One month since the Taliban took over Afghanistan and the country is plunging deep into a political crisis. The humanitarian crisis only continues to worsen with each passing day and civilians fear the heightened risk of the Taliban all this leading to sporadic protests across the region against their rule. Now thousands have taken to the streets in Kandahar.

Fear of evictions of fuel wide scale protests in Kandahar

Filmmaker Sahraa Karimi, who fled Afghanistan last month after Kabul fell to the Taliban, still hopes to go back home one day. 
&nbsp; 
Karimi, the first woman to Afghan Film, the country's national cinema body, spoke to the press virtually on the sidelines of the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival(TIFF) and said she is trying to start a new life, a new journey but is very sad, of course. The director added that anytime she is alone, she thinks immediately to go to Kabul. 
 
Karimi revealed, she fled her country and landed in Kiev, Ukraine with help from the Slovak Film and Television Academy. 
 
Since then Karimi has been conducting interviews and participating in major industry events like the Venice Film Festival and TIFF to share her experiences as a refugee and get support for Afghan cinema&nbsp;and its&nbsp;filmmakers.&nbsp; 
 
Karimi also stated that she was trying to get answers from the now Taliban-controlled Afghan government as to whether or not she still holds her post in Afghan Film but has yet to receive an answer. 
 
"This is the reality. They don`t tell me that I am not the general director of Afghan Film but they don`t tell me anything else," Karimi said. The filmmaker expressed that she wished to go back to her country if she was allowed to continue her work but was doubtful if she, as a woman, would be allowed to do so. 
 
Before Taliban took over Afghanistan, Karimi revealed she was trying to plan a national film festival in the country and trying to open more movie theatres across Afghanistan. 
 
On August 15 after the Taliban entered the city, Karimi said she headed to the airport with her family and two assistants from Afghan film and by August 17, they were on a Turkish flight to Ukraine. 
 
"It was like a film," she said of the experience trying to get onto an aeroplane, likening the experience of the Korean film `Train to Busan`. 
 
"It was like zombies are coming to attack you and you are running." 
 
Karimi plans to turn her experience fleeing Afghanistan into a feature titled `Flight from Kabul`, hoping to finish a first draft of the screenplay later this month, and is soon set to teach at Italy`s National Film School in Rome. 
 
Karimi also blamed the Afghan government for not providing enough support to the arts, pointing out how cinema was an agent of change. 
 
"One of the biggest mistakes this past 20 years of the government of Afghanistan is that they didn`t support art and culture and cinema. They didn`t even build one cinema in Afghanistan." said the filmmaker, noting that there were no film funds or attempts to build out infrastructure for productions. 
 
"If we had real cinema, if we had real production, if the private sector and government-supported filmmakers to make a film industry, then we wouldn`t be in this situation right now," she said. 
 
She appealed to young Afghan filmmakers to not let cinema die in the country. "Do not let Afghan cinema die. Even if you are in exile. 
 
"I just ask all filmmakers around the world, please don`t be silent about the situation in Afghanistan and don`t be silent about the cinema of Afghanistan." 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Filmmaker Sahraa Karimi, who fled Afghanistan last month after Kabul fell to the Taliban, still hopes to go back home one day. Karimi, the first woman to Afghan Film, the country's national cinema body, spoke to the press virtually on the sidelines of the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival(TIFF) and said she is trying to start a new life, a new journey but is very sad, of course.

Filmmaker Sahraa Karimi, who fled Afghanistan last month after Kabul fell to the Taliban, still hopes to go back home one day. Karimi, the first woman to Afghan Film, the country's national cinema body, spoke to the press virtually on the sidelines of the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival(TIFF) and said she is trying to start a new life, a new journey but is very sad, of course. The director added that anytime she is alone, she thinks immediately to go to Kabul. Karimi revealed, she fled her country and landed in Kiev, Ukraine with help from the Slovak Film and Television Academy. Since then Karimi has been conducting interviews and participating in major industry events like the Venice Film Festival and TIFF to share her experiences as a refugee and get support for Afghan cinema and its filmmakers. Karimi also stated that she was trying to get answers from the now Taliban-controlled Afghan government as to whether or not she still holds her post in Afghan Film but has yet to receive an answer. "This is the reality. They don`t tell me that I am not the general director of Afghan Film but they don`t tell me anything else," Karimi said. The filmmaker expressed that she wished to go back to her country if she was allowed to continue her work but was doubtful if she, as a woman, would be allowed to do so. Before Taliban took over Afghanistan, Karimi revealed she was trying to plan a national film festival in the country and trying to open more movie theatres across Afghanistan. On August 15 after the Taliban entered the city, Karimi said she headed to the airport with her family and two assistants from Afghan film and by August 17, they were on a Turkish flight to Ukraine. "It was like a film," she said of the experience trying to get onto an aeroplane, likening the experience of the Korean film `Train to Busan`. "It was like zombies are coming to attack you and you are running." Karimi plans to turn her experience fleeing Afghanistan into a feature titled `Flight from Kabul`, hoping to finish a first draft of the screenplay later this month, and is soon set to teach at Italy`s National Film School in Rome. Karimi also blamed the Afghan government for not providing enough support to the arts, pointing out how cinema was an agent of change. "One of the biggest mistakes this past 20 years of the government of Afghanistan is that they didn`t support art and culture and cinema. They didn`t even build one cinema in Afghanistan." said the filmmaker, noting that there were no film funds or attempts to build out infrastructure for productions. "If we had real cinema, if we had real production, if the private sector and government-supported filmmakers to make a film industry, then we wouldn`t be in this situation right now," she said. She appealed to young Afghan filmmakers to not let cinema die in the country. "Do not let Afghan cinema die. Even if you are in exile. "I just ask all filmmakers around the world, please don`t be silent about the situation in Afghanistan and don`t be silent about the cinema of Afghanistan." (With inputs from agencies)

Filmmaker Sahraa Karimi dreams of going back to Kabul, says, 'Don't let Afghan cinema die'

The humanitarian crisis is worsening in Afghanistan. One in three Afghans is going hungry every day and over 2 million children are already malnourished. Watch this report to know more.

