- FO says Pakistan was disappointed to learn about the suspension of higher education for women.
- The FO says that every man and woman has the inherent right to receive education in accordance with the injunctions of Islam.
- University students in Afghanistan were kicked off campus on Wednesday.
Pakistan has condemned the Afghan authorities Decision to suspend University and higher education for female students in Afghanistan, urged them to reconsider the decision.
“Pakistan is disappointed to learn of the suspension of university and higher education for female students in Afghanistan,” an official Foreign Office statement read, adding that Pakistan’s position on the matter has been “clear and consistent.”
“Every man and woman has the inherent right to receive education in accordance with the injunctions of Islam,” the FO added.
Female university students in Afghanistan were kicked off campuses on Wednesday after the Taliban-run administration said women would be barred from tertiary education.
The decision of Bar women This was announced in a letter written by the chief minister to the universities on Tuesday evening, drawing condemnation from foreign governments and the United Nations.
Shaista, a student of business studies at a private university in Kabul, said, “We went to the university, the Taliban were at the gate and told us, ‘You are not allowed to enter the university until further notice’… Everyone was crying.” “
A professor at another university in Kabul, who declined to be identified, said staff turned away female students at the gate because they had no choice but to follow instructions.
The ban on female students is likely to complicate the Taliban administration’s efforts to gain international recognition and recover from sanctions that have severely damaged the economy.
Hasiba, a third-year political science student based in Kabul, said she was studying for her exams when she heard about the announcement.
“It’s so hard to accept, it’s unbelievable, I can’t believe it’s happening,” she said.
“How can we hope for a bright future when there is no education for women in society?”
According to the announcement made late on Tuesday, this decision has been taken by the Cabinet of the Taliban administration.
Several Taliban officials, including the deputy foreign minister and an administration spokesman, have spoken in favor of women’s education in recent months.
The supreme spiritual leader of the Taliban, based in the southern city of Kandahar, has the final say on important decisions.
Diplomatic and official Taliban sources told Reuters news agency that discussions between the leadership on the issue are ongoing.
“The decision had been expected for weeks, prompting some Western officials to talk about additional sanctions and more economic sanctions,” said Graeme Smith, a senior consultant at the International Crisis Group.
“But a flood of outrage from the West will only strengthen the resolve of the Taliban leadership, which describes itself as a formidable weapon against the outside world.”
The Taliban leadership has said that they want peaceful relations with the international community, but foreigners should not interfere in domestic affairs.
Most girls are unable to attend school beyond the primary classes. The Taliban administration has said it is working on a plan for secondary education for girls, but has not given a timeframe.
The administration has signaled a surprising U-turn that will open all high schools for girls in March.