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’

The Taliban rule in Afghanistan continues to make&nbsp;a mockery of humanity. More than a month after Ajmal Haqiqi, a model-YouTuber, along with his three colleagues was arrested by the terrorist outfit, they are being brutally tortured and filmed for voyeuristic pleasures.&nbsp;

Reportedly, a video of Taliban terrorists mercilessly torturing and beating Ajmal with rods has gone viral on social media. It is being reported that the Taliban terrorists filmed the video for ‘fun’ and to share it on their WhatsApp groups.&nbsp;

Ajmal and his friends arrested on charges of Blasphemy

As reported previously by WION,&nbsp;Ajmal and his colleagues have been arrested on charges of Blasphemy, according to the Taliban's General Directorate of Intelligence.

Reportedly, in the controversial video, one of Ajmal’s aides,&nbsp;having a speech impediment, recited a few verses of the Quran in a funny manner. The video was made for humorous purposes and didn’t intend to insult the holy book of Muslims.

Read More:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/afghan-model-youtuber-arrested-by-taliban-for-insulting-islamic-sacred-values-486690">Afghan model-YouTuber arrested by Taliban for 'insulting Islamic sacred values'</a>

However, the Taliban took offence and dispatched its terrorists to arrest the youngsters, despite Ajmal posting an apology video, on charges of ‘insulting Islamic sacred values’. Since then, the four of them have been kept in captivity.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A video was released a day after their arrest where Ajmal could be seen parroting the lines fed to him by the Taliban and confessing to the non-existent crime.&nbsp;

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The Taliban have detained <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>’s famous fashion model and YouTuber <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AjmalHaqiqi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AjmalHaqiqi</a>. The Taliban have accused him of disrespecting ‘Islam &amp; Afghan culture’. In this video, he is giving a forced confession and it is evident that he has been beaten as well.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeAjmal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreeAjmal</a> <a href="https://t.co/JjBnMcTIVk">pic.twitter.com/JjBnMcTIVk</a>
— Qais Alamdar (@Qaisalamdar) <a href="https://twitter.com/Qaisalamdar/status/1534217639068942338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2022</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Amnesty International objected to the arrest and demanded the Taliban immediately release the YouTubers and end their censorship. It further added:

<blockquote>
“Restrictions to the right to freedom of expression must be clearly provided by law and be strictly necessary and proportionate to a legitimate aim. International human rights law does not permit restrictions of freedom of expression simply on the grounds it has the potential to offend or insult nor for the protection of religious beliefs or the religious sensibilities of their adherents. This incident is a classic example of how the Taliban is creating a climate of fear in Afghanistan by using arbitrary arrests and coercion to force people into silence.”
</blockquote>

Ever since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan last August, the country has descended into chaos. Women’s rights have been snatched away and a plethora of caveman rules have been imposed to keep any kind of dissent in check.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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The Taliban rule in Afghanistan continues to make a mockery of humanity. More than a month after Ajmal Haqiqi, a model-YouTuber, along with his three colleagues was arrested by the terrorist outfit, they are being brutally tortured and filmed for voyeuristic pleasures.

The Taliban rule in Afghanistan continues to make a mockery of humanity. More than a month after Ajmal Haqiqi, a model-YouTuber, along with his three colleagues was arrested by the terrorist outfit, they are being brutally tortured and filmed for voyeuristic pleasures. Reportedly, a video of Taliban terrorists mercilessly torturing and beating Ajmal with rods has gone viral on social media. It is being reported that the Taliban terrorists filmed the video for ‘fun’ and to share it on their WhatsApp groups. Ajmal and his friends arrested on charges of Blasphemy As reported previously by WION, Ajmal and his colleagues have been arrested on charges of Blasphemy, according to the Taliban's General Directorate of Intelligence. Reportedly, in the controversial video, one of Ajmal’s aides, having a speech impediment, recited a few verses of the Quran in a funny manner. The video was made for humorous purposes and didn’t intend to insult the holy book of Muslims. Read More: Afghan model-YouTuber arrested by Taliban for 'insulting Islamic sacred values' However, the Taliban took offence and dispatched its terrorists to arrest the youngsters, despite Ajmal posting an apology video, on charges of ‘insulting Islamic sacred values’. Since then, the four of them have been kept in captivity. A video was released a day after their arrest where Ajmal could be seen parroting the lines fed to him by the Taliban and confessing to the non-existent crime. The Taliban have detained #Afghanistan’s famous fashion model and YouTuber #AjmalHaqiqi. The Taliban have accused him of disrespecting ‘Islam & Afghan culture’. In this video, he is giving a forced confession and it is evident that he has been beaten as well.#FreeAjmal pic.twitter.com/JjBnMcTIVk — Qais Alamdar (@Qaisalamdar) June 7, 2022 × Amnesty International objected to the arrest and demanded the Taliban immediately release the YouTubers and end their censorship. It further added: “Restrictions to the right to freedom of expression must be clearly provided by law and be strictly necessary and proportionate to a legitimate aim. International human rights law does not permit restrictions of freedom of expression simply on the grounds it has the potential to offend or insult nor for the protection of religious beliefs or the religious sensibilities of their adherents. This incident is a classic example of how the Taliban is creating a climate of fear in Afghanistan by using arbitrary arrests and coercion to force people into silence.” Ever since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan last August, the country has descended into chaos. Women’s rights have been snatched away and a plethora of caveman rules have been imposed to keep any kind of dissent in check. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Afghan YouTuber assaulted for 'fun' by Taliban terrorists

An Australian journalist, who has been working extensively in Afghanistan for more than 20 years, was detained by the Taliban and was forced to write an apology tweet for writing on the militant groups’ atrocities.

Foreign Policy magazine writer&nbsp;Lynne O’Donnell was held captive for three days after she arrived in Kabul for writing on the plight of women under the Taliban regime and how teenage girls are being used as sex slaves.

On Tuesday, she was coerced into writing an apology after being threatened with dire consequences.

<img alt="A screenshot of two apology tweets written by the Taliban and sent from the journalist's account." src="https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/3594fdd481c6565bf31754e7651e96c1?src" />

It was eighteen hours later when Lynne tweeted again, everything became clear as to what transpired.

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Tweet an apology or go to jail, said <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> intelligence. Whatever it takes: They dictated. I tweeted. They didn’t like it. Deleted, edited, re-tweeted. Made video of me saying I wasn't coerced. Re-did that too.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TwoTakesTaliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TwoTakesTaliban</a> (I’m out now) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/journalism?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#journalism</a>
— Lynne O'Donnell (@lynnekodonnell) <a href="https://twitter.com/lynnekodonnell/status/1549707743946235904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Speaking to WION’s correspondent Anas Mallick, O’Donnell, who&nbsp;has now left Afghanistan, revealed what happened on that fateful day and described how this episode left a deep scar on her.

WION: Why did you retract your story?

O’Donnell: I had been detained by people, who told me that they are operatives of the Taliban intelligence agency. They held me for 4 hours and threatened to send me to prison and asked me to make a confession that the reports that I had made for Foreign Policy magazine were fake. When I mentioned who my sources were, they said that they don't exist. I apologised to them, but it was not enough. They wanted me to make my apology public, so they dictated word-by-word to me. After that, they edited and sent them to somebody they called their boss—the superior—who then re-edited and made me send the tweet.

&nbsp;

WION: Do you stand by your story?

O'Donnell: Yes, I do. 100 per cent.

&nbsp;

WION: But the Taliban are accusing you of being an unethical journalist and that you are a foreign agent or a spy. What do you have to say about that?

O’Donnell: One of the people who is accusing me of not being a journalist and for making a faulty report or that I have concocted my source, doesn’t even use his name to&nbsp;represent himself. He is the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He doesn’t use his name, everybody knows that. I am what I am, and I stand by whatever I do.

&nbsp;

WION: How do you see the future of journalism and journalists in Afghanistan, and how essential is it to have voices like yours to be there?

O’Donnell: The Taliban have been muddling the press for longer than they have been in power (since last August), and as they took control of districts and cities, they closed down Afghan media organisations. They detained, beat and killed some journalists, while many fled the country. Some of them are still continuing to function as journalists—writing and reporting on Afghanistan—from outside. That is the only way they can do it with any freedom. And what is happening to those surviving media organisations is that they are second-guessing—unable to work as a journalist. And they know that because media was free and&nbsp;a booming sector before the Taliban came in. There are people who say that journalists in Afghanistan are able to operate and do their job undeterred, but that is not true. I spoke&nbsp;to people, who are independent media monitors,&nbsp;when I was in Kabul, and they told me that they are still doing their work in all 34 Afghan provinces, but they can't publish anymore.

&nbsp;

WION: How much has Afghanistan changed from when you left?

O’Donnell: That is why I wanted to go. I went there to see what’s happening in the country since the Taliban took control. There is no point in pretending that everything was fantastic under the previous elected government—it was a corrupt administration which had no strategy and no leadership. The US decided to withdraw the military support and precipitated the collapse of the government. Since then, the status of women has deteriorated, they are not being allowed to take up jobs, girls are no longer allowed to go to school, and civil society has disappeared. Many people whom I spoke to when I was in Kabul described the prevailing atmosphere as a reign of terror. They are scared to talk. There are parameters, if they cross then they will be in trouble. They just don’t know what are those parameters, and that’s how fear is prevailing.

An Australian journalist, who has been working extensively in Afghanistan for more than 20 years, was detained by the Taliban and was forced to write an apology tweet for writing on the militant groups’ atrocities.

