Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani’s praise for a 9-year-old polyglot from Herat has sparked a wave of criticism.
While Haqqani called the child a “rare talent” and promised support, citizens view the move as hypocritical given the ongoing ban on education for millions of girls.
Social media users, recalling past suicide attacks, commented that the Haqqani Network has the blood of hundreds of children on its hands. Critics question how a group that closed schools and opposed modern education can now pretend to champion young talent.
Civil society activists emphasize that genuine support for children isn’t achieved through photo ops. They argue that if the Taliban were sincere, they would reopen schools for all girls and create a safe environment free from violence and extremism.
