A King Italycised

This special relationship between Italy and Afghanistan has continued even to this day. Rome has been in the forefront of organising humanitarian assistance in war-ravaged Afghanistan, building two hospitals, one in the Panjshir Valley and another in Kabul. Italian parliamentarian Ugo Intini, who is known to be very close to Shah, complains that had other countries emulated Italy, the country wouldn't have come under the Taliban's sway nor would it have been so devastated.

Zahir Shah has often expressed his debt to Italy. But those close to him say his nostalgia for Afghanistan runs deep, and he's constantly pining to return to the country he has been exiled from. Many credit the former king with attempting to integrate and modernise Afghanistan in his 40 years of rule. Though choosing to remain neutral during World War II, he was partial to the Germans and Italians, seeking their help to counter the British. He was responsible for building universities and establishing commercial relations with Europe—and reportedly encouraged women's emancipation. In 1964, he introduced democracy in Afghanistan and lifted press censorship.

Even if Zahir Shah returns to his homeland, the only option for him would be to return to the system of constitutional monarchy. But the exiled king isn't about to unravel his plans and dreams. When the special representative of the UN, Francis Vendrell, visited Shah last fortnight, Shah reportedly told him that he wasn't interested in returning to the throne but only wanted to help his people out of the morass they have been sucked into. But a dose of his liberal spirit could be a timely salve for a savaged people.