The first commercial flight from Qatar Airways has arrived in Kabul. Taliban authorities have agreed to allow 200 Americans and several other foreign nationals still in Afghanistan to leave the country.

First commercial flight arrives at Kabul airport

According to UN officials, a lack of clarity on the Taliban's position on women in Afghanistan has generated "incredible fear" across the country.

UN officials warn of 'incredible fear' among women across Afghanistan

According to a US official, 200 Americans and other foreigners who remain in Afghanistan will leave the war-torn country on charter planes from Kabul on Thursday after the new Taliban leadership consented to their evacuation.

The flights will be among the first international flights to exit Kabul airport since Islamist militias seized control of the capital in mid-August, sparking a chaotic US-led evacuation of 124,000 foreigners and at-risk Afghans.&nbsp;

The action comes just two days after the Taliban proclaimed an interim government made up mostly of ethnic Pashtun men, including wanted terror suspects and Islamist hardliners, crushing international hopes for a more moderate government. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-use-whips-and-sticks-on-afghan-women-protesting-the-all-male-government-411861">Also read | Taliban use whips and sticks on Afghan women protesting the all-male government</a> 
 
According to a US official who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity, the Taliban were pressured to accept the travel of US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad.

The official could not tell whether the American civilians and other foreign nationals were among those who had been stranded for days in Mazar-i-ShariI, in northern Afghanistan, since their private charters had been denied permission to exit.&nbsp;

The Taliban's introduction of a new government on Tuesday was generally interpreted as a hint that they were not aiming to widen their base and project a more tolerant image to the world, as they had promised before their military takeover. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-brutally-flog-and-torture-afghan-journalists-for-covering-womens-protests-411832">Also read | Taliban brutally flog and torture Afghan journalists for covering women's protests</a>

On Wednesday, foreign countries greeted the interim administration with caution and dismay.

Dozens of women took to the streets in Kabul to protest.

Many critics urged the leadership to uphold basic human rights and resuscitate the economy, which is on the verge of collapse due to high inflation, food shortages, and the threat of foreign aid cuts as countries strive to isolate the Taliban.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

According to a US official, 200 Americans and other foreigners who remain in Afghanistan will leave the war-torn country on charter planes from Kabul on Thursday after the new Taliban leadership consented to their evacuation.

According to a US official, 200 Americans and other foreigners who remain in Afghanistan will leave the war-torn country on charter planes from Kabul on Thursday after the new Taliban leadership consented to their evacuation. The flights will be among the first international flights to exit Kabul airport since Islamist militias seized control of the capital in mid-August, sparking a chaotic US-led evacuation of 124,000 foreigners and at-risk Afghans. The action comes just two days after the Taliban proclaimed an interim government made up mostly of ethnic Pashtun men, including wanted terror suspects and Islamist hardliners, crushing international hopes for a more moderate government. Also read | Taliban use whips and sticks on Afghan women protesting the all-male government According to a US official who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity, the Taliban were pressured to accept the travel of US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad. The official could not tell whether the American civilians and other foreign nationals were among those who had been stranded for days in Mazar-i-ShariI, in northern Afghanistan, since their private charters had been denied permission to exit. The Taliban's introduction of a new government on Tuesday was generally interpreted as a hint that they were not aiming to widen their base and project a more tolerant image to the world, as they had promised before their military takeover. Also read | Taliban brutally flog and torture Afghan journalists for covering women's protests On Wednesday, foreign countries greeted the interim administration with caution and dismay. Dozens of women took to the streets in Kabul to protest. Many critics urged the leadership to uphold basic human rights and resuscitate the economy, which is on the verge of collapse due to high inflation, food shortages, and the threat of foreign aid cuts as countries strive to isolate the Taliban. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban agree to evacuation of 200 Americans, other foreigners from Afghanistan

Taliban authorities have agreed to allow 200 Americans and several other foreign nationals still in Afghanistan to leave the country, one week after US troops and government officials completed their evacuation operation from the country. WION's Anas Mallick brings you a report.

Taliban agrees to allow 200 Americans and other foreigners to leave Afghanistan

In a sign that the Taliban may not be in a mood to allow vibrant,&nbsp;free media to flourish, horrific images of Afghan journalists beaten up and tortured by Taliban fighters have surfaced. Afghan newspaper Etilaat Roz has identified these journalists to be their employees.

Nematullah Naqdi and Taqi Daryabi, the journalists were reportedly targetted for covering anti-Taliban march organised by women in Kabul.

The images are disturbing. In one of the photos, the journalists have been clicked stripped down to their innerwear, their bodies showing scars and bruises.

<img alt="Afghan journalists torture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6ffc6ed6-9acc-4240-b83f-3d7fc7f57482" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_9MG28C.jpg" />

(Image source: AFP)

Etilaat Roz said that the journalists were covering the women's protest when they were abducted, taken to different rooms, beaten up and tortured.

The LA Times said that three other journalists including local head of Euronews, a pan-European news network were also abducted. Several other journalists were arrested.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-beat-protesting-women-with-whip-order-internet-shutdown-in-some-areas-411825">Taliban beat protesting women with whip, order internet shutdown in some areas</a>

After seizing power in the country last month, Taliban has maintained that it would grant freedom of press but their actions have not been reflective of their words.

Lats month, a Tolo news reporter Ziar Yaad Khan was believed to have been killed. Later it was revealed that he was held at gunpoint and assaulted by the Taliban.

A number of media personalities and journalists, including women journalists have been killed in Afghanistan ever since US pullout was declared.

In a sign that the Taliban may not be in a mood to allow vibrant, free media to flourish, horrific images of Afghan journalists beaten up and tortured by Taliban fighters have surfaced.

In a sign that the Taliban may not be in a mood to allow vibrant, free media to flourish, horrific images of Afghan journalists beaten up and tortured by Taliban fighters have surfaced. Afghan newspaper Etilaat Roz has identified these journalists to be their employees. Nematullah Naqdi and Taqi Daryabi, the journalists were reportedly targetted for covering anti-Taliban march organised by women in Kabul. The images are disturbing. In one of the photos, the journalists have been clicked stripped down to their innerwear, their bodies showing scars and bruises. (Image source: AFP) Etilaat Roz said that the journalists were covering the women's protest when they were abducted, taken to different rooms, beaten up and tortured. The LA Times said that three other journalists including local head of Euronews, a pan-European news network were also abducted. Several other journalists were arrested. Also Read: Taliban beat protesting women with whip, order internet shutdown in some areas After seizing power in the country last month, Taliban has maintained that it would grant freedom of press but their actions have not been reflective of their words. Lats month, a Tolo news reporter Ziar Yaad Khan was believed to have been killed. Later it was revealed that he was held at gunpoint and assaulted by the Taliban. A number of media personalities and journalists, including women journalists have been killed in Afghanistan ever since US pullout was declared.

Taliban brutally flog and torture Afghan journalists for covering women's protests

India and Russia held consultation on Afghanistan on Wednesday. In this, New Delhi pointed out that since Pakistan has links with Taliban and has been supporting international terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) and lashkar-e-taiba (LET), Islamabad has "special responsibility" to ensure that Afghan soil is not used to spread terrorism.

During the talks, India highlighted Pakistan's notorious spy agency ISI's links with LET and JEM, something that has been raised privately and publicly many times.

The talks were led by Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the visiting Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, General Nikolay Patrushev. This is the first visit of Patrushev to any foreign country after emergence of Taliban as the dominant force in Afghanistan.

Both sides saw the issue of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan as a threat to India and Central Asia. Three central Asian states, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan share border with Afghanistan, and the fear is that crisis can impact them as well. Both New Delhi and Moscow share close ties with these central Asian countries, with Russia being a major security and economic partner due to soviet connect.

During the talks, India expressed concerns over security of Afghan minorities — Hindus and Sikhs. In August, India&nbsp;evacuated over 500 people, more of 200 of which were Afghans, mainly from minority — Hindus and Sikhs.

A release by the Russian embassy on Doval-Nikolay talks said, both sides, "touched upon humanitarian and migration problems in this country, as well as prospects for the Russian-Indian joint efforts aimed at creating conditions for launching a peaceful settlement process on the basis of an intra-Afghan dialogue."

While both sides agreed that " that there is a lot of uncertainty" as situation "evolves rapidly in Afghanistan", sources explained that they had convergence of views on many issues — like the need for Taliban to adhere to promises and commitments it had made —like rights of women, minorities, flow of weapons to terror groups and smuggling across the Afghan border, Afghanistan becoming the hub of opium production and Islamic radicalization and extremism.

Both, Moscow&nbsp;and New Delhi, have decided to engage in concrete " forms of future bilateral cooperation" which includes close coordination, upgrading consultations and exchange of information.

The visiting top security official called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar. A release from the Indian PMO said, "Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the visit of the Russian delegation led by Secretary Patrushev at a time when major changes are taking place in the region" and asked him to convey "his thanks to President Putin for his constant attention towards the India-Russia Partnership."

India, Russia consultations on Afghanistan in Delhi on Wednesday was a direct outcome of the Indian PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin's talks on 24th August. In the 45 minute long conversation, both decided to form a "permanent bilateral channel" for consultations on Afghanistan.

The Russian release of Patrushev's call on of PM Modi said, "The two Sides reaffirmed their intention to strengthen coordination in the field of enhancing the regional stability, including on the Afghan direction".

India and Russia held consultation on Afghanistan on Wednesday. In this, New Delhi pointed out that since Pakistan has links with Taliban and has been supporting international terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) and lashkar-e-taiba (LET), Islamabad has "special responsibility" to ensure that Afghan soil is not used to spread terrorism.

India and Russia held consultation on Afghanistan on Wednesday. In this, New Delhi pointed out that since Pakistan has links with Taliban and has been supporting international terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) and lashkar-e-taiba (LET), Islamabad has "special responsibility" to ensure that Afghan soil is not used to spread terrorism. During the talks, India highlighted Pakistan's notorious spy agency ISI's links with LET and JEM, something that has been raised privately and publicly many times. The talks were led by Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the visiting Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, General Nikolay Patrushev. This is the first visit of Patrushev to any foreign country after emergence of Taliban as the dominant force in Afghanistan. Both sides saw the issue of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan as a threat to India and Central Asia. Three central Asian states, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan share border with Afghanistan, and the fear is that crisis can impact them as well. Both New Delhi and Moscow share close ties with these central Asian countries, with Russia being a major security and economic partner due to soviet connect. During the talks, India expressed concerns over security of Afghan minorities — Hindus and Sikhs. In August, India evacuated over 500 people, more of 200 of which were Afghans, mainly from minority — Hindus and Sikhs. A release by the Russian embassy on Doval-Nikolay talks said, both sides, "touched upon humanitarian and migration problems in this country, as well as prospects for the Russian-Indian joint efforts aimed at creating conditions for launching a peaceful settlement process on the basis of an intra-Afghan dialogue." While both sides agreed that " that there is a lot of uncertainty" as situation "evolves rapidly in Afghanistan", sources explained that they had convergence of views on many issues — like the need for Taliban to adhere to promises and commitments it had made —like rights of women, minorities, flow of weapons to terror groups and smuggling across the Afghan border, Afghanistan becoming the hub of opium production and Islamic radicalization and extremism. Both, Moscow and New Delhi, have decided to engage in concrete " forms of future bilateral cooperation" which includes close coordination, upgrading consultations and exchange of information. The visiting top security official called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar. A release from the Indian PMO said, "Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the visit of the Russian delegation led by Secretary Patrushev at a time when major changes are taking place in the region" and asked him to convey "his thanks to President Putin for his constant attention towards the India-Russia Partnership." India, Russia consultations on Afghanistan in Delhi on Wednesday was a direct outcome of the Indian PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin's talks on 24th August. In the 45 minute long conversation, both decided to form a "permanent bilateral channel" for consultations on Afghanistan. The Russian release of Patrushev's call on of PM Modi said, "The two Sides reaffirmed their intention to strengthen coordination in the field of enhancing the regional stability, including on the Afghan direction".

