Afghan Immigrants’ Issue Won’t Be Solved Without Repatriation, Says Iranian FM

This arrangement would grant Afghanistan some independence but make it subordinate to Pakistan in specific areas.

No official statement from Pakistani authorities has confirmed the push for Afghanistan to join a Pakistan-led confederation. However, historical reports, such as a 1954 New York Times article, suggest that General Ayub Khan, then Pakistan's military leader, had similar aspirations. His goal was to counter perceived threats from India and the former Soviet Union by aligning Afghanistan's foreign policy with Pakistan's.

Analysts have long noted Pakistan's efforts to influence Afghanistan's foreign policy, particularly through support for the Taliban and other groups. The former Afghan intelligence chief elaborated that Pakistan's current pressure aims at a confederation where Afghanistan retains some independence whilst being partly subject to Pakistan's authority.

He also mentioned Pakistan's long-term investment in the Taliban, suggesting that Pakistan wouldn't readily abandon its influence for issues like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which Pakistan reportedly had a hand in creating.

Additionally, the interview touched on the Taliban's connections with Al-Qaeda, highlighting the recent killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan. The former intelligence head claimed that despite reports of Al-Qaeda's diminished capacity, the group remains active and influential in Afghanistan, supported by financial resources and the freedom to recruit and train.

He concluded by emphasising the unbreakable relationship between the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, suggesting that groups like Hamas draw inspiration from the Taliban's successes.

The Torkham customs officials reported that the seized cache included M4 rifles, Kalashnikovs, rifle grenades, night vision sights, laser bombs, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Notably, these weapons were ingeniously concealed in bags filled with onions.

The driver of the vehicle transporting these weapons has been apprehended by the Pakistani security forces. This incident has raised serious concerns in Islamabad, particularly contradicting the Taliban's assurances that Afghan soil is not used for hostile activities against Pakistan.

In response to this event, Pakistani authorities have called on the Afghan Taliban to halt arms smuggling into Pakistan and to actively counter the activities of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan operating from Afghan territory.

This discovery of American weapons at the Torkham border comes amidst ongoing reports from Pakistan about the involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist attacks against Pakistani security forces, often using American-supplied arms.

In addition to the fatalities, the NRF asserts that it also wounded four other Taliban fighters during these operations.

In a statement released on social platform X on Tuesday, the NRF detailed their offensive against Taliban forces in Nurgaram district of Nuristan province on Sunday night. According to the NRF, this operation led to the deaths of two Taliban fighters and injuries to four others.

The NRF further stated that on the same night, their forces successfully targeted Haji Jailani, a Taliban commander from Helmand province, along with his bodyguard, in the Shakardara district of Kabul, resulting in their deaths.

As of now, Taliban officials have not issued any statement or reaction to these reported attacks by the National Resistance Front.

This statement comes in response to the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoning the Taliban embassy's charge d'affaires in Islamabad, demanding the extradition of those responsible for the attack.

Pakistan's military confirmed that at least 23 policemen were killed in the suicide bombing at a Dera Ismail Khan police station on Tuesday. Contrary to Mujahid's claims, documents obtained by Afghanistan International's Pashto section suggest that an Afghan Taliban member, a resident of Musa Qala district in Helmand province, executed the attack.

In a Wednesday interview with the Taliban-run Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), Mujahid expressed his condolences for the attack. He assured that the Taliban would initiate an investigation if Pakistan provides detailed information about the incident. Mujahid also remarked on Pakistan's strong security presence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, implying their capability to prevent such attacks.

Mujahid emphasised that attributing every issue to another country is not a constructive approach. Meanwhile, Khawaja Mohammad Asif, Pakistan's former defence minister, asserted that Afghanistan is the sole origin of terrorism. Asif urged the Taliban, as a "neighbouring brother," not to allow its territory to be used against Pakistan.

According to the documents, the suicide bomber was a resident of Musa Qala of Helmand province.

On Tuesday, the Pakistan Army confirmed that at least 23 soldiers were killed in a car bomb attack on a police station in Dera Ismail Khan. Tehreek-i-Jihad Pakistan, often referred to as a branch of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the incident.

Audio messages from local Taliban officials in Helmand, received by Afghanistan International, reveal that the attack was carried out by Qari Shakir, an Afghan Taliban fighter residing in the Musa Qala district of Helmand.

A video message from this Taliban fighter has also been published in which he says, “They should not be saddened by my martyrdom. When you hear about my martyrdom, pray and be thankful that I was martyred in this way."

He also added that he would take the revenge of all Muslims with his own hands.

Meanwhile, local Taliban officials in Helmand have confirmed the attacker's actions through WhatsApp messages. A member of the Taliban has sought forgiveness from fellow members for the attacker, sharing his photo on WhatsApp.

Following the attack, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan summoned the Taliban's Charge d'affaires in Islamabad and demanded the handover of the perpetrators of the incident.

Pakistan has consistently accused the Taliban of supporting the TTP and called for decisive action against this group. In response, the Afghan Taliban has denied Pakistan's claims, suggesting that they should address the sources of insecurity within their own borders.