ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday urged the Afghan authorities to reconsider the decision on the suspension of university and higher education for girl students in Afghanistan.
“Pakistan is disappointed to learn about the suspension of the university and higher education for female students in Afghanistan,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
The FO said Pakistan’s position on this issue had been clear and consistent.
“We strongly believe that every man and woman has the inherent right to education in accordance with the injunctions of Islam,” it said. “We strongly urge the Afghan authorities to revisit this decision”.
The FO strongly urged the Afghan authorities to revisit this decision.
The Afghan Taliban authorities on Tuesday ordered an indefinite ban on university education for girls, the ministry of higher education said in a letter issued to all government and private universities.
Hundreds of young women were stopped by guards on Wednesday from entering Afghan university campuses, a day after the nation’s Taliban rulers banned them from higher education in another assault on human rights.
Despite promising a softer rule when they seized power last year, the Afghan Taliban ratcheted up restrictions on all aspects of women’s lives, ignoring international outrage.
A team of AFP journalists saw groups of students gathered outside universities in the capital, Kabul, barred from entering by armed guards and shuttered gates.
Many, dressed in hijabs, were also seen standing in groups on roads leading to the campuses.
“We are doomed. We have lost everything,” said one student, who asked not to be identified.
Men students also expressed shock at the latest edict.
