‘Start your routine…’: Taliban offer amnesty for all, hope for women

In its first official communication after storming to power in Afghanistan, the Taliban on Tuesday declared an “amnesty” across the country and urged women to join its government. This comes a day after capital Kabul witnessed total chaos with  thousands of Afghans rushing into Kabul’s main airport, some so desperate to escape the Taliban that they held onto a military jet as it took off and plunged to their deaths. At least seven people died in the chaos.

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“The Islamic Emirate doesn’t want women to be victims” Enamullah Samangani, a member of the Taliban’s cultural commission, said, adding, “they should be in government structure according to Shariah law,” reports AP.

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Samangani added, “The structure of government is not fully clear, but based on experience, there should be a fully Islamic leadership and all sides should join.”

News agency AFP reported that Taliban had also offered a general amnesty. “A general amnesty has been declared for all… so you should start your routine life with full confidence,” said a statement from the Taliban, according to the agency.

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On Monday, thousands of Afghans rushed into Kabul’s main airport, clambering on planes and aero bridges in a desperate attempt to leave the country. The airport operations had to be suspended after the melee, but were resumed on Tuesday with US planes landing and taking off to carry out evacuations. India also flew an IAF plane to bring back its envoy and other embassy staff.

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The Taliban, which started taking over territories from August 6, rapidly advanced, entering Kabul on August 15. That they would take the country was known, but the pace caught many by surprise. President Ashraf Ghani fled the country as soon as the militant force reached the outskirts of capital Kabul.

The Afghan army, which was built and trained over two-decades at the cost of $83 billion, fell like ninepins — in some cases without a shot fired. The Taliban grabbed not only political power but also US-supplied firepower — guns, ammunition, helicopters and more.