Life returning to a new normal in Kabul as Taleban consolidates power

Taleban fighters on a truck in Kabul on Aug 15, 2021. PHOTO: NYTIMES

KABUL (AFP) - Gone are Western clothes favoured by the fashion-conscious in the Afghan capital, with men on the streets now wearing traditional shalwar kameez.

And there are hardly any women to be seen.

"The fear is there," said a shopkeeper on Tuesday (Aug 17), asking not to be named after he opened his neighbourhood provision store.

Life is returning to a new normal in Kabul as cautious residents venture out of their homes to see what life will be like under the Taleban following its astonishing return to power at the weekend.

For some, it is as if the last 20 years never happened.

Already, there are signs that people are changing the way they live to accommodate the return of the new hardline Islamist regime - if not by direct order, then at least for self-preservation.

During its first stint in power - from 1996 until 2001 when it was ousted by the United States-led invasion in the wake of the Sept 11 attacks - the Taleban ruled with a strict interpretation of the Quran and syariah law.

A swift whipping across the back of the legs by cadres from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice was common for those who were tardy at prayer times.

Public floggings, amputations of limbs for thieves and even executions were scheduled for Fridays - sometimes held at the national stadium.

A ban on mixed schools meant most girls could not get an education, and women were barred from working in scenarios where they may have contact with men.

There was no sign on Tuesday that such strict measures had been reintroduced - or even would be - but people were taking no chances.

"People are scared of the unknown," another shopkeeper said.

"The Taleban soldiers are patrolling the city in small convoys. They don't harass people but, of course, the people are scared."

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A sign of the new times was seen on the TV stations that proliferated during the Taleban's absence.

State TV is showing mostly pre-recorded Islamic programmes or announcements from Maulvi Ishaq Nizami - a man introduced as the head of Voice of Sharia, the Taleban media outlet.

Tolo TV, the private channel that thrived over the past two decades on a mix of Western style game shows, soap operas and talent contests, has stopped most routine programming and is now showing repeats of a Turkish drama about the Ottoman empire.

They did, however, have a newscast with a female presenter interviewing a Taleban official.

On Tuesday, the Taleban announced a "general amnesty" for all government officials, and urged them to return to work.

"You should start your routine life with full confidence," the announcement said - and some appeared to take the advice to heart, with white-capped traffic police reappearing on the streets for the first time in days, although it was not as busy as usual.

Taleban fighters at a checkpoint in Kabul on Aug 16, 2021. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Mr Suhail Shaheen, one of the Taleban's official spokesmen, repeated late on Monday that women will not face any threat in the future.

"Their right to education is also protected," he said, but the Taleban has generally been vague in pronouncements on how they would rule Afghanistan, apart from saying it would be in accordance with Islamic principles.

Interaction with individual Taleban fighters on the streets has been mixed, however.

"Some have been friendly and give no trouble at all," said a man trying to get to his office past a Taleban checkpoint.

"But others are tough.. they push you around and shout at you for no reason."

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