Russia&nbsp;has accredited a diplomat from the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;to engage with the new Afghan government but remains&nbsp;concerned&nbsp;about&nbsp;the threat of&nbsp;Islamist&nbsp;groups&nbsp;spilling over into&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;via Central Asia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.

Russia&nbsp;hosted an international conference on Afghanistan last year to try to reach a peace deal and curb violence between the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;and the then Afghan government.&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;has labelled the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;a "terrorist organisation" but has welcomed their members on numerous occasions for talks.

Since&nbsp;Russia's mediation efforts, the United States and its allies withdrew their troops from Afghanistan after 20 years there and the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;seized power in August as the US-backed government collapsed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-objects-to-nepal-issuing-climbing-permits-to-nine-russians-wants-them-to-be-banned-466966">Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv objects to Nepal issuing climbing permits to Russians, wants them to be banned</a>

Speaking at an Afghanistan-focused conference in China, Lavrov said that growing trade and economic ties between Afghanistan and countries in the region was contributing to the potential international recognition of their administration.

He said a&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;envoy&nbsp;was already active in Moscow.

"I would like to note that the first Afghan diplomat who arrived in Moscow last month and was sent by the new authorities has received accreditation at the&nbsp;Russian Foreign Ministry," he said.

Russia&nbsp;is worried&nbsp;about&nbsp;the potential for fallout in the wider region and the possibility of&nbsp;Islamist&nbsp;militants infiltrating the former Soviet republics of Central Asia, which&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;views as its southern defensive buffer.

"The plans of the Islamic State and its supporters to destabilize Central Asian states and export instability to&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;are of particular&nbsp;concern," Lavrov said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-president-putin-being-misled-by-fearful-military-advisers-us-says-467111">Russia President Putin being misled by fearful military advisers, US says</a>

"The build-up of detachments of Jamaat Ansarullah and the Islamic Movement Uzbekistan around the Afghan-Tajik and Afghan-Uzbek borders are an alarming sign."

Since the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;takeover last year, Moscow has held military exercises in Tajikistan and bolstered hardware at its military base there.

Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine War update: Turkey &amp; Israel offers to host Presidents of Ukraine and Russia

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-war-update-turkey-israel-offers-to-host-presidents-of-ukraine-and-russia-463710/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Russia has accredited a diplomat from the Taliban to engage with the new Afghan government but remains concerned about the threat of Islamist groups spilling over into Russia via Central Asia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.

Russia has accredited a diplomat from the Taliban to engage with the new Afghan government but remains concerned about the threat of Islamist groups spilling over into Russia via Central Asia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday. Russia hosted an international conference on Afghanistan last year to try to reach a peace deal and curb violence between the Taliban and the then Afghan government. Russia has labelled the Taliban a "terrorist organisation" but has welcomed their members on numerous occasions for talks. Since Russia's mediation efforts, the United States and its allies withdrew their troops from Afghanistan after 20 years there and the Taliban seized power in August as the US-backed government collapsed. Also read | Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv objects to Nepal issuing climbing permits to Russians, wants them to be banned Speaking at an Afghanistan-focused conference in China, Lavrov said that growing trade and economic ties between Afghanistan and countries in the region was contributing to the potential international recognition of their administration. He said a Taliban envoy was already active in Moscow. "I would like to note that the first Afghan diplomat who arrived in Moscow last month and was sent by the new authorities has received accreditation at the Russian Foreign Ministry," he said. Russia is worried about the potential for fallout in the wider region and the possibility of Islamist militants infiltrating the former Soviet republics of Central Asia, which Russia views as its southern defensive buffer. "The plans of the Islamic State and its supporters to destabilize Central Asian states and export instability to Russia are of particular concern," Lavrov said. Also read | Russia President Putin being misled by fearful military advisers, US says "The build-up of detachments of Jamaat Ansarullah and the Islamic Movement Uzbekistan around the Afghan-Tajik and Afghan-Uzbek borders are an alarming sign." Since the Taliban takeover last year, Moscow has held military exercises in Tajikistan and bolstered hardware at its military base there. Watch | Ukraine War update: Turkey & Israel offers to host Presidents of Ukraine and Russia

Russia accredits Taliban envoy, voices concern about Islamist groups

The World Bank has suspended four projects worth $600 million in Afghanistan in response to the Taliban barring girls from attending high school.

The projects aimed at improving education, health and agriculture, among others. They were to be funded under the revamped Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), which was frozen

They also had a "strong focus on ensuring that girls and women participate and benefit from the support," the bank had said earlier, reports Reuters.

The bank’s guidance requires all ARTF-financed activities to support access to —and equity of services for —women and girls in Afghanistan, the bank said, citing its deep concerns over the Taliban's ban on girls attending high school, reports the Reuters.

Hence, the bank asserted that the four projects will be approved only "when the World Bank and international partners have a better understanding of the situation and confidence that the goals of the projects can be met."

Also read |&nbsp;'<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/every-afghan-girl-has-right-to-education-us-allies-slam-taliban-ban-on-girls-education-465293">Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education</a>

Last week, the Taliban said it is reversing its decision to allow schools to open for girls following&nbsp;months-long restriction.&nbsp;The militant organisation argued&nbsp;that they are yet to arrive at a decision over uniforms for female students in accordance with "Sharia law and Afghan tradition".

The move drew international condemnation, with protesters thronging the office of the Ministry of Education in the country's capital Kabul on Saturday to demand that the schools be reopened.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nationwide-protests-if-afghan-girls-schools-stay-shut-activists-466010">Nationwide protests if Afghan girls' schools stay shut: Activists</a>

On Friday, a joint statement by officials from 10 countries, including the US and UK, described the Taliban's actions as "profoundly disturbing".

The US State Department has also cancelled meetings with the Taliban, which were scheduled to take place in Qatar.

(With inputs from agencies)

The World Bank has suspended four projects worth $600 million in Afghanistan in response to the Taliban barring girls from attending high school. The projects aimed at improving education, health and agriculture, among others.

The World Bank has suspended four projects worth $600 million in Afghanistan in response to the Taliban barring girls from attending high school. The projects aimed at improving education, health and agriculture, among others. They were to be funded under the revamped Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), which was frozen They also had a "strong focus on ensuring that girls and women participate and benefit from the support," the bank had said earlier, reports Reuters. The bank’s guidance requires all ARTF-financed activities to support access to —and equity of services for —women and girls in Afghanistan, the bank said, citing its deep concerns over the Taliban's ban on girls attending high school, reports the Reuters. Hence, the bank asserted that the four projects will be approved only "when the World Bank and international partners have a better understanding of the situation and confidence that the goals of the projects can be met." Also read | 'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education Last week, the Taliban said it is reversing its decision to allow schools to open for girls following months-long restriction. The militant organisation argued that they are yet to arrive at a decision over uniforms for female students in accordance with "Sharia law and Afghan tradition". The move drew international condemnation, with protesters thronging the office of the Ministry of Education in the country's capital Kabul on Saturday to demand that the schools be reopened. Also read | Nationwide protests if Afghan girls' schools stay shut: Activists On Friday, a joint statement by officials from 10 countries, including the US and UK, described the Taliban's actions as "profoundly disturbing". The US State Department has also cancelled meetings with the Taliban, which were scheduled to take place in Qatar. (With inputs from agencies)

World Bank suspends projects in Afghanistan after Taliban prohibit girls from school

Choking on dust, Mir Abdul Hadi emerged from the narrow mine shaft with a sack of coal hanging heavy on his back and his skin stained black. For hours he had hacked away at the coal in the dark tunnel, terrified it might collapse on him, and now he was relieved to step back into sunlight.

Hadi, 29, a former government soldier, was among thousands who flocked to northern Afghanistan’s notoriously dangerous mines after the Taliban seized power last year — desperate to scrape out a living amid an economy in ruins.

The backbreaking work offers a few dollars a day, just enough to buy bread and tea for his family to survive. But it comes at a steep price: Since he arrived in October, three mines on this mountain have caved in. The latest collapse last month killed 10 miners, all of whom suffocated after being trapped inside a mine shaft for days.

“That night I wanted to leave this job, to never come back to the mines,” Hadi said. “But then I went home and saw there was nothing to eat.”

For more than six months, Afghanistan has been gripped by a devastating economic crisis that has wiped out incomes, sent food prices soaring and left millions hungry. Now, desperate to make ends meet, many Afghans are going to increasingly drastic lengths to survive.

Families in rural areas have repaid debts with children they cannot afford to feed, selling them to better-off families or local bosses. In the northwestern city of Herat, men have sold their kidneys on the black market. And along the Iranian border, thousands looking for work abroad have endured brutal beatings by security forces.

In the Chinarak mines of Baghlan province, a mountainous slice of northern Afghanistan, three times as many men have come to work in recent months than before the Taliban takeover, according to mine operators. They are former soldiers and policemen, nongovernmental organization workers and shopkeepers, among the millions who have lost their incomes in recent months.

For decades, the informal mining operation has been a risky option for impoverished villagers desperate to earn a few dollars a day. Around 200 people have died in the mines since coal was discovered here 50 years ago, according to village elders.

But the mines have become even more deadly since the Taliban seized power, miners say. Unlike the previous government, the Taliban have not supplied engineers to monitor toxic gas, or timber to support tunnels that stretch for hundreds of yards. The result is a deadly combination of less structurally sound mines and inexperienced miners who cannot spot signs of danger.

“The economic situation is forcing everyone here, but they know they could die. It’s more dangerous than ever,” said one miner, Baz Mohammad, 35, who has worked in the mines since he was 15. “If I had some money, I wouldn’t stay here for another second.”

The work at Chinarak begins at dawn, when the taste of smoke from wood-burning stoves hangs heavy in the air and the morning fog paints the foothills in a cloudlike haze. Carrying shovels and pickaxes, miners make their way down the winding path of reddish clay to the coal-filled mountain.

From the base of the mountain, a trail of blackened earth — a sign of coal — zigzags across its face like a treasure map. Strapping on headlamps, the men duck into mine openings scattered across the hillside and crawl through subterranean tunnels that stretch as far as 300 yards.

Sitting on a boulder outside one mine, Zahir Kazimi, 33, said he could barely move his body after his first day at the mines in January. A tailor by trade, Kazimi went to work in sewing shops at age 13 — determined to save up the money to marry a girl he liked. A decade later, he married and opened his own tailor shop. He was happy then, he said.

But after the Taliban seized power, his once steady stream of clients dried up, and soon his savings did, too. So he took his brother’s donkey to the mines and joined the throng of sweaty men with black dust caked into their skin. Twelve hours later, he returned home with his back aching and cursing himself for getting married at all — if he were single, he would not have to earn so much to feed four mouths at home.

&lt;em&gt;“&lt;/em&gt;If you come here and work, you can get some money to buy food for your family. If not, they will go hungry,” Kazimi said. “There is no other way to go. We must work.”

Standing outside a mine’s entrance, Hadi, the former soldier, wiped his hand on his shirt and looked at his calloused palm. His father, a farmer, always chided him to go to school as a child, dreaming that one day his son could become a district governor or a commander. For a while, Hadi hoped he could, too. At 18, he joined the Afghan National Army and earned a decent salary.

But jobless and broke after the former government collapsed, he sold the large carpet in his living room and used the money to buy a donkey he could take to the mines. Inside the dark tunnels, he works through the pain that shoots through his back and arms as he slams a pickax into the wall of coal over and over and over again.

The labor is grueling, he says, but even worse is the fear: the fear of choking on toxic gas, the fear that the rock hitting your back is the start of a collapse, the fear of being buried alive with no hope of rescue.

“Every time I go in the tunnel, I’m afraid,” Hadi said. “When I’m picking coal, I’m always telling myself this is the last one for today.”

By midday at Chinarak, the mines are buzzing with hundreds of miners — some old men in their 60s, some children barely 10. As they work, the sounds echo down the mountain: the thuds of men dropping satchels of coal on the ground. The hiss of coal pouring out of the bags. The clucks from children coaxing donkeys carrying loads of coal down the mountain.

The coal is loaded onto trucks that head down the rough road to a Taliban checkpoint, a single-story building that overlooks a large riverbed and the mountain range’s snow-covered peaks. The building once belonged to businessmen who operated these mines in mafia-like arrangements with the previous government. At that time, trucks of coal leaving the mines would be taxed first by those companies, and then again by the Taliban, who levied informal taxes to fund their insurgency.

Since seizing power, Taliban officials say they have driven out those strongmen and “nationalized” the mining industry. Abid Atullah, the Taliban’s manager of mines in the Nahrain district, said they collected $16,000 to $30,000 in tax revenue from the Chinarak mines each day — a modest but welcome revenue stream for the cash-strapped government.

Still, miners complain about the lack of government support. For months, their petitions to the local government to provide engineers, oxygen tanks, toxic-gas meters and wooden support beams have gone unanswered, they say. Some who informally run the mines have purchased the timber themselves — cutting miners’ daily wages by around 40% to afford it. Others have forgone it, forcing miners to dig narrower tunnels that are harder to work in and not structurally sound.

The collapse of a mine last month epitomized the heightened risks: Miners said inexperienced workers had extended the tunnel too far, and that there were not any beams to support it. For two days, nearly everyone on the mountain helped try to break through the wall of earth that trapped nearly two dozen miners inside, driven by the men’s muffled cries for help. Seventeen hours in, their voices faded as the oxygen ran out. No one made it.

Their fate haunts the men who have to keep returning.

Emerging from a mine entrance, Taza, 30, slammed the bag of coal on the ground and let out a loud cough. A policeman under the former government, and a father of six, he began working in the mines in September, despite all the horrific stories he grew up with about how many ways there were to die there.

Weeks later, he learned the dangers for himself: Inside a tunnel, he began to feel hot and his head oddly heavy. Within minutes his lungs seized up — a symptom of inhaling the toxic gas that was slowly filling the tunnel. Dropping his sack of coal, he dashed to the mine’s entrance and collapsed on the ground.

A few days later, he went back to the mountain.

“I don’t have any other option,” he said. “My kids are hungry.” 
&nbsp;

Choking on dust, Mir Abdul Hadi emerged from the narrow mine shaft with a sack of coal hanging heavy on his back and his skin stained black. For hours he had hacked away at the coal in the dark tunnel, terrified it might collapse on him, and now he was relieved to step back into sunlight.

