The Taliban on Tuesday fired shots into the air to disperse hundreds of people who had gathered at several rallies in Kabul — the latest signs of defiance by Afghans against the hardline movement which swept to power last month.
Afghanistan’s new rulers have yet to form a government. At least three rallies were held across Kabul in a show of resistance that would have been unthinkable during the Taliban’s last stint in power — when people were publicly executed and thieves had their hands chopped off.
“Afghan women want their country to be free. They want their country to be rebuilt. We are tired,” protester Sarah Fahim told AFP at one rally outside the Pakistani embassy, where more than 70 people, mostly women, had gathered.
The crowd held up banners and chanted about their frustrations with security, free passage out of the country and perceived meddling by Pakistan.—Agencies