Taliban Minister Calls for Shift from Fear-Based Governance to Trust-Building

Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Minister of Interior, made rare and significant remarks in Khost Province, acknowledging that the rulers in Kabul have resorted to violence, humiliation, and instilling fear to maintain their governance. He emphasized that a government relying solely on fear and force is not a true government and called for an end to these practices, advocating for relationships built on love and trust between the government and the people…

Sirajuddin Haqqani: A Government That Rules Through Fear and Force is Not Effective

Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Minister of Interior, delivered controversial and unprecedented statements regarding governance in Kabul yesterday in Khost Province, revealing candid admissions about the current rulers’ approach.

A Direct Critique of Governance

Haqqani emphasized that the fundamental principles of good governance should be based on a proper relationship with the people. He asserted, “A government that rules solely through fear is not a government. A good relationship exists between the rulers and the governed, characterized by love and trust.”

Call to End Violence and Humiliation

Implicitly acknowledging the current violence in the Taliban’s governance style, Haqqani remarked that the rulers of Kabul have used violence, humiliation, and fear to sustain their authority. Comparing the current situation with the past, he called for an immediate cessation of these current practices. “We once suffered under the hands of world empires, yet now we lack the tolerance to treat our own people with dignity,” he stated. “This cycle must come to an end.” He further argued that the solution to establishing stability and legitimacy lies in changing the approach towards the people: “We must interact with the people in such a way that animosity and hatred are eradicated.” Haqqani’s repeated assertions that a government ruling through fear and coercion is not a true government may reflect internal pressures or possibly an attempt to initiate change within the Taliban’s power structure and governance approach.