Taliban militants (file photo)

Amu: Taliban have dismissed more than 200 professors and university employees in the southeastern provinces of Khost and Paktia as part of a sweeping campaign to downsize public institutions, according to four academic and administrative sources familiar with the matter.  A source close to Sheikh Zayed University said many of those let go were seen as politically inconvenient, either because of their previous affiliations with the former Afghan government or because of academic independence that clashed with Taliban ideology. Sources allege that the firings have been selective, sparing individuals with close ties to Taliban leadership, while disproportionately affecting those without political backing or those who had previously served in the former government. Click here to read more (external link).