Daily Evacuation Brief | January 25, 2023

Jan 25, 2023

ISLAMABAD AND RAWALPINDI TO ACTIVATE ALL SECURITY CHECKPOINTS IN BOTH CITIES – Law enforcement officials of both cities met in Safe City (Islamabad) and discussed new security measures to be implemented in light of the increased terror threat posed by the TTP. All parties agreed to activate all checkpoints in both cities as well as increase security checks at both entry and exit points. As areas are searched in the cities, Police will cordon off the areas before beginning checks. Existing neighborhoods will be instructed on how to improve their security plans and Police will assist new neighborhoods in the development of their plans. Religious sites (seminaries, Mosques, schools, etc) and schools will be assisted with individualized security plans. At-risk Afghans in both locations should be aware these policies will take effect on Thursday and that the focus of these new policies is on interdicting TTP terror operations.
TALIBAN CHINA ARMS DEAL UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL MICROSCOPE – The Taliban regime is reportedly seeking to purchase several Blowfish Drones from China in an arms deal that has the international community wondering where the priorities for the de facto rulers lie. For the entirety of 2022, the regime has been screaming for international aid and humanitarian relief for a population that faces starvation and has been forced to adopt drastic measures just to stay fed, warm, and healthy. China confirmed the request and publicly stated that drones are necessary for counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan. It seems unlikely the international community will look kindly on defense spending by a regime that has basically written the textbook on how not to form a Nation.
BOTH AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN WORKING TO RESTORE POWER – The Taliban said that Uzbekistan would begin exporting power today after several fiery exchanges between the two countries and an uproar from Afghans who have been dealing with outages for some time now. In Pakistan, power has been restored in nearly every city but the government has called for an investigation into the situation after some MPs voiced concerns about a cyberattack.
CHINESE NATIONALS ARRESTED IN JALALABAD, ACCUSED OF LITHIUM SMUGGLING SCHEME – Taliban intelligence agents reputedly arrested 5 men in Jalalabad, 2 of whom are said to be Chinese nationals, for attempting to smuggle 1,000 metric tons of lithium ore to Pakistan for eventual use in China. The ore was reportedly mined in Nuristan and Kunar Provinces and was said to consist of roughly 30% lithium. China’s representatives in Kabul had yet to make a statement but a source within the Ministry of the Interior claimed they had asked their citizens be released in return for a guarantee they would be deported and dealt with in China. Their location and disposition are currently unknown. No further information was available.
US AND ALLIES MULLING NEW ENGAGEMENT CRITERIA WITH TALIBAN – The US has long been in consultations with other international partners over how to respond to the Taliban after the continued erosion of gender rights by the nascent regime. With international recognition basically off the table due to the self-inflicted policies, humanitarian and economic aid are the only realistic points of discussion left for the Taliban. The international community is left with the difficult task of attempting to help the Afghan people while bypassing a defacto regime.

NEXT 24 HOURS

NO THREATS REPORTED

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

Despite the anger over recent sanctions imposed by primarily Western powers, the IAEA announced they may visit Iran in February.
A watchdog group said that Iran executed 60 prisoners were executed between 22 DEC 2022 and 20 JAN 2023. The group says that executions have escalated rapidly since the protest began.
2 Police Officers were killed by gunmen in Sistan-Baluchistan. Police said the attackers were armed thugs and would be arrested soon.
Students led a protest outside of the French Embassy in Tehran on Tuesday to protest the caricatures published by the French Magazine, Charlie Hebdo.

PAKISTAN

A federal court in Virginia handed down sentences for an American family who forced a Pakistani woman into a labor trafficking situation in their home. The family is of Pakistani origin and had contracted the victim through a mutual acquaintance. Prison sentences are expected.
New security measures were adopted in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to combat TTP terror plans.
The recent 24-hour power disruption has resulted in several deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning as citizens attempted to heat homes with petroleum-based methods.

SPOTLIGHT OPINION

China May Provide The Taliban With Blowfish Drones

By Michael Rubin - AEI

Almost a year and a half after the United States withdrew its forces from Afghanistan, the Biden administration has sought to put Afghanistan firmly in the rearview mirror. “It had to come to an end,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan declared at the Aspen Security Forum last July.

AFGHAN NEWS

Uzbekistan to resume electricity exports to Afghanistan

By Ariana News

The Ministry of Energy in Uzbekistan said that supplies to Afghanistan were temporarily stopped as a result of fuel shortages and various technical problems, as well as to…

Chinese Nationals Arrested in Afghanistan for Allegedly ‘Smuggling’ Lithium Into China

By Aldgra Fredly - NTD

The two Chinese nationals were accused of trying to smuggle 1,000 metric tons of stones containing 30 percent of lithium into China through…

UN's Griffiths in Kabul to Speak of Women's Role in Aid Delivery

By Imran Danish - TOLO News

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths has raised the issue of women's education and work and how this affects UN operations…