Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai welcomed the plan to establish a transitional government in his recent interview with the BBC at the start of the Afghanistan peace summit in Moscow. He said there are only two ways to move forward; the merging of the Taliban with the current government or the formation of a transitional government that would pave the way for the Taliban to merge. According to Karzai, Afghans and foreign partners should not allow the opportunity for peace in the country to be lost. Karzai observed that his goal in supporting the transitional government is not to sacrifice the democratic system but to unite Afghans. He emphasized that a system must be proposed on which both sides and the people of the Afghanistan agree. While commenting on Ghani’s resistance to form an interim government, Karzai said that all parties, including Mr. Ghani, should be flexible about peace. The lives of the people must be a priority. President Ghani wants elections, and if the Taliban accept, this is good and the easiest way, but if it does not happen, we should not allow this conflict remains very unfortunate, in which case it is the duty of everyone, including President Ghani, to think of an alternative. Afghan peace process has halted due to opposing views on the modalities of the next political system, which will ensure a fair and transparent process of formation of an inclusive government representing all factions of the Afghan society including Taliban, Afghan government Republicans and other groups of the Country. In fact, it was a basic and important agenda item of Afghan Peace Process. The major Afghan groups want their maximum and significant presence in the next government setup. To form a democratic government in Afghanistan all parties would be contesting election and for that end a neutral, credible, and mutually conceived transitional government is very essential. Therefore, the new elected government would have belief and support of all parties for its onward stability and smooth working. Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai is an important and significant voice in Afghan society and political system. Earlier, Karzai was backing the incumbent government during ongoing Afghan reconciliation process. This is the first time that Karzai parted his ways from President Ghani, in the backdrop of his non-tolerant and reluctant behavior over the option of interim government. There is a tremendous pressure on United States to honor its deal with Taliban to end decades long war in Afghanistan.
Till time US has not drop the option of troops withdrawal by May 1 this year and hurriedly taking steps in that direction. The Afghans must not forget the Blinken’s call for an urgent settlement by the Afghan parties. It seems that Karzai has perceived the future strategy of United States in Afghanistan and paving way for Afghan government to join the international community by accepting transitional government in the country.
In fact, the United States has opened a new war theatre in the Indo-pacific region and diverting all its assets toward that end. Furthermore, presently US does not face any threat from Afghan soil like that of 9/11 attack because today’s America is totally changed from pre-9/11 era. American spy agencies have an extensive monitoring program of its Muslim masses and established their networks in all grey zones including Afghanistan. So, it is high time for Ghani and his affiliates to play positive role in conceiving peace in the country, otherwise they may not get this chance again in future.