Choking on dust, Mir Abdul Hadi emerged from the narrow mine shaft with a sack of coal hanging heavy on his back and his skin stained black. For hours he had hacked away at the coal in the dark tunnel, terrified it might collapse on him, and now he was relieved to step back into sunlight. Hadi, 29, a former government soldier, was among thousands who flocked to northern Afghanistan’s notoriously dangerous mines after the Taliban seized power last year — desperate to scrape out a living amid an economy in ruins. The backbreaking work offers a few dollars a day, just enough to buy bread and tea for his family to survive. But it comes at a steep price: Since he arrived in October, three mines on this mountain have caved in. The latest collapse last month killed 10 miners, all of whom suffocated after being trapped inside a mine shaft for days. “That night I wanted to leave this job, to never come back to the mines,” Hadi said. “But then I went home and saw there was nothing to eat.” For more than six months, Afghanistan has been gripped by a devastating economic crisis that has wiped out incomes, sent food prices soaring and left millions hungry. Now, desperate to make ends meet, many Afghans are going to increasingly drastic lengths to survive. Families in rural areas have repaid debts with children they cannot afford to feed, selling them to better-off families or local bosses. In the northwestern city of Herat, men have sold their kidneys on the black market. And along the Iranian border, thousands looking for work abroad have endured brutal beatings by security forces. In the Chinarak mines of Baghlan province, a mountainous slice of northern Afghanistan, three times as many men have come to work in recent months than before the Taliban takeover, according to mine operators. They are former soldiers and policemen, nongovernmental organization workers and shopkeepers, among the millions who have lost their incomes in recent months. For decades, the informal mining operation has been a risky option for impoverished villagers desperate to earn a few dollars a day. Around 200 people have died in the mines since coal was discovered here 50 years ago, according to village elders. But the mines have become even more deadly since the Taliban seized power, miners say. Unlike the previous government, the Taliban have not supplied engineers to monitor toxic gas, or timber to support tunnels that stretch for hundreds of yards. The result is a deadly combination of less structurally sound mines and inexperienced miners who cannot spot signs of danger. “The economic situation is forcing everyone here, but they know they could die. It’s more dangerous than ever,” said one miner, Baz Mohammad, 35, who has worked in the mines since he was 15. “If I had some money, I wouldn’t stay here for another second.” The work at Chinarak begins at dawn, when the taste of smoke from wood-burning stoves hangs heavy in the air and the morning fog paints the foothills in a cloudlike haze. Carrying shovels and pickaxes, miners make their way down the winding path of reddish clay to the coal-filled mountain. From the base of the mountain, a trail of blackened earth — a sign of coal — zigzags across its face like a treasure map. Strapping on headlamps, the men duck into mine openings scattered across the hillside and crawl through subterranean tunnels that stretch as far as 300 yards. Sitting on a boulder outside one mine, Zahir Kazimi, 33, said he could barely move his body after his first day at the mines in January. A tailor by trade, Kazimi went to work in sewing shops at age 13 — determined to save up the money to marry a girl he liked. A decade later, he married and opened his own tailor shop. He was happy then, he said. But after the Taliban seized power, his once steady stream of clients dried up, and soon his savings did, too. So he took his brother’s donkey to the mines and joined the throng of sweaty men with black dust caked into their skin. Twelve hours later, he returned home with his back aching and cursing himself for getting married at all — if he were single, he would not have to earn so much to feed four mouths at home. “If you come here and work, you can get some money to buy food for your family. If not, they will go hungry,” Kazimi said. “There is no other way to go. We must work.” Standing outside a mine’s entrance, Hadi, the former soldier, wiped his hand on his shirt and looked at his calloused palm. His father, a farmer, always chided him to go to school as a child, dreaming that one day his son could become a district governor or a commander. For a while, Hadi hoped he could, too. At 18, he joined the Afghan National Army and earned a decent salary. But jobless and broke after the former government collapsed, he sold the large carpet in his living room and used the money to buy a donkey he could take to the mines. Inside the dark tunnels, he works through the pain that shoots through his back and arms as he slams a pickax into the wall of coal over and over and over again. The labor is grueling, he says, but even worse is the fear: the fear of choking on toxic gas, the fear that the rock hitting your back is the start of a collapse, the fear of being buried alive with no hope of rescue. “Every time I go in the tunnel, I’m afraid,” Hadi said. “When I’m picking coal, I’m always telling myself this is the last one for today.” By midday at Chinarak, the mines are buzzing with hundreds of miners — some old men in their 60s, some children barely 10. As they work, the sounds echo down the mountain: the thuds of men dropping satchels of coal on the ground. The hiss of coal pouring out of the bags. The clucks from children coaxing donkeys carrying loads of coal down the mountain. The coal is loaded onto trucks that head down the rough road to a Taliban checkpoint, a single-story building that overlooks a large riverbed and the mountain range’s snow-covered peaks. The building once belonged to businessmen who operated these mines in mafia-like arrangements with the previous government. At that time, trucks of coal leaving the mines would be taxed first by those companies, and then again by the Taliban, who levied informal taxes to fund their insurgency. Since seizing power, Taliban officials say they have driven out those strongmen and “nationalized” the mining industry. Abid Atullah, the Taliban’s manager of mines in the Nahrain district, said they collected $16,000 to $30,000 in tax revenue from the Chinarak mines each day — a modest but welcome revenue stream for the cash-strapped government. Still, miners complain about the lack of government support. For months, their petitions to the local government to provide engineers, oxygen tanks, toxic-gas meters and wooden support beams have gone unanswered, they say. Some who informally run the mines have purchased the timber themselves — cutting miners’ daily wages by around 40% to afford it. Others have forgone it, forcing miners to dig narrower tunnels that are harder to work in and not structurally sound. The collapse of a mine last month epitomized the heightened risks: Miners said inexperienced workers had extended the tunnel too far, and that there were not any beams to support it. For two days, nearly everyone on the mountain helped try to break through the wall of earth that trapped nearly two dozen miners inside, driven by the men’s muffled cries for help. Seventeen hours in, their voices faded as the oxygen ran out. No one made it. Their fate haunts the men who have to keep returning. Emerging from a mine entrance, Taza, 30, slammed the bag of coal on the ground and let out a loud cough. A policeman under the former government, and a father of six, he began working in the mines in September, despite all the horrific stories he grew up with about how many ways there were to die there. Weeks later, he learned the dangers for himself: Inside a tunnel, he began to feel hot and his head oddly heavy. Within minutes his lungs seized up — a symptom of inhaling the toxic gas that was slowly filling the tunnel. Dropping his sack of coal, he dashed to the mine’s entrance and collapsed on the ground. A few days later, he went back to the mountain. “I don’t have any other option,” he said. “My kids are hungry.”

Desperate for cash, Afghans toil in mines that are deadlier than ever

Taliban hard-liners are turning back the clock in Afghanistan with a flurry of repressive edicts over the past days that hark to their harsh rule from the late 1990s.

Girls have been banned from going to school beyond the sixth grade, women are barred from boarding planes if they travel unaccompanied by a male relative. Men and women can only visit public parks on separate days and the use of mobile telephones in universities is prohibited.

It doesn't stop there.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-bars-government-employees-without-beards-from-work-466390">Taliban bar government employees without beards from work</a>

International media broadcasts including the Pashto and Persian BBC services, which broadcast in the two languages of Afghanistan are off the air as of the weekend. So are foreign drama series.

.

The latest assault on women's rights came earlier this month, when the all-male and religiously driven Taliban government broke its promise to allow girls to return to school after the sixth grade. The move stunned much of the world and many in Afghanistan especially after the Taliban had given all the necessary assurances&nbsp;that this was not going to happen.

The United Nations has called the banning of international media broadcasts "another repressive step against the people of Afghanistan.

The website of the BBC Pashto service said it was a worrying development at a time of uncertainty and turbulence.

More than 6 million Afghans consume the BBC's independent and impartial journalism on TV every week and it is crucial they are not denied access to it in the future, BBC World Services' head of languages Tarik Kafala said in a statement Sunday.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-vow-to-address-all-concerns-of-china-as-wang-visits-466258">&nbsp;Taliban vow to address 'all concerns' of China as Wang visits</a>

On Monday, members of the Taliban vice and virtue ministry stood outside government ministries, ordering male employees without traditional turbans and beards seen as a symbol of piety to go home. One employee who was told to go home said he didn't know if and when he would be able to return to work. He spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for his safety.

According to a senior Taliban official and Afghans familiar with the Taliban's leadership, the push to return to the past which resulted in the edicts emerged from a three-day meeting last week in the southern city of Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban.

They say the edicts stem from the demands of the Taliban's hard-line supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, who is apparently trying to steer the country back to the late 1990s, when the Taliban had banned women from education and public spaces, and outlawed music, television and many sports.

The younger among the Taliban do not agree with some of these edicts but they are not comfortable contradicting the elders, said Torek Farhadi, an analyst who served as adviser to previous Afghan governments. Farhadi, who has been in contact with Taliban officials since their return to power, did not elaborate.

The more pragmatic among the Taliban are resisting the edicts or at least silently ignoring them, Farhadi said.

Since their takeover of the country, the Taliban have been trying to transition from insurgency and war to governing, with the hard-liners increasingly at odds with the pragmatists on how to run a country in the midst of a humanitarian crisis and an economy in free fall.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-amusement-taliban-dictate-different-days-for-men-and-women-to-visit-fun-parks-466242">&nbsp;'No amusement': Taliban dictate different days for men and women to visit fun parks</a>

The Taliban leadership today is different from the one-man rule of Mullah Mohammad Omar, the reclusive founder of the Taliban movement in the mid-1990s who reigned with a heavy hand. A divide is growing between some within the old guard, who uphold the harsh rule of the past and a younger generation of Taliban leaders who see a future of engagement with the international community.

The younger generation sees rights for both men and women, though still within their interpretation of Islamic law but one that allows school for girls and women in the workforce.

The younger Taliban need to speak up, said Farhadi.

Still, Akhundzada has modelled himself on Mullah Omar, preferring to stay in remote Kandahar, far from the eyes of the public, rather than rule from the Afghan capital of Kabul. He also adheres to Pashtun tribal mores&nbsp;traditions where women are hidden away and girls are married off at puberty.

Akhunzada ran a madrassa, or a religious school, in Pakistan's border regions before his 2016 rise as the new Taliban leader. Those with knowledge of Akhunzada say he is unconcerned about international outrage over the latest restrictive Taliban edicts and about the growing discontent and complaints from Afghans, who have become increasingly outspoken.

It was Akhunzada who reportedly vetoed the opening of schools to girls after the sixth grade as the Taliban had promised to do in late March, at the start of the new school year. On Saturday, dozens of girls demonstrated in Kabul, demanding the right to go to school. 
Ethnic Pashtuns elsewhere have resisted Taliban adherence to tribal laws. In Pakistan, where ethnic Pashtuns also dominate the border regions, movements such as the Pashtun Rights Movement have emerged to challenge backward tribal traditions and disavow Taliban interpretations of Islamic law.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/post-bamiyan-taliban-looks-to-preserve-buddhist-ruins-to-attract-chinese-money-466092">'Post-Bamiyan' Taliban looks to preserve Buddhist ruins to attract Chinese money</a>

Manzoor Pashteen, the movement's leader, has been an outspoken opponent and has accused the Taliban of hijacking ethnic Pashtun sentiments and misrepresenting their traditions and misinterpreting them as religious edicts.

Akhunzada's onslaught against progress comes at a time when the health of the Taliban-appointed prime minister, also a hard-liner, Hasan Akhund, is reported to be deteriorating. Akhund did not meet with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi last week, when the top Chinese diplomat made a surprise one-day visit to Kabul.

Farhadi has hope the younger, more pragmatic Taliban leaders will find their voice and urged for an outreach to them by Islamic countries and scholars, as well as Afghan scholars and political figures.

The Taliban movement needs a reform,&nbsp;said Farhadi. It is slow to come and it is frustrating for everyone involved. But we mustn't give up.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Global Headlines: Taliban issue new diktat

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-global-headlines-taliban-issue-new-diktat-466497/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Taliban hard-liners are turning back the clock in Afghanistan with a flurry of repressive edicts over the past days that hark to their harsh rule from the late 1990s.

Taliban hard-liners are turning back the clock in Afghanistan with a flurry of repressive edicts over the past days that hark to their harsh rule from the late 1990s. Girls have been banned from going to school beyond the sixth grade, women are barred from boarding planes if they travel unaccompanied by a male relative. Men and women can only visit public parks on separate days and the use of mobile telephones in universities is prohibited. It doesn't stop there. Also read | Taliban bar government employees without beards from work International media broadcasts including the Pashto and Persian BBC services, which broadcast in the two languages of Afghanistan are off the air as of the weekend. So are foreign drama series. . The latest assault on women's rights came earlier this month, when the all-male and religiously driven Taliban government broke its promise to allow girls to return to school after the sixth grade. The move stunned much of the world and many in Afghanistan especially after the Taliban had given all the necessary assurances that this was not going to happen. The United Nations has called the banning of international media broadcasts "another repressive step against the people of Afghanistan. The website of the BBC Pashto service said it was a worrying development at a time of uncertainty and turbulence. More than 6 million Afghans consume the BBC's independent and impartial journalism on TV every week and it is crucial they are not denied access to it in the future, BBC World Services' head of languages Tarik Kafala said in a statement Sunday. Also read | Taliban vow to address 'all concerns' of China as Wang visits On Monday, members of the Taliban vice and virtue ministry stood outside government ministries, ordering male employees without traditional turbans and beards seen as a symbol of piety to go home. One employee who was told to go home said he didn't know if and when he would be able to return to work. He spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for his safety. According to a senior Taliban official and Afghans familiar with the Taliban's leadership, the push to return to the past which resulted in the edicts emerged from a three-day meeting last week in the southern city of Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban. They say the edicts stem from the demands of the Taliban's hard-line supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, who is apparently trying to steer the country back to the late 1990s, when the Taliban had banned women from education and public spaces, and outlawed music, television and many sports. The younger among the Taliban do not agree with some of these edicts but they are not comfortable contradicting the elders, said Torek Farhadi, an analyst who served as adviser to previous Afghan governments. Farhadi, who has been in contact with Taliban officials since their return to power, did not elaborate. The more pragmatic among the Taliban are resisting the edicts or at least silently ignoring them, Farhadi said. Since their takeover of the country, the Taliban have been trying to transition from insurgency and war to governing, with the hard-liners increasingly at odds with the pragmatists on how to run a country in the midst of a humanitarian crisis and an economy in free fall. Also read | 'No amusement': Taliban dictate different days for men and women to visit fun parks The Taliban leadership today is different from the one-man rule of Mullah Mohammad Omar, the reclusive founder of the Taliban movement in the mid-1990s who reigned with a heavy hand. A divide is growing between some within the old guard, who uphold the harsh rule of the past and a younger generation of Taliban leaders who see a future of engagement with the international community. The younger generation sees rights for both men and women, though still within their interpretation of Islamic law but one that allows school for girls and women in the workforce. The younger Taliban need to speak up, said Farhadi. Still, Akhundzada has modelled himself on Mullah Omar, preferring to stay in remote Kandahar, far from the eyes of the public, rather than rule from the Afghan capital of Kabul. He also adheres to Pashtun tribal mores traditions where women are hidden away and girls are married off at puberty. Akhunzada ran a madrassa, or a religious school, in Pakistan's border regions before his 2016 rise as the new Taliban leader. Those with knowledge of Akhunzada say he is unconcerned about international outrage over the latest restrictive Taliban edicts and about the growing discontent and complaints from Afghans, who have become increasingly outspoken. It was Akhunzada who reportedly vetoed the opening of schools to girls after the sixth grade as the Taliban had promised to do in late March, at the start of the new school year. On Saturday, dozens of girls demonstrated in Kabul, demanding the right to go to school. Ethnic Pashtuns elsewhere have resisted Taliban adherence to tribal laws. In Pakistan, where ethnic Pashtuns also dominate the border regions, movements such as the Pashtun Rights Movement have emerged to challenge backward tribal traditions and disavow Taliban interpretations of Islamic law. Also read | 'Post-Bamiyan' Taliban looks to preserve Buddhist ruins to attract Chinese money Manzoor Pashteen, the movement's leader, has been an outspoken opponent and has accused the Taliban of hijacking ethnic Pashtun sentiments and misrepresenting their traditions and misinterpreting them as religious edicts. Akhunzada's onslaught against progress comes at a time when the health of the Taliban-appointed prime minister, also a hard-liner, Hasan Akhund, is reported to be deteriorating. Akhund did not meet with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi last week, when the top Chinese diplomat made a surprise one-day visit to Kabul. Farhadi has hope the younger, more pragmatic Taliban leaders will find their voice and urged for an outreach to them by Islamic countries and scholars, as well as Afghan scholars and political figures. The Taliban movement needs a reform, said Farhadi. It is slow to come and it is frustrating for everyone involved. But we mustn't give up. Watch | Gravitas Global Headlines: Taliban issue new diktat

Taliban hardliners turning back the clock in Afghanistan

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South Asia Diary: Afghans use cryptocurrency to sidestep sanctions

Afghanistan's&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;has instructed all&nbsp;government&nbsp;employees&nbsp;to wear a beard and adhere to a dress code or risk being fired, three&nbsp;sources&nbsp;told Reuters, the latest of several new restrictions imposed by the hardline Islamist administration.

