Taliban Hold “People’s Meeting” in Support of Their Regime Without the Presence of the People

RASC News Agency: A week after the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor called for the arrest of Mullah Hibatullah, the Taliban leader, and another senior member of the group, the Taliban held a “people’s meeting” in Kabul to protest the court’s request. Titled “Popular Unity and Stability of the Islamic System,” the meeting was organized in response to rising global threats and statements from senior U.S. officials. During the event, the Taliban claimed that the world had made a mistake and that Mullah Hibatullah had not committed any treason. Despite being called a “people’s meeting,” no members of the public were present, and the attendees were exclusively Taliban members.
Noorullah Noori, the Taliban’s Minister of Borders, Tribes, and Tribal Affairs, stated at the meeting: “The people of Afghanistan have made countless sacrifices for the establishment of the current regime (the Taliban).” He underscored the importance of popular support for the Taliban government. The Afghanistani people have not yet shown their support for the Taliban, but Noori referred to the group’s regime as one that emerged from the power of the people. The Taliban governor of Kabul claimed during the meeting that “the true (authentic) Islamic system ruling Afghanistan has no counterpart in the world.” He also added that the issues of the people were being addressed by Taliban authorities and that the doors of the Taliban leadership remained open to the public. He urged citizens to support the Taliban regime.
Furthermore, the Taliban’s Deputy for Tribal Affairs and Coordination of Jirgas emphasized the “protection of the Taliban regime” and called for cooperation from the public with the Taliban government. The people of Afghanistan have not supported the Taliban regime. Over the past three years, the Taliban have failed to gain acceptance among the country’s citizens and have instead acted in ways that contradict the people’s wishes.