Hikmatyar calls for an elected government

Blueprint for future setup proposed

PESHAWAR (March 26, 2001) -- Former prime minister and chief of his own faction of Hizb-i-Islami Afghanistan, Gulbadin Hikmatyar, has proposed a blueprint for replacing the present crisis-prone setup with an elected parliament, representing all factions, a firm and clean government and an independent judiciary based on democratic principles and guided by Shariat.

The Tehran-based HIA chief, who convened a meeting of his party a month back, conveyed its decisions to HIA's Political Cell here on Saturday night.

Dr Ghairat Baheer, in charge of political affairs, told Dawn that Mr Hikmatyar had sent him a blueprint of a future Afghanistan government. "We will ask the Taliban, the Northern Alliance and other organizations to go through the plan and give a positive response as it is the only way to take our country out of the present mess".

According to the plan, a HIA peace mission will hold talks with all parties and seek their support for its implementation; Shariat will be the supreme law in Afghanistan and all parties must honour it; power will rest with the nation; government will serve the people and act as an instrument for defendin their property, life and honour; people will choose head of government by using their right to franchise; head of government will seek guidance from an elected parliament; parliament will make all sorts of legislation and act as a watchdog; cabinet will seek a vote of confidence from parliament; the judiciary will be independent in enacting laws according to the Holy Quran and Sunnah; no other authority willintervene in affairs of judiciary; no one will be punished except by a court of law.

If all the parties agree to the above points, a caretaker Shoora (parliament) and a caretaker government, to be set up for two years, will come into being to hold general election under the supervision of an independent and autonomous election commission, to be established by the caretaker government.

(a) The Taliban will be given a chance to nominate head of the caretaker government;

(b) This provisional government will hold elections and will a vote of confidence from the provisional parliament;

(c) A 220-member provisional parliament will comprise 120 members from the Taliban, 20 from the Northern Alliance, 30 from Afghans living in Pakistan, 20 from Afghans living in Iran, 10 from Europe, 10 from the United States, five from Arab countries and seven from the Central Asian States.

The parliament will act as a watchdog till general elections is held. It will prepare outlines for a national constitution; it will nominate a chief justice and other judges with a two-thirds majority; it will set up anindependent and autonomous election commission for general election and a defence commission to raise a national army; and it will transfer power to an elected government.

The government, which will come into being in the light of above formula, will be a constitutional and sovereign body. It will develop friendly relations with neighbouring countries, particularly those which had been involved with the afghan problem for years.

The future government will urge neighbouring countries to stop shipment of arms to Afghanistan and end their interference in internal affairs of Afghanistan.

The neighbouring countries will be asked to send their observers to monitor general election. Afghanistan will not become a source of trouble and will not harbour terrorists and criminals. It will eliminate drug trafficking and gunrunning through itsborders, and adopt a policy of non-alignment in the region.

Taliban's response to the plan could not be known.

Russia stumbling block in Afghan peace: Hekmatyar

ISLAMABAD, Sep 12, 2000 (NNI): Russia is a stumbling block in the way of solution to the Afghan conflict as it sees its interests in the continuation of war in Afghanistan.

This was stated by the former Afghan prime minister and Hizb-e-Islami chief Gulbadin Hekmatyar in an interview with the BBC on Monday.

Hekmatyar said that the strategy of the Russians in the region is to continue the Afghan war. They consider their regional strategic interests linked with the continuation of the Afghan war. They want to intimidate and threaten the Central Asia State so that they could allow the deployment of Russian forces in Central Asian Republics and Afghan borders.

"That is why, I say that the Russians may not easily allow the Afghan war to end even if Taliban capture the remaining areas in Northern Afghanistan and there is possibility of the fall of these areas to the Taliban."

Hekmatyar said that another reason is that war ends when different political groups in a country exercise restraint and have the courage to tolerate the rivals. War is inevitable if such tolerance is not there. If one war ends, another would erupt. Taliban cannot tolerate rivals. If the ruling circle and party in any society does not have the courage to tolerate the rivals and opposition, it leads to eruption of war. Such policies result in continuation of war, he maintained.

Asked how Russia would be able to encourage and assist the opposition to resume war if Taliban succeed in inflicting crushing defeat on them, Hekmatyar said: "I do not say that Russians are much powerful and can do whatever they want in the region. I do not mean it, what I mean to say is that some Central Asian States at the behest of Russia are trying to keep the Afghan war going on. Russia would make more investment on these forces who are causes of war. They would even instigate some Central Asian States to take practical step."

Hekmatyar warns Taliban against disarming Baghlanis loyalists

ISALMABAD, July 30, 2000 (NNI): Former Afghan Prime Minister and chief of Hizb-e-Islami Gulbadin Hekmatyar has warned Taliban against disarming the loyalists of commander Bashir Khan Baghlani in northern Afghan province of Baghlan.

"The responsibility would rest with the Taliban if they create tension in Baghlan and try to disarm the people. If the people join the opposition Northern Alliance it would be due to Talibans policy." Hekmatyar told the BBC.

Fighting has broken out in Baghlan province following the arrest of Commander Bashir Baghlani by Taliban. Bashir Baghalani was a Hizb-e-Islami Commander and cooperated with Taliban in northern Afghanistan in 1997. Taliban accused Bashir Baghlani of siding with the opponents, a claim rejected both by the United Front as well as the Hizb-e-Islami.

