“No other intention,” says Muttaqi, as women reporters take front seats at Afghan Embassy event
New Delhi :Taliban government Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held a press conference Sunday at the Afghan Embassy in Delhi, notably inviting women journalists who were seated prominently in the front row—a stark contrast to Friday’s event where their exclusion sparked controversy.
Addressing the earlier omission, Muttaqi clarified it was “purely for technical reasons due to time constraints and a shortened media list, with no other intention.”
Key Highlights:
Women’s Education: Muttaqi claimed 10 million students attend Afghan schools, including 2.8 million women and girls. He stated women’s education isn’t religiously forbidden but “temporarily suspended pending alternative arrangements.”
India Relations: Following meetings with India’s Foreign Minister, Muttaqi announced India would upgrade its Kabul mission to full embassy status, increase Delhi-Kabul flights, and explore investments in Afghanistan’s mineral, agricultural, and sports sectors. Afghanistan requested opening the Wagah border for faster trade access.
Pakistan Tensions: Speaking in Urdu, Muttaqi distinguished between Pakistan’s people (“no enmity”) and certain troublemakers. He revealed Afghanistan initiated military operations, halted through Saudi and Qatari mediation, warning “we want peace, but have other options.” He denied Pakistani Taliban (TTP) presence in Afghanistan while urging Pakistan to control terrorist groups.
Press Freedom: Muttaqi expressed condolences for Indian journalist Danish Siddiqui, killed in Afghanistan in 2021, claiming no journalists have been harmed in four years under Taliban rule.
The seven-day visit represents significant diplomatic engagement between India and Taliban-governed Afghanistan.
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