Will not abandon our people, says Afghan's next generation leader Khalid Noor

 Khalid Noor speaking from Mazar-E-Sharif said, "I will be taking part in defending the city. I will be taking part in defending my people and their right. We will not abandon our people."

New Delhi: Khalid Noor, the youngest member of the Afghanistan Peace Negotiating Team and son of Atta Muhammad Noor has said that the leader in the Mazar-E-Sharif will not "abandon the people".  Atta Muhammad Noor, a prominent Afghan leader who holds sway in northern Afghanistan especially Balkh province has now himself taken the charge even as the Taliban makes territorial gains.    Speaking to WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Khalid Noor speaking from Mazar-E-Sharif said, "I will be taking part in defending the city. I will be taking part in defending my people and their right. We will not abandon our people." He has graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England and then from George Mason University in the US, majoring in conflict analysis and resolution. Khalid is seen as Afghanistan's next generation of leaders and in a way carrying his father's legacy.    Asked about Afghan President Ghani's Mazar-e-Sharif visit on Wednesday, he said, "We discussed the current situation and recent developments of the security challenges". Here is the detailed exclusive interview.    WION: How is the situation in Afghanistan? Khalid Noor: The situation in Afghanistan is not good. There is a humanitarian crisis going on, the war and the slaughtering of our people by the Taliban have increased all over Afghanistan. Thousands of people are internally displaced, they are being wounded every week who need intensive care and in certain provinces, our hospitals can't help them. When it comes to Mazar E Sharif we are doing okay right now. We have been under attack by the Taliban for the last two months. In the last three days attacks have increased a lot and we have been able to keep them away. We hope to defend and have everything and will send forces around the frontline of Balkh, gates of the city and we will do everything because our people are prepared and committed to defending their rights, they are committed to resisting against terror regime, against extremism.   WION: Do you think Mazar will fall into the hands of the Taliban? Khalid Noor: One thing I have to clarify is that in war we cannot predict the future what is going to happen. But we will do everything to defend the city. Even if it means war will be on the streets of the city, from house to house, from street to street, even if it means the city will be destroyed, we will not abandon our people. We will not let the Taliban come and rule our people by force. We will stand, we will defend but time will tell, what will be the fate of the city.   WION: Do you think the Taliban has changed? You are the youngest member of the Afghan peace negotiating team, how did you find the approach by them?