New Year’s Message:
2022 has been a year full of disappointments for most with several regional conflicts raging, multiple humanitarian crises, historic population displacements, and the disappointing situation that continues in Afghanistan. Here at the Afghan Digest our sincerest hope is that 2023 will bring about a better situation for all those who are struggling and that those ‘leaders’ who have seemingly been touched by madness will find their humanity once again.
Happy New Year to all.
LAST 24 HOURS
DRONES OVER NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN? – In remarks made after the NRF suffered a defeat in Andarab by Ahmad Massoud, the Resistance leader claimed that drones had been used before and during the fighting. He said the drones had been provided by foreign intelligence services who were also providing additional tactical intelligence to the Taliban. The specific countries were not named and no confirmation of drones being used in the Andarab fighting has been supplied.
FORMER PRESIDENT KARZAI ASKS PAKISTAN TO RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF AFGHAN REFUGEES – After several international news reports broke a story about the treatment of Afghan refugees in Sindh Province, many leaders and international organizations have pressed Pakistan to release those being held in prisons around Karachi. Former President Karzai added his voice to mix in a plea to respect their human rights. Apparently, Pakistan officials were not expecting such a significant outcry over the situation.
INTERNATIONAL AID MONEY BEING MISUSED, US THINK TANK SAYS – Speculation about how foreign aid funds are being used in Afghanistan since the Taliban took power has run rampant. Several watchdog organizations have suggested the funds seldom reach the programs they are intended to support. On Friday, the US journal, Foreign Policy, released a report detailing the extent of the corruption. If the information in the report is true, it illustrates a massive failure in oversight on the part of the international community and the US in particular. The report says the overwhelming bulk of the misappropriated money is used to ‘pay off’ Taliban supporters in predominantly Pashtun communities.
TALIBAN SAYS THAT SOME INTERNATIONAL NGO’S AND UN AGENCIES AGREE TO HIJAB MANDATE – The Minister for Refugees and Repatriation has said that some NGOs and UN agencies will now tell their employees that they must wear the Hijab if they intend to work in Afghanistan. The dress code has been a point of contention between the Taliban and foreign workers for some time. While the Minister did not elaborate on which NGOs and UN bodies had agreed to the requirement, he seemed to be confident that others would follow suit. Nothing was said about the issue of women aid workers resuming their duties in the country.
NEXT 24 HOURS
SECURITY FORCES ON HIGH ALERT FOR NEW YEAR – It is not clear if the Taliban has raised the security posture in response to a possible threat or is simply taking the precautionary measure of putting the security forces at an elevated security footing. Regardless, locals have reported an increased presence at checkpoints, especially in the diplomatic neighborhood in Kabul.
PAKISTAN REFUGEE POLICIES – Many are watching to see how Pakistan’s police react today with regard to Afghan refugees in the country. Several conflicting statements have been made over the past three months which have Afghan refugees in the country on edge. Many fear arrests and deportations may take place as the 31 December amnesty period expired. Several international human rights groups are monitoring the situation closely.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Many of the protests saw increased participation for the end of 2022. Iranian leader’s pictures were burned and protestors once again called for the regime to step down.
Hezbollah has registered concerns with the Iranian government over a decrease in financial support as the regime deals with a serious economic crisis.
PAKISTAN
A follow-up security operation in the Jani Khel area of Bannu resulted in the deaths of 1 Pakistan soldier and 4 suspected terrorists.
The government plans to implement temporary price controls for the cost of fuel today. The controls are expected to remain in place for two weeks.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Afghanistan 2022: The Quagmire Endures
By Faran Jeffrey & Shemrez Nauman Afzal - The Midstone Centre
Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in late August 2021, the Taliban ended up in full control of the country. They have re-established the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” and set up an interim government, which they claim is inclusive. However, the Taliban’s interim government of Afghanistan is yet to be officially recognized by any UN member state or multilateral organization. Most members of the international community believe that the Taliban failed to form an inclusive interim government, and have reneged on girls’ education among other promises they had made. There are legitimate concerns around the world, and especially in South and Central Asia, on the Taliban’s ability to stabilise Afghanistan. Even Pakistan, which is seen internationally as the Taliban’s key ally, now has some serious concerns regarding cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghan soil.
AFGHAN NEWS
A Look at Afghan Assets, Afghanistan’s Currency in 2022
By Bibi Amina Hakimi - TOLO News
US President Joe Biden in an executive decree on Feb. 12 split the $7 billion Afghan assets into two parts, half of which went to the Afghan trust fund in…
Afghanistan’s Politics in 2022: An Administration without Recognition
By Mohammad Farshad Daryosh - TOLO News
The United Nations General Assembly decided on December 16 that the representative of the previous government would…
Uzbek company to hand over Hairatan-Mazar railway responsibilities to Afghans
By Ariana News
The authority said that an Afghan delegation held talks with Uzbekistan’s railway officials on Friday in Uzbekistan and both sides agreed…
REGIONAL NEWS
Minister of energy in Uzbekistan for talks on electricity supplies
By Ariana News
“You know that we have a contract with Uzbekistan and the electricity supply has been reduced these days. Therefore, we are talking to them to solve this…
By Daud Khattak - RFE
“I’ve joined the TTP. This is a final goodbye,” wrote the 17-year-old, according to…
Unexplained incarcerations complicate matters for Afghan refugees in Pakistan: Report
By ANI
The unexplained incarceration of Afghan refugees in Pakistan amidst the deteriorating security situation in Pakistan amidst…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Qin Gang named new Chinese foreign minister
By Suhrab Sarwari - Pajhwok Afghan News
China's ambassador to United States, Qin Gang, has been appointed as the country's new…
THE DAILY WTF
IEA says female NGO workers can make a living in other ways
By Ariana News
Mujahid told the BBC that when a Sharia-based order gets implemented, it is natural that certain people will suffer, but they can consider alternative…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 89.21 AFN (as of 1 JAN 2023)