Taliban’s former Bamyan governor Abdullah Sarhadi: “A government cannot endure by force”

BAMYAN: Abdullah Sarhadi, the Taliban’s former governor in Bamyan, stated in a meeting with religious scholars and local leaders that the government must work for the people and serve them. He emphasized that “a government cannot endure by force.” The meeting, held in the province, also highlighted the need to eliminate ethnic, religious, and linguistic discrimination, adding that coexistence, acceptance of one another, and avoidance of discrimination are vital for the stability and progress of society. The remarks come at a time when the Taliban have faced widespread criticism regarding social, cultural, and political restrictions, particularly against women and ethnic and religious minorities, since their return to power. Abdullah Sarhadi was recently appointed as the governor of Jawzjan following a directive from Mullah Hebatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Taliban. However, his statements about negating coercion in governance are met with serious questions and doubts from observers and citizens in the current context of Afghanistan