Taliban Defense Minister Urges Members to Avoid Ethnic and Linguistic Prejudices
KABUL — Taliban Defense Minister Yaqub Mujahid urged members of the group to refrain from ethnic and linguistic prejudices during a ceremony on Sunday marking the 37th anniversary of the withdrawal of former Soviet Red Army forces from Afghanistan.
Mujahid, speaking on February 15, described such prejudices as the result of "narrow-mindedness."
Abdul Salam Hanafi, Taliban deputy prime minister for administrative affairs, stated that no ethnic prejudices exist within the group.
The remarks were made amid accusations against Taliban officials of engaging in ethnic and linguistic biases. After regaining control, the Taliban removed Persian and Uzbek languages from most signs and government offices. Political experts say 90 percent of cabinet seats are held by Pashtun members of the group.
Know more about this story?
If you have additional information or believe something is inaccurate, let us know. Your tips help us stay accurate.
Sources (1)
More in Politics
Commentary Critiques Lack of Political Actors in Afghan Society
Taliban Opponents' Meeting Begins in European Parliament
Pakistani political figures call for end to clashes with Taliban
Pakistan Invites Prominent Taliban Opponents to Islamabad Meeting After Eid al-Fitr
UnverifiedCommentary Critiques Lack of Political Actors in Afghan Society
Dr. Latif Pedram, leader of Afghanistan's National Congress Party, remarked that society has many political analysts but few actors, forming the basis of an Amu TV commentary urging action over discourse in politics.
ReliableTaliban Opponents' Meeting Begins in European Parliament
A two-day meeting of Taliban opponents began in the European Parliament on March 16, the first such official interaction on the Afghan crisis. Meanwhile, WHO reported rising health issues amid Afghan returns, and Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued an Eid message omitting key conflicts.
ReliablePakistani political figures call for end to clashes with Taliban
Pakistani politicians Mahmoud Khan Achakzai, Mohsen Dawar and Khushhal Khan Kakar issued a joint statement calling for an end to clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan, citing Pashtun civilian casualties from Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan. They described the tensions as an 'undeclared war' fueled by external investments and urged policy changes for peaceful relations.
DevelopingPakistan Invites Prominent Taliban Opponents to Islamabad Meeting After Eid al-Fitr
Pakistan has invited prominent political and military opponents of the Taliban to Islamabad for a likely meeting after Eid al-Fitr. In separate developments, the Taliban released hundreds of prisoners in Nangarhar and Helmand provinces, while the UN sanctions committee added one Taliban official to its list and removed dozens of others.