A leading group of Pakistani Islamic scholars has openly criticized Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers for barring girls from education, declaring the policy inconsistent with Islamic teachings and harmful to Afghan society.
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), after a meeting in Karachi chaired by Maulana Fazlur Rehman, issued a statement asserting that denying girls access to education has no justification in Islam. The scholars stressed that seeking knowledge is a religious obligation for both men and women and urged the Taliban to immediately reopen all schools and universities to female students.
The clerics warned that the continued ban would cause long-term social damage, undermine future generations, and deepen Afghanistan’s international isolation. They said the policy directly contradicts Islamic principles and risks leaving the country further marginalized at a time when it faces severe economic and humanitarian challenges.
Since returning to power, the Taliban have prohibited girls above the sixth grade from attending school and barred women from universities. Despite sustained criticism from within Afghanistan, Muslim-majority countries, and the broader international community, the Taliban leadership has so far shown no willingness to reverse the restrictions.
In the same statement, the JUI also addressed growing regional tensions, calling on the Afghan Taliban to ensure their territory is not used for launching militant attacks into Pakistan. The scholars emphasized that disputes between neighboring countries should be resolved through dialogue rather than force.
They strongly condemned militant violence inside Pakistan, describing it as both religiously and constitutionally illegitimate. Maulana Fazlur Rehman also criticized recent Pakistani military strikes inside Afghanistan, arguing that regional conflicts require restraint and sustained diplomatic engagement.
Related: Taliban Denies Agreement on Afghan Female Students Scholarships
Relations between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban have deteriorated sharply since Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan last October, which were followed by deadly border clashes. Pakistani authorities maintain that the Afghan Taliban are sheltering fighters of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, an allegation Kabul denies, although United Nations reports have confirmed the presence of TTP militants on Afghan soil.