An Australian journalist, who has been working extensively in Afghanistan for more than 20 years, was detained by the Taliban and was forced to write an apology tweet for writing on the militant groups’ atrocities. Foreign Policy magazine writer Lynne O’Donnell was held captive for three days after she arrived in Kabul for writing on the plight of women under the Taliban regime and how teenage girls are being used as sex slaves. On Tuesday, she was coerced into writing an apology after being threatened with dire consequences. It was eighteen hours later when Lynne tweeted again, everything became clear as to what transpired. Tweet an apology or go to jail, said #Taliban intelligence. Whatever it takes: They dictated. I tweeted. They didn’t like it. Deleted, edited, re-tweeted. Made video of me saying I wasn't coerced. Re-did that too.#TwoTakesTaliban (I’m out now) #Afghanistan #journalism — Lynne O'Donnell (@lynnekodonnell) July 20, 2022 × Speaking to WION’s correspondent Anas Mallick, O’Donnell, who has now left Afghanistan, revealed what happened on that fateful day and described how this episode left a deep scar on her. WION: Why did you retract your story? O’Donnell: I had been detained by people, who told me that they are operatives of the Taliban intelligence agency. They held me for 4 hours and threatened to send me to prison and asked me to make a confession that the reports that I had made for Foreign Policy magazine were fake. When I mentioned who my sources were, they said that they don't exist. I apologised to them, but it was not enough. They wanted me to make my apology public, so they dictated word-by-word to me. After that, they edited and sent them to somebody they called their boss—the superior—who then re-edited and made me send the tweet. WION: Do you stand by your story? O'Donnell: Yes, I do. 100 per cent. WION: But the Taliban are accusing you of being an unethical journalist and that you are a foreign agent or a spy. What do you have to say about that? O’Donnell: One of the people who is accusing me of not being a journalist and for making a faulty report or that I have concocted my source, doesn’t even use his name to represent himself. He is the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He doesn’t use his name, everybody knows that. I am what I am, and I stand by whatever I do. WION: How do you see the future of journalism and journalists in Afghanistan, and how essential is it to have voices like yours to be there? O’Donnell: The Taliban have been muddling the press for longer than they have been in power (since last August), and as they took control of districts and cities, they closed down Afghan media organisations. They detained, beat and killed some journalists, while many fled the country. Some of them are still continuing to function as journalists—writing and reporting on Afghanistan—from outside. That is the only way they can do it with any freedom. And what is happening to those surviving media organisations is that they are second-guessing—unable to work as a journalist. And they know that because media was free and a booming sector before the Taliban came in. There are people who say that journalists in Afghanistan are able to operate and do their job undeterred, but that is not true. I spoke to people, who are independent media monitors, when I was in Kabul, and they told me that they are still doing their work in all 34 Afghan provinces, but they can't publish anymore. WION: How much has Afghanistan changed from when you left? O’Donnell: That is why I wanted to go. I went there to see what’s happening in the country since the Taliban took control. There is no point in pretending that everything was fantastic under the previous elected government—it was a corrupt administration which had no strategy and no leadership. The US decided to withdraw the military support and precipitated the collapse of the government. Since then, the status of women has deteriorated, they are not being allowed to take up jobs, girls are no longer allowed to go to school, and civil society has disappeared. Many people whom I spoke to when I was in Kabul described the prevailing atmosphere as a reign of terror. They are scared to talk. There are parameters, if they cross then they will be in trouble. They just don’t know what are those parameters, and that’s how fear is prevailing.

'Taliban detained me for writing against them', Australian journalist details her ordeal to WION

Four decades of war have left Afghanistan riddled with deadly land mines. Mine clearance operations have been stalled since the Taliban's conquest in August 2021. Almost 80% of land mine victims in Afghanistan are children. Mariam Wardak gets you a report.

South Asia Diary | Afghanistan's old killing fields claim young lives

Taliban officials, who now run Afghanistan’s highest offices, have asked women employees to send male relatives as replacements to take over their jobs. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

WION Fineprint | Taliban to women: Send us a man to do your job

The return of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan was never good news for the country’s women population. Over the years, the Taliban were infamous for their oppressive rules for women and the new regime is trying to implement similar restrictions once again. The finance ministry of the country has asked its female employees to nominate a male relative to work in their place. The women employees were earlier barred from working in public sector jobs and this announcement reasserted the position taken by the government. According to The Guardian, the Taliban sent the female employees home soon after taking power last year and have been paying reduced salaries.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-recession-incoming-three-wall-street-leaders-enlist-possible-reasons-for-the-economic-doomsday-498373" hreflang="en">Global recession incoming? Three Wall Street leaders enlist possible reasons for the economic doomsday</a>

This is the latest decision taken by the Taliban regime which is a painful reminder of how things were in Afghanistan during the early 2000s. In May, the government once again passed a decree on women’s clothing and made it mandatory for male “guardians” to accompany women in public.

An employee of the Afghanistan finance ministry, on the condition of anonymity confirmed the developments to The Guardian and said that the justification given for the exclusion was that the “workload in the office has increased and they need to hire a man instead of us”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-acting-president-ranil-wickremesinghe-declares-state-of-emergency-498307" hreflang="en">Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe declares state of emergency</a>

&nbsp;“I was asked to introduce a male family member to replace me at the ministry, so I could be dismissed from the job. How can I easily introduce someone else to replace me? Would he be able to work as efficiently as I have for so many years?” she said according to The Guardian.

It has been a tough period of time for Afghanistan as the country was rocked by a number of earthquakes and according to the United Nations, a huge portion of its population is currently facing acute hunger after farming was disrupted by the civil war and natural disasters.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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The return of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan was never good news for the country’s women population. Over the years, the Taliban were infamous for their oppressive rules for women and the new regime is trying to implement similar restrictions once again.

The return of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan was never good news for the country’s women population. Over the years, the Taliban were infamous for their oppressive rules for women and the new regime is trying to implement similar restrictions once again. The finance ministry of the country has asked its female employees to nominate a male relative to work in their place. The women employees were earlier barred from working in public sector jobs and this announcement reasserted the position taken by the government. According to The Guardian, the Taliban sent the female employees home soon after taking power last year and have been paying reduced salaries. Also read | Global recession incoming? Three Wall Street leaders enlist possible reasons for the economic doomsday This is the latest decision taken by the Taliban regime which is a painful reminder of how things were in Afghanistan during the early 2000s. In May, the government once again passed a decree on women’s clothing and made it mandatory for male “guardians” to accompany women in public. An employee of the Afghanistan finance ministry, on the condition of anonymity confirmed the developments to The Guardian and said that the justification given for the exclusion was that the “workload in the office has increased and they need to hire a man instead of us”. Also read | Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe declares state of emergency “I was asked to introduce a male family member to replace me at the ministry, so I could be dismissed from the job. How can I easily introduce someone else to replace me? Would he be able to work as efficiently as I have for so many years?” she said according to The Guardian. It has been a tough period of time for Afghanistan as the country was rocked by a number of earthquakes and according to the United Nations, a huge portion of its population is currently facing acute hunger after farming was disrupted by the civil war and natural disasters. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

'Asked to introduce male relatives': Taliban look to remove women from public sector roles

Taliban’s atrocities in Afghanistan continue to worsen as the group continues to deny that there are displaced people and had blocked the entry of humanitarian aid into the Bamyan region. According to sources in Bamyan, there are so many displaced people living on the outskirts of the Yakawlang who are in severe need of aid. As per reports of Khaama Press, recent humanitarian aid supplies delivered to Balkhab by the World Food Programme (WFP) were also displaced. Additionally, the locals of the areas have either fled or were forced to depart, leaving the Taliban in place, ANI reported.

According to UNHCR, it is crucial and urgent to provide shelter and food for displaced people who reside at a height of 2,700 meters in the chilly regions of Bamyan province.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-founder-mullah-omars-vehicle-that-he-used-to-flee-during-us-invasion-dug-up-from-ground-494717">Taliban founder Mullah Omar's vehicle that he used to flee during US invasion dug up from ground</a>

The local media said that nearly 27,000 people had been forced to flee from their homes in a matter of two weeks due to fighting in the Balkhab district of the Sar-e Pul province in the country’s north.

Watch |&nbsp;Report: UAE to run Kabul Airport | Taliban looks to make allies in Gulf

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/report-uae-to-run-kabul-airport-taliban-looks-to-make-allies-in-gulf-496492/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Khaama press reported that according to the United Nations Organisations for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (UNOCHA), more than 6,000 people from the Balkhab region have been displaced and are now being relocated to Bamyan, where the situation is similarly dire.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-activists-denounce-illegitimate-taliban-rule-494159">Afghan women activists denounce 'illegitimate' Taliban rule</a>

The local media also said that Afghan women in the Balkhab region are being harassed by Taliban fighters in the region. &nbsp;

Ever since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, the situation of the country and its people continue too worse. The Taliban deliberately adopted actions and policies with the intent of utterly eliminating women and girls from all aspects of public life, reflecting the position of females in the South Asian country. All of this happened in just ten months after taking control of the country.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Taliban’s atrocities in Afghanistan continue to worsen as the group continues to deny that there are displaced people and had blocked the entry of humanitarian aid into the Bamyan region.

Taliban’s atrocities in Afghanistan continue to worsen as the group continues to deny that there are displaced people and had blocked the entry of humanitarian aid into the Bamyan region. According to sources in Bamyan, there are so many displaced people living on the outskirts of the Yakawlang who are in severe need of aid. As per reports of Khaama Press, recent humanitarian aid supplies delivered to Balkhab by the World Food Programme (WFP) were also displaced. Additionally, the locals of the areas have either fled or were forced to depart, leaving the Taliban in place, ANI reported. According to UNHCR, it is crucial and urgent to provide shelter and food for displaced people who reside at a height of 2,700 meters in the chilly regions of Bamyan province. Also read | Taliban founder Mullah Omar's vehicle that he used to flee during US invasion dug up from ground The local media said that nearly 27,000 people had been forced to flee from their homes in a matter of two weeks due to fighting in the Balkhab district of the Sar-e Pul province in the country’s north. Watch | Report: UAE to run Kabul Airport | Taliban looks to make allies in Gulf The Khaama press reported that according to the United Nations Organisations for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (UNOCHA), more than 6,000 people from the Balkhab region have been displaced and are now being relocated to Bamyan, where the situation is similarly dire. Also read | Afghan women activists denounce 'illegitimate' Taliban rule The local media also said that Afghan women in the Balkhab region are being harassed by Taliban fighters in the region. Ever since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, the situation of the country and its people continue too worse. The Taliban deliberately adopted actions and policies with the intent of utterly eliminating women and girls from all aspects of public life, reflecting the position of females in the South Asian country. All of this happened in just ten months after taking control of the country. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Taliban forbid entry of humanitarian aid into Afghanistan's Bamyan province

In a big development coming from Afghanistan, reports suggest that UAE and Taliban are going to seal a major deal about who is going to run the Kabul Airport. The announcement is expected within weeks.

