Panjshir leaders resume efforts to form Afghan govt-in-exile

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 16

Exiled leaders from Afghanistan’s ethnic minorities have resumed their efforts to form a government-in-exile after their first attempt last month failed to make a splash.

Backing for old regime

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• While the Taliban control Afghanistan, all missions abroad are still manned by loyalists of the old regime
• Of these diplomats, many are Tajiks, Uzbeks and Hazaras who are supporters of leaders from their ethnic groups

Most of these exiled leaders had made brief attempts to thwart the Taliban from entering their strongholds in northern Afghanistan but reasoned analysis later showed that most of their efforts were on social media for want of international support.

It remains to be seen whether Tajikistan, where many of these leaders fled to after the collapse of their resistance, will be willing to back their attempt.

Though there is no indication that any government is willing to bankroll and host these leaders, their efforts have been supplemented by diarchy. While the Taliban control Afghanistan, all missions abroad are still manned by loyalists of the old regime. Of these diplomats, many are Tajiks, Uzbeks and Hazaras who are supporters of leaders from their ethnic groups.

The names being mentioned are Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, Amrullah Saleh, Ahmad Masood, Salahuddin Rabbani, Abdul Rashid Dostum, Muhammad Mohaqiq and Mohammad Hanif Atmar.