Pakistan Criticizes Taliban Over Women’s Rights and Cross-Border Security Threats

Pakistan Criticizes Taliban Over Women’s Rights and Cross-Border Security Threats
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Pakistan has criticized the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan over restrictions on girls’ education and accused them of failing to prevent armed groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan, amid continuing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.

In a statement issued Monday evening, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting responded to remarks by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, accusing the movement of using media rhetoric to divert attention from security concerns. The ministry argued that the Taliban’s claims to support good governance and civil rights contradicted its treatment of Afghan women and girls.

Mujahid had rejected allegations that the Taliban supports armed groups, describing the accusations as baseless. He urged Pakistan’s government to address its domestic problems and respect the rights and views of its citizens and political groups rather than blaming Afghanistan.

Pakistan maintained that the Taliban authorities are responsible for preventing attacks originating from Afghan territory. The ministry cited a report by the UN Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, which it said estimated that approximately 6,000 Pakistani Taliban fighters were present in Afghanistan and indicated they received support from the Afghan Taliban.

Islamabad called on the Taliban authorities to take concrete measures against the alleged threat rather than simply deny the accusations. The dispute highlights persistent disagreements over cross-border militancy, alongside international criticism of restrictions on women’s education and participation in public life under Taliban rule.