KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Sources in Panjshir province say that the Taliban are preventing female tourists from entering the province.
Reliable sources told KabulNow on (Friday, June 26) that the Taliban inspect women’s identity cards at their checkpoints in Paryan district, and if the women are not from Panjshir, they are not allowed to pass.
According to the sources, women are not permitted to travel to Panjshir for recreation even when accompanied by their families.
With its cool climate, Panjshir province is considered one of Afghanistan’s tourist destinations during the summer, and citizens from other provinces travel there for leisure.
The Taliban have imposed strict restrictions in Panjshir. Residents of the province are not allowed to move around at night.
Panjshir Province is a mountainous province located in the northeastern part of Afghanistan, north of Kabul. It is surrounded by high valleys and rugged peaks of the Hindu Kush range, which gives it a naturally cool climate compared to many other parts of the country.
During the summer season, its mild weather, green valleys, rivers, and scenic landscapes make it a popular destination for people seeking relief from heat and a place for recreation and tourism. Many visitors are attracted to its natural beauty, fresh air, and peaceful valley environment.
Panjshir has also been historically known for political and military resistance movements. It was a stronghold of anti-Taliban forces during the civil war era, particularly under the leadership of Ahmad Shah Massoud, and later became symbolically associated with resistance groups opposing Taliban rule.
After the collapse of the former republican government in August 2021, Panjshir was one of the last provinces where armed resistance briefly continued against the Taliban takeover. Although that resistance was eventually suppressed and the Taliban established full administrative and security control over the province, reports of restrictions and a heavy security presence have continued, reflecting the area’s sensitive political history and ongoing tensions.
In recent years, reports from residents and human rights organizations have also highlighted concerns over arbitrary detentions and security-related arrests in Panjshir Province. Following the change of power in 2021, many former members of the security forces, local officials, and individuals suspected of association with anti-Taliban groups were reportedly detained during security operations.
These arrests are often described as being carried out without clear judicial procedures or transparent legal processes, raising concerns about due process and fair treatment. For example, local sources recently reported that Taliban forces arrested several former military personnel in Dara district, including Mohammad Saleh, Nasrullah, Pirouz, Mohammad Sohrab, and Zakir, during separate operations carried out within a short period.
Local sources have frequently stated that such detentions, along with intensified checkpoints and surveillance, have contributed to an atmosphere of fear and restricted mobility in parts of the province.
