KABUL - Former foreign minister Wakil Ahmad Mutawakil, who has lately been hitting the headlines, has urged the Afghan government and US-led coalition forces to set free innocent detainees in the interest of the ongoing reconciliation process.

In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News on Saturday, the 36-year-old said he had no plan to launch his own political party or contest the forthcoming parliamentary elections. However, he is pondering other options to help resolve the problems being encountered his compatriots.

Mutawakil, seen as soft-spoken moderate despite his close association with the Taliban leadership, said he was still under watch following his release some months ago from a US detention facility at the Bagram Airbase.

Currently living in this capital city, Mutawakil is a computer-literate, unlike most of his former colleagues in the Taliban movement. He underlined the need for political unity, a national consensus on issues polarizing public opinion and stepping up efforts for bringing lasting peace and stability to the impoverished country. Here are the excerpts of the interview:

Q: How do you weigh up foreign military presence in Afghanistan?

A: Essentially, there are two kinds of foreign military presence in Afghanistan: The peace-keeping force called ISAF - made up of troops drawn from several countries - and the anti-insurgency coalition led by the United States. Now both are placed under one command in the NATO framework. A decision on the future of these forces will be a core issue Afghan parliament should debate dispassionately.

Q: In your opinion, what was the principal reason for the deployment of these forces?

A: Looking back at our past, we reach the inescapable conclusion that the decisions - taken directly or indirectly, deliberately or inadvertently - by three different sets of rulers eventually led to the deployment of foreign forces in our country. Political figures living in Afghanistan and abroad, who forged strong links with Western powers before the Saur Revolution, those with communist leanings and jihadi forces have played a role in paving the ground for foreign military intervention.

Q: There is a widespread perception that Taliban's gung-ho posture and harsh political credo provided the trigger for the American attack in 2001. Being the foreign minister at that time, what's your assessment?

A: It will be unfair to give such a sweeping statement and single out only one of the many factors behind the war. Taliban's intransigence on certain issues may be one of the causes and to say that sounds plausible to some extent. But blaming it all on them is not the whole truth.

Q: Will you opine on how competent and transparent is the incumbent administration headed by President Hamid Karzai?

A: On the surface, policy decisions made during the post-presidential election period have relatively been prudent and sensible. But transparency in state affairs will continue to elude us owing to the absence of peace and stability in our country, still weighed down with its historical baggage. However, things may change for the better if the system is purged of remnants of the previous bureaucracy and a process of institutional reforms is set in motion.

Q: How do you evaluate the role of religious groups in the Karzai government?

A: That some religious scholars are part of the present administration is a political reality no one can gainsay, but we can't say with any degree of precision which of the groups in the government are religious and which are not.

Q: Any plan for launching a political party of your own?

A: Though I haven't yet made up my mind regarding the creation of such an outfit, yet one can ponder the option after meticulously studying the prevailing political environment. Concurrently, one can also explore other possibilities such as running for a parliamentary seat, contributing to the ongoing reconciliation effort and pushing for a compromise.

Q: Do you intend jumping into the electoral fray scheduled for mid-September?

A: At the moment, I have reason to rule out my participation in the polls because I'm no longer affiliated with any party and don't have ample time to prepare for running as an independent. To my mind, there is no appreciable difference between contesting the elections as an independent candidate or as a nominee of a political party.

Q: Are you enjoying full freedom of movement?

A: Unlike my other compatriots, I don't have complete freedom. My media appearance may soften these restrictions. Technically, I haven't been in detention but remained under house arrest.

Q: Have you been offered any government job so far?

A: No, such an offer hasn't been made as yet.

Q: From an Islamic point of view, what would you say about the fatalities resulting from clashes between Taliban and government soldiers?

A: It's a sensitive issue that Afghanistan's judiciary hasn't touched up till now. Islamic scholars and experts should discuss it in detail. It will be difficult for me to say anything in this regard.

Q: Who is providing military and financial support to Taliban combatants?

A: It's even more difficult to say, as I don't have any information. As far as I have heard from the government, it blames some neighboring countries and donations from some Muslim nations. That is what the government alleges.

Q: What was the secret of the rock-solid unity in Taliban ranks and their unqualified loyalty to Mullah Omar?

A: Most of them have received Islamic education that teaches compliance with your leader's orders. And their unity was strengthened by the lessons they had learnt from sharp divisions in past regimes including jihadi parties.

Q: Have you contacted anybody for release of Taliban prisoners?

A: Prisoner release is one emotive issue I have taken up with the authorities. I myself have been under house arrest and thus it's natural for me to work for prisoners' release. I have urged Afghan and international authorities to free the detainees, most of whom assert innocence.