Afghanistan: Taliban promises amnesty; no formal handover yet

Taliban fighters stand guard at a checkpoint near the US embassy, in Kabul. Pics/AP/PTI

The Taliban declared an "amnesty" across Afghanistan and urged women to join their government on Tuesday, seeking to convince a wary population that they have changed. Following a blitz across Afghanistan that saw many cities fall to the insurgents, the Taliban have sought to portray themselves as more moderate than when they imposed a brutal rule in the late 1990s. But many Afghans remain skeptical.

Older generations remember the Taliban's ultraconservative Islamic views, which included severe restrictions on women as well as stonings, amputations and public executions before they were ousted by the US-led invasion that followed the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Hundreds gather outside the international airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Tuesday

While there were no major reports of abuses or fighting in the capital of Kabul as the Taliban now patrol its streets, many residents have stayed home and remain fearful after the insurgents' takeover saw prisons emptied and armories looted. Many women have expressed dread that the two-decade Western experiment to expand their rights and remake Afghanistan would not survive the resurgent Taliban.

Vague remarks

The promises of amnesty from Enamullah Samangani, a member of the Taliban's cultural commission, were the first comments on how the Taliban might govern on a national level. His remarks remained vague, however, as the Taliban are still negotiating with political leaders of the country's fallen government and no formal handover deal has been announced.

Afghan people sit outside the French embassy in Kabul on Tuesday, waiting to leave Afghanistan. Pic/AFP

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan with full dignity and honesty has announced a complete amnesty for all Afghanistan, especially those who were with the opposition or supported the occupiers for years and recently," he said.

Other Taliban leaders have said they won't seek revenge on those who worked with the Afghan government or foreign countries. But some in Kabul allege Taliban fighters have lists of people who cooperated with the government and are seeking them out.

Samangani also described women as "the main victims of the more than 40 years of crisis in Afghanistan." "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan doesn't want the women to be the victims anymore," he said.

Indians sit aboard a military aircraft at the airport in Kabul on Tuesday, waiting to be evacuated. Pic/AFP

UK to increase aid to Afghan by 10%

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says the government plans to increase humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, "probably by 10%." Raab said the aid budget will be reconfigured for development and humanitarian purposes in Afghanistan and that the Taliban will not get any of the money previously earmarked for security. "I don't think we will condition the humanitarian relief we provide to ordinary Afghans on what the Taliban does," he said.

India brings back embassy staff from Afghan

India on Tuesday brought back home the Indian ambassador and its staff at the embassy in Kabul in a heavy-lift military transport aircraft in view of the deteriorating security situation in the Afghan capital, two days after its takeover by the Taliban, people familiar with the development said. The C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) landed at Jamnagar in Gujarat at around 11:15 am en route to the Hindon airbase near the national capital, they said.

‘Afghan should not be a haven for terrorists'

Hours after expressing hope that the Taliban will form an "open and inclusive" Islamic government and ensure a smooth transition in Afghanistan, China has warned the Afghan militant group against the country once again becoming a "haven" for terrorists. The remarks by China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, came during an emergency meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan on Monday after the sudden and rapid takeover of the Afghanistan government by the Taliban insurgents.

India to issue emergency e-visas

India on Tuesday announced that it will issue an emergency e-visa to Afghan nationals who want to come to the country in view of the prevailing situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban captured power there. All Afghans, irrespective of their religion, can apply for the ‘e-Emergency X-Misc Visa' online and the applications will be processed in New Delhi. The announcement came two days after the Taliban captured power in Afghanistan.

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Increase in amount of aid UK govt plans for Afghanistan

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