Commenting on the development, Hekmatyar said that Bashir Khan had helped the Taliban and sided with them during last three years. He rescued many Taliban fighters from being killed. He helped the Taliban very sincerely. He said that Bashir Khan was called by the Taliban to a meeting and arrested. His house was also raided. He was taken to Kandahar and a number of his fighters disarmed in Baghlan while others have receded to mountains.

Bashirs Khan siding with the Northern Alliance is not possible at all. He would have done it earlier if he had wished to do so. He would have not supported Taliban against the alliance, Hekmatyar said. "In fact the northern Alliance was propaganda that Bashir Khan had links with them and wants to join it. This got Taliban suspected. The Northern Alliance has fought against Bashir Khan during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and during even Najibs tenure."

Hekmatyar warned that the arrest of Baghlani would certainly have its implications. "All the commanders who had joined Taliban will nor review their decision because they would now fear that they may face the same fate. If Taliban can met out such a treatment with their major ally, it may have serious consequences. We have so far not made any decision as we do not consider the fighting in the interest of the country and the people.

Hekmatyar terms ‘Loya Jirga’ an American plot

ISLAMABAD (NNI): Describing the ‘Loya Jirga’ (grand assembly) as an American conspiracy former Afghan Prime Minister and Chief of Hizb-e-Islami Engineer Hekmatyar said the United States is floating the idea to impose a puppet government on Afghans.

"The former Afghan king has assigned duty of convening the ‘jirga’ to those who have become foreigners and have forgotten their mother tongue," Hekmatyar told Radio Tehran in an interview.

He said those people are promoting the idea of ‘Loya Jirga’ did not take part in Afghan jehad against former Soviet Union and had been living in Europe and US during the war. "They did not even know the problem of the Afghan people," he added. The ex-Afghan premier demanded holding of elections in Afghanistan to determine the future leadership of the country.

"We want to ask organizers of the jirga how the Rome meeting’s decision about will be implemented in Afghanistan. We ask them what are their objectives behind the move and what is their view about Communists and Russia".

He said the Russian secret agency KGB had planned and brought Babrak Karmal and destroyed Afghanistan. "But all these efforts of Russian failed to control Afghanistan. Now, they (Americans) are trying to repeat these experience again in our country". He said there is no difference between Americans and Russians for their conspiracies to install puppet regimes in Afghanistan. "They cannot resolve the afghan conflict".

Loya Jirga no solution to Afghan conflict: Hezb-e-Islami

ISLAMABAD, June 25, 2000 (NNI): Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan has strongly opposed the holding of Loya Jirga saying it would be nothing but a sort of interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.

"We do not deny the traditional and historic importance of the Loya Jirga but in the prevailing conditions, it is not feasible. The holding of the Loya Jirga itself is a problem and its holding might not be possible", said Qutbuddin Hilal the former Afghan deputy prime minister and member of Hezb-e-Islami in an interview with Voice of America (VOA).

It would be sort of interference in Afghanistan in the name of Loya Jirga to select or appoint its convener even before it meets. Foreign countries including the United States and Westerners do not term it the Afghan Loya Jirga rather they call it the Loya Jirga of Zahir Shah. I say that this is not the history of the jirgas. Jirgas used to be held by the Afghans to elect the leadership and the leadership had to convene it for making decisions on national and global issues.

This is an open secret that jirga is the old tradition and culture of the Afghans. The Afghans have resolved their mutual problems and differences through jirgas. These jirgas under a leadership can take decisions on national and international issue of a country. Such jirgas could prove successful when there is a strong government and leadership in a country. But the question is whether or not such a jirga could be held in the prevailing circumstances when there is not a strong leadership and government, Hilal asked

Keeping the history of the traditional Loya Jirga in view, it comes to know that a ruling leadership in Afghanistan has always convened and held such a jirga. Such jirga first of all endorses and approves the leadership of the time and them make decisions on other issues, he maintained. "At present, we need a leadership. We need to appoint and elect leadership. How can we hold such a jirga within or outside the country if there is not a ruling leadership in Afghanistan or if there is a ruling leadership but it does not want to convene it. If such a jirga is held outside the country, how the ruling leadership would agree to its decisions", he said.

Different proposals and suggestions have been put forward for ending the years long Afghan war. Some of them including the transitional and coalition governments and proposal like Hal O Aqd Shoora have been tried as well but these too failed to deliver.

Some proposals have not yet been experimented which included Loya Jirga. A number of Jirgas have so far been held in Turkey, Germany and Cyprus and the organisers of each and every such jirga say they are paving the ground for the traditional Afghan Loya Jirga. But these have not yet produced any Afghan oriented result.

Afghan opposition receiving arms from Russia: Hekmatyar

Hezb-e-Islami will defend the nation against any foreign agression

ISLAMABAD, June 6, 2000 (NNI) -- The former Afghan Prime Minister and chief of Hezb-e-Islami, Gulbadin Hekmatyar has accused anti-Taliban northern alliance of receiving arms and ammunition from Russia.

"No doubt, the Northern Alliance is being provided with arms and ammunition and money but their statements supporting Russian threats to attack Afghanistan show that they consider such assistance as inadequate and lesser and even want some practical steps now", Hekmatyar told the BBC in an interview.

He said that those receiving arms and ammunition from Russia would naturally support Moscow's threats against Afghanistan. He deplored that the Northern Alliance had even supported US rocket attacks on Afghanistan although Washington is rival of Moscow. "They would naturally support the Russian attack on Afghanistan and there is no doubt in it", he said.

