Khosts people threaten uprising against Taliban

ISLAMABAD (NNI): People of Khost have threatened to rise against Taliban for their alleged selling of state land to foreigners and sending the financial income out of the province, reports BBC.

The elders of Khost have given an ultimate to Taliban to settle the issue within 15 days, otherwise they would face uprising. The elders have demanded of Taliban to return the state land and income from these properties be spent on projects of provincial development.

The situation worsened ever since the controversy in the month of Ramazan when the local people observed fasting and celebrated Eid before the announcement of the ruling Taliban. Taliban later responded by arresting a local religious leader. This is a sensitive issue in the face of Taliban leading a religious government.

The people of Khost say Taliban do not represent the people and they only belong to the southern parts of the country, particularly Kandahar. Similar complaints have also been made in other areas and the people of Khost may support them.

According to the radio, the residents of Khost are tribals and they can organize themselves independently. Contrary to other people, they posses arms. Taliban have not even tried to disarm them and have run the governmental affairs there with their consent. Support of these people to the central government has traditionally been of sensitive nature.

The elders of Khost are reportedly speaking in favour of former King, Zahir Shah who is living in exile since his ouster in 1973. In the recent month, Zahir Shah began to play an open role. He convened a meeting of Afghans late last year and called for solution of the Afghan problem through negotiations.

Taliban ministers completely reject reports of unrest of Khost, saying that this is a propaganda against them but if proved correct, the development may create a big problem for them, said the broadcast.