afghanistan is for benefit of all.

Anyhow, it is clear whether Mr. President accepts his suggestion, or whether he has influence with the armed oppositions, as he claimed, to mediate? These are the questions whose answers maybe wrapped in the veil of tens of similar suggestions and claims.