Over the last three years, the Afghan government has put efforts to encourage and invite low-ranking and less-violent Taliban to normal life. Those who join the integration program are promised monetary rewards and employment and other kinds of incentives. The government claims that thousands of Taliban fighters have been integrated; they have handed over their weapons and are no more a part of the insurgent group. On the other hand, however, critics say these Taliban are either fake or have rejoined the Taliban after receiving the rewards offered by the government. Additionally, despite the government’s claims, no decrease in violence in the country as result of integration program is observable. Therefore, it can be concluded that the funds spent on the program have all gone futile.
Meanwhile, based on media reports, scores of Afghan security forces have defected to Taliban over the past years. In some cases, they have butchered their own fellows and have taken their weapons and police vehicles with them before defecting. This automatically negates the positive outcomes of the integration program.
Existence of Taliban empathizers in government entities including Afghanistan National Security Force (ANSF) is an established fact. As witnessed, such sympathizers are the main culprits behind the so-called green on blue or insider attacks that have resulted in the death of scores of foreign and national military personnel.
As the withdrawal date (end of 2014) of US-led NATO troops nears, the Taliban have doubled their propaganda of regaining power in Afghanistan. Their main purpose of starting such a campaign is not to only keep their fighters loyal to them but also attract more people to join them.
Recently, Qazi Abdul Hai, who has been a member of upper house of the parliament for the northern province of Sar-i-Pol between 2004 and 2008 and also served as a district governor, announced that he has defected to Taliban. “I am sure the Americans will be forced out soon and the Islamic Emirate will rule Afghanistan,” Mr. Hai said, using the formal name of the Taliban, in a video released on the group’s website. “I consulted with elders, and they all encouraged me to join.”
Although the Taliban are involved in civilian killings and the majorly responsible for deteriorating security condition in the country, still they have many people on their side and the number of people who want the Taliban to rule them is no less. This is because the Taliban are actively involved in extensive preaching against the government and international community. The Afghan government is required to counter insurgents’ negative propagandas and do not allow them use religion as an instrument to reach their heinous objectives.