Pak should ensure Afghan soil is not used to spread terrorism: India to Russia

The newly installed Taliban regime will forbid Afghan women from playing cricket and other sports where their bodies might be seen.

Afghanistan: Taliban bans women from playing cricket, other sports

The new Taliban government in Afghanistan began work on Wednesday with the interim government drawn exclusively from the loyalist ranks.

Taliban faces a monumental task ahead of them with a crippled economy, drought and security challenges including from the local ISIS-K.

As they begin their transition to a&nbsp;"governing role", the group is already facing opposition to their rule amid protests&nbsp;from Afghans. There were demonstrations led by women in cities across the country.

In an effort to curb protests, the interior ministry has already issued its first order saying that prior permission was needed to hold any demonstration. It also warned journalists from covering such demonstrations adding that the group would not tolerate any resistance against its rule.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's new acting prime minister Mohammad Hasan Akhund has called on former officials who fled the country to return saying that the group will guarantee their safety.

Akhund told Al Jazeera&nbsp;channel&nbsp;that the government wanted to establish positive relations with countries in the region and beyond and would guarantee the security of diplomats, embassies and NGOs.

The new prime minister struck a conciliatory tone saying that the Taliban wanted only good for the Afghan people and they seek to establish an Islamic system.

The new head of the government also reiterated the group's promise of amnesty for anyone who worked alongside the US and backed the 2001 invasion saying that no one will be subject to revenge.

“No one will be able to prove that he was subjected to revenge and in such tense circumstances, it is easy to do what you want but the movement is disciplined and controls its gunmen and we have not harmed anyone because of his previous actions,” Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund said.

The makeup of the Taliban's interim government has already met with criticism with Afghan's noting the complete lack of women and poor ethnic representation with no inclusive government.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

The new Taliban government in Afghanistan began work on Wednesday with the interim government drawn exclusively from the loyalist ranks. Taliban faces a monumental task ahead of them with a crippled economy, drought and security challenges including from the local ISIS-K.

The new Taliban government in Afghanistan began work on Wednesday with the interim government drawn exclusively from the loyalist ranks. Taliban faces a monumental task ahead of them with a crippled economy, drought and security challenges including from the local ISIS-K. As they begin their transition to a "governing role", the group is already facing opposition to their rule amid protests from Afghans. There were demonstrations led by women in cities across the country. In an effort to curb protests, the interior ministry has already issued its first order saying that prior permission was needed to hold any demonstration. It also warned journalists from covering such demonstrations adding that the group would not tolerate any resistance against its rule. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's new acting prime minister Mohammad Hasan Akhund has called on former officials who fled the country to return saying that the group will guarantee their safety. Akhund told Al Jazeera channel that the government wanted to establish positive relations with countries in the region and beyond and would guarantee the security of diplomats, embassies and NGOs. The new prime minister struck a conciliatory tone saying that the Taliban wanted only good for the Afghan people and they seek to establish an Islamic system. The new head of the government also reiterated the group's promise of amnesty for anyone who worked alongside the US and backed the 2001 invasion saying that no one will be subject to revenge. “No one will be able to prove that he was subjected to revenge and in such tense circumstances, it is easy to do what you want but the movement is disciplined and controls its gunmen and we have not harmed anyone because of his previous actions,” Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund said. The makeup of the Taliban's interim government has already met with criticism with Afghan's noting the complete lack of women and poor ethnic representation with no inclusive government. (With inputs from Agencies)

Taliban government's new orders: Ex-officials should return home, approval needed before protests

Afghan women held anti-Pakistan slogans infront of Pakistani embassy in Afghanistan. They opined that they did not want an ISI govt in their country.

Afghan women protest against Taliban, Pakistan in Afghanistan

India and Russia will hold consultations in Delhi on Wednesday on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, a direct outcome of the talks&nbsp;held between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 24.

In the 45-minute-long conversation, both the leaders had decided to form a “permanent bilateral channel” for consultations on Afghanistan.

The Wednesday talks would be led by Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the visiting Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation General Nikolai&nbsp;Patrushev.&nbsp;

A release by the Ministry of External Affairs said, “At the invitation of National Security Adviser Ajit K Doval, the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, General Nikolay Patrushev is visiting India for high-level India-Russia inter-governmental consultations on Afghanistan from 7-8 September 2021.”

The meeting comes hours after the Taliban announced the name of new leaders of its government. Mullah Hassan Akhund was named as the Prime Minister and he will have two deputies—Mullah Baradar and Mawlavi Hannafi. Sirajuddin Haqqani was named as the interior minister and Amir Khan Muttaqi was chosen as the foreign minister.

Notably, all of them are on the UN terror list, while Sirajuddin Haqqani carries a bounty of $5 million announced by the FBI.&nbsp;

Both India and Russia view Afghanistan as a security challenge. India believes that a turmoil in Afghanistan may pave way for Pakistan-based terror groups to emerge, and for&nbsp;Russia, a spillover of the crisis may have an impact on the former Soviet countries like Uzbekistan, Tajikistan.

Moreover, Modi and Putin are also expected to meet during the BRICS virtual summit on Thursday, hosted by New Delhi.

Apart from that, Putin is expected to visit India later this month for the much-awaited annual India-Russia bilateral summit and deliver the first units of the S-400 Air Defence system.

India and Russia will hold consultations in Delhi on Wednesday on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, a direct outcome of the talks held between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 24.

India and Russia will hold consultations in Delhi on Wednesday on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, a direct outcome of the talks held between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 24. In the 45-minute-long conversation, both the leaders had decided to form a “permanent bilateral channel” for consultations on Afghanistan. The Wednesday talks would be led by Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the visiting Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation General Nikolai Patrushev. A release by the Ministry of External Affairs said, “At the invitation of National Security Adviser Ajit K Doval, the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, General Nikolay Patrushev is visiting India for high-level India-Russia inter-governmental consultations on Afghanistan from 7-8 September 2021.” The meeting comes hours after the Taliban announced the name of new leaders of its government. Mullah Hassan Akhund was named as the Prime Minister and he will have two deputies—Mullah Baradar and Mawlavi Hannafi. Sirajuddin Haqqani was named as the interior minister and Amir Khan Muttaqi was chosen as the foreign minister. Notably, all of them are on the UN terror list, while Sirajuddin Haqqani carries a bounty of $5 million announced by the FBI. Both India and Russia view Afghanistan as a security challenge. India believes that a turmoil in Afghanistan may pave way for Pakistan-based terror groups to emerge, and for Russia, a spillover of the crisis may have an impact on the former Soviet countries like Uzbekistan, Tajikistan. Moreover, Modi and Putin are also expected to meet during the BRICS virtual summit on Thursday, hosted by New Delhi. Apart from that, Putin is expected to visit India later this month for the much-awaited annual India-Russia bilateral summit and deliver the first units of the S-400 Air Defence system.

India, Russia to hold consultations on Afghanistan on Sept 8 in Delhi

Slamming Pakistan, India said the country continues to foment a "culture of violence" at home and across its borders as it hit out at Islamabad for using the platform of the United Nations for hate speech against it.

"A Culture of Peace is not just an abstract value or principle to be discussed and celebrated in conferences, but needs to be actively built into global relationships between and among member states," First Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Vidisha Maitra said in the UN General Assembly Tuesday during the high-level forum on the Culture of Peace 'Transformative role of the Culture of Peace: Promoting Resilience and Inclusion in Post-COVID Recovery'.

"We have witnessed yet another attempt today by the delegation of Pakistan to exploit a UN platform for hate speech against India, even as it continues to foment a 'culture of violence' at home and across its borders. We dismiss and condemn all such efforts," she said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/exclusive-pakistan-will-face-consequences-of-its-actions-in-afghanistan-warns-ex-iran-president-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-411375" hreflang="en">EXCLUSIVE: Pakistan will face consequences of its actions in Afghanistan, warns ex-Iran president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad</a>

India's strong response came after Islamabad's envoy to the UN Munir Akram raked up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and spoke about the late pro-Pakistan leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in his remarks in the General Assembly hall that focussed almost entirely on India and not on the forum's theme.

Maitra said there can be no doubt that terrorism, which is a manifestation of intolerance and violence, is the antithesis of all religions and cultures.

"The world should be concerned by terrorists who use religion to justify these acts and those who support them in this quest," she said.

Underlining that India will continue to spread the message of humanity, democracy and non-violence, she said India reiterates its call for the application of the principles of objectivity, non-selectivity and impartiality to form the basis of discussions in the United Nations especially on the issue of religion.

"The United Nations including UN Alliance of Civilizations and Member States should refrain from selectivity on such issues which hinders a Culture of Peace," she said.

While noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the interconnectedness and interdependence of humankind like never before, she said even during the pandemic, "we have witnessed an upsurge in intolerance, violence, and terrorism.?

"Even in the midst of the pandemic, we face the 'infodemic' challenge which has been responsible for a rise in hate speech and in seeding hatred within communities," she said.

Last year in June, India along with 12 countries had co-sponsored the Cross-Regional Statement on "Infodemic" in the Context of COVID-19,&nbsp;a first of its kind statement by UN Member States.

Maitra told the high-level forum that the principles of democracy, pluralism, compassion, cultural diversity, dialogue and understanding form the basis of the Culture of Peace.

"India is called a country of 'unity in diversity'. Our concept of pluralism is based on our ancient ethos of 'Sarva Dharma Sambhav' which means 'equal respect for all faiths'," she said, as she referred to the 1893 speech by India's great philosopher Swami Vivekananda at the Parliament of World

Religions in Chicago where he had impressed upon India's civilisational ethos of accepting the greatness of all religions.

"India is not just the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, but is also the land where the teachings of Islam, Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism have taken strong root," she said.

"Culture of Peace is the cornerstone of any global order to build inclusive and tolerant societies. Since the adoption of the UN Declaration and Programme of Action in 1999 at Bangladesh's behest, the Culture of Peace agenda has provided an effective blueprint for multilateral action to promote solidarity and understanding," she said.

Slamming Pakistan, India said the country continues to foment a "culture of violence" at home and across its borders as it hit out at Islamabad for using the platform of the United Nations for hate speech against it.

