Ahmadullah Wasiq, a member of the Taliban’s commission for contact with Afghan political figures, has said that former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has the right to return to Afghanistan.
Speaking to Shamshad TV, Wasiq stated: “We have not yet contacted Mr. Ghani regarding returning to Afghanistan, but he can live in his country like any other Afghan.”
He added that the commission’s policy is based on the principle that every Afghan citizen has the right to return and live in the country.
“This is their homeland, and it is their right and privilege,” Wasiq said.
Ashraf Ghani left Afghanistan on 15 August 2021 during the collapse of the former republic and the Taliban’s entry into Kabul. Since then, he has been living in the United Arab Emirates.
Over the past years, Ghani has repeatedly commented on Afghanistan’s situation and has, at times, criticized Taliban policies.
Last year, the former president also called for a national dialogue to resolve Afghanistan’s crisis and said he was ready to play a role if the Afghan people wanted him to participate.
The Taliban’s latest remarks come as the group has attempted in recent years to encourage former Afghan officials and political figures to return to the country.
However, many critics argue that the absence of legal guarantees, political protections, and security assurances continues to discourage many former officials from returning to Afghanistan.
Analysts say such statements may reflect the Taliban’s broader effort to project an image of political normalization and inclusivity while seeking greater domestic and international legitimacy.
Experts also note that despite these public messages, uncertainty surrounding security conditions, personal safety, and political freedoms remains a major concern for many exiled Afghan figures.
