Taliban to adopt Iranian model of political system

On Sep 3, 2021

AFGHANISTAN: The Taliban is expected to adopt the Iranian model of the political system for governance. Talks have been ongoing between the top Taliban leadership in Kandahar for the last 4 days with a government formation announcement likely in about a week’s time.The Supreme Leader will be Hibatullah Akhundzada and under him will be the Supreme council. The council could have 11 or 72 members, with the number still being decided. Interestingly, sources in Afghanistan have said that the supreme leader will stay in Kandahar. Kandahar has been the traditional capital of the Taliban.

When it comes to the executive arm, it will be led by the PM, with the council of ministers under him. Probable names include Abdul Ghani Baradar or Mullah Baradar or Mullah Yakub, son of Mullah Omar. Mullah Omar founded the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in 1996 & led the resistance against the Soviets in the 1980s. Omar of course was ousted after the US invasion of Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks.

The Taliban also plans to restore the 1964/65 Afghan constitution which was framed by the then Afghan President Mohammed Daoud Khan. The change of constitution is symbolic since the current one was drafted under foreign forces.

Finally when it comes to Judiciary, Mullah Hakim is all set to be the chief justice. Hakim, an elderly figure, had been the teacher to Mullah Omar. He is currently chairman of the Taliban negotiating team in Qatar.

Meanwhile, Some three dozen Afghan women have held a demonstration in front of the governor’s office in western Herat province, urging the new government to uphold advances in women’s rights following the Taliban takeover.

Friba Kabrzani, an organiser of the Thursday rally, says that women should have political participation in the new Government, including the Cabinet and Loya Jirga, or elders’ council.

Afghan women have made many sacrifices over the past 20 years to achieve what they have, she said, adding: “We want the world to hear us and we want our rights to be saved.” Another participant, Maryam Ebram, said that although the Taliban were giving beautiful speeches on television, there have been abuses of power in the public space. – PTI