The&nbsp;sources&nbsp;said representatives&nbsp;from&nbsp;the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice were patrolling the entrances to&nbsp;government&nbsp;offices on Monday to check that&nbsp;employees&nbsp;were in compliance with the new rules.

Employees&nbsp;were being instructed not to shave their&nbsp;beards&nbsp;and to wear local clothing consisting of a long, loose top and trousers, and a hat or turban. They were also told to ensure they prayed at the correct times, two of the&nbsp;sources&nbsp;said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-vow-to-address-all-concerns-of-china-as-wang-visits-466258">Taliban vow to address 'all concerns' of China as Wang visits</a>

Workers were told they would&nbsp;from&nbsp;now on be unable to enter offices and would eventually be fired if they did not meet the dress codes, the&nbsp;sources&nbsp;said.

A spokesman for the public morality ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Last week, the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;banned women&nbsp;from&nbsp;taking flights&nbsp;without&nbsp;a male chaperone and failed to open girls' schools as promised.

On Sunday it ordered parks to be segregated by sex, with women allowed to enter three days a week, and men the other four days, including the weekend, meaning even married couples and families cannot visit together.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-amusement-taliban-dictate-different-days-for-men-and-women-to-visit-fun-parks-466242">&nbsp;'No amusement': Taliban dictate different days for men and women to visit fun parks</a>

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;administration has drawn criticism at home and&nbsp;from&nbsp;Western&nbsp;governments for forcing its hardline interpretation of Islamic law onto all Afghans.

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;say they will respect everyone's rights in line with Islamic law and Afghan customs and that they have changed since their 1996-2001 rule, when they barred women&nbsp;from&nbsp;leaving the house&nbsp;without&nbsp;a male relative and forced men to grow&nbsp;beards.

Wednesday's u-turn on girls' schools led to protests&nbsp;from&nbsp;the international community, including the United States, which pulled out of planned meetings with&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;officials in Qatar to discuss key economic issues.

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;needs Western countries to lift sanctions that are crippling the Afghan economy.

Watch |&nbsp;Taliban reverses decision to allow girls to attend secondary schools in Afghanistan

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-reverses-decision-to-allow-girls-to-attend-secondary-schools-in-afghanistan-465594/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Afghanistan's Taliban has instructed all government employees to wear a beard and adhere to a dress code or risk being fired, three sources told Reuters, the latest of several new restrictions imposed by the hardline Islamist administration.

Afghanistan's Taliban has instructed all government employees to wear a beard and adhere to a dress code or risk being fired, three sources told Reuters, the latest of several new restrictions imposed by the hardline Islamist administration. The sources said representatives from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice were patrolling the entrances to government offices on Monday to check that employees were in compliance with the new rules. Employees were being instructed not to shave their beards and to wear local clothing consisting of a long, loose top and trousers, and a hat or turban. They were also told to ensure they prayed at the correct times, two of the sources said. Also read | Taliban vow to address 'all concerns' of China as Wang visits Workers were told they would from now on be unable to enter offices and would eventually be fired if they did not meet the dress codes, the sources said. A spokesman for the public morality ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Last week, the Taliban banned women from taking flights without a male chaperone and failed to open girls' schools as promised. On Sunday it ordered parks to be segregated by sex, with women allowed to enter three days a week, and men the other four days, including the weekend, meaning even married couples and families cannot visit together. Also read | 'No amusement': Taliban dictate different days for men and women to visit fun parks The Taliban administration has drawn criticism at home and from Western governments for forcing its hardline interpretation of Islamic law onto all Afghans. The Taliban say they will respect everyone's rights in line with Islamic law and Afghan customs and that they have changed since their 1996-2001 rule, when they barred women from leaving the house without a male relative and forced men to grow beards. Wednesday's u-turn on girls' schools led to protests from the international community, including the United States, which pulled out of planned meetings with Taliban officials in Qatar to discuss key economic issues. The Taliban needs Western countries to lift sanctions that are crippling the Afghan economy. Watch | Taliban reverses decision to allow girls to attend secondary schools in Afghanistan

Taliban bar government employees without beards from work

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;said Thursday they had assured Beijing's most senior diplomat about any&nbsp;concerns&nbsp;China&nbsp;thinks may "emerge from Afghan soil", ahead of a key meeting with their neighbours next week.

China&nbsp;shares only a sliver of a border with Afghanistan, but Beijing has long feared its conflict-plagued neighbour could become a staging point for Muslim Uyghur separatists from Xinjiang.

China's Foreign Minister&nbsp;Wang&nbsp;Yi arrived in Kabul Thursday on his first trip to Afghanistan since the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;seized power, meeting Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-amusement-taliban-dictate-different-days-for-men-and-women-to-visit-fun-parks-466242">&nbsp;'No amusement': Taliban dictate different days for men and women to visit fun parks</a>

Without specifically mentioning the Uyghurs, Baradar's office said in a statement that&nbsp;Wang&nbsp;had been assured over all&nbsp;concerns&nbsp;Beijing "thinks emerge from the soil of Afghanistan".

Since returning to power in August, the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;have repeatedly pledged not to allow Afghan soil to be used as a base for foreign terror groups.

Their harbouring of Osama bin Laden and other senior Al-Qaeda figures in the wake of the 9/11 attacks prompted the US-led invasion that ended their first stint in power.

Even before the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;seized control of the country in August, they forged ties with&nbsp;China&nbsp;as US-led foreign forces withdrew.

Beijing is hosting a meeting of Afghanistan's neighbours next week on how to assist the hardline Islamist government.

"The Islamic Emirate wants to expand ties further" with&nbsp;China, Baradar's statement said.

Wang&nbsp;and Muttaqi also spoke of expanding "economic and political ties" between the two countries, the foreign ministry said in a tweet.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/post-bamiyan-taliban-looks-to-preserve-buddhist-ruins-to-attract-chinese-money-466092">'Post-Bamiyan' Taliban looks to preserve Buddhist ruins to attract Chinese money</a>

They also discussed commencing work in Afghanistan's mines sector.

Chinese mining groups are in talks with the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;on exploring Afghanistan's mining sector, media reports say.

As&nbsp;Wang&nbsp;visited, Russia's special envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, also arrived in Kabul for talks with&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;officials, the foreign ministry said.

Afghanistan has plunged into financial and humanitarian crises since the exit of US-led foreign forces.

The meeting of Afghanistan's neighbours next week will allow the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;to present their own assessment of the latest situation in the country.

Media reports say Chinese and Pakistani officials are expected to discuss new economic projects in Afghanistan.

Maintaining stability after decades of war in Afghanistan is Beijing's main consideration as it seeks to secure its borders and strategic infrastructure investments in neighbouring Pakistan, home to the&nbsp;China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.&nbsp;

For Beijing, a stable and cooperative administration in Kabul would also pave the way for an expansion of its Belt and Road Initiative into Afghanistan and through the Central Asian republics, analysts say.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinese-fm-wang-yi-meets-nepali-president-other-key-leaders-465965">&nbsp;Chinese FM Wang Yi meets Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari, other key leaders</a>

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;consider&nbsp;China&nbsp;a crucial source of investment and economic support, either directly or via Pakistan.

During the chaotic takeover of power by the hardline Islamists, Beijing kept its embassy open in Kabul even as it evacuated many citizens from the country.

Watch |&nbsp;Taliban reverses decision to allow girls to attend secondary schools in Afghanistan

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-reverses-decision-to-allow-girls-to-attend-secondary-schools-in-afghanistan-465594/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Taliban said Thursday they had assured Beijing's most senior diplomat about any concerns China thinks may "emerge from Afghan soil", ahead of a key meeting with their neighbours next week.

The Taliban said Thursday they had assured Beijing's most senior diplomat about any concerns China thinks may "emerge from Afghan soil", ahead of a key meeting with their neighbours next week. China shares only a sliver of a border with Afghanistan, but Beijing has long feared its conflict-plagued neighbour could become a staging point for Muslim Uyghur separatists from Xinjiang. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Kabul Thursday on his first trip to Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power, meeting Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Also read | 'No amusement': Taliban dictate different days for men and women to visit fun parks Without specifically mentioning the Uyghurs, Baradar's office said in a statement that Wang had been assured over all concerns Beijing "thinks emerge from the soil of Afghanistan". Since returning to power in August, the Taliban have repeatedly pledged not to allow Afghan soil to be used as a base for foreign terror groups. Their harbouring of Osama bin Laden and other senior Al-Qaeda figures in the wake of the 9/11 attacks prompted the US-led invasion that ended their first stint in power. Even before the Taliban seized control of the country in August, they forged ties with China as US-led foreign forces withdrew. Beijing is hosting a meeting of Afghanistan's neighbours next week on how to assist the hardline Islamist government. "The Islamic Emirate wants to expand ties further" with China, Baradar's statement said. Wang and Muttaqi also spoke of expanding "economic and political ties" between the two countries, the foreign ministry said in a tweet. Also read | 'Post-Bamiyan' Taliban looks to preserve Buddhist ruins to attract Chinese money They also discussed commencing work in Afghanistan's mines sector. Chinese mining groups are in talks with the Taliban on exploring Afghanistan's mining sector, media reports say. As Wang visited, Russia's special envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, also arrived in Kabul for talks with Taliban officials, the foreign ministry said. Afghanistan has plunged into financial and humanitarian crises since the exit of US-led foreign forces. The meeting of Afghanistan's neighbours next week will allow the Taliban to present their own assessment of the latest situation in the country. Media reports say Chinese and Pakistani officials are expected to discuss new economic projects in Afghanistan. Maintaining stability after decades of war in Afghanistan is Beijing's main consideration as it seeks to secure its borders and strategic infrastructure investments in neighbouring Pakistan, home to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. For Beijing, a stable and cooperative administration in Kabul would also pave the way for an expansion of its Belt and Road Initiative into Afghanistan and through the Central Asian republics, analysts say. Also read | Chinese FM Wang Yi meets Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari, other key leaders The Taliban consider China a crucial source of investment and economic support, either directly or via Pakistan. During the chaotic takeover of power by the hardline Islamists, Beijing kept its embassy open in Kabul even as it evacuated many citizens from the country. Watch | Taliban reverses decision to allow girls to attend secondary schools in Afghanistan

Taliban vow to address 'all concerns' of China as Wang visits

The Taliban have told airlines in Afghanistan that women cannot board domestic or international flights without a male chaperone, two sources told Reuters on Sunday.

The move comes after the Taliban backtracked on their previous commitment to open high schools to girls, a u-turn that shocked many Afghans and drew condemnation from humanitarian agencies and foreign governments.

The United States on Friday cancelled planned meetings with Taliban officials on key economic issues due to its decision on Wednesday.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ban-on-girls-education-wont-last-in-afghanistan-says-malala-465783">&nbsp;Ban on girls' education won't last in Afghanistan, says Malala&nbsp;</a>

The sources, who are not being named for security reasons, said that the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice sent airlines a letter on Saturday informing of them of the new restrictions.

They added that unaccompanied women who had already booked tickets would be allowed to travel on Sunday and Monday. Some women with tickets had been turned away at Kabul's airport on Saturday, they said.

Spokespeople for the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice and the Ministry of Culture and Information did not immediately respond to request for comment.

A Taliban administration spokesman had previously said that women travelling abroad for study should be accompanied by a male relative.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/every-afghan-girl-has-right-to-education-us-allies-slam-taliban-ban-on-girls-education-465293">&nbsp;'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education</a>

The Taliban say they have changed since their previous rule from 1996 to 2001 in which they barred women from education, work or leaving the house without a male relative. They say they are allowing women their rights in accordance with Islamic law and Afghan culture.

However, the closure of high schools along with some restrictions on women in work and the requirement that women have a chaperone for long-distance travel has drawn criticism from many Afghan women and rights groups.

It was not immediately clear whether the restrictions on air travel would allow any exemptions, for example in emergencies or for women with no living male relatives in the country and whether it applied to foreigners or women with dual citizenship.

The international community has so far not officially recognised the Taliban administration and enforcement of sanctions has crippled the country's banking sector which combined with slashed development funding has plunged the country into a humanitarian crisis.

Watch |&nbsp;Taliban reverses decision to allow girls to attend secondary schools in Afghanistan

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-reverses-decision-to-allow-girls-to-attend-secondary-schools-in-afghanistan-465594/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Taliban have told airlines in Afghanistan that women cannot board domestic or international flights without a male chaperone, two sources told Reuters on Sunday.

