Zabihullah Mujahid confirms suspension of law and political science programs at private universities.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesperson, implicitly confirmed during a press conference in Kabul that some academic programs at private universities, including law and political science, have been suspended.
Speaking on Sunday, September 8, at the Government Media and Information Center, Mujahid said in response to questions from journalists that certain fields in which private universities are “incapable” may be suspended.
He added that law and political science programs remain active at public universities and are expected to receive greater attention and support. According to him, the proposed measure will not apply to public universities.
The Taliban spokesperson said: “Of course, it is possible that some private universities that are incapable in those fields, or where teaching is weak, will be covered by [the suspension plan]. Public universities are not included. On the contrary, greater attention is being given to these fields at public universities.”
His remarks came after an image of minutes from a meeting of the Taliban Ministry of Higher Education’s leadership committee was circulated on social media last week. The document referred to a decision to suspend law, political science, and international relations faculties at private universities.
According to the minutes, members of the Taliban Ministry of Higher Education’s leadership committee had decided to also halt private-sector education in these fields. However, Taliban officials had previously provided no official explanation of the details of the decision.
Over the past five years, the Taliban have imposed restrictions on a number of academic disciplines at universities across Afghanistan. Some fields, including certain areas of arts and music, have also been removed from university curricula during this period.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
