Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Alim Khan Yasin Gildayev, has ended his diplomatic mission in Kabul, marking the close of a period of engagement with the Taliban.
During a meeting with the Taliban’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, Gildayev expressed gratitude for the cooperation between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan under the Taliban regime, according to a statement from the ministry.
The Taliban-run Ministry of Industry and Commerce highlighted Gildayev’s praise for what he described as a “favorable trade environment” between Afghanistan and Central Asian nations. Kazakhstan, one of the few countries to have removed the Taliban from its “terrorist list,” has maintained an active diplomatic relationship with the group, a stance that has drawn international scrutiny.
Kazakhstan has also recognized Mohammad Rahman Rahmani, appointed by the Taliban, as the chargé d’affaires of Afghanistan’s embassy in Astana, solidifying its formal ties with the regime.
However, the engagement between Kazakhstan and the Taliban has sparked criticism from human rights groups. Activists have condemned the regional cooperation with the Taliban, citing the group’s harsh restrictions on women and girls, as well as its disregard for basic human rights in Afghanistan. The Taliban’s policies have prompted widespread concerns, particularly over their treatment of women, who face severe limitations on education, employment, and public life under the current government.
The diplomatic and economic ties between Kazakhstan and the Taliban regime continue to unfold as the broader international community grapples with how to engage with Afghanistan while upholding human rights principles.
