As the Taliban senior leader Mullah Baradar moves forward to head new Afghan set-up, the world has now crossed its fingers to see how the group work to form an inclusive government and stay firm to their pledges to the international community.
Baradar, who heads the Taliban’s political office, will be joined by Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, the son of late Taliban founder Mullah Omar, and Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, in senior positions in the government, three sources said.
Read more: Afghanistan: Taliban-led government just around the corner
The new Afghan set-up is now in its final stages
“All the top leaders have arrived in Kabul, where preparations are in final stages to announce the new government,” one Taliban official told Reuters, on condition of anonymity.
The Taliban spokesperson gave no further details available the inclusion of Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Hamid Karzai, Gulbadin Hekmatyar and other former leaders in the new Afghan set-up.
Read more: Taliban confirm Akhundzada as Afghanistan’s “supreme leader”
Panjshir resistance amid new Afghan set-up
The Taliban, who took control of Kabul on Aug. 15 after making large swaths with capital falling one after the other, faced resistance in the Panjshir Valley, north of the capital. The Panjshir people resisted with a mighty force that led to casualties and bloodshed on the Taliban side.
Several thousand fighters of regional militias and remnants of the government’s armed forces have massed in the rugged valley under the leadership of Ahmad Massoud, the son of former Mujahideen commander Ahmad Shah Massoud.
Efforts to negotiate a settlement appear to have broken down, with each side blaming the other for the failure.
Recognizing the new Afghan set-up
When the Taliban ruled from 1996 to 2001, the group enforced strict interpretation of Sharia law on the people. However, this time, the group has pledged to present a moderate face, promising the world to protect human rights and refrain from reprisals against old enemies.
The United States, the European Union and others have cast doubt on such assurances, saying formal recognition of the new government, and the resultant flow of economic aid, was contingent on action.
The new Afghan set-up to provide “safe passage” to evacuees
The Taliban under its new Afghan set-up have promised safe passage out of the country for any foreigners or Afghans left behind by the huge airlift that ended when US troops withdrew ahead of an Aug 31 deadline. But, with Kabul airport still closed, many were seeking to flee over land.
Thousands of Afghans, some without documents, others with pending US visa applications or whose families have mixed immigration status, also wait in “transit hubs” in third countries.
Read more: Pakistan becomes world’s favorite due to Afghanistan evacuation process: FM Qureshi