Hekmatyar’s move to boost democratic process

Hizb-e-Islami chief is reportedly seeking political role in post-2014 withdrawal setup.

ISLAMABAD:

In a surprise move, Afghan warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, whose militant outfit Hizb-e-Islami is fighting US-led Nato forces in Afghanistan, recently asked party members to take part in the upcoming polls. Hekmatyar had previously opposed elections in the presence of foreign troops.

Hekmtayar’s decision is likely to boost the democratic process in the insurgency-torn country as it will define the future political role of his party, which is also the second major armed resistance group. Hizb-e-Islami’s political role is also being seen as a key to the reconciliation process ahead of the Nato troops withdrawal this year.



This is the first time Hekmatyar has formally instructed his party leadership to convey to members inside Afghanistan to vote in the elections, scheduled for the first week of April.

“Convey to Hizb-e-Islami members to take part in the provincial councils’ elections and support those candidates who are either related to us or have a positive view about the party,” Hekmatyar said in a letter addressed to members of the party’s councils in the country.

“Defeat and prevent bad people from entering the assemblies,” the letter stated, a Pashto copy of which was also received by The Express Tribune. The letter was forwarded to Hizb leaders in all 34 provinces after it was presented in the central “Shura” (consultative body).

The letter only mentions the provincial councils’ elections but a senior party leader told The Express Tribune the “Ameer’s instructions could also be assumed for presidential elections.”

“Hizb-e-Islami is not directly taking part in the elections due to the presence of occupation forces but will exercise the right of vote to get those candidates elected who are close to our party and ideology,” a Hizb leader said.



The move is considered a major change from the party’s previous stance and analysts believe it is designed to seek a future political role for Hizb-e-Islami.  “Publicly he may still not support the 2014 election,” said former minister and writer Dr Farouq Azam.

Dozens of the party’s members are part of Karzai’s government at present and members of parliament but the leadership has never owned them publicly. However, Hizb members in Kabul have never publicly parted ways with the party and display Hekmatyar’s photographs in political gatherings.

Hekmatyar’s decision could pave way for the victory of some Hizb leaders in the provincial councils who elect 68 senators of the 100-member senate or “Masharano Jirga”, the upper house of parliament. The move could ensure a role for Hizb-e-Islami in legislation. Other members of the senate are nominated by the President.

The Hizb chief reportedly changed his mind over the issue after party leaders and supporters asked him to do so as they did not want the political space to be filled by others.

Senior Hizb leader Qutbuddin Hilal, an independent candidate, is among the 11 presidential candidates but has not disassociated himself from the party.

Hekmatyar’s decision will further isolate the Taliban whose chief Mullah Omar rejected the elections as a waste of time in his last Eid message. Hizb’s participation is also likely to have a positive impact on voter turnout, especially in areas where it has some influence.

Despite serious security concerns, Afghans hope to see the first democratic transition of presidential power in the country’s history.

President Hamid Karzai’s ongoing tensions with the US over a controversial security pact that will allow some American presence post-2014 have overshadowed the elections. However, electioneering is gradually gaining momentum and the country’s election panel will allow candidates to formally begin campaigning in a few weeks.

Earlier this month, Karzai had invited all the presidential candidates for a meeting and assured  them of transparent polls.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2014.