Report: UAE to run Kabul Airport | Taliban looks to make allies in Gulf

Toyota Wagon belonging to the founder of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, late Mullah Muhammad Umar Mujahid has been dug up and will be cleaned. This Toyota wagon was used by the late Amir to travel from Kandahar to Zabul province during the start of the United States-led invasion, as stated by Muhammad Jalal, who claims to be a peace activist, on Twitter.

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Toyota Wagon belonging to the founder of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, late Mullah Muhammad Umar Mujahid has been dug up and will be cleaned. This Toyota wagon was used by the late Amir to travel from Kandahar to Zabul province during the start of US led invasion. <a href="https://t.co/rvEPuvrpxD">pic.twitter.com/rvEPuvrpxD</a>
— Muhammad Jalal (@MJalal313) <a href="https://twitter.com/MJalal313/status/1544259514953785351?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Mullah Omar founded the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) in 1994 and served as its first leader until his death in 2013 His death remained concealed until July 2015, during which time the Taliban continued to issue statements in his name.

In the 1980s, Omar joined the Afghan mujahideen in their war against the Soviet Union and the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. He founded the Taliban movement in 1994, and by 1995 had captured much of southern and western Afghanistan. After the Taliban seized the Afghan capital Kabul in September 1996, Omar was proclaimed the head of state of Afghanistan.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/udaipur-terror-attack-how-my-hometown-turned-into-a-curfew-zone-494414">Udaipur terror attack: How my hometown turned into a curfew zone&nbsp;</a>

Following the 2001 US invasion of Afghanistan, Omar delegated all the operational control of the Taliban to his deputies, including Obaidullah Akhund. Omar fled from Kandahar to Zabul Province and his wives moved to Pakistan, but the Taliban continued to claim him as their leader, despite him taking almost no active role in the movement.&nbsp;

Although the US put a $ 10 million bounty on Omar’s head, he hid within walking distance of US bases in Zabul Province.

&nbsp;When the US Armed Forces began building Forward Operating Base Lagman just a few hundred meters from his hideout, he decided to move. He relocated to a shack in a riverside hamlet in Shinkay District, southeast of Qalat. This Twitter post claims that the shown vehicle was used by Mullah Omar to travel.

(with inputs from agencies)

 
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Toyota Wagon belonging to the founder of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, late Mullah Muhammad Umar Mujahid has been dug up and will be cleaned. This Toyota wagon was used by the late Amir to travel from Kandahar to Zabul province during the start of the United States-led invasion, as stated by Muhammad Jalal, who claims to be a peace activist, on Twitter.

Toyota Wagon belonging to the founder of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, late Mullah Muhammad Umar Mujahid has been dug up and will be cleaned. This Toyota wagon was used by the late Amir to travel from Kandahar to Zabul province during the start of the United States-led invasion, as stated by Muhammad Jalal, who claims to be a peace activist, on Twitter. Toyota Wagon belonging to the founder of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, late Mullah Muhammad Umar Mujahid has been dug up and will be cleaned. This Toyota wagon was used by the late Amir to travel from Kandahar to Zabul province during the start of US led invasion. pic.twitter.com/rvEPuvrpxD — Muhammad Jalal (@MJalal313) July 5, 2022 × Mullah Omar founded the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) in 1994 and served as its first leader until his death in 2013 His death remained concealed until July 2015, during which time the Taliban continued to issue statements in his name. In the 1980s, Omar joined the Afghan mujahideen in their war against the Soviet Union and the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. He founded the Taliban movement in 1994, and by 1995 had captured much of southern and western Afghanistan. After the Taliban seized the Afghan capital Kabul in September 1996, Omar was proclaimed the head of state of Afghanistan. Also Read: Udaipur terror attack: How my hometown turned into a curfew zone Following the 2001 US invasion of Afghanistan, Omar delegated all the operational control of the Taliban to his deputies, including Obaidullah Akhund. Omar fled from Kandahar to Zabul Province and his wives moved to Pakistan, but the Taliban continued to claim him as their leader, despite him taking almost no active role in the movement. Although the US put a $ 10 million bounty on Omar’s head, he hid within walking distance of US bases in Zabul Province. When the US Armed Forces began building Forward Operating Base Lagman just a few hundred meters from his hideout, he decided to move. He relocated to a shack in a riverside hamlet in Shinkay District, southeast of Qalat. This Twitter post claims that the shown vehicle was used by Mullah Omar to travel. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Taliban founder Mullah Omar's vehicle that he used to flee during US invasion dug up from ground

Afghanistan's Taliban government has raised the price of coal just hours after Pakistan decided to import more coal from Kabul. Now, Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif has approved the import of the supercritical quality coal from Afghanistan in Pakistani rupees instead of dollars.

Afghanistan's Taliban government hikes prices after Pakistan decides to import coal from Kabul

Thousands of Afghan clerics vowed to remain loyal to the Taliban following the conclusion of the three-day meeting with top leaders from the hardline Islamist group in Kabul.

The gathering was called in on Saturday to solidify the Taliban's rule to discuss how they wanted the country to be governed. The officials assured to be more receptive to the people’s concerns, saying that criticism would be tolerated and promised to discuss contentious issues such as secondary school education for girls, reports AFP.

Notably, the meeting saw the rare appearance of the Taliban's reclusive supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada.

The Taliban officials present at the ceremony called for allegiance to Akhundzada, loyalty to the group, and the complete acceptance of sharia law as the basic principle of rule.

"By the grace of God, the Islamic system has come to rule in Afghanistan," the declaration read.

"We not only strongly support it, but will also defend it. We consider this to be the national and religious duty of the entire nation."

According to state-run Bakhtar News Agency, the supreme leader warned the foreigners not to interfere in Afghanistan during his rare speech.

He also praised the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan&nbsp;last August, saying, "The success of the Afghan jihad is not only a source of pride for Afghans but also for Muslims all over the world."

Akhundzada added that Afghanistan "cannot develop without being independent."

"Thank God, we are now an independent country. (Foreigners) should not give us their orders, it is our system, and we have our own decisions," he said.

Speaking to the clerics, Akhundzada reaffirmed his commitment to the implementation of Sharia law, Islam's legal system derived from the Quran, while voicing his opposition to the "way of life of non-believers."

Akhundzada is based in Kandahar, the Taliban's birthplace and spiritual heartland. He is rarely photographed in public, a fact that has fuelled rumours over the years that he was sick or possibly dead.

No photographs of Akhundzada attending the meeting, which began in Kabul on Thursday, have been released.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Thousands of Afghan clerics vowed to remain loyal to the Taliban following the conclusion of the three-day meeting with top leaders from the hardline Islamist group in Kabul.

Thousands of Afghan clerics vowed to remain loyal to the Taliban following the conclusion of the three-day meeting with top leaders from the hardline Islamist group in Kabul. The gathering was called in on Saturday to solidify the Taliban's rule to discuss how they wanted the country to be governed. The officials assured to be more receptive to the people’s concerns, saying that criticism would be tolerated and promised to discuss contentious issues such as secondary school education for girls, reports AFP. Notably, the meeting saw the rare appearance of the Taliban's reclusive supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada. The Taliban officials present at the ceremony called for allegiance to Akhundzada, loyalty to the group, and the complete acceptance of sharia law as the basic principle of rule. "By the grace of God, the Islamic system has come to rule in Afghanistan," the declaration read. "We not only strongly support it, but will also defend it. We consider this to be the national and religious duty of the entire nation." According to state-run Bakhtar News Agency, the supreme leader warned the foreigners not to interfere in Afghanistan during his rare speech. He also praised the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan last August, saying, "The success of the Afghan jihad is not only a source of pride for Afghans but also for Muslims all over the world." Akhundzada added that Afghanistan "cannot develop without being independent." "Thank God, we are now an independent country. (Foreigners) should not give us their orders, it is our system, and we have our own decisions," he said. Speaking to the clerics, Akhundzada reaffirmed his commitment to the implementation of Sharia law, Islam's legal system derived from the Quran, while voicing his opposition to the "way of life of non-believers." Akhundzada is based in Kandahar, the Taliban's birthplace and spiritual heartland. He is rarely photographed in public, a fact that has fuelled rumours over the years that he was sick or possibly dead. No photographs of Akhundzada attending the meeting, which began in Kabul on Thursday, have been released. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Taliban’s reclusive leader Akhundzada warns foreigners not to interfere, calls Sharia law supreme

The three-day gathering of Afghan leaders has finally ended. Taliban has called for global recognition. Women's education issue was also raised in the meeting.

3-day gathering of Afghan leaders end: Taliban calls for global recognition

Afghan women activists asserted on Sunday that the Taliban remained illegitimate rulers in spite of endorsement of their hardline rule by thousands of male clerics. These clerics pledged allegiance to the Taliban rule on Saturday following &nbsp;three-day meeting. This meeting failed tio address thorny issue such as right of teenage girls to go to school. Taliban seized power in August last year. The group has sought to present the meeting as vote of confidence.

They insisted last week that women would be represented at the meeting -- attended by over 3,500 men -- but only by their sons and husbands.

"Statements released or pledging allegiance to the Taliban in any gathering or event without the presence of half of the nation's population, the women, are not acceptable," Hoda Khamosh, a rights activist currently in exile in Norway, told AFP.

"This summit... does not have legitimacy, validity, or the approval of the people."

Since seizing power in August last year, the Taliban have imposed a religious regime guided by harsh interpretation of sharia law. This has led to many restrictions on Afghans. Women have been instructed to cover-up from head to toe. Men have been asked to dress in traditional wear and grow beards.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/talibans-reclusive-leader-akhundzada-warns-foreigners-not-to-interfere-calls-sharia-law-supreme-494006">Taliban’s reclusive leader Akhundzada warns foreigners not to interfere, calls Sharia law supreme</a>

The Taliban have also outlawed playing non-religious music, ordered TV channels to stop showing movies and soaps featuring uncovered women.

