Dr. Ashraf Ghani

Speech at Extraordinary Joint Session of Afghanistan’s National Assembly

Keypoints:

Counterterrorism: Firm action against Taliban, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and other terrorist threats.
National Unity: Emphasis on political cohesion and unified national response.
Security Forces: Afghan forces recognized for bravery and ongoing operations.
Justice and Rule of Law: Commitment to enforce judicial decisions and punish criminals.
Anti-Corruption: Reform institutions and hold corrupt officials accountable.
International Cooperation: Work with global partners to isolate terrorists and support security.
Peace Initiatives: Dialogue open with Taliban factions abandoning violence.
Defense of Sovereignty: Afghan territory must not host terrorist activities.
Economic Development: Continue major infrastructure projects with international support.
Public Resilience: Citizens’ courage and solidarity, including support for security forces, highlighted.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Honorable Vice Presidents; Honorable Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah; Mr. Ibrahimi, Speaker of the Wolesi Jirga; Mr. Muslimyar, Speaker of the Meshrano Jirga; Honorable Chief Justice; Honorable Attorney General; Honorable Pir Sahib; Ustad Mohaqiq; Engineer Mohammad Khan; Mr. Atmar; Honorable members of the Cabinet; esteemed representatives of the nation; honored political figures of the country; respected representatives of civil society; and dear journalists! Peace and the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you all!

Condemning the Kabul Terrorist Attack

In the past two weeks, our country has witnessed significant political and military events, as well as a horrific terrorist tragedy. Despite all the efforts of our people and government to end the war, the rebels of this era—supported by their foreign backers—have beaten the drums of war and mischief, declaring a massacre against our innocent people. They are unaware that our brave security and defense forces are resolutely prepared to hunt them down in every corner of this land and, by suppressing them decisively, defend the property, lives, and honor of our people.

Esteemed members of both houses of the National Assembly, last week you raised your voices in the Arg (Palace), standing in harmony with the government. By offering your decisive support for our actions in war and peace, you provided strong political backing to the government and the security forces. Exactly one day after this national harmony, the wicked Taliban committed their most horrific and inhumane crime, staining our oppressed compatriots in blood and dust. Here, I pray for the souls of all the beloved martyrs of the country, especially the martyrs of this recent terrorist incident, and I wish a full recovery for those injured.

The Resilience of the Afghan Spirit

Honorable compatriots! The event of last Tuesday in Kabul is not the first display of this group’s crimes. Their disgrace in slaughtering innocent people and stripping away freedoms is an endless story of cruelty and mercilessness—a story that has no parallel in the holy religion of Islam or the high culture of our nation. They find ecstasy in shedding innocent blood and pleasure in tearing apart the bodies of the blameless. Yet, in contrast to that bloodthirsty behavior, countless true children of this nation rushed to hospitals within a short time, donating millions of CCs of blood across the country to their wounded compatriots. They showed their unity and solidarity and cast a curse upon this terrorist group.

As you are aware, the world—including the Islamic world, specifically the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United Nations, and the majority of Asian and European countries, as well as the United States, China, Japan, Australia, and Canada—called this crime unforgivable. Because of this, the terrorists and their backers are more isolated than ever before.

Defining the Enemy: "Rebels" vs. True Seekers of Knowledge

Sisters and brothers! These criminals are not "Taliban" (students) of knowledge; rather, they are rebels (Baghian) and combatants (Muhariban) who have risen against the legitimate state of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Real students of knowledge are studying in madrasas; these individuals who commit murders are enemies of knowledge and even stain mosques with blood. They have no right to call themselves Taliban. According to the clear command of the Holy Quran, we have the right to defend our people against rebels and combatants and to punish them.

The leadership of this group in Peshawar and Quetta is in the hands of slave-like, anti-national individuals who shed the blood of their fellow citizens and take pleasure in the ruin of the Afghan people. They have no program for the welfare or happiness of the Afghan people, nor do they respect the values and demands of their compatriots. They have proven their ignorance and incompetence in political engagement. I request our eminent Ulema to show the path of truth to these ignorant and misguided individuals and lead them away from their deviation.

Honored attendees! The enemies of our nation wanted to force the Afghan government to declare a state of emergency by spreading fear and terror. But they did not understand—and do not understand—that Afghans are not a people to be panicked or distressed. The Afghan spirit does not accept a state of emergency, and we will never limit the freedoms given to us by our Constitution.

Military Achievements and Institutional Growth

Honorable representatives of the nation! I have received the list of your concerns. I will address some of the most important ones here, and others I will leave for the monthly meetings we will have at the Arg in the future.

