Facing intensified international scrutiny and recent warnings from senior U.S. officials, Taliban convened a meeting on Tuesday in Kabul titled “National Unity and Stability of the Islamic System.” The gathering comes as Taliban continues to face widespread criticism over its human rights record and governance.
Noorullah Noori, the Taliban’s Minister for Borders, Tribes, and Ethnic Affairs, addressed the event, stating, “The people of Afghanistan have made countless sacrifices for the establishment of the current system.” He emphasized the importance of public support for the Taliban government.
Aminullah Obaid, the Taliban governor of Kabul, claimed that the Taliban’s governance represents a “pure Islamic system unparalleled in the world.” He added that Taliban officials are addressing public grievances and remain accessible to citizens, urging the population to support their rule.
Mohammad Ali Jan Ahmad, the Taliban’s Deputy Minister for Tribal Affairs, echoed these sentiments, calling on citizens to cooperate with the government to safeguard the “Islamic system.”
The meeting took place against a backdrop of growing global pressure on the Taliban. Last week, Karim Khan, the prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC), requested arrest warrants for senior Taliban leaders, including Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, accusing them of crimes against humanity, including gender-based persecution. Khan emphasized the involvement of specialized teams and international experts in advancing the investigation.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stark warning, referencing reports that the Taliban may have taken American citizens hostage. In a post on the social media platform X, Rubio stated, “If these reports are confirmed, we must immediately announce a far larger reward for the Taliban leadership—greater than what was offered for Osama bin Laden.”
Rubio’s comments and the ICC’s actions have sparked widespread debate within Afghan political circles. Rahmatullah Nabil, the former head of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security, called Rubio’s warning “serious,” describing it as indicative of mounting international pressure on the Taliban.
As the Taliban contend with increasing global condemnation, questions persist over their ability to navigate the challenges of international isolation while maintaining domestic control.