In Kabul, a collective of women's groups also slammed the clerics' meeting as not representative.

"The ulema (clerics) are just one part of society, they are not the whole," organiser Ainoor Uzbik told AFP after a press conference.

"The decisions they made serve only their own interests and are not in the interest of the country and its people. There was nothing for women on the agenda, nor in the communique."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Afghan women activists asserted on Sunday that the Taliban remained illegitimate rulers in spite of endorsement of their hardline rule by thousands of male clerics.

Afghan women activists asserted on Sunday that the Taliban remained illegitimate rulers in spite of endorsement of their hardline rule by thousands of male clerics. These clerics pledged allegiance to the Taliban rule on Saturday following three-day meeting. This meeting failed tio address thorny issue such as right of teenage girls to go to school. Taliban seized power in August last year. The group has sought to present the meeting as vote of confidence. They insisted last week that women would be represented at the meeting -- attended by over 3,500 men -- but only by their sons and husbands. "Statements released or pledging allegiance to the Taliban in any gathering or event without the presence of half of the nation's population, the women, are not acceptable," Hoda Khamosh, a rights activist currently in exile in Norway, told AFP. "This summit... does not have legitimacy, validity, or the approval of the people." Since seizing power in August last year, the Taliban have imposed a religious regime guided by harsh interpretation of sharia law. This has led to many restrictions on Afghans. Women have been instructed to cover-up from head to toe. Men have been asked to dress in traditional wear and grow beards. Also Read | Taliban’s reclusive leader Akhundzada warns foreigners not to interfere, calls Sharia law supreme The Taliban have also outlawed playing non-religious music, ordered TV channels to stop showing movies and soaps featuring uncovered women. In Kabul, a collective of women's groups also slammed the clerics' meeting as not representative. "The ulema (clerics) are just one part of society, they are not the whole," organiser Ainoor Uzbik told AFP after a press conference. "The decisions they made serve only their own interests and are not in the interest of the country and its people. There was nothing for women on the agenda, nor in the communique." (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Afghan women activists denounce 'illegitimate' Taliban rule

As per reports by local media, the Taliban's reclusive supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada is participating in a three-day religious gathering in Kabul. Since the Taliban took back power eleven months ago, Akhundzada has hardly ever been caught on camera or captured in a public snapshot. According to Bol News, 3,000 clerics and elders are participating in the assembly to formally endorse Taliban authority. The conference is not open to the press, but reports claim that the gathering would tackle a number of themes, including the wildly controversial education of girls.&nbsp;Reuters reports that on Friday, the Taliban's top leader praised the Islamists' capture of Afghanistan in 2021.

Watch |&nbsp;Afghanistan earthquake: Taliban urges US to unfreeze Afghanistan's funds

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"The success of the Afghan jihad is not only a source of pride for Afghans but also for Muslims all over the world," he said according to state-run Bakhtar News Agency. The Arabic word 'Jihad' means a spiritual struggle.

The Taliban government's disregard for human rights, particularly those of women, has triggered Western governments' withdrawal of support and stringent application of sanctions. This has caused the Afghan economy to collapse.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/aftermath-of-afghanistan-earthquake-fears-of-cholera-disease-outbreaks-492303">Aftermath of Afghanistan earthquake: Fears of cholera, disease outbreaks</a>

In his speech on Thursday, Akhundzada urged traders to come back and make investments in Afghanistan. He claimed that international aid will just increase Afghans' reliance on outside funding rather than help the economy.

"Thank God, we are now an independent country. (Foreigners) should not give us their orders, it is our system and we have our own decisions," he said as per Bakhtar.

"We have a relationship of devotion to one God, we cannot accept the orders of others who God does not like," he remarked.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taliban-says-they-will-not-interfere-with-afghanistan-earthquake-aid-491823">Taliban says they will not interfere with Afghanistan earthquake aid</a>

He asserted that the group desired peace and security and that the nearby countries had nothing to worry about.

Under tight security, the Kabul gathering began on Thursday. At a press conference, Taliban spokesmen said that attendees had divided up into committees to discuss their viewpoints. They also said that recommendations would be presented to the administration on Saturday.&nbsp;

He didn't go into detail about the topics the committees were debating. It is not known how the idea was received, but at least one person had called for the opening of girls' high schools.

(With inputs from agencies)

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As per reports by local media, the Taliban's reclusive supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada is participating in a three-day religious gathering in Kabul. Since the Taliban took back power eleven months ago, Akhundzada has hardly ever been caught on camera or captured in a public snapshot.

As per reports by local media, the Taliban's reclusive supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada is participating in a three-day religious gathering in Kabul. Since the Taliban took back power eleven months ago, Akhundzada has hardly ever been caught on camera or captured in a public snapshot. According to Bol News, 3,000 clerics and elders are participating in the assembly to formally endorse Taliban authority. The conference is not open to the press, but reports claim that the gathering would tackle a number of themes, including the wildly controversial education of girls. Reuters reports that on Friday, the Taliban's top leader praised the Islamists' capture of Afghanistan in 2021. Watch | Afghanistan earthquake: Taliban urges US to unfreeze Afghanistan's funds "The success of the Afghan jihad is not only a source of pride for Afghans but also for Muslims all over the world," he said according to state-run Bakhtar News Agency. The Arabic word 'Jihad' means a spiritual struggle. The Taliban government's disregard for human rights, particularly those of women, has triggered Western governments' withdrawal of support and stringent application of sanctions. This has caused the Afghan economy to collapse. Also read | Aftermath of Afghanistan earthquake: Fears of cholera, disease outbreaks In his speech on Thursday, Akhundzada urged traders to come back and make investments in Afghanistan. He claimed that international aid will just increase Afghans' reliance on outside funding rather than help the economy. "Thank God, we are now an independent country. (Foreigners) should not give us their orders, it is our system and we have our own decisions," he said as per Bakhtar. "We have a relationship of devotion to one God, we cannot accept the orders of others who God does not like," he remarked. Also read | Taliban says they will not interfere with Afghanistan earthquake aid He asserted that the group desired peace and security and that the nearby countries had nothing to worry about. Under tight security, the Kabul gathering began on Thursday. At a press conference, Taliban spokesmen said that attendees had divided up into committees to discuss their viewpoints. They also said that recommendations would be presented to the administration on Saturday. He didn't go into detail about the topics the committees were debating. It is not known how the idea was received, but at least one person had called for the opening of girls' high schools. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Taliban's reclusive leader takes part in Islamist conference, praises group's takeover of Afghanistan

Hamidi is an Afghan Taekwondo champion who escaped Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and took refuge in France. She is currently training for the 2024 summer Olympics.

Afghan Taekwondo champ escapes Taliban and trains for 2024 summer Olympics

The Taliban administration in Afghanistan said on Saturday that they will not be interfering with any international aid that will be directed towards the citizens suffering due to earthquakes. Afghanistan experienced a 5.9-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday and that resulted in the death of more than 1000 people. It also rendered many people homeless in the country and since then, the United Nations and some countries have sent humanitarian aid to the people. While there have been complaints that Taliban authorities are trying to get aid to places where they enjoy the most support, AFP reported that the Taliban has denied all rumours about any interference till now.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sievierodonetsk-falls-to-russia-after-one-of-ukraine-wars-bloodiest-fights-491810" hreflang="en">Sievierodonetsk falls to Russia after one of Ukraine war's bloodiest fights</a>

"Whether it is WFP, UNICEF or any other organisation... the international community or the United Nations... they will do the distribution by themselves," said Khan Mohammad Ahmad, a senior official in hard-hit Paktika province according to the AFP report on Saturday.

"The responsible people from the Islamic Emirate are here... our members will be always with them (to help)," he added, referring to the new name for Afghanistan which was proposed by the Taliban.

Health minister Qalandar Ebad visited some of the earthquake-hit districts of the country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oslo-shooting-being-treated-as-act-of-islamist-terrorism-says-norwegian-authorities-491783">Oslo shooting being treated as 'act of Islamist terrorism', says authorities</a>

"The whole community is badly affected, mentally and psychologically," Ebad told AFP.

"I think now the situation is critical... society is totally damaged here," he added.

According to the official data, around 10,000 houses were damaged due to the earthquake with millions getting affected in the process. While the government was not able to cover much area with their resources, the international aid has been a huge boon for the people affected by the disaster.

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(With inputs from agencies)

The Taliban administration in Afghanistan said on Saturday that they will not be interfering with any international aid that will be directed towards the citizens suffering due to earthquakes.

The Taliban administration in Afghanistan said on Saturday that they will not be interfering with any international aid that will be directed towards the citizens suffering due to earthquakes. Afghanistan experienced a 5.9-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday and that resulted in the death of more than 1000 people. It also rendered many people homeless in the country and since then, the United Nations and some countries have sent humanitarian aid to the people. While there have been complaints that Taliban authorities are trying to get aid to places where they enjoy the most support, AFP reported that the Taliban has denied all rumours about any interference till now. Also read | Sievierodonetsk falls to Russia after one of Ukraine war's bloodiest fights "Whether it is WFP, UNICEF or any other organisation... the international community or the United Nations... they will do the distribution by themselves," said Khan Mohammad Ahmad, a senior official in hard-hit Paktika province according to the AFP report on Saturday. "The responsible people from the Islamic Emirate are here... our members will be always with them (to help)," he added, referring to the new name for Afghanistan which was proposed by the Taliban. Health minister Qalandar Ebad visited some of the earthquake-hit districts of the country. Also read | Oslo shooting being treated as 'act of Islamist terrorism', says authorities "The whole community is badly affected, mentally and psychologically," Ebad told AFP. "I think now the situation is critical... society is totally damaged here," he added. According to the official data, around 10,000 houses were damaged due to the earthquake with millions getting affected in the process. While the government was not able to cover much area with their resources, the international aid has been a huge boon for the people affected by the disaster. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban says they will not interfere with Afghanistan earthquake aid

India dispatched a technical team to reopen its Kabul embassy for humanitarian work. The Taliban say the move validates their claim of peace & security in Afghanistan. Palki Sharma tells you why India is walking a tightrope in Kabul.

