Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s former Special Representative for Afghanistan, has stated that Islamabad should not assume responsibility for resolving Afghanistan’s internal political issues and challenges, arguing that this is a shared responsibility of the country’s current rulers and the international community.
Durrani said that respect for human rights, girls’ right to education, and women’s right to work are issues for which the Taliban must be accountable to both the Afghan people and the international community. He emphasized that countries committed to defending human rights should play a more effective role in persuading the Taliban to revise their policies.
He also noted that Pakistan has borne significant economic, political, and humanitarian costs as a result of the situation in Afghanistan over the past several years. Therefore, he argued, Pakistan should no longer be expected to play the role of Afghanistan’s “guardian” or “mentor.”
Durrani further criticized the Taliban’s current policies, saying that half of Afghanistan’s population—particularly women and girls—has been deprived of its fundamental rights. According to him, the continued ban on girls’ education will have serious consequences for future generations and will negatively affect the country’s healthcare system and broader social development.
He also raised the question of who would provide healthcare services to Afghan women in the years ahead if girls are prevented today from studying medicine and pursuing higher education in other fields.
Concluding his remarks, Durrani stressed that women’s education is not a Western demand but a fundamental prerequisite for the progress, stability, and effective governance of any society. He added that no country can deprive half of its population of education and basic rights while expecting to achieve a stable and prosperous future.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
