Taliban Do Not Represent Afghan People, Says Former Pakistani MP

Mohsin Dawar, leader of Pakistan’s National Democratic Movement, asserted that the Taliban do not represent the Afghan people and that Afghanistan has its own independent history.

Speaking at the 12th Herat Security Dialogue in Madrid on Monday, he also criticised regional countries, particularly Pakistan, for failing to be true allies of Afghanistan.

In an interview with Afghanistan International, Dawar emphasised that the world must acknowledge that the Taliban’s rule does not reflect the will of the Afghan people. He highlighted the importance of forums like the Herat Security Dialogue, noting that such gatherings provide a platform for exchanging perspectives and fostering opportunities to find practical solutions to Afghanistan’s ongoing crises.

Dawar stressed that Afghanistan is facing significant challenges and urged the international community to reassess its approach to the country. When asked about external support for conferences like the Herat Security Dialogue, he stated that, in his opinion, no country in the region has been a true friend of Afghanistan. He added that the destruction of Afghanistan has been facilitated by multiple actors, including the United States, Iran, and neighbouring Pakistan, which he described as a “great tragedy.”

Despite these adversities, Dawar expressed confidence that Afghans will persevere, as they have throughout history, and that the current situation will eventually change.

Dawar has previously participated in Herat Security Dialogue sessions and has been a vocal critic of the Taliban. He has consistently argued that the Taliban do not represent the Afghan people, referring to them as a “project of Rawalpindi” and asserting that their identity is rooted in terrorism.