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Hekmatyar rejects idea of coalition government, calls for elections

Published

4 years ago

March 25, 2022

Hezb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has rejected the idea of forming a coalition government as the way forward, and instead came out in support of holding elections.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Ariana News, Hekmatyar said that history shows that coalition governments have not been successful in Afghanistan.

“Coalition governments cannot administer a country like Afghanistan. Nowhere has it been successful. In Afghanistan too, it has not been successful. Experience also suggests the same. We witnessed it in the past 40 years. The communists could not form a coalition government. The secularists couldn’t make a successful coalition government in the past 20 years,” Hekmatyar said.

He said that Afghanistan needs “a single-party government.”

“Such a government should be led by a president who is elected and who is leading the most powerful inclusive political party,” Hekmatyar said.

He said that Hezb-e-Islami was the only inclusive political party in Afghanistan.

According to Hekmatyar, the circumstances for holding an election in Afghanistan are more suitable than ever. He said that Afghanistan needs an elected body that would make major decisions.

“If we could hold elections during the occupation when there was fighting in every corner of the country, why can’t we do it now?” Hekmatyar asked. “Isn’t the security situation a hundred times better than it was in the past?”

On calls by some politicians for federalism, Hekmatyar said such a system is not in the interest of Afghanistan.

“A federal system requires a powerful army that could control the situation. It requires a firm government supported by the majority of the public… Raising a federal system now is only watering a tree that has been planted by the enemy.”

Hekmatyar also rejected the idea of holding a Loya Jirga to choose the government, saying it is an outdated practice.

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is an Afghan politician and former mujahideen leader who twice served as prime minister during the 1990s.

In 2016, he signed a peace deal with the Afghan government and was allowed to return to Afghanistan after almost 20 years in exile.

Related Topics:Elections featured Government Hekmatyar IEA

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Afghan executed in Iran over alleged participation in anti-government protests

Published

2 hours ago

July 20, 2026

Ariana News

The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights has reported that Iran’s judiciary has executed Gol Mohammad Mohammadi, a 23-year-old Afghan citizen, for his alleged involvement in anti-government protests that took place in January.

According to the group, Mohammadi was executed on Sunday alongside another prisoner, Erfan Esfandiari.

Iran’s judiciary-affiliated Mizan News Agency said the two men had been convicted of participating in deadly attacks against security forces during the protests in Isfahan last year.

Hengaw has criticized the judicial process, alleging that the defendants were denied access to independent legal counsel during their trial.

International Sports

Spain sweep FIFA World Cup player awards after historic triumph

France captain Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot after finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with 10 goals. The award marked the second time Mbappé has claimed the World Cup’s top scorer prize, further cementing his status as one of the game’s leading forwards.

Published

5 hours ago

July 20, 2026

Ariana News

Newly crowned FIFA World Cup champions Spain capped off a remarkable tournament by collecting four of the competition’s five major individual awards following their 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday’s final.

Spain midfielder Rodri was named the winner of the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player after leading his side to a second World Cup title. The experienced midfielder produced a series of commanding performances throughout the tournament, controlling matches with his vision, passing and leadership.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón received the Golden Glove after an outstanding tournament in which Spain conceded just one goal. His consistent performances and crucial saves played a key role in his country’s title-winning campaign.

Nineteen-year-old Spain defender Pau Cubarsí was named Best Young Player after emerging as one of the stars of the tournament. The young centre-back impressed with his composure and maturity, helping Spain record one of the best defensive records in the competition.

Spain’s dominance in the individual honours reflected the team’s outstanding performances throughout the month-long tournament, with four of the five major awards going to members of the world champions.

2026 FIFA World Cup major award winners

Golden Ball (Best Player): Rodri (Spain)
Golden Boot (Top Scorer): Kylian Mbappé (France) – 10 goals
Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): Unai Simón (Spain)
Best Young Player: Pau Cubarsí (Spain)

Latest News

DAB, ACGT officials discuss expanding financial cooperation

Published

8 hours ago

July 20, 2026

Ariana News

Sediqullah Khalid, First Deputy Governor of Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB), has met with Dirk Joseph Thyssen, Deputy CEO of the Afghanistan Credit Guarantee Foundation (ACGF), and his accompanying delegation.

In a statement, Da Afghanistan Bank said the meeting focused on expanding support for small credit guarantees, grant assistance, and technical cooperation with financial institutions in Afghanistan.

According to the bank, Khalid reaffirmed DAB’s commitment to strengthening the country’s financial and banking sector, saying the central bank is working to create a transparent, standardized and enabling environment to improve access to micro, small and medium-sized financing.

He also urged the Afghanistan Credit Guarantee Foundation to provide its financial services fairly and without discrimination across all regions of the country and to all relevant institutions.

For his part, Dirk Joseph Thyssen presented an overview of ACGF’s activities, achievements and future plans, and called for expanded technical cooperation with banks and financial institutions, implementation of joint programs, and the signing of cooperation agreements between the two sides.

The Afghanistan Credit Guarantee Foundation is an international development organization that supports micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through credit guarantee schemes for banks and financial institutions, technical assistance and capacity-building programs.

At the end of the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to expand financial inclusion, support the private sector and further strengthen Afghanistan’s financial and banking sector.