Taliban ban on girls' education ‘disappoints Pakistan’

Islamabad urges interim govt to revisit action

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Wednesday joined the international community to express concern over the Afghan Taliban move to suspend university and higher education for female students, urging the interim government to revisit the decision.

However, the Foreign Office reaction stopped short of explicitly condemning a decision that would certainly diminish the chances of getting any formal international recognition for the Afghan Taliban.

“Pakistan is disappointed to learn about the suspension of the university and higher education for female students in Afghanistan,” read a carefully worded statement issued by the Foreign Office.

“Pakistan’s position on the issue has been clear and consistent. We strongly believe that every man and woman has the inherent right to education in accordance with the injunctions of Islam,” it added.

“We strongly urge the Afghan authorities to revisit this decision,” the statement concluded.

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Official sources told The Express Tribune that the Foreign Office took a more cautious stance while there had been discussions to come up with a more explicit statement.

A senior official, who deals with the matter, said the decision was certainly “shocking” and contrary to the commitments made by the Afghan Taliban with the international community.

“We are very clear on this. Our stance is aligned with the international community,” the official added while requesting anonymity.

Pakistan has been a strong advocate of staying engaged with the Afghan Taliban after the US withdrawal from the neighboring country. But the latest move by the interim Afghan government will limit Pakistan’s options.

The official said most of the cabinet members of the interim Afghan government were in favour of girls and female education. However, it was the Afghan Taliban leadership, which took the hardline stance.

Reuters reported the decision to bar women from attending the classes was announced on Tuesday evening in a letter to universities from the higher education ministry, drawing condemnation from foreign governments and the United Nations.

"We went to university, the Taliban were at the gate and told us 'you are not allowed to enter the university until further notice' ... everyone was crying," said Shaista, a business studies student at a private university in Kabul.

A professor at another university in Kabul who declined to be identified said staff turned female students away at the gate as they had no choice but to implement the instruction.

The bar on women students is likely to complicate the Taliban administration's efforts to gain international recognition and to get rid of sanctions that are severely hampering the economy.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan asked the Taliban-run administration to "immediately" revoke the decision.

It also urged the authorities to reopen girls' schools beyond the sixth grade and "end all measures preventing women and girls from participating fully in daily public life".

Third-year political science student Hassiba, based in Kabul, said she was studying for her exams when she heard about the announcement.

"It's too hard to accept, it's unbelievable, I can't believe it's happening," she said.

"When there is no education for women in a society, how can we be hopeful for a bright future?"

According to the late Tuesday announcement, the decision was made by the Taliban administration's cabinet.

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Several Taliban officials, including the deputy foreign minister and administration spokesperson, have spoken out in favour of female education in recent months.

The supreme Taliban spiritual leader, based in Kandahar, has the final say on major decisions.

Diplomatic and Taliban official sources have told Reuters the issue had been under discussion by the leadership.

"This decision had been anticipated for weeks, prompting some Western officials to start talking about additional sanctions and further economic restrictions," said Graeme Smith, senior consultant at International Crisis Group.

"But the flood of outrage from the West will strengthen the resolve of the Taliban leadership, which defines itself as a bulwark against the outside world."

The Taliban leadership have said they want peaceful relations with the international community but that foreigners should not interfere in domestic affairs.

Most girls are unable to go to school beyond primary classes. The Taliban administration has said it is working on a plan for girls' secondary education but has not given a time frame.

The administration made a surprise U-Turn on signals it would open all high-schools for girls in March.