The Quiet Escape of Abbas Stanekzai to India After Criticizing AIG's Girls Education Ban

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, a senior Taliban leader with historical ties to India, who criticized the ban imposed by Hibatullah Akhundzada on girls’ education, has fled Afghanistan, traveling to India. Despite a travel ban and the imminent threat of arrest, Stanekzai quietly made his way to India, evading Taliban surveillance. Sources tracking his movement indicate that he then traveled to Dubai, allegedly on a RAW-sponsored trip, possibly seeking guidance and financial support to destabilize the already struggling Taliban government.

Also See: Afghanistan’s Taliban: Stuck in the Past, While the World Moves Forward

A Calculated Escape?

Stanekzai, a former officer cadet at India’s Military Academy in Dehradun (1982-1984), has long maintained a favorable stance toward New Delhi. His sudden departure follows an escalating power struggle within the Taliban, where Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada had reportedly ordered his arrest for opposing key decrees, particularly the controversial ban on women’s education.

The immediate trigger appeared to be Stanekzai’s remarks on January 18 at a madrasa graduation ceremony in Khost Province, where he openly criticized the Taliban’s policy of denying education to girls. He condemned the ongoing ban, stating: “Today, out of a population of 40 million, we are committing injustice against 20 million people.”

Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, girls above grade six have been banned from attending school indefinitely. Stanekzai further lashed out at the policy, declaring:

“Will we not be gathered in the same way on the Day of Judgment? … We have deprived them of all their rights; they have no inheritance rights, no share in determining their husband’s rights, they are sacrificed in forced marriages, they are not allowed to study, they cannot go to mosques, the doors of universities and schools are closed to them, and they are not allowed in religious schools either.”

Stanekzai, in a direct challenge to the Taliban’s hardline stance, asserted that the ban was “not in accordance with Sharia”, as reported by Tolo News. He urged the Taliban leadership to “open the doors of education,” emphasizing that there was no religious justification for such restrictions.

“There is no acceptable excuse for this, and there will never be. In the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the doors of knowledge were open to both men and women.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who has also been at odds with the Kandahar-based leadership, emphasized the importance of modern scientific education alongside religious studies:

“Now is the era of technology; strive to become familiar with modern education and the needs of the present time so that you can truly serve your religion and nation.”

Even Acting Minister for Energy and Water Abdul Latif Mansoor stressed unity within the Taliban ranks, stating:

“Dear elders, maintain your unity; our success lies in unity and solidarity. The unity of ethnic groups, social classes, and these great scholars who have graduated is the key to our success.”

Stanakzai’s Post-Escape Audio Mesaage

Notably, as Abbas Stanekzai is currently in India, a recently surfaced audio clip has revealed his views on leadership within the Taliban. The Deputy Foreign Minister stressed that while it is important to follow the guidance of leaders, they should not be elevated to the status of divine figures, equating them with God or the Prophet. He emphasized that obedience to a leader is warranted only when they are on the right path, and if they stray, their orders should be disregarded. Stanekzai further reminded his audience that leaders are human, and many have come and gone in Afghanistan’s history. He argued that if a leader’s orders are harmful to the country, they should not be followed. However, he made it clear that if a leader calls for the defense of the country against Pakistan or for safeguarding the borders, obedience becomes essential. This statement comes after Stanekzai’s vocal criticism of the Taliban’s Supreme Leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, over the girls’ education ban, which ultimately led to his departure from Afghanistan.

Internal Taliban Rift Deepens

With Stanekzai’s departure, the divisions within the Taliban have come into sharper focus:

Sources tracking his movement indicate that Stanekzai’s UAE stay was a cover, and he quietly traveled to India for undisclosed meetings.
Taliban insiders claim his visit aims to secure financial and strategic backing to counterbalance Akhundzada’s growing crackdown on dissenters.
His escape follows a deepening rift within the Taliban, with leaders like Mullah Baradar, Sirajuddin Haqqani, and Mawlawi Yaqoob reportedly lobbying for his release.

What’s Next?

If confirmed, the visit of Abbas Stanekzai to India signals a significant shift in regional geopolitics. His outreach to New Delhi—whether for support, asylum, or political maneuvering—could exacerbate the Taliban’s internal fractures at a time when the regime faces economic collapse and diplomatic isolation.

For now, both Kabul and New Delhi remain silent. However, if reports of his India visit hold true, it could mark a major turning point in Afghanistan’s post-Taliban power dynamics.

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SAT Commentaries, a collection of insightful social media threads on current events and social issues, featuring diverse perspectives from various authors.

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The Quiet Escape of Abbas Stanekzai to India After Criticizing AIG’s Girls Education Ban