Afghan Taliban fighters pose on their military tank 25 kms north of Kabul. AFP
Afghan Taliban fighters pose on their military tank 25 kms north of Kabul. AFP

1995 - Taliban rise to power

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Updated 19 April 2025
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1995 - Taliban rise to power

1995 - Taliban rise to power
  • From madrassas to military dominance, the rise of the Taliban reshaped Afghanistan and the world

KABUL: The emergence of the Taliban in the mid-1990s reshaped the political and social landscape of Afghanistan. What began as a movement of religious students seeking to restore order in a war-torn country quickly morphed into an uncompromising force that dominated the country for five years before being ousted by a US-led invasion in 2001. 

The origins of the Taliban can be traced to the discontent that followed the Soviet withdrawal in 1989 after a decade of conflict. As warlords and other factions vied for control, Afghanistan descended into lawlessness and violence. 

The power vacuum left by Russia’s departure led to intense infighting among former mujahideen groups, particularly between factions loyal to regional warlords such as Burhanuddin Rabbani and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. 

In response to this anarchy, students from madrassas (Islamic religious schools), many of whom had fought in the anti-Soviet jihad, began organizing themselves as the “Taliban,” the Pashto word for “students,” under the leadership of Mullah Mohammed Omar, an Islamic scholar. 

Inspired by a vision of strict Islamic governance, the Taliban emerged as a movement that promised to end the cycle of warlordism and corruption that had gripped Afghanistan. This commitment to law and order helped the Taliban rise to power in less than two years. 

How we wrote it




Arab News reported the Taliban’s takeover of Herat, delivering a major blow to President Burhanuddin Rabbani.

The movement first gained traction in southern Afghanistan, particularly in the provinces of Paktika, Ghazni and Zabul. Early supporters included traders and civilians who had suffered under the unchecked violence of local warlords. 

The group undertook their first significant military action in late 1994, when they captured key checkpoints between Helmand and Kandahar, an area plagued by lawlessness. 

A turning point came in October 1994 when the Taliban seized Spin Boldak, a key border town near Pakistan and close to Kandahar, which would become their power base in the years that followed. This victory provided them with financial resources and a strategic recruitment base, and madrassa students arrived in droves from Pakistan to join the movement. 

These students from seminaries in Pakistan played a crucial role in the capture of Kandahar on Nov. 15, 1994. The Taliban met with little resistance and their victory established the group as a formidable force, allowing them to expand their influence rapidly. 

By early 1995, the Taliban had taken the city of Ghazni and the province of Maidan Wardak as they moved ever-closer to Kabul. Their swift and ruthless military strategy allowed them to seize the Afghan capital on Sept. 27, 1996. Once in power, the Taliban declared Afghanistan an Islamic Emirate and implemented a strict interpretation of Shariah. 

Key Dates

  • 1

    Taliban attack a checkpoint near Kandahar, marking their first military engagement.

    Timeline Image Sept. 29, 1994

  • 2

    The group seize Kandahar, establishing a base for expansion.

    Timeline Image Nov. 15, 1994

  • 3

    Herat city, Afghanistan’s gateway to Iran, falls to the Taliban with little resistance from its governor, Ismail Khan of the Jamiat-e-Islami party.

  • 4

    Taliban capture Kabul and declare Afghanistan an Islamic Emirate.

    Timeline Image Sept. 26, 1996

  • 5

    Al-Qaeda attacks America.

    Timeline Image Sept. 11, 2001

  • 6

    US forces launch Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

    Timeline Image Oct. 7, 2001

  • 7

    Kandahar falls, marking the end of Taliban rule.

    Timeline Image Dec. 9, 2001

  • 8

    US forces withdraw from Afghanistan, clearing the way for Taliban’s return to power.

Between 1997 and 2000, they extended their rule over 90 percent of Afghanistan. Their governance was marked by extreme restrictions on the rights of women, public executions and the suppression of cultural heritage, culminating in the destruction in 2001 of two massive 6th-century Buddhist statues in central Afghanistan’s Bamiyan valley. 

