As civil protests continue over the Taliban’s recent arrests of women accused of violating the group’s dress code, and security tensions remain high in Herat, Taliban Governor Noor Ahmad Islamjar has travelled to Kabul.
In a statement, the office of the Taliban governor in Herat said Islamjar had departed for Kabul at the head of a delegation and is expected to meet several senior officials in the capital.
Although observers have linked the visit to the recent security situation and tensions in Herat, the governor’s office described the trip as focused on economic and infrastructure issues.
According to the statement, the main purpose of the meetings is to review progress on major economic projects, the expansion of Herat’s industrial park and efforts to address challenges affecting commercial transport.
The statement added that increasing imports and exports through the Islam Qala border crossing and improving customs procedures will also be discussed in an effort to provide greater facilities for traders.
Herat witnessed two anti-Taliban protests over the past week. Taliban forces suppressed both demonstrations and have since imposed extensive security measures across the province to prevent further protests.
The protests erupted following the mass detention of women accused of violating the Taliban’s dress code.
At the same time, the Afghanistan Freedom Front claimed responsibility for an attack on the Taliban’s Directorate for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice office in Herat, saying three Taliban members were killed.
Earlier, Noor Ahmad Islamjar said compliance with the Taliban’s prescribed dress code had been steadily declining in Herat.
He described the detained women as suffering from “psychological and religious problems” and said authorities had been instructed to remove them from public spaces.
