Pakistani Religious Scholars Criticize Taliban’s Ban on Girls’ Education in Afghanistan

A group of prominent Pakistani religious scholars openly criticized the Taliban administration’s policy of depriving girls of education, calling it incompatible with Islamic teachings. The meeting, held on Tuesday under the umbrella of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) and led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the party’s leader, issued a statement urging the Taliban to reopen educational institutions to girls without delay.

The statement emphasized that education for both men and women is a “religious obligation” and that there is no Islamic basis for prohibiting girls from pursuing their studies. The participating scholars warned that continuing these restrictions would harm Afghanistan’s social structure, the future of its coming generations, and the country’s standing on the international stage.

The Pakistani clerics highlighted the religious responsibilities of scholars and rulers, deeming the ongoing ban on girls’ education as contrary to Islamic principles. They called for a serious reconsideration of the Taliban’s policy, which has so far faced widespread negative reactions inside and outside Afghanistan.