The alliance had not only supported the US rocket attacks on Afghanistan but termed it Washingtons rights and even said that the Americans should have gone a step further. "Now, too, when Moscow sounded threats to attack Afghanistan, they (Northern Alliance) said that the Central Asian States have not taken serious the threat of the Taliban. They said that the threat is even more serious than what they are thinking. They also complained that they have not yet been fully assisted", Hekmatyar said.

He said that Russia is hurling threats to Afghanistan to pave the way for the deployment of its forces in Uzbekistan. He said that Moscow wants to trap Uzbekistan in Afghanistan. He condemned every kind of threat to Afghanistan and said they would jointly defend the people of Afghanistan against foreign threats, no matters who are in power in Kabul.

Hekmatyar denied that his men are supporting the Northern Alliance forces in northern Afghanistan. "None of our party man is with them. Those active in the region are in fact defending their areas, territory, status and nation. Those who are fighting in Takhar and Parwan, are in fact not defending and protecting any specific group rather they are defending their areas and status".

The people of Parwan supported the Taliban in reaching at the mouth of Panjsher valley but when they betrayed them, the people of the area rose against them. Now they fear that the previous experience may recur and that is why, they are at the frontline to defend their positions, Gulbadin Hekmatyar said.

Hekmatyar warns Russia against repeating 'its mistake'

ISLAMABAD, June 4, 2000 (NNI): The former Afghan prime minister and chief of Hezb-e-Islami Gulbadin Hekmatyar has termed Russian threats as serious saying West might have encouraged Moscow to sound such threats.

"We call upon all Afghans to join hands with each others to counter these threats. Russians should also know that by doing so they are repeating their failed experience. However, its consequences will be more serious than their previous defeat", Hekmatyar told VOA in an interview.

He said that Russians should not think that the prolonged civil war in Afghanistan has made the Afghans unable to put resistance to invaders and aggressors. This will be big mistake on their part. The Afghans are, undoubtedly, fed up with the civil war and the war mongering groups. But each of the Afghan is ready to fight a war which is for the defence of their country and its dependence, he said.

"Let the Russians be not mistaken that the West will support their such drive. The fact is that though the West may incite them for such an act but their objective will be to keep Moscow busy in such clashes", Hekmatyar said.

This also is a fact the Russian threats are totally baseless and are only an excuse. There are neither Chechen fighters in Afghanistan nor training camps for them. Afghanistan is not even close to the Chechen border. The are repeating the mistake of the Communists but will meet the same fate.

"We strongly condemn these threats. We will strongly defend every inch of our countrys soil. In case of any aggression, it will not be important for us to think as to who is ruling Kabul. We will only consider the defence of our countrys independent and sovereignty as our responsibility"

Hekmatyar said that Russia had several objectives behind threatening Afghanistan. The first thing is that President Putin wants to please the army and get its support as the army might welcome such a step which may help it in regaining its lost honor in Afghanistan. The other objective is that the forces in Afghanistan supported by Russia, are being abolished and Russia wants to prevent their fall. He said Russia also wants to further consolidate its hold on Central Asia, particularly on Uzbekistan, which has gone out of its hand.

Hekmatyar also condemned the fresh statement of the Pakistani military leader, General Pervez Musharraf about Afghanistan and said that the expressions made by Islamabad are worthy of strong concern. Pushtoons, Uzbeks, Tajiks and Hazaras are all brothers and no one can divide them. "We condemn every act which is harmful to our national unity and independence, we will strongly resist it and not allow any one to divide Afghans".

The remarks have come at a time when Russians are also threatening to attack Afghanistan. The Afghan should unite against foreign interference and defend their national unity. "We ask all Afghans to forget their differences, strengthen their mutual brotherhood and jointly defend their countrys independence and sovereignty. We are ready to give any sacrifice for the countrys national unity.", Hekmatyar said.

Foreign forces want continuation of Afghan war: Hekmatyar

ISLAMABAD, Apr 25, 2000 (NNI): Chief of Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan, Engineer Gulbadin Hekmatyar has said that the prevailing deplorable conditions in Afghanistan are the result of foreign interference.

"Foreign forces want the continuation of war as it benefits their interests. The prevailing conditions in Afghanistan are the result of foreign interference. That is why, the Afghans now want to take the initiative by themselves for the resolution of the Afghan conflict". Hekmatyar told Radio Tehran in an interview.

He said the Afghans have got sick of war and the warring groups as the Afghan conflict could not be resolved militarily. The pious Afghans have reached the conclusion that they should not let their fellow Afghans to burn in the flames of war. They want to join hands and explore ways and means to steer the country out of the war, stop foreign interference and establish an Islamic government in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Afghanistan.

He said that for this purpose, efforts have been launched inside and outside the country. He said that Hezb-e-Islami supports this process. All the Afghans want to rescue the country from the deplorable and tragic situation. They have realized that fighting cannot resolve the Afghan conflict. They know that war benefits others. They understand that the war would further ruin their country and would add to the miseries and agonies of the Afghans.

Hekmatyar said those who have taken the initiative do not want the Afghan to face starvation. The Afghans have now realized that they should extend hands to each other so that they themselves could resolve the Afghan crisis without foreign interference.

