“When you
are liberated, you have to face hardship,” says Muhammad Zubair Shadab, a
22-year-old Taliban fighter who was among those who entered Kabul today last year to seize control of Afghanistan. Hours before their arrival,
Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, had fled the
country. Troops of the United States, who had been stationed in Afghanistan for
20 years were preparing to leave by the end of the month.

A year after
Taliban took control of Afghanistan, Shadab, the Talib fighter, said: “For us,
this is a day of liberation…By the grace of God in a single year, we have
brought security to Kabul and eliminated corruption.” While Taliban’s seizure
of Afghanistan did end two decades of war, it has sent the country of 38
million people into uncertainty.

Food

Hunger, a
broken healthcare system and curbs on movement of women has severely derailed
life in Afghanistan. Poverty is through the roof. On Monday, as Taliban
fighters and loyalists celebrated on the streets, young children could be seen
beating down car windows asking for a few Afghani (Afghan currency), according
to several media outlets reporting from Kabul.

Also Read | In Taliban ruled Afghanistan, minorities get no education: A first person account

The
withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, and Taliban seizing power meant aid
dried up. Further, access to Afghanistan’s foreign exchange reserves have been
frozen. In a bid to get in a few bucks to run the country, Taliban have raised
tax revenue. They have also ramped up coal exports to take advantage of high
global prices. So much coal is being moved from Afghanistan to Pakistan that there
is a truck shortage.

Meanwhile,
the United Nations has spent $4 billion on Afghanistan in the year since the
Taliban took over. This is nearly half of the amount spent before Taliban took
over, according to UN’s resident and humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan Ramiz
Alakbarov who spoke to NPR.

War

Taliban
rule in Afghanistan is not without its admirers. For many, the fact that the 20
years-war has ended holds value. The Pashtun community is one such. Many within
the community say Taliban rule has meant crime going down and a reduction in ‘immoral’ influences.

Also Read | Ayman al-Zawahiri killing: Taliban leaders meet on how to respond to US attack

“I am very
happy they are here. Before they came people were selling drugs and stealing
things. There were TV dramas that showed girls running away with boys. Now that
has stopped,” a shopkeeper named Sanaullah from the Pashtun community told The
Washington Post.

“There was
too much freedom. We are all Muslims, and now we are closer to Islam,” he said.
 

However, it
needs to be said that the Pashtuns are the dominant community that make up the
Taliban.

Also Read | Taliban bans poppy harvest, the fuel to Afghanistan’s economy

“A stable
and secure Afghanistan means a stable and secure world,” said acting Foreign
Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, celebrating one year of Taliban rule. “Our territory
is all under control now, there will be no more fighting, and the nation is
with us,” Muttaqi said speaking from a pulpit in Kabul.  

Also Read | Orwellian nightmare: What is Taliban’s Ministry of Virtue and Vice

While
Taliban’s coming into power began with a great deal of violence with explosions
being reported every other day, there are signs that the conflict is largely
coming to an end. Nearly 2,000 people were killed in the violence following the
withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, according to United Nations data
cited by the BBC.

Women’s
rights

When
Taliban ruled back in the 1990s, women had restrictions on movement, education,
clothing, nearly every aspect of life
. When the group returned to power, the
global community watched in fear if the old restrictions would return. And they
did. Many of the restrictions imposed on women are back, the only difference
is, Taliban is offering explanations for them.

Also Read | Back to the dark ages? Taliban orders Afghan women to wear all-covering burqa in public

Secondary
school education of women was supposed to re-start from March 23 this year. On
the day, several girl students reached schools in hope of returning to formal
education. However, on the day, the Taliban government decided against opening
schools and sent the girls back home. On being asked why this was the case,
Taliban spokesmen said they needed more time to ensure segregation and hire an
adequate number of women teachers.

Also Read | Learning, driving: Taliban strips away rights of Afghan women one at a time

Many, even
among Taliban loyalists, don’t agree with the ban on women’s education, reports
NPR.

Women are
at the forefront of the fight against Taliban. On Saturday, nearly two dozen
women marched down the streets of Kabul shouting: “Bread! Work! Freedom!” Talib
soldiers struck back with gunshots in the air as the crowds dispersed. Later,
when NPR spoke to a woman who was part of the demonstration, she said, “After a
year of this government, there is no change in the situation. We are showing
that we won’t stay silent,” she said, adding, “It’s important to show the world
that Afghans don’t accept this. We will stand against injustice. We don’t
consent.”