Afghanistan has seen a dramatic transformation within half a year under Taliban rule.
Although the country seems safer and less violent than in previous decades, the once-aid-fueled economy is on the verge of collapse. Tens of thousands have fled Afghanistan, or been evacuated. They fear their economic future, or lack of freedom in a group that adheres to strict Islamic interpretations. The Taliban had previously banned girls from school and women working during the late 1990s.
Six months have passed since Afghanistan’s capital Kabul was handed over to the Taliban. This occurred with the abrupt and secret departure from the country’s U.S.-backed President. A months-long Taliban military campaign to seize control of provinces had preceded the takeover of Kabul. Many of these areas fell without a fight.
Residents are still scared and shocked by the sight of armed Taliban soldiers on the streets. Women are now back on the streets and young men are wearing Western clothing again, even though they initially wore them to cover up for the traditional shalwar kameez (long shirt and baggy pants that the Taliban preferred).
The Taliban allow some women to work, unlike in the 1990s. Women are returning to their jobs at Kabul International Airport as well as in the education and health ministries. They often work alongside men. Women are still waiting for permission to return to other ministries. The economic downslope has resulted in thousands of job losses, with women being the hardest hit.
Taliban have cracked down against women’s protests, harassed journalists, and even briefly detained two foreign journalists who were working with the U.N. refugee organization last week.
The detention of some young men who sold heart-shaped flowers to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Monday was a stark reminder of how the new all-male religious-driven administration is against Western romantic ideas.
While girls in grades 1 to 6 have been attending school, those in higher grades are still being held back in many parts of the country. All girls would be enrolled in school by March 31, according to the Taliban. Private universities and schools are slowly opening up, and some have remained closed.
The depth of poverty is increasing . Even those with money are having difficulty accessing it. Bank lines can be long and residents have to wait hours or days before they can withdraw $200 per week.
After the Taliban takeover, more than $9 billion of Afghanistan’s foreign assets was frozen. President Joe Biden last week signed an executive order which promised $3.5Billion — from $7Billion of Afghanistan’s assets in the United States — to be given to the families of 9/11 victims. The remaining $3.5 billion would go to Afghan aid.
Tuesday saw about 3,000 Afghans protest Biden’s order in the capital, carrying placards that called Biden “Biden The World Thief of 2022.”
One placard stated that 9/11 had nothing to do the Afghans. “Shame on Mr. Biden! You killed us, you bombed us, and now you take our money.”
Tuesday’s demonstration was the largest yet against the order. It was organized by a group of private money dealers.
The Taliban campaigned for international recognition their all-male, all Taliban government. However, they are being pressured to create an inclusive administration, guarantee the rights and freedoms of women, and ensure that religious minorities have equal rights.
Graeme Smith is a senior consultant to the International Crisis Group’s Asia Program. He warned against sanctions because they could backfire.
He stated that while economic pressure will not be enough to remove the Taliban regime, a collapsed economy could cause more people to flee the country, triggering another migration crisis. He noted that the Taliban’s current six-month rule was “probably the most peaceful in Afghanistan for four decades.”
The Taliban have reopened Afghanistan’s passport office. It is currently clogged with thousands of people every day. Taliban promised Afghans that they would allow them to travel with the proper documentation.
Alam Gul Haqqani is the country’s passport office manager. He told The Associated Press that on Tuesday, the administration was negotiating for new equipment. Also, 70 percent of ex-employees have been reinstated. He said that the government needed to hire new technical staff as most of the former professional staff had left.
People who want to leave are driven largely by fear of a weak economy or the desire to have more freedom in a more open society.
Haqqani stated that the countrywide passport department is very lucrative. It brings in approximately 25 million Afghanis per day, or $271,000.500 per day. He claimed that corruption was responsible for a large portion of the profits. He paid three months’ salary and arrested or fired dozens of people for corruption allegations.
The Taliban have cut down corruption, according to international aid workers speaking under duress because they weren’t authorized to speak to the media. Despite the fact that business is down, this has resulted in increased revenue in certain sectors. They claim that customs revenue has increased despite the fact that the Taliban government is not doing as much business.
Many officials who were part of the U.S.-backed government’s former administration have returned. Omar Zakhilwal (ex-ambassador) said that he had not encountered any violence from the Taliban.
He expressed hope that the Taliban would “find the courage” and openly admit minorities to the government, as well as guarantee the rights of all Afghans.
