RASC News Agency: Local sources in Nangarhar report that Riazullah Haqqani, a member of the Taliban’s Ulema Council in the province, has directed the leaders of private higher education institutions to hire professors who are loyal to the Taliban. Haqqani made this statement on Monday, October 7, during a meeting convened by the Taliban’s Directorate of Information and Culture, attended by officials from private educational institutions in the province.
He further urged university officials to encourage students to align themselves with the Taliban’s ideology. According to sources, a substantial number of students and scholars oppose the regime imposed by the group. Previously, the Taliban had already introduced various restrictions on private higher education institutions across the country. Approximately two years ago, the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice declared that it would enhance oversight of private educational institutions. Additionally, the Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education appointed special representatives to each university to monitor and regulate their activities.
During the Taliban’s three years in power, they have shown profound disregard for knowledge and educational institutions. Their focus has remained confined to religious seminaries and mosques, neglecting all other scientific and cultural establishments, which they deem heretical and conveyors of Western ideologies. It is worth noting that the Taliban are not concerned with cultivating scholars or intellectuals; they seek to produce soldiers. Those pursuing higher education are unlikely to become foot soldiers for terrorism and religious extremism.