Afghanistan: Colony of tents occupy dusty parks in Kabul

Taliban's afghanistan conquest is nearing its one month anniversary. Taliban completed its takeover of Afghanistan in just seven days.

Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan nears one month

The European Union has no other option but to engage with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan if it wants to influence events in the country, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Tuesday.

However, Borrell underlined at a European Parliament plenary session debate in the French city of Strasbourg that engagement does not mean recognition, Xinhua reported.

Describing the summer's events in Afghanistan as "a tragedy," he insisted that engagement is a priority for the EU to continue protecting as many people as possible.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-girl-is-with-the-taliban-but-watch-reaction-when-asked-if-she-wants-them-in-her-country-413190" hreflang="en">Pak girl is 'with the Taliban', but watch reaction when asked if she wants them in her country</a>

"To have any chance of influencing events, we have no other option but to engage with the Taliban. Engagement does not mean recognition. No, engaging means talking, discussing, and agreeing — when possible," he said.

Regarding the situation on the ground in Afghanistan, Borrell said it was "dramatic", adding the European Commission has quadrupled its aid from 50 to 200 million euros.

Recently, the European Union said that it will continue to coordinate with the UN and its agencies on the stabilisation of Afghanistan, ensure that humanitarian aid reaches vulnerable populations and for this purpose, will also step up financial support.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-fighters-have-little-food-to-eat-havent-received-any-money-in-months-report-413170" hreflang="en">Taliban fighters have little food to eat, haven't received any money in months: Report</a>

Following the Taliban takeover of Kabul in mid-August, the situation in Afghanistan has been dominating the international agenda, with key global and regional powers trying to find ways to ensure stability and security in Central Asia.

Last week, Gunnar Wiegand, the European Commission's managing director for Asia and the Pacific said that the European Union is in no hurry to recognise the Taliban nor to establishing official relations with the group.

"We need to communicate with the Taliban, we need to influence the Taliban, we need to make use of the leverages that we have but we will not rush into recognizing this new formation nor to establishing official relations."

Wiegand had said at a joint session of the European Parliament's committees with the delegation for relations with Afghanistan.

The European Union has no other option but to engage with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan if it wants to influence events in the country, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Tuesday.

The European Union has no other option but to engage with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan if it wants to influence events in the country, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Tuesday. However, Borrell underlined at a European Parliament plenary session debate in the French city of Strasbourg that engagement does not mean recognition, Xinhua reported. Describing the summer's events in Afghanistan as "a tragedy," he insisted that engagement is a priority for the EU to continue protecting as many people as possible. Also read | Pak girl is 'with the Taliban', but watch reaction when asked if she wants them in her country "To have any chance of influencing events, we have no other option but to engage with the Taliban. Engagement does not mean recognition. No, engaging means talking, discussing, and agreeing — when possible," he said. Regarding the situation on the ground in Afghanistan, Borrell said it was "dramatic", adding the European Commission has quadrupled its aid from 50 to 200 million euros. Recently, the European Union said that it will continue to coordinate with the UN and its agencies on the stabilisation of Afghanistan, ensure that humanitarian aid reaches vulnerable populations and for this purpose, will also step up financial support. Also read | Taliban fighters have little food to eat, haven't received any money in months: Report Following the Taliban takeover of Kabul in mid-August, the situation in Afghanistan has been dominating the international agenda, with key global and regional powers trying to find ways to ensure stability and security in Central Asia. Last week, Gunnar Wiegand, the European Commission's managing director for Asia and the Pacific said that the European Union is in no hurry to recognise the Taliban nor to establishing official relations with the group. "We need to communicate with the Taliban, we need to influence the Taliban, we need to make use of the leverages that we have but we will not rush into recognizing this new formation nor to establishing official relations." Wiegand had said at a joint session of the European Parliament's committees with the delegation for relations with Afghanistan.

EU has no other option but to engage with Taliban, says top diplomat

Filmmakers Ajay Kapoor and Subhash Kale announce their upcoming big-budget film titled 'Garud' inspired by the true events of Afghan rescue crisis, jointly produced by Ajay Kapoor Productions and Vikrant Studio. Releasing a teaser motion poster, the team has offered a glimpse into the patriotic film.&nbsp;

Inspired by real events, Garud presents a fictionalised depiction of the rescue mission in Afghanistan, based on the story of an officer in the Garud Commando Force, a special forces unit of the Indian Air Force.&nbsp;

Having backed films like Parmanu (2018), Romeo Akbar Walter (2019) as well as being associated with Baby (2015) and Airlift (2016), Ajay Kapoor returns to the same zone with his upcoming films Attack and Garud, collaborating with Subhash Kale after working together on Roy (2015) and All Is Well (2015).&nbsp;

Ajay Kapoor shares, "Subhash and I go long way and have been friends since years, when he approached me for Garud, I was really hooked to the script and instantly came on board. The film narrates inspirational, patriotic story with a strong emotional connect, we are looking forward to mount the story on a large scale to give proper justice to the script. "

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="424" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/74cJs_2kkSM" title="YouTube video player" width="710"></iframe>

Subhash Kale shares, "Garud is a very special project to me, I have been working on developing a script like this for a long time and I am glad that the film is finally materialising with a brilliant producer like Ajay Kapoor. It is my passion project and I want to give it the best treatment possible, we are aiming to offer an international look to the film, taking inspiration from real life events."

