LAST 24 HOURS
FAMILIES OF US MILITARY MEMBERS KILLED AT ABBEY GATE CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY – The family members of the fallen service members participated in a round table discussion organized by the Republican leader of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday. The session became emotional and family members demanded that those responsible for the chaotic situation be held accountable. House Democrats who attended the roundtable sympathized with the family members but also sought to blunt criticism of President Biden’s administration. Many of the family members interviewed after the round table said that they still do not have a clear understanding of what transpired and have asked for further clarification.
SUDDEN PRICE INCREASES FOR FUEL CAUSE CONSTERNATION FOR AFGHANS – Drivers complain that, even though the dollar’s value has fallen, prices remain high for citizens and businesses. The prices jumped 13 Afghani recently and have remained at this level for over a week, even though the dollar’s value fell. Members of the Chamber of Commerce attempted to pacify citizens by pointing out the fact that fuel is cheaper in Afghanistan than in neighboring countries.
WFP CALLS FOR $110 MILLION FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES – With donor nations reneging on promises of support and a decline in operating budgets across many UN agencies, the WFP is asking for an immediate donation of $110 million to assist with the delivery of food to remote communities. The organization warns that if it does not receive the funding soon, it will complicate food delivery to these areas when winter weather arrives.
KHUNJERAB PASS TRANSIT ROUTE OPENS – Pakistani officials officially opened the Khunjerab Pass for commercial traffic on Monday. The transit corridor will allow for the shipment of goods from/to China out of Afghanistan. The opening will reduce the time to ship goods to/from China by 70% and shipping costs are expected to drop by approximately 30%. The route is the highest paved road that transits a border in the world.
NEXT 24 HOURS
POTENTIAL PROTESTS IN PAKISTAN – After the Islamabad High Court overturned former Prime Minister Khan’s sentencing in the Toshakhana corruption case, a special court convened to preside over the ‘Cipher’ case ordered that he remain in custody at Attock Jail until he appears in court today. Currently, the case is expected to be heard inside Attock Jail. A large police contingent surrounded the Islamabad High Court during yesterday’s ruling and there were only incidents of PTI supporters chanting for his release. However, with his continued confinement and some obfuscation surrounding the charges he faces in the Cipher case, PTI faithful may choose to demonstrate in public places. While we have no specific information regarding planned protests, we urge at-risk Afghans in Pakistan to remain alert and vacate any area where groups begin forming.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
A popular singer was arrested by police after releasing a song celebrating Mahsa Amini’s life. Mehdi Yarrahi is considered a star in the country and his lawyer confirmed his arrest.
Officials in Tehran said that Iraq has acquiesced to its demands to disarm Kurdish rebel groups that threaten Iran. No official confirmation from Baghdad has been provided.
President Raisi boasted that no funds that belong to Iran remain frozen except in South Korea and that he intended to get those funds released immediately.
PAKISTAN
The government plan to reduce the cost of electricity for citizens has been placed on hold while IMF regulators look over the deal.
12 more people have been arrested in the murder case of a young maid who was employed by a Ranipur cleric. While Asad Ali Shah remains the main suspect, the others are suspected of having knowledge of the torture the young girl endured.
Pakistani Police have yet to capture a British citizen who fled to Pakistan a day before the body of his murdered daughter was discovered in the UK.
SPOTLIGHT IMMIGRATION
Afghans who fought in secret CIA-trained force face legal uncertainty in the U.S.
By Dan De Luce - NBC News
About 10,000 to 12,000 members of the Afghan National Strike Unit, a clandestine force known as the “Zero Units,” were evacuated from Afghanistan when the U.S. military withdrew from the country in August 2021. But their two-year work permits in the U.S. are due to expire within days or weeks, and the veterans worry they will no longer be able to support their families — and some worry the work they did for the CIA may even be harming their chances of getting green cards.
AFGHAN NEWS
By Chris Massaro - Fox News
"Today, especially this fighting season, we have been successful in challenging the Taliban in many parts of Afghanistan beyond our base in the remote valleys of the…
Armed Clashes Erupt Between Taliban and ISIS in Nimruz
By Hasht-E Subh Daily
According to reports from sources speaking to Hasht-e Subh, a confrontation took place on Tuesday, August 29th, between Taliban…
Afghanistan’s Astronomical Society urges girls to continue education from home amid setbacks
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The Cosmic Society recently achieved the top position in the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad. Amina Karimian, the society’s founder, told…
Taliban official alleges misuse of funds by aid agencies in Afghanistan
By AMU TV
He contended that a substantial portion of these funds “were not channeled toward the betterment of the Afghan people, but rather had an adverse impact on their…
REGIONAL NEWS
How Iran's 'miscalculation' opened the way for Taliban's territorial claims
By The New Arab
A border wall Iran constructed 20 years ago close to its border with Afghanistan sparked deadly border clashes between the two neighbours as the Taliban 'claimed'...
Former security forces in Iran voice concern about non-renewal of visas
By Bais Hayat - AMU TV
As Tehran seeks to gain international support for refugees from Afghanistan, former military personnel, who have resided in Iran for the last two years, have raised concerns over…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
The Nepali Guards Caught in the Chaotic US Evacuation of Afghanistan
By Jenna Mae Biedscheid - The Diplomat
A sizable contingent of Nepali contractors provided security for U.S. personnel in…
Former Afghan Refugee Becomes American Soldier
By SGT David Campos-Contreras - DVIDS
At first glance, the story of U.S. Army Spc. Rukhsar Yousufi sounds like the story of other Americans who volunteer to…
THE DAILY WTF
By Brent D. Griffiths - Business Insider
Former US ambassador to Afghanistan John Bass was in the middle of teaching future US diplomats when he was called to return to the country and help lead…
“We are looking forward to reading this one.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 82.63 AFN (as of 30 AUG 2023)