Daily Evacuation Brief | August 17, 2023

Aug 17, 2023

LARGE SCALE ANTI-CHRISTIAN RIOTS IN PAKISTAN – Angry mobs descended on a Christian church In Faisalabad and ransacked and burned it. The mob was angry after word spread that a Christian man had been accused of blasphemy for possibly burning a Quran. The mob then began attacking homes of Christians and several fires have been reported across the city. Several of the main roadways were blocked and both police and the military have responded to the situation. Unconfirmed reports that many people were injured and that ‘lynch mobs’ had been organized to find and persecute Christians are being shared on social media. The government is attempting to contain the riots in Punjab but there are fears they could spread.
TTP LEADER RUMORED TO HAVE BEEN TARGETED ALONG PAK-AFGHAN BORDER – Asad Afridi, a former leader of the TTP was reportedly targeted by a drone in the Gaz Dara region along the border. Afridi reportedly suffered major injuries in the attack and 2 others who were with him were said to have been killed. It is not clear who may have been behind the strike and this information has yet to be verified.
US SECRETARY OF STATE COMMENTS ON AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL – Antony Blinken spoke at a press conference yesterday to mark the two-year anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal. In his remarks, he claimed that the decision to withdraw US forces was a difficult one but was also the right decision.
TALIBAN BAN ON POLITICAL PARTIES NOT UNEXPECTED – The Ministry of Justice announced yesterday that all political parties are banned across the country because they are not based on Sharia law. The formal proclamation will likely add fuel to those opposed to the defacto regime and will make the process of international recognition even more remote.
PASSPORTS FOR AFGHANS LIVING ABROAD NOW MORE EXPENSIVE – The Passport Directorate announced it was raising the cost of a new passport from $120.00 to $220.00. The additional costs have been attributed to inflation and increased procurement costs from a new supplier.

NEXT 24 HOURS

POSSIBLE FURTHER ANTI-CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE TODAY – After the violent demonstrations targeting Christians, their homes/businesses, and their places of worship shook Punjab Province yesterday, the government dispatched thousands of police and military personnel to try to disperse rioters and regain control of the security situation. There is a possibility the riots could spread to other cities across the country.

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

The spokesman for the Iranian military said the three islands that are contested with United Arab Emirates (Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Mussa) and that there will be no compromise on Iran’s sovereignty claims.
The former lead US envoy for Iranian affairs who was removed for an unspecified security violation has been hired by Princeton University as a lecturer.
Iraq and Iran signed a new border security agreement meant to improve security and ease pilgrimages to Karbala in Iraq.

PAKISTAN

Police in the United Kingdom are looking for 3 people who reportedly booked flights to Pakistan and may have had something to do with the death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif in Woking, UK last week.
Security forces claim to have engaged terrorists in North Waziristan and reported that 2 of the militants were killed in an exchange of gunfire.
Police arrested the nephew of former PM Khan in Abbottabad city yesterday night. He is wanted for questioning in an attack on a policeman.

SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS

Did Pakistan Really Benefit From the Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan?

By Mohammad Shoaib Haidary - The Diplomat

Prior to the Taliban’s military conquest of Afghanistan in August 2021, Pakistan had supported the group for years, providing both resources and safe havens. The Taliban’s rise in Afghanistan was initially seen favorably by Pakistan’s government and strategists, with former Prime Minister Imran Khan openly endorsing it. However, after two years of the Taliban’s rule, Pakistani politicians’ assumptions were proved incorrect. The Taliban’s resurgence resulted in unintended consequences, including a stronger Pakistani Taliban and a surge in attacks on Pakistani soil.

AFGHAN NEWS

Taliban inaugurate Islamic Emirate government by banning political parties in Afghanistan

By The Rio Times

Taliban’s Justice Minister, Abdul Hakim Sharie, confirmed on Wednesday the prohibition of political parties in…

Blast injures two in Afghanistan’s Takhar province

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

Reportedly, the explosion was triggered by an explosive device concealed within a vehicle, causing injuries to…

Fighting For Girls’ Education In Afghanistan

By Jelena Borak - Forbes

Two years ago, 19-year-old Somaya Faruqi found herself in the middle of Kabul as the Taliban took power in…

What The Taliban's Crackdown on Beauty Salons Means for Women in Afghanistan

‘It was our sanctuary of expression. We had freedom there’: How the Taliban's crackdown on beauty salons is impacting women in Afghanistan

By Alia Waheed - Glamour Magazine

On a busy road in Kabul, two women in blue burqas briefly glance up at the messy silhouette of a woman on an advertising…

REGIONAL NEWS

Shoigu: Threats to Region 'Emerging From Within Afghanistan'

By Banafsha Binesh - TOLO News

A major security threat for the Central Asian nations is now emerging in Afghanistan, "where international terrorist organizations are gaining in influence," Russian Defense…

Humanitarian Aid for Afghanistan: India’s Resolute Support

By Huma Siddiqui - The Financial Express

Amidst the escalating humanitarian crisis and pleas from UN agencies, India remains steadfast in its commitment to providing vital assistance…

INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

China’s Foreign Ministry Blames US for Afghanistan’s Unfolding Crisis

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

As the Taliban marked the two-year anniversary of its rule, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry explicitly labelled the fall of Kabul as a military…