- Title: Taliban "didn't harass us," says Afghan, as numbers fleeing to Pakistan swell
- Date: 26th August 2021
- Summary: CHAMAN, PAKISTAN (AUGUST 26, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ARRIVING FROM AFGHANISTAN AT BUS TERMINAL AFGHAN MEN WALKING BY AFGHAN FAMILY WAITING WITH THEIR BAGGAGE MAN DRINKING WATER / PEOPLE STANDING AROUND (SOUNDBITE) (Pashto) AFGHAN FROM PAKTIKA, ZAHID, SAYING: "I have come from Birman of the Paktika region in Afghanistan. I faced no problems on the way. The only problems we faced were on this border." MEN STANDING BESIDES SACKS OF FOOD (SOUNDBITE) (Pashto) AFGHAN WHO HAS BEEN WORKING IN PAKISTAN FOR FOUR YEARS, ZAID ALI, SAYING: " God knows the Taliban didn't say anything to us on the way. They didn't harass us. They just asked a few questions; that's all." VARIOUS OF CROWDS AT BUS STATION
- Embargoed: 9th September 2021 15:11
- Keywords: afghanistan border evacuees pakistan taliban
- Location: CHAMAN, PAKISTAN
- City: CHAMAN, PAKISTAN
- Country: Pakistan
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA001ERX0LZB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Crowds at Zero Point in the Pakistani city of Chaman, which borders Afghanistan, grew on Thursday (August 26) as the number of Afghans arriving into Pakistan rose.
The Taliban have encouraged Afghans to stay while saying those with permission to leave will still be allowed to do so once commercial flights resume, following the take over of Afghanistan by the Islamists.
Thousands are still attempting to leave the country and some have said they were not hindered in their attempts.
The Taliban have said they will respect human rights but despite Taliban pledges, many fear a return to the repressive past.
The United States and allies urged Afghans to leave Kabul airport on Thursday, citing the threat of an attack by Islamic State militants, as Western troops race to evacuate as many people as possible and get out themselves by Aug. 31.
The deadline has intensified pressure to complete the evacuations of tens of thousands of foreigners and Afghans who helped Western countries during the 20-year war against the Taliban.
Canadian forces halted their evacuations of around 3,700 Canadian and Afghan citizens on Thursday, saying they had stayed as long as they could. U.S. and allied troops also have to plan the logistics of their own withdrawal.
(Production: Salah Uddin, Sheree Sardar) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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