By then, the Taliban’s rigid and ruthless ideology had alienated much of the international community. 

Although some argue the rise of the Taliban was entirely indigenous, external influences certainly played a part. 

The Pakistani government of the time, led by Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, viewed a stable Afghanistan as essential for regional trade. Bhutto publicly denied supporting the Taliban but admitted that ensuring stability in Afghanistan was a priority. “Whatever the people of Afghanistan decide is the best form of government for them, it will be acceptable to us,” she said. 

Her interior minister, Maj. Gen. Naseer Ullah Khan Babar, openly admitted that Pakistan supported the Taliban, referring to them as “my boys.” 

Amid the religious community, Maulana Sami Ul-Haq, one of Pakistan’s leading scholars, claimed to have contributed significantly to the Taliban movement. 

An analysis of his 2015 book, “Afghan Taliban: War of Ideology – Struggle for Peace,” reveals that while he denied allegations of providing military support or training, he proudly referred to himself as the “father of the Taliban.” He claimed that nearly 20,000 Afghan students graduated from his seminary over 50 years. 




Man from an aid-distribution team uses a stick to control crowd of Afghan women who gather to get relief in Kabul. AFP

“According to an estimate, about 90 percent of the Taliban in the Afghan government are graduates of Darul Uloom (the Islamic seminary he founded in northwestern Pakistan),” he wrote, adding: “It would not be wrong to say that (Darul Uloom) Haqqania is the nursery of the Taliban.” 

However, closer analysis of events — which were mostly documented as a first-hand account in the book “Taliban: A Critical History from Within,” written by Abdul Mutma’in, personal secretary to leader Mullah Omar — suggests that domestic conditions, primarily created by former warlords and Jihadi groups, along with the Taliban’s own military strategy and strength were the key factors in their rise to power. 

The Taliban’s first period of rule would be short-lived, however. Following the 9/11 attacks on the US in 2001, Washington issued an ultimatum demanding the extradition of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who had been sheltered by the Taliban since 1996. The group refused, US troops invaded Afghanistan on Oct. 7, 2001, and the American-led coalition, in collaboration with the Northern Alliance, rapidly dismantled the Taliban’s military strongholds. 

By December 2001 Kandahar had fallen and the Taliban leadership, including Mullah Omar, were in hiding. A regime that rose so rapidly from the chaos of post-Soviet Afghanistan collapsed just as swiftly. 

Time, however, and patience were on the side of the Taliban. After two decades of conflict, the US grew weary of what had become its longest war, and in August 2021 it pulled out of the country, leaving the Taliban free to swiftly reclaim power. 

  • Naimat Khan is a Pakistani journalist based in Karachi with more than two decades of experience covering militancy, human rights and politics. He currently reports for Arab News. 


Riyadh hosts first UK-Saudi Infrastructure Assembly meeting

Riyadh hosts first UK-Saudi Infrastructure Assembly meeting
Updated 1 min 53 sec ago
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Riyadh hosts first UK-Saudi Infrastructure Assembly meeting

Riyadh hosts first UK-Saudi Infrastructure Assembly meeting
  • ‘We want to create a better system for doing business together,’ says lord mayor

RIYADH: The Lord Mayor of the City of London Alastair King launched the first meeting of the UK-Saudi Infrastructure Assembly in Riyadh on Tuesday to enhance financial and professional cooperation between the two countries.

The initiative is in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment, the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, and the City of London Corporation.

“We want to create a better system for doing business together. What we are launching is the UK-Saudi Infrastructure Assembly — a platform bringing together various parties involved in infrastructure investment,” King told Arab News ahead of the meeting.

The new strategic partnership aims at boosting collaboration between the UK’s financial and professional services sectors and Saudi Arabia’s sustainable infrastructure developers.

King said the assembly would help Saudi and UK counterparts to prepare for more joint projects in the Kingdom.

“That means that the costs will go down because they do not have to go through all the mobilization costs. The cost of capital can fall if you have got those companies absolutely ready,” he said.

“I think that is a very exciting example of the sort of collaboration that we have between the UK and Saudi Arabia.”

