KABUL: Russia’s decision to formally recognize the Taliban government has been seen as an opening for a stronger economy by some Afghans, while others were skeptical that it would improve their lot.

Russia became the first country to acknowledge the Taliban authorities on Thursday, after a gradual building of ties that included removing their “terrorist organization” designation and accepting an ambassador in recent months.

The Taliban authorities had not been recognized by any state in the nearly four years since sweeping to power in 2021, ousting the foreign-backed government as US-led troops withdrew after a two-decade war.

Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world and in a fragile recovery from four decades of conflict.

“With the current situation in Afghanistan, with all the challenges, everyone is worried. If the world recognizes Afghanistan, we will be happy, currently, even the tiniest thing matters,” Gul Mohammad, 58, said on Friday in the capital Kabul.

Despite having bitter memories of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, when he “lost everything” and became a refugee in Pakistan, he acknowledges that “the priorities are different now.”

Jamaluddin Sayar, 67, predicted that “trade and economic prosperity will now blossom.”

The retired pilot said other countries, “both western and eastern,” should recognize the government and “stop spreading propaganda against the Islamic Emirate,” using the Taliban authorities’ name for their administration.

Russian and Afghan officials praised the move as an opening for deeper cooperation, notably in economic and security arenas.

Security concerns have been a key avenue for coordination between the Taliban authorities and the international community, amid fears Afghanistan would become fertile ground for increased militant activity.

The authorities have prioritized security and made repeated assurances that Afghan soil would not be used by any group to plan attacks on other nations.

However, Pakistan’s ties with the Taliban authorities have been strained over a surge in militant activity since their takeover and last year, an attack claimed by the Daesh group’s branch in Afghanistan killed 137 people in a Moscow concert hall.

In a country where dissent and protest is tightly controlled, some Kabul residents were afraid to openly criticize the Taliban authorities.

Atef, not his real name, was unconvinced better relations between Afghanistan and Russia would improve the livelihoods of ordinary Afghans.

“I think Afghanistan will fall into the traps of the Russians again, the issues and challenges will increase, and there is nothing that can help ordinary people,” the unemployed 25-year-old said.

“People are struggling, and they will still struggle with or without the recognition.”

For Afghan women’s rights activists, particularly those who have advocated for isolating the Taliban government, the recognition was seen as a setback that “legitimizes” restrictions on women.

The Taliban authorities, who also ruled the country between 1996 and 2001, have again imposed an austere version of Islamic law.

Norway-based Afghan women’s rights activist Hoda Khamosh was defiant against the impact of the Russian move.

“Human rights organizations right now are trying to recognize gender apartheid in Afghanistan because the Taliban are a repressive regime against women,” she said.

“Therefore, these recognitions will not lead to anything.”

KARACHI: Rescue teams pulled more bodies from the rubble of a five-story building collapse in Pakistan overnight, taking the toll on Saturday to 14 as the recovery operation continued for a second day.

The residential block crumbled shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Friday in the impoverished Lyari neighborhood of Karachi, which was once plagued by gang violence and considered one of the most dangerous areas in Pakistan.

Abid Jalaluddin Shaikh, leading the government’s 1122 rescue service at the scene, said the operation continued through the night “without interruption.”

“It may take eight to 12 hours more to complete,” he said.

Police official Summiaya Syed, at a Karachi hospital where the bodies were received, said that the death toll on Saturday morning stood at 14, half of them women, with 13 injured.

Up to 100 people had been living in the building, senior police officer Arif Aziz said.

All six members of 70-year-old Jumho Maheshwari’s family were at his flat on the first floor when he left for work early in the morning.

“Nothing is left for me now – my family is all trapped and all I can do is pray for their safe recovery,” he said on Friday afternoon.

Another resident, Maya Sham Jee, said her brother’s family was also trapped under the rubble.

“It’s a tragedy for us. The world has been changed for our family,” she said.

“We are helpless and just looking at the rescue workers to bring our loved ones back safely.”

Shankar Kamho, 30, a resident of the building who was out at the time, said around 20 families were living inside.

He described how his wife called him in a panic that the building was cracking.

I told her to get out immediately,” he said at the scene.

“She went to warn the neighbors, but one woman told her ‘this building will stand for at least 10 more years’,” he said.

“Still, my wife took our daughter and left. About 20 minutes later, the building collapsed.”