Pakistani cleric and a founding father of the Taliban, Maulana Sami-Ul-Haq, on Monday said that the Taliban would reclaim political power in Afghanistan following the foreign troop withdraw in 2014. A number of officials in Kabul responded to the statement with a mix of doubt and disdain.
"Give us just one year of breathing space and we will make the whole of Afghanistan happy. The Taliban only wants to change the political system in a suitable manner. But, we are not allowed to do anything in this regard. Once the Americans leave, all this will happen within a year," Sami-Ul-Haq said."That is, if the Americans actually leave."
Preparation for the NATO combat mission's end in December 2014 have consumed a lot of resources and attention in Kabul as of late. The security transition, which officials assure is going well, is considered of particular importance. Efforts to make progress on the peace process with the Taliban, with the help of the Pakistani government, have been a major feature of those preparations. With Presidential and Provincial elections also coming up in the spring, the next couple of years are undoubtedly going to be formative for Afghanistan.
"There is no alternative except the Taliban. Everyone has experienced the rule of the Americans and foreign forces. What did they give Afghanistan? The Taliban are Afghanistan's own people. I have always said that Afghans should be allowed to fight for their own freedom. Foreign powers should get out and let Afghans do what they want," Sami-Ul-Haq said.
Despite the Pakistani cleric's remarks, most signs indicate Afghans are happy with the progress that has been seen over the past decade and want to preserve and build on it. The celebrations after last Wednesday's SAFF Cup victory were but one example.
In response to Sami-Ul-Haq's statement, officials of the High Peace Council (HPC) called his argument "day-dreaming" and condemned any seizure of power outside of democratic means.
"The Taliban are day-dreaming if they want to get back to power through militancy. The only way for the group to come to power is democracy and peace," said Muhammad Ismail Qasimyar, an Advisor to the HPC on International Affairs.
Mr. Qasimyar's assertions are supported by recent survey data provided by Assess, Transform and Reach Consulting (ATR) that found an overwhelming number of respondents thought elections were the best way for a new leader in Afghanistan to come to power. Specifically, 78 percent of the respondents agreed on that while only six percent favored a religious leader take power and create an "Islamic Emirate."
Officials from the Afghan Ministry of Interior (MOI) also offered a strong reaction to the comments made by the Pakistani cleric.
"These statements are hateful and anti-Afghan. Our achievements have been gained with the blood of Afghans, we will never allow anyone to suppress the Afghans again," said Sediq Sediqi, spokesman of the MoI.
Sami-Ul-Haq is currently serving as the head of the Madrassa Darul Ulom Haqqania, a religious school where the reclusive top Taliban commander Mullah Omar was educated. The madrassa is thought by Afghan security and intelligence officials to be a hotbed for suicide bomber training.
The Afghanistan Ulema Council condemned the comments made by the Pakistani.
"These assertions have been made to mislead the Taliban and interfere with the internal affairs of Afghanistan," said Maulawi Shahzada Shahid, a member of the HPC and spokesman of the Afghanistan Ulema Council.
Reportedly, the Pakistani cleric has close ties with elements within the Pakistani military, which has long been accused by Afghans and coalition officials alike for covertly supporting the Taliban insurgency inside Afghanistan. On Monday, Sami-Ul-Haq urged the Pakistani government to shoot down U.S. drones if they entered Pakistani air space.
While the cleric's statements seem to confirm many the assertions from Afghans and the international community that support for the Taliban and terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda has largely come from inside Pakistan, recent efforts made by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government in Islamabad have also indicated the relations with Kabul are improving. President Hamid Karzai's visit to Islamabad last month seems to have yielded numerous accomplishments related to economic cooperation and the peace process.
Pakistan's pending release of Mullah Baradar, a former deputy to Mullah Omar, at the behest of President Karzai was one sign that was heralded as demonstrating Islamabad's commitment to helping the peace process. Yet whether or not the release of high-up Taliban leaders will actually lead to progress in peace talks is still uncertain. If things do not go as planned, a free Mullah Baradar could – as some fear – simply bolster the insurgency.