Latest Development in Afghanistan

[Iron Shrappenel]

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Amid the ongoing escalation, the Taliban are deploying additional forces to the Iran-Afghanistan border in a strategic move.

Is there a separate thread for this ?

 

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Govt to build health centers, schools​

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IEA signs deals for cell phone services in remote areas​

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Afghanistan: over 100,000 Passports are issued to applicants each month​

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1402 fiscal year budget approved by interim govt​

 

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‘550 former govt officials returned to Afghanistan’​

The Frontier Post

KABUL (Khaama Press): Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, Taliban’s Acting Prime Minister met with UNAMA Chief, Roza Otunbayeva in Kabul and said that more than 550 former government military and civilian officials have returned to Afghanistan.

Official sources have not confirmed the report and claim that hundreds of former government military personnel have been persecuted and killed by the Taliban group.

While meeting with the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA), PM Kabir said, since the return of the Taliban to power “islands of power, corruption, war and insecurity” have ended in Afghanistan.

This comes as at least 13 people including some key Taliban members were killed and more than 30 others were injured in the latest terror attack in northeastern Badakhshan province on Friday.

During the meeting, Mawlavi Kabir asked the international community to remove the senior Taliban members’ names from the “black list”, and said Taliban administration wants to maintain active diplomacy and good relation with the international community.

Mawlavi Kabir stated that international organizations and aid groups could resume their operation in Afghanistan – adding the international community could complete the unfinished projects in Afghanistan.

Considering the dire economic situation in Afghanistan multi-folded with drought and poverty, Afghan people are in urgent need of further international aid.

Meanwhile, the Taliban regime’s reluctance to positively respond to the demands and concerns of the international community, especially in the areas of education and women’s right to work, has caused donors to drastically reduce the amount of aid to Afghanistan, which further isolates the war-torn country.

 

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Citizens criticize bank restrictions on withdrawals​

The Frontier Post

KABUL (TOLOnews): It has been two years since banks imposed restrictions on withdrawing funds and citizens of the country are once again criticizing the restrictions on banks.

They said that after Islamic Emirate took over the country, the withdrawal of money faced restrictions and this problem has made them face many challenges and they called on the Islamic Emirate to address them. “In this current situation there is no work, and the customer is demanding money, the economy is weak. Private banks should provide customers’ money,” said Abdul Shokor Akbari, a Kabul resident.

“We could receive the money very easily and we could execute the contracts of our companies very easily; But for now, these limitations have created many problems for us,” said Tamim, a resident of Kabul.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Afghanistan said that they are trying to provide facilities for those who have bank accounts.

“Now, compared to the past, the amount of commercial bank customers’ loans has increased, which means that the restrictions have decreased, and in the same way, technical discussions with international institutions continue,” said Hasibullah Noori, the spokesman for the Afghanistan Bank.

The owners of some private banks said that in a few months, all restrictions on withdrawing money will be removed.

 

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- Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mr. Asif Durrani, held a meeting with Afghanistan's Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul.

- During the meeting, Muttaqi expressed hope that Mr. Durrani's appointment would further enhance the political and economic ties between the two neighboring countries, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts in achieving this goal.

- He also highlighted the favorable opportunity for economic growth and collaborative projects in both nations following the establishment of peace in Afghanistan.

- Muttaqi assured that Afghanistan prioritizes security cooperation, affirming their commitment to never allow their territory to be used against any other country and actively working towards regional peace and stability.- In response, Mr. Durrani congratulated Muttaqi on the recent stability and peace achieved after four decades of turmoil.

- He pledged to strengthen and broaden the relations between the two countries, recognizing that regional peace is in the best interest of all parties involved. - Mr. Durrani further conveyed his readiness to establish and implement bilateral mechanisms encompassing political, economic, and various other domains.


https://twitter.com/zarrar_11PK/status/1681644797214294018…

 

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After 2 years of suspension, US and EU carriers may overfly Afghanistan at high altitudes​

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Pakistan wants Barter trade with Afghanistan: ACCI​

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29.2m Afghans will need humanitarian aid in 2023: UNICEF​

 

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Iran deports 43,000 Afghan refugees in past month, says Ministry...​

KABUL (TOLOnews): The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said that 43,000 people have been...