'Garud' is slated to release in theaters on&nbsp;August 15, 2022.

Filmmakers Ajay Kapoor and Subhash Kale announce their upcoming big-budget film titled 'Garud' inspired by the true events of Afghan rescue crisis, jointly produced by Ajay Kapoor Productions and Vikrant Studio.

Filmmakers Ajay Kapoor and Subhash Kale announce their upcoming big-budget film titled 'Garud' inspired by the true events of Afghan rescue crisis, jointly produced by Ajay Kapoor Productions and Vikrant Studio. Releasing a teaser motion poster, the team has offered a glimpse into the patriotic film. Inspired by real events, Garud presents a fictionalised depiction of the rescue mission in Afghanistan, based on the story of an officer in the Garud Commando Force, a special forces unit of the Indian Air Force. Having backed films like Parmanu (2018), Romeo Akbar Walter (2019) as well as being associated with Baby (2015) and Airlift (2016), Ajay Kapoor returns to the same zone with his upcoming films Attack and Garud, collaborating with Subhash Kale after working together on Roy (2015) and All Is Well (2015). Ajay Kapoor shares, "Subhash and I go long way and have been friends since years, when he approached me for Garud, I was really hooked to the script and instantly came on board. The film narrates inspirational, patriotic story with a strong emotional connect, we are looking forward to mount the story on a large scale to give proper justice to the script. " Subhash Kale shares, "Garud is a very special project to me, I have been working on developing a script like this for a long time and I am glad that the film is finally materialising with a brilliant producer like Ajay Kapoor. It is my passion project and I want to give it the best treatment possible, we are aiming to offer an international look to the film, taking inspiration from real life events." 'Garud' is slated to release in theaters on August 15, 2022.

Ajay Kapoor and Subhash Kale announce 'Garud' based on Afghanistan rescue crisis

A video clip of a Pakistani girl supporting the Taliban has gone viral on social media. In the video, the girl smiles and claims to support the militant group that took control of Afghanistan a month ago.

Pakistan: Video of Pak girl supporting Taliban goes viral

Afghanistan has vast minerals reserves which are all worthy of trillion dollars and are now in the hand of Taliban fighters. In this report watch all details of copper mines from Logar Province.

China's Jiangxi copper & MCC to develop Mes Aynak Copper Mine

Afghanistan's new Sports Minister has now assured that the Taliban will not ban any sports from swimming to soccer even horse riding but refused to clarify whether women in the country would be allowed to play even a single of those 400 sports.

Taliban: Sports allowed but only for men

The citizens of Afghanistan have been facing a dire threat to their human rights. The essential services in the country are facing disruptions. United Nations has held a humanitarian conference on Afghanistan.

United Nations High Commissioner for refugees speaks to WION

Thousands of Afghan refugees are rebuilding their lives in foreign countries. Maro Wardak tells you how they are juggling a painful past and a hopeful future.

South Asia Diary: Afghan refugees rebuild their lives

United Nations holds humanitarian conference on Afghanistan

During Taliban's press conference in Afghanistan, WION's correspondent, Anas Mallick asked Taliban FM Ameer Muttaqi on their Kashmir policy. The stand that Taliban took was to stand by the oppressed.

WION's Anas Mallick asks Taliban on their stand on Kashmir issue

Taliban fighters have taken over the Bagram Military Base. Earlier it was under the control of United States troops and was crucial logistical spot for them.

Afghanistan: Taliban fighters have taken over Bagram Military Base

WION asks Taliban on its Kashmir policy

Mullah Baradar has gone from PM-in-waiting to 'missing in action'. Social media is abuzz with rumours of his injury and death. Palki Sharma tells you why these theories represent a larger battle within the Taliban.

Gravitas: Is Mullah Baradar dead or missing?

For years innocent civilians have been paying the price for the US war on terror. US intel have led to the killing of an aid worker and members of his family including children.

Afghanistan: 10 civilians killed due to faulty intelligence ?

Taliban foreign minister held his first press conference after the takeover of Afghanistan.

Taliban FM holds press conference

The Taliban are killing civilians in Panjshir Valley, said a report by BBC. It said that it had evidence of such killings. Taiban have already declared that they have complete control over the valley but the resistance fighters have contested the claim.

The BBC report referred to a video of a man being gunned down by Taliban fighters at roadside in Panjshir. There have reportedly been 20 such deaths across Panjshir.&nbsp;

Panjshir has remained at the focus of resistance in Afghanistan since times of Soviet invasion. The fighters in the valley repelled Soviet attacks and later, Taliban onslaught. Panjshir Valley has geographical advantage as it is surrounded by mountain peaks making effective defence possible.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-co-founder-abdul-ghani-baradar-releases-audio-statement-amid-rumours-of-death-412791">Taliban co-founder Abdul Ghani Baradar releases audio statement amid rumours of death</a>

This time however, Taliban have claimed to have control of the valley. A video surfaced earlier this month that showed Taliban fighters entering the governor's house in Panjshir and raising their flag. The claim of fall of Panjshir however, has been contested by resistance fighters who say that they continue to repel the Taliban. Ahmad Massoud, leader of the resistance has called for a "national uprising" in Afghanistan.

When the Taliban entered the valley, a Taliban spokesperson had been quoted as saying that they were there to "protect" the people and their families. However, reports emerging from the region appear to paint a different picture

The Taliban are killing civilians in Panjshir Valley, said a report by BBC. It said that it had evidence of such killings. Taiban have already declared that they have complete control over the valley but the resistance fighters have contested the claim.

