Qatar envoy meets Taliban officials in Kabul after restrictions on women and girls

Qatari officials visited Afghanistan’s capital on Sunday to meet with the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, according to an Afghan official. 

The visit to Kabul comes after the Taliban government restricted girls' attendance at schools and women's study at higher education institutions. Women have also been prevented from working with NGOs.

Doha has been critical of the Taliban’s policies, labelling them "deeply concerning".

Today, the Special Envoy of the Foreign Minister of the State of Qatar, Dr. Mutlaq bin Majid Al-Qahtani, and accompanied delegation called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi at Storay Palace. pic.twitter.com/aDMpYKyvFR

— Abdul Qahar Balkhi (@QaharBalkhi) February 5, 2023

The special envoy of Qatar’s foreign minister Mutlaq Bin Majed Al-Qahtani met with acting Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul, according to Afghan foreign affairs spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi.

"The meeting focused on topics of mutual interest with detailed discussions about political cooperation, strengthening relations and role of Qatar Charity in humanitarian operations. To end, both sides stressed that existing opportunities should be managed and utilised well," Balkhi said in a tweet. 

No international government has recognised the Taliban administration, which has governed Afghanistan ever since the militant group took control of the country in August 2021.

However, China and Pakistan have sent their diplomats to meet with the Taliban leadership in the past, and a senior UN official also visited the country last year to discuss women’s rights. 

Doha was home to the Taliban’s political office for nine years until 2021, the year the group seized power from Ashraf Ghani’s Western-backed government in a devastating military campaign.