Not since the Taliban took over Kabul on Sunday has anyone heard from the Taliban, the group that now rules the country. The Afghan civilian population is living in insecurity, while the international community condemns the way the Afghan authorities collapsed under pressure from the rebel group.
On Tuesday afternoon, Zabiulla Mujahid spoke to a comprehensive press corps from the authorities’ old media building in the capital.
Afghanistan has been liberated. We will not seek revenge, begins spokesman Mujahid, who declares Afghanistan an “Islamic state under Sharia law.”
– Everyone is forgiven, Mujahid adds.
He asks the people of Kabul not to interfere in the ongoing transfer of power, to ensure that this happens as quickly and smoothly as possible.
– CONTROL: Taliban soldiers have taken complete control of Kabul, and are stationed at several checkpoints in the city. Photo: Reuters
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– Now our main priority is to maintain law and order in Kabul. Since we have taken over Kabul, we have had some problems with law and order. Some criminals try to create problems, says Mujahid.
He also stressed that Afghanistan will not be used to house terrorist organizations or plan attacks in the future.
Talked about women’s rights
Earlier Tuesday, the Taliban promised “amnesty” to all Afghanistan’s residents, urging Afghan women to join the new government. This is probably an attempt to calm a very tense population, the day after thousands of Afghans stormed the airport in a desperate attempt to escape.
Women’s rights in particular have been a major issue in recent times, and many fear that the rights that have been built up over the last 20 years will be torn away as soon as the Taliban establishes their new government.
– Women and children desperately tried to get to the airport in Kabul on Monday. Photo: Reuters
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– Women’s rights are important. Women have all the rights Islam gives them. Women can work, they can go to school, they can work at schools. We assure the world that we will not crack down on women, says Mujahid.
A Western journalist then asks Mujahid if he can assure that women’s rights will be protected.
– I have already said that women will be allowed to work in line with the Koran. We respect women, they will get all the rights Islam allows them, Mujahid answers.
He also had to answer what will happen to Afghans who have worked for the United States and the other allied forces for the past 20 years:
– We assure that we will ensure the safety of everyone who has worked with the United States and the allied forces, whether it is as an interpreter or other tasks. As they are skilled people, we do not want them to leave the country, but to stay here and help rebuild the country.
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