Taliban Interior Minister: A Government Built on Force Is Not a Good Government

Sirajuddin Haqqani, acting interior minister in the Taliban administration, said during a Friday sermon at the central mosque in Khost province that any government which rules its people through force and coercion cannot be considered a good government.

He stressed that governments should be based on people’s trust and affection, rather than fear and threats. According to him, people should love their government, and in return, the government must treat them with kindness and fairness.

Haqqani also noted that the Afghan people have suffered greatly over the past five decades due to ongoing conflicts and wars, with ordinary citizens being the main victims of this turmoil. He asserted that the root cause of this suffering has been the people’s resistance to domination and their defense of freedom.

He further called for national unity and urged Taliban officials to act with justice and compassion in dealing with the public.

Haqqani’s comments come amid ongoing criticism of the Taliban administration, which seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, over its harsh restrictions and repressive treatment of citizens, particularly women and minority groups.