Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on Monday reacted to Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s recent remarks and said “unity among the people is a must".
 
On Sunday Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of Hizb-e-Islami, said at a gathering in Khost province that some eastern parts of the country have less of a share in the government compared to Panjshir, Bamiyan and Daikundi provinces in the center of Afghanistan.
 
Reacting to Hekmatyar's comments, Abdullah said “unity among the people is crucial at the moment”.
 
“Divisions and differences among the people will benefit the enemies of Afghanistan," he said adding that “ethnic and religious divisions are not for the interest of the country and is good for enemies. Talking about ethnic and pitting one province against others is not encouraging anyone towards any positive goal.”
 
Hekmatyar was also strongly criticized by a number of analysts for saying that “independent islands of power” in the country have to end.
 
“Today, there are sovereign islands of power in the country. Everyone who has made their way to the ministries and departments has established a sovereign island of power of their own. This trend must come to an end,” Hekmatyar said.
 
Hekmatyar said the practice has diminished opportunities for some other ethnicities and has caused a gap between them and the government.
 
He also called on the Afghan political parties to participate in elections and confirm their share in government through the ballots.