The Taliban have told airlines in Afghanistan that women cannot board domestic or international flights without a male chaperone, two sources told Reuters on Sunday. The move comes after the Taliban backtracked on their previous commitment to open high schools to girls, a u-turn that shocked many Afghans and drew condemnation from humanitarian agencies and foreign governments. The United States on Friday cancelled planned meetings with Taliban officials on key economic issues due to its decision on Wednesday. Also read | Ban on girls' education won't last in Afghanistan, says Malala The sources, who are not being named for security reasons, said that the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice sent airlines a letter on Saturday informing of them of the new restrictions. They added that unaccompanied women who had already booked tickets would be allowed to travel on Sunday and Monday. Some women with tickets had been turned away at Kabul's airport on Saturday, they said. Spokespeople for the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice and the Ministry of Culture and Information did not immediately respond to request for comment. A Taliban administration spokesman had previously said that women travelling abroad for study should be accompanied by a male relative. Also read | 'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education The Taliban say they have changed since their previous rule from 1996 to 2001 in which they barred women from education, work or leaving the house without a male relative. They say they are allowing women their rights in accordance with Islamic law and Afghan culture. However, the closure of high schools along with some restrictions on women in work and the requirement that women have a chaperone for long-distance travel has drawn criticism from many Afghan women and rights groups. It was not immediately clear whether the restrictions on air travel would allow any exemptions, for example in emergencies or for women with no living male relatives in the country and whether it applied to foreigners or women with dual citizenship. The international community has so far not officially recognised the Taliban administration and enforcement of sanctions has crippled the country's banking sector which combined with slashed development funding has plunged the country into a humanitarian crisis. Watch | Taliban reverses decision to allow girls to attend secondary schools in Afghanistan

Taliban ban Afghan women from flying without male chaperones, says report

The Taliban regime has made a spectacular u-turn on a religious issue in order to ensure cash flows in its coffers in not too distant future. The Taliban who had famously destroyed giant, ancient Buddha statues in Bamiyan deeming them un-Islamic are now keen on preserving remnants of an ancient Buddhist city, while keeping one eye on Chinese investment in the area.

The ruins at Mes Aynak in Afghanistan are believed to be of an ancient city situated on the Silk Route. The site was discovered in 1960 by French geologists.

But the ancient city is not just of historic value. It is sitting on what can perhaps be the biggest copper deposit in the world. The deposits are estimated to be worth USD 1 trillion.

China is keen on setting up copper extraction units and is reportedly lobbying hard with the Taliban regime for it.

The cash-strapped Taliban regime which was adamant about bombing the world's largest Budhha statues a couple decades ago is suddenly eager to preserve them, possibly in light of potential Chinese investment.

The Associated Press quoted Taliban official in charge of the security of the site as saying that preserving the Mes Aynak ruins is key to attracting billions of dollars in Chinese investments.

The Taliban is now reportedly exploring ways to extract copper without damaging the ancient Buddhist ruins.

The Taliban regime has made a spectacular u-turn on a religious issue in order to ensure cash flows in its coffers in not too distant future. The Taliban who had famously destroyed giant, ancient Buddha statues in Bamiyan deeming them un-Islamic are now keen on preserving remnants of an ancient Buddhist city, while keeping one eye on Chinese investment in the area.

The Taliban regime has made a spectacular u-turn on a religious issue in order to ensure cash flows in its coffers in not too distant future. The Taliban who had famously destroyed giant, ancient Buddha statues in Bamiyan deeming them un-Islamic are now keen on preserving remnants of an ancient Buddhist city, while keeping one eye on Chinese investment in the area. The ruins at Mes Aynak in Afghanistan are believed to be of an ancient city situated on the Silk Route. The site was discovered in 1960 by French geologists. But the ancient city is not just of historic value. It is sitting on what can perhaps be the biggest copper deposit in the world. The deposits are estimated to be worth USD 1 trillion. China is keen on setting up copper extraction units and is reportedly lobbying hard with the Taliban regime for it. The cash-strapped Taliban regime which was adamant about bombing the world's largest Budhha statues a couple decades ago is suddenly eager to preserve them, possibly in light of potential Chinese investment. The Associated Press quoted Taliban official in charge of the security of the site as saying that preserving the Mes Aynak ruins is key to attracting billions of dollars in Chinese investments. The Taliban is now reportedly exploring ways to extract copper without damaging the ancient Buddhist ruins.

'Post-Bamiyan' Taliban looks to preserve Buddhist ruins to attract Chinese money

Women's rights activists pledged Sunday to launch a wave of protests across&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;if the Taliban fail to reopen girls' secondary schools within a week.

Thousands of secondary school girls had flocked to classes on Wednesday after the hardline Islamists reopened their institutions for the first time since seizing power last August.

But officials ordered the schools shut again just hours into the day, triggering international outrage.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ban-on-girls-education-wont-last-in-afghanistan-says-malala-465783">Ban on girls' education won't last in Afghanistan, says Malala&nbsp;</a>

"We call on the leaders of the Islamic Emirate to open girls' schools within one week," activist Halima Nasari read from a statement issued by four women's rights groups at a press conference in Kabul.

"If the girls' schools remain closed even after one week, we will open them ourselves and stage demonstrations throughout the country until our demands are met."

The Taliban should be building more schools for girls in rural areas rather than shutting existing facilities, said the statement, which comes after several women's activists were detained in recent months.

"The people can no longer tolerate such oppression. We do not accept any excuse from the authorities," it said.

On Saturday, about two dozen schoolgirls and women staged a protest in Kabul demanding the reopening of the schools.

"Women, teachers and girls should come out on the streets and protest," said student Zarghuna Ibrahimi, 16, who attended the press conference.

"The international community should support us."

The education ministry has so far not given a clear reason for its policy reversal, but senior Taliban leader Suhail Shaheel told AFP that some "practical issues" were still to be resolved before reopening the schools.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/every-afghan-girl-has-right-to-education-us-allies-slam-taliban-ban-on-girls-education-465293">'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education</a>

&nbsp;Separate days at parks&nbsp;

Since storming back to power the Taliban have rolled back two decades of gains made by&nbsp;Afghanistan's women, who have been squeezed out of many government jobs, barred from travelling alone, and ordered to dress according to a strict interpretation of the Koran.

The Taliban had promised a softer version of the harsh Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001.

But many restrictions have still crept back, often implemented locally at the whim of regional officials.

Some Afghan women initially resisted the curbs, holding small protests where they demanded the right to education and work.

But the Taliban soon rounded up the ringleaders, holding them incommunicado while denying that they had been detained.

Since their release, most have gone silent.

On Sunday, the Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice ordered that men and women should not visit parks in Kabul on the same days.

Women are now permitted to visit parks on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, while the remaining days were reserved for men, a ministry notification said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-thought-taliban-had-changed-afghan-girls-banned-from-school-465445">'We thought Taliban had changed': Afghan girls banned from school</a>

"It is not the Islamic Emirate's order but our God's order that men and women who are strangers to each other should not gather at one place," Mohammad Yahya Aref, an official at the ministry, told AFP.

"This way women will be able to enjoy their time and freedom. No man will be there to trouble them," he said, adding that religious police were already implementing the order.

Watch |&nbsp;Taliban reverses decision to allow girls to attend secondary schools in Afghanistan

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Women's rights activists pledged Sunday to launch a wave of protests across Afghanistan if the Taliban fail to reopen girls' secondary schools within a week. Thousands of secondary school girls had flocked to classes on Wednesday after the hardline Islamists reopened their institutions for the first time since seizing power last August.

Women's rights activists pledged Sunday to launch a wave of protests across Afghanistan if the Taliban fail to reopen girls' secondary schools within a week. Thousands of secondary school girls had flocked to classes on Wednesday after the hardline Islamists reopened their institutions for the first time since seizing power last August. But officials ordered the schools shut again just hours into the day, triggering international outrage. Also read | Ban on girls' education won't last in Afghanistan, says Malala "We call on the leaders of the Islamic Emirate to open girls' schools within one week," activist Halima Nasari read from a statement issued by four women's rights groups at a press conference in Kabul. "If the girls' schools remain closed even after one week, we will open them ourselves and stage demonstrations throughout the country until our demands are met." The Taliban should be building more schools for girls in rural areas rather than shutting existing facilities, said the statement, which comes after several women's activists were detained in recent months. "The people can no longer tolerate such oppression. We do not accept any excuse from the authorities," it said. On Saturday, about two dozen schoolgirls and women staged a protest in Kabul demanding the reopening of the schools. "Women, teachers and girls should come out on the streets and protest," said student Zarghuna Ibrahimi, 16, who attended the press conference. "The international community should support us." The education ministry has so far not given a clear reason for its policy reversal, but senior Taliban leader Suhail Shaheel told AFP that some "practical issues" were still to be resolved before reopening the schools. Also read | 'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education Separate days at parks Since storming back to power the Taliban have rolled back two decades of gains made by Afghanistan's women, who have been squeezed out of many government jobs, barred from travelling alone, and ordered to dress according to a strict interpretation of the Koran. The Taliban had promised a softer version of the harsh Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001. But many restrictions have still crept back, often implemented locally at the whim of regional officials. Some Afghan women initially resisted the curbs, holding small protests where they demanded the right to education and work. But the Taliban soon rounded up the ringleaders, holding them incommunicado while denying that they had been detained. Since their release, most have gone silent. On Sunday, the Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice ordered that men and women should not visit parks in Kabul on the same days. Women are now permitted to visit parks on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, while the remaining days were reserved for men, a ministry notification said. Also read | 'We thought Taliban had changed': Afghan girls banned from school "It is not the Islamic Emirate's order but our God's order that men and women who are strangers to each other should not gather at one place," Mohammad Yahya Aref, an official at the ministry, told AFP. "This way women will be able to enjoy their time and freedom. No man will be there to trouble them," he said, adding that religious police were already implementing the order. Watch | Taliban reverses decision to allow girls to attend secondary schools in Afghanistan

Nationwide protests if Afghan girls' schools stay shut: Activists

The Taliban have reversed a decision to allow teenage girls back to secondary school despite repeated assurances they could resume classes from Wednesday. Now, US has cancelled Doha meet due to this decision of Taliban.

US cancels Doha meet after Taliban close school for girls

The United States said on Friday that it has cancelled planned&nbsp;talks&nbsp;in Doha with the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;after&nbsp;the hardline Islamist rulers of Afghanistan shut&nbsp;girls' secondary&nbsp;schools.

"We have cancelled some of our engagements, including planned meetings in Doha around the Doha Forum, and have made clear that we see this decision as a potential turning point in our engagement," State Department deputy spokeswoman Jalina Porter said.

The&nbsp;Taliban, which seized power in August and is eager for international recognition, shut down&nbsp;girls' secondary&nbsp;schools&nbsp;this week just hours&nbsp;after&nbsp;reopening them.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-thought-taliban-had-changed-afghan-girls-banned-from-school-465445">'We thought Taliban had changed': Afghan girls banned from school</a>

"This decision by the&nbsp;Taliban, if it is not swiftly reversed, will profoundly harm the Afghan people, the country's prospects for economic growth, and the&nbsp;Taliban's ambition to improve their relations with the international community," Porter told reporters.

"For the sake of Afghanistan's future and the&nbsp;Taliban's relations with the international community we urge the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;to live up to their commitments and to their people," she said.

"We also stand with Afghan&nbsp;girls&nbsp;and their families, who see education as a path to realizing the full potential of Afghanistan's society and economy," she added.

The&nbsp;Taliban's decision to keep&nbsp;schools&nbsp;shuttered for&nbsp;girls&nbsp;came&nbsp;after&nbsp;a meeting late Tuesday by senior officials in the southern city of Kandahar, the movement's de facto power center and conservative spiritual heartland.

It followed months of work by the international community to address the issue of supporting teacher stipends, and came just as Afghan&nbsp;girls&nbsp;were eagerly heading back to&nbsp;school&nbsp;for the first time in seven months.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/every-afghan-girl-has-right-to-education-us-allies-slam-taliban-ban-on-girls-education-465293">'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education</a>

Major setback

When the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;returned to power, they promised a softer rule compared with their first regime from 1996 to 2001, which became notorious for human rights abuses.

They claimed to respect women's rights, in line with their interpretation of Islamic sharia law, and said&nbsp;girls&nbsp;would be allowed to study through to university.&nbsp;

But the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;have imposed a slew of restrictions on women, effectively banning them from many government jobs, policing what they wear and preventing them from travelling outside of their cities alone.

In a joint statement Thursday the foreign ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Norway and the United States, plus the high representative of the European Union, said the&nbsp;Taliban's decision will harm the group's prospects for legitimacy.

The signatories to the statement notably included Norway, which hosted landmark&nbsp;talks&nbsp;between the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;and several Western diplomats in January.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said Wednesday that "the denial of education violates the human rights of women and&nbsp;girls," leaving them "more exposed to violence, poverty and exploitation."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/parents-of-indian-photographer-killed-in-afghanistan-start-legal-action-against-taliban-464652">Parents of Indian photographer killed in Afghanistan start legal action against Taliban</a>

The head of the UN's educational organization UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, also criticized the&nbsp;Taliban's move, calling it a "major setback."

"Access to education is a fundamental right. UNESCO reiterates its call:&nbsp;girls&nbsp;must be allowed to return to&nbsp;school&nbsp;without further delay," she said.

Watch |&nbsp;US, allies call on Taliban to reopen girls' schools in war-torn Afghanistan

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The United States said on Friday that it has cancelled planned talks in Doha with the Taliban after the hardline Islamist rulers of Afghanistan shut girls' secondary schools.

The United States said on Friday that it has cancelled planned talks in Doha with the Taliban after the hardline Islamist rulers of Afghanistan shut girls' secondary schools. "We have cancelled some of our engagements, including planned meetings in Doha around the Doha Forum, and have made clear that we see this decision as a potential turning point in our engagement," State Department deputy spokeswoman Jalina Porter said. The Taliban, which seized power in August and is eager for international recognition, shut down girls' secondary schools this week just hours after reopening them. Also read | 'We thought Taliban had changed': Afghan girls banned from school "This decision by the Taliban, if it is not swiftly reversed, will profoundly harm the Afghan people, the country's prospects for economic growth, and the Taliban's ambition to improve their relations with the international community," Porter told reporters. "For the sake of Afghanistan's future and the Taliban's relations with the international community we urge the Taliban to live up to their commitments and to their people," she said. "We also stand with Afghan girls and their families, who see education as a path to realizing the full potential of Afghanistan's society and economy," she added. The Taliban's decision to keep schools shuttered for girls came after a meeting late Tuesday by senior officials in the southern city of Kandahar, the movement's de facto power center and conservative spiritual heartland. It followed months of work by the international community to address the issue of supporting teacher stipends, and came just as Afghan girls were eagerly heading back to school for the first time in seven months. Also read | 'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education Major setback When the Taliban returned to power, they promised a softer rule compared with their first regime from 1996 to 2001, which became notorious for human rights abuses. They claimed to respect women's rights, in line with their interpretation of Islamic sharia law, and said girls would be allowed to study through to university. But the Taliban have imposed a slew of restrictions on women, effectively banning them from many government jobs, policing what they wear and preventing them from travelling outside of their cities alone. In a joint statement Thursday the foreign ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Norway and the United States, plus the high representative of the European Union, said the Taliban's decision will harm the group's prospects for legitimacy. The signatories to the statement notably included Norway, which hosted landmark talks between the Taliban and several Western diplomats in January. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said Wednesday that "the denial of education violates the human rights of women and girls," leaving them "more exposed to violence, poverty and exploitation." Also read | Parents of Indian photographer killed in Afghanistan start legal action against Taliban The head of the UN's educational organization UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, also criticized the Taliban's move, calling it a "major setback." "Access to education is a fundamental right. UNESCO reiterates its call: girls must be allowed to return to school without further delay," she said. Watch | US, allies call on Taliban to reopen girls' schools in war-torn Afghanistan

US cancels talks with Taliban in Doha after girls school closure

The Taliban have reversed a decision to allow teenage girls back to secondary school despite repeated assurances they could resume classes from Wednesday.

