Countries' Interaction With Taliban Based On Tactical Interests, Says Ahmad Massoud

On Sunday, the leader of the National Resistance Front (NRF) said that the Taliban has not been able to gain internal legitimacy and that the relationship between countries and this group is based solely on tactical interests.

He stated that the world is waiting for the decision of the Afghan people.

"We have no choice but to fight to open the way for negotiations and to fight for freedom," he added.

During this meeting, senior anti-Taliban political figures of the High Council of Resistance for the Salvation of Afghanistan delivered speeches. Emphasising on the need to learn from past mistakes, they called for unity and internal cohesion among the opposition.

During a speech, NRF leader Ahmad Massoud pointed to the Taliban's illegitimacy inside and outside the country, saying, "People are even ashamed to take pictures with the Taliban."

He referred to the recent meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), where everyone refused to take pictures with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's foreign minister.

Salahuddin Rabbani, the former foreign minister of Afghanistan, also described the Taliban as a pariah group at the international level, saying, "The world considers the recognition of the Taliban a source of shame."

Various countries, including Islamic countries, have not recognised the Taliban government.

Due to the lack of recognition, senior Taliban officials sit in a lower position than senior officials of other countries in international meetings in the region and have no place in the official photos of these meetings.

However, the group has been able to expand its relations with major regional powers such as China and Russia.

Ismail Khan, a jihadi commander, likened the Taliban to the leaders of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), saying that "the orders of Mullah Hibatullah are no less than those of Amin and Turki."

He said that Afghanistan has now become a big prison. The jihadi figure emphasised that only with national cooperation and cohesion can the country be liberated from the Taliban.

Ismail Khan added that their work at the current stage is more difficult than the first resistance. He stressed that relying on foreign forces cannot bring freedom to Afghanistan.

Atta Mohammad Noor, a senior member of Jamiat-e-Islami, accused the Taliban of increasing ethnic divisions. Referring to the shooting of Hazaras in Daikundi, he said that the Taliban have committed crimes and genocide against Hazaras.

However, ISIS claimed responsibility for the killing of 14 Hazara civilians in Daikundi, hence it is not clear why Noor blamed the Taliban for the killings.

"The basis of the Taliban's work is anti-Persian and fueling ethnic problems, which will be very harmful for Afghanistan today and the future," he added.

Mohammad Mohaqiq, the leader of the People's Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan, said during a speech that even the early supporters of the Taliban today call the group terrorists.

Mohaqiq warned that if the Taliban do not agree to talks, they will enter the military phase. Mohaqiq, however, said that they do not want war and bloodshed.

He also pointed to the Taliban's internal grievances, saying, "Discontent has reached a peak within the group."

The Taliban believe that security and peace have been ensured in Afghanistan and there is no need for dialogue and negotiations. They see their government as inclusive and call former government and jihadi leaders "corrupt”.

The Taliban also insists that they do not stand on their jihadi principles and values for the sake of recognition.