Ashraf Ghani – “I haven’t abandoned my beloved country with lot of money, if I would have been there Talibani’s would have killed me.”
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has taken refuge in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) along with his family. He appeared in front of the world for the first time around 10:45 pm on the fourth day of leaving the country. Said- If I had not left the country, then there would have been bloodshed. I couldn’t see this happening in my country, so I had to leave. I too would have been hanged.
Ghani also clarified on the allegations of running away with money. Said- I have not brought the country’s money. These allegations are baseless. On US President Joe Biden’s statements, Ghani said that we were talking to the Taliban, but it was inconclusive. He also thanked the army and the officers.
Ghani full statement:
“It was clearly stated in the agreement with the Taliban that they would not come inside the city of Kabul. On Sunday (August 15) afternoon, I was told by my guards that the Taliban had reached the boundary wall of the Presidential Palace. Had I lived in Afghanistan, the people of the country would have seen another President hanging on the noose of Sir-e-Aam. I did not leave the country with any kind of cash. After reaching UAE, I took customs clearance as a normal citizen. I have brought my clothes with me. Wanted to bring his library with him, but this too could not be possible. Our security forces have not failed. The country’s big leaders and the international community failed. I want to return to my country and for this I am in touch with Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah. These are the people who are negotiating with the Taliban. “
Understand the meaning of 3 important things said by Ghani:
(1) Did not bring cash: In a statement on Tuesday, the Russian Embassy in Kabul alleged that Ghani fled with cash in four cars and a helicopter. The cash which could not be absorbed in it, was left at the airport itself.
(2) Another President would have been hanged: In 1996, the Taliban captured Kabul and Afghanistan for the first time. Then Mohammad Najibullah was the president. The Taliban assured him of security, but a few hours later, Sar-e-Aam was hanged at a crossroads in Kabul.
(3) Why talk of Watan Wapsi: Ghani and his government were strictly against Pakistan. Now some pro-Pakistan people are running propaganda on social media by calling him a traitor and a fugitive. The Taliban are in constant contact with Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah. Both of them are close to Ashraf Ghani. Therefore, Ghani wants to thwart the attempts to malign his image.