Controversial Remarks by Taliban Police Commander in Parwan: ‘The Taliban Are Shepherds, People Are Their Sheep’.
The Taliban police commander in Parwan Province, during a graduation ceremony for new police recruits, cited a hadith attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, stating: “We are all shepherds, and there is no difference among us.”
The remarks, delivered before newly graduated Taliban police officers, attracted widespread attention from observers and social media users.
The commander further urged police personnel to be prepared for “the worst conditions” and instructed them not to concern themselves with salaries, allowances, or equipment availability.
He emphasized that, regardless of resources, Taliban police are obligated to perform their duties without deviation.
Critics argue that these statements are not merely administrative guidance but reflect the Taliban’s broader view of power and society.
Such language clearly frames the Taliban as “shepherds” and the Afghan people as “sheep,” demonstrating an authoritarian approach where citizens are regarded not as rights-bearing participants in governance but as individuals requiring control and direction an outlook that contradicts modern principles of statehood, citizenship rights, and human dignity.
