The Taliban asks frightened Afghans to return to work.

Armed Taliban members knocked on doors in cities across Afghanistan on Wednesday (08/18/2021) to call on terrified Afghans to return to work. This is based on the testimony of local residents.

The Taliban say they want to revive the country's shattered economy. The widespread devastation of the 20-year war between US-backed government forces and the Taliban, a falling currency, and a shortage of dollars have fueled the country's economic crisis.

Earlier, in the Taliban's first press conference since the group seized the capital Kabul, the Taliban promised peace, prosperity and appeared to be abandoning previous rules that barred women from working. But many people remain vigilant.

A resident named Wasima said he was surprised when three Taliban members holding guns visited his home in the western city of Herat on Wednesday (18/8/2021) morning.

The Taliban questioned Wasima about the work she received from an aid organization, also telling her to return to work.

Quoted from Reuters, as many as 12 people said that there have been sudden visits from the Taliban in the past 24 hours, from the capital Kabul to Lashkar Gah in the south and Mazar-i-Sharif in the north.

They did not want to give out their full names, for fear of reprisals. In addition to encouraging people to work, some said they also felt that the checks were designed to intimidate and instill fear in the new leadership.

A Taliban spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the visit.

Many businesses in Kabul remain closed and most of the city has been abandoned since the Taliban seized the city on Sunday at the end of a countrywide blitz.

The only major traffic in the congested capital is at the airport, where people are trying to flee the country on diplomatic evacuation flights, residents said.