The process, he said, is aimed at forming an interim government in Kabul. The interim government would pave the way for elections so that power could be transferred to an elected, representative and Islamic government. The interim government should consist of capable, influential and effective personalities of provincial shoora. It does not matter if they are affiliated with Taliban, independent group, Northern Alliance or any other group, he proposed.

He said that the provincial councils should be formed among those who have played an effective role in the Jehad, enjoy influence in the region and having inclination and love for Islam with clean past record. This council would form provincial administration and would later introduce its envoys to the Central Council. The Central Council would enjoy the status of a powerful and capable parliament for the transitional period, Hekmatyar said.

Gulbadin Hekmatyar's Message to Afghans on the Eve of Eid-ul-Adha

TEHRAN (March 15, 2000)- Hezb-e-Islami leader Gulbadin Hekmatyar has said that his party was struggling for a true elected Islamic government in Afghanistan and to put an end to the ongoing infighting among Afghan people.

In a message to Afghan people on the eve of Eid-ul-Adha, he said that the prevailing dark era would not last long if the Afghan people upheld the glorious spirit of Jihad. Following is the text of the letter:

Dear brother in Islam:

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.

I hope you are blessed with the countless favours of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala (SWT), including a prosperous Islamic life and good health. As we are witnessing the great days of Eidul-Adha in our lives again, let me express my Eid greetings to you and your families, and to all the Muslims around you! May Allah (SWT) make this great occasion of Eid, a beginning of liberation to all Muslims in the world! Ameen.

I am sure that the memories of the great jihad in Afghanistan are still with you. The jihad that began with empty hands of a few sincere rothers, and ended with great results such as the expulsion of the Red army from Afghanistan, liberation of our country, and the defeat of the soviet empire. More important than all of those, our jihad revived thee jihad principle among all muslims and it awakened the Ummah.

All those great historical accomplishments were indeed from Allah (SWT), and we were favoured by His Almighty to be chosen for this cause. May Allah accept our humble efforts!

Let me assure you that in spite of all the unfortunate events that took place in the last few years, including the current dark days in Afghanistan, the true Mujahideen are counting on the results of the great jihad, and in spite of all the plots against our jihad and against us in the last few years, I assure you that the sincere and true Mujahideen are committed to their original goal of seeking Allah’s pleasure.

We, the Hezb-I-Slami Afghanistan, are calling for an elected Islamic system in our country. We are condemming the current fightings in our country imposed on the Afghan nation. Please don’t forget to make special Duas in the middle of the night and at congregations for the tue and sincere Mujahideen in Afghanistan.

May Allah Taala accept your efforts for Islam in that land, and yet may you become more active and more useful for Islam!

Wassalmu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.

Your Brother

Hekmatyar
March 14, 2000

Hekmatyar appeals for end to Iranian deportation of compatriots

TEHRAN, March 15, 2000 (AFP) - Afghan leader Gulbeddin Hekmatyar has appealed to Iran's leadership to end a mass deportation of Afghan refugees to their homeland, an aide said Wednesday.

The aide confirmed a report from the United Nations refugee agency, the UNHCR, that Iranian police had arrested hundreds of Afghan men, women and children living in one of Tehran's main suburbs, and embarked on a "massive deportation" exercise.

The aide said Hekmatyar, chief of the Hezb-e Eslami group, had written to express his extreme concern to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mohammad Khatami, after a meeting with other Afghan leaders in Iran.

A witness said the roundup had begun last Friday in south Tehran, with individuals and whole familes being arrested and sent to a camp at Askarabad near the capital.

From there they are put in buses and sent off to southeast Iran, before being sent over the border in the Nimruz region of western Afghanistan which is not under the control of the Taliban militia.

The witness said workers, refugees and those without proper identity papers are being picked up indiscriminately. Police are even stopping buses and checking who was aboard.

UNHCR spokesman Jacques Franquin said in Geneva Tuesday he was unable to specify exactly how many refugees had been deported, saying that those concerned "do not live in camps but amongst the Iranian people, and so are not directly looked after by the UNHCR."

On February 22 the UNHCR said it had agreed with Tehran to work toward the voluntary repatriation of the some 1.4 million Afghan refugees living in Iran.

Those who did not have proper papers would be given six months to register their presence and either ask to be sent home or submit a request for permission to stay in Iran.

UNHCR spokesman Kris Janowski said it was not known how many would volunteer under the new policy, which was "designed to put an end to forcible repatriations."

The UNHCR would review the cases and would also help set up transit camps in Iranian provinces to register the refugees.

Most of the Afghans in Iran are widely scattered, with only a minority currently living in camps. Many Afghans were considered economic rather than political immigrants. In the past year, 90,000 have returned home, most of them forcibly.

Janowski also said the UNHCR wanted to expand its presence in Afghanistan to supervise conditions surrounding the repatriations which, he said, would be difficult given the closed nature of Afghan society and ethnic differences between regions.

Iran is strongly opposed to the Taliban regime which controls most of Afghanistan and still recognises the ousted government of Burhanuddin Rabbani, in which Hekmatyar was prime minister when it was expelled from Kabul in 1996.

Two close aides of Hekmatyar held in Kabul

PESHAWAR (Frontier Post) -- The Taliban authorities arrested two key leaders of Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) few days back in Kabul. According to a highly-placed Taliban official, Ustad Zabiullah and Ustad Khawaja, both close aides of HIA chief Eng. Gulbadin Hekmatyar were arrested by the Taliban's security agency in the area of ward No. 3 of Afghan capital.