The Taliban are killing civilians in Panjshir Valley, said a report by BBC. It said that it had evidence of such killings. Taiban have already declared that they have complete control over the valley but the resistance fighters have contested the claim. The BBC report referred to a video of a man being gunned down by Taliban fighters at roadside in Panjshir. There have reportedly been 20 such deaths across Panjshir. Panjshir has remained at the focus of resistance in Afghanistan since times of Soviet invasion. The fighters in the valley repelled Soviet attacks and later, Taliban onslaught. Panjshir Valley has geographical advantage as it is surrounded by mountain peaks making effective defence possible. Also Read | Taliban co-founder Abdul Ghani Baradar releases audio statement amid rumours of death This time however, Taliban have claimed to have control of the valley. A video surfaced earlier this month that showed Taliban fighters entering the governor's house in Panjshir and raising their flag. The claim of fall of Panjshir however, has been contested by resistance fighters who say that they continue to repel the Taliban. Ahmad Massoud, leader of the resistance has called for a "national uprising" in Afghanistan. When the Taliban entered the valley, a Taliban spokesperson had been quoted as saying that they were there to "protect" the people and their families. However, reports emerging from the region appear to paint a different picture

Taliban killing civilians in Panjshir Valley, says report

Taliban foreign minister held his first press conference. In his presser, he accused the US of handling the Afghan property badly.

Taliban Foreign Minister holds first press briefing, accuses the US of mishandling Afghan property

Taliban soldiers belied their stern image when they enjoyed a day out at Kabul City Park The amusement park had been noticeably empty since the Taliban took power back in August and like many other venues it has been taken over by the new government.

Taliban riding the dodgem cars at Kabul amusement park

Thousands of Afghans protested against the Taliban in the southern city of Kandahar on Tuesday, according to a former government official and local television footage, after residents were asked to vacate a residential army colony.

Protesters gathered in front of the governor`s house in Kandahar after around 3,000 families were asked to leave the colony, according to the former government official who witnessed the crowds.

Footage from local media showed crowds of people blocking a road in the city.

The affected area is predominantly occupied by the families of retired army generals and other members of the Afghan security forces.

The families, some of whom had lived in the district for almost 30 years, had been given three days to vacate, the official, who had spoken to some of those affected, said.

Taliban spokesmen did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the evictions.

Sporadic protests against the Taliban, who swept to power in Afghanistan with the capture of Kabul almost a month ago, have ended in occasionally deadly clashes, although there were no confirmed reports of violence on Tuesday.

Taliban leaders have vowed to investigate any instances of abuse, but have ordered demonstrators to seek permission before holding protests.

The United Nations said on Friday the Taliban`s response to peaceful protests was becoming increasingly violent.

Thousands of Afghans protested against the Taliban in the southern city of Kandahar on Tuesday, according to a former government official and local television footage, after residents were asked to vacate a residential army colony.

Thousands of Afghans protested against the Taliban in the southern city of Kandahar on Tuesday, according to a former government official and local television footage, after residents were asked to vacate a residential army colony. Protesters gathered in front of the governor`s house in Kandahar after around 3,000 families were asked to leave the colony, according to the former government official who witnessed the crowds. Footage from local media showed crowds of people blocking a road in the city. The affected area is predominantly occupied by the families of retired army generals and other members of the Afghan security forces. The families, some of whom had lived in the district for almost 30 years, had been given three days to vacate, the official, who had spoken to some of those affected, said. Taliban spokesmen did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the evictions. Sporadic protests against the Taliban, who swept to power in Afghanistan with the capture of Kabul almost a month ago, have ended in occasionally deadly clashes, although there were no confirmed reports of violence on Tuesday. Taliban leaders have vowed to investigate any instances of abuse, but have ordered demonstrators to seek permission before holding protests. The United Nations said on Friday the Taliban`s response to peaceful protests was becoming increasingly violent.

Thousands protest against Taliban in Kandahar over evictions

After the withdrawal of US troops US, Afghanistan continues facing catastrophic humanitarian situation. To deal with this situation UN has granted $1 Billion as an humanitarian aid. Watch this video to know more details.

UNHCR warns of a mass exodus in Afghanistan

The Taliban’s record in recent weeks on making good on promises to respect human and women’s rights as well as uphold freedom of the press is mixed at best. Afghanistan’s neighbours and near-neighbours are not holding their breath even if some are willing to give the Central Asian country’s new rulers the benefit of the doubt.

A litmus test of Taliban willingness to compromise may come sooner than later.

It’s most likely only a matter of time before China knocks on newly appointed Afghan acting interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani’s door demanding the extradition of Uighur fighters.

The Chinese demand would be challenging not only because of the Taliban’s consistent rejection, no matter the cost, of requests for the expulsion of militants who have helped them in their battles.

The Taliban already made that clear two decades ago when they accepted the risk of a US invasion of Afghanistan in the wake of 9/11 by refusing for the umpteenth time to hand over Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. There is little in Taliban 2.0 that suggests that this has changed.

If Haneef Atamar, the foreign minister in the US-backed Afghan government of former president Ashraf Ghani, is to be believed, Uighurs, including one-time fighters in Syria, contributed significantly to the Taliban’s most recent battlefield successes in northern Afghanistan.

A demand to extradite Uighurs to China would also be challenging because Mr Haqqani himself, the Afghan official in charge of internal security, is a wanted man with a $5 million US bounty on his head. Moreover, the United Nations has sanctioned Mr Haqqani’s prime minister, Mullah Hasan Akhund, and several other members of the caretaker government.

