Taliban’s Justice Minister, Abdul Hakim Sharie, confirmed on Wednesday the prohibition of political parties in Afghanistan.
This announcement formalizes the de facto stance the group held since seizing power on August 15, 2021.
Sharie stated during a press conference in Kabul, “Political party activities are now banned in the nation as they don’t align with Islamic law, bring no benefit, and aren’t desired by the country.”
Following their takeover of Kabul two years ago, with pledges of a different approach than their initial reign from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban announced the creation of an “interim” government.
Critics pointed out its exclusion of women, political parties, and various ethnic groups.
Ansarullah Ibrahimkhil, Public Relations Director at the Justice Ministry, clarified that the Taliban had dissolved Afghanistan’s political parties “at the beginning of the Islamic Emirate government (as the Taliban-led government terms itself).”
This is the most explicit the group has been on the matter.
Before the Taliban’s return, Afghanistan recognized 73 political parties through its Justice Ministry.
However, most have been inactive over the past two years, with many of their leaders forced into exile.
Alongside the curtailment of political rights, there’s been an increasing array of limitations imposed on Afghans, particularly women.
From barring secondary and higher education for females to hindering women’s employment opportunities and mandating male escorts for long journeys, the Taliban have imposed numerous restrictions.