Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Taliban officials have arrested Wazir Khan, a 25-year-old Afghan educator and activist, who has been campaigning for the education rights of girls in Afghanistan, his family confirmed. Khan was taken from his home in Butkhak, Kabul, on 24 February by four Taliban intelligence officers, who tied his hands, blindfolded him, and transported him to the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) facility. His whereabouts remain unknown over a week later.
Khan, the founder of the non-profit Today Child, has been advocating for education access in rural areas since 2022, distributing books and encouraging communities to educate children under 12, which the Taliban permits under its interpretation of Sharia law. However, his use of the hashtag #LetAfghanGirlsLearn on social media may have drawn the regime’s ire.
Human rights advocate Samantha Leaning, who worked closely with Khan, expressed concern for his safety, noting he had previously felt under threat. The Taliban has banned girls’ education beyond sixth grade since regaining power, leading to widespread closures of schools and the arrest of several educators, including Matiullah Wesa, who was detained for 215 days in 2023.
The Taliban has yet to comment on Khan’s arrest, which highlights the ongoing crackdown on activists fighting for girls’ education in Afghanistan.
