Due to its decision, the United States cancelled its scheduled meetings with Taliban officials on key economic issues on Friday.
Digital Desk: Taliban has notified Afghan airlines that women cannot board domestic or international flights without a male relative, according to reports. The move comes after the Taliban reversed their previous promise to open high schools for girls, which shocked many Afghans and drew condemnation from humanitarian organizations and foreign governments. Due to its decision, the United States cancelled its scheduled meetings with Taliban officials on key economic issues on Friday. According to the sources, who asked not to be identified for security reasons, said that the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice sent a letter to afghan airlines on Saturday informing them of the new restrictions. The Taliban also stated that unaccompanied women who had already purchased tickets would be permitted to travel on Sunday and Monday. According to them, some women with tickets were turned away at Kabul's airport on Saturday. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice and the Ministry of Culture and Information did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Previously, a Taliban administration spokesman stated that a male relative should accompany women travelling abroad for study. However, the Taliban claimed to have changed since their previous rule from 1996 to 2001, when they prohibited women from attending school, working, or leaving the house without the presence of a male relative. The Taliban claims to be granting women's rights according to Islamic law and Afghan culture. However, the closure of high schools and some limitations on women's employment and the requirement that women travel long distances with a relative have sparked criticism from many Afghan women and rights organizations. However, till now, it was unclear whether the air travel limitations would allow for any exceptions, such as in emergencies or for women with no living male relatives in the country, and whether they applied the same to foreigners or women with dual citizenship. So far, the international community has not formally recognized the Taliban government, and sanctions have crippled the country's banking sector, resulting in a humanitarian catastrophe, which has been exacerbated by reduced development funding. Also Read: Taliban To Reopen Afghan Public Universities, darkness prevail in female students educationContinue Reading
