UK Ministry of Defence Confirms Data Breaches Exposed Afghan Allies’ Details

The governor’s office in Balkh province announced Thursday that reconstruction had begun on the memorial in Mazar-e-Sharif, with a budget of 1.5 million Afghanis. The project will include restoring the statue, creating green spaces, building a recreational area, establishing a library and installing information boards about Nava’i’s life and works, officials said.

The move followed contacts between Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry and Taliban officials. Tashkent said the Taliban had expressed regret over the statue’s destruction and promised to construct a more elaborate complex dedicated to the 15th-century poet, scholar and statesman.

Abdul Rahman Hemmat, the Taliban mayor of Mazar-e-Sharif, said the project would be completed within a month. Uzbek diplomats, Taliban foreign ministry representatives in the north and other officials attended the inauguration of the work, according to Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Akhror Burkhanov said Tashkent immediately sought clarification after the statue’s demolition. Taliban officials reportedly responded that the location was “not worthy” of commemorating such a figure and that a more prominent memorial was needed. They assured Uzbek officials that Nava’i’s legacy was important for Afghanistan as well as Uzbekistan.

The statue had stood in Mazar-e-Sharif for around 17 years before it was torn down, provoking widespread criticism. Rahila Dostum, daughter of Uzbek leader Abdul Rashid Dostum, called the demolition a “symbol of the Taliban’s hostility toward the country’s cultural heritage.” Civil and social groups representing Afghanistan’s Turkic community also condemned it as part of what they described as the Taliban’s “anti-cultural and identity-erasing policies.”

It was not the first such incident. In 2022, the Taliban demolished another statue of Nava’i in the city, drawing criticism from Afghan citizens and Uzbekistan. At the time, Taliban officials similarly assured Tashkent that the memorial would be restored.

Amir Ali-Shir Nava’i, a celebrated figure of the Timurid era, is regarded as the founder of Chagatai literature and remains an influential cultural icon across Central Asia.

Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan, announced that the foreign ministers of the three sides agreed to cooperate against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch separatists and China’s Uyghur militant groups. All three factions are believed to have ties with the Afghan Taliban, though the group denies their presence inside Afghanistan.

Sadiq said the trilateral meeting focused on strengthening security, economic and political cooperation. Taliban officials confirmed the ministers discussed bilateral relations and common threats.

The ministers also emphasised closer collaboration in trade, transit, regional development, health, education, culture and counter-narcotics. They voiced support for extending the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing sought to deepen trust with Afghanistan and expand cooperation in trade and agriculture. He urged the Taliban to take stronger action against militant groups, stressing that security was essential for economic initiatives to succeed.

According to the Taliban foreign ministry, Wang also said China would take “practical steps” this year to begin developing Afghanistan’s mining sector.

Taliban’s pledge against their own allies

Pakistan’s envoy said the three sides committed “to strengthen joint efforts against terrorist organisations including TTP, BLA, ETIM and other regional and international terrorist outfits.”

Islamabad has long voiced concerns over the presence of TTP militants in Afghanistan and accused the Taliban of sheltering its opponents. Following a deadly attack on the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan, Pakistan accused the Taliban of colluding with India to support Baloch separatists, who claimed responsibility.

China, meanwhile, has pressed the Taliban to address Beijing’s security concerns, particularly regarding the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM).

The Taliban maintain, however, that Afghan soil poses no threat to any country.

Two Taliban ministers said Akhundzada made the remarks at a cabinet meeting two weeks ago, arguing that women’s attendance at religious schools had “no religious legitimacy.” He cited the era of Islam’s third caliph, when women were barred from going to mosques, as precedent.

Another minister confirmed the comments, saying Akhundzada’s stance has disheartened many in the cabinet. A source in Kandahar said none of the ministers present dared to oppose the supreme leader’s view.

“Until today, no cabinet member has had the courage to present reasons or arguments against the Sheikh’s opinion,” the source said.

The reported remarks have fuelled frustration and quiet dissent among senior Taliban officials. Two ministers told Afghanistan International that many had expected schools to reopen for girls this year, but Akhundzada now considers even religious education for women impermissible.

“This position is in clear contradiction with Quranic verses and the Prophet’s sayings. Religious education is obligatory for all Muslims, both men and women,” one minister said.

A Taliban official warned that if the restrictions continue, Afghanistan risks sliding back into conflict. “If the situation goes on like this, Afghanistan will once again become a battleground of warlords, and the religious and historical responsibility will lie on Hibatullah’s shoulders,” the official said.

The Taliban have already barred women and girls from secondary schools, universities and private education centres. Observers say extending the prohibition to religious schooling could trigger a new wave of domestic and international backlash against the group.

According to the Taliban, Wang assured the group of China’s readiness to cooperate on both economic and security matters.

The Taliban’s office said Wang stressed that Beijing had been “sincere and steadfast” in its friendship with Afghanistan and remained prepared to strengthen ties in key areas. He added that enhanced security cooperation would pave the way for Afghanistan’s progress.

“We have a shared future and want Asian countries, especially Afghanistan, to take steps towards modernisation,” Wang was quoted as saying. Referring to historic ties, he described China and Afghanistan as “good friends.”

The senior Chinese diplomat also said Beijing respected Afghanistan’s independence and the choices of its people, adding that he believed Afghans had chosen the right path. He noted he was the only foreign minister from a permanent member of the UN Security Council to have visited Afghanistan twice under Taliban rule, calling this a sign of “friendship and sincerity.”

In response, Mullah Hassan Akhund sought to reassure China, saying: “Tell the president of China that no security threat will arise from Afghan soil towards China or any other country.” He pledged the Taliban would not allow Afghanistan to be used as a base to harm others.

The Taliban prime minister also thanked Beijing for its “positive positions, support and cooperation” in international forums, adding that China had consistently played a constructive role in global development. He called on Beijing to continue its efforts to support the Taliban’s position within the international community.

Wang Yi’s meeting with Mullah Hassan Akhund took place during his visit to Kabul for a trilateral summit with Taliban and Pakistani officials. The Taliban Foreign Ministry earlier said the gathering would focus on strengthening political, economic and regional cooperation.

Muttaqi made the request during talks in Kabul with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, held on the sidelines of a trilateral summit with Pakistan.

The Taliban Foreign Ministry said the meeting covered transit cooperation, banking ties, and efforts to balance trade. Muttaqi described China as a “good commercial partner” and expressed hope that trade between the two countries would grow significantly in the near future. He also assured that Afghan soil would not be used against neighbouring states.

According to the Taliban, Wang Yi said Beijing views relations with Afghanistan as developing and highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation in multiple sectors. He added that China is working with Taliban authorities to boost exports, remove barriers to Afghan agricultural products, and integrate Afghanistan into regional transit projects.

The Taliban statement said Wang pledged Chinese support for Afghanistan’s economy and promised practical steps this year on mining projects, including surveying and extraction of mineral resources.

The trilateral talks in Kabul also brought together Pakistan’s foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, who separately met Muttaqi to discuss bilateral issues. A Taliban spokesperson earlier said the three-way meeting would focus on strengthening political, economic, and regional cooperation.