Dr. Ashraf Ghani

Keypoints:

National resolve: Honoring victims while reaffirming determination to defend the nation.
Security strength: ANDSF successfully filling the post-withdrawal security vacuum.
Truth revealed: Exposure of Mullah Omar’s death and the deception behind the war.
Terrorism defined: A transnational threat aimed at destroying states and societies.
Enemy adaptation: Shift from battlefield defeat to urban terror against civilians.
Pakistan policy: Relations conditioned on concrete action against terrorism.
Peace stance: Commitment to peace, rejection of externally imposed war.
Islam and law: Defense of constitutional, Islamic order over chaos and rebellion.

Distinguished compatriots, over the past few days, pivotal transformations have occurred within our country and across the region. The methodology of the war imposed upon the Afghan people has shifted, and profound new questions have emerged regarding the peace process. Furthermore, the public seeks clarity on the trajectory of relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. I wish to address these critical themes today. However, before I begin, I offer my prayers for the souls of the martyrs of these recent tragedies, wish a swift recovery for the wounded, and extend my deepest condolences to the grieving families.

You undoubtedly recall our prediction—and the prediction of all who are intimately familiar with the complexities of this region—that the current year would be the most arduous since the inception of the Bonn Process. The rationale was self-evident: the withdrawal of over 100,000 of the world’s most sophisticated military forces and the transfer of all security responsibilities to our National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) was a transition of immense proportions. External observers predicted that Afghanistan might not withstand this pressure for even a few days. Our adversaries waited for a vacuum to emerge, hoping to launch a final assault to collapse our system.

However, the reality on the ground has shattered these sinister ambitions. Our security forces—to whom I express my profound gratitude, and specifically to Mr. Hanif Atmar, who has coordinated the defense of this nation daily while maintaining an unwavering commitment to peace—have filled the void left by foreign troops. They are delivering a crushing response to the enemy. From the common soldier to the general, these brave children of the nation prove their patriotism daily through sacrifice.

The Revelation of the Demise of Mullah Omar

A significant political development recently came to light: it was established that Mullah Omar is no longer alive. It was our intelligence apparatus that verified his death, exposing years of deceit and fabrication. This event demonstrates the maturity and prowess of Afghanistan’s intelligence agencies. Moreover, it exposes a fundamental truth: a war is being waged in Afghanistan for the interests of others, commanded in the name of an "Amir-ul-Momineen" who may not have even existed.

The Global Nature of Terrorism

Terrorism is a pervasive and borderless phenomenon. The suicide attacks in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey are of a singular nature. These attacks pursue no objective other than the subversion of states and the dismantling of regional governance. This is why the Grand Assembly of Ulema in Mecca condemned these acts. As I stated at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Russia, we are actively forging a regional consensus and effective cooperation to overcome this menace.

The recent chain of attacks in Kabul and other provinces indicates a strategic shift in the war. Previously, the enemy fought for territorial control; now, having had their backbone broken on the battlefield, they have resorted to cowardly attacks against defenseless civilians in our cities to target the morale and hope of our people.

The Relationship with Pakistan

In my discussions last night with the Prime Minister and the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, I made it clear: Pakistan, as a state, must adhere to the same principles regarding Afghanistan that it applies to terrorism within its own borders. During my visit to Pakistan last November, we declared our full readiness for peace. We clarified that this peace has two dimensions: peace with Pakistan—to end the 13-year undeclared war—and peace with the Taliban.

I told the Pakistani leadership that the current opportunity is a window that has been opened. Whether this window becomes a door, a corridor, or a permanent highway—or is slammed shut—depends entirely on the will and capacity of Pakistani statesmen. Over the last ten months, we have demonstrated sufficient will and capacity. We shared our strategic analysis with Pakistan to move toward a targeted, comprehensive confrontation with terrorism.

However, we are still waiting for Pakistan to demonstrate its will through action. Pakistan still hosts gatherings where mercenaries send us messages of war. The events of the last two months, and specifically the recent days, prove that the training camps for suicide bombers and the bomb-making factories that spill the blood of our innocent people remain active on Pakistani soil.

Just as the Peshawar school massacre was a turning point for Pakistan, the recent atrocities in Kabul are a turning point for us. Our integrity is now proven to the region. The decisions Pakistan takes in the coming weeks will shape our bilateral relations for decades to come. The safety of our people and the interests of Afghanistan are the foundation of our foreign policy. We can no longer tolerate the blood of our people being shed in a war that is exported from abroad and imposed upon us.

A Call to the Nation and the Insurgents

Last night, the Prime Minister of Pakistan promised an actionable plan to counter terrorism. We hoped for peace, but war is being declared against us from Pakistani territory; this is an act of blatant hostility against a neighboring nation.

I ask the people and state of Pakistan: If a massacre like the one in Shah Shaheed occurred in Islamabad, and the perpetrators had sanctuaries, offices, and training centers in Afghanistan, what would your reaction be? Would you view us as friends or as enemies?

To those Taliban who do not wish to destroy their own country or kill their compatriots: we call on you to separate yourselves from the ranks of insurgents and rebels and join your nation. Today, the resources that should be building factories, hospitals, and irrigation systems are being spent on defending the nation against an exported war.

The Rule of Law and Islamic Stability

The system of Afghanistan is built upon Islam. Our Constitution, as verified by prominent scholars, is more Islamic than any of our neighbors. In Islamic jurisprudence, the stability of a system—even if imperfect—is superior to anarchy and chaos. Those who seek to destabilize a Muslim society are, according to Sharia, "Baghian" (rebels) and "Muharib" (those who wage war against God).

How can those who claim to uphold Sharia be so reckless regarding the murder of the innocent? What answer do they have for the Holy Quran, which states in Surah Al-Ma'idah: "Whoever kills a person... it is as though he has killed all of mankind."

There is no room for leniency with criminals. I have instructed the judiciary to show no mercy to those whose hands are stained with the blood of our people. Those who answer the call for peace with war will face the maximum penalty of the law.

Conclusion

We know who opposes peace and why. Those involved in organized crime, the narcotics trade, and oppression—those who intend to destroy Afghanistan for the sake of foreigners—fear peace because they fear the law. These attacks will not deter us from our sacred objective of peace, nor will they encourage us to grant concessions to criminals. We will make peace only with those who understand the meaning of humanity, Islam, and Afghan identity.

I call upon the political class to maintain national unity during this sensitive time. Avoid creating doubts or divisions that only benefit the enemy. Fortunately, our youth are more eager than ever to join the military; recruitment has increased by 9%.

Finally, I reiterate: the criterion for our relations with Pakistan is the national interest of Afghanistan and the safety of our citizens. If our people continue to be killed, these relations lose their meaning and substance.