Schools, colleges across Afghanistan can open: Taliban official

Taliban fighters stand guard along a road near the site of an Ashura procession which is held to mark the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad. (File/AFP)

• Crowds have grown at the airport in the capital Kabul each day over the past week

KABUL: Schools and colleges across Afghanistan can open, a Taliban official said on Sunday.

He added that the group commanders are set to meet former governors and bureaucrats in more than 20 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces over the next few days to ensure their safety and seek cooperation.
“We are not forcing any former government official to join or prove their allegiance to us, they have a right to leave the country if they would like,” the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Reuters.
The Taliban’s swift takeover of Afghanistan has sparked fear of reprisals and a return to the harsh version of Islamic law the group exercised when it was in power two decades ago.
Crowds have grown at the airport in the capital Kabul each day over the past week, hindering operations as the United States and other nations attempt to evacuate thousands of their diplomats and civilians as well as numerous Afghans.
“We are seeking complete clarity on foreign forces’ exit plan,” the Taliban official added. “Managing chaos outside Kabul airport is a complex task.”