Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, will lead his country’s delegation to the eighth Moscow Format consultations on Afghanistan, scheduled to take place in Moscow on Monday, 5 October.
UN Women has warned that women and girls account for 60% of people at risk of food insecurity in Afghanistan. The agency says escalating tensions in the Middle East could threaten the food security of 11.7 million women and girls across 28 countries by the end of 2026.
Noor Jalal Jalali, the Taliban’s Minister of Public Health, has met Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko to discuss long-term healthcare cooperation, including strengthening Afghanistan’s health system and importing medicines and medical equipment.
A Pakistani research centre has reported an unprecedented 83% surge in deaths linked to militant violence in the third quarter of 2026, with at least 1,415 people killed nationwide.
The Afghanistan United Front has released a video and reported an operation against the Taliban in the Sarband area of Arghandab district, Kandahar. The group said its forces killed a Taliban police officer. Taliban officials have not commented.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has called on the Taliban to demonstrate through concrete action that it has taken measures against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch insurgents.
Following attacks by opposition forces in Kamdesh district of Nuristan, the Taliban police command in the province has requested additional troops.
Belgium’s Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt has responded to criticism of talks with the Taliban over the deportation of Afghan asylum seekers convicted of crimes, saying the negotiations do not amount to support for the group.
A retired Pakistani general says the Taliban is pursuing three main objectives concerning Pakistan and that Islamabad has turned to military action after political and diplomatic efforts failed to change the group’s approach.
Pakistan’s criminal justice system has faced significant challenges in prosecuting terrorism cases involving transnational militant groups.
Mullah Shirin, the Taliban governor of Kandahar, has rejected allegations by the Pakistani military spokesman that he met foreign militants based in Afghanistan.
Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, called for strengthening Tehran-backed groups known as the “Axis of Resistance” from Afghanistan to Yemen and from Iran to Gaza and Lebanon.
Human rights organisation Hengaw reported that Iran executed Tourat Mohammadi, a 42-year-old Afghan national and former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), on espionage charges. He was reportedly executed at Karaj Prison on Wednesday, 23 September.
The European Union expressed regret over civilian deaths in Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan and urged both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue. It also called on the Taliban to take effective action against terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan.
The Pakistani military claims Mullah Shirin, the Taliban governor of Kandahar, hosted a meeting of Baloch militants, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and al-Qaeda representatives about a month ago to coordinate increased attacks inside Pakistan.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed that at least 10 civilians were killed in Pakistani air strikes on Kunar and Helmand provinces on Thursday, with most of the victims being children.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has announced that the eighth meeting of the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan will be held on Monday, 5 October. The ministry said the Taliban delegation will be headed by Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Murtaza Solangi, spokesperson to the President of Pakistan, has warned the Taliban of consequences if it continues to provide what he described as “safe sanctuaries, training and logistical support” to terrorist groups.
Pakistan’s Information Ministry rejected Taliban claims that Islamabad was involved in the recent clashes in Nuristan, calling them self-invented lies. It said the accusations reflected the Taliban’s desperation and frustration over internal problems.
Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat has asked Tajikistan to increase electricity exports to Afghanistan. The request was made during a meeting between its chief executive, Abdul Haq Hamkar, and Tajik electricity company head Mohammad Omar Asozoda.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet the Taliban foreign minister in Moscow on 5 October on the sidelines of the Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said “Pakistani aircraft bombed” residential areas in Kunar and Helmand early on Thursday, 1 October, killing nine civilians, including women and children, and wounding 11 others.