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Life under the Taliban.While hindsight has bestowed upon the black-turbaned rulers the ominous aura of global jihadists, at the time that they took over Kabul — in September 1996 — the majority of the capital’s residents hailed them as saviors. “We used to get up every morning and call around to friends and relatives, see who was still alive”. Abdul Rashid Dostum held the north of the country, going so far as to issue his own currency. Ismail Khan had an iron grip on the west. The Taliban had been in control in the south since 1994, when they chased out the gunmen who had terrorized the population with a direct and vicious violence. “I was very comfortable under the Taliban,” said Dr. Malalai, a doctor in Mazar-e-Sharif, capital of Balkh province. “I worked part-time, but made enough money for my needs. I could go anywhere, security was not a problem. We did not fear robbery, rape, murder. But now, I work full time and do not make enough money. And if someone offered me a job in one of the outlying districts, I would never go, because of poor security.” “The system was still in place,” said Nasimi. “Drinking, gambling, affairs — it was all still going on.” No matter how bad things seem at present, with a stalled economy, deteriorating security, an unpopular government and an increasingly burdensome foreign presence, people are not willing to go back. Date: 2015-12-18; view: 778
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