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Where is Ashraf Ghani now? Taliban pose in Kabul Palace as 'coward' Afghan prez flees country

As Ashraf Ghani unconditionally handed over power to the Taliban, the embattled president has been dubbed as a 'coward' by social media users

Taliban has reportedly taken over the capital city of Kabul in Afghanistan way sooner than anticipated as thousands of citizens flocked to the Pakistan border in a desperate bid to escape the upcoming extremist regime. Top leadership of Taliban has stated that they would soon officially declare the country as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan — which many fear would represent a terror-ravaged state managed by religious hardliners.  The embattled country's president Ashraf Ghani has fled the country, marking an unfortunate end to Western military control over terrorism which started after the 9/11 attack. 

Photos have surfaced on social media showing Taliban leaders posing in the Presidential Palace of Kabul brandishing their firearms. They seized the palace earlier on Sunday, August 15, and asked for a "peaceful transfer" of power. Thousands of US citizens trapped in Afghanistan were evacuated on a war footing by nearly 6,000 troops deployed by President Joe Biden. It was only last week that the US intelligence officials estimated that the capital of Kabul will be able to hold out Taliban militants for three months. 

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Where is Ashraf Ghani now? 

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who had earlier vowed to not let the Taliban take over the reins of the country, saw no choice but to flee his motherland along with his family and close associates. According to the latest reports by Reuters, Ghani has sought refuge in Tajikistan along with his National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib and another close aide. His exact whereabouts will be revealed later to US authorities over a classified phone line, reports The Guardian journalist Hugo Lowell. 

As Ghani unconditionally handed over administrative authority to the Taliban with no power-sharing, the embattled president has been dubbed as a 'coward' by social media users. 

Former Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Ershad Ahmadi tweeted, "Ghani & co fled to Uzbekistan or Tajikistan. Saw their helicopters flew out of Arg at 3:20pm. At Mohib’s residence in Arg, they left 3 land-cruisers full of dollars causing a fight among his guards while looting. I hope money is recovered. How much did they manage 2get away with?"

"Saleh, Ghani and the likes of them will again find their way to K Street think tanks & Georgetown, GW universities, plush pads in Potomac. But their countrymen will be left to the mercy of the Taliban hordes & their archaic laws. Whoever strategized this withdrawal should be named," tweeted journalist Smita Prakash.

A former Afghan citizen wrote, "Ashraf Ghani proved to be the loser and coward until his very last moment on the Afghan soil. He left in disgrace. Most Afghans loath/fear the Taliban, but they have hated Ghani and rightly so."

Ghani then broke his silence and posted on Facebook his reason for leaving the country in a lengthy explanation. In it, he claimed the fighters were here to 'remove' him and that he left the country to prevent bloodshed. He said, "...The Taliban have made it to remove me, they are here to attack all Kabul and the people of Kabul. In order to avoid the bleeding flood, I thought it was best to get out. Taliban have won the judgement of sword and guns and now they are responsible for protecting the countrymen's honor, wealth and self-esteem. Didn't they win the legitimacy of hearts. Never in history has dry power given legitimacy to anyone and won't give it to them. They are now facing a new historical test; either they will protect the name and honor of Afghanistan or they will prioritize other places and networks..."

While Taliban plans to officially declare themselves as the country's rulers, former Afghan Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali is believed to be taking charge of the transitional government. Jalali had been a US citizen since 1987 and was earlier a resident of Maryland, USA. Even with the fall of Kabul, Britain has urged to not recognize Taliban as the official Afghan government. As the terrorist insurgents dominate the security of Kabul, NATO has suspended all commercial flights from Kabul airport and only military aircraft would be operating. 

The citizens of Afghanistan who have lived under the brutal Taliban regime between 1996 and 2001, are fearing the resurgence of a similar situation with human rights and freedom curbed to a minimum. Especially the women of Afghanistan are faced with an unprecedented crisis where they would barely have any rights.