Taliban reverses decision to allow girls to attend secondary schools in Afghanistan

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai said on Saturday that the Taliban's ban on girls' education won't last forever. She emphasized that Afghan women now knew what it was to be "empowered".

Hardline Taliban regime in Afghanistan closed girls' secondary schools just hours after reopening them this week, prompting a small protest by women and girls in the capital Kabul.

"I think it was much easier for the Taliban (to enforce) a ban on girls' education back in 1996," Yousafzai, who won the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for her fight for all children's right to education, told the Doha Forum.

"It is much harder this time -- that is because women have seen what it means to be educated, what it means to be empowered. This time is going to be much harder for the Taliban to maintain the ban on girls' education.&nbsp;

"This ban will not last forever."

The fundamentalist Taliban stopped girls from attending school during its rule of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, when it was ousted by the US-led invasion.

It quickly returned to power as US forces withdrew last year.

The United States cancelled planned talks in Doha with the Taliban after the schools were shut this week.

Yousafzai, who survived a Pakistani Taliban assassination attempt when she was 15, said girls' schooling should be a condition of diplomatic recognition for the Taliban.

"They shouldn't be recognised if they didn't recognise the human rights of women and girls," she said.

Fawzia Koofi, former chairperson of Afghanistan's Women, Civil Society and Human Rights Commission, told the forum: "It's basically a genocide of a generation."

"How could anyone in this world in the 21st century... ban girls from education? I don't think the rest of the world, especially the Muslim world, should accept," she said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai said on Saturday that the Taliban's ban on girls' education won't last forever. She emphasized that Afghan women now knew what it was to be "empowered".

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai said on Saturday that the Taliban's ban on girls' education won't last forever. She emphasized that Afghan women now knew what it was to be "empowered". Hardline Taliban regime in Afghanistan closed girls' secondary schools just hours after reopening them this week, prompting a small protest by women and girls in the capital Kabul. "I think it was much easier for the Taliban (to enforce) a ban on girls' education back in 1996," Yousafzai, who won the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for her fight for all children's right to education, told the Doha Forum. "It is much harder this time -- that is because women have seen what it means to be educated, what it means to be empowered. This time is going to be much harder for the Taliban to maintain the ban on girls' education. "This ban will not last forever." The fundamentalist Taliban stopped girls from attending school during its rule of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, when it was ousted by the US-led invasion. It quickly returned to power as US forces withdrew last year. The United States cancelled planned talks in Doha with the Taliban after the schools were shut this week. Yousafzai, who survived a Pakistani Taliban assassination attempt when she was 15, said girls' schooling should be a condition of diplomatic recognition for the Taliban. "They shouldn't be recognised if they didn't recognise the human rights of women and girls," she said. Fawzia Koofi, former chairperson of Afghanistan's Women, Civil Society and Human Rights Commission, told the forum: "It's basically a genocide of a generation." "How could anyone in this world in the 21st century... ban girls from education? I don't think the rest of the world, especially the Muslim world, should accept," she said. (With inputs from agencies)

Ban on girls' education won't last in Afghanistan, says Malala 

About two dozen girls and women chanting "open the schools" protested in the Afghan capital Saturday against the Taliban's decision to shut their secondary schools just hours after re-opening them this week.

Thousands of jubilant girls across Afghanistan had flocked to learning institutions on Wednesday -- the date the education ministry had set for classes to resume.

But just hours into the first day, the ministry announced a shock policy reversal that left youngsters saying they felt betrayed and foreign governments expressing outrage.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-thought-taliban-had-changed-afghan-girls-banned-from-school-465445">'We thought Taliban had changed': Afghan girls banned from school</a>

"Open the schools! Justice, justice!" chanted protesters Saturday, some carrying school books as they gathered at a city square in Kabul.

They held banners that said: "Education is our fundamental right, not a political plan" as they marched for a short distance and later dispersed as Taliban fighters arrived at the scene.

The protest was the first held by women in weeks after the Taliban rounded up the ringleaders of initial demonstrations held after they returned to power in August.

The Islamists have not given a clear reason for their decision, which came after a meeting late Tuesday of senior officials in the southern city of Kandahar, the Taliban's de facto power centre and spiritual heartland.

It followed months of work by some foreign countries on a plan to support the payment of teachers' wages.&nbsp;

Afghan secondary school girls have now been out of education for more than seven months.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/every-afghan-girl-has-right-to-education-us-allies-slam-taliban-ban-on-girls-education-465293">'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education</a>

"Even the Prophet (Mohammed) said everyone has the right to education, but the Taliban have snatched this right from us," said youngster Nawesa at the demonstration, which was organised by two women's rights groups.

"The Taliban can not oppress the women of Afghanistan," said another protester, Laila Basim.

Since returning to power on August 15 the Taliban have rolled back two decades of gains made by the country's women, who have been squeezed out of many government jobs, barred from travelling alone, and ordered to dress according to a strict interpretation of the Koran.

The Taliban had promised a softer version of the harsh Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001.

But many restrictions have still been imposed -- if not at the national level then implemented locally at the whim of regional officials.

Some Afghan women initially pushed back against the Taliban's curbs, holding small protests where they demanded the right to education and work.

But the Taliban soon rounded up the ringleaders, holding them incommunicado while denying that they had been detained.

Since their release, most have gone silent.

Watch |&nbsp;Taliban reverses decision to allow girls to attend secondary schools in Afghanistan

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About two dozen girls and women chanting "open the schools" protested in the Afghan capital Saturday against the Taliban's decision to shut their secondary schools just hours after re-opening them this week.

About two dozen girls and women chanting "open the schools" protested in the Afghan capital Saturday against the Taliban's decision to shut their secondary schools just hours after re-opening them this week. Thousands of jubilant girls across Afghanistan had flocked to learning institutions on Wednesday -- the date the education ministry had set for classes to resume. But just hours into the first day, the ministry announced a shock policy reversal that left youngsters saying they felt betrayed and foreign governments expressing outrage. Also read | 'We thought Taliban had changed': Afghan girls banned from school "Open the schools! Justice, justice!" chanted protesters Saturday, some carrying school books as they gathered at a city square in Kabul. They held banners that said: "Education is our fundamental right, not a political plan" as they marched for a short distance and later dispersed as Taliban fighters arrived at the scene. The protest was the first held by women in weeks after the Taliban rounded up the ringleaders of initial demonstrations held after they returned to power in August. The Islamists have not given a clear reason for their decision, which came after a meeting late Tuesday of senior officials in the southern city of Kandahar, the Taliban's de facto power centre and spiritual heartland. It followed months of work by some foreign countries on a plan to support the payment of teachers' wages. Afghan secondary school girls have now been out of education for more than seven months. Also read | 'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education "Even the Prophet (Mohammed) said everyone has the right to education, but the Taliban have snatched this right from us," said youngster Nawesa at the demonstration, which was organised by two women's rights groups. "The Taliban can not oppress the women of Afghanistan," said another protester, Laila Basim. Since returning to power on August 15 the Taliban have rolled back two decades of gains made by the country's women, who have been squeezed out of many government jobs, barred from travelling alone, and ordered to dress according to a strict interpretation of the Koran. The Taliban had promised a softer version of the harsh Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001. But many restrictions have still been imposed -- if not at the national level then implemented locally at the whim of regional officials. Some Afghan women initially pushed back against the Taliban's curbs, holding small protests where they demanded the right to education and work. But the Taliban soon rounded up the ringleaders, holding them incommunicado while denying that they had been detained. Since their release, most have gone silent. Watch | Taliban reverses decision to allow girls to attend secondary schools in Afghanistan

'Open the schools': Afghan girls protest in Kabul

The United States and its allies have condemned the Taliban's decision to go back on its word and allow secondary schools for females in Afghanistan to reopen on Thursday.

US and allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education

The United States and its allies condemned the Taliban's decision to go back on its word and allow secondary schools for females in Afghanistan to reopen on Thursday, and demanded that the Islamic movement allow such schools to reopen.&nbsp;

Foreign Ministers from Canada, France, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the European Union's High Representative have released a joint statement condemning the Taliban's decision on March 23 to deny so many Afghan girls the opportunity to return to school.

"The Taliban`s action contradicted its public assurances to the Afghan people and to the international community," read the statement, adding that the decision came after months of work by the international community to support teacher stipends based on an expectation that schools would be open for all, with the higher interest of Afghan students and teachers in mind.

"We call on the Taliban urgently to reverse this decision, which will have consequences far beyond its harm to Afghan girls. Unreversed, it will profoundly harm Afghanistan`s prospects for social cohesion and economic growth, its ambition to become a respected member in the community of nations, and the willingness of Afghans to return from overseas," added the statement. 
 
Watch | Taliban backtracks on announcement of reopening schools for girls in Afghanistan

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The Taliban's chances of garnering political support and credibility, both at home and abroad, will be harmed as a result of the action, according to the statement.&nbsp;

"Every Afghan citizen, boy or girl, man or woman, has an equal right to an education at all levels, in all provinces of the country," it added.

As the new school year begins in Afghanistan, the Taliban has announced that boys will be able to continue their education as usual, but that girls beyond the sixth grade will be denied access to schools, according to local media.&nbsp;

"The Ministry of Education once again assures our nation that it is fully committed to providing the educational rights of all our compatriots. In order to generalize and standardize the quality of education ...," Tolo News quoted Aziz Ahmad Rayan, director of publications and communications at the Taliban Ministry of Education. 
 
Rayan went on to say that schools for girls beyond sixth grade will remain closed for the time being, with Taliban leadership making the final decision.&nbsp;

After taking power, the Taliban promised to 'defend the rights of women, children, and minorities,' as they did during their previous administration from 1996 to 2001, when women were barred from pursuing higher education.

When schools resumed in September 2021 after being closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Taliban allowed girls up to standard 6 to attend.

Women were allowed to attend universities as well.

High schools for females, on the other hand, remained closed, despite assurances from authorities that they would reopen "as soon as possible." 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The United States and its allies condemned the Taliban's decision to go back on its word and allow secondary schools for females in Afghanistan to reopen on Thursday, and demanded that the Islamic movement allow such schools to reopen.

The United States and its allies condemned the Taliban's decision to go back on its word and allow secondary schools for females in Afghanistan to reopen on Thursday, and demanded that the Islamic movement allow such schools to reopen. Foreign Ministers from Canada, France, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the European Union's High Representative have released a joint statement condemning the Taliban's decision on March 23 to deny so many Afghan girls the opportunity to return to school. "The Taliban`s action contradicted its public assurances to the Afghan people and to the international community," read the statement, adding that the decision came after months of work by the international community to support teacher stipends based on an expectation that schools would be open for all, with the higher interest of Afghan students and teachers in mind. "We call on the Taliban urgently to reverse this decision, which will have consequences far beyond its harm to Afghan girls. Unreversed, it will profoundly harm Afghanistan`s prospects for social cohesion and economic growth, its ambition to become a respected member in the community of nations, and the willingness of Afghans to return from overseas," added the statement. Watch | Taliban backtracks on announcement of reopening schools for girls in Afghanistan The Taliban's chances of garnering political support and credibility, both at home and abroad, will be harmed as a result of the action, according to the statement. "Every Afghan citizen, boy or girl, man or woman, has an equal right to an education at all levels, in all provinces of the country," it added. As the new school year begins in Afghanistan, the Taliban has announced that boys will be able to continue their education as usual, but that girls beyond the sixth grade will be denied access to schools, according to local media. "The Ministry of Education once again assures our nation that it is fully committed to providing the educational rights of all our compatriots. In order to generalize and standardize the quality of education ...," Tolo News quoted Aziz Ahmad Rayan, director of publications and communications at the Taliban Ministry of Education. Rayan went on to say that schools for girls beyond sixth grade will remain closed for the time being, with Taliban leadership making the final decision. After taking power, the Taliban promised to 'defend the rights of women, children, and minorities,' as they did during their previous administration from 1996 to 2001, when women were barred from pursuing higher education. When schools resumed in September 2021 after being closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Taliban allowed girls up to standard 6 to attend. Women were allowed to attend universities as well. High schools for females, on the other hand, remained closed, despite assurances from authorities that they would reopen "as soon as possible." (With inputs from agencies)

'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education

Days after the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;staged a cruel U-turn on allowing&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;girls&nbsp;back to&nbsp;school, Adeeba Haidari feels as if she is in prison.&nbsp;

The 13-year-old was one of thousands of jubilant&nbsp;girls&nbsp;who flocked back to secondary&nbsp;schools&nbsp;reopening across the country on Wednesday, for the first time since the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;seized power in August.&nbsp;

But just hours into classes, the education ministry announced a shock policy reversal that left schoolgirls feeling betrayed and the international community outraged.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/every-afghan-girl-has-right-to-education-us-allies-slam-taliban-ban-on-girls-education-465293">'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education</a>

"Not only me but everyone you asked believed that the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;had&nbsp;changed," said Adeeba, who briefly returned to Al Fatah Girls School&nbsp;in the capital, Kabul.

"When they sent everyone back home&nbsp;from&nbsp;school, we understood that the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;were the same&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;of 25 years ago," her 11-year-old sister Malahat added.

"We are being treated like criminals just because we are&nbsp;girls. Afghanistan has turned into a jail for us."

When the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;returned to power, they promised a softer rule compared with their first regime&nbsp;from&nbsp;1996 to 2001, which became notorious for human rights abuses.

They claimed to respect women's rights, in line with their interpretation of Islamic sharia law, and said&nbsp;girls&nbsp;would be allowed to study through to university.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-order-afghan-girls-schools-shut-hours-after-reopening-464773">Taliban order Afghan girls' schools shut hours after reopening</a>

But the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;have imposed a slew of restrictions on women, effectively banning them&nbsp;from&nbsp;many government jobs, policing what they wear and preventing them&nbsp;from&nbsp;travelling outside of their cities alone.

They have also detained several women's rights activists.

"We miss our freedom. We miss our classmates and teachers," said Adeeba.