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MoI reports 2,000 security operations in past year​

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Afghan Minister calls for investment in Afghanistan​

 

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China announces $13.7m to aid Afghan returnees​

The Frontier Post

KABUL (TOLOnews): Zhao Xing, the Chinese ambassador in Kabul, announced a donation of 100 million Chinese yuan (around $13.7 million) to address the challenges faced by Afghan returnees from neighboring countries.
Abdul Rahman Habib, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy, said that Zhao Xing made this statement during a meeting with the acting Minister of Economy Din Mohammad Hanif.

According to Habib, in the meeting they discussed strengthening bilateral economic and trade relations, the construction of the Wakhan corridor, the economic and transit importance of the Wakhan corridor, the initiation of road construction for the Mes Aynak copper mine in Logar province, and China’s investment in Afghanistan’s infrastructure sectors.

The Ministry of Economy spokesperson said: “The Chinese ambassador met with the acting minister of economy, during which the ambassador assured the delivery of 100 million Chinese yuan to address the challenges of Afghan returnees. Part of this money will also be used to assist flood victims.”

Meanwhile, the Japanese ambassador, in a meeting with Hedayatullah Badri, announced a $10 million aid package from Japan to provide alternative crops for farmers and health services for addicts in Afghanistan.

The spokesman for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, Homayoun Afghan, wrote that Hedayatullah Badri, the acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum, had separate meetings with Takayoshi Kuromiya, the Japanese ambassador to Afghanistan, and Khawaja Awadov, Turkmenistan’s ambassador in Kabul.

According to the spokesman, these meetings discussed the expansion of Afghanistan’s relations with these countries, recent progress on the TAPI project, and resolving challenges of the Qashqari block project in the Amu Darya oil basin, as well as the initiation of the Mes Aynak copper mine project in Logar.

 

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Karzai: Without education, we lose the opportunity for a dignified life​

The Frontier Post

KABUL (Khaama Press): In his latest remarks, former President Hamid Karzai defended the right of all sectors of society to education and described “doubt and skepticism about obtaining education” as a “clear sign of ignorance.”

Speaking on Monday, October 21, at the 38th International Conference on Islamic Unity, Karzai indirectly criticized the current situation in Afghanistan and emphasized the right of all members of society to education.
He said, “Without education, we will lose the opportunity for a dignified life.”

The former President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, emphasized that he expects Islamic countries to take the issue of education in Afghanistan seriously, stating that every individual’s “obvious” right to education should be recognized.
This comes at a time when millions of girls in Afghanistan have been deprived of education for the third consecutive year, with higher education for girls also being halted.

Referring indirectly to the ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan, Karzai stated, “Doubt and skepticism about obtaining education is a clear sign of not understanding contemporary life and its requirements.”

The current restriction on education for girls beyond the sixth grade in Afghanistan has not only deprived millions of young women of their fundamental rights but has also deepened the cycle of poverty in the country. Without access to education, generations of girls are left without the opportunity to improve their socio-economic conditions.

The worsening poverty in Afghanistan, exacerbated by the education ban, highlights the urgent need for international intervention to address both the humanitarian crisis and the rights violations taking place.

Education is not just a basic right but a pathway to breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering the nation’s future.

 

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Pakistan and Afghanistan set to hold talks amidst growing tensions​

Tahir Khan
April 16, 2025

Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq is greeted by Afghan officials on his arrival in Kabul. — Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq’s X


Pakistan and Afghanistan are holding key talks on security and border issues in the 7th session of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), set to take place in Kabul, officials said on Wednesday.

The meeting comes in the light of rising tensions between the two countries, with Afghan refugee deportations, skirmishes along the border, and the increased activity of armed groups within Pakistan since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

Pakistan maintains that these armed groups operate from within Afghan soil, a claim that Afghan officials have denied, maintaining that no one can use afghan soil against any country.

Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq is leading Pakistan’s delegation, which includes both military and intelligence officials. Ambassador Sadiq’s office in Islamabad said that he had reached Kabul this morning.

While on the other side, Afghan Deputy Defence Minister Mullah Abdul Qayyum Zakir is set to lead the meeting, according to Afghan government spokesperson, Zabiullah Mujahid.

