Karzai said Afghanistan’s future depends on education, unity and skilled young people….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Hamid Karzai has once again urged Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to reopen schools and universities for girls and allow women to return to work, saying the country’s future depended on education, unity and skilled human resources.
In an Eid message issued on Wednesday, Karzai described Afghanistan as the shared home of all its citizens and stressed that long term prosperity could only be achieved through national unity and education.
The former Afghan president said the country needed educated young people equipped with knowledge, technology and expertise to rebuild and progress.
Karzai renewed his appeal for Taliban authorities to reopen educational institutions to girls as soon as possible and provide opportunities for women and trained professionals to participate in public life and employment.
His remarks come as Afghanistan begins another academic year without girls above sixth grade returning to classrooms for the fifth consecutive year since the Taliban regained power in 2021.
The Taliban administration continues to bar girls from secondary schools and universities while also imposing restrictions on women working in several sectors.
International organisations and United Nations agencies have repeatedly called on the Taliban to reverse the restrictions, warning that the policies are worsening Afghanistan’s humanitarian and economic crisis and limiting opportunities for women and girls.
In his Eid message, Karzai also expressed sympathy with families affected by recent flooding across several Afghan provinces.
He said many people had suffered casualties and financial losses because of heavy rains and flooding and called for continued humanitarian assistance to victims and returning refugees facing severe hardship.
Karzai also paid tribute to Afghans killed during recent Pakistani aerial and artillery strikes during the Eid period and extended condolences to the affected families.
The former president’s comments reflect continuing domestic and international pressure on the Taliban government over women’s rights, access to education and broader civil freedoms in Afghanistan.
