Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, along with his close aides, flew out of Afghanistan with cars and a helicopter full of cash on Sunday, paving the way for Taliban to regain power 20 years after a US-led military invasion ousted them.
Taliban commanders claimed they “took control” of the presidential palace in Kabul, Russia’s RT reported. The report quoted the group as saying that it expected a total handover of power. Now, millions of Afghans are scared for their lives. And many from the world, including Pakistan, are praying for their safety, with the exception of Taliban supporters.
But among those saddened by the human lives lost and concerned solely for the Afghani women and children in danger, include a slew of public figures, who have taken to their social media to condemn the rule of Taliban in Afghanistan.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai tweeted about her concern for women, minorities and human rights advocates in the country. “Global, regional and local powers must call for an immediate ceasefire, provide urgent humanitarian aid, protect refugees and civilians,” she pressed.
We watch in complete shock as Taliban takes control of Afghanistan. I am deeply worried about women, minorities and human rights advocates. Global, regional and local powers must call for an immediate ceasefire, provide urgent humanitarian aid and protect refugees and civilians.— Malala (@Malala) August 15, 2021
Sharing a photo showing more than 600 people packed inside a C-17 flight that left Kabul’s airport Sunday night, Mahira Khan tweeted, “Heartbreaking. #Afghanistan”
Heartbreaking.. #Afghanistan https://t.co/PcCFCxJc6B— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) August 17, 2021
Churails star Sarwat Gilani added in her Insta Stories, “It’s a dark day for Afghanistan today. Please pray for the safety of Afghan children and women!”
PPP president Asif Ali Zardari’s daughter Aseefa Bhutto Zardari tweeted, “[I’m] watching the events unfolding in Afghanistan with dread. The world has failed the men, women and children of Afghanistan. May God have mercy.”
Watching the events unfolding in #Afghanistan with dread. The world has failed the men, women and children of Afghanistan 🇦🇫 May God have mercy.— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) August 15, 2021
Sharing videos of people rushing across Kabul airport, model Zara Peerzada wrote, “Watching scenes from Kabul airport is just forming an unmovable pit in my stomach. A people abandoned, desperately trying to flee to some kind of safety. They know what is in store for them now, only death and brutality.”
While Anoushey Ashraf shared a BBC story on her Instagram Stories and wrote, “Heart wrenching stories were coming out of Afghanistan.”
Indian singer Shreya Ghoshal also tweeted, “Praying for the people of #Afghanistan Heartbreaks seeing the panic and suffering.”
Praying for the people of #Afghanistan Heartbreaks seeing the panic and suffering.— Shreya Ghoshal (@shreyaghoshal) August 17, 2021
Pakistan’s civil and military leadership on Monday decided to adopt a “wait-and-see” policy before making any move to recognise the new set-up in Kabul likely to be dominated by the Afghan Taliban.