Greeva Garg –
Published on: August 18, 2021 09:49 IST
With Taliban taking control over Afghanistan, panic and fear have gripped the people of the war-ravaged country that looks to slip back into the dictatorial rule of the late 1990s.
Taliban held its first official news conference in Kabul since the capturing of Afghanistan, declaring ‘War is Over’.
Asserting its rule, Taliban stated that, “An Islamic government will be established in Afghanistan soon.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid declared that, “The war is over. The Islamic emirate is pledging to all world countries that no threat will be posed to any country from Afghan territory. We don’t want any internal or external enemies. We do not have enmity toward anyone and based on our leader’s orders we have pardoned everyone.”
Taliban, suggesting a softer line than during their rule 20 years ago, Zabihullah Mujahid stated that, “It would respect the rights of women. The rights of women will be protected within the framework of Islam. Women can work in the health sector and other sectors where they will be needed.”
In between this criss Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Monday stated that after the Taliban had completely taken over Afghanistan by marching into Kabul, India was constantly monitoring the situation at high levels and is in constant touch with representatives of Hindu and Afghan Sikh Communities in Afghanistan.
However, Taliban’s rule over Afghanistan during 1996-2001 was also guided by Islamic law, or Shariah. The Taliban stopped women from working and administered punishments including public stoning. Girls were not allowed to go to school and women had to wear all-enveloping burqas to go out.
Taliban also permitted free media within their framework on conditions that, no broadcast should contradict Islamic values, they should be impartial, no one should broadcast anything that goes against our national interests.
Afghan First Vice President Amrullah Saleh meanwhile said he was in the country and declared himself the ‘legitimate caretaker president’ and that he would not bow to Kabul’s new rulers.
The European Union said it would only cooperate with the Afghan Government following the Taliban’s return to power if they respected fundamental rights, including those of women.
Also Read- What is the Taliban and Afghanistan Conflict?