The resolution, sponsored by China, extends the mandate of the UN political mission in Afghanistan, known as UNAMA, until June 17, 2027, and reinforces its role in supporting humanitarian assistance and promoting inclusive governance without discrimination based on sex, religion or ethnicity.

It also calls for the “full, equal, meaningful and safe participation” of women, minorities, youth and persons with disabilities in Afghanistan’s political and social life, according to the text adopted by the Council.

The vote followed reports of the arrest of at least 30 women in the western city of Herat this month for allegedly violating Taliban-imposed dress regulations, an incident that triggered a rare protest which was dispersed by security forces, according to the UN mission.

The Taliban, who regained control of Afghanistan in 2021 following the withdrawal of US-led forces, have imposed sweeping restrictions on women’s rights, including limits on education beyond primary school and access to employment, drawing repeated condemnation from international organisations.

United States deputy ambassador Jennifer Locetta said the Taliban must meet international obligations, end abuses against women and girls, and address counterterrorism commitments, including concerns over militant activity in the country.

Pakistan’s UN ambassador Asim Ahmad said the resolution also reflected concern over the presence of armed groups operating in Afghanistan that pose a threat to regional stability, amid ongoing cross-border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Security Council resolution further authorises UNAMA to facilitate dialogue between the Taliban and regional actors and to support Afghanistan’s economic recovery, including efforts related to financial systems and the possible return of central bank assets for humanitarian use.

The violence on Monday killed seven civilians and wounded 85 others, according to a provincial health official, marking the latest escalation in tensions between the two countries after months of cross-border fighting.The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said it had documented “tens of civilians killed or injured” in strikes that hit Asadabad, including a university and surrounding areas of the city.

Afghanistan’s foreign ministry condemned the attacks as “a clear breach of the country’s territorial integrity” and summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires in Kabul in protest.Pakistan’s information ministry denied carrying out strikes on residential neighborhoods or the university, calling such allegations a “blatant lie.”

At the university campus in Asadabad, an AFP journalist reported broken windows and damaged solar panels following the attack.Irfanullah, a 20-year-old psychology student, said students dropped to the floor after hearing a loud explosion during class.“Each student tried to get to a safe place, but the windows were broken and some of the students were wounded,” he said.

Another student, Ibadullah, 23, said panic spread immediately after the strike.“Students ran, shoes and books were left on the ground,” he said.Both students declined to provide their surnames for security reasons.Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained strained since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021.

The latest violence follows heavy fighting along the frontier earlier this year, as well as Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan cities including Kabul, an escalation that marked one of the most serious military confrontations between the neighbors in years.A temporary ceasefire was agreed in March, and mediator China later said both sides had committed to avoiding further escalation.

Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities of sheltering militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, an allegation Kabul denies.

The border between the two countries has remained largely closed since deadly violence in October, severely disrupting trade and cross-border movement.