Slamming Pakistan, India said the country continues to foment a "culture of violence" at home and across its borders as it hit out at Islamabad for using the platform of the United Nations for hate speech against it. "A Culture of Peace is not just an abstract value or principle to be discussed and celebrated in conferences, but needs to be actively built into global relationships between and among member states," First Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Vidisha Maitra said in the UN General Assembly Tuesday during the high-level forum on the Culture of Peace 'Transformative role of the Culture of Peace: Promoting Resilience and Inclusion in Post-COVID Recovery'. "We have witnessed yet another attempt today by the delegation of Pakistan to exploit a UN platform for hate speech against India, even as it continues to foment a 'culture of violence' at home and across its borders. We dismiss and condemn all such efforts," she said. Also read | EXCLUSIVE: Pakistan will face consequences of its actions in Afghanistan, warns ex-Iran president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad India's strong response came after Islamabad's envoy to the UN Munir Akram raked up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and spoke about the late pro-Pakistan leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in his remarks in the General Assembly hall that focussed almost entirely on India and not on the forum's theme. Maitra said there can be no doubt that terrorism, which is a manifestation of intolerance and violence, is the antithesis of all religions and cultures. "The world should be concerned by terrorists who use religion to justify these acts and those who support them in this quest," she said. Underlining that India will continue to spread the message of humanity, democracy and non-violence, she said India reiterates its call for the application of the principles of objectivity, non-selectivity and impartiality to form the basis of discussions in the United Nations especially on the issue of religion. "The United Nations including UN Alliance of Civilizations and Member States should refrain from selectivity on such issues which hinders a Culture of Peace," she said. While noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the interconnectedness and interdependence of humankind like never before, she said even during the pandemic, "we have witnessed an upsurge in intolerance, violence, and terrorism.? "Even in the midst of the pandemic, we face the 'infodemic' challenge which has been responsible for a rise in hate speech and in seeding hatred within communities," she said. Last year in June, India along with 12 countries had co-sponsored the Cross-Regional Statement on "Infodemic" in the Context of COVID-19, a first of its kind statement by UN Member States. Maitra told the high-level forum that the principles of democracy, pluralism, compassion, cultural diversity, dialogue and understanding form the basis of the Culture of Peace. "India is called a country of 'unity in diversity'. Our concept of pluralism is based on our ancient ethos of 'Sarva Dharma Sambhav' which means 'equal respect for all faiths'," she said, as she referred to the 1893 speech by India's great philosopher Swami Vivekananda at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago where he had impressed upon India's civilisational ethos of accepting the greatness of all religions. "India is not just the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, but is also the land where the teachings of Islam, Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism have taken strong root," she said. "Culture of Peace is the cornerstone of any global order to build inclusive and tolerant societies. Since the adoption of the UN Declaration and Programme of Action in 1999 at Bangladesh's behest, the Culture of Peace agenda has provided an effective blueprint for multilateral action to promote solidarity and understanding," she said.

Pak continues to foment culture of violence at home, across its borders: India at UN

Afghanistan crisis will be one of the key focus at the 13th BRICS summit to be hosted by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.

BRICS'&nbsp;leaders will be meeting virtually for the summit, and it is for the second time in a row the meet is happening virtually due to the ongoing Covid crisis.&nbsp;

It is learnt that the leaders are expected to underscore the priority of fighting terrorism, including preventing attempts by terror organisations to use Afghanistan as a sanctuary to carry out attacks against other countries. Worry over Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for terror groups, especially Pakistan based international terror groups such as LeT, JeM has been the message from New Delhi to many of its partners including Russia, which is a BRICS member country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-should-ensure-afghan-soil-is-not-used-to-spread-terrorism-india-to-russia-411696" hreflang="en">'Pak should ensure Afghan Soil is not used to spread terrorism': India to Russia</a>

The BRICS grouping, as a whole, will also focus on the need to address the humanitarian situation and uphold human rights, including those of women, children and minorities. After the fall of Kabul to Taliban on August 15, humanitarian situation has worsened.&nbsp;The International Committee of Red Cross chief warned of collapse of health system. &nbsp;

This summit comes days after Taliban announced its government, which had no representations from women, and almost negligible representation from minority groups such as Tajiks and Hazaras.

India's chairmanship of BRICS coincides with the 15th anniversary of the grouping, with key priorities being reform of the multilateral system; counter terrorism cooperation; digital and technological tools for achieving sustainable development goals and enhancing People to people exchanges.

Under India's presidency, till August, India has conducted close to 100 events and meetings. India is expected to organise around 150 meetings and events, including 23 ministerial level and 46 senior official and working level meetings.

Earlier this year, the BRICS foreign ministers meeting saw adoption of the joint statement on 'Strengthening and Reforming of the Multilateral System', calling for reforms of the current multilateral system, including the UNSC.

The BRICS NSA meet saw adoption of Action Plan to implement the BRICS Counter Terror Strategy. As part of this strategy, BRICS has committed to combating terrorism, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, and terrorism financing networks and safe havens.

Afghanistan crisis will be one of the key focus at the 13th BRICS summit to be hosted by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. BRICS' leaders will be meeting virtually for the summit, and it is for the second time in a row the meet is happening virtually due to the ongoing Covid crisis.

Afghanistan crisis will be one of the key focus at the 13th BRICS summit to be hosted by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. BRICS' leaders will be meeting virtually for the summit, and it is for the second time in a row the meet is happening virtually due to the ongoing Covid crisis. It is learnt that the leaders are expected to underscore the priority of fighting terrorism, including preventing attempts by terror organisations to use Afghanistan as a sanctuary to carry out attacks against other countries. Worry over Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for terror groups, especially Pakistan based international terror groups such as LeT, JeM has been the message from New Delhi to many of its partners including Russia, which is a BRICS member country. Also read | 'Pak should ensure Afghan Soil is not used to spread terrorism': India to Russia The BRICS grouping, as a whole, will also focus on the need to address the humanitarian situation and uphold human rights, including those of women, children and minorities. After the fall of Kabul to Taliban on August 15, humanitarian situation has worsened. The International Committee of Red Cross chief warned of collapse of health system. This summit comes days after Taliban announced its government, which had no representations from women, and almost negligible representation from minority groups such as Tajiks and Hazaras. India's chairmanship of BRICS coincides with the 15th anniversary of the grouping, with key priorities being reform of the multilateral system; counter terrorism cooperation; digital and technological tools for achieving sustainable development goals and enhancing People to people exchanges. Under India's presidency, till August, India has conducted close to 100 events and meetings. India is expected to organise around 150 meetings and events, including 23 ministerial level and 46 senior official and working level meetings. Earlier this year, the BRICS foreign ministers meeting saw adoption of the joint statement on 'Strengthening and Reforming of the Multilateral System', calling for reforms of the current multilateral system, including the UNSC. The BRICS NSA meet saw adoption of Action Plan to implement the BRICS Counter Terror Strategy. As part of this strategy, BRICS has committed to combating terrorism, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, and terrorism financing networks and safe havens.

Afghan crisis to shadow BRICS summit chaired by India on Thursday

After consultations with partners on how to show a united front to the hardline new administration in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned that the Taliban would have to earn legitimacy from the rest of the world.&nbsp;

"The Taliban seek international legitimacy. Any legitimacy — any support — will have to be earned, " Blinken told reporters at the US air base in Ramstein, Germany, after leading a 20-nation ministerial meeting on the Afghan crisis.

Standing beside him, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the international community expected the Taliban to respect human rights, especially women's rights, to allow humanitarian supplies into the country, and to let individuals who wanted to leave to do so.

Maas stated that the talks on Wednesday were "the beginning point for international coordination" in dealing with the Taliban.

The virtual summit was attended by European allies as well as Pakistan, a long-time Taliban supporter.

Initial reactions showed that the new administration could have trouble gaining the international support that the new authorities so sorely need to prevent a financial crisis.

The interior minister is Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is wanted by the FBI for questioning.

The declaration came just hours after the Taliban shot their weapons into the air to disperse protestors in Kabul's capital and arrested several journalists, marking the second time in less than a week that harsh measures were employed to disperse a demonstration.&nbsp;

The US State Department expressed concern that the Cabinet consisted solely of Taliban, no women, and individuals with a questionable track record, but stated that the new administration's actions would be judged.

Maas stated that Germany is prepared to provide humanitarian aid through the United Nations and that it will continue to communicate with the Taliban in order to guarantee the departure of former employees and others from Afghanistan.

He went on to say that any commitment beyond that would be contingent on the Taliban's actions.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

After consultations with partners on how to show a united front to the hardline new administration in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned that the Taliban would have to earn legitimacy from the rest of the world.

After consultations with partners on how to show a united front to the hardline new administration in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned that the Taliban would have to earn legitimacy from the rest of the world. "The Taliban seek international legitimacy. Any legitimacy — any support — will have to be earned, " Blinken told reporters at the US air base in Ramstein, Germany, after leading a 20-nation ministerial meeting on the Afghan crisis. Standing beside him, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the international community expected the Taliban to respect human rights, especially women's rights, to allow humanitarian supplies into the country, and to let individuals who wanted to leave to do so. Maas stated that the talks on Wednesday were "the beginning point for international coordination" in dealing with the Taliban. The virtual summit was attended by European allies as well as Pakistan, a long-time Taliban supporter. Initial reactions showed that the new administration could have trouble gaining the international support that the new authorities so sorely need to prevent a financial crisis. The interior minister is Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is wanted by the FBI for questioning. The declaration came just hours after the Taliban shot their weapons into the air to disperse protestors in Kabul's capital and arrested several journalists, marking the second time in less than a week that harsh measures were employed to disperse a demonstration. The US State Department expressed concern that the Cabinet consisted solely of Taliban, no women, and individuals with a questionable track record, but stated that the new administration's actions would be judged. Maas stated that Germany is prepared to provide humanitarian aid through the United Nations and that it will continue to communicate with the Taliban in order to guarantee the departure of former employees and others from Afghanistan. He went on to say that any commitment beyond that would be contingent on the Taliban's actions. (With inputs from agencies)

Any legitimacy, any support 'will have to be earned': Blinken to Taliban

This week marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. It was the first time when many even heard of Al-Qaeda. The group is now congratulating the Taliban over Afghanistan takeover. Take a look at the Taliban's relationship with its long-time ally, Al-Qaeda.

20 years after 9/11, will Al-Qaeda rise again?

Even as US and NATO forces and almost the entire Western diplomatic corps packed up and fled the Afghan capital last month as the Taliban seized control, a handful of international aid directors made a decision: They were staying put.

They are now the most visible representatives of the decadeslong Western development mission in Afghanistan, and along with United Nations humanitarian agencies, are the people on the ground negotiating with the Taliban on working conditions for thousands of Afghan employees.

Seven out of eight of the directors who stayed to lead their organisations’ aid efforts in Afghanistan are women.

“There aren’t a lot of us here,” said one of them. “There’s a lot of uncertainty.” She, like others, asked not to be named while relations with the Taliban remain so tentative.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-ex-president-ghani-apologises-for-leaving-abruptly-denies-taking-millions-of-cash-with-him-411686">Ghani apologises for leaving 'abruptly', denies taking 'millions of cash'</a>

For the past 20 years, military and diplomatic forces from all over the world took over central Kabul, filling a green zone beside the presidential palace with embassies, military bases and residences. But long before they came, nongovernmental development organisations were working to alleviate poverty and help develop essential health and educational services in Afghanistan.

