Sayed Akbar Agha, a former senior Taliban official, has for the first time publicly rejected a decree by Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah, emphasizing that the issue of Afghan girls’ education must be addressed through a tribal council (jirga).
This statement comes in response to Mullah Hibatullah’s recent decisions, including the closure of universities to women without providing any valid justification and, earlier this week, issuing a decree banning girls from pursuing medical studies.
On Thursday, December 5, Sayed Akbar Agha wrote on his social media platform that the crisis surrounding girls’ education in Afghanistan must be resolved through a public jirga. He underscored that education is an essential need for Afghanistan’s development and that only the people can decide on such matters.
He further mentioned foreign influences on the Taliban leadership, stating, “Foreign entities are trying to use the education issue to deepen the divide between the people and the Taliban.” He added that Afghans have historically resolved national issues through jirgas and that this traditional method should also be used to address the education crisis.
The former Taliban official asserted that decisions regarding Afghan girls’ education require the perspectives and votes of the Afghan people. This call comes as Mullah Hibatullah, over the past three years, has implemented strict policies against women, seemingly avoiding public opinion and imposing his directives through decrees alone.
