Pakistan’s presidential spokesperson, Murtaza Solangi, has criticized the Taliban’s restrictions on Afghan women and girls, saying the group is escalating tensions with Pakistan to divert attention from Afghanistan’s domestic problems.

Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration, has urged the international community not to leave Afghans alone to face their problems, saying that viewing Afghanistan solely as a threat offers no solution.

As tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban escalate, spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid says four civilians have been killed in Pakistani airstrikes on Kandahar, Paktia and Khost. Islamabad says it targeted 10 military sites.

The practice of “baad” continues to affect women and girls in parts of Afghanistan. Shirin and Zainab describe being forced into marriage to settle crimes committed by men in their families.