The assembly has brought together leading Saudi and UK firms, policymakers, and industry experts to shape the future of sustainable infrastructure investment.

It has focused on projects such as the new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company, led by the Public Investment Fund, and the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Sustainable Sports City, led by Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Privatization.

King highlighted other areas with potential for greater cooperation, including regulatory alignment, the insurance sector, and cultural exchange.

He said: “We see remarkable opportunities in sectors like asset management. It is something that we do very well. In the UK we have the second-largest investment management industry in the world.

“We have around £10.9 trillion ($14.7 trillion) under management in the UK. We’re looking for all kinds of collaboration with Saudi Arabia in that area.”

He added: “I think we would like to see more collaboration on the legal side as well. (Some) 80 percent of global contracts are under English law.”

King said that he would meet government ministers, regulators, family offices, and members of the insurance industry during his time in Riyadh.

When asked why he chose to visit the Kingdom at this time, King said: “It is a remarkable moment. We have got major developments in the UK that present a good set of opportunities for Saudi parties.”

King added that he would return to Riyadh in October for the Future Investment Initiative.


Saudi authority approves new guidelines for sustainable debt instruments 

Saudi authority approves new guidelines for sustainable debt instruments 
Updated 11 min 4 sec ago
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Saudi authority approves new guidelines for sustainable debt instruments 

Saudi authority approves new guidelines for sustainable debt instruments 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority has approved new guidelines for issuing green, social, sustainable, and sustainability-linked debt instruments.

These guidelines, which came into effect on may 27, represent a crucial milestone in the CMA’s broader strategy to deepen the domestic debt market and align the Kingdom’s financial sector with the sustainability objectives outlined in Vision 2030.

The initiative is part of the CMA’s strategic plan for 2024–2026 and supports the Sustainability Strategy of the Ministerial Committee for Corporate Sustainability Strategy.

Developed in collaboration with both public and private sector stakeholders, the guidelines serve as a key deliverable under the initiative titled “Establish the regulatory framework for sustainable debt instruments.”

This initiative aims to encourage local issuances and enhance the role of debt financing in the national economy.

The approval of these new guidelines aligns with the CMA’s comprehensive strategy, which includes over 40 initiatives designed to advance sustainable finance and develop the capital markets.

Among these efforts are the creation of regulatory frameworks for green and ESG-linked bonds, the adoption of open finance practices to foster innovation, and the strengthening of corporate governance regulations to boost accountability and investor confidence.

This development is particularly important as it accelerates the adoption of sustainable finance by creating a clear framework for issuing ESG-compliant debt instruments, enabling public and private entities to raise funds for environmentally and socially responsible projects.

Furthermore, it strengthens the local debt market by encouraging wider participation from issuers and investors through enhanced regulatory clarity, which in turn improves market liquidity and access to capital.

The CMA highlighted that while the new guidelines are non-binding, issuers offering green, social, sustainable, or sustainability-linked debt instruments denominated in Saudi riyals — whether through public or private placements — are required to disclose any deviations from the guidelines in their issuance framework or offering documents.

“The guideline does not entail any changes to the regulatory rules and procedures currently in place in the capital market,” the CMA stated.

According to the regulator, the guidelines define four categories of instruments: green debt, social debt, sustainable debt, and sustainability-linked debt.

Green, social, and sustainable instruments require that proceeds be used exclusively for projects that deliver positive environmental and/or social outcomes.


NPR sues Trump administration over executive order to cut federal funding to public media

NPR sues Trump administration over executive order to cut federal funding to public media
Updated 10 min 37 sec ago
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NPR sues Trump administration over executive order to cut federal funding to public media

NPR sues Trump administration over executive order to cut federal funding to public media
  • National Public Radio and three of its local stations said in a lawsuit that cuts violate the First Amendment
  • Legal battle over funding cuts is the latest in a series of clashes between the Trump administration and government-run news sources