Ustad Zabiullah is reportedly the personal secretary of HIA chief in Tehran. Both are under the interrogation of "Istekhbarat," the Taliban's intelligence outfit. Some ex-Hezb-i-Islami commanders tried their best to ensure their release but still their efforts remained futile, claimed the source. Zabiullah is the brother of Ustad Taloot Mohid, a prominent HIA leader, who was killed during the Afghan jihad.

During the interrogation, they claimed that they had came to Afghanistan to settle some of their personal matters but the Kabul authorities reportedly suspected their claims, added the source. In the wake of tense relations between the Taliban and HIA, the visit of two top Hezb leaders to Kabul has led to raise many speculations in this regard.

Hezb sources in Peshawar confirmed the report about the arrest of their leaders and said that they were freed after giving strong sureties by some prominent Afghans. But no independent source has yet confirmed their release. Of late, HIA made hectic efforts to improve its ties with the Taliban but due to the resistance of a strong anti-Hekmatyar lobby within the student militia's ranks it utterly failed.

Hezb commander killed in Takhar

PESHAWAR, November 5, 1999 (Frontier Post) - A prominent commander Badahar Maddafe, belonging to Hezb-e-Islami (Hekmatyar) Afghanistan, was killed in Takhar province in Northern Afghanistan on Monday last. The situation in the Tajik-dominated province of Takhar, currently under the control of Ahmad Shah Masood, had became tense and forces loyal to Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan and Jamiat-i-Islami (Prof. Rabbani) was poised against each other. According to credible Afghan sources Bahadar Maddafe, whose brother Dr. Omer was among the founders of Islamic movement in Afghanistan, was killed while he was away from his base along with Afghan opposition's nominated president Prof. Burhan Uddin Rabbani. Soon after the incident members of HIA called an emergency meeting to discuss the situation, said the sources. Although the motives behind his killing were still unknown but Maddafe's loyalist were pointing at Prof. Rabbani, and both the sides were reportedly preparing for fighting, added the sources.

Another HIA commander Safar Mohammad, a deputy to Maddafe, had been arrested by the forces of Prof. Rabbani, reported the source. During Afghan Jihad Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan and JIA have a long history of internecine infighting. Few months back Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan prominent commander Maulvi Khardmand, the governor of Badakhshan, was also killed and his loyalists accused forces of Prof. Rabbani for the murder. Earlier, another HIA commander Hameed Ullah Agha was also killed in Kundooz province. Hezb sources in Tehran had blamed Taliban for the murder of Agha.

HIA asks Musharraf to invite Afghan groups for talks

ISLAMABAD, October 22, 1999 (NNI): The Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) Thursday called upon General Pervez Musharraf, Chief Executive of Pakistan, to invite all Afghan parties and groups for negotiations and establish a consensus government in Kabul.

A Hizb-e-Islami statement lent complete support to remarks of General Pervez Musharraf regarding the formation of an elected government in Afghanistan. "We offer our utmost support and cooperation in achieving this purpose and we strongly believe that only free and fair general elections could solve the conflict of Afghanista," the statement said.

The group proposed that during the period of transition all provincial administrations are established and run by those forces, whoever control those areas presently and that they fully obey and cooperate with the central interim government.

"The interim setup should control all land and airports, borders, highways, banks, currency, taxes, foreign missions, and the armed forces," it added.

The Hizb-e-Afghanistan further demanded general elections to be held after one year. Defining its conditions for the general elections, the Afghan group proposed: "Election of a president with the majority vote; formation of a parliament based on proportional representation; elected government to have the provilege of drafting a constitution for the country; establishment of an independent Election Commission to supervise general elections."

Hizb-e-Islami statement said the Taliban Ameer-ul-Momineen may continue in the office until a new president is elected and Taliban keep in their control over the areas that presently hold.

It further demanded setting up of administrations in Takhar, Badakshan and Parwan provinces in consultation with the prominent and renowned personalities of those provinces.

Referring to the Osama bin Laden, it said the issue may be referred to the elected parliament. The groups further proposed establishment of a national army and return of all types of weapons to it.

Hekmatyar asks Pak rules to review Afghan policy

WASHINGTON, October 22, 1999 (NNI): Former Afghan Prime Minister and Chief of Hizb-e-Islami Engineer Hekmatyar has hoped that the new Pakistani government will review its Afghan policy.

In an interview with VOA the Hizb-e-Islami chief Hekmatyar called upon the new Pakistani rulers to begin the process of creating understanding among the Afghan.

"We expect the new Pakistani government to adopt a new policy on Afghanistan and review the previous policies," the HIA chief said.

"Instead of supporting a particular group, insist the continuation of war and provide support to the warring groups, it should work for restoration of peace in Afghanistan and creating an understanding among the Afghans," Hekmatyar insisted.

He said the ousted Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif was expected to review the policy of Benazir Bhutto. But, regrettably he continued the same policy.

He counted Nawaz Sharifs closeness with the United States as the main reason of his ouster. Hekmatyar said the United States wanted to install a puppet government in Afghanistan adding the people got more disheartened when Nawaz Sharif got further closer to the United States and took some steps at the call of Washington.

The HIA chief said when Nawaz Sharif went to Washington and made decision about Kashmir under the US pressure and withdrew Kashmiri Mujahideen from Kargil, both the people and the army annoyed with him and since that time it was thought that some change would come in Pakistan.

