Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi said that 75 per cent of girls in the country had resumed their studies in schools. Afghanistan has communicated its intent to keep up the women's game in the country but the world body still awaits more action.
He was replying to a question about the situation of girls’ education rights in Afghanistan, at a talk organised by the Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA), here at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI).
The Taliban, after taking control of the country in August, had closed the schools with thousands of girl students confined to their homes, attracting criticism by the international community.
However, Mr Muttaqi said that 75 per cent of girls had resumed their education after returning to schools.
He said that it was duplicity of the international community to emphasise on women’s education, but have little focus on the salary of teachers as the salary disbursement was getting difficult due to freezing of the country’s assets by the Western countries.
He mentioned the negative campaign in the foreign media against the interim government of Afghanistan and pointed out that 500,000 civil servants were now being paid and not a single person had been fired on the basis of political views. Also, no woman had been removed from her job, he claimed.
Mr Muttaqi said that Afghanistan had around 3,000 clinics and hospitals, which were still operational.
He said there was no rationale behind sanctions imposed by the international human rights champions on Afghanistan by freezing the country’s assets.
He said that reforms, which the international community wanted the interim government to work towards, could be done peacefully and not through pressure tactics. He said the current cabinet with all ethnicities had already fulfilled the requirement of the international community for an inclusive government.
“We are being punished for something which is a possibility in the future,” he said.
Mr Muttaqi added that his government wanted Afghanistan to be no more a conflict ground for major powers.
Afghanistan, he said, for the first time in 43 years had a central, responsible and sovereign government which had control over every inch of the territory.
“We, in Afghanistan have a historic opportunity to create a win-win situation for everyone. The new developments have opened up new opportunities for stability,” he said.
Muttaqi, who arrived here on Wednesday leading a delegation, shed light on the new developments in Afghanistan, besides expressing views on the new balanced foreign policy and relations with Pakistan.
“We must not be a prisoner of the past. The peace in Afghanistan means peace in Pakistan and vice versa. We are now pursuing a balanced policy,” he said.
The Afghan FM said there remained no anti-Pakistan elements in Afghanistan and the new government was trying its best to not let the territory be used against any country of the region.
The Afghan acting foreign minister said that since the takeover of Kabul, there was peace due to the support of the people. He claimed that the new government of Afghanistan did not pursue a policy of revenge.
Mr Muttaqi said that Afghanistan, owing to its unique geographical location, could serve as a point of connectivity for the entire region.
He mentioned that efforts were afoot to have a dialogue with Central Asian states for resumption of its trade with Pakistan which, he said, would also benefit Afghanistan.
Afghanistan's participation in the ongoing men's Twenty20 World Cup was under threat after reports emerged of the new Taliban regime not allowing women to play cricket.
The team led by Mohammad Nabi impressed in the Super 12 stage before losing out in the race for the semi-finals following their loss to New Zealand.
Geoff Allardice, chief executive of the ICC, said they will back cricket from the war-torn region to thrive on the global stage.
“Our goal is to see men and women playing cricket in Afghanistan. We've supported them and the team has performed at this event. You've seen their players in a number of events now,” Allardice told reporters in Dubai.
“In terms of how our board will consider the situation in Afghanistan at its meeting next week, they will get a report on how things are travelling.”
Allardice said, “They have said to us that women's cricket is continuing. They certainly haven't given us an indication that it has stopped.
“Time will tell, in terms of how that plays out. Yes, we have been in regular communication with them from the time things changed in their country.”
Meanwhile, according to reports, cricket in the United States could be awarded a major ICC event in the next cycle starting 2024.
Allardice said the ICC remains committed to expanding the game globally and holding events in countries where the sport is gaining ground.
“Taking an ICC event or a World Cup of any description to a developing cricket country has a huge impact whether it's on facilities or awareness of the game particularly when the local team is involved,” said Allardice.
“It's a great opportunity to develop the game.”
Cricket's dream of making it to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles got a boost early this year when the Board of Control for Cricket India put aside their reluctance to join the push.
“Over the last decade, we have had various member countries expressing interest in being part of the Olympic games,” said Allardice.
“This time we have got all our members on board and are unanimous in wanting to be part of the games. I don't pretend it will be easy to campaign and be successful with the Los Angeles organising committee and beyond that Brisbane as well.
“There are going to be a lot of other attractive sports that are going to be interested. We are looking forward to putting our best foot forward. “