In an interview with Afghan television, the Taliban's minister of higher education pushed back against the widespread international condemnation sparked by the ban.

Taliban leadership have said they want peaceful relations with the international community but that foreigners should not interfere in domestic affairs.

The upcoming negotiations are scheduled between the leaders of the Taliban and U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad to discuss the withdrawal of foreign forces and a possible ceasefire in 2019.