In a new diktat that seeks to stifle criticism of its regime, the Taliban have warned to punish those who criticise the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” scholars and public servants with a gesture, word or anything else, Voice of America (VOA) reports.

The spokesperson of the Taliban, Zabiullah Mujahid, issued these new “instructions” citing their leader&nbsp;Mullah Hebatullah Akhundzada.&nbsp;It said&nbsp;that the implementation of these so-called guidelines was the “Sharia responsibility” of the people and the media.

The “instructions” also prohibit the public from making unnecessary accusations against Taliban workers and officials.

The so-called instructions come in the backdrop of a spate of arrests and torture of the dissidents who criticised the Taliban for preventing girls’ education and women’s and human rights.

These new directives were published weeks after an Islamic religious scholar from Herat, Mujibur Rahman Ansari, asked the participants at the “Great Meeting of Scholars” in Kabul to issue a fatwa, calling&nbsp;for the beheading of the opponents of the Taliban government.

The guidelines of the Taliban leader mention that such actions amount to “negative propaganda” which “unconsciously helps the enemies”, reported VOA. Though they have not explained who are these “enemies”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/was-detained-by-taliban-for-writing-against-them-australian-journalist-details-her-ordeal-to-wion-499921">'Detained by Taliban for writing against them', Oz journalist details ordeal</a>

Moreover, if any person “touches any soldier, or pulls his clothes, or says bad things to him”, he will be punished appropriately, the “instructions” of the Taliban leader state.

The Taliban is currently engaged in a skirmish with the self-identified “National Resistance Front”, which has repeatedly accused the fundamentalists of “arresting, killing and injuring civilians”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/afghan-youtuber-assaulted-for-fun-by-taliban-terrorists-499980" hreflang="en">Afghan YouTuber assaulted for 'fun' by Taliban terrorists</a>

According to a UN report released earlier this week, 54 cases of torture and ill-treatment and 113 cases of arbitrary arrest and detention, 23 cases of incommunicado detention and 18 extrajudicial killings of individuals affiliated with the National Resistance Front have been reported.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In a new diktat that seeks to stifle criticism of its regime, the Taliban have warned to punish those who criticise the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” scholars and public servants with a gesture, word or anything else, Voice of America (VOA) reports.

In a new diktat that seeks to stifle criticism of its regime, the Taliban have warned to punish those who criticise the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” scholars and public servants with a gesture, word or anything else, Voice of America (VOA) reports. The spokesperson of the Taliban, Zabiullah Mujahid, issued these new “instructions” citing their leader Mullah Hebatullah Akhundzada. It said that the implementation of these so-called guidelines was the “Sharia responsibility” of the people and the media. The “instructions” also prohibit the public from making unnecessary accusations against Taliban workers and officials. The so-called instructions come in the backdrop of a spate of arrests and torture of the dissidents who criticised the Taliban for preventing girls’ education and women’s and human rights. These new directives were published weeks after an Islamic religious scholar from Herat, Mujibur Rahman Ansari, asked the participants at the “Great Meeting of Scholars” in Kabul to issue a fatwa, calling for the beheading of the opponents of the Taliban government. The guidelines of the Taliban leader mention that such actions amount to “negative propaganda” which “unconsciously helps the enemies”, reported VOA. Though they have not explained who are these “enemies”. Also read | 'Detained by Taliban for writing against them', Oz journalist details ordeal Moreover, if any person “touches any soldier, or pulls his clothes, or says bad things to him”, he will be punished appropriately, the “instructions” of the Taliban leader state. The Taliban is currently engaged in a skirmish with the self-identified “National Resistance Front”, which has repeatedly accused the fundamentalists of “arresting, killing and injuring civilians”. Also read | Afghan YouTuber assaulted for 'fun' by Taliban terrorists According to a UN report released earlier this week, 54 cases of torture and ill-treatment and 113 cases of arbitrary arrest and detention, 23 cases of incommunicado detention and 18 extrajudicial killings of individuals affiliated with the National Resistance Front have been reported. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Taliban issue new diktat, vow to punish those who criticise ‘Islamic Emirate’

Even before the Afghan Taliban arrived at the gates of Kabul, Pakistan started discussions with the government-in-waiting to deal with militant outfits such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch groups operating out of the neighbouring country.

In their interactions with the Taliban leadership, Pakistani officials made it clear that all these groups must not only be denied operating space but also face military action.

