Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s public reception in Jalalabad was covered by all Afghan and foreign media.
It was a “late but correct coming”, according to many people. There are as many who feel he has to be held accountable for the massacres blamed on him during the civil war years.
The government has kept its promise and released the first batch of Hezb-e-Islami prisoners on the day Hekmatyar made his public appearance on April 30.
Dawa Khan Minapal, the president’s deputy spokesperson, said the remaining prisoners would also be released gradually, in phases. Earlier, Hekmatyar’s name was removed from a UN blacklist. According to Tawab Ghorzang, the spokesperson National Security Council, hereafter neither the Hezb-e-Islami nor its leader can be prosecuted outside the country.
In addition, restrictions on their financial sources have been lifted and also limitations on travel of both Hekmatyar and the party.
Will the government’s honouring of its part of the agreement lead to peace? Experts believe it would only if members of the Hezb-e-Islami voluntarily disarm. Atiqullah Amarkhil, political and military analyst, says, “If the Hezb-e-Islami led by Hekmatyar can start activities within the political framework, and advance the cause of peace, its members must be disarmed, and stop the insurgency and militarism.”
President Ashraf Ghani’s deputy spokesperson announced the process of Hezb-e-Islami’s laying down arms would start once its leader Hekmatyar enters Kabul.
“According to the peace agreement, the military structures of Hezb-e-Islami would be disbanded… The fighters would be enlisted in the ranks of Afghan defence and security institutions after they are disarmed.”
Meanwhile, the Hezb-e-Islami spokesperson Hashmatullah Rashed has reiterated the group’s pledge to honour the agreement with the government. Earlier critics of the peace pact had said the Hezb-e-Islami could not enforce decisions on factions that are independent of Hekmatyar’s control. Malek Stez, a political affairs expert, believes Hekmatyar’s influence has waned, and the “party is in pieces, (with) groups that are outside his influence”.
Senate members have also urged the government to ensure the Hezb-e-Islami is disarmed once Hekmatyar emerges in public. Ata Mohammad Noor, acting governor of Balkh, has claimed the government will equip the Hezb-e-Islami fighters.
String of promises
Hekmatyar has in his first speech on his return told the public that the past should be forgotten and stretched out a hand of friendship to all. He said he wants to see an independent and free Afghanistan.
Apart from this he said he wants the Taleban to join the peace process, while urging both the US and NATO not to repeat the mistakes made in Afghanistan. He said the Taleban must not think it can impose itself on the country with the help of Russia.
“We promise that no blood would be shed for the transition of power, and that anyone who is selected by the Afghan people would be the president and leader of the country,” he is quoted saying.
The Hezb-e-Islami does not want any power or share in the government but it would not support a “forced government”, he has said. “We need a strong parliament, just, central government with representation of all tribes,” he said.
In the end he called on those countries that are fighting proxy wars in Afghanistan that they must not view this land-locked land as a place to “test their weapons and bombs”.
Hekmatyar’s words have triggered optimism. Adela Jabar, a civil society activist, thinks the pact with Hekmatyar could be a template to end years of bloody battles with other anti-government, armed groups. “Military operations cannot be a solution at all,” she says.