Mullah Abdul Qayyum Zakir is a senior Taliban leader, who once led the Taliban military commission during the 20-year war against the US-Nato forces.

“SAPM/Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan arrived at Kabul at the head of a delegation to attend the JCC meeting. JCC meeting is being held after a long gap,” according to Sadiq’s X.

The last JCC meeting was held in Islamabad in early January 2024.

Afghan spokesperson Mujahid said both sides will “discuss resolving potential disputes along the Durand Line and creating facilities for the people of both sides.”

Last month, Pakistan and Afghan Taliban forces exchanged fire following the closure of Torkham border crossing over construction of posts.

Following this development, a Pakistan and Afghan Jirga brokered a deal that led to the reopening of Torkham on March 19 after 27 days.

Head of the Pakistani jirga, Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi told Dawn.com last month that the JCC would discuss whatever the Jirga had decided including a ceasefire till April 15.

Both sides have agreed to stop construction of the controversial check posts, he added.

Pakistani Officials cite the issue of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other armed groups as a major hurdle in Pak-Afghan relationship.

Further, Pakistan Foreign Office revealed last month that the terrorists behind the Jaffar Express hijacking had Afghan connections, with phone records traced to Afghanistan.

The Afghan Taliban claim that militants of the ISKP (Daesh) enter Afghanistan from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistani officials have labelled these claims as baseless.

Pak-Afghan trade talks

In a separate development, a delegation from the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce, led by its minister Noor Uddin Azizi, will visit Pakistan today, Afghan Commerce Ministry spokesman Abdul Salam Jawad told Dawn.com from Kabul.

Pakistan and Afghan commerce ministers are expected to hold further discussions on the preferential trade agreement, reduction in tariffs on certain items, a revised transit agreement and facilities for traders at border points.

 

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Afghan Consul General Hafiz Muhibullah Shakir, addressing a press conference in Peshawar, acknowledged Pakistan's longstanding support for Afghan refugees, emphasizing that the country has always embraced them as brothers.

He highlighted the enduring example of the Muhajir and Ansar, reflecting Pakistan's generosity in welcoming Afghan refugees.

Shakir further noted that Pakistan provided Afghan refugees with the opportunity to study in the same educational institutions attended by Pakistani children, without imposing restrictions on their movement.

He commended Pakistan’s hospitality, describing it as truly commendable.

However, he stated that the time has now come for Afghan refugees to return to their homeland and contribute to the rebuilding and development of Afghanistan.

He urged the Afghan people to prepare for their return and take an active role in ensuring a prosperous and stable future for their country.

 

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Putin has adopted right policy on Afghanistan, says Mujahid​

The Frontier Post

The Islamic Emirate is hopeful political and economic relations between Afghanistan and Russia will expand after Moscow removed the name ‘Taliban’ from its list of banned groups.

Speaking to Russia’s TASS news agency, Islamic Emirate spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that the removal of the Taliban from Russian’s banned groups was an important step as it would pave the way for full diplomatic and economic relations with the country.

The Russia supreme court on Thursday suspended the ban on the Taliban, which Russia had designated for more than two decades as a terrorist organisation, in a move that paves the way for Moscow to normalise ties with the leadership of Afghanistan.

No country currently recognises the new government in Kabul that seized power in August 2021 as US-led forces staged a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war.

But Russia has been gradually building ties with the movement, which President Vladimir Putin said last year was now an ally in fighting terrorism.

Mujahid added: “We consider this step very important, and in the future, Afghanistan and Russia will definitely establish good relations in the economic and diplomatic fields.”

He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin had adopted the right policy towards Afghanistan.

To a question about the Islamic Emirate delegation’s visit to Russia, he said that no decision had been made in this regard so far.

A large-scale Russia-Afghanistan forum will take place on the sidelines of the KazanForum event in the Russian city of Kazan in May.

TASS news agency quoted , Zamir Kabulov, the foreign minister’s advisor and special presidential envoy for Afghanistan, as pointing out that the Russian Supreme Court’s move to suspend a ban on the ‘Taliban movement’ removed a major legal obstacle to the development of political, economic and other official relations with Afghanistan’s new authorities.