Gravitas: India reopens Afghan embassy for aid work

UN aid chief Martin Griffiths told the United Nations Security Council(UNSC) that the Taliban has been resisting&nbsp;humanitarian funding.

Griffiths told the UN that the Afghan banking system has blocked transfers impacting pay channels which have caused supply chain disruptions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-hope-international-community-aid-agencies-will-help-says-taliban-official-after-afghanistan-earthquake-490778">Also Read |&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-hope-international-community-aid-agencies-will-help-says-taliban-official-after-afghanistan-earthquake-490778" hreflang="en">Afghanistan earthquake: Taliban appeals to international community for help</a>

The UN has been trying to implement a system called Humanitarian Exchange Facility (HEF) to bypass sanctions on Taliban leaders. The system involves swapping aid dollars for Afghan currency to ensure aid and to overcome&nbsp;the harsh economic situation plaguing the country as Griffiths added that it has had "limited progress".

The transfer of funds to Afghanistan has become difficult as aid groups said they haven't received cash, Griffiths informed.

Watch:&nbsp;Taliban govt struggles with relief operations after earthquake

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The UN aid chief alleged that the Taliban has been interfering with the delivery of humanitarian aid even as the agency received just one-third of the total 4.4 it needed for humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan.

The development comes as Afghanistan was hit by an earthquake early on Tuesday in which at least 1,000 people have been killed even as it struggles to garner aid from foreign sources after it was cut off after the Taliban took over the country last August.

The United Nations had warned of a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan before the earthquake. Taliban government said aid flights had landed from Qatar and Iran while requesting the&nbsp;international community and aid agencies to help in relief efforts.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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UN aid chief Martin Griffiths told the United Nations Security Council(UNSC) that the Taliban has been resisting humanitarian funding. Griffiths told the UN that the Afghan banking system has blocked transfers impacting pay channels which have caused supply chain disruptions.

UN aid chief Martin Griffiths told the United Nations Security Council(UNSC) that the Taliban has been resisting humanitarian funding. Griffiths told the UN that the Afghan banking system has blocked transfers impacting pay channels which have caused supply chain disruptions. Also Read | Afghanistan earthquake: Taliban appeals to international community for help The UN has been trying to implement a system called Humanitarian Exchange Facility (HEF) to bypass sanctions on Taliban leaders. The system involves swapping aid dollars for Afghan currency to ensure aid and to overcome the harsh economic situation plaguing the country as Griffiths added that it has had "limited progress". The transfer of funds to Afghanistan has become difficult as aid groups said they haven't received cash, Griffiths informed. Watch: Taliban govt struggles with relief operations after earthquake The UN aid chief alleged that the Taliban has been interfering with the delivery of humanitarian aid even as the agency received just one-third of the total 4.4 it needed for humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan. The development comes as Afghanistan was hit by an earthquake early on Tuesday in which at least 1,000 people have been killed even as it struggles to garner aid from foreign sources after it was cut off after the Taliban took over the country last August. The United Nations had warned of a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan before the earthquake. Taliban government said aid flights had landed from Qatar and Iran while requesting the international community and aid agencies to help in relief efforts. (With inputs from Agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Taliban resisting humanitarian funding: UN

In a bid to end a dispute with the UK government, the Taliban released five UK nationals from detention. The British government expressed regret over the episode, offered apologies to the authorities in Kabul.

Taliban releases five UK nationals, aims to resolve discord with UK

Two Taliban members of the current regime in Kabul have not been given any waiver from sanctions by the Taliban sanctions committee of the United Nations Security Council.&nbsp; No waiver means they won't be able to travel outside of Afghanistan. The waiver hasn't been given to two&nbsp;key persons involved in education policy--acting deputy education minister Ahmad Shaidkhel &amp; Minister of Higher Education Abdul Baqi Haqqani--over failure on women rights, especially on allowing school education to girls.&nbsp;

Usually, 15 members of the Taliban are given exemptions, or waivers from the United Nations sanctions for a specific time frame. This time, only 13 are given, and for the first time 2 Taliban members are not given a waiver. Those given waivers are given for a time frame of 90 days, but after 60 days, if anyone has objection things can change.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-takeover-deal-remains-deadlocked-over-fake-user-concerns-says-elon-musk-490298">Twitter takeover deal remains deadlocked over fake users, says Elon Musk</a>

India's ambassador to the United Nations, T.S. Tirumurti is the chair of Taliban sanction committee, also known as the 1988 sanctions committee. The Committee comprises all 15 members of the Security Council and makes its decision by consensus. The committee has 2 Vice-Chairs for 2022 -- Russia and the United Arab Emirates. The committee is mandated to oversee the implementation of the sanctions measures, designate individuals and entities who meet the listing criteria among others.

While Taliban has got tacit support, especially by some permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, this time the committee did not provide the waiver to send a message across that the grouping has to walk the talk on women's rights. There are no women in the Taliban governance structure and since the collapse&nbsp;of the Afghan Republic last August, things haven't been on a positive trajectory of women in the country.&nbsp;Recently, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said that the country is witnessing "institutionalized systematic oppression of women".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-says-he-is-proud-of-russian-troops-in-ukraine-490300" hreflang="en">Putin 'proud' of Russian troops; says SARMAT would be commissioned this year</a>

Meanwhile, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and former members of the republic have proposed to the Taliban to hold a Loya Jirga.&nbsp;Loya Jirga, an Afghan way of governance, is a grand assembly of leadership across the country to take a decision based on consensus. It represents the panchayat form of governance, but at a national scale. It was 2002 Loya Jirga, after the Bonn conference that appointed Hamid Kazai as the President of the Afghan Transitional Administration. The first known Loya Jirga is said to have taken place in 1747, that appointed Ahmad Shah Durrani as the King of Afghanistan who later established the modern state of Afghanistan. So far, the Taliban has not shown any interest in holding such a meeting.

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Two Taliban members of the current regime in Kabul have not been given any waiver from sanctions by the Taliban sanctions committee of the United Nations Security Council.

Two Taliban members of the current regime in Kabul have not been given any waiver from sanctions by the Taliban sanctions committee of the United Nations Security Council. No waiver means they won't be able to travel outside of Afghanistan. The waiver hasn't been given to two key persons involved in education policy--acting deputy education minister Ahmad Shaidkhel & Minister of Higher Education Abdul Baqi Haqqani--over failure on women rights, especially on allowing school education to girls. Usually, 15 members of the Taliban are given exemptions, or waivers from the United Nations sanctions for a specific time frame. This time, only 13 are given, and for the first time 2 Taliban members are not given a waiver. Those given waivers are given for a time frame of 90 days, but after 60 days, if anyone has objection things can change. Also read | Twitter takeover deal remains deadlocked over fake users, says Elon Musk India's ambassador to the United Nations, T.S. Tirumurti is the chair of Taliban sanction committee, also known as the 1988 sanctions committee. The Committee comprises all 15 members of the Security Council and makes its decision by consensus. The committee has 2 Vice-Chairs for 2022 -- Russia and the United Arab Emirates. The committee is mandated to oversee the implementation of the sanctions measures, designate individuals and entities who meet the listing criteria among others. While Taliban has got tacit support, especially by some permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, this time the committee did not provide the waiver to send a message across that the grouping has to walk the talk on women's rights. There are no women in the Taliban governance structure and since the collapse of the Afghan Republic last August, things haven't been on a positive trajectory of women in the country. Recently, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said that the country is witnessing "institutionalized systematic oppression of women". Also read | Putin 'proud' of Russian troops; says SARMAT would be commissioned this year Meanwhile, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and former members of the republic have proposed to the Taliban to hold a Loya Jirga. Loya Jirga, an Afghan way of governance, is a grand assembly of leadership across the country to take a decision based on consensus. It represents the panchayat form of governance, but at a national scale. It was 2002 Loya Jirga, after the Bonn conference that appointed Hamid Kazai as the President of the Afghan Transitional Administration. The first known Loya Jirga is said to have taken place in 1747, that appointed Ahmad Shah Durrani as the King of Afghanistan who later established the modern state of Afghanistan. So far, the Taliban has not shown any interest in holding such a meeting. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India-led UN sanctions panel puts travel ban on Taliban members over failure on women rights

The United Nations Security Council has a long-standing international travel ban on a number of Taliban leaders but during the Donald Trump administration, a waiver was provided in order to straighten the talks between the world leaders. However, human rights groups have been asking the authorities to isolate the Taliban amidst reports of them curtailing women’s rights in Afghanistan. While the sanctions are still prevalent against the Taliban, the travel ban will be discussed by the council next week as talks continue. The human rights agencies have also received support from some members of the Joe Biden administration who are in favour of the waiver expiring on June 20.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-ruling-communist-party-issues-new-guidelines-to-rein-in-business-activities-of-officials-families-489761">China reins in business activities of officials' families to curb corruption</a>

According to The Guardian, 41 members of the Taliban administration are currently included in the travel ban while the waiver applied to 14 of them in order to continue discussions.

“It’s a false dichotomy to suggest that ending the travel ban exemption means giving up on engaging the Taliban. It’s time for governments to turn consensus that the Taliban’s actions are unlawful into coordinated actions that show the Taliban that the world is ready to defend the rights of Afghans, particularly women and girls, in meaningful ways,” Heather Barr, from Human Rights Watch, said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rodrigo-dutertes-daughter-sara-takes-oath-as-philippine-vice-president-489722" hreflang="en">Rodrigo Duterte's daughter Sara takes oath as Philippines vice president</a>

According to The Guardian report, the groups want the travel ban to open strictly for three members of the Taliban administration - Abdul-Haq Wassiq, the head of the intelligence agency; Sheikh Muhammad Khalid Hanafi, the head of the ministry for the promotion of virtue and the prevention of vice; and Haibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban’s top religious leader.

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The United Nations Security Council has a long-standing international travel ban on a number of Taliban leaders but during the Donald Trump administration, a waiver was provided in order to straighten the talks between the world leaders.

