Fugitive Indian preacher Zakir Naik has faced criticism from Indians, Pakistanis and Afghans after defending the Taliban's restrictions on girls' education as a temporary delay rather than a ban. His claims about female teachers and higher education have drawn criticism from Afghan activists, Malala Yousafzai's father and Indian scholars, who also questioned Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's support for Naik.

The Afghan Taliban called Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan “an act of aggression and crime in violation of all accepted principles.”