Three prominent opponents of the Taliban—Mohammad Yunus Qanooni, Atta Mohammad Noor, and Latif Pedram—have called for a “new narrative” to shape Afghanistan’s future, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive political structure.
Speaking in a virtual discussion hosted by Noor’s faction of the Jamiat-e-Islami party, Qanooni, a senior figure in the National Resistance Council and former vice president, said Afghanistan requires a new framework that clearly defines the relationship between power and ethnicity, religion and the state, and the government and its people. He stressed the importance of recognizing the country’s religious, ethnic, political, and gender diversity in any future system.
Noor, a former governor of Balkh and a key opposition figure, echoed these sentiments, stating that Afghanistan needs a fresh approach to governance.
“Let’s create a new narrative centered on a serious struggle for freedom, one that reflects the aspirations of all Afghans,” Noor said. “Personally, I support any form of struggle—whether armed or civil—that leads to the establishment of a democratic, inclusive, and people-centered government.”
Latif Pedram, leader of the National Congress Party of Afghanistan, said a new political vision must ensure power is decentralized and shared across all societal groups, rather than concentrated in the hands of a few leaders.
“This narrative must guarantee that power is transferred to the people, social bodies, and ethnic groups—not just military commanders and political elites,” Pedram said. “What worked in the past may not be the right solution for today.”
Almas Zahid, another senior figure in the opposition, took a more aggressive stance, warning the Taliban that resistance forces have so far refrained from military action but could change course.
“If political leaders and the National Resistance Front decide to act, there will be no Taliban left,” Zahid said.
The Taliban have yet to respond to these remarks, but in recent months, various opposition groups have put forward alternative plans for Afghanistan’s political future. A Taliban official previously dismissed such discussions, saying, “There will be no post-Taliban Afghanistan.”