"When the United States fired Cruise missile on Afghanistan many Pakistanis thought that it cannot be without the consent of the then Nawaz Sharifs government. There is a serious anti-US feeling among the Pakistani masses, most serious than any other country of the region," Hekmatyar said. He said every government, which gets closer to Washington, loses its popularity in Pakistan and the army is also a part of the nation.

About the issue of Osama bin Laden, Hekmatyar said Osama was only an excuse while the United States was aiming at some other objective. He said the main target of the Americans is not Ben Laden, they want a government of their choice in Kabul. They expected the Taliban to form a government of their liking. But it did not happen.

He said Washington now want to pressurize Taliban to agree them a government of American choice. "I think as the United States pressurize Taliban, the student militia will get more and more popular". He said the main objective of the Americans is not to let set up an Islamic government and if they supported Taliban, it was for this purpose and now that they oppose Taliban, it is for the same purpose.

He said the United States has also some economic problems and wants to reach to the oil reserves of Central Asia through Afghanistan. They still fear that Russia may rise as a big power. "The strategic location of Afghanistan is very important. Therefore, the Americans want to puppet regime in Kabul."

Hekmatyar said the Afghan problem cannot be solved through war and it should resolved by the Afghan themselves without any outside pressure. He does not consider the meeting held in Rome or Cyprus as effective and said nothing can be achieved out of these meetings. He proposed meetings of influential personalities, persons involved in war and political figures should sit for talks inside the country, without foreign interference. They should hold sincere talks and talk on ending of war, release of prisoners and holding of elections."

Pakistan should stay neutral and help in restoration of peace: Hezb-e-Islami

Press Release

TEHRAN (October 18, 1999) – Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan has issued the following policy statement after the recent developments in Pakistan:

The instability in Pakistan, failure of successie governments, corruption and brewing feuds amongst the political parties had since long forced the saner elements and intelligentsia to invite the Army to move in and clean the mess. Among the Army top brass, many voices supported this idia.

The widespread support of the Army action shows that the people of pakistan are fed up with the performance of the political parties in addressing the internal end external problems and their half- baked policies whether those of Benazir or Nawaz Sharif . It also signifies the acknowledgment of the people that pakistan has witnessed stability only under the Army rule.

The people of pakistan are very sensitive to the interference of the USA in their affairs and have shown time and again great resentment over hobnobbing of their politicians with washington known for its pro-India policy particularly over the issue of kashmir.

The people of afganistan expected from Nawaz government to end the one-sided policy of Benazir government in projection and support of a group created by her government, and , instead, take keen interestin helping the Afgans put an end to the fighting and set up a government of their own choice but unfortunately Nawaz acted in line with his past record during his first stint in power when he, onbehest of the Americans, supported the coalition of rabbani with the connunists after the downfall of Najib and pressurized the Afgan parties to accept Rabbani as president and Masood as Defence Minister of Afghanistan, and ordered the closure of the office of other parties to prevent them from any kind of activities against the coalition of Rabbani with the communists.

In his second stint, he continued to support Taliban, but allowed Americans, when their relations deteriorated with Taliban, to use Pakistn,s air space in bombardment of bases inside Afganistan Had it not been for the fear of backlash from the people, he would have allowed the Americans to stage even a ground attack from Pakistani soil in the garb of Get Osama Operation.

Afghans expect from the new government of Pakistan to review the failed policies of the past, refrain from supporting a certain group in Afghanistan, assess the Afghan crisis independently from the Americans and above all help their Afghan brothers in restoration of durable peace and establishment of an elected government.

This government can also help in bringing in a cease – fire, creation of an atmosphere of trust and understanding among Afghan groups and setting up of an interim government till an elected government is installed. The government should deal with Afghans without any discrimination, not favouring one group to the extent of allowing it to take Pakistani nationals in hoards to Afghanistan for fighting and preventing others from participating in the funeral of their relatives. It should also press for an agreement with the neighbouring countries to stop interference in the affairs of Afghanistan and halt the flow of arms to the groups involved in the fighting so that the Afghans can sort out their difference without outside interference.

It is also interesting to note that soon after Nawaz accused Taliban of sponsoring terrorism, Rabbani sent a letter to Nawaz sharif appreciating his move and extending assurances of his friendship with him, In a U- tern after the demise of Nawaz government, Masood hastened to release a statement, notwithstanding his past accusations hurled against Pakistan and its army, that he has no animosity with Pakistan which he considers his second home and wishes to have strong and durable relations of friendship with it.

Hizb-e-Islami not siding with Afghan warring factions

ISLAMABAD (September 22): Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan Monday said it is not siding with any warring faction in the on-going civil war as it considers the fighting only beneficial for anti-Islamic forces.

"No Hizb-e-Islami member supports any faction, involved in the relentless fighting, and distanced itself away from hostilities in accordance with the party central council's decision," said a statement issued from the Hizb office in Peshawar.

Commenting on reports that a Hizb leader Waheedullah Sabawoon has joined the cabinet of the opposition United front, the statement said, "Sabawoon has parted ways with the Hizb and has joined the United Front in personal capacity".

The statement said the opposition alliance is trying to lure some Hizb people by offering them perks and privileges.

Zahir Shah's peace efforts termed US conspiracy

TEHRAN (July 21, 1999): Hizbe-e-Islami Afghanistan (Hekmatyar) has termed the latest meeting convened by former Afghan monarch Zahir Shah in Rome as US conspiracy, reports Radio Tehran.

