Hai was previously a member of the Taliban during their 1996-2001 rule, and had resigned as district governor saying he needed health treatment abroad. PHOTO: FILE
Government officials confirmed that Qazi Abdul Hai had joined the rebels, but dismissed him as a low-level figure whose actions would have little impact.
"I am sure the Americans will be forced out soon and the Islamic Emirate will rule Afghanistan," Hai said, using the formal name of the Taliban, in a video released on the group's website.
"I consulted with elders, and they all encouraged me to join."
Hai was a senator in the upper house of parliament for the northern province of Sar-e Pol between 2004-08 and also served as a district governor.
"He defected to the Taliban after a trip to Pakistan some four months back," said Mohammad Alam Ezedyar, deputy speaker of the upper house.
"The reason could be concerns for his security. We have seen a targeted Taliban campaign assassinating government officials."
Sar-e Pol governor Abdul Jabar Haqbeen said Hai was previously a member of the Taliban during their 1996-2001 rule, and had resigned as district governor saying he needed health treatment abroad.
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Some residual forces (Special + Training) will be left in Afghanistan.
But one thing is absolute clear about Enduring Freedom. If the purpose was just to kill OBL then it is 100%, if it is root out Al-Qaida & Taliban then it is a miserable failure.
The best US/Coalition has done that they are leaving Afghanistan with calculated stalemate.
regards,
Usually after a Superpower leaves, it takes 2-3 years for the government left behind, to fall-Afghanistan(3 years after Russians left in 1989),Vietnam(2 years after US left in 1973)...But the main question is whether US will leave completely or keep a presence of sorts.