Most of them were careful to distance themselves from the US-led military operations after they began in 2001. They already had experience working with the Taliban, when it ruled the country in the late 1990s and as it gained control of rural districts in recent months and years.

Now, at a time when Afghanistan’s aid needs are more desperate than ever, the aid organisations’ diplomatic skills are being put to the test as perhaps never before.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-sports-for-afghan-women-as-it-exposes-their-body-taliban-411629">No sports for Afghan women, as it exposes their body: Taliban</a>

One of the world’s poorest countries, Afghanistan was already in serious need before the Taliban takeover, with 3.5 million people internally displaced and 18 million people dependent on humanitarian assistance in a country of about 38 million. But aid groups worry about being too quick to embrace an organisation like the Taliban with a history of brutality.

“We need to engage, because this is a very important time to engage and try to influence,” said Filippo Grandi, the head of the UN refugee agency. “But I think we need to reserve a bit our judgment.”

With some aid groups having as many as 1,500 local staff members employed around the country in critical fields such as health, education and agriculture, the larger organisations say they never contemplated packing up or closing down. Instead, they were left to watch as thousands who had worked in the government or with foreign organisations rushed to the Kabul airport to catch evacuation flights.

Also&nbsp;watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-taliban-education-minister-says-phd-and-masters-degrees-worthless-mullahs-greatest-without-them-411612">PhD, Master's degrees worthless; mullahs greatest without them —Taliban</a>

“It’s like going through the stages of grief,” one country director said of the takeover by the Taliban on Aug. 15. “When they entered Kabul, I didn’t sleep or eat anything for three days. I was numb. I was on the line with everybody, with staff around the clock.”

After some militants occupied her office, she recalled, she had to manage a tense confrontation as another group dispatched by the Taliban commissioner for foreign assistance wrested it back. Then came the ordeal of evacuating her international staff members through the chaos at the airport.

Some of the organisation’s Afghan staff members chose to leave, too, but the vast majority have stayed, in large part because there is no longer a way out.

“I think the point that I accepted I wasn’t going to get out, was the point where I could sleep again,” the country director said. “My staff need me. I think I’ll be fine.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-dialogues-pakistans-role-in-the-afghanistan-crisis-411701">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-dialogues-pakistans-role-in-the-afghanistan-crisis-411701/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The most immediate concerns have been to prevent looting of their offices and storehouses and to protect local staff members. The Taliban have asked humanitarian organisations to keep working and assured them that they would provide security, even handing out a phone number to call if armed men pay a visit.

Yet Taliban members have taken over the compound of at least one nonprofit organisation and looted equipment and vehicles from others, several aid directors said. And fighters from the powerful Haqqani network have taken over the large campus of the American University of Afghanistan, a proud flagship of US&nbsp;investment in higher education for Afghans.

Besides the danger of so many armed groups, and the threat of the Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate, which claimed responsibility for a devastating suicide bombing at the airport, there is the growing problem of hunger. Last week, a top UN&nbsp;humanitarian official in Afghanistan warned that the organisation’s supply of food aid was dwindling and would run out by the end of the month.

And buying food has become difficult for many, impossible for some.

Salaries across the government, including in the health and education sectors, have been halted, a result of a decision by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to freeze funding after the government of President Ashraf Ghani collapsed and the Taliban took over. The Central Bank’s assets were also frozen, leading banks to close and limit access to cash. For day laborers, there is no work to be had.

Outside the capital, the attitudes of Afghanistan’s new rulers vary. That has left aid organisations able to resume their usual activities in only four of the country’s 34 provinces.

In some places, everything has been suspended, from schools and health clinics to public offices and businesses. In at least six provinces, women have not been allowed to resume work, according to one of the country directors tracking the situation countrywide.

In some areas, the Taliban have visited nonprofit organisations demanding lists of staff members and assets, information on the organisation’s budget and procurement contracts. They also announced that they were imposing restrictions on recruitment. Those actions are at odds with the reassurances offered by the Taliban leadership, and raise concerns about tougher controls ahead.

“They desperately need somebody to do something for the Afghan people,” Grandi, the UN&nbsp;refugee chief, said from his headquarters in Geneva, adding, “We can help a lot the people, and we must at this point.”

Even as US and NATO forces and almost the entire Western diplomatic corps packed up and fled the Afghan capital last month as the Taliban seized control, a handful of international aid directors made a decision: They were staying put.

Even as US and NATO forces and almost the entire Western diplomatic corps packed up and fled the Afghan capital last month as the Taliban seized control, a handful of international aid directors made a decision: They were staying put. They are now the most visible representatives of the decadeslong Western development mission in Afghanistan, and along with United Nations humanitarian agencies, are the people on the ground negotiating with the Taliban on working conditions for thousands of Afghan employees. Seven out of eight of the directors who stayed to lead their organisations’ aid efforts in Afghanistan are women. “There aren’t a lot of us here,” said one of them. “There’s a lot of uncertainty.” She, like others, asked not to be named while relations with the Taliban remain so tentative. Also read | Ghani apologises for leaving 'abruptly', denies taking 'millions of cash' For the past 20 years, military and diplomatic forces from all over the world took over central Kabul, filling a green zone beside the presidential palace with embassies, military bases and residences. But long before they came, nongovernmental development organisations were working to alleviate poverty and help develop essential health and educational services in Afghanistan. Most of them were careful to distance themselves from the US-led military operations after they began in 2001. They already had experience working with the Taliban, when it ruled the country in the late 1990s and as it gained control of rural districts in recent months and years. Now, at a time when Afghanistan’s aid needs are more desperate than ever, the aid organisations’ diplomatic skills are being put to the test as perhaps never before. Also read | No sports for Afghan women, as it exposes their body: Taliban One of the world’s poorest countries, Afghanistan was already in serious need before the Taliban takeover, with 3.5 million people internally displaced and 18 million people dependent on humanitarian assistance in a country of about 38 million. But aid groups worry about being too quick to embrace an organisation like the Taliban with a history of brutality. “We need to engage, because this is a very important time to engage and try to influence,” said Filippo Grandi, the head of the UN refugee agency. “But I think we need to reserve a bit our judgment.” With some aid groups having as many as 1,500 local staff members employed around the country in critical fields such as health, education and agriculture, the larger organisations say they never contemplated packing up or closing down. Instead, they were left to watch as thousands who had worked in the government or with foreign organisations rushed to the Kabul airport to catch evacuation flights. Also watch | PhD, Master's degrees worthless; mullahs greatest without them —Taliban “It’s like going through the stages of grief,” one country director said of the takeover by the Taliban on Aug. 15. “When they entered Kabul, I didn’t sleep or eat anything for three days. I was numb. I was on the line with everybody, with staff around the clock.” After some militants occupied her office, she recalled, she had to manage a tense confrontation as another group dispatched by the Taliban commissioner for foreign assistance wrested it back. Then came the ordeal of evacuating her international staff members through the chaos at the airport. Some of the organisation’s Afghan staff members chose to leave, too, but the vast majority have stayed, in large part because there is no longer a way out. “I think the point that I accepted I wasn’t going to get out, was the point where I could sleep again,” the country director said. “My staff need me. I think I’ll be fine.” WATCH | The most immediate concerns have been to prevent looting of their offices and storehouses and to protect local staff members. The Taliban have asked humanitarian organisations to keep working and assured them that they would provide security, even handing out a phone number to call if armed men pay a visit. Yet Taliban members have taken over the compound of at least one nonprofit organisation and looted equipment and vehicles from others, several aid directors said. And fighters from the powerful Haqqani network have taken over the large campus of the American University of Afghanistan, a proud flagship of US investment in higher education for Afghans. Besides the danger of so many armed groups, and the threat of the Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate, which claimed responsibility for a devastating suicide bombing at the airport, there is the growing problem of hunger. Last week, a top UN humanitarian official in Afghanistan warned that the organisation’s supply of food aid was dwindling and would run out by the end of the month. And buying food has become difficult for many, impossible for some. Salaries across the government, including in the health and education sectors, have been halted, a result of a decision by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to freeze funding after the government of President Ashraf Ghani collapsed and the Taliban took over. The Central Bank’s assets were also frozen, leading banks to close and limit access to cash. For day laborers, there is no work to be had. Outside the capital, the attitudes of Afghanistan’s new rulers vary. That has left aid organisations able to resume their usual activities in only four of the country’s 34 provinces. In some places, everything has been suspended, from schools and health clinics to public offices and businesses. In at least six provinces, women have not been allowed to resume work, according to one of the country directors tracking the situation countrywide. In some areas, the Taliban have visited nonprofit organisations demanding lists of staff members and assets, information on the organisation’s budget and procurement contracts. They also announced that they were imposing restrictions on recruitment. Those actions are at odds with the reassurances offered by the Taliban leadership, and raise concerns about tougher controls ahead. “They desperately need somebody to do something for the Afghan people,” Grandi, the UN refugee chief, said from his headquarters in Geneva, adding, “We can help a lot the people, and we must at this point.”

Aid workers staying in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan tread a tricky path

WION's Palki Sharma Upadhyay discusses Pakistan's role in the Afghanistan crisis and the ISI-Taliban alliance with Inkstick Media editor Sahar Khan, South Asia expert Francesca Marino, Senior Political Scientist at RAND Corporation Dr. Jonah Blank, and former Indian diplomat Amb Ashok Sajjanhar on Afghanistan Dialogues.

Afghanistan Dialogues: Pakistan's role in the Afghanistan crisis

After the formation of the new government in Afghanistan, the Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has said that the Taliban will uphold the Sharia law.

Taliban to uphold Sharia law, says Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada

Protests by Afghan women against Taliban restrictions that began in Heirat have spread to Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif. Afghanistan's biggest female pop star Aryana Sayeed tells you what does it take for Afghan women to protest in a country ruled by the Taliban.

Afghan women take to the streets against all-male interim Taliban government

Taliban's forming of an all-male cabinet has raised concerns from many countries of the world including the US.

Countries including US respond to Taliban's new government formation

As the Taliban get a tighter grip in Afghanistan, the students of the country are showing concern about their future. Latest visuals from Afghanistan show male and female students segregated with a curtain.

Male and female students segregated with a curtain in Afghanistan

140 US soldiers returned from Afghanistan and reunited with their families after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

140 US soldiers return from Afghanistan after troop withdrawal

Days after leaving Afghanistan “abruptly” following the hostile takeover of Kabul by the Taliban insurgents, former president Ashraf Ghani apologised to the Afghan people saying that “it was the only way to keep the guns silent and save Kabul and her 6 million citizens”.

In a statement released on Twitter on Wednesday, Ghani said leaving Kabul was "the most difficult decision of my life", while adding that he did so on the&nbsp;advice of the presidential palace security officials.

Have a look |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/taliban-fighter-points-gun-at-afghan-woman-protesting-against-non-inclusive-government-411547">In pics-Taliban fighter points gun at Afghan woman protesting against new govt</a>

“I owe the Afghan people an explanation for leaving Kabul abruptly on August 15th after Taliban unexpectedly. entered the city. I left at the urging of the palace security who advised me that to remain risked setting off the same horrific street-to-street fighting the city had suffered during the civil war of the 1990s.”

