Officials from the Taliban’s Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs claim that participants at a gathering in Paghman District of Kabul expressed gratitude to God for Taliban rule, saying they now understand the true meaning of freedom.
According to a statement issued by the ministry, Mawlawi Mohammad Jan Rahbar, head of tribal and jirga coordination, quoted participants at the gathering as saying that they were thankful to God for the Taliban’s rule.
The statement added that the gathering was held to promote the implementation of Sharia law and strengthen public coordination, with religious scholars, tribal elders, and local residents in attendance.
During the gathering, Rahbar described Taliban rule as a common home for all people and said that safeguarding it was a shared responsibility of all Afghans. However, critics of the Taliban describe their government as exclusionary, arguing that representatives of other political and social groups have no share in power.
Shahabuddin Delawar, head of the Taliban’s Commission for Contact with Afghan Personalities, also defended the group’s monopoly on power in an interview some time ago. He stated that the Taliban had made no commitment to establish an inclusive government under the Doha Agreement.
In its statement, the Taliban’s Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs did not identify which religious scholars, tribal elders, or other participants had made the remarks expressing gratitude for Taliban rule and claiming to have experienced freedom.
Previously, several Taliban officials had also urged the public to be grateful for the group’s rule. They described their government as a blessing from God and warned of the consequences of ingratitude.
These remarks come as Freedom House, in its 2026 report, classified Afghanistan as “Not Free.” According to the organisation’s assessment, Afghanistan received the lowest possible rating in terms of political rights and civil liberties.
Meanwhile, millions of Afghans have left the country since the Taliban returned to power, and the wave of emigration continues.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
