Local sources report that the Taliban governor of Herat has summoned neighborhood representatives from the city’s fifteen districts, along with several local elders, and asked them to speak with residents to prevent any potential protests from taking place on Friday.
Sources told the Hasht-e Subh Daily on Wednesday, June 10, that the meeting was held at 9:00 a.m. that morning at the Herat provincial government building.
According to sources, Noor Ahmad Islamjar, the Taliban governor of Herat, stated that the city is “on a path of development” and has major projects such as TAPI and a railway line on the horizon, and that residents should be made aware of these developments.
He also told neighborhood representatives and local elders that “it is beneath the dignity of Herat for people to hold protests in defense of improper veiling.”
Sources further indicated that the Taliban governor asked local representatives to report to the group’s intelligence agencies any individuals or groups intending to participate in Friday’s protests.
Earlier reports had also indicated that the Taliban summoned several vloggers that same day who had published protest videos in support of women and girls detained in the province.
These measures come after residents of Herat’s Jibrael area staged protests the previous day over the Taliban’s detention of women.
