Women allowed to attend university under Taliban rule: Acting higher education minister

The Taliban's acting higher education minister says Afghan women would be allowed to study at university under the group's rule, but there would be a ban on mixed classes.

"The... people of Afghanistan will continue their higher education in the light of Sharia law in safety without being in a mixed male and female environment," Abdul Baqi Haqqani said at a meeting with elders, known as a Loya Jirga, on Sunday.

He said the Taliban want to "create a reasonable and Islamic curriculum that is in line with our Islamic, national and historical values and, on the other hand, be able to compete with other countries."

But a lecturer, who worked at a city university during the last government said, "The Taliban's ministry of higher education consulted only male teachers and students on resuming the function of universities."  

She said that showed "the systematic prevention of women's participation in decision making" and "a gap between the Taliban's commitments and actions."

Education centers in recent months across Afghanistan have seen a spate of attacks, killing dozens. The Taliban had denied being behind the attacks, some of which were claimed by the local branch of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.

During their previous rule from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban excluded women from public life. The group has now pledged to respect progress made in women's rights over the past years.

Taliban appoint veterans to key ministerial posts

The government of Afghanistan rapidly collapsed on August 15 after a hasty and messy withdrawal of US forces from the country.

The Taliban have yet to announce their government, saying they would wait until after the departure of US and foreign forces.  

The group has said it will consider a share in power for all Afghan groups while seeking friendly relations with all countries.

According to the Afghanistan's Pajhwok news agency on Wednesday, Taliban appointed senior veterans to the positions of Afghanistan’s finance minister, interior minister, and defense minister, but the appointments have not been formally announced.

The Taliban have also ordered mid-level officials at the finance ministry and the central bank to return to work.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, told reporters in Kabul on Tuesday that it “was time for people to work for their country.” 

The Taliban have included Afghanistan’s former President Hamid Karzai and former peace negotiator Abdullah Abdullah in a 12-member council, which will govern Afghanistan during the transition period, according to a source. Out of the 12 members, seven candidates have been already agreed upon.

Taliban want good relations with all countries: Taliban spox to Press TV

A Taliban spokesman says to Press TV that they want good relations with all countries.

The government of Afghanistan rapidly collapsed on August 15 and President Ashraf Ghani fled the country in the face of the lightning advances of the Taliban, following what has been criticized as a hasty withdrawal of American forces from the country, 20 years after they invaded Afghanistan to topple the Taliban.

The Taliban have rejected the potential extension of a looming deadline for US and other foreign troops to completely withdraw from Afghanistan, and called on Washington to stop evacuating skilled Afghans after the group’s takeover of the country.

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