OIC summit to spotlight Afghan rights situation

The OIC conference in Islamabad on January 11-12 will focus on Afghanistan's ban on girls' education.

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ISLAMABAD:

The ban on girls' education in Afghanistan imposed by the Taliban regime will take centre stage when delegates from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convene in Islamabad on January 11-12 to discuss female education in the Muslim world.

The conference, titled "Girls' Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities," is a Saudi-backed initiative proposed by Rabta Islami, which Pakistan has agreed to host, officials confirmed.

So far, around 30 ministers from OIC member states have confirmed their participation in the two-day event.

While the detailed agenda of the conference remains under wraps, sources revealed to The Express Tribune that one of its primary aims is to build pressure on Afghanistan's interim Taliban government to reconsider its ban on girls' education.

The Taliban returned to power in August 2021 in a dramatic takeover, as the Afghan government, led by then-president Ashraf Ghani, crumbled without resistance.

Despite initial promises of reform, the Taliban's second regime swiftly imposed a ban on female education.

Initially seen as a temporary measure, many hoped schools would reopen after the winter break. However, instead of reversing the policy, the hardline government tightened restrictions on girls' education, reducing any prospects of gaining international recognition.

Despite persistent demands from the global community and the Muslim world, the Taliban government remains defiant and recently extended the ban to include medical education for girls.

The prohibition is part of a broader code of life decreed by Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada, who views female education against Shariah.

However, Muslim scholars have rejected his decree, and now the OIC members are gathering in Islamabad to send a united message against such policies.

Sources said most of the officials from OIC travelling to Islamabad are the ones who deal with Afghan affairs from their respective countries.

A Pakistani official, speaking anonymously, noted, "This clearly indicates the focus of the discussion during the conference".

It remains uncertain if the Taliban government has been invited to the conference. However, one official suggested they should be part of it as their participation would at least offer them insight into the Muslim world's perspective on their rigid policies.

Afghanistan is the only nation among the 57 OIC member states where girls are barred from going to school.

Sources also suggest that given the current situation in Afghanistan, it would not be a surprise if the Islamabad conference issued a strong statement urging Kabul to lift the ban on female education.

Pakistan is hosting the conference amid strained ties with Afghanistan over cross-border terrorist attacks. Recent Pakistani airstrikes targeting TTP hideouts across the border have escalated tensions, with both sides exchanging fire along the frontier.

In recent days, senior Afghan Taliban leaders have issued threatening statements against Pakistan. Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Stanikzai on Saturday warned of sending fighters across the border if Pakistan did not "mend its ways".

Pakistan has consistently alleged that Afghanistan is sheltering the TTP.

Following a series of terrorist attacks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared that any aggression from across the border would cross Pakistan's red line.

While affirming that Pakistan wanted to resolve issues through dialogue, PM Shehbaz asserted that for that to work, the Taliban would have to stop providing sanctuary to the TTP.