Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi announced a press conference in New Delhi on Sunday, specifically inviting women journalists following backlash over their exclusion from his previous media interaction on Friday.
Muttaqi, who is on a week-long visit to India, faced significant criticism after photographs from the October 10 press briefing revealed that only male journalists were present at the event addressed by the Taliban leader.
The exclusion sparked condemnation from journalists, opposition leaders, and women’s rights advocates. The Editors Guild of India and the Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) described the exclusion of women journalists as “highly discriminatory”, dismissing any justifications based on diplomatic privilege or the Vienna Convention.
Also Read: Major social media platforms restricted in Afghanistan
In response to the criticism, Muttaqi’s team issued fresh invitations for the Sunday press conference, emphasising that it would be an “inclusive” event open to all media personnel. Muttaqi, a senior Taliban leader, arrived in New Delhi on Thursday, for his first official visit since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021.
His trip is part of the Taliban government’s efforts to re-engage with regional countries, despite ongoing international criticism of its policies, particularly those restricting women’s rights, education, and public participation.
Also Read: Taliban kill 58 Pak soldiers, seize posts in border clashes
Follow us