Watch&nbsp;

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“Leaving Kabul was the most difficult decision of my life, but I believed it was the only way to keep the guns silent and save Kabul and her 6 million citizens. I have devoted 20 years of my life to helping the Afghan people work toward building a democratic, prosperous, and sovereign state — it was never my intent to abandon the people or that vision,” he said.

Ghani, along with his ministers, fled Afghanistan on August 15 after the Taliban took control of Kabul. Days after leaving Afghanistan, Ghani and his family were granted asylum in the United Arab Emirates on ‘humanitarian grounds'.

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Statement 8 September 2021 <a href="https://t.co/5yKXWIdLfM">pic.twitter.com/5yKXWIdLfM</a>
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) <a href="https://twitter.com/ashrafghani/status/1435587942228140039?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Responding to the claims of Nikita Ishchenko, a spokesman for the Russian embassy in Kabul, that he left Afghanistan with four cars and a helicopter full of cash belonging to Afghan people, Ghani said, “These charges are completely and categorically false. Corruption is a plague that has crippled our country for decades and fighting corruption has been a central focus of my efforts as president. I inherited a monster that could not easily or quickly be defeated.”

He said that he would welcome any official audit or investigation under the UN to verify his claims.

“My wife and I have been scrupulous in our personal finances. I have publicly declared all of my assets. My wife's family inheritance has also been disclosed and remains listed in her home country of Lebanon. I welcome an official audit or financial investigation under UN auspices or any other appropriate independent body to prove the veracity of my statements here,” he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/who-are-the-talibans-new-government-leaders-heres-what-we-know-411647">Who are the Taliban’s new government leaders? Here’s what we know</a>

Ghani then ended the statement, saying, “I offer my profound appreciation and respect for the sacrifice of all Afghans, especially our Afghan soldiers and their families, through the last forty years. It is with deep and profound regret that my own chapter ended in similar tragedy to my predecessors —without ensuring stability and prosperity. I apologize to the Afghan people that I could not make it end differently. My commitment to the Afghan people has never wavered and will guide me for the rest of my life.”

Days after leaving Afghanistan “abruptly” following the hostile takeover of Kabul by the Taliban insurgents, former president Ashraf Ghani apologised to the Afghan people saying that “it was the only way to keep the guns silent and save Kabul and her 6 million citizens”.

Days after leaving Afghanistan “abruptly” following the hostile takeover of Kabul by the Taliban insurgents, former president Ashraf Ghani apologised to the Afghan people saying that “it was the only way to keep the guns silent and save Kabul and her 6 million citizens”. In a statement released on Twitter on Wednesday, Ghani said leaving Kabul was "the most difficult decision of my life", while adding that he did so on the advice of the presidential palace security officials. Have a look | In pics-Taliban fighter points gun at Afghan woman protesting against new govt “I owe the Afghan people an explanation for leaving Kabul abruptly on August 15th after Taliban unexpectedly. entered the city. I left at the urging of the palace security who advised me that to remain risked setting off the same horrific street-to-street fighting the city had suffered during the civil war of the 1990s.” Watch “Leaving Kabul was the most difficult decision of my life, but I believed it was the only way to keep the guns silent and save Kabul and her 6 million citizens. I have devoted 20 years of my life to helping the Afghan people work toward building a democratic, prosperous, and sovereign state — it was never my intent to abandon the people or that vision,” he said. Ghani, along with his ministers, fled Afghanistan on August 15 after the Taliban took control of Kabul. Days after leaving Afghanistan, Ghani and his family were granted asylum in the United Arab Emirates on ‘humanitarian grounds'. Statement 8 September 2021 pic.twitter.com/5yKXWIdLfM — Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) September 8, 2021 × Responding to the claims of Nikita Ishchenko, a spokesman for the Russian embassy in Kabul, that he left Afghanistan with four cars and a helicopter full of cash belonging to Afghan people, Ghani said, “These charges are completely and categorically false. Corruption is a plague that has crippled our country for decades and fighting corruption has been a central focus of my efforts as president. I inherited a monster that could not easily or quickly be defeated.” He said that he would welcome any official audit or investigation under the UN to verify his claims. “My wife and I have been scrupulous in our personal finances. I have publicly declared all of my assets. My wife's family inheritance has also been disclosed and remains listed in her home country of Lebanon. I welcome an official audit or financial investigation under UN auspices or any other appropriate independent body to prove the veracity of my statements here,” he said. Also read | Who are the Taliban’s new government leaders? Here’s what we know Ghani then ended the statement, saying, “I offer my profound appreciation and respect for the sacrifice of all Afghans, especially our Afghan soldiers and their families, through the last forty years. It is with deep and profound regret that my own chapter ended in similar tragedy to my predecessors —without ensuring stability and prosperity. I apologize to the Afghan people that I could not make it end differently. My commitment to the Afghan people has never wavered and will guide me for the rest of my life.”

Afghan ex-president Ghani apologises for leaving 'abruptly', denies taking 'millions of cash' with him

The Taliban have established a caretaker government in Afghanistan. The Taliban has announced Mullah Hasan Akhund as the PM of Afghanistan.

Taliban establishes caretaker government in Afghanistan

Afghan women took to the streets across Afghanistan against the Taliban. Protesters demanded women's basic rights and female representation in the newly formed government.

Women protest for female representation in Taliban's new cabinet

Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and his Russian counterpart Nikolay Petrushev held detailed talks on Wednesday about the possible security implications for India, Russia and the Central Asian region after the Taliban seize power in Afghanistan.

Indian NSA Doval and top Russian security official hold talks on Afghan crisis

The Indian envoy to Russia Venkatesh Varma has said that India and Russia have a "common position, common approach" when it comes to Afghanistan and both countries are "particularly affected" by the developments in the country with respect to the issue of terrorism, drug trafficking and other issues.

The Taliban takeover of the Afghan national capital Kabul on August 15 surprised the international community and since then heartbreaking visuals have emerged from the Kabul international airport of people trying to leave the country.

The ambassador, speaking to RIA Novosti explained, "the situation in Afghanistan is a matter of concern for the entire region....This situation poses threat to the interests of both India and&nbsp;Russia on account of the possibility of rising of terrorist groups, increased drug trafficking, organized crime, the flow of refugees" and also that a "very large amount of very advanced weapons are now in the hands of a large number of armed groups."

The comments come before the meeting between&nbsp;Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev and Indian NSA Ajit Doval on Wednesday to&nbsp;discuss Afghanistan in Delhi.

The meet is part of the permanent consultative mechanism to discuss Afghanistan established after Indian PM Modi and Russian President Putin's talks on August 24.

On the talks, the envoy said, "We expect discussions between Indian, Russia to be very in-depth and action-oriented. India &amp; Russia have a lot of common interests in addressing the Afghan situation, including in the field of anti-terrorism." This is the first visit of Patrushev to any foreign country after the emergence&nbsp;of the Taliban as the dominant force in Afghanistan.

He highlighted the "very fast-moving developments in Afghanistan", including a protests rally in the Afghan capital Kabul which saw anti-Pakistan slogans on Tuesday and was covered by the Afghan and international press. The rally came days after ISI Chief was seen in the Kabul hotel lobby, sparking worries over Islamabad's continued interference into domestic affairs of Afghanistan.

On the Doha talks and the Troika Plus meetings, the envoy said that they "have not yielded the right results", and when it comes to Afghanistan and both countries are in discussing the "evolving situation including on the issue of recognition of the Taliban."

Last year in the Doha talks, under which US and Taliban signed a pact in February that began the process of US withdrawal and later the talks between Taliban and representatives of the former Ghani-led Afghan republic that ended as a failure. Troika format was the US, China, and Russia plus Pakistan discussing Afghanistan.

Envoy Verma said, "The Doha Agreement of February 2020, the Troika Plus talks - finally the results of these international efforts were not matched by the subsequent developments", pointing out that that, "it is better that India and Russia work together with respect to Afghanistan. That is the most important lesson for us."

Interestingly, during his interview, the envoy mentioned India's "interest in the stability of Central Asian states" in the backdrop of the Afghan crisis. 3 central Asian states, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan share a border with Afghanistan, and the fear is that crisis can impact them as well. Both New Delhi and Moscow share close ties with these central Asian countries, with Russia being major security and economic partner due to the soviet connection.

&nbsp;

The Indian envoy to Russia Venkatesh Varma has said that India and Russia have a "common position, common approach" when it comes to Afghanistan and both countries are "particularly affected" by the developments in the country with respect to the issue of terrorism, drug trafficking and other issues.

The Indian envoy to Russia Venkatesh Varma has said that India and Russia have a "common position, common approach" when it comes to Afghanistan and both countries are "particularly affected" by the developments in the country with respect to the issue of terrorism, drug trafficking and other issues. The Taliban takeover of the Afghan national capital Kabul on August 15 surprised the international community and since then heartbreaking visuals have emerged from the Kabul international airport of people trying to leave the country. The ambassador, speaking to RIA Novosti explained, "the situation in Afghanistan is a matter of concern for the entire region....This situation poses threat to the interests of both India and Russia on account of the possibility of rising of terrorist groups, increased drug trafficking, organized crime, the flow of refugees" and also that a "very large amount of very advanced weapons are now in the hands of a large number of armed groups." The comments come before the meeting between Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev and Indian NSA Ajit Doval on Wednesday to discuss Afghanistan in Delhi. The meet is part of the permanent consultative mechanism to discuss Afghanistan established after Indian PM Modi and Russian President Putin's talks on August 24. On the talks, the envoy said, "We expect discussions between Indian, Russia to be very in-depth and action-oriented. India & Russia have a lot of common interests in addressing the Afghan situation, including in the field of anti-terrorism." This is the first visit of Patrushev to any foreign country after the emergence of the Taliban as the dominant force in Afghanistan. He highlighted the "very fast-moving developments in Afghanistan", including a protests rally in the Afghan capital Kabul which saw anti-Pakistan slogans on Tuesday and was covered by the Afghan and international press. The rally came days after ISI Chief was seen in the Kabul hotel lobby, sparking worries over Islamabad's continued interference into domestic affairs of Afghanistan. On the Doha talks and the Troika Plus meetings, the envoy said that they "have not yielded the right results", and when it comes to Afghanistan and both countries are in discussing the "evolving situation including on the issue of recognition of the Taliban." Last year in the Doha talks, under which US and Taliban signed a pact in February that began the process of US withdrawal and later the talks between Taliban and representatives of the former Ghani-led Afghan republic that ended as a failure. Troika format was the US, China, and Russia plus Pakistan discussing Afghanistan. Envoy Verma said, "The Doha Agreement of February 2020, the Troika Plus talks - finally the results of these international efforts were not matched by the subsequent developments", pointing out that that, "it is better that India and Russia work together with respect to Afghanistan. That is the most important lesson for us." Interestingly, during his interview, the envoy mentioned India's "interest in the stability of Central Asian states" in the backdrop of the Afghan crisis. 3 central Asian states, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan share a border with Afghanistan, and the fear is that crisis can impact them as well. Both New Delhi and Moscow share close ties with these central Asian countries, with Russia being major security and economic partner due to the soviet connection.

