Fact Check: Govt, Taliban yet to discuss interim setup

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghan government and the Taliban reject the formation of an interim government amid a social media hoax these days with former Senator Abdul Hanan Haquon being named as the head of a future setup.

In Doha, the representatives of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban agreed to go for a three-week break after three months of intra-Afghan talks.

But since the start of the talks in Qatar, some groups, individuals and parties in Afghanistan have been raising the matter of an interim government in the country, but the government and the Taliban have not yet discussed such a set-up.

Even the names of some individuals, who would lead the interim government, circulated in social media in the past.

And this time, the name of former senator Abdul Hanan Haquon is circulating in social media as the head of the future interim government.

A Facebook page “Da Mashar Abdul Hanan Haquon Malatari — Supporters of Leader Abdul Hanan Haquon” posted that the Afghan peace talks have entered a sensitive period and the US and the Taliban have agreed over the establishment of an interim government in Afghanistan.

It adds: “At a time when the Taliban and the Afghan government are talking peace, the US and Taliban are engaged in secret talks on the names of some individuals who would lead the interim setup. Mullah Abdul Ghani Beradar, Former Senator Abdul Hanan Haquon, Former President Hamid Karzai, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Masoum Stanikzai and Mohammad Umar Daudzai are the names being considered to head the future interim government. On the agreement of both sides, one of these names would be picked to lead the interim government.”

The Facebook post cites unnamed ‘credible sources’ that say the Taliban have given a green light to the name of Abdul Hanan Haquon.

“Some neighbours will have some reservations over Haquon, but the fact is that he was not involved in internal wars and has the support of Jihadi Leader Ustad Sayyaf and other political leaders. He is known as neutral persons by both parties and probably Haquon would be picked for the slot.”

Some Whatsapp groups are also talking about Haquon nomination for the future interim setup.

Journalists and Media Activists Whatsapp groups says: “Nominee for the interim government Senator Abdul Hanan Haquon”

A Group Member Ibrahim wrote: “Senator Abdul Hanan Haquon is the member of the Dawat-i-Islami Party, member of the Afghanistan Solvation and Stability Council and nominee for the interim government.”

Meanwhile, sources close to Abdul Hanan Haquon say he had been officially approached to head the future interim government.

“The Taliban and the government have talked to Haquon and he is among the candidates for the interim government,” according to the sources.

They added Haquon was better than other candidates for the future interim government.

Government strongly rejects interim government in Afghanistan

Presidential Spokesperson Sediq Sediqi said in line with people’s demand the government worked for strengthening the pillars of political system in the country.

“Unfortunately, some circles have again started debating the establishment of an interim government and they are the real enemy of this system and people,” he said.

Sediqi said such elements wanted to take Afghanistan back to the time of ignorance and darkness and convert the country into a hub of international terrorism.

“Today our country has strong political and social capacity, our people are fully aware. They will never allow anyone to help our enemy reach their nefarious designs,” he said.

Faridon Khwazon, spokesperson for the High Council of National Reconciliation (HCNR) said: “Both sides have exchanged notes over future agenda of talks. Every kind of propaganda about an interim setup is baseless and not true.”

“When the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban negotiating teams would start discussion on agenda, then all topics would be discussed at its time and information in this regard will be shared with the people of Afghanistan.”

Earlier, Presidential Advisor and head of the Presidential Palace Strategic Affairs Department Waheed Omar had said that interim government and going to the past was just an imagination.

The Taliban also term interim government a propaganda

Taliban Doha Office Spokesperson Dr. Naeem told Pajhwok Afghan News: “This is just a propaganda and there is no reality.”

Some other social media users introduced other faces for the leadership of interim government.

Afghan Journalist Bashim Ahmad Qasni on his facebook page wrote that the Taliban and politicians are making efforts to make Former President Hamid Karzai as the head of an interim government.

Another Journalist Parwaiz Sapi copied Qasani’s photo and text and referred to the establishment of interim government.

Some political leaders in Afghanistan have also talked about the establishment of an interim government and said that for resolution of ongoing problems, the establishment of an interim government was the only way forward.

Gulbuddin Hikmatyar, head of the Hizb-e-Islami Afghansitan (HIA), had earlier said that the only way to resolve current crisis was the establishment of an interim government in the country.

Jamiat-e-Islami Leader Salahuddin Hikmatyar, while speaking to a gathering in Kabul, stressed over the establishment of an interim government in the country.

Nh/ma

Ahmad Shah Erfanyar

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