Dreams shattered

There has been no clear explanation for the last-minute reversal on secondary&nbsp;schools,&nbsp;but reports leaked&nbsp;from&nbsp;a secretive leadership meeting this week suggested motives ranging&nbsp;from&nbsp;problems with uniforms to an outright rejection of the need for education for teenage&nbsp;girls.

The education ministry still insists&nbsp;schools&nbsp;will restart, but only when new guidelines are issued.

Across town, Nargis Jafri,&nbsp;from&nbsp;the minority Shiite Hazara community, said the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;feel threatened by educated women.

"They believe that if we study, we will gain knowledge and we will fight against them," the 14-year-old told AFP, sitting with her books spread out on her study table at home.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/parents-of-indian-photographer-killed-in-afghanistan-start-legal-action-against-taliban-464652">Parents of Indian photographer killed in Afghanistan start legal action against Taliban</a>

It is agonising for her to watch boys her age walking past her house on their way to&nbsp;school&nbsp;each morning.

"It is really hard and painful for me," she said.

Like many families, history is repeating itself&nbsp;from&nbsp;one generation to the next.

Nargis's mother, Hamida, was forced to leave&nbsp;school&nbsp;during the&nbsp;Taliban's first rule when she was about 10 years old.

The stories&nbsp;from&nbsp;what she&nbsp;thought&nbsp;was a distant past are flooding into her mind again.

"I used to feel strange when she told us how she wore a burqa or a chador, or how a woman was not allowed to go out without a male relative," Nargis said.

Hamida now struggles to accept a similar fate for her daughter.&nbsp;

"My daughter will be held back&nbsp;from&nbsp;going to&nbsp;school," she said. "The dreams she has in her heart will be shattered."

Watch |&nbsp;Taliban backtracks on announcement of reopening schools for girls in Afghanistan

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Days after the Taliban staged a cruel U-turn on allowing Afghan girls back to school, Adeeba Haidari feels as if she is in prison. The 13-year-old was one of thousands of jubilant girls who flocked back to secondary schools reopening across the country on Wednesday, for the first time since the Taliban seized power in August.

Days after the Taliban staged a cruel U-turn on allowing Afghan girls back to school, Adeeba Haidari feels as if she is in prison. The 13-year-old was one of thousands of jubilant girls who flocked back to secondary schools reopening across the country on Wednesday, for the first time since the Taliban seized power in August. But just hours into classes, the education ministry announced a shock policy reversal that left schoolgirls feeling betrayed and the international community outraged. Also read | 'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education "Not only me but everyone you asked believed that the Taliban had changed," said Adeeba, who briefly returned to Al Fatah Girls School in the capital, Kabul. "When they sent everyone back home from school, we understood that the Taliban were the same Taliban of 25 years ago," her 11-year-old sister Malahat added. "We are being treated like criminals just because we are girls. Afghanistan has turned into a jail for us." When the Taliban returned to power, they promised a softer rule compared with their first regime from 1996 to 2001, which became notorious for human rights abuses. They claimed to respect women's rights, in line with their interpretation of Islamic sharia law, and said girls would be allowed to study through to university. Also read | Taliban order Afghan girls' schools shut hours after reopening But the Taliban have imposed a slew of restrictions on women, effectively banning them from many government jobs, policing what they wear and preventing them from travelling outside of their cities alone. They have also detained several women's rights activists. "We miss our freedom. We miss our classmates and teachers," said Adeeba. Dreams shattered There has been no clear explanation for the last-minute reversal on secondary schools, but reports leaked from a secretive leadership meeting this week suggested motives ranging from problems with uniforms to an outright rejection of the need for education for teenage girls. The education ministry still insists schools will restart, but only when new guidelines are issued. Across town, Nargis Jafri, from the minority Shiite Hazara community, said the Taliban feel threatened by educated women. "They believe that if we study, we will gain knowledge and we will fight against them," the 14-year-old told AFP, sitting with her books spread out on her study table at home. Also read | Parents of Indian photographer killed in Afghanistan start legal action against Taliban It is agonising for her to watch boys her age walking past her house on their way to school each morning. "It is really hard and painful for me," she said. Like many families, history is repeating itself from one generation to the next. Nargis's mother, Hamida, was forced to leave school during the Taliban's first rule when she was about 10 years old. The stories from what she thought was a distant past are flooding into her mind again. "I used to feel strange when she told us how she wore a burqa or a chador, or how a woman was not allowed to go out without a male relative," Nargis said. Hamida now struggles to accept a similar fate for her daughter. "My daughter will be held back from going to school," she said. "The dreams she has in her heart will be shattered." Watch | Taliban backtracks on announcement of reopening schools for girls in Afghanistan

'We thought Taliban had changed': Afghan girls banned from school

In a major setback for girls' education in war-torn Afghanistan, the Taliban has gone back on its promise of allowing girls to attend schools. Now, U.S, allies call on the Taliban to reopen schools in Afghanistan.

U.S, allies call on Taliban to reopen girls' schools in war-torn Afghanistan

The Taliban have reversed a decision to allow teenage girls back to secondary school despite repeated assurances they could resume classes from Wednesday. WION speaks to Fariah Saidi, Journalist and women's right activist for more insights.

Taliban reverse decision to allow girls attend secondary school

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;ordered secondary girls schools in Afghanistan to shut Wednesday just hours after they reopened, an official confirmed, sparking confusion over the policy reversal by the hardline Islamist group.

"Yes, it's true,"&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;spokesman Inamullah Samangani told AFP when asked to confirm reports that girls had been ordered home.

An AFP team was filming at Zarghona High School in the capital Kabul when a teacher entered and ordered everyone to go home.

Crestfallen students, back in class for the first time since the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;seized power in August last year, tearfully packed up their belongings and filed out.

The international community has made the right to education for all a sticking point in negotiations over aid and recognition of the new&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;regime.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a> Taliban orders secondary girls schools in Afghanistan to shut just hours after they reopened, an official confirms, sparking confusion. 
 
An <a href="https://twitter.com/AFP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AFP</a> team was filming at Zarghona High School in Kabul when a teacher entered and ordered everyone to go home <a href="https://t.co/8JeLAYvTkP">pic.twitter.com/8JeLAYvTkP</a>
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1506513698684551169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The Taliban ordered secondary girls schools in Afghanistan to shut Wednesday just hours after they reopened, an official confirmed, sparking confusion over the policy reversal by the hardline Islamist group.

The Taliban ordered secondary girls schools in Afghanistan to shut Wednesday just hours after they reopened, an official confirmed, sparking confusion over the policy reversal by the hardline Islamist group. "Yes, it's true," Taliban spokesman Inamullah Samangani told AFP when asked to confirm reports that girls had been ordered home. An AFP team was filming at Zarghona High School in the capital Kabul when a teacher entered and ordered everyone to go home. Crestfallen students, back in class for the first time since the Taliban seized power in August last year, tearfully packed up their belongings and filed out. The international community has made the right to education for all a sticking point in negotiations over aid and recognition of the new Taliban regime. #UPDATE Taliban orders secondary girls schools in Afghanistan to shut just hours after they reopened, an official confirms, sparking confusion. An @AFP team was filming at Zarghona High School in Kabul when a teacher entered and ordered everyone to go home pic.twitter.com/8JeLAYvTkP — AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 23, 2022 ×

Taliban order Afghan girls' schools shut hours after reopening

Tens of thousands of girls were due to return to secondary school across Afghanistan Wednesday, more than seven months after the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;seized power and imposed harsh restrictions on the rights of women to be educated.

All schools were closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic when the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;took over in August -- but only boys and some younger girls were allowed to resume classes two months later.

The international community has made the right to education for all a sticking point in negotiations over aid and recognition, with several nations and organisations offering to pay teachers.

The education ministry said schools would reopen Wednesday across several provinces -- including the capital Kabul -- but those in the southern region of Kandahar, the&nbsp;Taliban's spiritual heartland, will not open until next month.

No reason was given.

The ministry said reopening the schools was always a government objective and the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;were not bowing to pressure.

"We are not reopening the schools to make the international community happy, nor are we doing it to gain recognition from the world," said Aziz Ahmad Rayan, a ministry spokesman.

"We are doing it as part of our responsibility to provide education and other facilities to our students," he told AFP.

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;had insisted they wanted to ensure schools for girls aged 12 to 19 were segregated and would operate according to Islamic principles.

'We are behind in our studies'

Some pupils said they couldn't wait to get back -- even if it meant covering up according to a strict&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;dress code.

"We are behind in our studies already," said Raihana Azizi, 17, as she prepared to attend class dressed in a black abaya, headscarf and veil over her face.

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;have imposed a slew of restrictions on women, effectively banning them from many government jobs, policing what they wear and preventing them from travelling outside of their cities alone.

They have also detained several women's rights activists.

Despite the schools reopening, barriers to girls returning to education remain, with many families suspicious of the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;and reluctant to allow their daughters outside.

Others see little point in girls learning at all.

"Those girls who have finished their education have ended up sitting at home and their future is uncertain," said Heela Haya, 20, from Kandahar, who has decided to quit school.

"What will be our future?"

It is common for Afghan pupils to miss chunks of the school year as a result of poverty or conflict, and some continue lessons well into their late teens or early twenties.

Human Rights Watch also questioned the motivation for girls to study.

"Why would you and your family make huge sacrifices for you to study if you can never have the career you dreamed of?" asked Sahar Fetrat, an assistant researcher with the group.

The education ministry acknowledged authorities faced a shortage of teachers -- with many among the tens of thousands of people who fled the country as the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;swept to power.

WATCH |&nbsp;South Asia Diary | Lankan President's office stormed

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Tens of thousands of girls were due to return to secondary school across Afghanistan Wednesday, more than seven months after the Taliban seized power and imposed harsh restrictions on the rights of women to be educated.

Tens of thousands of girls were due to return to secondary school across Afghanistan Wednesday, more than seven months after the Taliban seized power and imposed harsh restrictions on the rights of women to be educated. All schools were closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic when the Taliban took over in August -- but only boys and some younger girls were allowed to resume classes two months later. The international community has made the right to education for all a sticking point in negotiations over aid and recognition, with several nations and organisations offering to pay teachers. The education ministry said schools would reopen Wednesday across several provinces -- including the capital Kabul -- but those in the southern region of Kandahar, the Taliban's spiritual heartland, will not open until next month. No reason was given. The ministry said reopening the schools was always a government objective and the Taliban were not bowing to pressure. "We are not reopening the schools to make the international community happy, nor are we doing it to gain recognition from the world," said Aziz Ahmad Rayan, a ministry spokesman. "We are doing it as part of our responsibility to provide education and other facilities to our students," he told AFP. The Taliban had insisted they wanted to ensure schools for girls aged 12 to 19 were segregated and would operate according to Islamic principles. 'We are behind in our studies' Some pupils said they couldn't wait to get back -- even if it meant covering up according to a strict Taliban dress code. "We are behind in our studies already," said Raihana Azizi, 17, as she prepared to attend class dressed in a black abaya, headscarf and veil over her face. The Taliban have imposed a slew of restrictions on women, effectively banning them from many government jobs, policing what they wear and preventing them from travelling outside of their cities alone. They have also detained several women's rights activists. Despite the schools reopening, barriers to girls returning to education remain, with many families suspicious of the Taliban and reluctant to allow their daughters outside. Others see little point in girls learning at all. "Those girls who have finished their education have ended up sitting at home and their future is uncertain," said Heela Haya, 20, from Kandahar, who has decided to quit school. "What will be our future?" It is common for Afghan pupils to miss chunks of the school year as a result of poverty or conflict, and some continue lessons well into their late teens or early twenties. Human Rights Watch also questioned the motivation for girls to study. "Why would you and your family make huge sacrifices for you to study if you can never have the career you dreamed of?" asked Sahar Fetrat, an assistant researcher with the group. The education ministry acknowledged authorities faced a shortage of teachers -- with many among the tens of thousands of people who fled the country as the Taliban swept to power. WATCH | South Asia Diary | Lankan President's office stormed ×

Thousands of Afghan girls return to school as Taliban end ban

Taliban backtracks its own announcement of reopening schools for girls in Afghanistan. The groups says that the school will remain closed until the plan was laid out in accordance with Islamic laws

Taliban backtracks on announcement of reopening schools for girls in Afghanistan

The parents of Reuters photographer Danish Siddiqui, who was killed in a Taliban attack in Afghanistan last year, have begun legal action at the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Islamist group, a lawyer for the family said on Tuesday.

Siddiqui, a Pulitzer Prize winner, was embedded with Afghan special forces when killed on July 16 during a failed attempt by government troops to retake Spin Boldak, a town near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, from the Taliban.

New Delhi-based lawyer Avi Singh told an online news conference that Siddiqui's parents were seeking legal action against six leaders and other unidentified commanders of the Taliban at the Hague-based ICC on the grounds that the group targeted and killed their son because he was a photojournalist and an Indian national.

Two Taliban spokesmen did not respond to calls and messages from Reuters seeking comment.

Siddiqui was based in New Delhi and had travelled to Afghanistan to cover the Taliban campaign to retake the country as the United States and its allies were withdrawing forces to end their 20-year-long war there.

Siddiqui, 38, was "illegally detained, tortured and killed by the Taliban, and his body was mutilated," Singh and his family said in a statement issued before the news conference.

"These acts and this killing constitutes not only a murder, but a crime against humanity and a war crime."

A commander of Afghanistan's erstwhile Special Operations Corps that had hosted Siddiqui said the photojournalist was mistakenly left behind with two commandos when soldiers withdrew from Spin Boldak amid fierce fighting with the Taliban.

The Taliban denied that they captured and executed Siddiqui. Afghan security officials and Indian government officials had told Reuters that, based on photos, intelligence and an examination of Siddiqui's body, his body was mutilated while in Taliban custody after his death.

In August, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied reports that Siddiqui was captured and executed, rejecting the assertions of the Afghan security forces and Indian government officials as "completely wrong."

Reuters has previously reported it "was unable to independently determine if the Taliban deliberately killed Siddiqui or desecrated his body."

The parents of Reuters photographer Danish Siddiqui, who was killed in a Taliban attack in Afghanistan last year, have begun legal action at the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Islamist group, a lawyer for the family said on Tuesday.

