US special representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has been in Kabul since Tuesday, but a meeting between him and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is yet to take place. Reports in local media say talks of the formation of an interim government is the reason behind the delay. 

Khalilzad met several Afghan leaders, including former president Hamid Karzai and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, in the last two days. A report in TOLOnews says, citing sources, that President Ghani is avoiding meeting him, possibly because of the difference over the formation of the interim government. 

Ghani has been resisting the idea since the start of the intra-Afghan negotiation. Reminding the announcement of former Afghan President Dr. Najibullah, he said, he made the mistake of his life by announcing his resignation. With his announcement in April 1992, the country plunged into chaos and the collapse of all the state institutions. 

Ata Muhammad Noor, a prominent Tajik leader from the northern part, who has been resisting the idea (of interim government) until very recently, supported it on Wednesday. 

“Now we need to recommend a plan (interim government), if such a plan exists, then we should further develop it for the sake of national unity, social justice, and political justice,” Noor was quoted as saying by TOLOnews. 

Those opposing the idea warn of the risk of collapse of the state institution and chaos. Others argue it is only to make the Taliban agree to a ceasefire. “Those who want an interim government are not naïve, but they call for it with complete cautiousness in order to prevent bloodshed in Afghanistan,” said Sayed Eshaq Gailani. 

Former Afghan intelligence (NDS) chief Rahmatullah Nabil also said he was expecting an interim government by mid-June this year.