Kabul, Aug. 9 -- Nine private higher-education institutions in Afghanistan have had their operating licences suspended or revoked over alleged "ghost students", administrative failings and breaches of academic rules, Khaama Press reported.

Khaama Press is an online news service for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's Ministry of Higher Education, under the Taliban administration, announced on Sunday that seven institutions had their licences suspended for one year, while two others had their licences permanently cancelled following inspections and assessments carried out during the spring semester of the 1405 solar year, the report said.

The universities facing a one-year suspension are Barlas University in Jawzjan, Rah-e Saadat and Turkistan u...