Pak Chief of Army Staff Expresses Concerns About Afghanistan With UNSG

Nabil's statement came in response to a recent Jaish ul-Adl attack on an Iranian police centre in Sistan and Balochistan province, which resulted in the death of at least 12 policemen.

In a post on social platform X, Nabil stated, "In 2021, Jaish-ul-Adl fought in several provinces of Afghanistan to support the Afghan Taliban against the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's security forces and overthrew the first province of Afghanistan in Nimroz." He also indirectly referenced the Islamic Republic of Iran's alleged support for the Taliban.

On 7 August 2021, just a week before Kabul's fall, Nabil had noted that despite ideological differences between Jaish al-Adl and the Afghan Taliban, Pakistan's ISI intelligence agency had dispatched around 600 Jaish-ul-Adl fighters with military equipment to aid the Taliban in various Afghan provinces.

Officials from the previous Afghan government have accused Iran of supporting the Taliban, alleging training, weaponry, and financial assistance for the group.

The attack on the police headquarters in Rask city of Sistan and Baluchistan by Jaish ul-Adl has heightened tensions, with Iranian officials asserting that the group operates from bases in Pakistan.

China's Xinhua news agency quoted Shuang as saying that the international community must resolutely prevent Afghanistan from becoming a hub for terrorist organisations.

This request comes while the UN Security Council recently renewed the mandate of monitoring team sanctions against the Taliban.

On Thursday, the UN Security Council unanimously approved the resolution of the 15-member body to continue the 1988 sanctions against the Taliban. The Taliban will remain under UN sanctions for another year. However, the exemption of several Taliban leaders from the travel ban has not been extended.

China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations has said that as stated in the preamble of the resolution, the Security Council must ensure that the sanctions effectively promote peace and stability in Afghanistan.

However, he added that considering the current situation, China believes that the Security Council should facilitate pragmatic engagement between the international community and Taliban by making timely adjustments to the sanctions and to avoid negative impact on the livelihood of the Afghan people and the development of this country.

According to him, in the first step, the Security Council should consider exemptions from sanctions regarding the travel of some Taliban officials as soon as possible.

“China has always maintained that the travel exemptions are a necessary tool that facilitates dialogue and engagement and that they should not be taken as a bargaining chip for pressure,” said Shuang.

They highlighted that without a consolidated stance from the global community towards Afghanistan's new regime, achieving stability remains an elusive goal.

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, announced that both parties emphasised the vital role of the United Nations in Afghanistan and the necessity for co-ordinated international actions.

Uzbekistan's President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, had previously expressed concerns that global conflicts might divert attention away from Afghan issues. At the meeting of the heads of the Organisation of Turkic States in Astana, he advocated for a mechanism to address the challenges faced by the Afghan people. Mirziyoyev underscored that establishing peace in Afghanistan, a nation deeply connected with Turkish nations for millennia, is essential for regional stability and strategic security.

Despite not recognising the Taliban regime, Uzbekistan has continued engaging with the group, even while critiquing certain actions like the construction of the Qosh Tepe Canal.

This news was confirmed on Thursday by fellow activists Hoda Khamosh and Parwana Ibrahimkhel. Parwani, a key figure in the Spontaneous Movement of Afghan Women, was arrested with her family in Kabul on 19 September.

A source close to Parwani revealed to Afghanistan International that Parwani's health has deteriorated, necessitating her transfer to a hospital following her release. Ibrahimkhel also verified Parwani's health issues on her social media account on platform X.

Parwani was taken into custody by Taliban fighters from her residence in the Khairkhana area of Kabul. Throughout her detention, the Taliban officials have neither commented on her arrest nor addressed the allegations made against them.

Human rights organisations and defenders have been vocally demanding the release of detained women protesters, particularly Parwani. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) recently voiced its concern over the arbitrary and prolonged detention of female activists by the Taliban, stating that at least four women's rights activists have been arrested in Kabul.

In a related development, Zhulia Parsi, another women's rights activist, was reportedly moved from Taliban detention to a hospital. Sources indicate that Parsi's transfer was due to the severe physical and mental impacts of torture endured in captivity.

At present, three women activists - Zhulia Parsi, Manizha Sediqi, and Parisa Azada - remain in Taliban custody, raising continued concerns among human rights groups about their well-being and treatment.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson of Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, said that the Taliban should handover the perpetrators of the attack along with the leadership of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to Islamabad.

In a press conference on Thursday, Baloch stated, "We have noted the Taliban interim government statement that it will investigate the terrorist attack of December 12."

Amidst escalating security concerns in Pakistan, the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced another suicide attack on Tuesday, December 12. The Pakistani army has confirmed that 23 soldiers lost their lives in the incident.

Tehreek-e-Jihad of Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Following the deadly attack, Pakistan's foreign ministry issued a statement calling for “immediate and verifiable action" by the Taliban against militant groups.

In response to Pakistan's request, the Taliban promised to investigate the terrorist attack, but also asked Islamabad to refrain from blaming Kabul for any problems.

In response to the deadly attack in Dera Ismail Khan, the Taliban’s spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that the attack has nothing to do with Afghanistan.

Mujahid stated that they will consider Pakistan's demands, but at the same time, he asked Pakistan to strengthen its security instead of pointing fingers at Afghanistan.

In the press conference, Mumtaz also welcomed the UN Security Council’s message of sympathy and condolences regarding the attack.

According to her, UNSC members have emphasised the necessity to hold responsible the assailants, sponsors, and facilitators of the attack.