The Taliban has published a shadow Afghan constitution outlining an alternative hardline government to that of President Hamid Karzai.

The 23 page document is important in many ways, as this is the first time that Taliban has laid down laws, or their diktat, some may argue in black and white.

Till then the only source of their laws and justice has been Quran and Hadith. Ahmed Rashid, the author of The Taliban points out,

This is first time the Taliban has clearly set out its aims...Previously their only source of guidance was the Koran.

The Constitution clearly mentions that ‘un-Islamic’ thoughts would be banned and human rights would be ignored if “contrary with the teachings of Islam”. Taliban Charter, which is written in Pashto and Dari, clearly stressing on freedom of speech of its citizens. —

Every Afghan has the right to express his feelings through his views, writings or through other means in accordance with the law.

However, “un-Islamic thought” is strictly forbidden and “violators will be punished according to sharia” - under the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic teachings, reads the diktat.

Interestingly, it also talks about the education of women, but only within the purview of Sharia. It also stresses that the government will enforce compliance with Sharai Hijab - the veil that covers women fully.

The detailed document also talks about the importance of Jihad and talks of maintaining “friendly relations” with neighboring countries as well as with United Nations, so long as it is “contrary with the teachings of Islam.”

The constitution was approved by the Taliban’s central shura religious council, headed by Mullah Omer, in 2005 but it has not been made public until now. Fath-ul-Kabir, a Taliban commander from Ghazni in Afghanistan said.

The publication of the constitution is only to make sure every citizen of Afghanistan gets it in black and white.

Mr Browne said on Monday,

In Afghanistan, at some stage, the Taliban will need to be involved in the peace process because they are not going away any more than I suspect Hamas are going away from Palestine.

Mr Karzai’s calls for peace talks earlier this month were rejected by the Taliban, who called for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and the restoration of Islamic law.

On Saturday President Karzai again renewed the offer

If I find their address, there is no need for them to come to me, I’ll personally go there and get in touch with them...Esteemed Mullah, sir, and esteemed Hekmatyar, sir, why are you destroying the country?

President Karzai and the United Nations have stipulated that a key condition for peace talks is that the Taliban must accept the constitution that was signed by Mr Karzai in 2004.

Washington, however, rejects peace talks with the Taliban, maintaining that America will not negotiate with terrorists.