The United Nations Security Council has a long-standing international travel ban on a number of Taliban leaders but during the Donald Trump administration, a waiver was provided in order to straighten the talks between the world leaders. However, human rights groups have been asking the authorities to isolate the Taliban amidst reports of them curtailing women’s rights in Afghanistan. While the sanctions are still prevalent against the Taliban, the travel ban will be discussed by the council next week as talks continue. The human rights agencies have also received support from some members of the Joe Biden administration who are in favour of the waiver expiring on June 20. Also read | China reins in business activities of officials' families to curb corruption According to The Guardian, 41 members of the Taliban administration are currently included in the travel ban while the waiver applied to 14 of them in order to continue discussions. “It’s a false dichotomy to suggest that ending the travel ban exemption means giving up on engaging the Taliban. It’s time for governments to turn consensus that the Taliban’s actions are unlawful into coordinated actions that show the Taliban that the world is ready to defend the rights of Afghans, particularly women and girls, in meaningful ways,” Heather Barr, from Human Rights Watch, said. Also read | Rodrigo Duterte's daughter Sara takes oath as Philippines vice president According to The Guardian report, the groups want the travel ban to open strictly for three members of the Taliban administration - Abdul-Haq Wassiq, the head of the intelligence agency; Sheikh Muhammad Khalid Hanafi, the head of the ministry for the promotion of virtue and the prevention of vice; and Haibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban’s top religious leader. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Human rights groups urge UN to impose travel ban on Taliban leadership

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news, top headlines and international breakings from all across the globe, stay tuned with Gravitas for more!

Gravitas Global Headlines: Taliban posters on Hijab Decree; Sri Lanka fuel crisis

Taliban in Afghanistan has put up posters across Kandahar as it imposes strict hijab rules. The poster said that Women without hijabs look like animals.

Taliban put up posters across Kandahar: 'Women without hijabs look like animals'

Taliban on Thursday failed to explain the closure of girls` schools in Afghanistan to the UN after the Taliban earlier backtracked within a few hours of announcing the reopening of girls` schools.

The UN Rapporteur for Afghanistan Human Rights, Richard Bennett said that "specific reasons were not given" for the closure of girls` schools in Afghanistan.

"The reason... they said there technical reasons. Specific reasons were not given and I was not told that they would remain closed. I was told and I repeat this that a committee will be... is working on it and will be reporting. I pressed them for when that report would be made and when.. schools will reopened," Bennet told Tolo News in an interview.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-assure-india-to-act-on-pakistan-based-terror-groups-in-afghanistan-report-486820">Taliban assure India to act on Pakistan-based terror groups in Afghanistan: Report</a>

Many gatherings of the Islamic scholars and human rights watchdogs called on the Taliban to reopen schools for female students above grade six.

Recently a gathering in the western province of Badghis called for the reopening of schools for female students in grade 6-12, reported Tolo News.

Following a request from religious scholars in Badghis to reopen girls` schools above sixth grade, former president Hamid Karzai on Twitter called on the Taliban to respect the voice of the Afghan people and religious scholars and to reopen girls` schools.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Indian diplomats meet senior Taliban leadership

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The girls` schools beyond grade six have been closed for more than 270 days, reported Tolo News.

"We are concerned that our rights have been taken from us. This basic right is ensured in religion and in government," said Sehat, a female student.

Afghan women are staring at a bleak future due to a number of restrictions imposed by the Taliban governing aspects of their lives within ten months of Afghanistan`s takeover.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-regime-accountable-for-rise-in-illegal-trafficking-of-children-in-afghanistan-486101">Taliban regime accountable for rise in illegal trafficking of children in Afghanistan</a>

Women are no longer allowed to travel unless accompanied by men related to them. Random checks are being conducted on public transport to see if women are indeed accompanied by related men and taxis and buses are often refusing to take women passengers in the first place to avoid the ire of the Taliban`s moral police.

The UN Rapporteur earlier concluded an 11-day visit to Afghanistan. Bennet told Tolo News that Afghan women must play a full role in society based on the international human rights standard.

"It is a tragedy that girls are missing almost one year of school at the secondary level. This is an important generation. A generation that needs to be... so they can be the future of Afghanistan and women must play a full role in Afghan society, according to international human rights standards," he said.

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Taliban on Thursday failed to explain the closure of girls` schools in Afghanistan to the UN after the Taliban earlier backtracked within a few hours of announcing the reopening of girls` schools.

Taliban on Thursday failed to explain the closure of girls` schools in Afghanistan to the UN after the Taliban earlier backtracked within a few hours of announcing the reopening of girls` schools. The UN Rapporteur for Afghanistan Human Rights, Richard Bennett said that "specific reasons were not given" for the closure of girls` schools in Afghanistan. "The reason... they said there technical reasons. Specific reasons were not given and I was not told that they would remain closed. I was told and I repeat this that a committee will be... is working on it and will be reporting. I pressed them for when that report would be made and when.. schools will reopened," Bennet told Tolo News in an interview. Also read | Taliban assure India to act on Pakistan-based terror groups in Afghanistan: Report Many gatherings of the Islamic scholars and human rights watchdogs called on the Taliban to reopen schools for female students above grade six. Recently a gathering in the western province of Badghis called for the reopening of schools for female students in grade 6-12, reported Tolo News. Following a request from religious scholars in Badghis to reopen girls` schools above sixth grade, former president Hamid Karzai on Twitter called on the Taliban to respect the voice of the Afghan people and religious scholars and to reopen girls` schools. Watch | Gravitas: Indian diplomats meet senior Taliban leadership The girls` schools beyond grade six have been closed for more than 270 days, reported Tolo News. "We are concerned that our rights have been taken from us. This basic right is ensured in religion and in government," said Sehat, a female student. Afghan women are staring at a bleak future due to a number of restrictions imposed by the Taliban governing aspects of their lives within ten months of Afghanistan`s takeover. Also read | Taliban regime accountable for rise in illegal trafficking of children in Afghanistan Women are no longer allowed to travel unless accompanied by men related to them. Random checks are being conducted on public transport to see if women are indeed accompanied by related men and taxis and buses are often refusing to take women passengers in the first place to avoid the ire of the Taliban`s moral police. The UN Rapporteur earlier concluded an 11-day visit to Afghanistan. Bennet told Tolo News that Afghan women must play a full role in society based on the international human rights standard. "It is a tragedy that girls are missing almost one year of school at the secondary level. This is an important generation. A generation that needs to be... so they can be the future of Afghanistan and women must play a full role in Afghan society, according to international human rights standards," he said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Taliban fail to explain closure of girls' schools in Afghanistan to UN

Unemployment woes in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan are rising. Recently, a post of an Afghan news anchor selling food on the streets trended on social media.

Post of an Afghan news anchor selling food on streets trends on social media

The Taliban have put up posters in Kandahar that say that Muslim women who don't wear Hijab are 'trying to look like animals'. The posters have been put up by Taliban's religious police.

Taliban, who seized power from West-backed government in August last year have increasingly shown signs of them reverting back to their hardline Islamic rule.

Women's rights in Afghanistan saw marginal improvement in two decades after 9/11. But these marginal gains are increasingly being rolled back under Taliban regime.

Watch | Taliban put up posters across Kandahar: 'Women without hijabs look like animals'

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In May, the country's supreme leader and Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada approved a decree saying women should generally stay at home.

They were ordered to cover themselves completely, including their faces, should they need to go out in public.

This week, the Taliban's feared Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which enforces the group's strict interpretation of Islam, put up posters across Kandahar city showing images of burqas, a type of garment that covers a woman's body from head to toe.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/he-was-a-news-anchor-now-he-sells-food-on-street-to-survive-in-talibans-afghanistan-488827">He was a news anchor. Now he sells food on street to survive in Taliban's Afghanistan</a>

"Muslim women who do not wear the hijab are trying to look like animals", say the posters, which have been slapped on many cafes and shops as well as on advertising hoardings across Kandahar -- the de facto power centre of the Taliban.

Wearing short, tight and transparent clothes was also against Akhundzada's decree, the posters say.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Taliban have put up posters in Kandahar that say that Muslim women who don't wear Hijab are 'trying to look like animals'. The posters have been put up by Taliban's religious police.

The Taliban have put up posters in Kandahar that say that Muslim women who don't wear Hijab are 'trying to look like animals'. The posters have been put up by Taliban's religious police. Taliban, who seized power from West-backed government in August last year have increasingly shown signs of them reverting back to their hardline Islamic rule. Women's rights in Afghanistan saw marginal improvement in two decades after 9/11. But these marginal gains are increasingly being rolled back under Taliban regime. Watch | Taliban put up posters across Kandahar: 'Women without hijabs look like animals' × In May, the country's supreme leader and Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada approved a decree saying women should generally stay at home. They were ordered to cover themselves completely, including their faces, should they need to go out in public. This week, the Taliban's feared Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which enforces the group's strict interpretation of Islam, put up posters across Kandahar city showing images of burqas, a type of garment that covers a woman's body from head to toe. Also Read | He was a news anchor. Now he sells food on street to survive in Taliban's Afghanistan "Muslim women who do not wear the hijab are trying to look like animals", say the posters, which have been slapped on many cafes and shops as well as on advertising hoardings across Kandahar -- the de facto power centre of the Taliban. Wearing short, tight and transparent clothes was also against Akhundzada's decree, the posters say. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Women without hijab 'trying to look like animals', read Taliban posters

Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan almost a year ago, the nation has witnessed a slew of tough times. There have been countless news stories about the abysmal state of women's rights and for good reason. However, one facet of the nation's demise has largely gone unnoticed: the fall of the watchdogs of society.

Recently, a tweet shed some light on the condition of journalists in Taliban's Afghanistan. Kabir Haqmal who once worked with the Hamid Karzai government tweeted out pictures of a street food vendor, who he identified as a former news anchor, reporter Musa Mohammadi. He said that after the Taliban's rise to power Musa has been forced into poverty.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/freeherface-afghan-male-journalists-stand-in-solidarity-with-their-female-colleagues-481708">#FreeHerFace: Afghan male journalists stand in solidarity with their female colleagues</a>

Posting Musa's pictures from his 'good old days' when he worked as a news anchor and recent ones where he can be seen selling food on Afghanistan streets, Haqmal wrote "Journalists life in #Afghanistan under the #Taliban. Musa Mohammadi worked for years as an anchor &amp; reporter in different TV channels, and now has no income to feed his family. &amp; sells street food to earn some money. #Afghans suffer unprecedented poverty after the fall of the republic."

