Shir Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the political deputy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the caretaker government, has urged government leaders to create opportunities for education for everyone.
Mr. Stanikzai made this statement yesterday (Saturday, January 18) at a ceremony for the graduation of Hafiz and reciters at the “Mazharul Uloom Niazi” religious school in Khost, stating that there is no excuse for keeping educational institutions closed.
He emphasized: “Our request to the leaders of the Islamic Emirate is to unconditionally open the doors of knowledge to everyone within the framework of Islamic principles; the world also has differences with us on this matter.”
The deputy of the current Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that appointments in institutions should be based on meritocracy and that work should be entrusted to qualified individuals.
He stated that if the current system has the support of citizens, no power can stand against it.
Over the past three years, Abbas Stanikzai has repeatedly called on the caretaker government to provide educational opportunities for all citizens of Afghanistan.
He had previously criticized the lack of reopening schools and universities for girls and expressed hope that schools would open “without discrimination” for everyone.
It should be noted that for more than three years, the caretaker government has banned girls above the sixth grade from attending school in Afghanistan.
The current Ministry of Higher Education has also prevented Afghan women and girls from studying at universities and educational centers. Additionally, the current government has prohibited women’s and girls’ education in health institutions.
These actions by the current government have resulted in millions of female students being deprived of education.
It is worth mentioning that alongside these restrictions, women have been banned from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in domestic and international non-governmental organizations, as well as even in United Nations offices in Afghanistan.
