KABUL — Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of Hezb-i-Islami, has warned that Afghanistan is in a precarious state, suggesting that rival factions within the Taliban-led government are “on edge, with fingers on the trigger.”
His remarks were made in a video circulated by two news platforms affiliated with his party. However, Amu TV could not independently verify the time and location of the recording.
Hekmatyar described a deteriorating security and economic situation, claiming that “gunfire is being exchanged from one side to another” while ordinary Afghans flee the country.
“Instead of eight million refugees returning, people are leaving,” he said. “Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and the United States are all deporting Afghan migrants, yet their numbers have not decreased.”
He called on Afghans to unite in response to the crisis and prevent the country from plunging into another war.
“There is a risk of both internal conflict and a war with external forces,” he warned, saying Afghanistan is not moving in the right direction and faces a “dark future” with serious threats ahead.
He argued that Afghanistan needs a “grand council” to navigate its challenges but did not explicitly call for a Loya Jirga, the traditional Afghan grand assembly.
“We need a lawful government with clear responsibilities and defined authority,” Hekmatyar said. “But unfortunately, we currently have neither a national pact nor a constitution.”
Without naming Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada directly, Hekmatyar suggested that the leader of an Islamic government should be “competent, knowledgeable, and possess the qualities of prophets,” with the people playing a role in his selection.
“The reality is that the situation is causing anxiety among Afghans,” he said.
