He said this was of great concern considering the Taliban-led government’s controversial policies on women’s education.

Lim, who is also DAP chairman, said Afghanistan’s ban on women attending secondary schools and universities has drawn widespread international condemnation, including from the United Nations which described the restrictions as “gender apartheid”.

“I hope an explanation can be provided to the Malaysian public, as we are a nation that supports women’s rights, particularly the right to education, at any level, so they can reach their full potential without discrimination,” he told a press conference in Parliament today.

Lim’s remarks come after education minister Fadhlina Sidek said her ministry received a visit from the Afghan delegation recently and that her ministry shared insights on education.

However, Lim questioned whether this issue of gender discrimination was raised during the visit. He also asked how the visit from the Afghan delegation would benefit Malaysia.

“I have received many questions about this matter. We do not want the visit to be misinterpreted as Malaysia condoning or not opposing their ban on women studying at secondary schools and universities,” he said, adding that he plans to raise the issue in the Dewan Rakyat.

“I will attempt to raise it during the Minister’s Question Time next week.”

Afghanistan is the only country in the world that does not allow girls and women to attend secondary schools and universities.

In March last year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that Malaysia was ready to cooperate and improve ties with the Afghanistan government under Taliban rule.

He said, however, Malaysia stood firm on the issue of women’s education and was of the opinion that the right of the group to education must not be denied.