Taliban Defense Minister: Forget the past, focus on the future of the nation

KABUL: Yaqoob Mujahid, the Taliban Defense Minister, urged members of the group to “forget the past” and set aside differences related to past political ties during a ceremony in Kabul commemorating Dalwa 26, the 37th anniversary of the defeat and withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan. He emphasized that “if you seek revenge, this system will not be stable; those who pursued power are no longer even in their graves today.” The Taliban Defense Minister further stated, “The measure of superiority is not language, ethnicity, or position, but rather piety and faith,” encouraging his members to focus on the future of the nation and to create a legacy that future generations can be proud of. Additionally, Abdul Salam Hanafi, the Taliban Deputy Prime Minister of Administrative Affairs, stated during the same ceremony that Afghans should be grateful for the Islamic system. He urged Taliban members to treat the populace with good manners and address their concerns. The remarks come in the context of a recent UNAMA report indicating that dozens of security forces and officials from the previous government were detained and tortured in the last three months of the previous year.