RASC News Agency: The surge in passport applications within the country has been accompanied by reports of disturbing incidents. Some applicants have recounted instances of physical abuse perpetrated by the Taliban group while waiting at the Kabul city passport directorate. Witnesses allege that Taliban members wielded “sticks and whips,” indiscriminately striking both men and women and callously rejecting their application forms, which were discarded into trash cans on January 18th.
In a disconcerting twist, a passport applicant disclosed to the media that the Taliban passport department had previously encouraged people to visit the Kabul passport office for application submissions. Consequently, individuals flocked to the Taliban group’s passport office in Kabul from midnight, anticipating a prompt submission at the commencement of working hours.
Contrary to expectations, the process unfolded with violence and disrespect at the hands of Taliban members stationed at the passport office gate. Not only were applicants subjected to physical assault, but their vital documents were also recklessly discarded.
It is noteworthy that despite the Taliban group’s earlier announcement on January 10th regarding the initiation of passport distribution in Kabul city, incidents of violence and mistreatment persist. As news of these distressing events spreads, a significant influx of passport applicants from Kabul, Herat, Parwan, and other Afghanistan cities has sought access to various branches of the Taliban group’s Passport Directorate in a desperate bid to secure their passports.
