Afghanistan is likely to be run in a similar way to when the Taliban was last in power, a senior member of the group says. Waheedullah Hashimi, a high-ranking Taliban commander, yesterday ruled out any democratic features, saying the country will be governed by an appointed council with the Taliban’s leader Hibatullah Akhundzada at the top and sharia law as its guide. Since taking control, the Taliban have tried to convince those at home and abroad that it doesn’t plan on returning to the brutal controls of the late 1990s. But there have been reports that several people were killed during protests and that the Taliban is imposing city curfews, beating Afghans trying to pass through checkpoints and blocking access to the airport. Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the situation was “complex and challenging”. Another 76 Aussies and Afghan nationals have been evacuated from the country to Australia’s military base in the United Arab Emirates. They are due to arrive in Perth this morning, and there will be more flights over the coming days.