Taliban authorities have reportedly agreed to allow Afghan girls to pursue higher education in Pakistan, on the condition that their male guardians are granted visas to accompany them. This decision comes as Afghan students, including over 5,000 women, took entrance exams for Pakistani universities this past Saturday.

Around 21,000 Afghan candidates, including those from refugee communities in Pakistan, are applying for graduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. programs. The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan is selecting up to 2,000 students, with one-third of the spots reserved for females.

Pakistan expressed gratitude to the Taliban for agreeing to allow female students to study in the country, provided their mahrams (chaperones) are granted visas. However, the Taliban have not yet publicly commented on the arrangement.

This development follows the Taliban's 2021 ban on girls' education beyond sixth grade and restrictions on women traveling without male chaperones. Pakistan's scholarship program, which was halted after the Taliban's return to power, offers fully funded education to Afghan students, including in fields like medicine, engineering, and computer science.

The entrance exams for Afghan students come amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly over claims that Afghan territory is being used by anti-Pakistan militants. Despite this, both nations are working to improve bilateral ties through education and trade cooperation.