Taliban vow no revenge in first news conference since seizing power

Taliban officials have fronted the world’s media in Kabul, promising that they will not take revenge on anyone and will pardon all those who fought against it during the two decades the United States spent fighting the insurgent group.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the organisation had “emancipated” the country and did not want Afghanistan to be the “battlefield of conflict anymore”.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid began the press conference with a religious recitation.Credit:AP

It is the first time the elusive figure has shown his face to the world. He began the media event â€" the group’s first news conference since seizing power on the weekendâ€" with a religious recitation.

“Everyone is forgiven,” he said, adding that the group sought “no revenge”.

Mujahid said this extended to thousands of translators and contractors who helped the allied countries and are desperately trying to flee the country.

“All of them have been pardoned, nobody is going to be treated with revenge,” he said.

“In your homes, nobody is going to harm you, nobody is going to knock on your door, nobody is going to interrogate you.”

Declaring they were “not arrogant” despite conquering the country in “a matter of days” following the withdrawal of the United States, he promised that women would have access to education and be allowed to work, but would be subject to Sharia law.

And he welcomed private media companies continuing to operate in the country, saying it would help the Taliban “improve”. However, Mujahid said their news coverage must not offend or criticise Islamic or Afghan values, meaning it too will be subject to the version of Sharia law that the Taliban adopts as it prepares to transform from a fighting group to a government.

He said it was the Taliban’s right to fight for Afghanistan’s independence.

“After 20 years of struggle, once again we have emancipated our country and made it independent again, and we have expelled the foreigners,” he said.

“This is a proud moment for the whole nation.”

Since sweeping to power in just over a week following the withdrawal of US troops, the Taliban are attempting to show a more moderate face to the world compared to their previous rule.

They were met with little to no resistance as they reclaimed province after province, and took the capital without any bloodshed on Sunday night.

In a further sign the insurgent group was taking the reins of government, the chief of the organisation’s political office Mullah Baradar arrived in Kandahar province.

More to come

Latika Bourke is a journalist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based in London.

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