India, Russia have 'common position and approach' on Afghanistan, says envoy Venkatesh Varma

A Prime Minister on the UN terror list. An Interior Minister wanted by the FBI. An Information Minister released from Guantanamo Bay. These are the men who will lead 30 million Afghans. Has this 'cabinet' sealed the fate of Afghanistan? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas take on Taliban's acting cabinet

Hundreds of Afghans took to the streets today. They chanted slogans like "death to the Taliban" and accused Pakistan of invading Afghanistan. Palki Sharma tells you how the demand to #ProbePakForPanjshir is gathering steam.

Gravitas: Afghans take to the streets, demand "death to Pakistan"

Within one month of its annexation of Kabul and hasty retreat by the US and allies after a two-decade-long stay in Afghanistan, the country has just embarked upon forming a new 33 member all-male government dispensation which looks bereft of any promise to improve the wellbeing of the common Afghan people.&nbsp;

This apart, it’s a hurriedly formed cabinet, highly suspected to have been made at the express behest of the Pakistani ISI.&nbsp;

This is evident as the all-powerful ISI chief, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed dashed to Kabul close on the heels of Taliban government formation unannounced and held intimate discussions with Taliban supremo, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and other critical players in the government. &nbsp;

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It’s, therefore, once again clear that it’s the ISI that’s calling the shots and the Imran Khan-led elected government has no say whatsoever in dealing with the new Taliban. Obviously, the Pakistani government stands completely sidelined. Also, it’s a signal that Taliban in future, is unlikely to heed any policy-linked advisory from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry and instead listen to the diktat of the deep state. Now this is a dangerous trend that has unfolded in the second spell of Taliban rule.

Watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-taliban-education-minister-says-phd-and-masters-degrees-worthless-mullahs-greatest-without-them-411612">Taliban Education Minister says PhD and Master's degrees worthless, mullahs greatest without them</a> 
 
Besides this the ISI chief, as per the security experts watching the developments in Afghanistan, has extracted a specific assurance from the Taliban heads who matter that Indians wouldn’t be allowed to use the Afghan territory for targeting Pakistan.&nbsp;

This further indicates cementing of more reinforced relations between the Taliban and Pakistan (read ISI). Dabbling by the ISI in the political affairs of neighbouring Afghanistan is nothing new with Pakistan. With a complete control of Taliban other than in the Panjshir valley, ISI is ensuring to run the country as its de facto ruler. Meanwhile, regular Pakistani trained army is thought to be fighting along with the Taliban troops aimed at routing the Ahmad Shah Masood loyalists in the North for an absolute control.

It can be said with confidence that ordinary Afghans are not at all happy with the Taliban coming to power. Sporadic protests are visible in many places with Herat being the latest to be witnessing active protest demonstrations.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/opinion-can-a-government-led-by-terrorists-govern-afghanistan-411601">Opinion | Can a government led by terrorists govern Afghanistan?</a>

In the same vein, Tehran saw a spate of anti-Pakistan protests in front of its Pakistan Embassy denouncing the Taliban and Pakistan lending it an unstinted support. The Afghan women in particular are deeply disappointed because of a brake on the rhythm of their education which is now segregated punched with heavy restrictions. Regression is on the anvil in the sphere of education and the society will in all likelihood, face the battering. &nbsp;

Afghanistan, according to UN sources, has severe food shortages and malnutrition amongst the children. Taliban government doesn’t seem to have any plans to address them nor is Pakistan interested to hold Kabul’s hand to ameliorate the deteriorating humane problems. As it is there is not a single woman in the new Taliban cabinet. There is no pressure from any international quarters to highlight this omission. Taliban will feel more encouraged because of this glaring indifference. Hence, socially the future of the women in Afghanistan looks bleak.

Other than these social factors, there are numerous security challenges which Taliban had to face. The inter-factional feuds with the inclusion of the turbulent warlords and armed resistance may threaten in due course. How long can the Taliban use its guns to silence the protests or uprisings? How to control the terror groups like ISIS (K), Al Qaeda, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and their affiliates remains a&nbsp;daunting task.

The appointment of Sirajuddin Haqqani as the new Interior Minister in the Taliban cabinet confirms without any iota of doubt that he is the appointee of Pakistan’s ISI and would parrot only what his mentors say. This has serious security implications for India which now needs to tread its chart with abundant caution.&nbsp;

Haqqani and the ISI are a deadly combination posing menace to Indian security interests. ISI will try to make up with its pawns placed in crucial places. Pakistan’s amnesia that the same Taliban will turn out to be its own Frankstein which will be very hard to control.&nbsp;

ISIS (K) and Al Qaeda are ruthless and they can transcend Pakistan’s border to harm Pakistani interests. As it is the world at large is getting inspired with the ISIS teachings. Islamic radicals are waiting for the right opportunity to strike. Auckland, New Zealand saw a spate of at least six knife attacks last week from a Sri Lankan ISIS-inspired ultra. We don’t know how many more may spring surprise with such lone-wolf attacks.

Pakistan shouldn’t be happy that it being a Muslim majority state, will remain untouched by such hostile terror groups. There are other soft targets within Pakistan, which can be vulnerable from ISIS and disgruntled Taliban elements. So, Pakistan needs to watch out as its dissent in good measure is already brewing.

In the meantime, India saw a flurry of activities when Russian top official, Nikolai Patrushev held very recently extensive discussions with Indian NSA Ajit Doval on the developments in Afghanistan. According to reliable sources, the discussions were meaningful and Russian dignitary was impressed upon over the security concerns of India.&nbsp;

Similar discussions were held by the UK Secret Service (MI6) chief, Richard Moore and CIA head William Burnes with the Indian NSA and its team. India’s active role in its ceaseless interactions with other world players is expected to pay dividends. However, Taliban and ISI nexus needs to be severed at the earliest either diplomatically or operationally as that would be in the larger interest of peace in the region.

(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.)

Within one month of its annexation of Kabul and hasty retreat by the US and allies after a two-decade-long stay in Afghanistan, the country has just embarked upon forming a new 33 member all-male government dispensation which looks bereft of any promise to improve the wellbeing of the common Afghan people.

Within one month of its annexation of Kabul and hasty retreat by the US and allies after a two-decade-long stay in Afghanistan, the country has just embarked upon forming a new 33 member all-male government dispensation which looks bereft of any promise to improve the wellbeing of the common Afghan people. This apart, it’s a hurriedly formed cabinet, highly suspected to have been made at the express behest of the Pakistani ISI. This is evident as the all-powerful ISI chief, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed dashed to Kabul close on the heels of Taliban government formation unannounced and held intimate discussions with Taliban supremo, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and other critical players in the government. × It’s, therefore, once again clear that it’s the ISI that’s calling the shots and the Imran Khan-led elected government has no say whatsoever in dealing with the new Taliban. Obviously, the Pakistani government stands completely sidelined. Also, it’s a signal that Taliban in future, is unlikely to heed any policy-linked advisory from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry and instead listen to the diktat of the deep state. Now this is a dangerous trend that has unfolded in the second spell of Taliban rule. Watch | Taliban Education Minister says PhD and Master's degrees worthless, mullahs greatest without them Besides this the ISI chief, as per the security experts watching the developments in Afghanistan, has extracted a specific assurance from the Taliban heads who matter that Indians wouldn’t be allowed to use the Afghan territory for targeting Pakistan. This further indicates cementing of more reinforced relations between the Taliban and Pakistan (read ISI). Dabbling by the ISI in the political affairs of neighbouring Afghanistan is nothing new with Pakistan. With a complete control of Taliban other than in the Panjshir valley, ISI is ensuring to run the country as its de facto ruler. Meanwhile, regular Pakistani trained army is thought to be fighting along with the Taliban troops aimed at routing the Ahmad Shah Masood loyalists in the North for an absolute control. It can be said with confidence that ordinary Afghans are not at all happy with the Taliban coming to power. Sporadic protests are visible in many places with Herat being the latest to be witnessing active protest demonstrations. Also Read | Opinion | Can a government led by terrorists govern Afghanistan? In the same vein, Tehran saw a spate of anti-Pakistan protests in front of its Pakistan Embassy denouncing the Taliban and Pakistan lending it an unstinted support. The Afghan women in particular are deeply disappointed because of a brake on the rhythm of their education which is now segregated punched with heavy restrictions. Regression is on the anvil in the sphere of education and the society will in all likelihood, face the battering. Afghanistan, according to UN sources, has severe food shortages and malnutrition amongst the children. Taliban government doesn’t seem to have any plans to address them nor is Pakistan interested to hold Kabul’s hand to ameliorate the deteriorating humane problems. As it is there is not a single woman in the new Taliban cabinet. There is no pressure from any international quarters to highlight this omission. Taliban will feel more encouraged because of this glaring indifference. Hence, socially the future of the women in Afghanistan looks bleak. Other than these social factors, there are numerous security challenges which Taliban had to face. The inter-factional feuds with the inclusion of the turbulent warlords and armed resistance may threaten in due course. How long can the Taliban use its guns to silence the protests or uprisings? How to control the terror groups like ISIS (K), Al Qaeda, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and their affiliates remains a daunting task. The appointment of Sirajuddin Haqqani as the new Interior Minister in the Taliban cabinet confirms without any iota of doubt that he is the appointee of Pakistan’s ISI and would parrot only what his mentors say. This has serious security implications for India which now needs to tread its chart with abundant caution. Haqqani and the ISI are a deadly combination posing menace to Indian security interests. ISI will try to make up with its pawns placed in crucial places. Pakistan’s amnesia that the same Taliban will turn out to be its own Frankstein which will be very hard to control. ISIS (K) and Al Qaeda are ruthless and they can transcend Pakistan’s border to harm Pakistani interests. As it is the world at large is getting inspired with the ISIS teachings. Islamic radicals are waiting for the right opportunity to strike. Auckland, New Zealand saw a spate of at least six knife attacks last week from a Sri Lankan ISIS-inspired ultra. We don’t know how many more may spring surprise with such lone-wolf attacks. Pakistan shouldn’t be happy that it being a Muslim majority state, will remain untouched by such hostile terror groups. There are other soft targets within Pakistan, which can be vulnerable from ISIS and disgruntled Taliban elements. So, Pakistan needs to watch out as its dissent in good measure is already brewing. In the meantime, India saw a flurry of activities when Russian top official, Nikolai Patrushev held very recently extensive discussions with Indian NSA Ajit Doval on the developments in Afghanistan. According to reliable sources, the discussions were meaningful and Russian dignitary was impressed upon over the security concerns of India. Similar discussions were held by the UK Secret Service (MI6) chief, Richard Moore and CIA head William Burnes with the Indian NSA and its team. India’s active role in its ceaseless interactions with other world players is expected to pay dividends. However, Taliban and ISI nexus needs to be severed at the earliest either diplomatically or operationally as that would be in the larger interest of peace in the region. (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 | New Taliban government and the dangers posed by it

