Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

Taliban on Banning Spree, Prohibits Women, Men, Media

In latest announcements, the hardline Islamists have imposed sweeping restrictions on freedoms, mostly targeting Afghan girls and women, men and media
March 29, 2022
taliban

The Taliban had promised a softer version of the harsh Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001. However, in latest announcements, the hardline Islamists have imposed sweeping restrictions on freedoms, mostly targeting Afghan girls and women, men and media. Their latest string of restrictions are for the citizens and enterprises of Afghanistan.

Ban on Women Travelling Alone

The Taliban have ordered airlines in Afghanistan to stop women from boarding flights unless accompanied by a male relative, aviation officials told AFP.

A letter issued by a senior official of Ariana Afghan to the airline’s staff after the meeting with the Taliban, a copy of which was obtained by the international news agency, confirmed the new measure.

“No women are allowed to fly on any domestic or international flights without a male relative,” the letter said.

Ban on International Media

Afghanistan’s Taliban government is targeting international media with broadcasting bans, as the militant group continues to crackdown on civil liberties in the country. DW‘s Afghan service said some DW programming will no longer be rebroadcast by Afghan partners.

The BBC said that news bulletins in Pashto, Persian and Uzbek are to be taken off air.

Ban on Female Education

The Taliban stopped girls from attending school during its rule of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 when it was removed by the US-led invasion.

A Ministry of Education notice said on Wednesday that schools for girls would be closed until a plan was drawn up in accordance with Islamic law and Afghan culture, according to government news agency, Bakhtar News Agency.

The education ministry acknowledged that authorities faced a shortage of teachers – with many among the tens of thousands of people who fled the country as the Taliban swept to power.

Ban on Leaving Country

Evacuations organised by nations or non-governmental organisations have been banned, while even families attempting to leave the country by their own means now need “an excuse”, or they will be stopped by immigration.

The new travel restrictions will alarm tens of thousands of Afghans who have been promised asylum abroad after working with US-led foreign forces or other Western organisations during the Taliban’s 20-year insurgency.

More than 1,20,000 Afghans and dual nationals were evacuated up to August 31 when the last US-led troops withdrew, two weeks after the hardline Islamists seized Kabul.

Thousands with similar links are still in Afghanistan, however, desperate to leave and fearful they may be targeted by the Taliban as “collaborators”.

The last official evacuation by air was on December 1, although organised road convoys to Pakistan have taken place as recently as last week.

Ban on Clean-Shave and Western Attire in Government job

Taliban has directed all government employees to wear a beard and adhere to a dress code or risk being fired.

Local media sources reported that representatives from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice were patrolling the entrances to government offices on Monday, 28 March, to check that employees were in compliance with the new rules, NAN reports.

Following this new fiat, it would become illegal for employees to shave their beards, or wear local clothing consisting of a long, loose top and trousers, and a hat or turban.

The sources, moreover, claimed workers were told to ensure they prayed at the correct times, in strict observance of the Islamic tenets.