Written by: Bashir Dariz
As tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have recently escalated, former warlords have initiated movements to join Pakistan’s embrace, holding online meetings, changing the names, constitutions, flags, and norms of their infamous and corrupt parties, and thus preparing themselves to seek refuge in Pakistan’s embrace, in order to prepare for Afghanistan’s destruction, devastation, new wars, and conflicts. Among these warlords are Abdul Rashid Dostum and Mohammad Mohaqiq, who have a long history of serving Pakistan’s intelligence agencies.
Dostum and Mohaqiq were both key players in that unfortunate civil war, which, at the behest of foreigners, tore Afghanistan apart at the time. They took Afghanistan’s public assets to Pakistan, destroyed Afghanistan’s public infrastructure and facilities at the whim of Pakistani generals and brokers, martyred thousands of ordinary Afghans, injured hundreds of thousands, left them homeless, and forced millions more into exile. Both tribal contractors did all this for their personal gain, to build their palaces, and to curry favor with Pakistan.
The militias of Dostum and Mohaqiq committed such atrocities and horrors against the general public that they are still in people’s minds. They had divided the country into pieces, split it into islands of power, levied taxes on the people, and under their rule, no one’s life, property, or honor was safe. Like the others, these two warlords also plunged Afghanistan into a vortex of misfortunes and suffering. However, when the Taliban movement in Afghanistan rose up against these horrors and atrocities, it was met with a warm welcome from the people. It quickly freed Afghanistan from the crimes and atrocities of these warlords and established a relatively strong central system according to the standards of that time.
During the American invasion of Afghanistan, these very Dostum and Mohaqiq were the leaders of the invaders. They shamelessly welcomed the American occupation, stood with them, and fought shoulder to shoulder with American forces against the freedom and independence fighters of Afghanistan. They destroyed people’s homes, killed people, imprisoned them in horrific jails, seized their lands, engaged in tyranny and gun rule, and in return for all these acts of subservience, the invaders gave them a lot of money and extensive resources. They turned Afghanistan into a center for American and Western countries’ games and occupation for nearly two decades, and they were one step ahead of the invaders in committing crimes.
They inflicted great cruelty on their people, citizens, and tribes, seized their lands, and crushed ordinary Afghans under the convoys of their militias on roads and streets. They were so consumed by the splendor of power and intoxication that they saw nothing but money, drugs, luxury, and extravagance. These atrocities and crimes of theirs continued for nearly two decades, but after that, they fell into the dark pit of decline. Their rule collapsed with the end of the occupation, their people were freed from their oppression, and they breathed a sigh of relief.
These criminals and traitors of the nation are still unhappy that the people of Afghanistan are living in peace, freedom, prosperity, and competition. They are now looking for excuses again to jointly threaten the freedom, tranquility, and prosperity of the people of Afghanistan with Pakistani evil elements. However, they are failing this time because Afghanistan now has a developed army, system, and governance. All the people of Afghanistan have recognized them and are ready to make any sacrifice in defense of their system and land, and they will not allow those difficult and bitter days to return. Neighboring mercenaries and former warlords will still fail to achieve their evil goals, and this shame will remain in history forever.
Note: The articles, essays, and comments published by the Voice of Hindukush only reflect the views of the authors & writers and do not necessarily represent the agreement of the Voice of Hindukush.