by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times
August 26, 2021
KABUL – There have been reports that the Taliban has placed former Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai and the head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, Abdullah Abdullah, under house arrest.
Since former President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, Hamid Karzai, Abdullah Abdullah, and Gulbadin Hekmatyar have been the only political figures in Kabul who have met with Taliban leadership and tribal elders on a regular basis.
The trio have been rumored to be part of the new Taliban government and currently sit on the Taliban’s 12-member grand council. Some intelligence sources have indicated that Karzai will be executed if he refuses to be the figurehead President of the new Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The Taliban hope to use Karzai to give legitimacy to their newly formed government.
The Taliban are still debating the structure of the upcoming government, but they have repeatedly promised to form an all-inclusive government. Yet with reports of widespread abuse and summary execution of opponents, many believe the Taliban will return to their pre-US invasion brutality.
The Chicago Times 