Emerging Movement in Panjshir Accuses Taliban of Religious Exploitation and Systematic Oppression.
The “Council of Moderation and Jihad of Afghanistan,” led by Khalid III, officially announced its formation in Panjshir through a public statement. The council emphasized that it was established to defend against any aggression and described the Taliban as a group lacking religious and popular legitimacy. In the statement, the Taliban were accused of restricting education, suppressing women, and manipulating religion for political purposes.
The council declared its primary goal as creating a government based on popular vote and inclusive participation of all ethnic groups and social classes. According to the movement, the legitimacy of an Islamic government should derive from the people and Islamic law, not coercion. Referring to the intellectual legacy of Ahmad Shah Massoud and Khalid II, the council called on its members to prepare for steadfastness and dedication in pursuit of justice.
The statement further warned against any foreign intervention, calling it a violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty. The council emphasized the unity of Tajik children alongside other freedom-loving ethnic groups as a cornerstone of the struggle against the “ruling tyranny.” It identified itself as a newly established military-oriented movement committed to organizing armed resistance and continuing the fight against the Taliban.