I have come to the House of the Nation today to share this with you: in the past year, we spared no effort to bring a peaceful end to the violence. At the same time, we strove to defend our people against an undeclared war and continuously moved forward with the strengthening of our security and defense forces. We created a consensus among our international partners that this is not a civil war, but a war waged by terrorists and their regional backers against our country to achieve sinister goals that can only be reached through terror.

In the past thirteen months, the brave security and defense forces have carried out more than 40,000 combat missions and over 16,000 decisive operations. Even now, as we sit in this hall, the brave children of this country are engaged in suppressing the Haqqani Network, the Taliban, and other terrorist groups in more than seven provinces through 15 military operations. The combat capabilities of your young forces have increased incomparably. Nearly 50,000 patriotic families sent their children—sons and daughters—in less than a year to join the ranks of the forces. I thank every family, father, and mother who raised such children.

Last year, while we had limited helicopters and aircraft, we began the reconstruction of the Air Force. Today, our Air Force has become so active that it reaches the enemy in the most rugged mountainous regions, falling upon them like a bolt of lightning. We have also increased our intelligence capabilities at various levels. Over eighty generals were honored and retired to open the path for a younger, fresh generation. These reforms will continue.

A Strategy for Victory and Regional Diplomacy

Honorable Members of Parliament and Senators! Within the next few days, the Minister of Defense and the Director General of National Security will be introduced to you. I hope you will cooperate so this vacuum is filled. We will no longer rely on acting officials; I have heard your voice.

Because the Haqqani Network and certain Taliban groups are the vanguards of the interests of other countries—allied with international terrorists and drug mafias—we must stand united against them. History is witness that whenever we maintained our unity, even the most powerful armies in the world were brought to their knees before us.

I ask you to define and legalize the boundaries of "moral discipline" so we can more successfully respond to the enemy’s psychological warfare. You asked me for a clearer definition of friend and foe:

Friends of Afghanistan: All citizens, whether supporters of the system, neutrals, or the political opposition, who adhere to the high national interests.
Enemies of Afghanistan: Those who exploit the religious feelings of our youth while being part of the drug mafia; foreign mercenary groups like Daesh, Al-Qaeda, and the murderous Haqqani group; and those Taliban who enjoy shedding blood. While there is no path for dialogue with foreign mercenaries, the door remains open for those Taliban who are ready to stop the bloodshed—though this opportunity will not last forever.

Holding Pakistan Accountable

We no longer expect Pakistan to bring the Taliban to the peace table. However, we demand that Pakistan stand by its commitments in the Quadrilateral Agreement and conduct military operations against those groups whose centers and leaders, according to our intelligence and the statements of Pakistani officials themselves, are located in Pakistan. If they do not conduct military operations on their own soil, they should hand them over to our Sharia courts to face justice.

Our relationship with Pakistan is regulated within the framework of the mutual rights and obligations of two states. The world stands with us in demanding that our neighbor move past the logic of "good" and "bad" terrorists. There is no difference; all terrorists are terrorists.

If we do not see a change, we will be forced to turn to the UN Security Council and resort to serious diplomatic actions, despite our desire for regional cooperation. We will also pursue criminals who have the blood of our people on their hands through international institutions outside of Afghanistan.

The End of Unjustified Clemency

I assure you that as President and guardian of the rights of the people, I will deal decisively with those who shed the blood of our soldiers and innocent people. There will be no hesitation in their punishment. The era of those who enjoyed unjustified clemency has ended. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is committed to executing the decisions of the courts and the justice system, including death sentences, with decisiveness and firm will. Our decisive actions carry a clear message: the hand of justice is long and powerful, and it will reach all criminals and terrorists. You will see how those who rejected the call to peace will soon resort to pleading for it after they are defeated on the battlefields.

Internal Reforms and Economic Prospects

We are committed to fundamental reforms. Electoral reforms have begun, and elections will be held on time. Corruption is a vulnerability that the enemy exploits. Those who commit corruption weaken the combat capability of our forces and serve the enemy. We will impose heavy punishments on these individuals. I ask you to stand with the government to ensure our security institutions remain entirely apolitical.

In the past few months, more than 600 judges have been moved, replaced, or newly appointed as part of judicial reforms. This week, the National Security Council will approve a new regulation for the judicial and justice police to ensure the safety of our judges and prosecutors.

Our efforts to improve the economy also continue. This October, the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan will be held, where over 70 countries and 20 international organizations will commit to our development for the next five years. Work on major projects like TAPI, CASA-1000, and railway links to Turkmenistan and Iran will continue this year.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I emphasize once again: continue your support for your proud security and defense forces. Your political support will allow them to face the enemies of Afghanistan with even greater confidence. God willing, this year will be the year of the final and ultimate defeat of the terrorists and murderers.

Long live Afghanistan! [In Pashto] Tal de wi Afghanistan! [In Uzbek] Yashasin Afghanistan!

Search