Afghanistan attained a unique status in the world yesterday (September 7). It is the only country in the world that is governed by UN-designated terrorists and yet able to get recognition of countries like China, Pakistan, and Qatar to name a few. A government that showcases suicide bombs and various other tools of terror in its victory parade is in power and the democracy is shedding tears of blood. It is pertinent to analyse Taliban in “The Graveyard of many Empires”, their office bearers, and their intentions to govern the country in the light of their past deeds.&nbsp;

<h2>Ultra-fanatic regime</h2>

Taliban is not different from the fanatic Islamic rulers of early medieval times. They have already issued directives that entire administration of the country will be run as per fanatic Sharia law where all the human rights are non-existent &amp; a patriarchal society governs the power centre. Judiciary becomes a puppet to the religious leaders, and anyone can be killed on the smallest doubt. Their interpretation of Islam is ultra-fanatic and is beyond any explanation.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-government-lists-agenda-on-sharia-law-media-quality-foreign-policy-411556">Taliban government lists agenda on Sharia law, media quality &amp; foreign policy</a>

During Taliban 1.0, we saw the atrocities where they castrated the serving president and hanged him from a lamp post after trying him in roadside kangaroo court.&nbsp;

Now these courts will be all over Afghanistan and anyone who had been against Taliban in the past will be punished as per their version of Sharia law. Certainly, Afghanistan has gone ten centuries back.&nbsp;

<h2>A government full of terrorists</h2>

Today Afghanistan has a government where the supreme leader, prime minister, deputy prime minister, home minister, defence minister and almost 70% of the cabinet are designated as terrorists with a total combined reward of over 35 million USD on their heads. Their home minister Sirajuddin Haqqani himself carries a bounty of 10 million USD alone. Information and Propaganda Minister Khairullah has been named as one of the most dangerous terrorists by FBI &amp; several others have been involved in major terror activities worldwide.

It is a big question that will these terrorists be able to govern a country? &nbsp;It is obvious that they will continue supporting terror activities worldwide even if they do not get involved themselves and it is a big challenge for the world.&nbsp;

<h2>Rights of minorities, intellectuals, women &amp; non-Taliban people</h2>

Taliban has already made it clear that the government will not be a democratic one and anyone who is a minority, women or not associated with Taliban will not be included in the government.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-government-sirajuddin-haqqani-on-fbi-wanted-list-other-key-members-on-un-blacklist-411531">Taliban government: Sirajuddin Haqqani on FBI wanted list, other key members on UN blacklist</a>

As per their version of Sharia, any minority can be termed un-Islamic anytime and thus can be eliminated. Similarly, women are considered an object like a melon (As mentioned by one of their ministers) and are to be treated like an object. Anyone who is not associated with Taliban is considered their enemy.

Education has its own importance and It is a universal truth that a country grows by its talent &amp; its intellectuals, but new Taliban education minister clearly said that there is no need for higher education for Afghanistan people because even all its leaders have been the students of seminaries and are governing the country.&nbsp;

This clearly reflects that there will be no place for scientists, educationists, economists &amp; various other experts in the new Afghanistan. During the Taliban rule, they will either be killed or migrate to some other country.

<h2>Drug Cartels</h2>

Prior to takeover of Afghanistan, almost 40% of the total income of Taliban used to come from Opium and other drug trade. Afghanistan is known to produce 85% of the heroin in the world. Now imagine a country where economists are killed, and treasury is empty. Government is spending huge budgets on arms and ammunition and there is no legitimate source of income.

In such situation, Taliban will surely take up drug trade as a national industry especially when they are in power now. In a country where government itself runs drug cartels, we can imagine the future of its progenies and neighbouring countries.&nbsp;

<h2>Impact on Industrial Growth and development</h2>

Last 15 years when there was an inclusive government in Afghanistan have been a better period and many countries came forward to help Afghan people with various infrastructure projects, healthcare, Industrial projects, hygiene, sanitation, water supplies and education but with a government full of fanatics and terrorists, it is highly unlikely that any country will invest in Afghanistan now.

With over 82% of its population staying below poverty line and per capita GDP is below 1.5 USD per day, future is very much in dark. Although, some experts said that since Afghanistan has mineral wealth, countries like China may come and set up exploration projects but, in a country, where a suicide bomber can explode himself anywhere and even locals are not safe, security of external investment is going to be a challenge. During the new Taliban rule, all the progress in this regard is likely to be reversed.&nbsp;

Taliban has come to power by force and are struggling to get legitimacy, but the million-dollar question is “Are they fit to govern a country?” or “Will they be able to provide better life to their citizens?”&nbsp;

Seeing their composition and attitude, answer is a clear no. World is seeing that Afghanistan is slowly plunging into dark once again and it’s the people of the hill country who will be the sufferer now.

(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.) 
&nbsp;

Afghanistan attained a unique status in the world yesterday (September 7). It is the only country in the world that is governed by UN-designated terrorists and yet able to get recognition of countries like China, Pakistan, and Qatar to name a few.

Afghanistan attained a unique status in the world yesterday (September 7). It is the only country in the world that is governed by UN-designated terrorists and yet able to get recognition of countries like China, Pakistan, and Qatar to name a few. A government that showcases suicide bombs and various other tools of terror in its victory parade is in power and the democracy is shedding tears of blood. It is pertinent to analyse Taliban in “The Graveyard of many Empires”, their office bearers, and their intentions to govern the country in the light of their past deeds. Ultra-fanatic regime Taliban is not different from the fanatic Islamic rulers of early medieval times. They have already issued directives that entire administration of the country will be run as per fanatic Sharia law where all the human rights are non-existent & a patriarchal society governs the power centre. Judiciary becomes a puppet to the religious leaders, and anyone can be killed on the smallest doubt. Their interpretation of Islam is ultra-fanatic and is beyond any explanation. Also Read | Taliban government lists agenda on Sharia law, media quality & foreign policy During Taliban 1.0, we saw the atrocities where they castrated the serving president and hanged him from a lamp post after trying him in roadside kangaroo court. Now these courts will be all over Afghanistan and anyone who had been against Taliban in the past will be punished as per their version of Sharia law. Certainly, Afghanistan has gone ten centuries back. A government full of terrorists Today Afghanistan has a government where the supreme leader, prime minister, deputy prime minister, home minister, defence minister and almost 70% of the cabinet are designated as terrorists with a total combined reward of over 35 million USD on their heads. Their home minister Sirajuddin Haqqani himself carries a bounty of 10 million USD alone. Information and Propaganda Minister Khairullah has been named as one of the most dangerous terrorists by FBI & several others have been involved in major terror activities worldwide. It is a big question that will these terrorists be able to govern a country? It is obvious that they will continue supporting terror activities worldwide even if they do not get involved themselves and it is a big challenge for the world. Rights of minorities, intellectuals, women & non-Taliban people Taliban has already made it clear that the government will not be a democratic one and anyone who is a minority, women or not associated with Taliban will not be included in the government. Also Read | Taliban government: Sirajuddin Haqqani on FBI wanted list, other key members on UN blacklist As per their version of Sharia, any minority can be termed un-Islamic anytime and thus can be eliminated. Similarly, women are considered an object like a melon (As mentioned by one of their ministers) and are to be treated like an object. Anyone who is not associated with Taliban is considered their enemy. Education has its own importance and It is a universal truth that a country grows by its talent & its intellectuals, but new Taliban education minister clearly said that there is no need for higher education for Afghanistan people because even all its leaders have been the students of seminaries and are governing the country. This clearly reflects that there will be no place for scientists, educationists, economists & various other experts in the new Afghanistan. During the Taliban rule, they will either be killed or migrate to some other country. Drug Cartels Prior to takeover of Afghanistan, almost 40% of the total income of Taliban used to come from Opium and other drug trade. Afghanistan is known to produce 85% of the heroin in the world. Now imagine a country where economists are killed, and treasury is empty. Government is spending huge budgets on arms and ammunition and there is no legitimate source of income. In such situation, Taliban will surely take up drug trade as a national industry especially when they are in power now. In a country where government itself runs drug cartels, we can imagine the future of its progenies and neighbouring countries. Impact on Industrial Growth and development Last 15 years when there was an inclusive government in Afghanistan have been a better period and many countries came forward to help Afghan people with various infrastructure projects, healthcare, Industrial projects, hygiene, sanitation, water supplies and education but with a government full of fanatics and terrorists, it is highly unlikely that any country will invest in Afghanistan now. With over 82% of its population staying below poverty line and per capita GDP is below 1.5 USD per day, future is very much in dark. Although, some experts said that since Afghanistan has mineral wealth, countries like China may come and set up exploration projects but, in a country, where a suicide bomber can explode himself anywhere and even locals are not safe, security of external investment is going to be a challenge. During the new Taliban rule, all the progress in this regard is likely to be reversed. Taliban has come to power by force and are struggling to get legitimacy, but the million-dollar question is “Are they fit to govern a country?” or “Will they be able to provide better life to their citizens?” Seeing their composition and attitude, answer is a clear no. World is seeing that Afghanistan is slowly plunging into dark once again and it’s the people of the hill country who will be the sufferer now. (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 | Can a government led by terrorists govern Afghanistan?

The Taliban formally declared a caretaker government Tuesday, appointing acting Cabinet ministers who were largely loyalists from the group’s first years of rule in the 1990s.

The list of ministers was the clearest indication yet that the group sees power as something to be shared exclusively among the victors, rather than fulfilling their promise of an inclusive government that factored in the reality of a changed Afghanistan where women and ethnic minorities were represented in decision-making.

Though many of the new government’s senior figures have been in similar roles within the Taliban for years, relatively little is known about them. Here are details about some of them, based on New York Times reporting.

Mullah Muhammad Hassan, prime minister

Seen as one of the founding members of the Taliban in the 1990s, Hassan will hold the prime ministerial role that looks after the day to day of governing.

He was a former deputy prime minister and foreign minister during the Taliban’s government that took control in the 1990s. During the two decades of insurgency after the Taliban fell from power, he remained low-profile and in the shadows, helping to coordinate and run the Taliban’s leadership council in Quetta, Pakistan.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, deputy prime minister

Baradar, who Interpol says was born in Uruzgan province in 1968, served along with Mullah Mohammad Omar, the Taliban’s founder, in the fight against the Soviet occupation. He held senior posts in the first Taliban government, starting in 1996, and gained a reputation as one of the most brutal commanders on the battlefield as the Taliban sought to suppress their opponents among the northern resistance. He was serving as deputy minister of defense in 2001, and like other leaders, he fled to Pakistan.

When the Taliban reformed as an insurgency, Baradar was Omar’s principal deputy, and he led the movement’s military operations. He oversaw a sharp escalation of the insurgency in 2006 but was also engaged in secret consultations with the emissaries of President Hamid Karzai and international assistance organizations.

He was detained in a joint U.S.-Pakistani raid in 2010, which Pakistani officials later said had been to end his dialogue with the Karzai government. Because of his respect within the Taliban and his previous openness to dialogue, however, the United States pressed Pakistan to release him so he could help lead the talks that began in 2019 and reached a troop withdrawal deal with the Trump administration.

During the talks, he struck up what several officials described as a warm relationship with the U.S. envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad. And in recent days, his movements within Afghanistan — first to Kandahar, the wellspring of the Taliban movement, and then to Kabul, where he began conducting leadership meetings — were seen as confirmation that the Taliban’s new government was near.