“It’s hard to see a wanted man turning over someone who is wanted for similar reasons,” said a Western diplomat.

Moreover, honouring extradition requests could threaten unity within the Taliban’s ranks. "Taliban actions against foreign jihadist groups to appease neighbouring countries would be especially controversial, because there is quite a widespread sense of solidarity and comradeship with those who fought alongside the Taliban for so long," said Afghanistan scholar Antonio Giustozzi.

Unanswered is the question of whether China would go along with what seems to be an unspoken international consensus that it may be best not to seek extraditions if the Taliban keep their word and prevent militants from striking at targets beyond Afghanistan.

Counterterrorism experts and diplomats argue that if forced, the Taliban would quietly let foreign militants leave their country rather than hand them over. That would make it difficult to monitor these individuals.

China has in recent years successfully demanded the extradition of its Turkish Muslim citizens from countries like Egypt, Malaysia, and Thailand and has pressured many more to do so even though they were not suspected of being foreign fighters and/or members of the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP). The United Nations Security Council has designated TIP’s predecessor, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) as a terrorist organisation.

There is little reason to assume that China would make Afghanistan, a refuge from Syria for Uighur fighters, the exception.&nbsp;

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi made that clear when he hinted at possible extradition requests during talks in July in China with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the Taliban and the new government’s first deputy prime minister. Mr Wang demanded that the Taliban break relations with all militant groups and take resolute action against the TIP.

Moreover, the Taliban may have destroyed any chance of Chinese reliance on them by demonstrating early on that they and the international community may be speaking different languages even if they use the same words.

The Taliban made clear that their definition of inclusivity, a term the group and the international community, including China, Russia and India, appeared to agree on, was very different. The Taliban formed an overwhelming ethnic, all-male government that was anything but inclusive by the universally agreed meaning of the word.

Similarly, Mr Haqqani and his colleagues, including Qari Fasihuddin Badakhshani, the Afghan military’s new Taliban chief of staff, a Tajik and one of only three non-Pashtuns in the new 33-member government structure, is believed to have close ties to Uighur, Pakistani and other militants.&nbsp;

As a result, they are likely to be equally reticent about entertaining Chinese-backed Pakistan requests for the transfer of members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), more commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban.

The TTP is a coalition of Pashtun Islamist groups with close ties to the Afghan Taliban that last year joined forces with several other militant Pakistani groups, including Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a violently anti-Shiite Sunni Muslim supremacist organization.&nbsp;

Hazara Shiites, who account for 20 per cent of the Afghan population were not included in the newly appointed Afghan government even though the Taliban made a point of last month protecting Shiite religious celebrations. Nonetheless, the Taliban’s notion of inclusivity has already troubled relations with Iran and could persuade the Islamic republic to covertly support resistance to the group’s rule.

China fears that the fallout of the Taliban’s sweep across Afghanistan could affect China beyond Afghanistan’s borders, perhaps no more so than in Pakistan, a major focus of the People’s Republic’s single largest Belt-and Road (BRI)-related investment.

The killing in July of nine Chinese nationals in an attack on a bus transporting Chinese workers to the construction site of a dam in the northern mountains of Pakistan raised the spectre of Afghanistan-based religious militants jihadists targeting China. Until now, it was mainly Baloch nationalists who targeted the Chinese in Pakistan.

The attack occurred amid fears that the Taliban victory would bolster ultra-conservative religious sentiment in Pakistan where many celebrated the group’s success in the hope that it would boost chances for austere religious rule in the world’s second-most populous Muslim-majority state.

“Our jihadis will be emboldened. They will say that ‘if America can be beaten, what is the Pakistan army to stand in our way?’” said a senior Pakistani official.

Indicating concern in Beijing, China has delayed the signing of a framework agreement on industrial cooperation that would have accelerated the implementation of projects that are part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a crown jewel of the People’s Republic’s transportation, telecommunications and energy-driven BRI.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid recently kept the Taliban’s relationship with the TTP ambiguous.

"The issue of the TTP is one that Pakistan will have to deal with, not Afghanistan. It is up to Pakistan, and Pakistani Islamic scholars and religious figures, not the Taliban, to decide on the legitimacy or illegitimacy of their war and to formulate a strategy in response," Mr Mujahid said during an interview on a Pakistani television program. The spokesman stopped short of saying the Taliban would abide by a decision of the scholars.

Afghan sources suggest that the Taliban advised the TTP to restrict their fight to Pakistani soil and have offered to negotiate with the Pakistan government an amnesty and the return of the Pakistani militants to the South Asian nation. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Uncertainty about where the Taliban may be taking Afghanistan has also cast a shadow over Indian hopes that the Iranian port of Chabahar would facilitate trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia and counterbalance the Chinese-supported Pakistani port of Gwadar.

Eager to maintain leverage in its relations with Pakistan as well as China, Taliban official Sher Mohammed Abbas Stanekzai chose his words carefully by stressing that economics should be at the centre of Afghan-Indian relations. “We give due importance to our political, economic and trade ties with India and we want these ties to continue. We are looking forward to working with India in this regard,” Mr Stanekzai said.

Mr. Stanekzai’s business-focused approach coupled with the pressure on Taliban to police militants on Afghan soil, some of whom have attacked India in the past, dovetails with Islamic scholars in the Deobandi alma mater in the Uttar Pradesh town of Deoband stressing the divide between themselves and their Afghan and Pakistani brethren.&nbsp;

The Indian Deobandi posture created an opportunity that the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has yet to grasp to involve them in India’s backchannel and direct contacts with the Taliban. India invested US$3 billion over the last 20 years in building Afghan roads, girls' schools and health clinics. Mr. Stanekzai’s remarks indicate that the Taliban would like India to continue its investments in the country.

