Taliban Minister Compares Relationship Between People and Regime to That of Father and Son
The Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice likened the relationship between the people and the ruling regime to that of a father and son during a mosque foundation-laying ceremony in the Emari Town area of Kabul’s 15th district.
Mohammad Khalid Hanafi claimed at the event that the Islamic system is responsible for meeting the people’s needs within its principles, while the people are obliged to accept this system. He emphasized that accepting the Islamic regime is considered a civic duty according to the Taliban administration.
The Taliban official also stated that all ministries’ doors are open to citizens, who can express their criticisms. He said the ruling system strives to protect every individual’s rights based on the Quran, Islamic Sharia, and Hanafi jurisprudence.
However, numerous citizens and watchdog organizations have repeatedly said that comparing the relationship between the government and people to a patriarchal structure conflicts with concepts of accountability, the right to choose, and free citizen participation. Critics argue that, in practice, restrictions on freedom of expression, exclusion of women from public life, and the lack of transparent mechanisms to address complaints seriously undermine claims of ‘open doors.’
