Yalda Hakim, an Afhani-born Australian journalist with the BBC, impressed viewers when she answered a call from the Taliban on air.
The Taliban has seized control of Afghanistan’s government and the capital city of Kabul, as American forces withdraw their military presence in the region.
While hosting an interview during her news segment, Hakim was phoned by Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen. She then put him on loudspeaker, and began giving an improptu interview live on air.
Hakim asked about the Taliban’s plans for Afghanistan going forward.
Shaheen said that, “we are sure the people of Afghanistan in the city of Kabul, that their properties and their lives are safe. There will be no revenge on anyone. We are the servants of the people and of this country.”
Hakim asked about whether the group would pursue public execution and amputations, which Shaheen did not answer directly, saying that this was up to “the judges in the courts and the laws”.
She also asked about the future of young women under the Taliban, telling Shaheen that “there is also a lot of concern from women in Afghanistan, in Kabul, they have been writing to me, they have been texting me, they are concerned that you will reimpose the regime of the 90s, where women couldn’t go to school, where girls couldn’t go to school, they couldn’t work. Can you give us some clarity on what your plans are for that?”
When Shaheen said that women were “continuing their studies”, Hakim pushed the subject, citing women in Herat who had told her that Taliban fighters were waiting at the gates of their university, and told them to leave.
Unsurprisingly, Hakim has received widespread praise on social media for her conduct during the 30 minute interview.
From 1153 to 1226; 33 minutes of exceptional journalism from Yalda Hakim.https://t.co/ZXRGjL3fmc https://t.co/LyPdBWrQ07
— Andy Kelly 💙 (@Andy_eprr) August 15, 2021
That BBC Taliban interview is just mind-blowing. All 32 minutes of it. Yalda Hakim is an absolute boss. But can’t imagine anyone is reassured even 1 %
— Aasmah Mir (@AasmahMir) August 15, 2021
A six-month-old Yalda Hakim and family fled Afghanistan on horseback amid the mujahideen-Soviet fighting in the early '80s. Today, the Taliban's spokesperson called her live on air on the BBC. Amazing composure and incisive questioning https://t.co/EpJabiAIfP
— Rahul Kalvapalle (@Kalvapalle) August 16, 2021