The Rome meeting, according to Hezb-e-Islami is a part of the western efforts to prolong the war in Afghanistan. It has accused Washington of striving to assemble pro-western elements so that a government of the choice of America could be established in Afghanistan.

It said the participants of the Rome meeting were those who remained aloof from Afghanistan for years. These elements, according to HIA, are not only unaware of the Afghan situation but some of them even do not understand the language of their country.

Jehad only solution to
Kashmir: Hikmatyar

PESHAWAR (July 12, 1999) Former Afghan Prime Minister and Chief of Hizbe Islami Afghanistan, Engineer Gulbadin Hikmatyar has warned India against attack on Pakistan saying the Afghan nation will defend the later as they consider Pakistan their second home.

In a message from Tehran on Sunday, he paid tributes to the Mujahideen fighting against the Indian Army in occupied Kashmir. Referring to the differences among the Muslim Ummah, Hikhmathyar said enemies of the Muslims are trying to crush them but unfortunately the Ummah is divided into groups and sects. He stressed the need for reconciliation of the Muslims in order to foil the evil designs of the antagonistic forces.

"We will send our Mujahideen to occupied Kashmir and will provide every possible help to the freedom fighters if needed", Hizbe Islami Chief assured. He said the Kashmir issue could not be solved through dialogue but the only way to the solution of this dispute is Jihad.

Hikmathyar called upon the Kashmiri Mujahideen to continue their just struggle for the freedom of Kashmir saying their efforts will eventually yield fruits.

Hekmatyar assures support to Kashmiri mujahideen

PESHAWAR - The chief of the Hizb-i-Islami, Afghanistan, Engineer Gulbudeen Hikmatyar, has said that the non-Muslim federations are always busy in conspiracies against the Muslims.

In his message from Teheran to the two-day "Azmi Shahadat Conference" organised by Al-Bader Mujahideen, he condemned the Indian violations of the Line of Control and appreciated the jihad by the Mujahideen who were busy to free their land from the Indian occupation.

The central amir of the Al-Bader Mujahideen, Bakth Zamin, also addressed the conference and said that soon the occupied Kashmir would be liberated. Gulbudeen said that Russia faced humiliation in Afghanistan and now India would be disgraced in Kashmir.

He said that a nation which was afraid to offer sacrifices often faced slavery and a nation which offered sacrifices could never be subjugated.He claimed that the blood of the Kashmiri fighters would never go waste, adding that the fate of India would be worse then that of Russia.

The Hizb-i-Islami chief said that Kashmiris were obeying the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah and it was the responsibility of the Muslim world to openly support them. He offered full support to the Mujahideen and said that all the Afghans were ready to give all sorts of sacrifices for the Kashmiris if they needed them.

He added that the situations in Afghanistan, Kashmir, Bosnia, Palestine and Kosovo had worsened due to the conspiracies of the non-Muslims. He went on to say that it was their conspiracy that after getting freedom from Russia the law and order situation had worsened in Afghanistan. He added that it was time for all the Muslims to get united against the wickedness of the non-Muslims.

In his message, Gulbudeen paid rich tributes to the Al-Bader Mujahideen and to those who had sacrificed their lives for Kashmir. The central amir of the Al-Bader Mujahideen in his address said that 1999 would be the year of the freedom of Kashmir. He said that 250-kilometre area along the LoC was under the occupation of the Mujahideen, adding that the supply route to Siachen was also in their sight.

He said that the solution of the Kashmir problem was not in negotiations but in Jihad. He warned India to withdraw its army from the occupied Kashmir within three weeks otherwise it would die of starvation in the Kargil and Daras sectors.

Hekmatyar condemns Serbian aggression against Kosovo Muslims

ISLAMABAD (NNI): Former Afghan Prime Minister and chief of Hizb-e-Islami, Engineer Hekmatyar Monday condemned Serbian aggression against Kosovo and expressed doubt over the NATOs sincerity with the Kosovar Muslims.

In a statement, issued from Tehran, the Hizb chief urged the Muslim countries to play active role to end atrocities on Kosovon people and should not trust the US-led NATO. He termed Serbian attacks on Kosovo Muslims and their expulsion from the country as deplorable and illegal acts.

"The Americans and its Western allies have never been sincere with the cause of Islam and Muslims and always worked for its ulterior motives at the pretext of Muslims," the Afghan leader said.

He was of the opinion that on the other hand Russia has also failed to show any resistance to the NATO air strikes adding that Moscow has lost its international credibility.

Hizb-e-Islami denies reports on Hekmatyars departure from Iran

ISLAMABAD (NNI): Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) has denied reports that the party Chief Engineer Hekmatyar has left Iran and has permanently settled in Iraq.

The HIA spokesman in Pakistan Dr. Ghairat Baheer described the reports about Hekmatyars settlement in Iraq as totally incorrect.

Meanwhile, an Afghan source in Islamabad told NNI that Hekmatyar paid 10-day visit to Iraq at the invitation of Iraqi government but has returned to Iran.

The source said that the HIA chief returned to Tehran one day before Eid-ul-Adha.

He declined to comment any offer when asked about objectives of his visit to Iraq.

Hekmatyar says Asghabat agreement may create ethnic division

ISLAMABAD (NNI): Former Afghan Prime Minister and chief of opposition Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan (HIA), Engineer Gulbadin Hekmatyar has feared division of Afghanistan on ethnic lines if any ethnic based set up as proposed in Asghabat agreement was introduced.