The Taliban as well as a significant number of Pakistani ultra-conservatives root their worldview in Deobandism, a strand of Islam that emerged in India in the mid-19th century to oppose British colonial rule by propagating an austere interpretation of the faith. Deobandism became prevalent among Pashtuns even if Deobandis in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India went their separate ways after the 1947 partition of the subcontinent.

Arshad Madani, the principal of the Darul Uloom Deoband, the original Deobandi madrassa established in 1886, recently welcomed a decision by India’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) to set up a training centre in Deoband.

“There is nothing wrong with what we teach, and we welcome the ATS staff to be a part of our classes whenever they like,” Mr. Madani said. A spokesman for the madrassa added that “we are a religious school, but we are also Indians. To doubt our integrity every time the Taliban spread terror is shameful.”

Mr. Madani’s posture should serve as an incentive for the Modi government to work with Indian Deobandis in the hope that the Taliban may be more willing to listen to religious figures with whom they share a history.

Mr. Madani has never had contact with the Taliban nor has he ever visited Afghanistan. “I'm weak and old,” says the 80-year-old cleric. “But if given the chance, I would go to Afghanistan.”

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

The Taliban’s record in recent weeks on making good on promises to respect human and women’s rights as well as uphold freedom of the press is mixed at best. Afghanistan’s neighbours and near-neighbours are not holding their breath even if some are willing to give the Central Asian country’s new rulers the benefit of the doubt.

