Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi Invites Women Journalists To Another Press Meet After Backlash

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, facing criticism for excluding women journalists from a Delhi press meet on Friday, has scheduled another media interaction on Sunday (12 October), this time inviting female reporters, reported India Today.

Muttaqi, on a week-long visit to India, drew condemnation after photographs from the 10 October event showed a men-only briefing.

Journalists, opposition leaders, and women’s rights groups criticised the move.

The Editors Guild of India and the Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) called the exclusion “highly discriminatory,” rejecting any justification based on diplomatic protocol or the Vienna Convention.

In response, Muttaqi’s team sent fresh invitations, describing Sunday’s event as “inclusive” and open to all media personnel.

The Taliban leader arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for his first official visit since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021.

His trip aims to strengthen regional ties despite international criticism of his government’s restrictions on women’s rights, education, and public participation.

The government had clarified it had not organised the earlier press meet.

"The Ministry of External Affairs had no involvement in the press interaction held yesterday by the Afghan foreign minister in Delhi,” officials said.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra demanded a clarification, while Mahua Moitra called the exclusion “shameful.”

Jairam Ramesh added, “(Tali)ban on female journalists in India. Shocking and unacceptable that the Government of India agreed to it, and that too in New Delhi on the eve of the International Day of the Girl Child.”

Since 2021, the Taliban has barred women from education beyond grade six, most jobs, and public spaces, drawing repeated international warnings over systematic oppression.

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