THIS refers to the report ‘Taliban violently disperse protesting women in Kabul’ (Aug 14). After a year of rushed retreat of allied forces from Afghanistan and the fall of West-backed government, this horrific incident indicates that Afghan women are at the crossroads again.

The series of events in Afghanistan resulting in a complete shift of power in favour of the Taliban a year ago and now with limited opportunities for half the country’s population reminded me of a novel I read more than a decade ago; A Thousand Splendid Suns, which was published in 2007 by America-based Afghan novelist Khaled Hosseini.

It was a masterpiece and is relevant to what is happening in today’s Afghanistan.

It depicts the unpredictable events that the country had suffered over three decades. It is the story of generations that suffered once the intruding Soviet troops handed over power to what at the time were called the mujahideen.

It is an account of two young women in Afghanistan — Mariam and Laila — who are married to the same man who abuses them verbally and physically.

Towards the end of the novel, Laila manages to return to Afghanistan with her second husband, with whom she was in love from a young age, and starts living relatively happily after the Western forces start rebuilding Afghanistan.

Those who have not gone through the book must read it. Those, like me, who have read it years ago should revisit it, as I am doing nowadays, keeping all the women and girls of Afghanistan in my deep consideration. It will help us all at least imagine the misery of Afghan women.

The world watched the live telecast with women reporters, and heard about many promises concerning women’s education. Still, the level of anxiety is undeniably high. The story of Mariam and Laila is being repeated, which is rather unfortunate.

Dr Intikhab Ulfat
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2022