ISLAMABAD: Taliban forces raided the home of former Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday and dispersed a group of tribal elders and other visitors who had gone there to meet him, according to Afghanistan International.
The reason for the raid was not immediately clear.
Taliban personnel entered Karzai’s residence without prior coordination and prevented his guests from meeting with him.
The Taliban forces entered the residence and confronted tribal elders who were there to meet the former president. Some of those present protested and asked to be allowed to see Karzai, but armed Taliban personnel dispersed them.
There was no indication that the Taliban sought to arrest Karzai. It was also unclear which Taliban official ordered the operation.
According to Afghanistan International, the latest restrictions were linked to Karzai's recent comments on political developments in Afghanistan.
Karzai, who served as president from 2004 until 2014, has remained in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power in August 2021. He has continued to make occasional public statements on national issues, including calls to reopen schools and universities to girls.
In recent days, Karzai issued messages marking the assassinations of Ahmad Shah Massoud, a former Afghan defense minister and prominent anti-Taliban commander, and Burhanuddin Rabbani, a former president of Afghanistan. Karzai described Massoud as a heroic "mujahid" and Rabbani as a supporter of peace.
Previous restrictions
The Taliban have previously restricted Karzai’s movements and activities. In July, he was barred from traveling to Kandahar, his home province. He has also been prevented from making several foreign trips.
Restrictions on Karzai’s social and political activities have recently been tightened. He is not permitted to meet domestic or foreign officials, diplomats or political leaders without permission.
Taliban authorities have prevented Karzai from attending some Ashura ceremonies and from taking part in the funeral of Ali Khamenei, the former supreme leader of Iran.
Some senior Taliban officials have instructed Karzai to refrain from publicly commenting on Afghanistan’s political situation, girls’ education and other issues.
Karzai has repeatedly called on Taliban authorities to reopen schools and universities to girls.
Despite restrictions, Karzai has remained in Kabul and has made a limited number of foreign trips, including visits to Germany, reportedly for annual medical checkups, and to the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.