For the reason that Taliban’s return to energy in Afghanistan, Kabul has turn out to be cleaner and safer but in addition notably extra austere.

Nematullah Barakzai, a cultural affairs advisor, notes that Kabul, designed for 500,000 residents, now homes almost 7 million individuals.

This progress has introduced vital challenges.

The Taliban’s swift return to energy in August 2021 introduced a concentrate on cleanliness and safety.

Amin Karim, an city architect, highlights the Taliban’s efforts in road cleansing and waste administration.

Apparently, he factors out that former creators of unrest are actually answerable for sustaining peace.

In Kabul’s markets, individuals like Jalilullah, a 21-year-old apple vendor, now really feel safer working late.

The town is monitored by 62,000 cameras, which some residents view as a method of surveillance.

Ramisha, a neighborhood painter, expresses reduction from widespread city threats like theft and bombings.

The Taliban have maintained checkpoints to stop assaults from Islamic State jihadists.

Many areas in Kabul nonetheless resemble fortresses with concrete blocks and armed guards.

The Taliban’s management has reclaimed and reopened streets blocked by the earlier regime’s highly effective figures.

Barakzai celebrates the reopening of over 100 streets and the development of latest roads.

Financially, Kabul has seen enhancements below the Taliban with the implementation of property taxes.

This measure is a shift from town’s earlier corruption points. Efforts to beautify town embrace planting 1,000,000 flowers.

Nonetheless, ladies face restrictions in these new inexperienced areas.

Demolition of magnificence salons

Taliban orders have led to the demolition of magnificence salons, a part of a wider “cleaning” that features eradicating drug addicts from the streets.

Visitors and air pollution stay persistent challenges. A brand new expressway and 24 roundabouts intention to ease congestion.

Barakzai expresses optimism with a 10-year strategic imaginative and prescient for visitors enchancment.

Kabul’s social ambiance has additionally modified drastically. Girls, now required to put on abayas, contribute to a extra uniform cityscape.

Humaira, a neighborhood resident, feels safer however notes the numerous change in ladies’s costume. The town turns into darkish and abandoned at evening, with a curfew-like ambiance.

Karim reminisces about Kabul’s vigorous previous, contrasting it with the present male-dominated surroundings.

Girls face exclusion from schooling and many roles. Ramisha expresses disappointment over restricted entry to cultural websites.

Kabul’s transformation below the Taliban is complicated, with good points in security and cleanliness.

Nonetheless, it’s additionally marked by heightened surveillance, gender restrictions, and chronic points like visitors and air pollution.

With info from AFP