Iran Declares No Support For Military Actions Against Afghanistan's Territorial Integrity

The university announced that it has prepared an educational programme for female students from grades 9 to 12.

AUAF announced the enrollment of applicants and stated that this programme is designed for students who could not complete their studies due to the ban on girls' education in Afghanistan.

This university has called the goal of launching this educational programme to maintain an educated workforce which will provide the foundation of political and economic stability in Afghanistan.

The university also wrote that this programme adheres to the main values of the American University of Afghanistan, including freedom of expression, pluralism, free research, equal opportunities, individual rights, tolerance and dignified personal and professional behaviour.

The university added that the programme is only for students who live in Afghanistan and students who enrol from other countries will not be accepted.

The Taliban has banned millions of girls from going to school and university, and women and girls in Afghanistan live in a difficult situation.

On December 20, 2022, the Ministry of Higher Education of the Taliban had announced that the education of girls in universities would be suspended until further notice.

The group has ignored internal protests and international pressures regarding the ban on girls' education above the sixth grade and university studies.

Officials of the group have said that there is still no suitable situation based on Sharia for the education of girls in Afghanistan.

According to Mujahid, these women were allegedly influenced by external entities to challenge the Taliban's dress code standards in urban areas.

In an interview with TOLOnews, Mujahid stated that the detained women were taken to a nearby location for a few hours, where they were counselled in the presence of their family members before being released.

Mujahid criticised unnamed organisations for reacting to issues based on social media reports without proper verification, calling such responses misguided. He did not specify the number of women recently arrested.

This development follows a series of arrests by the Taliban’s Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, particularly targeting young women and girls in various Kabul neighbourhoods, including Dashte Barchi, Taimani, and Khairkhana.

He called for discussions based on facts rather than claims and media narratives between the two countries.

Kabir also aimed to deliver the Taliban's firm message to Islamabad about their commitment of not allowing Afghan soil to be used against other nations, particularly Pakistan.

With the increase in instability in Pakistan, the country has repeatedly accused the Taliban of sheltering the Pakistani Taliban and facilitating attacks against Pakistan from Afghan soil.

Taliban has repeatedly denied these allegations.

The Pakistani government disclosed details about suicide bombers within its borders, indicating that their attacks were planned in Afghanistan.

In response, the Taliban have suggested that Pakistan should address its issues with these militants to avert attacks by the Pakistani Taliban. However, Islamabad has dismissed the Pakistani Taliban's demands as unreasonable.

Islamabad's pressure on the Taliban, especially the deportation of about half a million immigrants, caused the Taliban to invite Fazal-ur-Rehman to visit Kabul. However, it is not clear what message the Taliban is sending to Pakistan through this religious figure who has close relations with the army and intelligence of the country.

According to the Taliban, Fazal-ur-Rehman condemned the deportation of Afghan immigrants in this meeting and emphasised on solving the problems with the Pakistani government through dialogue.

Taliban’s deputy prime minister also urged Pakistan to stop inappropriate behaviour with Afghan immigrants.

Additionally, they received 18-month prison terms.

This statement, shared on the Taliban's user account on X social media platform, stated that the flogging occurred in the court in Kandahar, in front of the people.

The Supreme Court of Taliban has not announced the identity of these individuals.

In July, the Taliban publicly flogged two individuals at Laghman's Eid Gah mosque for having “illicit relationships”.

Human rights organisations and the international community have repeatedly urged the Taliban to cease punishments such as flogging, hand amputation, and execution.

Nonetheless, the Taliban maintains that they are implementing Islamic Sharia law and insist that other countries and international organisations should not interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs.

Earlier, Afghan Witness, a human rights group, reported that the Taliban had issued and executed orders for the flogging of over 400 individuals within a year.

As per the Taliban's statement, Qomi conveyed Iran's stance and assured the group’s official that Iran does not back the opponents of the Taliban and is actively working towards integrating Afghanistan into the regional framework.

He emphasised that efforts aimed at creating discord between Iran and Afghanistan will not succeed.

Even though Iran does not recognise the government of the Taliban and insists on the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan, the country has expanded its political and economic relations with the Taliban over the last two years.

Iran is one of the first countries that handed over the Afghan embassy in Tehran to the Taliban following the took over of power by the group.

During the meeting with Qomi, Kabir considered the policy of the Taliban as “positive role for the security and stability of the region" and said that "there is no danger to anyone from Afghanistan, including Iran”.

This Taliban official pointed out that Afghanistan poses no threat to Iran, which is in contrast to the US intelligence claims of ISIS’s Afghanistan branch being involved in recent suicide attacks in Kerman, Iran.

The Taliban-controlled Al-Mirsaad website refuted the US claims, highlighting their efforts in suppressing ISIS in Afghanistan. The website stated that ISIS leaders are located in various regional countries.

Meanwhile, in this meeting, Qomi also mentioned Iran's efforts for regional joint transit and said that by using these opportunities, Afghan goods will reach Turkey and the markets of European countries directly.

The Iranian official, in the meeting, discussed the willingness of Iranian investors to collaborate in the agricultural sector with their Afghan counterparts.

Abdul Kabir, on his part, spoke about the Taliban's focus on an "economy-oriented" policy, expressing a desire for Afghanistan to become a pivotal hub for economic stability and regional development.