The tweet has garnered hundreds of likes and retweets since it was shared. It even reached Ahmadullah Wasiq, the Director-General of National Radio and Television and the acting director for intelligence and deputy head of the cultural commission of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Watch |&nbsp;Taliban brings back Blue Burkha in Afghanistan, new decree sparks concerns

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Wasiq responded by tweeting in Urdu that Musa will be given employment "within the framework of National Radio and Television".&nbsp;

His tweet can be roughly translated as "Unemployment of Musa Mohammadi, a spokesman for a private television station, rises on social media. As a matter of fact, as the director of the National Radio and Television, I assure him that we will appoint him within the framework of the National Radio and Television. We need all Afghan professionals."

While Haqmal's tweet may have acted as a saviour for Musa, this begs the question: What about the rest?

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-ban-foreign-tv-shows-in-afghanistan-arrests-3-journalists-for-reporting-about-it-463610">Taliban ban foreign TV shows in Afghanistan, arrest 3 journalists for reporting about it</a>

There are undoubtedly more journalists and professionals from other fields paying the price for this change in administration. Who will help them?

According to a World Bank report, in Afghanistan incomes have plummeted to the point where 37 per cent of Afghan households do not have enough money to fulfil their basic needs, while 33 per cent can afford food but not much else.

Reuters reported that as World Bank estimates if present trends persist, Afghanistan's real GDP per capita would fall by roughly 34 per cent between the end of 2020 and the end of 2022, reversing all progress made since 2007.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan almost a year ago, the nation has witnessed a slew of tough times. There have been countless news stories about the abysmal state of women's rights and for good reason.

Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan almost a year ago, the nation has witnessed a slew of tough times. There have been countless news stories about the abysmal state of women's rights and for good reason. However, one facet of the nation's demise has largely gone unnoticed: the fall of the watchdogs of society. Recently, a tweet shed some light on the condition of journalists in Taliban's Afghanistan. Kabir Haqmal who once worked with the Hamid Karzai government tweeted out pictures of a street food vendor, who he identified as a former news anchor, reporter Musa Mohammadi. He said that after the Taliban's rise to power Musa has been forced into poverty. Also read | #FreeHerFace: Afghan male journalists stand in solidarity with their female colleagues Posting Musa's pictures from his 'good old days' when he worked as a news anchor and recent ones where he can be seen selling food on Afghanistan streets, Haqmal wrote "Journalists life in #Afghanistan under the #Taliban. Musa Mohammadi worked for years as an anchor & reporter in different TV channels, and now has no income to feed his family. & sells street food to earn some money. #Afghans suffer unprecedented poverty after the fall of the republic." The tweet has garnered hundreds of likes and retweets since it was shared. It even reached Ahmadullah Wasiq, the Director-General of National Radio and Television and the acting director for intelligence and deputy head of the cultural commission of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Watch | Taliban brings back Blue Burkha in Afghanistan, new decree sparks concerns Wasiq responded by tweeting in Urdu that Musa will be given employment "within the framework of National Radio and Television". His tweet can be roughly translated as "Unemployment of Musa Mohammadi, a spokesman for a private television station, rises on social media. As a matter of fact, as the director of the National Radio and Television, I assure him that we will appoint him within the framework of the National Radio and Television. We need all Afghan professionals." While Haqmal's tweet may have acted as a saviour for Musa, this begs the question: What about the rest? Also read | Taliban ban foreign TV shows in Afghanistan, arrest 3 journalists for reporting about it There are undoubtedly more journalists and professionals from other fields paying the price for this change in administration. Who will help them? According to a World Bank report, in Afghanistan incomes have plummeted to the point where 37 per cent of Afghan households do not have enough money to fulfil their basic needs, while 33 per cent can afford food but not much else. Reuters reported that as World Bank estimates if present trends persist, Afghanistan's real GDP per capita would fall by roughly 34 per cent between the end of 2020 and the end of 2022, reversing all progress made since 2007. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

He was a news anchor. Now he sells food on street to survive in Taliban's Afghanistan

Leading the resistance movement in Panjshir against Taliban, former Afghanistan vice president Amrullah Saleh has shared the detailed account of what happened in the days leading to the fall of Kabul. &nbsp;

Writing the whole account for Daily Mail, the former vice president wrote, the fall of Afghanistan is not only shameful for US President Joe Biden, but also the whole of Western civilisation because everybody knows that Pakistan is running the show. &nbsp;

Saleh wrote that his security guard has been sworn to shoot him twice in the head in case he gets injured as he will never surrender to the Taliban. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Heavy fighting in Panjshir valley- An hour from Kabul

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The Saleh’s account has come amid the Taliban claims of having captured Panjshir province. Till now, Panjshir was the only Taliban-free province of the country. &nbsp;

There have been several reports of Panjshir residents fleeing their homes and moving to other Taliban-ruled provinces to flee the violence going on in the valley. &nbsp;

Reiterating about the claim of strong Pakistan support to the Taliban, the former vice president wrote the Taliban were receiving instructions from the Pakistan embassy. &nbsp;

"The betrayal of Afghanistan by the West is colossal...Your politicians know that Pakistan is running the show. They know al Qaeda is back in the streets of Kabul. And they know the Taliban have not reformed. They have been displaying their suicide vests in Kabul," he wrote. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/iran-president-ebrahim-raisi-calls-for-polls-in-afghanistan-410781" hreflang="en">Iran President Ebrahim Raisi calls for polls in Afghanistan</a>

On the day Kabul fell, Amrullah Saleh woke up to numerous calls from family and friends. Saleh says his efforts to reach the minister of defence and the interior minister and their deputies failed as they were not reachable. Kabul’s police chief informed him, he could hold the front for an hour. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Saleh wrote, "But in that one desperate hour, I was unable to find deployable Afghan troops anywhere in the city. I messaged our National Security Adviser to say we have to do something. I got no response from anyone. And by 9am that morning of August 15, Kabul was panicking." &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dont-waste-bullets-taliban-instruct-militants-to-stop-shooting-in-air-after-2-afghans-die-410740" hreflang="en">'Don't waste bullets', Taliban instruct militants to stop shooting in air after 2 Afghans die</a>

When the Taliban firmed hold on Kabul, Saleh messaged Ahmad Massoud, who was in the city only. "I then went through my home and destroyed pictures of my wife and my daughters. I collected my computer and some belongings," Saleh wrote. &nbsp;

Saleh says he refused to be one of those politicians, who betray people and then drop a post on social media from posh hotels abroad to encourage people to fight back. "They stay in these hotels and villas abroad. And then they call on the poorest Afghans to revolt. That's craven. If we want a revolt, the revolt has to be led," he wrote.&nbsp;

Leading the resistance movement in Panjshir against Taliban, former Afghanistan vice president Amrullah Saleh has shared the detailed account of what happened in the days leading to the fall of Kabul.

Leading the resistance movement in Panjshir against Taliban, former Afghanistan vice president Amrullah Saleh has shared the detailed account of what happened in the days leading to the fall of Kabul. Writing the whole account for Daily Mail, the former vice president wrote, the fall of Afghanistan is not only shameful for US President Joe Biden, but also the whole of Western civilisation because everybody knows that Pakistan is running the show. Saleh wrote that his security guard has been sworn to shoot him twice in the head in case he gets injured as he will never surrender to the Taliban. Watch: Heavy fighting in Panjshir valley- An hour from Kabul × The Saleh’s account has come amid the Taliban claims of having captured Panjshir province. Till now, Panjshir was the only Taliban-free province of the country. There have been several reports of Panjshir residents fleeing their homes and moving to other Taliban-ruled provinces to flee the violence going on in the valley. Reiterating about the claim of strong Pakistan support to the Taliban, the former vice president wrote the Taliban were receiving instructions from the Pakistan embassy. "The betrayal of Afghanistan by the West is colossal...Your politicians know that Pakistan is running the show. They know al Qaeda is back in the streets of Kabul. And they know the Taliban have not reformed. They have been displaying their suicide vests in Kabul," he wrote. Also Read: Iran President Ebrahim Raisi calls for polls in Afghanistan On the day Kabul fell, Amrullah Saleh woke up to numerous calls from family and friends. Saleh says his efforts to reach the minister of defence and the interior minister and their deputies failed as they were not reachable. Kabul’s police chief informed him, he could hold the front for an hour. Saleh wrote, "But in that one desperate hour, I was unable to find deployable Afghan troops anywhere in the city. I messaged our National Security Adviser to say we have to do something. I got no response from anyone. And by 9am that morning of August 15, Kabul was panicking." Also Read: 'Don't waste bullets', Taliban instruct militants to stop shooting in air after 2 Afghans die When the Taliban firmed hold on Kabul, Saleh messaged Ahmad Massoud, who was in the city only. "I then went through my home and destroyed pictures of my wife and my daughters. I collected my computer and some belongings," Saleh wrote. Saleh says he refused to be one of those politicians, who betray people and then drop a post on social media from posh hotels abroad to encourage people to fight back. "They stay in these hotels and villas abroad. And then they call on the poorest Afghans to revolt. That's craven. If we want a revolt, the revolt has to be led," he wrote.

Saleh recounts developments leading to Kabul’s fall, says Pak running show

The US Air Force has decided not to take any disciplinary action against the C-17 aircraft crew that flew out of Kabul airport in Afghanistan during the abrupt and chaotic evacuation of American forces even though human body parts were discovered in the wheel’s well when the plane landed in Qatar.

The inquiry concluded that the crew “acted appropriately” in departing the Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, in August 2021.

In a statement released on Monday, they said that the crew used sound judgment "in their decision to get airborne as quickly as possible when faced with an unprecedented and rapidly deteriorating security situation."

"The aircrew's airmanship and quick thinking ensured the safety of the crew and their aircraft. After seeking appropriate care and services to help cope with any trauma from this unprecedented experience, the crew returned to flight status," the US Air Force also said Monday.

