LAST 24 HOURS
ETHNIC TROUBLE IN BADAKHSHAN – A few unconfirmed reports have stated that Tajik Taliban units had forced approximately 500 Pashtun Taliban out of the Province. It is not clear what may have transpired between the units but a general sense of distrust has persisted between Pashtun elements and the Tajik, Hazara, and Uzbek ethnic units. If the reports turn out to be true, it could be worrisome for Kandahar and would likely mean the Taliban will send units to the area to reestablish control and chastise local Tajik Taliban Commanders. If that happens, violence could ensue.
PAKISTAN ORDERS MILITARY AND POLICE UNITS TO TREAT AFGHAN REFUGEES BETTER – The Ministry of States and Frontier Regions has released guidance to its personnel in a memorandum that forbids harassment or mistreatment of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and urges restraint in deportation cases of any Afghan refugee who has a valid Proof of Registration Card and/or a NADRA issued Afghan Citizens Card. Only engagement in criminal/anti-state activity will be acceptable grounds for forced deportation. The memorandum was published and distributed across multiple agencies on 20 June 2023.
RELOCATION OPERATION FOR DURAND LINE REFUGEES AND SUSPECTED TTP APPEARS TO HAVE BEGUN – Persistent reporting from Balkh and Takhar Provinces suggests the Taliban have been steadily moving caravans of people who were living along the Durand Line to these two Provinces. Convoys loaded with people and their baggage have been photographed passing along the roadways. The men in the convoys appear to be armed and it is not clear if they are Taliban security forces members or, the refugees themselves. It is not clear where the majority of these refugees are intended to take up residence as of yet. The operations commenced roughly ten days ago and consist of approximately 10 vehicles in each serial. The operation has not been met with enthusiasm from residents already living in the North and depending on what the Taliban has planned for their long-term lodging and resettlement in these areas, it could elicit a violent response. Especially, if forced evictions begin to take place as has been seen with Hazara communities.
CANADA FLIES NEARLY 200 AFGHAN REFUGEES FROM THE UAE TO CANADA – As a part of the recent agreement between Canada and the UAE to resettle some of the remaining Afghan refugees who have been living in the country since the fall of Kabul, Ottawa flew 192 refugees on a chartered flight on Friday. Additional flights are expected.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
International economists say the sector in Iran with the highest inflation is the tourism and leisure industry, with a recorded rate of 82%. The numbers recorded on the ground are in stark contrast to the regime’s official line about a ‘strong economy’.
Tehran rejected claims it was supplying Russia with drones for use in Ukraine as the US and others have called on the UN to investigate.
The International Financial Action Task Force has kept Iran on its blacklist for failing to comply with global regulations.
PAKISTAN
TTP militants attempted to assassinate an advisor to the Prime Minister as he was traveling in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday. However, the attack failed.
A major review of the 2024 federal budget is underway in the hopes that a revised budget will entice the IMF to release the much-needed loan.
A Sikh businessman was gunned down in Peshawar by masked gunmen riding a motorcycle on Friday. It was not clear if the murder was motivated by terrorism or criminal intent.
SPOTLIGHT OPINION
Role Of Europe In War Against Terrorism – OpEd
By Mir Hassan & Ali Abbas - EurAsia Review
Europe has been a significant contributor to the military efforts in the War against Terror. After the 9/11 attacks, NATO invoked Article 5 of its charter for the first time in its history, stating that an attack on one member is an attack on all. This led to the deployment of NATO troops to Afghanistan to help the United States in its mission to oust the Taliban and eliminate al-Qaeda. European countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain have contributed troops to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban accuse female aid workers in Kandahar of violating orders
By AMU TV
Citing an official letter to the departments of the Taliban’s refugee ministry, Reuters reported that the Taliban accused aid agencies of violating their orders in…
Religious Clerics Call For Reopening of Girls’ Schools
By Rohullah Sangar - TOLO News
These religious clerics stressed the need for modern science education in addition to religious instruction during the opening ceremony of a…
IEA is committed to inclusivity in governance: acting PM
By Ariana News
Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, political deputy and acting prime minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, said in a meeting with the United Nations special…
REGIONAL NEWS
IEA approves test run of gas, oil from Turkmenistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan
By Ariana News
The Islamic Emirate’s Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs tweeted on Saturday that a trial phase to…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Pakistan hits out at US and India after Biden-Modi meeting
By Ariana News
Pakistan on Friday criticized the United States and India after US President Joe Biden met India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the…
Canadian legislation to support humanitarian aid to Afghans receives royal assent
By Ariana News
Canadian government announced Friday that a legislation to facilitate humanitarian aid to Afghanistan has received royal assent and is…
THE DAILY WTF
Exam for Medical Students Given in Kabul, Only Males Attend
By TOLO News
The examinations for General Internal Medicine and Surgery were held on Friday, with nearly 2,000 participants attended, but there were no female…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 85.84 AFN (as of 25 JUN 2023)