PESHAWAR, Oct 19: None of the Taliban commanders or ministers have so far defected or joined hands with the anti-Taliban forces manoeuvring for the establishment of a broad-based government in Kabul.

The seven-party alliance, which had fought a US-sponsored long war against the four successive communist regimes in Afghanistan, is being reorganised to manage a lion’s share in the underway post- Taliban arrangements.

Some of the old commanders, known for their consorting with the US officials, are heard complaining about the non-cooperation of the Americans. They are desperately asking for weapons, but no one is hearing them.

Some of the commanders, who have remained idle in Peshawar during the last 10 years, are becoming active. They are free to summon their soldiers, hold meetings and consent with the Afghan leaders abroad.

Once well-organized, the Hizb-i-Islami Afghanistan (Hekmatyar) had summoned a meeting of its 20 commanders at Shamshatoo refugee camp to discuss the future line of action of the group.

Qutbuddin Hilal presided over the meeting. Gulbadin Hekmatyar, at present staying in Tehran, had been the main choice of the Pakistan establishment during war against the Soviet forces in Afghanistan.

Considered as pro-Pakistan Afghan commander among Pashtun leaders of Afghanistan, he was the main recipient of the US military aid during 1979-1989 and a close ally of the then military regime of Gen Ziaul Haq.

He was also first among the Afghan commanders who had presented a future political plan to the Taliban regime five month ago. But, Taliban turned it down.

The Shoora-i-Nizaar of eastern province also held its meeting on Thursday in Peshawar. Besides religious leaders, tribal elders and Shoora members, some 14 old Mujahideen commanders hailing from Laghman, Kunar, Nangarhar and Nooristan attended the meeting, which urged the Taliban leadership to quit immediately.

They also warned that they would forcibly dislodge them to save the country.

From the Haq brothers, commander Abdul Haq is back in the city.

He is shuttling between Peshawar and Rome and showed his allegiance with the political force led by the former king Zahir Shah to find out a political solution of the present crisis.

His one brother, Haji Qadeer, is siding with the Northern Alliance.

Opinion

Editorial

GB polls’ aftermath
11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

IT appears that the PPP is in a comfortable position to form the government in Gilgit-Baltistan after Sunday’s...
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...
Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...