The Taliban’s record in recent weeks on making good on promises to respect human and women’s rights as well as uphold freedom of the press is mixed at best. Afghanistan’s neighbours and near-neighbours are not holding their breath even if some are willing to give the Central Asian country’s new rulers the benefit of the doubt. A litmus test of Taliban willingness to compromise may come sooner than later. It’s most likely only a matter of time before China knocks on newly appointed Afghan acting interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani’s door demanding the extradition of Uighur fighters. The Chinese demand would be challenging not only because of the Taliban’s consistent rejection, no matter the cost, of requests for the expulsion of militants who have helped them in their battles. The Taliban already made that clear two decades ago when they accepted the risk of a US invasion of Afghanistan in the wake of 9/11 by refusing for the umpteenth time to hand over Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. There is little in Taliban 2.0 that suggests that this has changed. If Haneef Atamar, the foreign minister in the US-backed Afghan government of former president Ashraf Ghani, is to be believed, Uighurs, including one-time fighters in Syria, contributed significantly to the Taliban’s most recent battlefield successes in northern Afghanistan. A demand to extradite Uighurs to China would also be challenging because Mr Haqqani himself, the Afghan official in charge of internal security, is a wanted man with a $5 million US bounty on his head. Moreover, the United Nations has sanctioned Mr Haqqani’s prime minister, Mullah Hasan Akhund, and several other members of the caretaker government. “It’s hard to see a wanted man turning over someone who is wanted for similar reasons,” said a Western diplomat. Moreover, honouring extradition requests could threaten unity within the Taliban’s ranks. "Taliban actions against foreign jihadist groups to appease neighbouring countries would be especially controversial, because there is quite a widespread sense of solidarity and comradeship with those who fought alongside the Taliban for so long," said Afghanistan scholar Antonio Giustozzi. Unanswered is the question of whether China would go along with what seems to be an unspoken international consensus that it may be best not to seek extraditions if the Taliban keep their word and prevent militants from striking at targets beyond Afghanistan. Counterterrorism experts and diplomats argue that if forced, the Taliban would quietly let foreign militants leave their country rather than hand them over. That would make it difficult to monitor these individuals. China has in recent years successfully demanded the extradition of its Turkish Muslim citizens from countries like Egypt, Malaysia, and Thailand and has pressured many more to do so even though they were not suspected of being foreign fighters and/or members of the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP). The United Nations Security Council has designated TIP’s predecessor, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) as a terrorist organisation. There is little reason to assume that China would make Afghanistan, a refuge from Syria for Uighur fighters, the exception. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi made that clear when he hinted at possible extradition requests during talks in July in China with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the Taliban and the new government’s first deputy prime minister. Mr Wang demanded that the Taliban break relations with all militant groups and take resolute action against the TIP. Moreover, the Taliban may have destroyed any chance of Chinese reliance on them by demonstrating early on that they and the international community may be speaking different languages even if they use the same words. The Taliban made clear that their definition of inclusivity, a term the group and the international community, including China, Russia and India, appeared to agree on, was very different. The Taliban formed an overwhelming ethnic, all-male government that was anything but inclusive by the universally agreed meaning of the word. Similarly, Mr Haqqani and his colleagues, including Qari Fasihuddin Badakhshani, the Afghan military’s new Taliban chief of staff, a Tajik and one of only three non-Pashtuns in the new 33-member government structure, is believed to have close ties to Uighur, Pakistani and other militants. As a result, they are likely to be equally reticent about entertaining Chinese-backed Pakistan requests for the transfer of members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), more commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban. The TTP is a coalition of Pashtun Islamist groups with close ties to the Afghan Taliban that last year joined forces with several other militant Pakistani groups, including Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a violently anti-Shiite Sunni Muslim supremacist organization. Hazara Shiites, who account for 20 per cent of the Afghan population were not included in the newly appointed Afghan government even though the Taliban made a point of last month protecting Shiite religious celebrations. Nonetheless, the Taliban’s notion of inclusivity has already troubled relations with Iran and could persuade the Islamic republic to covertly support resistance to the group’s rule. China fears that the fallout of the Taliban’s sweep across Afghanistan could affect China beyond Afghanistan’s borders, perhaps no more so than in Pakistan, a major focus of the People’s Republic’s single largest Belt-and Road (BRI)-related investment. The killing in July of nine Chinese nationals in an attack on a bus transporting Chinese workers to the construction site of a dam in the northern mountains of Pakistan raised the spectre of Afghanistan-based religious militants jihadists targeting China. Until now, it was mainly Baloch nationalists who targeted the Chinese in Pakistan. The attack occurred amid fears that the Taliban victory would bolster ultra-conservative religious sentiment in Pakistan where many celebrated the group’s success in the hope that it would boost chances for austere religious rule in the world’s second-most populous Muslim-majority state. “Our jihadis will be emboldened. They will say that ‘if America can be beaten, what is the Pakistan army to stand in our way?’” said a senior Pakistani official. Indicating concern in Beijing, China has delayed the signing of a framework agreement on industrial cooperation that would have accelerated the implementation of projects that are part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a crown jewel of the People’s Republic’s transportation, telecommunications and energy-driven BRI. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid recently kept the Taliban’s relationship with the TTP ambiguous. "The issue of the TTP is one that Pakistan will have to deal with, not Afghanistan. It is up to Pakistan, and Pakistani Islamic scholars and religious figures, not the Taliban, to decide on the legitimacy or illegitimacy of their war and to formulate a strategy in response," Mr Mujahid said during an interview on a Pakistani television program. The spokesman stopped short of saying the Taliban would abide by a decision of the scholars. Afghan sources suggest that the Taliban advised the TTP to restrict their fight to Pakistani soil and have offered to negotiate with the Pakistan government an amnesty and the return of the Pakistani militants to the South Asian nation. Uncertainty about where the Taliban may be taking Afghanistan has also cast a shadow over Indian hopes that the Iranian port of Chabahar would facilitate trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia and counterbalance the Chinese-supported Pakistani port of Gwadar. Eager to maintain leverage in its relations with Pakistan as well as China, Taliban official Sher Mohammed Abbas Stanekzai chose his words carefully by stressing that economics should be at the centre of Afghan-Indian relations. “We give due importance to our political, economic and trade ties with India and we want these ties to continue. We are looking forward to working with India in this regard,” Mr Stanekzai said. Mr. Stanekzai’s business-focused approach coupled with the pressure on Taliban to police militants on Afghan soil, some of whom have attacked India in the past, dovetails with Islamic scholars in the Deobandi alma mater in the Uttar Pradesh town of Deoband stressing the divide between themselves and their Afghan and Pakistani brethren. The Indian Deobandi posture created an opportunity that the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has yet to grasp to involve them in India’s backchannel and direct contacts with the Taliban. India invested US$3 billion over the last 20 years in building Afghan roads, girls' schools and health clinics. Mr. Stanekzai’s remarks indicate that the Taliban would like India to continue its investments in the country. The Taliban as well as a significant number of Pakistani ultra-conservatives root their worldview in Deobandism, a strand of Islam that emerged in India in the mid-19th century to oppose British colonial rule by propagating an austere interpretation of the faith. Deobandism became prevalent among Pashtuns even if Deobandis in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India went their separate ways after the 1947 partition of the subcontinent. Arshad Madani, the principal of the Darul Uloom Deoband, the original Deobandi madrassa established in 1886, recently welcomed a decision by India’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) to set up a training centre in Deoband. “There is nothing wrong with what we teach, and we welcome the ATS staff to be a part of our classes whenever they like,” Mr. Madani said. A spokesman for the madrassa added that “we are a religious school, but we are also Indians. To doubt our integrity every time the Taliban spread terror is shameful.” Mr. Madani’s posture should serve as an incentive for the Modi government to work with Indian Deobandis in the hope that the Taliban may be more willing to listen to religious figures with whom they share a history. Mr. Madani has never had contact with the Taliban nor has he ever visited Afghanistan. “I'm weak and old,” says the 80-year-old cleric. “But if given the chance, I would go to Afghanistan.” (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion | Initial Taliban moves fail to convince Afghanistan’s neighbours

According to the head of the International Federation of Journalists, journalism in Afghanistan is in danger of disappearing. He said that reporters trying to continue working under the Taliban have been subjected to beatings and imprisonment. &nbsp;

“The Taliban don’t want to make too many waves right now, but they will want to take control of everything, including the foreign press in Afghanistan,” Anthony Bellanger, secretary general, IFJ told the Guardian. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Future of Mes-Aynak post Taliban takeover

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“And as often happens in such situations, foreign journalists will be considered agents of foreign governments. I believe what we will see emerge is an official media – a Taliban media – and no women. All other journalists will just disappear. It wasn’t easy before – and even before the Taliban took power, journalists were killed – but it is very bleak now,” added Bellanger.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The IFJ secretary general believes there is currently a “grace” period before the Taliban cracks down on international and Afghan journalists. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/are-two-top-taliban-leaders-alive-several-questions-arise-after-disappearance-413010" hreflang="en">Are two top Taliban leaders alive? Several questions arise after disappearance</a>

“It’s a question of weeks before it changes. I am pessimistic – I will be glad to be proved wrong, but the Taliban is still the Taliban. They announced an inclusive government and what did we get – no women. It’s a catastrophe,” added the official. &nbsp;

IFJ representatives are in close contact with colleagues in Afghanistan and believe about 1,300 journalists remain in the country, of which about 220 are women. The IFJ is affiliated with Afghanistan’s National Journalists’ Union and the Afghan Independent Journalists’ Association.&nbsp;

According to the head of the International Federation of Journalists, journalism in Afghanistan is in danger of disappearing. He said that reporters trying to continue working under the Taliban have been subjected to beatings and imprisonment.

