Taliban vow to implement Islamic laws, honour women right

Newswire

Kabul: Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said this week that Afghanistan faces major challenges and assured that there will be no confrontation with anyone.
Addressing a press conference in Kabul, he said that freedom was “our ligitimate right,” adding that they do not have any animosity towards anybody. The spokesperson also congratulated the Afghan people.
“I would like to assure the international community, including the United States, that nobody will be harmed,” he said and added Afghanistan would not be part of any war.

Zabihullah Mujahid asserted that rights of women will be protected within the limits of Islamic law. “The women are going to be very active in the society, but within the framework of Islam,” he said.

The spokesperson said private media could continue to be free and independent in Afghanistan, adding the Taliban was committed to the media within its cultural framework.
Mujahid went on to say that the Taliban would soon be establishing a government, but gave little detail of its make-up apart from saying they would “connect with all sides”.
Asked what the difference between the movement 20 years ago and the Taliban of today, he said: “If the question is based on ideology, and beliefs, there is no difference… but if we calculate it based on experience, maturity, and insight, no doubt there are many differences.” “The steps today will be positively different from the past steps,” he added.

The spokesperson further said security of embassies in Kabul is very important and full security will be provided to embassies. He also assured security of embassies and diplomatic missions in Afghanistan.
He said the incompetence of the previous government had created a security problem in Kabul, adding, “We did not want to enter Kabul before the transfer of power but we entered Kabul to deal with an unfortunate incident.” “We had to enter Kabul to save the city from looting,” he added.
“We will act according to our religion and culture,” the spokesman said, adding that the Western world should not be bothered by our values and culture.

Earlier, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on the Taliban to facilitate the departure of all those who want to leave Afghanistan, and said the Western defence alliance has agreed to send additional evacuation planes to Kabul.