Syed Khalique Ahmed
NEW DELHI—Taliban spokespersons Muhammad Suhail Shaheen has said that the Taliban will not allow Afghan soil to be used against India.
He gave this assurance in an interview with ANI news agency. There were apprehensions in several quarters that the Taliban may allow Afghanistan to be used against India because of the amicable relationship of the Taliban with Pakistani establishment.
“We have a general policy that we are committed not to allow anyone to use Afghanistan soil against any country including the neighbouring countries,” ANI has quoted Shaheen to have said.
Taliban spokesman also appreciated India’s humanitarian and development efforts in Afghanistan.
“We appreciate everything in capacity building, whether it is Parliament, schools, roads, or dams. India has infused more than USD 2 billion in assistance to Afghanistan. We appreciate everything that has been done for the people of Afghanistan like dams, national projects, infrastructure, and anything for the development of Afghanistan for its reconstruction, economic prosperity, and the people of Afghanistan,” ANI has quoted Shaheen having said.
Shaheen told ANI about the Taliban’s deep relations with Pakistan-based terror groups. “These are baseless allegations. They are not based on ground realities but based on their certain policies towards us, on the basis of politically motivated goals,” ANI has quoted Shaheen to have said.
Women will be allowed to obtain education
In an interview with CNN, Shaheen said that the policy of the Taliban is that “women can continue their education from primary to higher education.” The statement of the Taliban spokesperson is quite significant because questions are being raised in international media, particularly Western media, that women would not be allowed to go to schools and universities with the Taliban having captured power in Afghanistan.
“Inclusive Islamic government”
Taliban spokesperson also told CNN that the new Afghan government will be an “inclusive Islamic government” and include “non-Taliban Afghan groups.”
Shaheen, in different interviews, told media persons categorically that soldiers of the former Afghan government, who lay down their weapons and join the forces of the Taliban government, will be given amnesty, and their lives and property will be secure. However, he clarified that all such soldiers of the former Afghan government should get themselves registered with the Taliban. Then, according to Shaheen, they will be treated as a reserve force, and they would be called back at a proper time when they are needed.
Foreign journalists, embassies can function
Shaheen also made it clear that foreign journalists and embassies can continue to function in Afghanistan. He clearly stated that the Taliban would not target foreign nationals. “We are committed to providing a secure environment not only for diplomats and embassies but for journalists and international NGOs also,” he told CNN.
Taliban spokesperson also appealed US government to trust the Taliban. “We told Americans that they should not evacuate their embassy because we said we would not target embassies, but rather we will provide a secure environment for them to function”.
The success of the Taliban Offensive
Regarding the success of the Taliban’s offensive, Shaheen said that the Taliban were successful because they have roots among the people. “It was a popular uprising of the people,” Shaheen claimed.