NEW YORK: National Public Radio and three of its local stations filed a lawsuit Tuesday against President Donald Trump, arguing that an executive order aimed at cutting federal funding for the organization is illegal.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington by NPR, Colorado Public Radio, Aspen Public Radio and KUTE, Inc. argues that Trump’s executive order to slash public subsidies to PBS and NPR violates the First Amendment.
Trump issued the executive order earlier this month that instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other federal agencies “to cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS” and requires that they work to root out indirect sources of public financing for the news organizations. Trump issued the order after alleging there is “bias” in the broadcasters’ reporting.
“The Order’s objectives could not be clearer: the Order aims to punish NPR for the content of news and other programming the President dislikes and chill the free exercise of First Amendment rights by NPR and individual public radio stations across the country,” the lawsuit alleges.
“The Order is textbook retaliation and viewpoint-based discrimination in violation of the First Amendment, and it interferes with NPR’s and the Local Member Stations’ freedom of expressive association and editorial discretion,” it said.
The court fight seemed preordained, given that the heads of NPR and PBS both reacted to Trump’s move with statements that they believed it was illegal. The absence of PBS from Tuesday’s filing indicates the two systems will challenge this separately; PBS has not yet gone to court, but is likely to soon.
The president’s attempts to dismantle government-run news sources like Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty have also sparked court fights.
The administration has battled with the press on several fronts. The Federal Communications Commission is investigating ABC, CBS and NBC News. The Associated Press also went to court after the administration restricted access to certain events in response to the organization’s decision not to rename the Gulf of Mexico as Trump decreed.


Security forces crack down on illegal Hajj entry

Security forces crack down on illegal Hajj entry
Updated 16 min 22 sec ago
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Security forces crack down on illegal Hajj entry

Security forces crack down on illegal Hajj entry
  • Hajj Security Forces at Makkah’s entrances arrested six residents and 14 citizens for transporting 99 individuals without Hajj permits
  • Ministry of Interior urged full compliance with Hajj regulations to ensure pilgrim safety

MAKKAH: The Ministry of Interior is continuing its efforts to prevent people without Hajj permits from entering or staying in Makkah and the holy sites, warning that violators and facilitators will be arrested and penalized.

Hajj Security Forces at Makkah’s entrances arrested six residents and 14 citizens for transporting 99 individuals without Hajj permits, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

In a separate incident, the forces arrested two citizens for transporting 15 individuals in violation of Hajj regulations and attempting to bring them into Makkah.

Penalties include imprisonment, fines of up to SR100,000 ($26,600), the public naming of violators, deportation of residents and a 10-year re-entry ban after sentencing.

The ministry also called for the confiscation of vehicles used in unauthorized transportation and fines of up to SR20,000 for those attempting Hajj without a permit.

It urged full compliance with Hajj regulations to ensure pilgrim safety and reminded the public that entering Makkah between April 29 and June 10 without a permit is prohibited.


Saudi Arabia’s Asir region secures $1.06bn boost as total investments climb past $6.6bn

Saudi Arabia’s Asir region secures $1.06bn boost as total investments climb past $6.6bn
Updated 20 min 22 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia’s Asir region secures $1.06bn boost as total investments climb past $6.6bn

Saudi Arabia’s Asir region secures $1.06bn boost as total investments climb past $6.6bn

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Asir region is set to receive a fresh investment boost of SR4 billion ($1.06 billion), raising the total value of government-backed projects in the area to more than SR25 billion, according to a senior official.

Speaking at the second Asir Investment Forum in Abha, Prince Turki bin Talal, governor of Asir, announced that over SR5 billion in investments are already underway. The newly pledged SR4 billion will be formally revealed during the two-day forum.

This investment surge is part of the Asir Region Development Strategy — the Kingdom’s first development plan tailored to a specific region — launched in 2021 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The strategy aims to transform Asir into a world-class tourism destination, with a goal of attracting more than 10 million visitors annually by 2030, while driving sustainable development through tourism and strategic investment.

In his opening remarks, the governor said: “With more than SR25 billion committed to essential government projects and investments that have already begun implementation on the ground — through projects by the Public Investment Fund, the Tourism Development Fund, the Social Development Bank, and other financing entities — in line with the state’s belief that Asir is an economic powerhouse and a fundamental enabler for the private sector.”   

