- Taliban fire in the air
- Journalists covering the protest arrested
- Pakistan is very important for Taliban, says spokesman
There was a protest demonstration in Kabul on Tuesday in which women outnumbered men. The Taliban fired in the air to disburse the protesters. The demonstrators were protesting against the interference of Pakistan in the internal affairs of their country. They shouted “Death to ISI,” referring to the intelligence wing of Pakistan army which was behind the Taliban occupation of Afghanistan. ISI stands for Inter Services Intelligence, a Pakistani army’s spy arm. “ISI stay away,” read a placard.
When the protesters who gathered in front of the presidential palace in Kabul were about to intensify the stir, the Taliban fired in air, according to the local news agency Asvaka. The protestors were marching towards the Kabul Serena Hotel where the Pakistan ISI chief Faiz Hameed was staying. The pretext for Hameed’s visit was to be briefed by Pakistan ambassador in Kabul, but he is understood have discussed with the top Taliban leaders on the current situation and government formation. The Afghan protestors shouted “azaad, azaad,” and “Death to Pakistan.”Women in niqabs and burqas came into the streets of Kabul raising anti-Pakistan slogans.
One woman was heard saying, “No one has any right to invade Panjshir, neither Pakistan, nor Taliban.” Some demonstrators said, “The Islamic government is shooting at our poor people.” Pakistan has been supporting the Taliban during the 20 years of US occupation of Afghanistan. The Taliban have called Pakistan their second home. Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told India Today that Pakistan is extremely important for the new Taliban government. He said many Taliban leaders have their families and children living in Pakistan.
Pakistan has been custodian of the Taliban leaders, according to Pakistan Minister Sheik Rashid. “We have taken care of them for long. They got shelter, education and home in Pakistan. We have done everything for them,” he said.
The local journalists shared the videos in social media. Women were heard saying, “We don’t want a Pakistani puppet government. Pakista, leave Afghanistan.” ISI has been supporting terror groups against India. Some journalists covering the protest demonstrations have been arrested by the Taliban for filming the protests.TOLO news chief Lotfullah Nafafizada asked the Taliban to release his colleagues.
