KABUL (Pajhwok): The government has rejected reports that former officials are not allowed to return home, saying an amnesty has been announced and all Afghans living abroad can come back to the country.
Claim
Following the fall of the previous government on August 15, a number of officials, including ex-president Ashraf Ghani, fled the country and have since been living abroad.
Without elaborating, the Afghanistan International wrote on its Facebook page on Saturday: “Following an interview with former national security advisor Hamdullah Mohib, Taliban members say ex-officials can never return to Afghanistan.”
In interviews with American media outlets, Mohib said according to US intelligence, the Taliban wanted to execute Ashraf Ghani like Dr. Najibullah.
The report also circulated on social media.
Fact check
Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for government, described Mohib’s remarks as his personal views. He explained Mohib’s comments did not represent government policy in any way and was not worth reacting to.
Karimi denied reports that former government officials could not return to the country.
“The Islamic Emirate has its own policy. After coming into power, it declared an amnesty for all people. As the war has ended, the Islamic Emirate is not seeking revenge and we must seek a prosperous country,” he added.
Karimi called Afghanistan was home to all Afghans, saying those living abroad could return and live in their country.
Inamullah Samangani, another deputy spokesman for the government, said the amnesty covered all Afghans and everyone could return to live in their country.
He added the government had repeatedly urged the Afghans not to leave their country.
Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, deputy foreign minister for political affairs, also called on Afghans who have left the country after recent developments to return home.
Outcome
There have been rumors the government has announced that former officials would never be able to return to Afghanistan. The government, however, has spurned the claims as rumours.
Verdict
The report that former government officials would not be allowed to return to the country is not true.
sa/mud
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