According to AFP, a group of about 70 mostly women had gathered in front of the Pakistani embassy. They accused Pakistan, which traditionally has good ties with the Taliban, of meddling in their country. Photos show signs with the text “ISI, stay away”, referring to the Pakistani secret service. Last weekend the chief of that service was in Kabul, possibly for consultations with the Taliban top.
Yesterday a group of women also took to the streets in Kabul. They protested for women’s rights and for representation in the new Taliban government that is due to be announced at any time, writes the BBC. The Taliban dispersed the group with tear gas and pepper spray. Women have also demonstrated in other Afghan cities in recent days, such as in the northern Mazar-i-Sharif and in Herat.
Consultation about airport
Meanwhile, the international community is in the process of reopening Kabul International Airport. Turkey, Qatar and the US are involved, among others. Qatari Foreign Minister Thani said at a joint press conference with his American counterpart Blinken today that he hopes the airport can be used again for civil aviation “in the coming days”.
He emphasized that an agreement with the Taliban has yet to be reached about how the airport will be managed. Blinken said the US is in talks with the Taliban about charter flights to pick up the remaining 100 or so US citizens from Afghanistan. According to him, the group has reiterated its guarantee that people will be allowed to leave “with the correct documents”.
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