LAST 24 HOURS
ISIS-K PUBLISHES THREAT AGAINST INTERNATIONAL NGOs OPERATING IN AFGHANISTAN – An article attributed to ISIS-K was published in the Al-Samood magazine and ISIS’s propaganda site, the Voice of Khorasan, which blames several high-profile NGOs in the country for spreading Shia Islamic beliefs and co-opting the Taliban to do the bidding of the West. The article goes on to threaten the NGOs and warns Afghans to stay away from their facilities and aid distribution sites.
MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR MANDATE CELL PHONE REGISTRATION – Several news outlets reported that the Ministry of the Interior met with businessmen who cell mobile phones in the country and informed them of a new protocol that must be observed when selling a mobile device. Customers must now fill out a form and provide their personal information when purchasing a phone. The Taliban said the new process is intended to reduce crime and improve security.
BRITISH YOUTUBER REPORTED MISSING IN AFGHANISTAN – Lord Miles (Miles Routledge) has been officially declared ‘missing’ by the Taliban on their public relations social media sites. The Taliban Public Relations Department’s Twitter page posted on 15 March that the young man had last been seen in Eastern Afghanistan on 6 March. They stated that an investigation had begun and the UK Embassy in Islamabad had been informed. On 16 March, the PR Department Twitter account was updated with a cryptic message stating that new information had been received but could not be released until they had received authorization.
FORMER PM KHAN’S ARREST WARRANT SUSPENDED – A federal court suspended the contentious warrant for the former PM in exchange for a guarantee he would appear before the court in Islamabad on Saturday. Security precautions were being prepared in the capitol in anticipation of his arrival.
NEXT 24 HOURS
ISLAMABAD BRACES FOR POSSIBLE VIOLENCE – Due to the drama surrounding former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s corruption trial, Pakistan’s security and judicial leaders are implementing several special protocols for his expected appearance in court today. The security protocols are:
The court case has been moved from the F8 Court Complex to the G-11 Judicial Complex to ensure Khan’s personal safety.
Section 144, a ban on public gatherings and display of weapons, has been imposed across all of Islamabad.
Private companies, security guards, and individuals will not be allowed to carry weapons for the duration of the court proceedings.
Citizens and visitors are required to have their documents on them while they move around the city.
Vehicular travel in sectors G-11/1 and G-10/1 is discouraged.
Shipping containers have been put in place around the Judicial Complex
Based on the PTI party’s actions during Khan’s court appearance last month, violence is deemed likely. At-risk Afghans residing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are advised to avoid the areas near the Judicial Complex and any sites where large concentrations of police vehicles/personnel are stationed. These will be obvious targets for any PTI supporters who wish to protest their leader’s treatment.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
China, Russia, and Iran began the third round of joint Naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman yesterday.
A female Russian military officer has sparked controversy in the country by appearing at government meetings without wearing a Hijab and for wearing a uniform with short sleeves. The photos have been shared widely on social media.
Iranian-backed militias in Syria have begun rebuilding a missile warehouse in Dier Ezzor city after the building was destroyed by a massive explosion on 8 March that left 7 people dead. Local citizens have opposed the facility.
PAKISTAN
A federal court in Pakistan has dismissed an arrest warrant for former PM Khan and has granted him the right to appear before a judge on Saturday in Islamabad. The move has been hailed as a means of de-escalating tensions between the former PM’s supporters and police in Lahore.
Police raids in Islamabad have netted approximately 70 PTI supporters who were reportedly on internal ‘watch lists’.
2 children were killed during a counter-terrorism operation on the border of Southern and Northern Waziristan. The children reputedly got caught in an exchange of fire between militants and soldiers. 2 soldiers were also injured. There was no information about the militants.
SPOTLIGHT OPINION
By Nibras Basitkey - The Atlantic Council
If one could think about how difficult it is when society’s customs and laws conflict with an individual’s fundamental rights, especially the right to an education, then one can begin to understand the plight of Afghan women today.
AFGHAN NEWS
Press Freedom Is an Illusion in Today’s Afghanistan
By Gie Goris - Inter Press Service
‘I have always felt good at my desk,’ says Seyar Sirat. ‘I am rather introverted by nature, and so spending hours in front of my screen for TOLO News was a blessing rather…
By Sandip Kishan Anbuselvan - Spiel Times
The Taliban government in Afghanistan confirmed that infamous YouTuber Lord Miles is missing and that they are actively searching…
Female entrepreneurs from across Afghanistan seek out foreign markets
By Ahmad Masih Noori & Lisa Barrington - Reuters
Dozens of Afghan businesswomen took part in an exhibition in Dubai remotely this week to promote carpets, jewellery, dried fruit and…
REGIONAL NEWS
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
In his interview, he claimed that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba provided 50 Lakh Pakistani Rupee…
Iran's anti-hijab movement to Afghanistan's Taliban rule: Feminists discuss struggles of women
By India Today
Hijab has been a symbolic and physically oppressive garb; women have pushed against it in the past 40 years; but it's also the tip of the iceberg because what…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
UN seeks independent ideas on tackling Afghanistan’s Taliban
By Edith M. Lederer - AP News
The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Thursday calling for independent recommendations on how a…
By Thomas Phippen - Fox News
Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley says the State Department is showing "contempt" toward taxpayers as it slowly addresses watchdog complaints of…
THE DAILY WTF
Funding drought forces UN food agency to cut rations in Afghanistan
By The United Nations
The World Food Programme (WFPOpens in new window) appealed for urgent funding for its operations in the country, where families are battling crisis after crisis, including growing…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.45 AFN (as of 18 MAR 2023)