Seeks prior nod for protests, Taliban wants healthy relations with all

The Taliban set up in Afghanistan on Wednesday announced two important decisions. First is related to a diktat which put several 'conditions' to restrict protest in the country. They also warned, it won't tolerate any resistance to their rule. Second, they  desires healthy relations with all neighbours of Afghanistan based on mutual respect, even while assuring that Afghan soil will not be used against the security of any nation.

The Taliban said permission needs to be taken from the ministry of justice before any protest is organised, according to local publication Pajhwok News. They said that purpose, slogans, place, time and all 'other' details of the protest need to be shared with the government authorities.The developments came amid an increase in the protests against the Taliban in the country.

A statement of the Taliban’s leadership office said that the new regime is “committed to all international laws and treaties, resolutions and commitments that are not in conflict with Islamic law” and Afghanistan’s national values. The statement further assured foreign diplomats, embassies, consulates, humanitarian organisations and investors in Afghanistan that they “will not face any problem”, and that the Taliban was “doing its best for their complete security and safety”. The statement also said the Taliban “will take serious and effective steps towards protecting human rights, the rights of minorities as well as the rights of the underprivileged groups within the framework of the demands of the sacred religion of Islam”.

Though the Taliban have tried to project a moderate image in front of the world, such announcements show little regard for the promise. And experts say that the all-male cabinet of hardliners  proves that it is “old Taliban in a new bottle”.