Taliban bans all protests where prior permission has not been granted

The Taliban has announced a ban on all protests in Kabul and other provinces in Afghanistan which have not got prior permission.

The country's new rulers have released a statement saying no one is allowed to go on to the street to demonstrate without authorisation from the justice and interior ministry.

The interim government added that any consequences for those who protest without approval would be their own responsibility.

The announcement came just one day after Taliban gunmen fired into the air to disperse anti-Pakistan protesters in Kabul.

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Women take cover as Taliban fires guns

Video clips on Tuesday showed people running as gunfire was heard. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

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People were protesting against the Taliban and Pakistan's alleged interference in Afghanistan's affairs, with the Islamist group calling the neighbouring nation its "second home".

The group also reportedly broke up women's rights protests in the city on Saturday by firing shots into the air and using tear gas and tasers.

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It was the second successive day that women had marched through the Afghan capital, demanding their freedoms are guaranteed under the new Islamist regime.

The demonstrations began peacefully with a number of women laying a wreath outside the defence ministry in honour of Afghan soldiers who died fighting the Taliban.

But as their shouts became louder, Taliban fighters waded into the crowds to ask what the women wanted.

Image: Afghan women protested on the streets of Mazar-e-Sharif on Monday

Social media footage then showed members of the special forces firing guns into the air to disperse crowds.

One witness told Reuters that they also used tear gas and tasers to get the women to flee.

On Tuesday, the Taliban unveiled its new interim government where hardline veteran figures have been given top positions.

Among those appointed to the cabinet was Sirajuddin Haqqani, the new interior minister, who is on the FBI's most-wanted list.

Image: Afghan women in Kabul were pictured at the weekend calling on the Taliban to preserve their rights

The 33-strong cabinet was dominated by Pashtun men, mostly battle-hardened veterans of the two-decade war against the US-backed government.

At least three members named in the cabinet are among the Taliban Five - long-term detainees at the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay who were freed in 2014 in exchange for an American soldier in Taliban custody.

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There were no women and just three members from minorities, although these included the powerful positions of deputy prime minister, held by the Uzbek Abdul Salam Hanafi, and army chief, held by the Tajik Qari Faseeh udin.

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