Irish Health Minister Condemns Taliban’s Human Rights Abuses Against Afghan Women

On Wednesday, Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, met with Yue Xiaoyong, China’s Special Representative for Afghanistan in Islamabad. They discussed regional security and geopolitical developments.

Sadiq Khan stated on social media platform X that both sides are worried about the presence of these militant groups in Afghanistan. He added that they agreed to hold trilateral and multilateral meetings on Afghanistan.

Although China does not officially recognise the Taliban, it maintains close political and economic ties with the group. However, Beijing remains concerned about separatist Uyghur militants operating from Afghanistan.

China’s UN ambassador previously warned that the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) poses a direct security threat. The Taliban has assured China that Afghanistan will not be used as a base for Uyghur separatist activities.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban of sheltering TTP fighters and has urged the group to prevent cross-border terrorist activities. Recently, Pakistan’s UN representative stated that the Taliban has failed to control ISIS-Khorasan, which has become a major security challenge for its rule.

Mohammad Agha Hakim, the Taliban’s governor in Panjshir, welcomed the proposal and expressed readiness to cooperate.

In a statement, the Taliban’s Information and Culture Directorate reported that the group sold 15,552 carats of emeralds from Panjshir’s mines on Tuesday, generating $328,950 in revenue. The statement added that Indian gemstone traders have shown interest in Afghanistan’s investment opportunities under Taliban rule.

For over three years, the Taliban has regularly auctioned Panjshir emeralds. However, a recent survey among Panjshir residents revealed that 90 percent of respondents believe the Taliban is exploiting the province’s mines without any profits benefiting locals.

This marks the first time the Taliban has disclosed an investment plan from Indian businessmen in Panjshir’s mining sector.

India is strengthening ties with the Taliban. It has accepted some Taliban diplomats and plans to hand over Afghanistan’s embassy in Delhi to the group’s representatives.

During a UN Security Council session on Afghanistan on 10 March, Harish stated that India is closely monitoring the situation and engaging with the Taliban regime on bilateral issues. He highlighted the “special people-to-people ties” as the foundation of India’s current engagement with Afghanistan.

Harish pointed to the meeting between India’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Vikram Misri, and Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on 8 January. He said the discussions covered bilateral relations and regional developments.

He noted that Taliban’s representatives appreciated India’s continued support. As a result, India is now considering new development projects, alongside its ongoing humanitarian efforts.

Harish reaffirmed India’s longstanding ties with Afghanistan. He said India remains committed to humanitarian assistance and supports international efforts for stability in Afghanistan.

Since August 2021, India has provided 27 tons of relief materials, 50,000 tons of wheat, 40,000 litres of pesticides and over 300 tons of medicine and medical equipment.

India has also collaborated with UNODC to support drug addicts, particularly women. Since 2022, it has supplied 11,000 hygiene kits ,baby food, clothing, and medical aid and over 30 tons of social support items.

India is strengthening ties with the Taliban. It plans to hand over Afghanistan’s embassy in Delhi to Taliban representatives and has accepted some Taliban diplomats.

Saraj told Afghanistan International that Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada suspects Haqqani and several officials of plotting a coup. He believes foreign countries may have backed the alleged plot.

To counter the threat, Akhundzada has stripped Haqqani of his powers and transferred his authority to Deputy Interior Minister Ibrahim Sadr. Similarly, Mullah Yaqub, the Defence Minister, has been sidelined. His powers were handed to Qayyum Zakir, a close ally of Akhundzada.

Saraj said Akhundzada has placed his loyalists in key institutions in Kabul. He also imposed foreign travel restrictions on Taliban officials, allowing trips only with his approval.

According to Saraj, Haqqani fled from Saudi Arabia to Khost and then Pakistan. He is now moving between North Waziristan and Khost.

In another move, Akhundzada dismissed Khost’s police chief, the brother of Haqqani’s deputy, Nabi Omari. Saraj claims Haqqani sees this as a direct threat and no longer feels safe.

Sources told Afghanistan International that Akhundzada has deployed special forces from Kandahar to Kabul. A Taliban unit is now stationed at Kabul airport.

Tensions within the Taliban have escalated due to international pressure on Akhundzada’s policies. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has requested an arrest warrant for Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani.

Some Taliban officials, including Abbas Stanekzai, have warned that Akhundzada’s hardline stance is blocking international recognition. Frustrated Taliban figures have considered leadership changes, but Akhundzada has further consolidated power and sidelined internal rivals.

On Monday night, during evening prayers, the Taliban expelled women from several mosques in Kandahar.

Women in Herat also reported that since the start of Ramadan, the Taliban have blocked their access to mosques. They said that morality police now stand at mosque entrances, preventing them from attending Tarawih prayers.

Previously, women in Herat and other provinces were able to pray in mosques during Ramadan without restrictions.

Sources from Kandahar’s second district confirmed that on Monday night, the Taliban expelled women from Haji Abdullah Mina Mosque. The group also warned women not to return for prayers.

Many families in Herat and Kandahar condemned the Taliban’s actions. They called it an act of discrimination and hatred toward women.

These restrictions contradict the Taliban’s repeated claims that they respect women’s rights under Islamic law. Despite international pressure, the group continues to tighten restrictions on women across Afghanistan.