The parents of Reuters photographer Danish Siddiqui, who was killed in a Taliban attack in Afghanistan last year, have begun legal action at the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Islamist group, a lawyer for the family said on Tuesday. Siddiqui, a Pulitzer Prize winner, was embedded with Afghan special forces when killed on July 16 during a failed attempt by government troops to retake Spin Boldak, a town near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, from the Taliban. New Delhi-based lawyer Avi Singh told an online news conference that Siddiqui's parents were seeking legal action against six leaders and other unidentified commanders of the Taliban at the Hague-based ICC on the grounds that the group targeted and killed their son because he was a photojournalist and an Indian national. Two Taliban spokesmen did not respond to calls and messages from Reuters seeking comment. Siddiqui was based in New Delhi and had travelled to Afghanistan to cover the Taliban campaign to retake the country as the United States and its allies were withdrawing forces to end their 20-year-long war there. Siddiqui, 38, was "illegally detained, tortured and killed by the Taliban, and his body was mutilated," Singh and his family said in a statement issued before the news conference. "These acts and this killing constitutes not only a murder, but a crime against humanity and a war crime." A commander of Afghanistan's erstwhile Special Operations Corps that had hosted Siddiqui said the photojournalist was mistakenly left behind with two commandos when soldiers withdrew from Spin Boldak amid fierce fighting with the Taliban. The Taliban denied that they captured and executed Siddiqui. Afghan security officials and Indian government officials had told Reuters that, based on photos, intelligence and an examination of Siddiqui's body, his body was mutilated while in Taliban custody after his death. In August, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied reports that Siddiqui was captured and executed, rejecting the assertions of the Afghan security forces and Indian government officials as "completely wrong." Reuters has previously reported it "was unable to independently determine if the Taliban deliberately killed Siddiqui or desecrated his body."

Parents of Indian photographer killed in Afghanistan start legal action against Taliban

After banning women from appearing in TV shows, the Taliban have now officially barred foreign shows and films from being broadcasted in Afghanistan, Sputnik news agency reported citing a person familiar with the situation.

"The Taliban clearly said to stop showing any foreign TV series translated into Dari or Pashto [official languages of Afghanistan]," a participant of the meeting of Afghan broadcasters, held on Thursday, said, according to the Russian news agency.

According to the reports, the Taliban-appointed Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice said they would penalise anyone who violates the order.

"There is no film industry in Afghanistan, and there are no shows or movies that can replace the foreign ones. This restriction means people have to turn off the TV sets," the Sputnik quoted the source as saying.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-bans-co-education-in-herat-as-girls-return-to-classrooms-407581">Taliban ban&nbsp;co-education in Herat as girls return to classrooms</a>

Meanwhile, three employees of Afghanistan’s TOLONews were detained for reporting about the country’s new rules banning broadcasts of foreign shows, AP news agency reported.

Three staffers from TOLO TV were taken from the station on Thursday evening, according to Khpalwak Sapai, head of TOLONews department.

Moby Group, the media company that owns TOLO TV, said the detentions were the result of the station reporting “about the banning of the foreign drama series”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-bans-co-education-in-herat-as-girls-return-to-classrooms-407581">Women teachers face uncertain future after Taliban ban&nbsp;them from schools</a>

TOLO TV is an Afghan-owned media company with interests in South and Central Asia as well as the Middle East and Africa.

In December, Reporters Without Borders and the Afghan Independent Journalist Association said that 231 out of 543 media outlets had closed, while more than 6,400 journalists lost their jobs after the Taliban takeover.

(With inputs from agencies)

After banning women from appearing in TV shows, the Taliban have now officially barred foreign shows and films from being broadcasted in Afghanistan, Sputnik news agency reported citing a person familiar with the situation.

After banning women from appearing in TV shows, the Taliban have now officially barred foreign shows and films from being broadcasted in Afghanistan, Sputnik news agency reported citing a person familiar with the situation. "The Taliban clearly said to stop showing any foreign TV series translated into Dari or Pashto [official languages of Afghanistan]," a participant of the meeting of Afghan broadcasters, held on Thursday, said, according to the Russian news agency. According to the reports, the Taliban-appointed Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice said they would penalise anyone who violates the order. "There is no film industry in Afghanistan, and there are no shows or movies that can replace the foreign ones. This restriction means people have to turn off the TV sets," the Sputnik quoted the source as saying. Also read | Taliban ban co-education in Herat as girls return to classrooms Meanwhile, three employees of Afghanistan’s TOLONews were detained for reporting about the country’s new rules banning broadcasts of foreign shows, AP news agency reported. Three staffers from TOLO TV were taken from the station on Thursday evening, according to Khpalwak Sapai, head of TOLONews department. Moby Group, the media company that owns TOLO TV, said the detentions were the result of the station reporting “about the banning of the foreign drama series”. Also read | Women teachers face uncertain future after Taliban ban them from schools TOLO TV is an Afghan-owned media company with interests in South and Central Asia as well as the Middle East and Africa. In December, Reporters Without Borders and the Afghan Independent Journalist Association said that 231 out of 543 media outlets had closed, while more than 6,400 journalists lost their jobs after the Taliban takeover. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban ban foreign TV shows in Afghanistan, arrest 3 journalists for reporting about it

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan on Thursday said it has formed a commission to help the people who left the country after the fall of Kabul in August 2021, to return to their homeland. 
 
"The Commission of Liaison and Repatriation of Afghan Personalities has been formed under the supervision of Sheikh Shahabuddin Delawar, the acting minister of mines and petroleum, to help Afghans return to their motherland," Xinhua news agency quoted the government as saying in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-diplomats-under-pressure-from-taliban-regime-462072">Afghan diplomats under pressure from Taliban regime</a> 
 
The formation of the commission came after a cabinet meeting was held, the statement said. 
 
The six-member commission will liaise with Afghans who have left the country so that they can return to their homeland and live in peace instead of staying abroad, it said. 
 
Many Afghan security forces and civil servants left Afghanistan following the takeover by the Taliban in August last year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/female-foreign-ministers-call-on-taliban-to-lift-restrictions-on-afghan-women-460886">Female Foreign Ministers of 17 countries call on Taliban to lift restrictions on Afghan women</a> 
 
In recent months, Sultan Massoud Daqiq, a leading expert on international development, Abdul Salam Rahimi, state minister for peace of the former Afghan government, several pilots of the Afghan airforce and a female mayor have returned to the country. 
 
Earlier this month, Deputy Prime MinisterMullah Abdul Ghani Baradar called on Afghan investors to return to the country.

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan on Thursday said it has formed a commission to help the people who left the country after the fall of Kabul in August 2021, to return to their homeland.

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan on Thursday said it has formed a commission to help the people who left the country after the fall of Kabul in August 2021, to return to their homeland. "The Commission of Liaison and Repatriation of Afghan Personalities has been formed under the supervision of Sheikh Shahabuddin Delawar, the acting minister of mines and petroleum, to help Afghans return to their motherland," Xinhua news agency quoted the government as saying in a statement. Also read | Afghan diplomats under pressure from Taliban regime The formation of the commission came after a cabinet meeting was held, the statement said. The six-member commission will liaise with Afghans who have left the country so that they can return to their homeland and live in peace instead of staying abroad, it said. Many Afghan security forces and civil servants left Afghanistan following the takeover by the Taliban in August last year. Also read | Female Foreign Ministers of 17 countries call on Taliban to lift restrictions on Afghan women In recent months, Sultan Massoud Daqiq, a leading expert on international development, Abdul Salam Rahimi, state minister for peace of the former Afghan government, several pilots of the Afghan airforce and a female mayor have returned to the country. Earlier this month, Deputy Prime MinisterMullah Abdul Ghani Baradar called on Afghan investors to return to the country.

Taliban forms commission to help migrants return home

An&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;group&nbsp;opposed to Taliban rule rejected on Sunday the police's accusation that its members had killed&nbsp;polio&nbsp;vaccinators&nbsp;on a campaign to eradicate the crippling virus.

Police had said two members of the National Resistance Front (NRF) had been arrested in connection with killing seven&nbsp;vaccinators&nbsp;on February 24 in the northern province of Kunduz.

The NRF were the last&nbsp;group&nbsp;to hold out against the Taliban takeover last year, retreating to the Panjshir Valley, which eventually fell in September, weeks after the former government forces capitulated.

The health workers were killed in separate attacks while on a house-to-house vaccine campaign.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-pakistan-agree-on-free-movement-of-cargo-trucks-460901">Afghanistan, Pakistan agree on free movement of cargo trucks</a>

"The arrested men have confessed to their crime and said they shot the&nbsp;polio&nbsp;vaccinators&nbsp;after receiving orders from their leaders from the Resistance Front in the province," Kunduz police spokesman Qari Obaidullah Abedi had told AFP.

According to the spokesman, the arrested men also confessed that "they were paid" for the murders.

NRF rejected the accusations as "Taliban propaganda".

"The National Resistance Front condemns the perpetrators of this attack and we strongly believe it was conducted by the Taliban or one of their terrorist partners," Ali Nazary, spokesman for the NRF, told AFP.

The NRF is led by the son of legendary late anti-Taliban commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, who was assassinated by Al-Qaeda in 2001.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/narcotics-trafficking-has-intensified-since-afghanistan-developments-nsa-doval-460704">&nbsp;Narcotics trafficking has intensified since Afghanistan 'developments': NSA Doval</a>

In total, eight&nbsp;polio&nbsp;vaccinators&nbsp;were killed on February 24 -- seven in Kunduz and one in the neighbouring province of Takhar.

Polio&nbsp;teams in Afghanistan were frequently targeted by insurgent groups until the Taliban's takeover in August.

Since then, the hardline Islamists have said they want to work with the United Nations to stamp out the disease.

Watch |&nbsp;Conference on Afghanistan: How can extremism be countered?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/conference-on-afghanistan-how-can-extremism-be-countered-459703/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In the past,&nbsp;polio&nbsp;vaccination drives in Afghanistan -- and neighbouring Pakistan -- were accused of being fronts for spying, while some clerics said the vaccine was a conspiracy to sterilise Muslims.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries in the world where&nbsp;polio&nbsp;remains endemic.&nbsp;

An Afghan group opposed to Taliban rule rejected on Sunday the police's accusation that its members had killed polio vaccinators on a campaign to eradicate the crippling virus.

An Afghan group opposed to Taliban rule rejected on Sunday the police's accusation that its members had killed polio vaccinators on a campaign to eradicate the crippling virus. Police had said two members of the National Resistance Front (NRF) had been arrested in connection with killing seven vaccinators on February 24 in the northern province of Kunduz. The NRF were the last group to hold out against the Taliban takeover last year, retreating to the Panjshir Valley, which eventually fell in September, weeks after the former government forces capitulated. The health workers were killed in separate attacks while on a house-to-house vaccine campaign. Also read | Afghanistan, Pakistan agree on free movement of cargo trucks "The arrested men have confessed to their crime and said they shot the polio vaccinators after receiving orders from their leaders from the Resistance Front in the province," Kunduz police spokesman Qari Obaidullah Abedi had told AFP. According to the spokesman, the arrested men also confessed that "they were paid" for the murders. NRF rejected the accusations as "Taliban propaganda". "The National Resistance Front condemns the perpetrators of this attack and we strongly believe it was conducted by the Taliban or one of their terrorist partners," Ali Nazary, spokesman for the NRF, told AFP. The NRF is led by the son of legendary late anti-Taliban commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, who was assassinated by Al-Qaeda in 2001. Also read | Narcotics trafficking has intensified since Afghanistan 'developments': NSA Doval In total, eight polio vaccinators were killed on February 24 -- seven in Kunduz and one in the neighbouring province of Takhar. Polio teams in Afghanistan were frequently targeted by insurgent groups until the Taliban's takeover in August. Since then, the hardline Islamists have said they want to work with the United Nations to stamp out the disease. Watch | Conference on Afghanistan: How can extremism be countered? In the past, polio vaccination drives in Afghanistan -- and neighbouring Pakistan -- were accused of being fronts for spying, while some clerics said the vaccine was a conspiracy to sterilise Muslims. Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic.

Afghan group rejects murdering polio vaccinators

After an ACCI senior adviser to the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, Mohammad Dawood Musa was killed by a gunman at his home in the capital city of Afghanistan, Kabul, the organisation has expressed concern over what it says is an increasing trend in the killings of businessmen.

According to media reports Dawood died after being taken to hospital.&nbsp;Dawood’s relatives said that the gunman first took him out of the car and then a man shot him in the heart about a meter away, following which the perpetrators fled.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/female-foreign-ministers-call-on-taliban-to-lift-restrictions-on-afghan-women-460886">Female Foreign Ministers of 17 countries call on Taliban to lift restrictions on Afghan women</a>

Expressing concern, the Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) in Afghanistan said that, “killings and kidnappings of businessmen have increased the country.”

While mentioning the raised concerns among the country’s businessmen, ACCI said that the Islamic emirate should pay serious attention to this matter.

As per the Chamber of Commerce and Investment&nbsp;that Musa played a key role in drafting the Afghanistan-Pakistan Investment Law, tax law and transit agreements.

ACCI also added that Mohammad Dawood Musa represented Mercedes-Benz in Afghanistan and played a key role in the growth of the country's private sector.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/new-face-of-afghanistan-women-march-in-support-of-taliban-412337">New face of Afghanistan? Women march in support of Taliban</a>

“I ask the Islamic Emirate to find the killer of Dawood Musa and bring him to justice,” said Khanjan Alokozai, a member of the board of the ACCI said in an interview with&nbsp;Tolo news.

“In the private sector, this is a huge loss. In the future, the Islamic Emirate must pay attention to protecting the lives and property of traders,” said Naqibullah Safi, chairman of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce.

Another businessman in the construction sector was also injured by kidnappers on Sunday.

There were reports that the head of the federation Khwaja Mir Mujahid and his brother has been abducted by some unknown people in Kabul on Sunday.

Watch |&nbsp;Conference on Afghanistan: How can extremism be countered?

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/conference-on-afghanistan-how-can-extremism-be-countered-459703/embed" width="560"></iframe>

"Power lifting federation officials say that Khawja Mir Mujahid, head of the federation has been disappeared since Sunday this week. Reportedly unknown gunmen abducted Mujahid and his brother from the PD-15 area in northern #Kabul city," a media report said.

Apart from these, reports also indicate that the Taliban severely tortured a local journalist named Malouf Ashrafi.

(With inputs from agencies)

After an ACCI senior adviser to the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, Mohammad Dawood Musa was killed by a gunman at his home in the capital city of Afghanistan, Kabul, the organisation has expressed concern over what it says is an increasing trend in the killings of businessmen.

