West calls for reversal of curbs on Afghan women

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Top Pakistani and US officials have discussed counter-terrorism cooperation and bans on education and jobs for girls and women in Afghanistan.

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West commended two days of talks with Pakistani officials in Islamabad on Jan. 30 and 31 as productive.

West tweeted that he met Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq and Foreign Secretary Asad Majeed Khan.

Terrorism, security, the need for international unity and the dangerous impact of the Afghan government’s edicts on millions getting vital aid and education came up for discussion, he wrote.

He urged support for the important work of the UN and implementers to secure reversal of the ban on women aid workers and female education.

The visiting diplomat said: “Met courageous Afghan women and heard critical demands and observations: Women-headed households in Afghanistan are suffering, and int’l community must prioritise their needs.”

He lamented Afghan women and girls confined to home were experiencing extreme mental and psychological stresses, deprived of their ability to move freely and get educated.

Meanwhile, Sadiq said Pakistan supported continuous engagement with the current Afghan government. He spoke to West on recent developments in Afghanistan.

The envoy wrote: “I underlined Pakistan's support for continued engagement with the interim Afghan government and humanitarian support to the people of Afghanistan.”

Sadiq, who also met Regional Director of UNHCR Bureau for Asia and Pacific Region Indrika Ratwatte, called for creating pull factors in Afghanistan to stop the new exodus of citizens and enable refugees to return home.

A large number of new refugees had come to Pakistan in last 18 months, he noted, saying: “It is an alarming situation and needs to be addressed at many levels…”

During his latest visit, beginning on Sunday, the US diplomat is also scheduled to meet officials in Germany and Switzerland.

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