He added: “Since the launch of the Asir strategy, committed investments exceeding SR5 billion have already begun implementation, in addition to SR4 billion whose details will be announced during this forum.” 

Prince Turki bin Talal, governor of Asir, speaks at the forum in Riyadh.

Sultan Al-Shahri, chief of investment at the Aseer Development Authority, underscored the scale of ongoing activity, noting that the region is progressing with 79 investment projects worth more than SR29 billion. Of these, 49 projects valued at SR25.6 billion are in the attraction phase, while 30 confirmed initiatives account for SR3.8 billion. 

He said private sector agreements signed during the first edition of the forum amounted to SR1.7 billion, with presented opportunities totaling SR3 billion, signaling growing domestic and international investor interest aligned with Vision 2030’s objectives. 

Held under the theme “Asir Thrives… Invest Now,” the second edition of the forum opened on May 27 at King Khalid University in Al-Fara’a, Abha. Organized by the Aseer Development Authority, the event drew over 1,500 participants, including ministers, business leaders, and regional experts.  

A key development announced at the forum was the launch of “Qimam Al-Sarrah,” a new investment arm intended to streamline land development and simplify regulatory processes to facilitate investor access.  

Ministerial participation included Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Qatari Minister of Municipal Affairs Abdullah Al-Atiyah, and Saudi Communications and Information Technology Minister Abdullah Al-Swaha.  

During a plenary session, the ministers emphasized the strategic role of digital infrastructure, smart services, and mega-events — including Abha’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup — in driving economic momentum.  

Saudi Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi, addressing the forum virtually, affirmed the region’s transformation. 

He stated that Asir is undergoing a qualitative transformation across various levels, positioning it as one of the most promising areas on Saudi Arabia’s investment map — thanks to its human, natural, and economic resources.  

Al-Qasabi noted that the Ministry of Commerce is currently reviewing over 110 commercial regulations to enhance the business environment. These include reforms to the Companies Law, Franchise Law, Anti-Concealment Law, and E-Commerce Law, as well as expanding the role of the National Competitiveness Center.   

Al-Qasabi added: “We succeeded in launching an extensive corrective campaign, allowing business owners to voluntarily adjust their status. This contributed to a significant drop in concealment cases and a notable increase in compliance.”  

As of April 2025, the Kingdom has more than 1.7 million commercial registrations, including 90,000 in Asir — representing 5.3 percent of the national total.  

According to Al-Qasabi, between 2018 and 2025, joint-stock companies in Saudi Arabia grew by 76 percent, from 2,300 to 4,000. Limited liability companies surged by 138 percent to 386,000, while sole proprietorships rose 32 percent to reach 1.2 million.  

Al-Qasabi also revealed that Saudi Arabia aims to finalize 20 free trade agreements by 2030. 

Capital Market Authority Chairman Mohammed El-Kuwaiz addressed efforts to mobilize regional investment through financial markets, including accessible financing mechanisms and regulatory support.  

Tourism, a key pillar of the Asir strategy, featured prominently throughout the forum. The Saudi tourism minister emphasized the region’s competitive edge.   

“The region’s rich natural and cultural assets are key drivers of tourism investment, which is essential for sustainable development and community empowerment,” Al-Khateeb said. 

Figures released on the Ministry of Tourism’s X account during the event showed tourism momentum accelerating. Domestic tourism rose 11 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025 to 1.4 million Saudi visitors. International tourism surged 42 percent to 68,900 visitors. 

Tourism-related employment also climbed, with 47,700 jobs recorded — a 2.5 percent increase since late 2024.  

The Saudization rate stood at 16.2 percent, with gender participation balanced. In Ministry-supervised sectors, 2,600 jobs were recorded, with a 29 percent Saudization rate and near-equal gender representation. 

The concurrent exhibition showcased key regional projects and institutional stakeholders, highlighting growing public-private collaboration in the Asir region. 

The forum concluded with a reaffirmation of Asir’s role as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s diversification strategy — one that aims to balance economic opportunity with cultural preservation and long-term sustainability.