Hyderabad: In a daring act of defiance, hundreds of Afghans, especially women held a protest in Afghanistan's capital Kabul. Women chanting the slogans of "Freedom Freedom" were seen in videos of the protest that have emerged on the internet.
The protestors were also sloganeering against Pakistan while holding placards asking Pakistan to leave the country. A huge group of people, including both men and women, also gathered in front of the Pakistan embassy in Kabul.
The demonstrators accused Islamabad of aiding the Taliban in their assault on the northern Panjshir province. Taliban on Monday said that they have seized the last province not in their control after overrunning forces who had opposed their takeover.
Despite the Taliban's assurances of a free press, journalists were prevented from filming the protest in the capital Kabul, reported TOLO news. Many reporters were also detained by the Taliban while covering the protest.
A journalist from Afghanistan's popular TOLO News was also detained along with his equipment for three hours by the Taliban before being freed.
Also read:Famed resistance of Panjshir Valley weakens; Massoud calls for national uprising
The Taliban fired into the air to disperse the protesting crowd. Videos circulating online showed panicked civilians running away from the site. This marks the second time that the group has used force to break up protests in the country within a week.
Taliban fired into the air to disperse protestors Earlier in the week Taliban had used force to prevent demonstrations in Kabul and Herat. Both protests were held by women, seeking equal rights and ensuring decision-making roles for them in the new government.
It is pertinent to note that today's protest in the capital city of Kabul comes a day after Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance of Afghanistan (NRFA), also known as the Northern Alliance, called for a "national uprising."
In an emotional audio message yesterday, Massoud said, "Wherever you are, inside or outside, I call on you to begin a national uprising for the dignity, freedom and prosperity of our country." Massoud and the remaining resistance forces have been holed up in the famed Panjshir valley known for its resistance.
There has also been anger simmering in the masses against Pakistan amid rumours of the country coordinating with the Taliban. Many protestors were holding placards critical of Pakistan's role in the country, others accusing them of aiding the Taliban in killing their sons. One of the signs read: "I am a mother, when you kill my son you kill a part of me," while another sign said: "Pakistan Pakistan, Leave Afghanistan."
Protestors were chanting anti-Pakistan slogans Also read:Taliban spokesman confirms meeting between Pakistan's ISI chief and Mullah Baradar
The Taliban forces fired their weapons into the air after the demonstrators neared the presidential palace.
Interestingly, on Sunday, the Taliban confirmed that a meeting had taken place between them and Pakistan Intelligence chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed. The meeting between the ISI chief and Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar took place amid efforts by the group to form a government in Afghanistan.
