Afghanistan Could Be Tourist Destination Under Taliban Rule, British Chief Says

A top official in the British military appeared to suggest that Afghanistan could become a tourist attraction in the future under the Taliban rule.

During his appearance before the Commons Defence Committee, General Sir Nick Carter, the outgoing head of the British military, said he believes Afghanistan could become a holiday destination like Vietnam.

"Would you go on holiday to Vietnam?" Carter asked committee member Mark Francois. The latter said he would rather go to the U.S. before Saigon.

Carter suggested that like Vietnam, which was under war but has now recovered from its dark days, Afghanistan could also see progress in the future.

"We do not yet see any true indications that international terrorism, or terrorism that would like to have an international effect, is alive and well there," Carter answered.

The general also insisted that the current Taliban leaders were different from their predecessors who took over the country in the 1990s.

“Taliban 2.0 is different. There are a lot of people in Taliban 2.0 who would like to govern in a more modern way." Carter told the committee.

“If the less repressive elements end up gaining greater control… then I think there is no reason to suppose that Afghanistan over the next five years might not turn out into a country that is more inclusive than it might have been otherwise.”

Sir Carter, who resigns from his position at the end of the month, also repeated an earlier statement where he said the Taliban “are not the enemy” and noted that he keeps the same stance.

Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August, there have been several reports of violence involving hanging and beheadings in the country.

In early October, members of the insurgent group allegedly beheaded Mahjabin Hakimi, a junior player of the country’s women’s national volleyball team. Her coach, who hid behind the pseudonym Suraya Afzali, also alleged that the Taliban threatened Hakimi’s family not to talk about the incident.

Women have been banned from working or participating in politics and sports since the Taliban takeover. Female children over the age of 12 have also been refused access to education.

In September, Panjshir Observer published a video showing the body of a child who was executed by Taliban soldiers lying on the street. According to the publication, the child was killed because his father was suspected to be a member of the Afghan Resistance Forces.

Despite reports of killings, some villages in rural Afghanistan have shown support for the Taliban and said they believe the insurgent group may end corruption and war.

“Now there is no sound of shooting. The war is over and we are happy with the Taliban,” Maky, a 72-year-old resident in Dashtan, told Aljazeera.