Taliban imposed law which bans men and women to dine out together

In yet another extreme action, Taliban officials in Afghanistan's Herat city have barred men and women from dining out and visiting parks together, according to media reports citing an official on Thursday. According to Riazullah Seerat, a Taliban official at the Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Herat, the authorities "have instructed men and women to be segregated in restaurants."

The proprietors have also been orally informed that the regulation applies "even if they are husband and wife," according to Seerat.

On the condition of anonymity, an Afghan lady stated on Wednesday that the management of a restaurant in Herat urged her and her husband to sit separately.

Safiullah, the restaurant manager, verified receiving the ministry's directive. Safiullah explained, "We have to follow the order, but it has a very negative impact on our business,."

The Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice has also published a directive instructing men and women to attend public parks in the western Afghan city of Herat on separate days, Seerat added.

"We have told women to visit parks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The other days are kept for men, who can visit for leisure and for exercise," Seerat explained.