Sirajuddin Haqqani, interior minister

Haqqani, who is thought to be 48 and is the son of mujahedeen commander and Haqqani network founder Jalaluddin Haqqani, is emerging as one of the biggest winners in the return of the Taliban to power. He will be the acting interior minister, in charge of law and order and possibly even local governance, and has also ensured his commanders’ positions in other key departments of the government.

In 2016, he became one of two deputies to the Taliban’s supreme leader, Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada, overseeing a sprawling web of fighters and religious schools, and leading much of the Taliban’s military efforts.

His Haqqani network, known for its close ties to the Pakistani intelligence service, was the most dogged opponent of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. It was responsible for hostage-taking, targeted assassinations and suicide bombings, including some of the huge truck bombings that killed civilians in Kabul.

Haqqani and his network also have some of the strongest and longest-running ties to al-Qaida.

“The Haqqanis sit at the nexus between the Taliban and al-Qaida — they are one of the key bridges,” said Thomas Joscelyn, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and senior editor of the group’s Long War Journal.

Mawlawi Muhammad Yaqoub, defense minister

Yaqoub, who is thought to be about 30, is the head of the Taliban’s military commission, and is the oldest son of Omar.

His name came to public attention during the Taliban’s leadership succession in 2016. Though Yaqoub had the support of some of the movement’s military commanders, concerns about his youth became a factor in the eventual decision to choose Akhundzada as the insurgency’s overall leader.

In the years since, Yaqoub has risen in prominence. And in recent days he took an increasingly public role in trying to keep order among the group’s triumphant rank and file, warning that anyone caught looting “will be dealt with,” and any theft of government property would be a betrayal of the country. “There is no permission to take a car or a house from someone or anything else,” he said.

Amir Khan Muttaqi, foreign minister

Muttaqi, who until recently was the head of the Taliban’s powerful Invitation and Guidance Commission responsible for persuading many members of the Afghan army and police forces to surrender in recent months, has been rewarded with the key post of foreign minister.

He served as information and culture minister, then education minister, in the first Taliban government. During the two decades of the Taliban insurgency, he helped shape the group’s strategy for propaganda and psychological warfare, before serving as chief of staff to the supreme leader and as a member of Taliban political delegation in Qatar.

Abdul Haq Wasiq, intelligence chief

Wasiq was one of the five Guantánamo Bay prisoners released in exchange for the last U.S. prisoner of war, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. Upon his release, he arrived in Doha, Qatar, and became a key member of the Taliban’s talks with the U.S., spending months negotiating with his former captors their departure from Afghanistan. He is a native of Ghazni province and is believed to be in his early 50s.

While all five of the detainees who were part of the Bergdahl exchange have gotten senior positions in the new government — three of them ministerial roles, one deputy minister and one governor — Wasiq steps into the key role of leading the same intelligence agency where he served as deputy in the 1990s. The intelligence agency was central to the Taliban’s hold on power as a police state that ran wide networks of informants.

His interrogation files from his time in Guantánamo accuse Wasiq of close ties to al-Qaida, including arranging for the terrorist group to provide training for intelligence agents of the Taliban government.

Zabihullah Mujahid, deputy information and culture minister

Mujahid, who says he is 43 and a native of Paktia province, has been the Taliban’s main spokesperson and chief propagandist for years, answering reporters’ calls and keeping up a barrage of social media posts. But the world did not see his face until Aug. 17, when he conducted the Taliban’s first in-person news conference in Kabul.

Since then, he has played a primary role in trying to urge Afghans and the world to accept the Taliban as legitimate rulers of Afghanistan, and in saying that the group was turning away from some of the harsh policies of its first tenure in power.

“We don’t want Afghanistan to be a battlefield anymore — from today onward, war is over,” he said at the news conference.

Khalil Haqqani, minister for refugees

Haqqani is a special representative of the Taliban’s supreme leader, and an uncle of the Taliban’s deputy leader. He has long been an important fundraiser for the Haqqani network, with close ties in the Gulf region, and he is included on U.S. and U.N. lists of global terrorists.

In recent days, he has played a public role in establishing Taliban authority in Kabul. Just a few days after Kabul’s fall, he appeared at a prominent mosque within the city and told a cheering crowd that the Taliban’s “first priority for Afghanistan is security — if there is no security, there is no life.”

He has been the primary Taliban figure in securing bayat, an Islamic oath of allegiance, from prominent Afghan figures over the past two weeks.

The Taliban formally declared a caretaker government Tuesday, appointing acting Cabinet ministers who were largely loyalists from the group’s first years of rule in the 1990s.

The Taliban formally declared a caretaker government Tuesday, appointing acting Cabinet ministers who were largely loyalists from the group’s first years of rule in the 1990s. The list of ministers was the clearest indication yet that the group sees power as something to be shared exclusively among the victors, rather than fulfilling their promise of an inclusive government that factored in the reality of a changed Afghanistan where women and ethnic minorities were represented in decision-making. Though many of the new government’s senior figures have been in similar roles within the Taliban for years, relatively little is known about them. Here are details about some of them, based on New York Times reporting. Mullah Muhammad Hassan, prime minister Seen as one of the founding members of the Taliban in the 1990s, Hassan will hold the prime ministerial role that looks after the day to day of governing. He was a former deputy prime minister and foreign minister during the Taliban’s government that took control in the 1990s. During the two decades of insurgency after the Taliban fell from power, he remained low-profile and in the shadows, helping to coordinate and run the Taliban’s leadership council in Quetta, Pakistan. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, deputy prime minister Baradar, who Interpol says was born in Uruzgan province in 1968, served along with Mullah Mohammad Omar, the Taliban’s founder, in the fight against the Soviet occupation. He held senior posts in the first Taliban government, starting in 1996, and gained a reputation as one of the most brutal commanders on the battlefield as the Taliban sought to suppress their opponents among the northern resistance. He was serving as deputy minister of defense in 2001, and like other leaders, he fled to Pakistan. When the Taliban reformed as an insurgency, Baradar was Omar’s principal deputy, and he led the movement’s military operations. He oversaw a sharp escalation of the insurgency in 2006 but was also engaged in secret consultations with the emissaries of President Hamid Karzai and international assistance organizations. He was detained in a joint U.S.-Pakistani raid in 2010, which Pakistani officials later said had been to end his dialogue with the Karzai government. Because of his respect within the Taliban and his previous openness to dialogue, however, the United States pressed Pakistan to release him so he could help lead the talks that began in 2019 and reached a troop withdrawal deal with the Trump administration. During the talks, he struck up what several officials described as a warm relationship with the U.S. envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad. And in recent days, his movements within Afghanistan — first to Kandahar, the wellspring of the Taliban movement, and then to Kabul, where he began conducting leadership meetings — were seen as confirmation that the Taliban’s new government was near. Sirajuddin Haqqani, interior minister Haqqani, who is thought to be 48 and is the son of mujahedeen commander and Haqqani network founder Jalaluddin Haqqani, is emerging as one of the biggest winners in the return of the Taliban to power. He will be the acting interior minister, in charge of law and order and possibly even local governance, and has also ensured his commanders’ positions in other key departments of the government. In 2016, he became one of two deputies to the Taliban’s supreme leader, Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada, overseeing a sprawling web of fighters and religious schools, and leading much of the Taliban’s military efforts. His Haqqani network, known for its close ties to the Pakistani intelligence service, was the most dogged opponent of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. It was responsible for hostage-taking, targeted assassinations and suicide bombings, including some of the huge truck bombings that killed civilians in Kabul. Haqqani and his network also have some of the strongest and longest-running ties to al-Qaida. “The Haqqanis sit at the nexus between the Taliban and al-Qaida — they are one of the key bridges,” said Thomas Joscelyn, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and senior editor of the group’s Long War Journal. Mawlawi Muhammad Yaqoub, defense minister Yaqoub, who is thought to be about 30, is the head of the Taliban’s military commission, and is the oldest son of Omar. His name came to public attention during the Taliban’s leadership succession in 2016. Though Yaqoub had the support of some of the movement’s military commanders, concerns about his youth became a factor in the eventual decision to choose Akhundzada as the insurgency’s overall leader. In the years since, Yaqoub has risen in prominence. And in recent days he took an increasingly public role in trying to keep order among the group’s triumphant rank and file, warning that anyone caught looting “will be dealt with,” and any theft of government property would be a betrayal of the country. “There is no permission to take a car or a house from someone or anything else,” he said. Amir Khan Muttaqi, foreign minister Muttaqi, who until recently was the head of the Taliban’s powerful Invitation and Guidance Commission responsible for persuading many members of the Afghan army and police forces to surrender in recent months, has been rewarded with the key post of foreign minister. He served as information and culture minister, then education minister, in the first Taliban government. During the two decades of the Taliban insurgency, he helped shape the group’s strategy for propaganda and psychological warfare, before serving as chief of staff to the supreme leader and as a member of Taliban political delegation in Qatar. Abdul Haq Wasiq, intelligence chief Wasiq was one of the five Guantánamo Bay prisoners released in exchange for the last U.S. prisoner of war, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. Upon his release, he arrived in Doha, Qatar, and became a key member of the Taliban’s talks with the U.S., spending months negotiating with his former captors their departure from Afghanistan. He is a native of Ghazni province and is believed to be in his early 50s. While all five of the detainees who were part of the Bergdahl exchange have gotten senior positions in the new government — three of them ministerial roles, one deputy minister and one governor — Wasiq steps into the key role of leading the same intelligence agency where he served as deputy in the 1990s. The intelligence agency was central to the Taliban’s hold on power as a police state that ran wide networks of informants. His interrogation files from his time in Guantánamo accuse Wasiq of close ties to al-Qaida, including arranging for the terrorist group to provide training for intelligence agents of the Taliban government. Zabihullah Mujahid, deputy information and culture minister Mujahid, who says he is 43 and a native of Paktia province, has been the Taliban’s main spokesperson and chief propagandist for years, answering reporters’ calls and keeping up a barrage of social media posts. But the world did not see his face until Aug. 17, when he conducted the Taliban’s first in-person news conference in Kabul. Since then, he has played a primary role in trying to urge Afghans and the world to accept the Taliban as legitimate rulers of Afghanistan, and in saying that the group was turning away from some of the harsh policies of its first tenure in power. “We don’t want Afghanistan to be a battlefield anymore — from today onward, war is over,” he said at the news conference. Khalil Haqqani, minister for refugees Haqqani is a special representative of the Taliban’s supreme leader, and an uncle of the Taliban’s deputy leader. He has long been an important fundraiser for the Haqqani network, with close ties in the Gulf region, and he is included on U.S. and U.N. lists of global terrorists. In recent days, he has played a public role in establishing Taliban authority in Kabul. Just a few days after Kabul’s fall, he appeared at a prominent mosque within the city and told a cheering crowd that the Taliban’s “first priority for Afghanistan is security — if there is no security, there is no life.” He has been the primary Taliban figure in securing bayat, an Islamic oath of allegiance, from prominent Afghan figures over the past two weeks.

Who are the Taliban’s new government leaders? Here’s what we know

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