LAST 24 HOURS
INSTITUTE FOR PEACE FOUNDER ARRESTED IN KABUL – Sardar Nadir Naim, the founder of the Kabul Institute for Peace and a former presidential election candidate (2014) has been arrested on unspecified charges. Friends and onlookers saw GDI agents push Naim into a ‘land rover’ and take him away. It is thought he is being held at the Ministry of the Interior currently.
US CONGRESS AFGHAN ADJUSTMENT ACT, 2023 – A bipartisan bill focused on providing permanent pathways to Afghan refugees in the US was introduced yesterday. The bill reportedly has significant support from both parties in Congress but will face tough debate over the scope of authorities and some controversial provisions that appear to be aimed at the State Department.
IRAN HOPING TO PASS A BILL IN PARLIAMENT TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL REFUGEE ORGANIZATION – The Interior Minister of Iran, Ahamd Wahidi gave an interview where he expressed hope that the parliament would establish the new government agency to help take the pressure of military and police personnel. He went on to say that no security threats have been reported from among the 5 million Afghan refugees currently in Iran. Iran has continued its program of mass deportations and claimed that 18,000 Afghans had been sent back over the previous ten days. In a separate interview, an advisor to Iran’s special envoy for Afghanistan said that Afghan refugees have invested nearly $150 million in Iran over the past four months. The investments were primarily focused on agriculture, industry, and construction.
IN THE WAKE OF THE ZHOB TERROR ATTACK, PAKISTAN’S LEADERS ISSUE STERN WARNINGS TO TALIBAN – While there was no specific evidence that the 5 terrorists who attacked the military facility in Zhob had come from Afghanistan, several senior officials have recently made public remarks which leave little doubt as to the government’s thoughts on the matter. The surge in attacks against Pakistan’s military and police forces is thought to have been caused by the backroom deal between the Taliban and Pakistan to relocate TTP personnel away from the Durand Line. A source in Kabul says the move has ignited a minor firestorm between the TTP and the IEA that has been kept quiet so far but could erupt at any time. Apparently, several senior TTP leaders viewed the relocation program as a betrayal and vowed to carry the fight into Pakistan. The source said the IEA has not sanctioned any cross-border actions and has warned local leaders not to provide arms and ammunition to the group.
NEXT 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN’S POSTURING COULD PRECIPITATE A STRIKE IN AFGHANISTAN – While there has been no definitive information relating to a potential strike, the recent warnings issued by government officials to the Taliban may signal that a strike is being planned. The overwhelming majority of TTP actions have occurred in North Waziristan and our analysis indicates that any potential strike would likely target suspected TTP operating bases in Khost or Paktika Provinces.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Students are outraged over a recent decision to allow militants from Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Force (PMF) to attend university classes. Students are concerned the militia are being allowed on campuses to report on anti-regime leaders.
The IRGC claims it has arrested the man responsible for starting the riots in Zahedan last September. The man is said to be a member of the Jaish ul-Adl terrorist group.
Police in Cyprus have concluded an investigation into the anti-Israeli plot that is widely suspected of being backed by Iran. The Cypriot investigation supports claims made by Mossad over Iran’s alleged involvement.
PAKISTAN
The Federal Investigation Agency has arrested 2 customs officials who had fled their posts last week after being tipped off that agents were zeroing in on their crimes.
A report that was leaked to Dawn newspaper alleges that more boys than girls are subjected to sexual abuse in Punjab Province. The report has been attributed to the Home Office and was not meant for public release apparently.
General Syed Asim Munir, Army Chief of Staff, conducted a visit to the Army base in Quetta to receive a briefing on the terrorist attack in Zhob and to visit injured soldiers at the hospital.
SPOTLIGHT EDUCATION
Taliban Intensifies Efforts To Eradicate Secular Education In Afghanistan
By Mustafa Sarwar - RFE
The Taliban ordered the closure of all teacher-training centers in Afghanistan on July 4, according to a letter circulated by its Education Ministry and obtained by Radio Azadi.
The order affects 49 teacher-training centers and 198 support facilities across the country, according to a source at the ministry who spoke to Radio Azadi on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
Around 5,600 instructors and other staff were employed by the training centers. Created under the previous Western-backed Afghan government, the centers were aimed at improving the quality of education in the war-torn country.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban unveils guidelines on interaction with foreign countries
By AMU TV
The Taliban-run Ministry of Foreign Affairs has drafted guidelines outlining the framework for interaction and engagement with foreign countries but its details and contents have not been…
Malala Yousafzai condemns Taliban for reversing women’s right to education in Afghanistan
By ANI
Yousafzai expressed her despair over the Taliban’s complete reversal of women’s rights and educaction in…
Air travel costs soar in Kabul as passengers feel the pinch
By AMU TV
The steepest price hikes have been observed on the Kabul-Dubai, Kabul-Jeddah, and Kabul-Tehran routes, according to…
REGIONAL NEWS
By PTI
Pakistan's military chief warned the Afghan Taliban on Friday of an “effective response” by his forces if they fail to stop harbouring militants who plot…
China increases investment in Afghanistan but faces challenges due to terrorism, instability
By ANI
In recent months, Chinese companies have shown interest in investing in Afghanistan under the Belt and Road Initiative but face challenges due to terrorism and…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Repay ‘debt of honour’ to Afghans who fought Taliban with Britain, Rishi Sunak told
By The Independent
In a letter to the prime minister, key figures – including former British army chief General Lord Dannatt and ex-Nato general secretary Lord Robertson – called for action to end the “disgrace” of…
EU’s expanding engagement in Central Asia to counter Russia and China
By Samuel Doveri Vesterbye - ORF
On 2 June 2023, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, held a second regional high-level meeting with the heads of state of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and the…
THE DAILY WTF
Afghanistan: Women share ‘untold stories’ of forced marriages
By Sharif Amiry - AMU TV
In an effort to shed light on this tragic reality, Amu interviewed a number of women who have fallen victim to forced and underage marriages in the…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 86.03 AFN (as of 15 JUL 2023)