UN Seems Ready to Compromise With Taliban Over Girls’ Education, Says HRW Official

Earlier, the spokesperson of the Taliban’s Interior Ministry had announced the arrest of 40 members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban of Pakistan in Afghanistan.

During a press conference on Thursday, in response to a question in this regard, Baloch stated, "At this stage, we are unable to confirm the existence, scale or effectiveness of any action along those lines."

However, she urged the Taliban to take action against extremist groups, especially Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Earlier, Abdul Mateen Qane, Taliban’s spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, had told local media outlets that the group had arrested several ISIS members and 40 members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Following the takeover of power in August 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a significant surge in insecurity and explosions within its territory. Over the last two years, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for most attacks targeting Pakistani forces.

Pakistani officials say that the leaders and members of the Pakistani Taliban have a safe haven in Afghanistan and plan their attacks from there.

In addition, the Pakistani government has claimed that some members of the Afghan Taliban are also involved in bloody attacks in Pakistan.

Nevertheless, the Afghan Taliban consistently refutes these allegations, saying that Pakistan holds them responsible for the security failures on its part.

Invitation for Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman to Kabul

During the press conference, Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson also stated that she is unaware of the Taliban's invitation for Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, the country’s famous cleric, to visit Kabul.

Baloch said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not aware of the issue and does not want to comment on the private visit of individuals.

On December 17, Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban’s spokesperson said that Fazal-ur-Rehman was invited to Kabul to prevent propaganda against the Taliban in Pakistan.

Mujahid emphasised on the group's intention to share certain facts with the people of Pakistan, highlighting that this Pakistani cleric could play a constructive role in facilitating this communication.

It has been said that Fazal-ur-Rehman accepted the Taliban’s invitation.

Dovtaev, a Chechen-origin Austrian citizen, faced charges of gathering sensitive information for terrorist purposes.

This Wednesday, a unanimous jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court of England confirmed Dovtaev's involvement in the terror conspiracy targeting the Iran International network. His arrest occurred at Chiswick Business Park by the Metropolitan Police Counter-Terrorism Command of London in February.

Accusations against Dovtaev include the collection of information intended for a third party to facilitate a terrorist attack on Iran International.

Reacting to the sentencing, a representative of Iran International reiterated the network's resilience against intimidation, asserting that its journalists will persist in delivering independent and uncensored news, honouring the expectations of the Iranian people.

However, the front stated that it will continue its "liberation efforts" until the environment is conducive for complete disarmament of the Taliban and the transfer of power to a third party, followed by the holding of free and fair elections in Afghanistan.

In a letter to the office of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Thursday, this anti-Taliban military front wrote that it considers the report of the UN Secretary-General to the Security Council as "a positive step towards reflecting the current realities in Afghanistan" and welcomes it.

The letter stated that this front expects the United Nations to take practical actions in this regard.

However, the letter emphasised that "consolidating the illegitimate rule of the Taliban is not in the interest of peace and stability in Afghanistan, the region, and the world”.

In a detailed seven-page letter, the Freedom Front wrote its perspective on the situation in Afghanistan, including issues such as political development, security, human rights, economic development, humanitarian aid, and narcotics.

It seems that this letter is in response to a report of António Guterres on Wednesday, presented to the members of the United Nations Security Council.

In his report to the Security Council, the UN Secretary-General said that commitment to international obligations and the start of a process leading to the establishment of an inclusive constitution will lead to the normalisation of global relations with the Taliban.

The report also suggests appointing a new representative for peace in Afghanistan to facilitate intra-Afghan dialogue; the Taliban have previously stated that they do not agree with the appointment of this representative.

The UNAMA office in Kabul, in its quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports on the situation in Afghanistan, usually quotes from the Taliban's administrations and authorities.

However, the Freedom Front in its letter wrote that the information provided by the Taliban-controlled administration is worthless because there is no ground for verification and validation of such information. Therefore, it has been suggested that the United Nations prepare its reports "in light of information obtained from all parties involved in the Afghan affairs”.

This front, opposing the Taliban, said that the United Nations should put all grounds for a peaceful transition of Afghanistan "from the illegitimate rule of the Taliban to a system based on law and the will of the people" on its agenda.

The letter warned that the situation in Afghanistan is moving towards "becoming Rwanda-like”. The front, referring to the widespread human rights violations and war crimes of the Taliban, has asked the United Nations to prevent the complete collapse of Afghanistan.