On August 16, a day after the Taliban took over Afghanistan and ousted the civilian government, hundreds of people reached the airport to take the US aircraft in a bid to leave the country fearing retribution from the Taliban and the return of fundamental Islamist laws.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-joe-biden-calls-us-evacuation-from-afghanistan-extraordinary-success-409816">President Joe Biden calls US evacuation from Afghanistan 'extraordinary success'</a>

Photos and videos from the site revealed desperate citizens running on the airport's tarmac alongside a US Air Force C-17 transport plane. A lot of people were seen clinging onto the plane’s wheels and falling several thousand feet from the air when the plane was airborne.

The Biden administration had come under heavy criticism over the “mishandling” withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and delay in evacuation efforts of civilians working for the US government when the Taliban gained more territory across the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The US Air Force has decided not to take any disciplinary action against the C-17 aircraft crew that flew out of Kabul airport in Afghanistan during the abrupt and chaotic evacuation of American forces even though human body parts were discovered in the wheel’s well when the plane landed in Qatar.

The US Air Force has decided not to take any disciplinary action against the C-17 aircraft crew that flew out of Kabul airport in Afghanistan during the abrupt and chaotic evacuation of American forces even though human body parts were discovered in the wheel’s well when the plane landed in Qatar. The inquiry concluded that the crew “acted appropriately” in departing the Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, in August 2021. In a statement released on Monday, they said that the crew used sound judgment "in their decision to get airborne as quickly as possible when faced with an unprecedented and rapidly deteriorating security situation." "The aircrew's airmanship and quick thinking ensured the safety of the crew and their aircraft. After seeking appropriate care and services to help cope with any trauma from this unprecedented experience, the crew returned to flight status," the US Air Force also said Monday. On August 16, a day after the Taliban took over Afghanistan and ousted the civilian government, hundreds of people reached the airport to take the US aircraft in a bid to leave the country fearing retribution from the Taliban and the return of fundamental Islamist laws. Also read | President Joe Biden calls US evacuation from Afghanistan 'extraordinary success' Photos and videos from the site revealed desperate citizens running on the airport's tarmac alongside a US Air Force C-17 transport plane. A lot of people were seen clinging onto the plane’s wheels and falling several thousand feet from the air when the plane was airborne. The Biden administration had come under heavy criticism over the “mishandling” withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and delay in evacuation efforts of civilians working for the US government when the Taliban gained more territory across the country. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US Air Force absolves crew that flew with Afghans amidst abrupt evacuation from Kabul

The Taliban's top leadership assured India during a bilateral meeting in Kabul last week that it would not allow terrorism against third countries from its soil and that it would act against terrorists from Pakistan-based groups based on specific intelligence, Indian media organisation the Hindustan Times reported.

According to the report, a visiting team led by senior diplomat JP Singh met with Taliban government officials in Kabul, including Defense Minister Mullah Yaqoob and Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, in addition to Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Singh is the MEA's joint secretary for PAI (Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/first-time-since-taliban-takeover-indian-team-lands-in-kabul-to-oversee-humanitarian-assistance-484318">Also read | First time since Taliban takeover, Indian team lands in Kabul to oversee humanitarian assistance</a>

The meeting came after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval requested fellow NSAs from Russia, China, Iran, and Central Asian Republics to improve Afghanistan's capability to combat terrorism and terrorists who constitute a threat to regional peace and security during a Regional Security Summit in Dushanbe.

According to a report by Deccan Chronicle, during the conference, New Delhi is said to have told the Taliban that Pakistan-linked terror groups such as the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Jaish-e-Mohammed should not utilise Afghan soil for terrorism against India. The delegation will also meet with representatives from international organisations involved in the delivery of Indian humanitarian aid, which has so far included 20,000 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat, as well as vaccines, medications, and winter clothes. Outside of Kabul, the delegation will visit "other sites where Indian programmes and projects are being implemented."&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;New police uniform in Afghanistan: Taliban's Islamic Emirate flag replaces the old flag

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The Taliban administration is not officially recognised by India.

According to the HT report, Taliban officials committed to taking action against Pakistan-based terrorist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Toiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The Taliban also vowed to take action against Al Qaeda in the Sub-continent (AQIS) terrorists if specific information was provided.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-claims-religious-and-civil-rights-of-all-minorities-in-afghanistan-are-protected-485704">Taliban claims religious and civil rights of all minorities in Afghanistan are protected</a>

In a statement on June 02, 2022, the Ministry of External Affairs said: "A team led by Joint Secretary (PAI), Ministry of External Affairs, is currently on a visit to Kabul to oversee the delivery operations of our humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan." During the visit, the team will meet representatives of the international organisations involved in the distribution of humanitarian assistance. In addition, the team is expected to visit places where Indian programmes and projects are being implemented. The Indian team will meet the senior members of the Taliban, and hold discussions on India’s humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan." 
&nbsp;

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The Taliban's top leadership assured India during a bilateral meeting in Kabul last week that it would not allow terrorism against third countries from its soil and that it would act against terrorists from Pakistan-based groups based on specific intelligence, Indian media organisation the Hindustan Times reported.

The Taliban's top leadership assured India during a bilateral meeting in Kabul last week that it would not allow terrorism against third countries from its soil and that it would act against terrorists from Pakistan-based groups based on specific intelligence, Indian media organisation the Hindustan Times reported. According to the report, a visiting team led by senior diplomat JP Singh met with Taliban government officials in Kabul, including Defense Minister Mullah Yaqoob and Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, in addition to Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Singh is the MEA's joint secretary for PAI (Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran). Also read | First time since Taliban takeover, Indian team lands in Kabul to oversee humanitarian assistance The meeting came after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval requested fellow NSAs from Russia, China, Iran, and Central Asian Republics to improve Afghanistan's capability to combat terrorism and terrorists who constitute a threat to regional peace and security during a Regional Security Summit in Dushanbe. According to a report by Deccan Chronicle, during the conference, New Delhi is said to have told the Taliban that Pakistan-linked terror groups such as the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Jaish-e-Mohammed should not utilise Afghan soil for terrorism against India. The delegation will also meet with representatives from international organisations involved in the delivery of Indian humanitarian aid, which has so far included 20,000 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat, as well as vaccines, medications, and winter clothes. Outside of Kabul, the delegation will visit "other sites where Indian programmes and projects are being implemented." Watch | New police uniform in Afghanistan: Taliban's Islamic Emirate flag replaces the old flag The Taliban administration is not officially recognised by India. According to the HT report, Taliban officials committed to taking action against Pakistan-based terrorist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Toiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The Taliban also vowed to take action against Al Qaeda in the Sub-continent (AQIS) terrorists if specific information was provided. Also read | Taliban claims religious and civil rights of all minorities in Afghanistan are protected In a statement on June 02, 2022, the Ministry of External Affairs said: "A team led by Joint Secretary (PAI), Ministry of External Affairs, is currently on a visit to Kabul to oversee the delivery operations of our humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan." During the visit, the team will meet representatives of the international organisations involved in the distribution of humanitarian assistance. In addition, the team is expected to visit places where Indian programmes and projects are being implemented. The Indian team will meet the senior members of the Taliban, and hold discussions on India’s humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Taliban assure India to act on Pakistan-based terror groups in Afghanistan: Report

An Afghan model-YouTuber, Ajmal Haqiqi, along with three of his colleagues, has been arrested by the Taliban, accusing them of disrespecting Islam and the Quran. 
 
According to Amnesty International, an NGO that focuses on human rights, the Kabul based social media influencer posted a video on his YouTube channel last week. In it, Quranic verses were allegedly used in a humorous manner by him and his three other colleagues. They were seen laughing as one of his colleagues, in a comical voice, recited verses of the Quran in Arabic. 
 
Later, on June 5, another video was posted by Haqiqi, in which he was seen apologizing for the previous one, the NGO stated. However, as per Amnesty International, he and three of his colleagues were arrested on charges of "insulting Islamic sacred values" by the Taliban`s General Directorate of Intelligence on June 7 and later that day a video `confession` of Haqiqi was released where he again apologized. 
 
A statement was released by Amnesty International on June 8 that partly read, "The Taliban must immediately and unconditionally release the YouTubers and end their continued censorship of those who wish to freely express their ideas." 
 
"Restrictions to the right to freedom of expression must be clearly provided by law and be strictly necessary and proportionate to a legitimate aim. 
International human rights law does not permit restrictions of freedom of expression simply on the grounds it has the potential to offend or insult nor for the protection of religious beliefs or the religious sensibilities of their adherents. This incident is a classic example of how the Taliban is creating a climate of fear in Afghanistan by using arbitrary arrests and coercion to force people into silence," it continued.

An Afghan model-YouTuber, Ajmal Haqiqi, along with three of his colleagues, has been arrested by the Taliban, accusing them of disrespecting Islam and the Quran.

An Afghan model-YouTuber, Ajmal Haqiqi, along with three of his colleagues, has been arrested by the Taliban, accusing them of disrespecting Islam and the Quran. According to Amnesty International, an NGO that focuses on human rights, the Kabul based social media influencer posted a video on his YouTube channel last week. In it, Quranic verses were allegedly used in a humorous manner by him and his three other colleagues. They were seen laughing as one of his colleagues, in a comical voice, recited verses of the Quran in Arabic. Later, on June 5, another video was posted by Haqiqi, in which he was seen apologizing for the previous one, the NGO stated. However, as per Amnesty International, he and three of his colleagues were arrested on charges of "insulting Islamic sacred values" by the Taliban`s General Directorate of Intelligence on June 7 and later that day a video `confession` of Haqiqi was released where he again apologized. A statement was released by Amnesty International on June 8 that partly read, "The Taliban must immediately and unconditionally release the YouTubers and end their continued censorship of those who wish to freely express their ideas." "Restrictions to the right to freedom of expression must be clearly provided by law and be strictly necessary and proportionate to a legitimate aim. International human rights law does not permit restrictions of freedom of expression simply on the grounds it has the potential to offend or insult nor for the protection of religious beliefs or the religious sensibilities of their adherents. This incident is a classic example of how the Taliban is creating a climate of fear in Afghanistan by using arbitrary arrests and coercion to force people into silence," it continued.

Afghan model-YouTuber arrested by Taliban for 'insulting Islamic sacred values'

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