Pakistan has been calling on the world not to abandon Afghanistan as the war-ravaged country remains at a critical juncture and there is still hope for peace. However, it has seldom found support particularly in the West which remains wary of the Taliban’s motives.
The United States froze $9.5 billion in Afghan central banks assets and international lenders have stayed clear money could be used by the Taliban. The country faces a shortage of funds which has raised concerns of currency smuggling form Pakistan to ease the crisis. There may have been the absence of bloodshed and civil war during the Taliban takeover but barely a month after, the militant group has slowly been eroding away Afghan’s last remaining freedom.
The Taliban have allowed to reopen secondary schools over the weekend but girls and female teachers were asked to stay away. Women have also been barred from returning to work if the job can be replaced by a man. The Taliban have now announced that girls can return to schools soon without giving any date. Those who have come back have to study in segregated schools leading to a shortage of teachers. The exclusion of women and girls from education and works has raised skepticism that the Taliban who promised a softer image would adhere to the pledges.
The Taliban have also failed to announce an inclusive government as promised. The interim cabinet remains an all-male setup filled with loyalists and hardliners. There is no woman in the cabinet and the women’s ministry has been scrapped, replaced with the dreaded Ministry of Vice and Virtue. The cabinet includes battleground commanders, former Guantanamo detainees and even those placed on the UN sanctions list.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has stated that there is no hurry in recognising the Taliban government. He said the reconciliation cannot be completed with the formation of an inclusive government with the representation of all parties and ethnicities. It should be realised the Taliban will not gain global recognition if they fail to honour their promises. The world would not accept a brutal, oppressive state where women remain barred from work and school.
