LAST 24 HOURS
TALIBAN’S MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR SWELLS TO 200,000 – A spokesman for the Ministry of the Interior says the government department now employs approximately 200,000 personnel. A recruiting drive to enlist another 75,000 employees is currently underway across all Provinces in Afghanistan. Several Afghan citizens commented on the announcement and complained that the Ministry personnel serving in their areas were ‘unprofessional’ and had been given the position only out of perceived loyalty to the Taliban regime or as favors.
FORMER PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER KHAN OFFICIALLY BARRED FROM STANDING IN UPCOMING ELECTIONS – Pakistan’s Election Commission formally rejected a nomination for the former Prime Minister to represent the Lahore and Mianwali constituencies in the upcoming February 8 election. The ECP based its most recent ruling on a procedural discrepancy, noting that the nominations were made by individuals not residents of the voting districts. The ECP reaffirmed its ruling on Khan’s ability to stand in elections and said that he was barred from Pakistan’s political scene for five consecutive years.
IRAN CLAIMS TO HAVE DEPORTED 60,000 AFGHANS IN THE PAST THIRTY DAYS – Border officials in Iran say that nearly 60,000 Afghans were repatriated to Afghanistan over December. While the figure raised some eyebrows among Afghanistan observers, the Taliban have previously admitted that they were receiving between 1200-2000 Afghans from Iran per day in late 2023. It is not certain how many of the Afghans were forcibly deported and it is believed that a portion were expelled by Iran on behalf of Turkey.
TALIBAN SAYS IT WILL BEGIN ISSUING BIRTH CERTIFICATES THROUGH DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS ABROAD SOON – Afghan citizens who have welcomed newborns to their families over the past two years may soon be able to request official birth certificates from consulates in select locations. Many Afghan children who were born abroad have been unable to procure the needed documents and it has caused hardships and delays for parents.
NEXT 24 HOURS
POSSIBLE CHANCE FOR PTI PARTY PROTESTS IN PAKISTAN – While not considered a major threat, PTI party members could take to the streets to protest the disqualification of the former Prime Minister by Pakistan’s Election Commission. Should demonstrations take place, they will likely be localized and we assess the threat of potential violence to be low. Still, at-risk Afghans sheltering in Pakistan are advised to avoid any significant gatherings as Police are expected to respond.
SPOTLIGHT OPINION
US punctures Pakistan army chief’s mission TTP
By Avinash Mohananey - The Economic Times
The United States hasn’t responded favourably to Pakistan’s demand for military and economic aid in dealing with the violence unleashed by Tehrik-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP) that has crippled all efforts to revive the sinking economy. The demand was raised by Pakistan army chief Asim Munir with the US leadership during his recent visit there. What Munir expected from the US was continuation of the kind of support that his country had received in the past during the “war on terror” to counter the rising TTP violence.
AFGHAN NEWS
168 Cases of Violence Against Journalists Recorded: AJC
By Nazir Shinwari - TOLO News
The Afghanistan Journalists Center expressed concern about media rights violations in Afghanistan and said that in 2023 it recorded 168 cases of…
ARCS distributes cash aid to 2,600 Kabul widows and orphans
By Ariana News
The cash aid was provided by the British Red Cross and 8,500 afghanis was given to each person, ARCS officials…
Taliban Seek Information on Former Government Forces in Herat, County Councilors Pressed for Details
By Hasht-E Subh
Local sources in Herat have reported that the Taliban are actively collecting information about former military personnel in the province, raising concerns among…
REGIONAL NEWS
Akhund’s visit to Islamabad may ease tensions on TTP issue
By Baqir Sajjad Syed - Dawn
Mullah Sherin Akhund, a senior Afghan Taliban figure and governor of Kandahar province, is expected to arrive in Islamabad early next month in a…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
‘Unnecessary’: Taliban Slams UNSC’s Decision to Appoint Gender and Human Rights Envoy
By Shankhyaneel Sarkar - News 18
Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities on Saturday criticised the UN Security Council’s plan for a special envoy to promote gender and human rights in the country as…
THE DAILY WTF
Outsiders Should Not Impose their Demands on Afghans: Russia
By Bakhtar News Agency
The Russian envoy at the United Nations has emphasized that aliens should not impose their demands on Afghans.
“Perhaps the same should be true of Ukrainians?” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.65 AFN (as of 31 DEC 2023)