Afghanistan at a Test of Survival: Strengthening Security and Pursuing Peace

Keypoints: 

• National Unity: Cooperation among government, leaders, and people.
• Security Forces: Expanding recruitment, training, and equipment.
• Military Operations: Offensive and defensive actions against insurgents.
• Peace Process: Sustainable peace through dialogue and consensus.
• Nature of War: Conflict largely externally imposed.
• Counterterrorism: Fighting extremist and terrorist groups.
• International Partnerships: Strengthening relations with global allies.
• Governance and Reform: Fighting corruption and improving institutions.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

National Leader Karzai Sahib; Excellencies Dr. Abdullah, Danish Sahib, Ustad Khalili; Speaker Ibrahimi Sahib, Chairman Muslimyar Sahib; the Chairman of the Election Commission and the Chairman of the Complaints Commission; the Acting Attorney General; the Administrative Boards and Deputies of the Meshrano Jirga and Wolesi Jirga; esteemed members of the Cabinet and Deputy CEOs; Mr Azimi Sahib, Dr. Qayoumi; all elders, respected representatives of the nation, and distinguished senators; Your Excellencies the Ambassadors; the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; the Ambassador of Tajikistan; national dignitaries, esteemed Ulema, and Mujahideen:

As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Khosh Amadid! Khosh Galdiniz!

First and foremost, I congratulate you on this first session in this magnificent hall and welcome Engineer Ghaffar. May Almighty Allah keep you, and all our national representatives and senators, away from sorrow. You are the capital of this nation; the country counts on you, and your presence here is a symbol of stability and synergy.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your return from recess and for the highly organized sessions you held with the Cabinet, Dr. Abdullah, and myself over the past few days, during which you shared the grievances and aspirations of our fellow citizens.

I wish to begin by thanking the representatives of the nation in both houses of the National Assembly. Your cooperation was instrumental in the steps the National Unity Government (NUG) took this year. It was with your assistance that, for the first time, the national budget was approved on time, essential laws for international commitments were ratified, and national revenue increased.

Furthermore, through you, the views of the people and their expectations of the government were clearly conveyed to me and the Cabinet, particularly over the last two weeks. Crucially, the approval of two international cooperation treaties was a key step in rebuilding Afghanistan’s relations with its partners. We all know that in the modern world, reciprocal relations dictate the scale of development and progress. With the downward trend of relations with donor countries in recent years, there was a risk that Afghanistan would once again be relegated to isolation, as it was in the 1990s. Such an event would have risked the collapse of thirteen years of achievements. This concern triggered a wave of migration and capital flight, the tremors of which we still feel today. No one wanted to see an isolated and forgotten Afghanistan.

1394: The Year of Survival

If we were to name the year 1394, it would not be an exaggeration to call it the "Year of the Survival Test for Afghanistan." Prior to this, some pessimistically whispered about the potential collapse of the system. This pessimism was rooted in several factors: the withdrawal of international forces, the transition of security responsibilities to Afghan forces, a sharp decline in foreign aid, the flight of capital due to future anxieties, and political discord within the country.

The NUG succeeded in reconstructing Afghanistan’s international relations. To do this, it was necessary to restore lost trust and send a clear message: Afghanistan is a reliable partner. We recognized that years of war had weakened our internal resources, and the current imposed war carries a heavy cost. In such a situation, we must have the support of major nations based on mutual interest, especially in the fight against international terrorism. We must not forget that in a rapidly changing world, no one is obligated to pay our permanent costs.

Strengthening the Security Apparatus

We have secured renewed support for our Defense and Security Forces. I express my gratitude to all partner nations, particularly the United States, whose leadership in this process is fundamental. Previously, international support was viewed through a 9-month lens; we have now convinced our partners of a 5-year strategic vision. At the upcoming Warsaw Conference, we expect the approval of the financial resources required for this multi-year plan.

Regarding security, three elements are vital: equipment/training, human resources, and institutions. While 1394 had its ups and downs, our forces maintained the initiative in the first four months. For the following six months, the enemy used everything they had to seize the initiative, but in recent months, our forces have reclaimed it. During this time, we recruited 44,682 men and women into the National Army. We established the Kunduz Division, the Badakhshan Brigade, and the 777 Special Operations Aviation Wing, among others.

Our army has proven that it can win any battle and reclaim any position. We have identified the weaknesses of the police in holding territory and are taking measures to ensure these issues do not recur. Our soldiers are volunteers with national and Islamic commitment; they are the mirror in which the entire nation sees itself.

I want to state clearly: There is no lack of political will to fight. I personally, along with the National Security Council, manage the battlefields daily. I have issued commands for offensive operations without hesitation. We have the political will, the defensive capacity, and the international backing to suppress the enemy.

The Philosophy of Peace

I know there are questions regarding peace. Let me be clear: Our intention (Niyat) is the foundation. As emphasized in the Hadith, "Intentions are the basis of actions." We seek a sustainable peace, and our efforts will always be based on consultation—especially with the representatives of the nation. Real peace does not happen behind closed doors.

The question is no longer why peace, but how peace. While we hope for the best, we are prepared for the worst. My research into over 100 global peace cases shows that 50% of peace agreements fail within the first five years due to ambiguity. To avoid this, we must define the conflict accurately. This is not a civil war; it is a multi-dimensional imposed war.

There are six drivers of this conflict:

1. Al-Qaeda: A non-Afghan element.

2. Daesh (ISIS): An extremist group that Afghanistan has uniquely brought to its knees. Nangarhar is their graveyard.

3. Regional Extremist Groups: Militants from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Chechnya, etc.

4. Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

5. The Unannounced War between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

6. The Afghan Taliban: Who are only one element in this web.

Our peace strategy has two pillars: Peace with the Taliban and Hekmatyar (provided they prove their "Afghan-ness"), and peace between Afghanistan and Pakistan as two sovereign states.

We ask the Taliban: What is the Sharia justification for suicide bombings in a country where the Constitution is based on Islam, where mosques are open, and where the people are devout? You are at a historical crossroads: stand with your nation or stand with its enemies. Follow the consensus of the 450 scholars in Mecca who declared that suicide attacks and destruction in the name of religion are contrary to Islam.

Governance and the Road Ahead

Security can be achieved through force, but stability requires justice, the rule of law, and good governance. If power is abused or resources are distributed unfairly, real peace cannot take root.

In the coming year, we will:

• Expand the scope of the anti-corruption campaign with absolute decisiveness.

• Remain committed to electoral reforms and holding elections.

• Accelerate the legislative agenda to facilitate economic movement.

I call upon the three branches of government to increase synergy. Let us move from a phase of crisis to one of mobilization.

Long live Afghanistan!