August 17, 2021
The day after the Afghan president fled and the Taliban installed themselves in the presidential palace, seizing control over Afghanistan two decades after being toppled from power by the U.S. military, fears intensified on Monday about a return to the Taliban’s brutal rule and the threat of reprisal killings. However, the situation on ground proved to be quite different from the one largely assumed by the Afghans as well as the international community.
Though on the first day, the city remained quiet with majority of shops, businesses, government institutions and offices being closed, and only few citizens were seen commuting in their private cars. But the situation was much better on Tuesday, with the Taliban’s assuring the general population of their course of action, traffic was seen on the roads of Kabul.
Moreover, the Taliban’s conduct towards women is remarkable. Not only did they visit government offices and hospitals, they assured the female staff’s safety and security, stating “You’re like our sisters, mothers. Your services are needed and highly appreciated because the state spent money to educate you for this.” Women presence on media also built the Afghan public’s confidence on the Taliban and their future discourse, as a female news presenter was seen interviewing a Taliban member on the first day under Taliban rule and other female news anchors also continued doing their jobs without any interruptions.
The Taliban have also insisted time and again that their fighters will not enter people’s homes or interfere with businesses and said they would offer “amnesty” to those who worked with the Afghan government or foreign forces, especially females.
With the new Taliban leadership, the on-ground situation in Afghanistan has turned out far better than what was anticipated on the basis of history. Ad it is quite clear that the young, and better educated Taliban leadership will bring about a positive change in Afghanistan.
