RASC News Agency: Following his departure from Afghanistan, Abbas Stanekzai, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs under the Taliban regime, has issued a scathing audio message, warning against blind obedience to Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada and asserting that Afghanistan must not be sacrificed at his behest. In his statement, Stanekzai cautioned Taliban members against elevating Haibatullah to divine or prophetic status, urging them to reject unquestioning loyalty to a single leader. He denounced submission to destructive decrees, emphasizing that obedience to orders that lead to Afghanistan’s ruin is neither a religious duty nor a moral obligation.
“Do not worship Mullah Haibatullah,” Stanekzai implored. “Do not heed commands that push the country further into devastation.” Encouraging defiance against edicts that contradict Islamic principles, he further declared: “We cannot destroy our homeland for you.” Long known for his opposition to Haibatullah’s rigid and authoritarian rule, Stanekzai reaffirmed his stance:
“You are my leader only as long as you uphold justice in accordance with God’s path. The moment you deviate, you are no longer my Amir, and I do not recognize you.”
He dismissed the notion that Haibatullah is an infallible figure, stating:
“People have not placed their faith in you. Countless others like you have emerged and disappeared throughout history, and many more will follow.” Expressing his vision for Afghanistan’s leadership, Stanekzai called for rulers who govern in alignment with Islamic principles, the Prophet’s teachings, and the nation’s collective interests rather than personal authority and absolute power.
This is not the first time Stanekzai has openly challenged Haibatullah. In a previous speech in Khost, he condemned Haibatullah’s monopolization of power, accusing him of issuing repressive decrees that have plunged Afghanistan into deeper crisis.
