Taliban vows to respect women's rights within norms of Islamic law

In the first media briefing after seizing control over Kabul, the Taliban on Tuesday clarified its stance on a range of issues such as women's rights and press freedom in an attempt to reassuring world powers and an anxious population.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the group's spokesman said that women will be allowed to work, study and be very active in society, within the framework of Islam.

His assertion that the Taliban would protect women's rights comes after the Taliban's earlier rule saw women's lives and rights severely restricted.

Mujahid also said the Taliban wanted media to be neutral, with Islamic values taken into consideration and the media should broadcast based on national values.

Pressed on how the new Taliban government will differ from the previous one, Mujahid said that the group has evolved and will not take the same actions they did in the past. He added that there will be a difference when it comes to the actions they are going to take when compared with 20 years ago.

Mujahid also assured the gathered journalists that the group is committed to protecting the rights of media workers within a cultural framework.

He added that private media have to remain independent, but stressed that journalists should not work against national values.

When asked about the group's stance on retaliatory attacks on anyone who served in the previous government, Mujahid assured that the Taliban has pardoned everyone and said that no one will go to anyone's house.

When asked about the unconfirmed reports of Taliban fighters entering the homes of Kabul residents, Mujahid said that those were impostors who should be turned over to the Taliban and face appropriate punishment.

About the safety of the foreign embassies in Kabul, he said that the security of embassies is very crucial for the group and assured that it will not allow anyone to harm the embassies.

Mr Mujahid also said the Taliban would not allow Afghanistan to be used as a base for attacking other countries, as it was in the years before 9/11. That assurance was part of a 2020 peace deal reached between the Taliban and the Trump administration that paved the way for the American withdrawal.

The Taliban news conference came as the United States and Western allies evacuated diplomats and civilians the day after scenes of chaos at Kabul airport as Afghans desperate to flee the Taliban thronged the terminal.