After an ACCI senior adviser to the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, Mohammad Dawood Musa was killed by a gunman at his home in the capital city of Afghanistan, Kabul, the organisation has expressed concern over what it says is an increasing trend in the killings of businessmen. According to media reports Dawood died after being taken to hospital. Dawood’s relatives said that the gunman first took him out of the car and then a man shot him in the heart about a meter away, following which the perpetrators fled. Also read | Female Foreign Ministers of 17 countries call on Taliban to lift restrictions on Afghan women Expressing concern, the Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) in Afghanistan said that, “killings and kidnappings of businessmen have increased the country.” While mentioning the raised concerns among the country’s businessmen, ACCI said that the Islamic emirate should pay serious attention to this matter. As per the Chamber of Commerce and Investment that Musa played a key role in drafting the Afghanistan-Pakistan Investment Law, tax law and transit agreements. ACCI also added that Mohammad Dawood Musa represented Mercedes-Benz in Afghanistan and played a key role in the growth of the country's private sector. Also read | New face of Afghanistan? Women march in support of Taliban “I ask the Islamic Emirate to find the killer of Dawood Musa and bring him to justice,” said Khanjan Alokozai, a member of the board of the ACCI said in an interview with Tolo news. “In the private sector, this is a huge loss. In the future, the Islamic Emirate must pay attention to protecting the lives and property of traders,” said Naqibullah Safi, chairman of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce. Another businessman in the construction sector was also injured by kidnappers on Sunday. There were reports that the head of the federation Khwaja Mir Mujahid and his brother has been abducted by some unknown people in Kabul on Sunday. Watch | Conference on Afghanistan: How can extremism be countered? "Power lifting federation officials say that Khawja Mir Mujahid, head of the federation has been disappeared since Sunday this week. Reportedly unknown gunmen abducted Mujahid and his brother from the PD-15 area in northern #Kabul city," a media report said. Apart from these, reports also indicate that the Taliban severely tortured a local journalist named Malouf Ashrafi. (With inputs from agencies)

Killings, kidnappings of businessmen have increased in the country: Afghanistan's Chamber of Commerce

In a meeting held in Afghanistan, the female Foreign Ministers of at least seventeen countries across the world have expressed deep concerns regarding human rights violations and restrictions against women in Afghanistan, said a media report.

Expressing concern on suppression of women in Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministers called on the Taliban to lift all restrictions, especially education barriers, against Afghan women, Tolo News reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nearly-400-civilians-killed-in-afghanistan-since-taliban-takeover-un-460263">Nearly 400 civilians killed in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover: UN</a>

"Ministers expressed deep concern about human rights violations, especially the denial of women and girls from full access and participation in education...It is essential that the Taliban lifts all barriers and prohibitions against the full participation of women and girls in genuine education and schooling," said the statement released after the meeting, which was held virtually and hosted by Australia.

The participants of the meeting also decided to continue close monitoring of the Taliban's actions, especially those related to the female population.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/new-face-of-afghanistan-women-march-in-support-of-taliban-412337">New face of Afghanistan? Women march in support of Taliban</a>

Notably, this comes as US special envoy for Afghan Women and Human Rights, Rina Amiri, on International Women's Day, stressed the importance of participation of Afghan women for an inclusive, stable and economically viable Afghanistan, reported the media outlet.

Meanwhile, Afghan women who lost their jobs after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan asserted that the role of women must not be ignored in society.

Watch |&nbsp;Conference on Afghanistan: How can extremism be countered?

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"Our politicians followed and implemented wrong approaches in Afghanistan which made the country poorer and more desperate," the Afghan news quoted Farah Mustafawee, a women's rights activist, as saying.

However, taking to Twitter, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid on Tuesday said that the Islamic Emirate is committed to upholding the Sharia rights of all Afghan women.

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The Islamic Emirate is committed to upholding the Sharia rights of all Afghan women. International Women's Day is a great opportunity for our Afghan women to demand their legitimate rights. We protect and defend the rights of our Afghan women, God willing.
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1501103977429143552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Notably, the Taliban regime which took over Kabul in August last year has curtailed women's rights and freedoms, with women largely excluded from the workforce due to the economic crisis and restrictions.&nbsp;

In a meeting held in Afghanistan, the female Foreign Ministers of at least seventeen countries across the world have expressed deep concerns regarding human rights violations and restrictions against women in Afghanistan, said a media report.

In a meeting held in Afghanistan, the female Foreign Ministers of at least seventeen countries across the world have expressed deep concerns regarding human rights violations and restrictions against women in Afghanistan, said a media report. Expressing concern on suppression of women in Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministers called on the Taliban to lift all restrictions, especially education barriers, against Afghan women, Tolo News reported. Also read | Nearly 400 civilians killed in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover: UN "Ministers expressed deep concern about human rights violations, especially the denial of women and girls from full access and participation in education...It is essential that the Taliban lifts all barriers and prohibitions against the full participation of women and girls in genuine education and schooling," said the statement released after the meeting, which was held virtually and hosted by Australia. The participants of the meeting also decided to continue close monitoring of the Taliban's actions, especially those related to the female population. Also read | New face of Afghanistan? Women march in support of Taliban Notably, this comes as US special envoy for Afghan Women and Human Rights, Rina Amiri, on International Women's Day, stressed the importance of participation of Afghan women for an inclusive, stable and economically viable Afghanistan, reported the media outlet. Meanwhile, Afghan women who lost their jobs after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan asserted that the role of women must not be ignored in society. Watch | Conference on Afghanistan: How can extremism be countered? "Our politicians followed and implemented wrong approaches in Afghanistan which made the country poorer and more desperate," the Afghan news quoted Farah Mustafawee, a women's rights activist, as saying. However, taking to Twitter, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid on Tuesday said that the Islamic Emirate is committed to upholding the Sharia rights of all Afghan women. The Islamic Emirate is committed to upholding the Sharia rights of all Afghan women. International Women's Day is a great opportunity for our Afghan women to demand their legitimate rights. We protect and defend the rights of our Afghan women, God willing. — Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) March 8, 2022 × Notably, the Taliban regime which took over Kabul in August last year has curtailed women's rights and freedoms, with women largely excluded from the workforce due to the economic crisis and restrictions.

Female Foreign Ministers of 17 countries call on Taliban to lift restrictions on Afghan women

Nearly&nbsp;400&nbsp;civilians&nbsp;have been&nbsp;killed&nbsp;in attacks in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;since&nbsp;the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;takeover, more than 80% of them by a group affiliated to the Islamic State, a UN&nbsp;report shows,&nbsp;underscoring the scale of the insurgency faced by the new rulers.

It is the first major human rights report&nbsp;since&nbsp;the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;seized power from the former US-backed government in August, triggering concerns in the West about a broader rollback of rights for women, journalists, and others.

It covers the period from August 2021 to the end of February and said that 397&nbsp;civilians&nbsp;were&nbsp;killed&nbsp;mostly in a series of attacks by the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) group.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-announces-placement-of-new-military-satellite-in-orbit-460255">Iran announces placement of new military satellite in orbit</a>

More than 50 people with suspected ties to the extreme militant group had been&nbsp;killed&nbsp;in the same period, it said, with some tortured and beheaded and cast by the roadside.

"The human rights situation for many Afghans is of profound concern," said Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a speech introducing the report to the top rights body in Geneva.

ISIS-K, which first appeared in eastern&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;in late 2014, is thought to have spread in the wake of the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;takeover&nbsp;and is blamed for several suicide attacks in recent months, including one at Kabul airport last August.

In the same speech, Bachelet said that&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;rulers had curtailed women's rights and freedoms. She called for women to be allowed to "fully participate" in public life.

Bachelet also referred to "a number of disturbing cases of enforced disappearances" of activists and protesters and expressed concern about restrictions on freedom of expression.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/after-afghanistan-islamic-state-khorasan-set-foot-in-pakistan-459852">After Afghanistan, Islamic State-Khorasan set foot in Pakistan</a>

"I remain concerned by the progressive erosion of civic space," she said.

Under their previous rule from 1996 to 2001, the hardline Islamist&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;barred women and girls from education. They say they have&nbsp;since&nbsp;changed.

The Geneva-based Rights Council is set to appoint a special rapporteur on&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;to probe alleged violations by&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;and others at the end of its current month-long session.

US&nbsp;human rights ambassador Michele Taylor told the Council on Monday that this would be an "important mechanism for documenting abuses" and urged the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;to cooperate with its team.

Nearly 400 civilians have been killed in attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, more than 80% of them by a group affiliated to the Islamic State, a UN report shows, underscoring the scale of the insurgency faced by the new rulers.

Nearly 400 civilians have been killed in attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, more than 80% of them by a group affiliated to the Islamic State, a UN report shows, underscoring the scale of the insurgency faced by the new rulers. It is the first major human rights report since the Taliban seized power from the former US-backed government in August, triggering concerns in the West about a broader rollback of rights for women, journalists, and others. It covers the period from August 2021 to the end of February and said that 397 civilians were killed mostly in a series of attacks by the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) group. Also read | Iran announces placement of new military satellite in orbit More than 50 people with suspected ties to the extreme militant group had been killed in the same period, it said, with some tortured and beheaded and cast by the roadside. "The human rights situation for many Afghans is of profound concern," said Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a speech introducing the report to the top rights body in Geneva. ISIS-K, which first appeared in eastern Afghanistan in late 2014, is thought to have spread in the wake of the Taliban takeover and is blamed for several suicide attacks in recent months, including one at Kabul airport last August. In the same speech, Bachelet said that Taliban rulers had curtailed women's rights and freedoms. She called for women to be allowed to "fully participate" in public life. Bachelet also referred to "a number of disturbing cases of enforced disappearances" of activists and protesters and expressed concern about restrictions on freedom of expression. Also read | After Afghanistan, Islamic State-Khorasan set foot in Pakistan "I remain concerned by the progressive erosion of civic space," she said. Under their previous rule from 1996 to 2001, the hardline Islamist Taliban barred women and girls from education. They say they have since changed. The Geneva-based Rights Council is set to appoint a special rapporteur on Afghanistan to probe alleged violations by Taliban and others at the end of its current month-long session. US human rights ambassador Michele Taylor told the Council on Monday that this would be an "important mechanism for documenting abuses" and urged the Taliban to cooperate with its team.

Nearly 400 civilians killed in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover: UN

One of the&nbsp;Taliban's most&nbsp;secretive&nbsp;leaders, whose only picture on US "most wanted" lists is a grainy semi-covered profile, was photographed openly for the first time Saturday at a passing-out parade for new Afghan police recruits.

Interior Minister Sirajuddin&nbsp;Haqqani, who also heads the feared&nbsp;Haqqani&nbsp;Network, has previously only been photographed clearly from behind -- even since the hardline Islamists seized power last August.

"For your satisfaction and for building your trust... I am appearing in the media in a public meeting with you," he said in a speech at the parade.

Before the&nbsp;Taliban's return,&nbsp;Haqqani&nbsp;was the most senior of three deputies to&nbsp;leader&nbsp;Hibatullah Akhundzada.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-official-slams-pak-for-sending-inedible-wheat-says-indias-far-better-reports-459159">&nbsp;Taliban official slams Pak for sending inedible wheat, says India’s far better: Reports</a>

Akhundzada himself hasn't been seen in public for years, and many Afghan analysts believe he may not even be alive.

Haqqani&nbsp;heads a powerful subset of the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;blamed for some of the worst violence of the past 20 years.

The United States has offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his arrest, saying he was responsible for a string of terror attacks.

Pictures of&nbsp;Haqqani&nbsp;were being widely shared on social media Saturday by&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;officials who had previously only posted photographs that didn't show his&nbsp;face, or if it had been digitally blurred.

At the police parade Saturday,&nbsp;Haqqani&nbsp;was dressed like many of the senior&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;officials -- very heavily bearded and wearing a black turban and white shawl.

He said he was showing his&nbsp;face&nbsp;so "you could know how much value we have with our leadership".

Not seen in public

Haqqani's appearance also suggests the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;have grown even more confident of their hold on the country since seizing power on August 15, two weeks before the last US-led foreign forces left.&nbsp;

Several diplomats were in the crowd -- including Pakistan's ambassador -- even though no country has officially recognised the new&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;regime.

The&nbsp;Haqqani&nbsp;Network, founded in the 1970s by Jalaluddin&nbsp;Haqqani, was heavily supported by the CIA during the Mujahideen war against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

Sirajuddin&nbsp;Haqqani, who is believed to be in his 40s, is his son, and succeeded him following his death in 2018.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/new-face-of-afghanistan-women-march-in-support-of-taliban-412337">New face of Afghanistan? Women march in support of Taliban</a>

The latter was blamed for the deadly 2008 attack on Kabul's Serena Hotel that killed six people, as well as at least one assassination attempt against former Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

The FBI Rewards for Justice programme says he maintains "close ties" to Al Qaeda, and "is a specially designated global terrorist".

He is reported to have been the target of several US drone strikes -- in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and in the rugged terrain between them that is the heartland of the&nbsp;Haqqani&nbsp;Network.

He was also credited as the author of a New York Times opinion piece&nbsp;in 2020 titled "What We, the&nbsp;Taliban, Want", sparking controversy that the newspaper had given "terrorists" a public platform.

One of the Taliban's most secretive leaders, whose only picture on US "most wanted" lists is a grainy semi-covered profile, was photographed openly for the first time Saturday at a passing-out parade for new Afghan police recruits.

One of the Taliban's most secretive leaders, whose only picture on US "most wanted" lists is a grainy semi-covered profile, was photographed openly for the first time Saturday at a passing-out parade for new Afghan police recruits. Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, who also heads the feared Haqqani Network, has previously only been photographed clearly from behind -- even since the hardline Islamists seized power last August. "For your satisfaction and for building your trust... I am appearing in the media in a public meeting with you," he said in a speech at the parade. Before the Taliban's return, Haqqani was the most senior of three deputies to leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. Also read | Taliban official slams Pak for sending inedible wheat, says India’s far better: Reports Akhundzada himself hasn't been seen in public for years, and many Afghan analysts believe he may not even be alive. Haqqani heads a powerful subset of the Taliban blamed for some of the worst violence of the past 20 years. The United States has offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his arrest, saying he was responsible for a string of terror attacks. Pictures of Haqqani were being widely shared on social media Saturday by Taliban officials who had previously only posted photographs that didn't show his face, or if it had been digitally blurred. At the police parade Saturday, Haqqani was dressed like many of the senior Taliban officials -- very heavily bearded and wearing a black turban and white shawl. He said he was showing his face so "you could know how much value we have with our leadership". Not seen in public Haqqani's appearance also suggests the Taliban have grown even more confident of their hold on the country since seizing power on August 15, two weeks before the last US-led foreign forces left. Several diplomats were in the crowd -- including Pakistan's ambassador -- even though no country has officially recognised the new Taliban regime. The Haqqani Network, founded in the 1970s by Jalaluddin Haqqani, was heavily supported by the CIA during the Mujahideen war against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is believed to be in his 40s, is his son, and succeeded him following his death in 2018. Also read | New face of Afghanistan? Women march in support of Taliban The latter was blamed for the deadly 2008 attack on Kabul's Serena Hotel that killed six people, as well as at least one assassination attempt against former Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The FBI Rewards for Justice programme says he maintains "close ties" to Al Qaeda, and "is a specially designated global terrorist". He is reported to have been the target of several US drone strikes -- in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and in the rugged terrain between them that is the heartland of the Haqqani Network. He was also credited as the author of a New York Times opinion piece in 2020 titled "What We, the Taliban, Want", sparking controversy that the newspaper had given "terrorists" a public platform.

Taliban's secretive Haqqani Network leader finally shows his face

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