"Formation of coalition government on the grounds of nationalities rather than parties would pose threat to Afghanistans integrity and would lead to division in the country," Hekmatyar said.

Talking to NNI on phone from Tehran the Hizb leader expressed surprise over the statements of Younas Qanooni and Wakil Ahmed Mutawakil that the two sides have agreed to share power on ethnic bases.

After four-day of hectic talks in Ashgabat, Afghanistans dominant Taliban and their rivals agreed on Sunday to form a coalition government, exchange prisoners and put an end to fighting.

They also agreed to form a shared executive, shared legislature and shared judiciary. They will hold the next round of talks preferably inside Afghanistan at the mutually agreed venue after Eidul Azha.

"We pray for an end to war and want the warring factions to prefer talks on fighting. We wish them a success to resolve the differences though talk. But I do not think that the two parties would so easily arrive at a consensus," the HIA leader said.

He said if the warring factions lay down arms, avoid war, refrain from fighting for the interests of others and resolve their problems without involving others, it is a good thing and the Hizb supports it. "But keeping in view the situation, I do not think they would immediately reach a consensus".

"Once nationalities are involved, then what would be the fate of parties, which are advocating territorial integrity and sovereignty of Afghanistan," he questioned. The agreement would serve no purpose but would further complicate the already existed situation, Hekmatyar observed.

"Who will nominate members for the executive, legislature and judiciary and what would be the procedure of nomination," the HIA leader questioned. He said the two sides should realize that there is problem of nationalities in Afghanistan and floating the idea of government on ethnic grounds would pave way for more problems.

He pointed out contradictions in the positions of the two sides saying that on one hand the northern alliance wants to have a considerable share in the government and terms it a just solution of the conflict. On the other Taliban are not interested in the formations of a coalition government as they have been terming it contrary to their principles, he said.

Osama not in our area: Hezb spokesman

ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (NNI): Hezb-e-Islamic Afghanistan (HIA) on Tuesday denied press reports that Osama bin Laden has arrived in an area controlled by Engineer Hekmatyar's commanders in northern Afghanistan.

"These are unfounded and mischievousness reports," Dr. Ghairat Baheer, spokesman for Hekmatyar's Hezb-e-Islami said.

The London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat reported on Monday that Osama had left the Taliban's stronghold of Kandahar several day ago and is in an area controlled by engineer Hekmatyar. The daily quoted 'informed' Afghan sources as saying that Osama momentarily stopped in Hekmatyar areas along with the head of Egypt's jehad group Ayman el-Zawahri and a dozen Taliban soldiers.

Baheer, who offered no comments on the reports about Osama's movement on Monday said the Saudi national has not gone to Hezb areas.

HIA prominent commanders Bashir Khan, Majeed Khan and Lateef Khan control areas in the northern provinces of Kunduz and Baghlan.

Afghanistan's dominant Taliban announced on Saturday that Osama has disappeared and they have no information as to whether he has left Afghanistan or not. The militia's supreme leader Mulla Omar says he has not forced Osama to leave Afghanistan.

Earlier some media reports suggested that Osama crossed the Afghan-Iran border at Torghundi in Herat province of Afghanistan last Friday morning. From Iran, Osama was most likely to settle down in Iraq, which had offered him a safe heaven against the US pressure, according to the report.

Iran Foreign Ministry categorically denied the reports and described them as "irresponsible and regrettable."

Washington accused Osama of masterminding the bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania on August 7 last year, which killed more than 200 people including 12 American nationals. He however, had rejected Washington's accusations, saying that he had no links with the blasts.

Despite repeated demands from Washington, the Taliban refused to hand over Osama after the embassy bombings, demanding proof of his involvement in terrorist activities. In their recent meetings with senior Taliban officials, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Karl Inderfurth and British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Derek Fetchett had renewed their pressure on the Taliban to expel the Saudi dissident.

However, the Taliban did not expel him. They imposed restrictions on Osama on Wednesday by withdrawing all communication facilities from him.

Taliban launched searching for bin Laden on Friday when they lost contact with him but failed to find any clue. The United States has demanded of Taliban more information on Osama's movements.

State Department spokesman James Rubin confirmed the reports that Osama is missing but said the US, which has placed a $5m price on bin Laden's head, could not confirm Taliban reports that bin Laden might be in Iraq.

He added that even if bin Laden had left Afghanistan, it would not be sufficient in itself to alter the US's current policy towards the Taliban.

Bin Laden, along with other Arab nationals came to Afghanistan earlier 80s to take part in Jehad against troops of the former Soviet Union. He left Afghanistan after the establishment of Mujahideen government and returned to the war-shattered country in May 1996. He attained international repute when he addressed a news conference in the western Afghan province of Khost launching what he called 'holy war' against Americans across the world.

Despite repeated demands from Washington, the Taliban refused to hand over Bin Laden after the embassy bombings, demanding proof of his involvement in terrorist activities. The US embassy in Islamabad had handed over several video cassettes and newspaper clippings to Taliban last year about bin Laden's alleged involvement in terrorist activities but the Islamic militia had rejected them.

The US Assistant Secretary of State and the British Junior Minister Dereck Fatchett in their recent meeting with senior Taliban officials had renewed their pressure on the Taliban to expel Bin Laden. However, they refused to expel him.

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