Afghans flee by all means despite Taliban's promise of "all-inclusive" government

Kabul: As the Taliban finalise their plans to form a government in Afghanistan, thousands on Wednesday approached the borders in an attempt to flee the country, reported Arab News.

Those set to escape are anxious about the Taliban's retaliation, as the Kabul airport stopped activities, and therefore are seeking land borders to neighbouring states of Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries.

A Pakistani official told Arab News that many refugees are waiting at the Torkham border crossing for the gate to open to enter Pakistan. The situation is the same at the Iran border, but security forces looked a bit relaxed for Afghans to enter here, a refugee told Arab News who crossed the border to Iran. But Uzbekistan land borders are currently closed, but its government informed that Afghans could travel here by air when flight services are reinstated.

The Western evacuations have rescued 1,23,000 people from Kabul since August 15, though thousands remain at risk and wish to leave the country.

Regarding the new government, the Taliban said that they had concluded talks on forming an all-inclusive government and hoped to reveal it in two weeks. It will be a wide-ranging one with all parties in the new political system of the country being represented.

However, the new government would be burdened with the tedious job of balancing the country's economy and pushing it back to a stable state. But international donors are withholding funds to a nation that survived from foreign aid for two decades. Banks remain closed here, and residents have reported a sharp decline in prices of essential goods. A civilian told Arab News that they need food, water and security. They need the Islamic Emirate leadership to form a government as soon as possible.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid hailed the US military's withdrawal as a historical moment and pledged that they would bring security to the war-torn country and protect "freedom, independence and Islamic values".

But the Afghans remain sceptical, which is the main reason behind masses fleeing the country, and worried that the Taliban will reinstate their hardline rule of 1996 to 2001.

Meanwhile, there were reports of intense fights between Taliban and anti-Taliban groups on Monday in the Panjshir valley, north of Kabul. The Taliban is urging the opposition to join their new government and threatening a military strike if they don't. Panjshir is the only province that could resist the Taliban since they took over Kabul.