Zia-ul-Haq Amarkhil, the former governor of Nangarhar, has accused the Taliban regime of marginalising the Afghan people and ignoring their voices. Amarkhil asserted that neglecting public demands has created a significant divide between the populace and the ruling authorities.

Amarkhil, who served as the last governor of Nangarhar under the previous government, handed over the provincial administration to the Taliban without confrontation just days before the fall of Kabul. A close ally of former President Ashraf Ghani, Amarkhil continues to reside in Afghanistan.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X on Saturday, Amarkhil noted that over the past three years, Taliban officials have prioritised fostering good relations with the international community. While acknowledging the importance of international relations, he criticised the regime for sidelining domestic concerns.

“The first step to gaining global legitimacy is achieving domestic legitimacy,” Amarkhil emphasised.

He further argued that the credibility of any government relies on the trust and confidence of its people, adding, “This trust cannot be earned through force and fear but by addressing the people’s demands and paying attention to them.”