The letter also emphasised that the Freedom Front is committed to fully observing the provisions of the Geneva Conventions and the accepted values of human rights during its liberation efforts against the Taliban, and while it has the capability to conduct widespread and major attacks, it has focused its attacks on targeting the Taliban's centres, posts, patrols, and garrisons to prevent civilian casualties.

He noted that the Turkish delegation did not view the Taliban's stance against Israel's attacks on Gaza as “strong”.

Haqqani told them, "Afghans are revolutionary people, they are people of action rather than words."

He stated, "The Turks came to see me and asked me why the Islamic Emirate [Taliban] did not react earlier on the Palestinian issue. I told them that the people of Afghanistan are very revolutionary, they are not people of words, they are people of action.”

The Taliban's foreign ministry has condemned Israel's attacks on Gaza at least twice. However, unlike the Turkish president and several Iranian and Arab politicians, Taliban officials have refrained from taking harsh positions and expressing controversial statements about Israel.

In contrast to Iran, Afghanistan, under the Taliban's rule, has witnessed minimal demonstrations condemning Israel's attacks on Palestinians.

On November 15, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared that if Israel's ongoing massacre in Palestine persists, it would demonstrate to the entire world that the country has transformed into a "terrorist state”.

Taliban officials have rarely spoken out or reacted strongly to Israel's attacks on Gaza.

The Taliban's interior minister said, "If our leadership addresses the issue of Palestine today, who can control the Afghans?”

Sirajuddin Haqqani regarded the Taliban government as "more sympathetic" than any other government toward Muslim countries.

In his address to the students, he stated, "The hope of Muslims worldwide, lies in this Islamic system [Taliban]. No other system in the world is as compassionate and empathetic towards Muslims; only this system possesses such qualities.”

On Thursday, a ceremony took place in Kabul University's auditorium, featuring senior Taliban officials, including Sirajuddin Haqqani, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, Minister of Defence, and Neda Mohammad Nadim, Minister of Higher Education.

The Taliban's interior minister noted that in the past, madrassas and universities viewed each other with suspicion and were "very hostile”. He highlighted that now they are united, emphasising that Afghanistan can advance when "internal unity" becomes strong.

He claimed that the Taliban leader has given more privileges to "higher education and schools than religious schools”.

Addressing the students, Haqqani said that those with "opposing" views should know that the Taliban regime is an Islamic and Ulema system. He cautioned against spreading ideas contrary to the regime, emphasising on the importance of avoiding corruption.

This senior Taliban figure also addressed the Security Council in his speech. Haqqani stated that the council members have referred to both the advancements and setbacks of the Taliban. However, he emphasised in his address that the Taliban will not submit to pressure.

Haqqani said that a clear message has been conveyed to the world, and it's a matter of satisfaction that the Islamic Emirate does not bow its head under the pressure of anyone.

During Wednesday's meeting of the UN Security Council, all member countries, including Russia and China, who are considering recognition of the Taliban, highlighted the threat posed by terrorist groups in Afghanistan. Even Pakistan, a supporter of the Taliban, acknowledged the presence of terrorist groups under the protection of the Taliban in Afghanistan, launching attacks on Pakistani soldiers from the region.

However, Haqqani once again emphasised that Afghanistan is not a threat to any country and adheres to the Doha Agreement.

The Taliban added that the visit has taken place after the official invitation of Iran's Foreign Minister.

The Taliban's foreign ministry has condemned Israel's attacks on Gaza at least twice. However, unlike the Turkish president and several Iranian and Arab politicians, Taliban officials have refrained from taking harsh positions and expressing controversial statements about Israel.

Furthermore, in contrast to Iran, Afghanistan, under the Taliban's rule, has witnessed minimal demonstrations condemning Israel's attacks on Palestinians.

In a statement last month, the Taliban's foreign ministry asked the United Nations to stop Israel's "crimes" in Gaza.

On Thursday, during a meeting with a Turkish delegation, Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban's interior minister, remarked that Israel seemingly did not view the Taliban's stance against the attacks on Gaza as "strong”. He emphasised that Afghans support Palestine through actions, not just words.

Nevertheless, Iran, recognised as a significant supporter of Hamas, has consistently adopted a firm position against Israel's attacks. Iranian officials have held multiple meetings with Hamas leaders during the Gaza attacks.