No Problem with Freedom of Expression ‘Under Islamic Emirate Framework’, Says Hanafi

The statement of Afghan diplomatic missions also stressed on the establishment of an elected, inclusive and accountable government, along with constitutional order.

The statement added that the Taliban have not been able to provide equal rights to Afghan citizens, especially women and girls.

On September 22, special representatives of the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Great Britain, and the United States issued a joint statement with clear demands from the Taliban on human rights and governance issues.

Western officials had warned that armed conflicts will increase without the establishment of an elected government in Afghanistan.

Earlier, the Taliban had denied Abdul Qayyum Zakir getting injured.

In a Facebook post, Saleh wrote that doctors of the 400-bed hospital called off Abdul Qayyum’s surgery in Kabul due to the possible reaction of the Taliban, and this Taliban commander was transferred outside the country.

However, Saleh stressed that the details of the transfer is unknown.

Qayyum Zakir is one of the Taliban’s senior military commanders who recently had been appointed as the Taliban’s war commander in Panjshir and Andarab by Hibatullah Akhundzada, leader of the group.

Following intense clashes between the National Resistance Front (NRF) and the Taliban in Panjshir, sources told Afghanistan International that Zakir has been injured on September 12 in Dare Abdullah Khel and had been transferred to Kabul for treatment.

Despite the Taliban denying the injury of Abdul Qayyum Zakir, in the past weeks, multiple reports of his injury and even death have been published.

She emphasised that the resistance of Afghan women and girls is "incredible and brave" and every women’s movement in Afghanistan must be supported.

Davidian added that the Taliban should be held accountable based on their actions, and not statements.

The UN Women’s country representative stressed that the deteriorating situation for Afghan women in the past year has been unpredictable, but added that to prevent further backsliding, there should be sustainable support for the women and girls of Afghanistan.

Abdul Nafi Takor, a spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior told Afghanistan International that the explosion had caused casualties and that all the victims were civilians.

According to Takor, the explosion took place after the Friday prayers when people were leaving the Wazir Akbar Khan Mosque.

So far, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for this explosion, but in the past, the Islamic State-Khurasan (IS-K) has taken responsibility for similar attacks.

IS-K recently said in a statement that the Taliban had not been able to prevent the group’s attacks in Afghanistan.

He discussed this in a meeting with Mohammad Akbari, a former Shia-Hazara member of the Afghan Parliament.

Abdul Kabir, however, has not elaborated on when the investigation will be initiated. He has stressed that his office has received suggestions from Shia leaders on how to resolve their problems.

The Taliban has not explained what are the problems and issues that the Shia community in Afghanistan faces under their rule. They have been silent on the recognition of Jafari Shia sect as one of the two officially recognised sects of Afghanistan.

Recently, the members of the Afghan Shia Ulema Assembly criticised the Taliban for not recognising the Jafari sect which is one of their main demands from the Taliban.