Kabul gathering: Taliban silent on resuming girls’ education

A three-day assembly of religious and tribal leaders in Afghanistan has not made any announcement about reopening high schools for girls.

The Taliban organized the meeting in the capital Kabul that ended on Saturday to discuss what they call important national issues. It was attended by more than 3,000 people, but no women were present.

The Taliban’s spokesperson said on social media that the group’s supreme leader, Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada, spoke to the gathering on Friday.

Akhundzada is said to have noted that former enemies would be pardoned but they would not be allowed to take part in the government.

Only state-run media were allowed at the gathering and no photos or videos of Akhundzada were released.

The Taliban’s information ministry says an 11-point resolution was adopted by the participants. Media reports say the resolution calls on the government to pay special attention to justice, religious and modern education, health, industry, and other policies according to Islamic law.

There have been international demands for the restoration of women’s rights in Afghanistan. But the meeting only noted that women’s rights should be taken care of under Islamic law.

The Taliban initially decided to reopen girls’ high schools in late March. But they suspended a decision to allow girls to return to classes on the day the schools were scheduled to reopen.

Observers say the Taliban apparently want to legitimize their rule by showing they have strong support.