Pak Defense Minister: Taliban Oppress Women, Minorities, and Ethnic Groups
DID Press: Pakistan’s Defense Minister has sharply criticized the Taliban, accusing the group of severely suppressing the rights of ethnic groups, women, and minorities in Afghanistan, and of failing to fulfill its promises to the international community over the past four years.
Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s Defense Minister, responded to recent remarks by Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban-led interim government, by taking a strong stance against the group. “The Taliban are responsible for the continued suppression of ethnic groups, women, and minorities in Afghanistan,” he said.
In a post on social media platform X, Asif wrote that even four years after seizing power in Kabul, the Taliban have not implemented any of their commitments to the international community and continue to govern Afghanistan people with closed and repressive policies.
He emphasized that “the Taliban do not represent Afghanistan” and that they are plagued by internal divisions and factionalism.
According to Pakistan’s defense minister, instead of striving for stability and national unity, the Taliban leadership hides its failures behind propaganda slogans and by acting as proxies for foreign groups.
Asif also said that Pakistan’s political and military leadership is united on the country’s security policies, calling the Taliban spokesperson’s claims about discord between Pakistan’s civilian and military institutions “misleading and baseless.”
Addressing cross-border security threats, he added that the people of Pakistan, especially residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, are aware of the Taliban’s support for terrorist groups linked to India. Pakistan, he stressed, pursues a unified and decisive policy against terrorism to protect its citizens.
Finally, Asif condemned the Taliban for silencing free speech, restricting girls’ education, and removing women from social and political spheres, stating that these actions show the group has no intention of establishing an inclusive and just system in Afghanistan.