KABUL: The Taliban will not allow any more evacuations of Afghans until the situation improves abroad for those who have already left, their spokesman said on Sunday.

“The government has the responsibility to protect the people so this will be stopped until we get the assurance that their lives will not be endangered,” Zabihullah Mujahid told a news conference.

More than 120,000 Afghans and dual nationals were evacuated up to August 31 when the last US-led troops withdrew, two weeks after the Taliban seized Kabul.

Hundreds more were allowed to leave on flights after that, but the last official evacuation by air was on December 1. Occasional evacuations have taken place by road via Pakistan until recently, however.

Spokesman says criminals, kidnappers, smugglers arrested in operations across Kabul

Mujahid said the Taliban had received reports of thousands of Afghans “living in very bad conditions” in Qatar and Turkey.

Kidnappers, smugglers arrested

Zabihullah Mujahid said Taliban forces had arrested dozens of criminals, kidnappers and smugglers in operations across Kabul. The clearance operations began in the capital and neighbouring provinces two days ago, and would continue, he said, adding that the aim was to collect weapons and arrest suspects.

He said the operation was successful and hundreds of light and heavy weapons were confiscated, including rocket-launchers and grenades. Over 60,000 rounds of ammunition were also uncovered, as well as 13 armored vehicles and 13 tonnes of gunpowder and explosives.

Mujahid also welcomed a recent US decision to ease restrictions on Afghan banks. The new general licence issued by the US Treasury will allow for money transfers for Afghan businessmen and others, but exclude individual Taliban members.

He said he hoped the US would continue to ease restrictions. Billions of dollars of Afghan assets are frozen in US banks, severely hampering state institutions in the once aid-dependent country. In total, nine kidnappers, six Islamic State militant group members, and 53 thieves were arrested. Two abducted individuals were released.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2022