Taliban’s Promises of Tolerance in Afghanistan Often Don’t Match Reality

Afghan television anchor Mirwais Haqdost appeared steady, even with 7 armed Taliban fighters at the rear of him, as he study out a statement ready by the team.

“The mujahedeen of the Islamic Emirate are trying to create peace and balance in Afghanistan,” he said, working with the Taliban’s most well-liked name, as two fighters watched him intently. “Their sole ask for is for folks to help them and cooperate with them, and not be afraid of something.”

This scene, broadcast past 7 days on Afghanistan Television set, a personal channel, revealed the distinction between what the country’s new rulers say, and what they increasingly do.

“Our Television set station was besieged,” Mr. Haqdost later on said in a movie posted on social media, adding that he had complained to the Taliban’s media business office, but to no avail. “We done our courses, and the Taliban ended up within the studio with us,” he said.

Following seizing Kabul on Aug. fifteen, the Taliban created preliminary shows of tolerance, pledging that Afghans, even individuals who worked with the former government and international forces, have very little to concern from the country’s new rulers.