Taliban Name Remaining Cabinet Ministers; 'To Soon Allow Girls Back in Schools'

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid did not mention the women's ministry, reported AFP.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid

Image: PTI

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Tuesday, 21 September, said girls in Aghanistan will be allowed to go back to school 'as soon as possible', reported AFP.

"We are finalising things... it will happen as soon as possible," he said on girls' education, while announcing the remaining cabinet ministers of the Taliban government.

"These positions are considered important for the functioning of the Emirate," he said.

Mujahid also said that the Taliban had funds to pay government salaries but needed more time, reported The Times of India.

According to Bloomberg, Mujahid said that the current Taliban government is an interim one and will soon include women, minorities and professionals.

Without giving any timeframe, he also said that their group is working towards adding women in government positions and experts to improve its cabinet.

No Mention of Women's Ministry

Earlier, the Taliban ministry of education had said that schools would be re-opening for boys from Saturday, 18 September. "All teachers and male students should attend school," the statement had said. However, there was no mention of girls in the statement.

Meanwhile, Mujahid said nothing relating to the now-closed women's ministry.

The ministry, which was shut down last week, had been replaced by their Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

According to 1TVNewsAF, Mujahid also said, "Qatar, Iran, Pakistan and other countries have offered advices over government for recognition, but it is not to the extent of interfering in our internal affairs."

Asks Afghan Media Outlets Not To Broadcast IPL

Meanwhile, India Today reported that the Taliban has asked Afghanistan media outlets not to broadcast the Indian Premier League, currently being held in the UAE, due to the presence of female spectators in the stadium.

New Cabinet Ministers

According to 1TVNewsAF, the Taliban appointed Nooruddin Azizi, a businessman from Panjshir, as the acting minister of commerce, Mohammad Bashir, a businessman from Baghlan, the deputy minister of commerce, Dr Qalandar Ebad the acting minister of health.

Abdul Qayoum Zakir was appointed the deputy minister of defense, Nazar Mohammad Mutmaen was appointed as the acting head of National Olympic Committee and Engineer Najibullah appointed was appointed as the atomic energy chief.

(With inputs from AFP, Bloomberg, 1TVNewsAF, India Today and The Times of India)