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Inside the Taliban

A lot of controversy has been generated in the western media about the advent of the Taliban in Afghanistan, mostly adverse. Yet unlike the forces of Uzbek Rashid Dostum and Tajik Ahmad Shah Masood, which are ethnic groupings centered on these two personalities, the Taliban have an ideological core without any personality cult to hold them together. This personality cult means that Dostum’s and Masood’s forces will certainly fall apart with the removal of their leaders from the scene, on the other hand the Taliban have a far greater longevity potential because of their Pashtun ethnicity (almost 70% of the population) and collective leadership based on their faith as well as the practice of Islam. While one may not agree with them on any number of issues, the fact remains that theirs is a popular support that is based on a common belief and that by their good governance they have brought peace and stability to the areas under their control. Their rule extends to more than 20 of the 26 Provinces in Afghanistan, i.e. more than 2/3rd of the total area of the country.

The present Taliban Islamic Movement was founded in 1994. During the Afghan war every Mujahideen Group had a Taliban group with them, youth educated at Madrassahs (Muslim schools). Within every faction, the Taliban maintained their own identity, even eating and sleeping apart mostly when they made camp. When the Soviets pulled out, the Jehad was effectively over and so the Taliban went either back to the Madrassahs or home. From there they watched, as first the Communist regime in Kabul fell and the Interim Government took over. With growing alarm and disgust, they watched their once-comrades turn into no better than common highwaymen, indulging in looting, pillaging, raping, etc. Fed up of what was the complete anti-thesis of the Mujahideen struggle against the Soviets, the group in Kandahar revolted after one particularly horrific excess. As they brought peace to Kandahar, other Taliban groups came and joined them. Province after Province fell to this new force, other fighting men also joining their ranks, their aim became to complete the agenda of the Afghan Jehad. The Taliban leadership has Mullah Mohammad Umar at its apex. Elected as Amirul Momineen, he is based in Kandahar and is the founder of the Taliban Islamic Movement and hails from Maiwand District of Kandahar. During the Afghan Jehad he fought under Mujahideen Commander Nek Mohammad, who was affiliated with the Hizb-i-Islami of Moulvi Younus Khalis. He was wounded a number of times and also lost his right eye while fighting the Soviet Forces. His effective No.2, Mullah Mohammad Rabbani headed the Shura Council in Kabul till he was wounded recently, presently he is under treatment in Islamabad. Mullah Rabbani belongs originally to Hizb-i-Islami (Khalis) and hails from Arghestan District in Kandahar Province. He took active part in the Afghan Jehad, going by the nom de guerre, Haji Muawin. In his absence Mullah Mohammad Hasan who belongs to Kandahar and who was Governor of Kandahar till recently has been appointed head of the Shura Council in Kabul. The Acting Foreign Minister is Mullah Mohammad Ghaus, who has recently toured US and Germany. One of the Taliban’s outstanding military commanders and their military chief, Mullah Borjan embraced Shahadat at Sarobi just before the capture of Kabul. Mullah Syed Ghyasuddin Agha is a non-Pashtun member of the ruling Shura, being a Tajik from the Province of Badakshan in northern Afghanistan. Another Shura leader is Mullah Fazal Mohammad, belongs to Urozgan Province in Southern Afghanistan. One of the powerful Mujahideen commanders associated with Hizb-i-Islami (Younus Khalis) during the war, Mullah Abdul Razzak, who operated in Kandahar Province, is also a member of the Shura. The Acting Deputy Foreign Minister, Sher Mohammad Stanakzai, is well educated and fluent in Urdu and English. He has visited the US, European and a number of countries in the Middle East. Stanakzai belongs to Logar Province and during the Jehad was head of the military committee of Ittehad-i-Islami (Sayyaf) in Southern Afghanistan.

As previously stated, the Taliban Islamic Movement is aimed at completing the unfinished agenda of Afghan Jehad, that is, establishing an Islamic system of government (Sharia) in the country. In the areas under their control they enjoy full support and confidence of the people, having restored complete peace and Sharia (Islamic Law). All the ministries in Kabul are functioning. Districts (Uluswalis) and Sub-districts (Alaqadaris) heads have been appointed who are managing their areas. The anti-Taliban alliance (Defence of Motherland) headed by Gen Abdul Rashid Dostum comprises of Ahmad Shah Masood, Hizb-i-Wahadat, Jaffer Nadiri (Ismaili), Pir Syed Ahmad Gailani and Hekmatyar. This is a purely military alliance of convenience since at one time or the other they have been fighting each other, it does not have support of the leading political leaders of the country. Fighting continues in a fairly static area 20-30 Km north of Kabul and in the west near Herat on the borders of Badghis and Faryab.

The Russian plan is to divide Afghanistan on the lines of Hindu Kush mountains. Even today they maintain a strong KGB compound in the border post -city of Termez, this was the original control for the entire area. Pakistan is working for a broad-based government but Iran wants their own people in Kabul as they consider Taliban mercenaries of the US, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia (thanks to the media propaganda). The US had earlier hinted at bringing back Zahir Shah. The UN under Norbert Holl is striving to bring peace in the country but seems to be jealous that his prerogative is being encroached upon by Pakistan. Nobody is succeeding as such a different approach is required altogether. There can only be consensus on the form of government in Afghanistan. This consensus was there prior to Afghan Jehad, during the fighting with Russia and even now. Majority of the Afghan nation including Taliban, top political leaders and Hizb-i-Wahadat want an Islamic government (Sharia) but Dostum, Ahmad Shah Masood, Pir Gailani and Mujadadi want a more moderate form of government. A referendum under UN in areas where there is diversity can help resolve the issue.

Pakistan seems to have hardly any credibility left in Afghanistan. Because of the attempt to be even-handed, most of the Pashtuns view them as anti-Taliban and toeing the American line as US puppets. For some reasons which have no concrete logic, Pakistan’s favourite for some time has been Dostum who along with Masood has a deep hatred for Pakistan. Dostum is at best a mercenary and Tajik Masood a feudal warlord. Our Afghan policy needs a drastic change. We must recognise the Taliban government as they are no passing phenomenon, open our embassy in Kabul and accept the Taliban Ambassador’s appointment in Islamabad and their Consul Generals in Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi.

The sooner we understand the Taliban ourselves and afford the world opportunity to perceive their moderation, the sooner we shall have peace in Afghanistan. One thing is clear, if it were not for the Taliban, Afghanistan would have remained a divided society in arms against itself.

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