LAST 24 HOURS
AFGHAN ICON, HASIBA NOORI, KILLED BY GUNMEN IN PAKISTAN – A friend and fellow performer confirmed that Noori had been killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by a group of unidentified men. She was reputedly shot multiple times but no additional information about the attack was available as of publication time. She had traveled to Pakistan approximately 11 months ago and had reestablished her career in Islamabad. Police had yet to release a statement about her murder but said an investigation was underway.
SOME NGOS ORDERED TO HALT RELIEF OPERATIONS FOR FAILING TO ‘HIRE’ TALIBAN SPONSORED JOB APPLICANTS – International NGOs have been reeling from the edicts being issued from Kandahar over who they can hire. It appears that the Taliban are trying to take advantage of the situation and have provided lists of ‘preferred candidates’ to directors to fill vacant positions. In many cases, the Taliban issued threats to close down all relief activities unless the NGOs relent and hire their lackeys. Reports out of Zabul say that a major health-related NGO has been ordered to halt all operations over its refusal to hire its personnel. A source close to the situation in Qalat says the NGO attempted to act in good faith and interviewed some of the men who were recommended by the Taliban but demurred due to a lack of education and the inability to read/write on the part of the candidates. Other aid organizations around the country have complained of similar abuses of power.
PAKISTAN COUNTER-TERRORISM OPERATION SUCCESSFUL IN PUNJAB – The Counter-Terrorism Department in Punjab announced they had arrested 5 members of ISIS-K during two operations in both Gujranwala and Multan. Among those arrested was a key ISIS-K Commander. Of note, all 5 of those under arrest possessed Afghan national identity cards and some mobile phones with Afghan numbers that had recently been used. Explosives, weapons, and ammunition were also recovered. The discovery of ID cards and Afghan phones would seem to support Pakistan’s continued claims that the terror network is using Afghan soil for at least some of its activities.
LEADING BRITISH POLITICIAN SAYS UK SHOULD REOPEN ITS EMBASSY IN KABUL – Tobias Ellwood, Chairman of the Defence Select Committee and a senior Tory leader wrote in an editorial that it was time to reopen the British embassy in Kabul and begin negotiating with the Taliban. Mr. Ellwood claims that nothing of substance can be accomplished by adhering to the current strategy of non-engagement. Mr. Ellwood is an officer in the Reserves and lost a brother in the 2002 terrorist attack in Bali. He says he is definitely not an ‘appeaser’ but that the current policy route is unlikely to make things better for Afghans and/or the region.
TALIBAN RESPOND TO PAKISTAN’S CLAIM IT HAS ABANDONED ITS COMMITMENTS TO PEACE – The Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid spoke with the BBC Pashto channel on Saturday and responded to several incendiary remarks made by both the Pakistan Minister of Defense and Army Chief of Staff over Afghanistan’s perceived reluctance to halt cross-border terror activity. Mujahid reminded Pakistan that the Doha Agreement was signed with the United States and not with Pakistan. He then proceeded to reiterate the claim that Afghanistan was not being used by terrorist groups as a safe haven and that no attacks would be permitted to be carried out from its soil. In response to a question about a possible Taliban response to Pakistani strikes, he said that any attacks by Pakistan on Afghanistan would be ‘dealt with’.
NEXT 24 HOURS
MORALITY POLICE TO START HIJAB PATROLS AGAIN IN IRAN – Police confirmed the patrols would begin on Sunday in Tehran and then spread to other major cities across the country in the coming week. Both car and foot patrols will be used to try and find violators of the strict clothing ordinances. Those found in violation could face fines, psychological counseling, and prison still remains a possible outcome as the national dialogue in May failed to reach a consensus over removing the threat of jail. At-risk Afghans in Iran should be aware that the patrols are likely and we assess that enforcement could be overly enthusiastic for the first several weeks. Protests could begin anew depending on how many Iranian women choose to ignore the rule.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
China announced it would back Iran’s membership in the BRICS group.
Pakistan and Iran announced they had ratified an agreement to form an intelligence-sharing agreement to combat terrorism.
The English language has been downgraded to an ‘optional’ course in Iranian schools.
IRGC Commanders reportedly arrive in Dier Ezzor to advise Iranian-backed militia groups in Syria. Observers say that defensive preparations are visible across the city and believe the militias are anticipating a coalition attack.
PAKISTAN
Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan reportedly grew by 12% over fiscal year 2022-23.
The recent rains and large bodies of standing water have created a health risk from Dengue fever. The mosquito-borne disease is expected to surge as rainwater combines with refuse to create fertile breeding ground for larvae.
Islamabad dealing with a scarcity of drinkable water. Several criminal groups are now stealing water and selling it at exorbitant prices. These groups are colloquially known as the Water Cartel.
SPOTLIGHT CULTURE
By Christina Goldbaum - Bangkok Post
While the Taliban have erased most obvious vestiges of the US nation-building effort in Afghanistan, the cultural legacy of two decades of American occupation has been harder to stamp out.
AFGHAN NEWS
Religious school for women, girls opens in Kabul amidst schools closures
By AMU TV
For girls who refuse to let their education be interrupted, this specialized school, limited to four hundred students, represents their sole…
Police destroys poppy on 40,000 acres of land in the Badakhshan province
By ANI
Poppy has been eradicated from around 40,000 acres of land in the Badakhshan province in the last three months…
Dust Storms Due to Drought Affect Afghanistan, Region: NEPA
By Nawid Samadi - TOLO News
The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) said that the recent dust storms in the country are due to climate changes and droughts in…
REGIONAL NEWS
Singer from Afghanistan killed in attack in Pakistan
By AMU TV
Hasiba Noori, a renowned female singer from Afghanistan who had sought refuge in Pakistan, was killed in an attack by unidentified men in…
CTD lassoes Daesh commander among five terrorists in Punjab
By Pakistan Today
The Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department on Saturday claimed to have arrested five terrorists including an important commander of proscribed outfit DAESH in different…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Russia Invites Acting FM Muttaqi to Upcoming Moscow Format on Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The Moscow format is one of many forums on Afghanistan, which started before the Taliban took control of Kabul, and the next meeting is scheduled to be held in…
British families could be paid to take in Afghan refugees to reduce housing asylum seekers in hotels
By Charles Hymas - The Telegraph
British families could be paid to house Afghan refugees under plans being drawn up by Michael Gove to reduce the use of hotels for…
THE DAILY WTF
By Bakhar News
“Afghans living abroad should not fall victim to the sinister plans of foreigners against the Islamic system but should return to the country and cooperate in the restoration of the…
“Come home. Women here have a wonderful life now.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 86.03 AFN (as of 17 JUL 2023)