According to reports, the Taliban is now mediating talks between the banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Pakistan government.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bowing-down-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-approves-tlps-de-proscription-427362">Bowing down? Pakistan PM Imran Khan approves TLP's de-proscription</a>

The chief of the Haqqani network, the Islamic Emirate's acting interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, is thought to have played the role of mediator.&nbsp;

Although the Islamic Emirate declined to confirm the reports, it said it would play its part.&nbsp;

"The stance of the Islamic Emirate is that it will act in a role to resolve problems that are important," said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.&nbsp;

Despite the absence of an official confirmation, reports suggest that the TTP agreed to announce a ceasefire for a month in exchange for the release of dozens of the group's prisoners.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-taliban-want-prisoners-released-before-ceasefire-talks-427229">Pakistan Taliban want prisoners released before ceasefire talks</a>

However, there are differing views regarding whether mediation of talks would serve Afghanistan's interests. TTP previously demanded the release of its prisoners as a pre-condition for a ceasefire.&nbsp;

The Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mansoor Ahmed Khan, said he could neither confirm nor deny reports of talks between Pakistan and the TTP. He added that engaging with the TTP or its affiliates should be seen in the context of Pakistan and the Taliban government's counter-terrorism efforts and the strategy they agreed on.

Watch |&nbsp;Taliban appoints 44 governors, police chiefs around Afghanistan

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-appoints-44-governors-police-chiefs-around-afghanistan-427554/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to the leader of the National Solidarity Movement, Sayed Ishaq Gailani, the Islamic Emirate considers the ongoing negotiations to be an achievement.

"If Sirajuddin Haqqani facilitated the negotiations, it is an honour for the people of Afghanistan," he said.&nbsp;

TTP has been active in several parts of Pakistan since 2007.&nbsp;

Even before the Afghan Taliban arrived at the gates of Kabul, Pakistan started discussions with the government-in-waiting to deal with militant outfits such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch groups operating out of the neighbouring country.

Even before the Afghan Taliban arrived at the gates of Kabul, Pakistan started discussions with the government-in-waiting to deal with militant outfits such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch groups operating out of the neighbouring country. In their interactions with the Taliban leadership, Pakistani officials made it clear that all these groups must not only be denied operating space but also face military action. According to reports, the Taliban is now mediating talks between the banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Pakistan government. Also read | Bowing down? Pakistan PM Imran Khan approves TLP's de-proscription The chief of the Haqqani network, the Islamic Emirate's acting interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, is thought to have played the role of mediator. Although the Islamic Emirate declined to confirm the reports, it said it would play its part. "The stance of the Islamic Emirate is that it will act in a role to resolve problems that are important," said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate. Despite the absence of an official confirmation, reports suggest that the TTP agreed to announce a ceasefire for a month in exchange for the release of dozens of the group's prisoners. Also read | Pakistan Taliban want prisoners released before ceasefire talks However, there are differing views regarding whether mediation of talks would serve Afghanistan's interests. TTP previously demanded the release of its prisoners as a pre-condition for a ceasefire. The Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mansoor Ahmed Khan, said he could neither confirm nor deny reports of talks between Pakistan and the TTP. He added that engaging with the TTP or its affiliates should be seen in the context of Pakistan and the Taliban government's counter-terrorism efforts and the strategy they agreed on. Watch | Taliban appoints 44 governors, police chiefs around Afghanistan According to the leader of the National Solidarity Movement, Sayed Ishaq Gailani, the Islamic Emirate considers the ongoing negotiations to be an achievement. "If Sirajuddin Haqqani facilitated the negotiations, it is an honour for the people of Afghanistan," he said. TTP has been active in several parts of Pakistan since 2007.

Taliban mediating talks between Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Taliban, Islamabad: Report

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/taliban-has-to-integrate-into-new-afghanistan-afghan-chief-of-mission-tells-wion-267232">Taliban</a> Monday denied agreeing to any ceasefire in Afghanistan after rumours swirled of a potential deal that would see a reduction in fighting after more than 18 years of war.

The statement from the insurgents comes as local and international forces brace for another bloody winter amid renewed US-Taliban talks after President Donald Trump called off the negotiations earlier this year over insurgent attacks.

"In the past few days, some media have been releasing untrue reports about a ceasefire... The fact is that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has no ceasefire plans," the Taliban said, after multiple media reports, including a story in the Wall Street Journal, suggested the group was on the verge of announcing some type of temporary truce.&nbsp;

The US and the Afghan government in Kabul have long called for a ceasefire with the Taliban, including during the year of negotiations between Washington and the militants that were abruptly called off by Trump in September.

