Former Commander Shirin Tagabi Assassinated in Faryab Province

Jan 3, 2024, 09:27 GMT

Shirin Tagabi, a former public uprising commander, was assassinated by unidentified individuals in the Shirin Tagab district of Faryab province, local sources reported.

He was attacked on Monday whilst returning from Maimana city to his residence in the Daryacha-i-Gorzad area.

Taliban local officials have confirmed the incident and announced that an investigation is underway.

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Multiple Sources Report Detentions in Kabul Over Hijab Non-Compliance

Jan 2, 2024, 17:00 GMT

In western Kabul, several girls have been detained by Taliban forces for not adhering to strict hijab regulations, according to Afghanistan International's sources.

These individuals, detained from shops and streets, were reportedly taken to an undisclosed location.

Two independent sources confirmed the arrest of three girls in Dashte Barchi area of Kabul city. Owing to the sensitive nature of the situation, the girls' families have chosen to remain anonymous.

On Monday, Taliban officials were seen enforcing hijab compliance in various areas in Kabul. A Taliban member from Kabul's 13th police district relayed a message from the Ministry of Affairs, stating that women failing to wear the Islamic hijab as prescribed would be apprehended. According to the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, non-compliant women will be detained at police stations and must have relatives assure future compliance to secure their release.

Despite acknowledging the arrests as regrettable, the Taliban member emphasised the importance of following the hijab mandate. Additionally, reports from western Kabul indicate that private school teachers are warning female students about being barred from classes for not meeting hijab requirements.

This enforcement follows a 2022 directive by the Taliban, threatening 'punishment' and a three-day imprisonment for relatives of women who do not comply with hijab standards. Government employees face dismissal for non-compliance. The directive specifies that the hijab must cover all but the eyes.

Taliban Detains Former Employee of Governor’s Press Office in Parwan

Jan 2, 2024, 15:26 GMT

The family of Zamir Zaheer, a press office employee of the former governor in Parwan, said that he remains in prison since his arrest by the Taliban intelligence department in Jabul Saraj on December 5.

Zaheer's family said that he had gone to Iran following the takeover of power by Taliban in August 2021.

A family member, who preferred not to disclose their identity for security reasons, informed Afghanistan International that on December 5, two Taliban members came to Zaheer's residence in Qala Sahra village and took him with them.

As per the source, there has been no information about Zaheer's fate over the past one month.

It has been reported that Zaheer previously worked as an employee in the press office of the governor during the previous government in Parwan, actively engaging and collaborating with local media.

The cause for his arrest is unclear, and the Taliban has not commented on the matter.

As per the source, family members of Zaheer reached out to the Taliban intelligence offices in both Parwan and Kabul. However, the Taliban asserted that they did not detain him.

The source added that during the initial days of Zaheer's detention, there was reception on his mobile phone, but no one responded.

Following the Taliban’s takeover of power, the group announced a general amnesty. As per the decree from the Taliban's leader, individuals who served in the previous government and security forces will not be subject to interrogation based on their past responsibilities.

Nonetheless, in the last two years, there have been numerous reports of the Taliban detaining and subjecting military personnel, former civil servants, and journalists to torture.

In June, the Taliban detained Sabro Rezaei, the former head of women's police recruitment in Parwan province police command. She was later released from detention.

Pakistan PM Calls for Improvement of Track System for Afghan Transit Trade

Jan 2, 2024, 13:31 GMT

Anwarul Haq Kakar, Pakistan’s Interim Prime Minister, has called for additional measures to improve the tracking system for Afghanistan's transit trade.

Reportedly, Kakar issued this directive during a meeting which had been held to assess Afghanistan's transit trade.

On Monday, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported that Kakar has called for the immediate establishment of a transit trade management system.

The Ministers of Finance and Industries and Commerce from the states of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan were in attendance at this meeting.

Addressing these officials, the Pakistani Prime Minister emphasised that one of the primary reasons for the weakness in the country's economy is smuggling and illegal transportation of goods.

Kakar has ordered the reinforcement of the monitoring system at Chaman, Torkham, Ghulam Khan check posts, and the border areas of Baluchistan.

Taliban's Kandahar Governor To Discuss TTP In Upcoming Islamabad Visit

Jan 2, 2024, 09:40 GMT

Mullah Shirin Akhund, the Taliban governor of Kandahar, is set to visit Islamabad on Wednesday, reports the Pakistani newspaper Express Tribune.

The visit primarily aims to address the issue of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and mend relations with Islamabad.

Shirin Akhund, who maintains close ties with both the Taliban leadership and the TTP, is part of a delegation that Pakistani officials view with cautious optimism. Islamabad expects the delegation to propose negotiations with the TTP, an idea Pakistan has been reluctant to entertain.

Pakistan has consistently demanded that the TTP disarm before any talks commence. Furthermore, Islamabad has urged the Afghan Taliban to take action against the TTP on Afghan territory, a request that has been repeatedly denied.

The delegation, which includes Shirin Akhund, is scheduled to meet Pakistani officials, including Asif Durani, Pakistan's special envoy for Afghanistan. The visit comes at a time when Pakistan has scaled back high-level interactions with the Afghan Taliban, frustrated by their inability to curb TTP's attacks. These attacks have notably escalated, targeting Pakistani military forces and causing considerable concern in Islamabad.

Ex-Afghan President Endorses UN's Decision to Appoint Special Envoy for Afghanistan

Jan 1, 2024, 18:48 GMT

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai expressed support for the United Nations Security Council's recent resolution to appoint a special envoy for peace in Afghanistan.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Karzai highlighted the resolution's recognition of Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence, and the international community's commitment to its stability and development.

Karzai stressed the importance of women's participation in governance for Afghanistan's growth. He underscored the need for 'national understanding,' representing the people's will, and ensuring access to education for all, as critical to the nation's progress and the establishment of peace.

Writing from Kabul, Karzai asserted that Afghans themselves hold the key to resolving their country's issues and achieving lasting peace. His endorsement of the resolution contrasts with the Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which recently deemed the appointment of a special envoy 'unnecessary' and criticised the resolution for lacking consultation with the Taliban government.

The UN Security Council passed the resolution following an 'independent assessment and recommendations' by the agency's Special Coordinator for Afghanistan Freidoun Sinirlioglu. It received support from thirteen members, with Russia and China abstaining. The resolution calls for the implementation of Sinirlioglu's recommendations and advocates for the appointment of a special peace envoy for Afghanistan.