Arrests Of Afghans In Pakistan Rise Elevenfold, Says UNHCR
Arrests of Afghan nationals in Pakistan have surged to unprecedented levels during the first ten months of this year, according to a new report by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Afghanistan
Access To Telecom Services Has Expanded Nationwide, Says Taliban
The Taliban’s Ministry of Communications and Technology says access to telecommunications services across Afghanistan has increased over the past four years.
Iran Moves To Convene Regional Dialogue On Taliban–Pakistan Rift
Iran’s foreign minister has announced plans for a “regional meeting” to reduce tensions between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan. Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Tehran is working to organise the gathering, though he offered no details on its format or timing.
Traders & Drivers In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Protest Closure Of Torkham Crossing
Traders, drivers and residents of Landi Kotal in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province staged a protest on Sunday against the continued closure of the Torkham border crossing, which has remained shut for more than a month.
Russia Urges Pakistan & Taliban To Resolve Tensions Through Diplomacy
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has called for de-escalation between Pakistan and the Taliban, urging both sides to address their differences through political, diplomatic and peaceful means.
UN Scales Back Cash Assistance For Returning Afghans Due To Funding Shortfall
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Pakistan has announced that global funding constraints have forced the agency to halt cash assistance for most Afghans returning from Pakistan.
Taliban Governor Orders Border Forces To Stay Alert Amid Rising Tensions With Pakistan
Abdullah Mukhtar, the Taliban-appointed governor of Khost, has instructed border forces to remain prepared for any potential threat as tensions with Pakistan continue to escalate.
Terror Threat Originates From Across Afghan Border, Not Local Communities, Says Naqvi
Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, on Saturday visited Wana Military College in South Waziristan, where an attack last week left at least three people dead.
Taliban Commerce Minister Seeks Trade Alternatives On Visit To Iran
Taliban Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi has travelled to Iran following the group’s decision to halt trade and transit relations with Pakistan.
Central Asian Leaders Hold Consultative Summit In Tashkent
The seventh Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Heads of State opened on Saturday in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, with a focus on strengthening regional cooperation. Leaders are also expected to exchange views on key regional and global developments.
Senior Tajik Delegation Arrives In Kabul, Says Taliban
The Taliban-controlled Bakhtar News Agency reported on Saturday that a high-level delegation from Tajikistan had arrived in Kabul. The group reportedly includes officials from Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry and security agencies.
Pentagon Responds To Taliban Claim, Says It Has Nothing To Add On Drone Activity
A US Department of Defence official said the Pentagon had no information to provide in response to Taliban claims that American drones continue to fly in Afghan airspace.
Pakistan Rules Out Talks With Terrorist Groups
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Tahir Andarabi, said Friday that Pakistan has “never refused” to engage in talks with the Taliban but made clear the country will not negotiate with any terrorist organisation.
Tajikistan, Pakistan Move To Expand Military Cooperation
Tajikistan’s Defence Minister, Emomali Sobirzoda, met Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir and other senior military officials during a visit to Pakistan to expand military and technical cooperation.
US Drone Flights Over Afghanistan Continue Unabated, Says Taliban
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said US drones continue to fly over Afghanistan, claiming the aircraft have been operating in the country’s airspace since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Central Asia’s Stability Depends on Afghanistan, Says Uzbek President
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said regional peace and stability in Central Asia depend heavily on Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development, arguing that long-term stability is unattainable without addressing Afghanistan’s challenges.
Wana Military College Attack Carried Out By Afghans, Says Pakistan Minister
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a statement that the attack on the Wana Military College in South Waziristan had been carried out by Afghan nationals and that US-made weapons were used in the assault.
Taliban Begin Exporting Afghan Agricultural Goods Via Uzbekistan Air Routes
The Taliban have signed a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan to export Afghan agricultural products by air, as border crossings with Pakistan remain closed amid heightened tensions.
Taliban To End Customs Processing Of Medicine Imports From Pakistan In Three Months
The Taliban’s Finance Ministry said it will stop processing customs duties on medicines imported from Pakistan after the next three months, following an order from the group's deputy prime minister.
Suicide Bombers In Islamabad & Waziristan Were Afghan Nationals, Says Pak Minister
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said both the suicide attacks in South Waziristan and Islamabad had been carried out by Afghan nationals. Naqvi said on Thursday that it had been confirmed the attackers had come from Afghanistan and had carried out the assaults.
Pakistan Prepared For Two-Front War With India & Afghanistan, Says Khawaja Asif
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the country was prepared to confront what he described as a two-front war involving India and the Afghan Taliban, following a suicide attack in Islamabad that left 12 people dead.
Putin Welcomes Formation Of UN Regional Centre For Afghanistan In Kazakhstan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has endorsed the establishment of a United Nations regional centre for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Kazakhstan, according to a new comprehensive strategic partnership agreement signed with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Kremlin.