Watch:&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-has-to-integrate-into-new-afghanistan-says-afghan-chief-of-mission-267213/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, the insurgents have repeatedly stated that any potential truce will only be ironed out after American troops withdraw from the country.&nbsp; 
The US-Taliban talks, held mainly in Doha, were aimed at allowing Washington to begin withdrawing troops in return for various security guarantees.&nbsp;

They were on the brink of a deal when Trump abandoned the effort in September, citing Taliban violence. Negotiations have since restarted in Doha, but were earlier this month put on a "pause".

Trump is looking to slash the troop presence in Afghanistan, potentially even before a deal between Washington and the Taliban is cemented. 
Deadly bouts of fighting continue however, with tens of thousands of Afghan security forces killed since they inherited combat operations from NATO at the end of 2014.

Grim milestone

Earlier Monday, in northern Afghanistan’s Jowzjan province, the Taliban killed at least 13 Afghan security forces during a raid on a pro-government militia position, according to a provincial spokesman.

Every day Afghan civilians also continue to bear the brunt of the bloody conflict. The country passed a grim milestone this year, with more than 100,000 killed or wounded over the past decade, the United Nations said last week.

A UN tally found last year was the deadliest on record, with at least 3,804 civilian deaths caused by the war -- including 927 children.

Afghanistan is also struggling with an ongoing political dispute after officials announced preliminary results in the latest presidential elections that put President Ashraf Ghani on track to secure a second term.

Election authorities have yet to declare the results as final after receiving more than 16,000 complaints about the polls, with the ultimate tally expected in the coming weeks.

The Taliban have long viewed Ghani as an American stooge and have refused to negotiate with his government, leading many to fear that fighting against Afghan forces will continue even if the US secures an eventual deal with the militants to withdraw.

The Taliban Monday denied agreeing to any ceasefire in Afghanistan after rumours swirled of a potential deal that would see a reduction in fighting after more than 18 years of war.

The Taliban Monday denied agreeing to any ceasefire in Afghanistan after rumours swirled of a potential deal that would see a reduction in fighting after more than 18 years of war. The statement from the insurgents comes as local and international forces brace for another bloody winter amid renewed US-Taliban talks after President Donald Trump called off the negotiations earlier this year over insurgent attacks. "In the past few days, some media have been releasing untrue reports about a ceasefire... The fact is that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has no ceasefire plans," the Taliban said, after multiple media reports, including a story in the Wall Street Journal, suggested the group was on the verge of announcing some type of temporary truce. The US and the Afghan government in Kabul have long called for a ceasefire with the Taliban, including during the year of negotiations between Washington and the militants that were abruptly called off by Trump in September. Watch: However, the insurgents have repeatedly stated that any potential truce will only be ironed out after American troops withdraw from the country. The US-Taliban talks, held mainly in Doha, were aimed at allowing Washington to begin withdrawing troops in return for various security guarantees. They were on the brink of a deal when Trump abandoned the effort in September, citing Taliban violence. Negotiations have since restarted in Doha, but were earlier this month put on a "pause". Trump is looking to slash the troop presence in Afghanistan, potentially even before a deal between Washington and the Taliban is cemented. Deadly bouts of fighting continue however, with tens of thousands of Afghan security forces killed since they inherited combat operations from NATO at the end of 2014. Grim milestone Earlier Monday, in northern Afghanistan’s Jowzjan province, the Taliban killed at least 13 Afghan security forces during a raid on a pro-government militia position, according to a provincial spokesman. Every day Afghan civilians also continue to bear the brunt of the bloody conflict. The country passed a grim milestone this year, with more than 100,000 killed or wounded over the past decade, the United Nations said last week. A UN tally found last year was the deadliest on record, with at least 3,804 civilian deaths caused by the war -- including 927 children. Afghanistan is also struggling with an ongoing political dispute after officials announced preliminary results in the latest presidential elections that put President Ashraf Ghani on track to secure a second term. Election authorities have yet to declare the results as final after receiving more than 16,000 complaints about the polls, with the ultimate tally expected in the coming weeks. The Taliban have long viewed Ghani as an American stooge and have refused to negotiate with his government, leading many to fear that fighting against Afghan forces will continue even if the US secures an eventual deal with the militants to withdraw.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has no ceasefire plans: Taliban

Taliban seems to have put forward new conditions to the U.S. for the peace talks, Taliban sources have told WION that the group would declare ceasefire only in areas where the U.S. troops have left. Watch full video to know more.

Taliban Sources to WION: 'Ceasefire only when U.S. troops withdraw'

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Taliban issue new diktat, vow to punish those who criticise ‘Islamic Emirate’

Taliban mediating talks between Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Taliban, Islamabad: Report

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has no ceasefire plans: Taliban

Taliban Sources to WION: 'Ceasefire only when U.S. troops withdraw'