Aftab Chaudhry

The global community instead of accepting the Taliban government in Afghanistan is on the way of imposing restrictions on it, creating difficulties for the Afghan people which is violation of the International Human Rights Act itself. The United States and the European countries have built the pressure on the Taliban government on different issues while the ground realities are different. On the other side, the Taliban government has turned deaf ears towards the restrictions imposed by the global community and is focusing on improving their economy. They are desirous to resolve the basic issues of the masses including education, health and employment to pave way for development and prosperity in the country. The Afghan government has also reinitiated tourism so that people from other countries should visit Afghanistan, helping to improve the trade and business and creating new employment opportunities.

China is the key supporter of the Afghan government at the time which is working on various important projects there. Besides development projects, China is also interested in mineral resources of the country and work on extracting oil is underway witnessing improvement with each passing day. The Afghan government’s daily oil extraction target is 1000 tons and Taliban are trying to eradicate image of extremism urging the global community to changing its thoughts about Afghan Taliban. Afghan Taliban are now in favour of constituting soft policies, however; issue of ban on women’s education is base of criticism on them. However, they are urgently working on constituting a new system for women which can come to light shortly.

There is not restriction on Afghan women to work in offices, trade centers and a large number of Afghan women visit shopping centers, restaurants and fast food shops for taking meal. Taliban leaders have clarified that they are not against driving of women and even they haven’t imposed any restrictions on women’s driving. Majority of Afghan women wear hijab (Head covering scarf), some women consider it as party of Islamic teachings and some wear hijab as part of tribal and regional tradition. But international community alleges Afghan Taliban of forcing their women to wear hijab which is against ground reality. Those involved in propaganda against Afghan Taliban and criticizing them have neither visited Afghanistan nor aware of Afghan traditions. Those who talk about violation of human rights and restrictions in Afghanistan can clarify their minds by visiting Afghanistan after which they will never make such baseless comments about real situation while sitting in their air conditioned rooms. Sheesha Cafes established in Kabul are visited by youth on daily basis where they remain present till late night is its clear example and on other hand, Sheesha Cafes are banned in Pakistan.

There is not a single country in world whose 100 percent population is satisfied with its government. In countries having democratic setup, there exists opposition which criticizes government and anti-government movements are launched seeking new issues with each passing day. Before Taliban, several governments including Ashraf Ghani and Hamid Karzai’s governments were established. Now there is Taliban’s government and different political factions including Ashraf Ghani and Hamid Karzai are opposing them which is part of democratic system. The opposition members and critics belonging to opposition parties openly criticize Taliban on media which was a proof that Taliban have not banned their critics and opponents.

The way China is extending all out support to Taliban government if continues for two to three years, a new era of development and progress will start and Afghanistan will turn to an economically stable country. Taliban have adopted an attitude of leaving extremism and time to time also announced for not allowing anyone to use Afghan soil against any country. Therefore, the global community also needs to confiscate bans imposed on Afghanistan besides extending all out assistance so that war-torn Afghanistan adversely damaged due to five decades confrontation will turn back on path of development and Afghan people will be able to lead lives with respect, esteem and prosperity. Alongside China, if United States and Western countries bring change in their viewpoint about Taliban and Islamic countries including Saudi Arabia and UAE boost cooperation, the war-torn Afghanistan came become a cradle of peace which will not only benefit the neighboring countries but also will be in the larger interest of global peace.

Taliban leadership is committed to distance itself of extremism and they also made announcements for not allowing use of their soil against any country but they had to ensure implementation for eradicating accusations against them besides chalking out a system for women’s education. Taliban also have to remove the concerns of neighboring countries so that regional countries should support them at global level. On the other hand the international community needs to adopt positive attitude, accept Taliban government for betterment of Afghan people so that they can lead a prosperous and esteemed life. If global community declined to accept Taliban government, it will again plunge Afghanistan into ditch of war which will not only damage the peace of region but will also deprive Afghan people of basic human rights and responsibility will fall on International human rights organizations and global community.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)