After months of war in Afghanistan – the nation’s hard-line religious rulers are out and a new interim government on its way in. The change in fortune has left Afghanistan’s millions of exiles in Pakistan, Iran and elsewhere hoping to return to their homeland. But the warlords of the mid 1990’s are also returning - to power. Jim Laurie reports on how old rivalries -- along with harsh economic realities -- threaten dreams of a better future.

(Cart being pulled by boy)

The poorest came back hauling their meagre possessions. The seven members of the Wali Mohammed family took turns pulling, as they walked the arduous 15 miles back into Jalalabad.

(Shots of tents)

They had fled the city and joined thousands of displaced people in a village of tents like this on the outskirts.

They had fled in fear of American bombing… They returned in hope of a peaceful future.

(Voice of interpreter)

Wali Mohammed, a returning refugee says: "I wanted to escape the bombing. I thought the Americans would bomb more than they did. The Taliban left with hardly a fight. I’m now going back to a small home in the city, but I don’t know what to expect. If things are bad, we’ll go back to the tents again. All we want is somewhere safe to live."

Safety and security: after 21 years of near constant war in Afghanistan, it’s all anyone wants.

(Cotton bazaar)

The cotton traders in Jalalabad’s bazaar want it.

Cotton used to be this region’s biggest industry.

Before the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 – nearly half the nations exports – 200 million dollars worth - were in cotton.

(Camel shot)

Civil War and Taliban rule virtually wiped out that trade… but a few people are back- hoping to reclaim it.

Sultan Aziz, a returning businessman says: "We need a strong broad-based Government in Kabul, not what we had for twenty years. We want elections, not rule by kalashnikov rifle.”

But rule by Kalashnikov is what he’s got right now.

Jalalabad – is run by the same men, the same warlords who ruled here until ousted by the Taliban in 1996.

They too have returned.

Rahimullah Yusufzai, Afghan Analyst says: "The country has again been divided into Fiefdoms. These warlords want no interference from the center. They want to retain autonomy. They want to return to the old ways.”

There are seven old political parties in Afghanistan but 22 warlords who have divided up the country.

The Jalalabad fiefdom is dominated by one family.

(Commander Abdul Haq)

The family of the late ethnic Pushtun Mujahadeen Commander Abdul Haq – who was captured and killed by the Taliban in the early stages of the war. The family home in Peshawar Pakistan –Is adorned with pictures of a warlord family In happier times.

(Funeral)

While the faithful shed tears for Abdul Haq’s loss, many here suspect he was a victim of jealous turncoats within the northern alliance who tipped the Taliban off about his supposedly secret mission to gather support.

In any event, it is his brother Abdul Haji Qadeer, Governor of Jalalabad, who runs things now.

He’s back in the job he had before he fled to Pakistan five years ago.

Haji Qadeer is known to be fair minded, a nighttime rally good speaker and in Afghan terms a liberal.

(Getting into jeep)

But he recently walked out of talks in Bonn on forming a new national government, feeling his tribe was under represented. He and other warlords will no doubt be back at the conference table, but - as before – they seem determined to treat national politics as a necessary inconvenience.

Rahimullah Yusufzai, Afghan Analyst says: "To get weapons and arms they were accepting the leadership of their party leaders, but they were largely autonomous. They became very powerful. So I see I return to that period. That was in the early 90’s. Now I think after about 8 years, we are seeing the same thing happening in Afghanistan. The warlords are back in business.”

(Market shots)

And business – particularly in the provinces that border Pakistan – promises to be good.

A duty free trading arrangement with Pakistan allows for the import and re-export of a wide variety of goods. Guaranteeing security for the trade will prove a valuable business for anyone with a kalashnikov.

(Zahir shaking hands)

Haji Qadeer’s son Mohammed Zahir runs military security for his father.

Haji Qadeer, Jalalabad Security Chief "We waged a struggle against the Taliban for six years. I was held prisoner by them for 30 months, held in chains and fed nothing but tea and bread. After two attempts, I escaped from prison and paid bribes to get to Pakistan. Now I’m back.”

He’s back… flanked by his two youngest boys with Zahir brothers who represent Jalalibad’s future -Zahir is a family man saying all the right things.

Jim Laurie: Now that you and your family are in Charge here, what do you see as the future?
Haji Qadeer: "We hope all the Afghan people here will join us as nationalists. We will put Aside local interests and through a Loya Jirga assembly form a broad-based government."

(Aziz outside hotel)

Businessmen like Sultan Aziz are cautious in their appraisal of the re-installed local Government.

Sultan Aziz says: ”Haji Qadeer may be a good man, but he can’t secure future prosperity. If things are the same as before, nothing will work out. We need a new system dependent on rule of the people, not a few tribal leaders. We must have a unified government.”

(Aziz looks at looms)

For now though – the poor, returning refugees like Wali Muhammed or the wealthier ones like Sultan Aziz will have to bide their time and simply hope a new stability will emerge out of contending warlords and the rubble that is Afghanistan.