According to the head of the International Federation of Journalists, journalism in Afghanistan is in danger of disappearing. He said that reporters trying to continue working under the Taliban have been subjected to beatings and imprisonment. “The Taliban don’t want to make too many waves right now, but they will want to take control of everything, including the foreign press in Afghanistan,” Anthony Bellanger, secretary general, IFJ told the Guardian. Watch: Future of Mes-Aynak post Taliban takeover × “And as often happens in such situations, foreign journalists will be considered agents of foreign governments. I believe what we will see emerge is an official media – a Taliban media – and no women. All other journalists will just disappear. It wasn’t easy before – and even before the Taliban took power, journalists were killed – but it is very bleak now,” added Bellanger. The IFJ secretary general believes there is currently a “grace” period before the Taliban cracks down on international and Afghan journalists. Also Read: Are two top Taliban leaders alive? Several questions arise after disappearance “It’s a question of weeks before it changes. I am pessimistic – I will be glad to be proved wrong, but the Taliban is still the Taliban. They announced an inclusive government and what did we get – no women. It’s a catastrophe,” added the official. IFJ representatives are in close contact with colleagues in Afghanistan and believe about 1,300 journalists remain in the country, of which about 220 are women. The IFJ is affiliated with Afghanistan’s National Journalists’ Union and the Afghan Independent Journalists’ Association.

Journalism in Afghanistan in danger of disappearing, says scribes’ body head

Future of Mes-Aynak post Taliban takeover

The United Nations which has warned of a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover is convening an aid conference in Geneva on Monday in an effort to raise more than $600 million for the Afghans.

UN hopes to raise over $600 million to avert humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan

Qatar’s foreign minister Abdulrahman held talks with the prime minister of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan during a visit to the war-torn country. It is being seen as the highest diplomatic level delegation to visit Kabul since the Taliban announced their interim Cabinet.

Qatar's foreign minister visits Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the international community to engage with the Taliban to prevent Afghanistan's economy from collapsing completely.

"It is hard to give humanitarian assistance within Afghanistan without engaging with the de facto authorities," Guterres told journalists on the sidelines of a donor conference, adding that working with the Taliban was "extremely necessary at the moment."&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/amid-cash-crunch-fleeing-afghans-sell-possessions-at-kabuls-busy-bazaars-412774">Also read | Amid cash crunch, fleeing Afghans sell possessions at Kabul's busy bazaars</a>

The United Nations has requested the international community to contribute $606 million to Afghanistan, where poverty and hunger have increased dramatically since the Taliban took power, and billions in foreign aid have dried up due to Western mistrust of the new leadership.&nbsp; 
 
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-can-study-but-in-gender-segregated-classrooms-taliban-minister-412606">Afghan women can study but in gender-segregated classrooms: Taliban Minister</a>

After decades of war, suffering and insecurity, Afghans are facing "perhaps their most perilous hour", UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday in his opening remarks to a conference in Geneva seeking aid for Afghanistan, adding that "the people of Afghanistan need a lifeline.

"Let us be clear: This conference is not simply about what we will give to the people of Afghanistan. It is about what we owe," he said.

Between 1996 and 2001, the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, prohibiting women from working and preventing young girls from attending school. They were deposed in an operation led by the United States, which accused them of sheltering al-Qaeda militants responsible for the September 11 attacks.

Last month, the Taliban surged back to power in a rapid sweep when the last US-led NATO troops withdrew and the Western-backed government's forces melted away.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the international community to engage with the Taliban to prevent Afghanistan's economy from collapsing completely.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the international community to engage with the Taliban to prevent Afghanistan's economy from collapsing completely. "It is hard to give humanitarian assistance within Afghanistan without engaging with the de facto authorities," Guterres told journalists on the sidelines of a donor conference, adding that working with the Taliban was "extremely necessary at the moment." Also read | Amid cash crunch, fleeing Afghans sell possessions at Kabul's busy bazaars The United Nations has requested the international community to contribute $606 million to Afghanistan, where poverty and hunger have increased dramatically since the Taliban took power, and billions in foreign aid have dried up due to Western mistrust of the new leadership. Also Read | Afghan women can study but in gender-segregated classrooms: Taliban Minister After decades of war, suffering and insecurity, Afghans are facing "perhaps their most perilous hour", UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday in his opening remarks to a conference in Geneva seeking aid for Afghanistan, adding that "the people of Afghanistan need a lifeline. "Let us be clear: This conference is not simply about what we will give to the people of Afghanistan. It is about what we owe," he said. Between 1996 and 2001, the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, prohibiting women from working and preventing young girls from attending school. They were deposed in an operation led by the United States, which accused them of sheltering al-Qaeda militants responsible for the September 11 attacks. Last month, the Taliban surged back to power in a rapid sweep when the last US-led NATO troops withdrew and the Western-backed government's forces melted away. (With inputs from agencies)

Engage with Taliban to avert total collapse of Afghan economy: UN chief Antonio Guterres

Afghan women have returned to their job at the Kabul international airport weeks after the Taliban took over Afghanistan. These 12 brave women are among 80 employed at the airport.

12 Afghan women return to work at Kabul international airport

Afghan women have taken to the streets in groups large and small to protest against Taliban rule, the regime's new curbs on their rights, and Pakistan's influence in Afghanistan.

Afghan women protest against Taliban restrictions, fearing curbs on women's rights

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