LAST 24 HOURS
AFGHANISTAN INDEPENDENT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION REPORT SAYS FORMER AFGHAN ARMY PERSONNEL UNDER SIGNIFICANT THREAT – The report was released on Sunday and listed increased unlawful detainment, torture, and extra-judicial killings as the biggest threats former ANA personnel are facing under the Taliban. The report also criticized regional and international nations who have turned to the former Afghan Army personnel to serve within their own military forces. Ultimately, the report describes the much touted ‘general amnesty’ instituted by the Taliban as a farce.
DEADLY ATTACKS IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA & BALUCHISTAN, MANY DEAD – At least 8 people were killed in an attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province on Monday. Among the dead was a PTI party District chairman, Atif Khan. According to news sources, the vehicle(s) came under attack by accurate RPG and gunfire as the chairman was returning to his home from a function. It is not clear what caused the attack. Another attack in Baluchistan’s Nasirabada District took place earlier in the day and 4 people were killed in the incident that targeted a wedding ceremony. The incident in Nasirabad followed closely on the heels of another violent encounter that took place on Sunday in which 7 other residents of Baluchistan were shot in killed.. Again, no details have emerged over who may be behind the latest attacks.
PASSPORT FORGING RING ARRESTED IN LAGHMAN – A counterfeiting ring that had reputedly issued several thousand fake passports to Afghans was busted up on Sunday and 3 men are under arrest. A source in the Ministry of the Interior says the men were former employees of the Passport Directorate who had been fired when the Taliban came to power and had stolen some of the equipment needed to make the passports. The source said there were concerns in the Ministry that the forgers were working for the United States, but that no evidence had been discovered to substantiate the claims.
THE UNITED NATIONS CONTINUES TO SOUND THE ALARM OVER FUNDING NEEDS FOR AFGHANISTAN – Funding gaps have already forced the World Food Programme (WFP) to ration support for those in Afghanistan who lack resources for feeding themselves and their families. The WFPs country director, Hsiao-Wei Lee, said that current shortfalls will only allow the WFP to feed approximately 4 million of the estimated 13 million people who will require nutritional support in April. The WFP has asked donor states to provide nearly $100 million for April with a subsequent call for $800 million to cover the coming six months.
THE AFGHANI GAINS AGAINST THE US DOLLAR – After a rapid series of auctions by the Central Bank, money changers report that the national currency has risen significantly. Some economists say the increase is a temporary bump that reflects the sell-off of nearly $64 million dollars over the last ten days and expect the currency to lose ground in the coming months.
NEXT 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN REMAINS A CONCERN – Immediately following the death of a PTI party chairman in an attack in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, some PTI social media accounts began to circulate anti-regime messages that insinuated his murder was a government plot. While there has been no official reason for the attack, many eyewitnesses have stated that a long-standing feud was likely to blame. Regardless, the mood in the country is ugly and the former Prime Minister’s party seems eager to confront the current government. At-risk Afghans should continue to exercise caution as they go about their lives in Pakistan and avoid any potential demonstration sites as clashes with security forces are extremely likely.
NEW PAKISTAN RULES FOR AFGHANS – We have not received the documentation for the new policy that was announced on Monday. However, we have enough source verification to outline the basic changes that are expected to take place:
Afghan citizens must inform relevant police stations when they move from one Province/City to another.
Afghan citizens must provide authorities with the purpose for their travel.
Separate registration centers will be established inside police stations to process Afghan citizens.
All data concerning Afghans living in Pakistan will be deposited into a central database.
Afghans crossing the border into Pakistan will receive additional scrutiny.
Afghans who have overstayed their visa/residency permits will be forced to return.
At this time, it is not clear how prepared Pakistani police are to institute these changes. According to a source in the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, there is currently no infrastructure that would allow for the establishment of a centralized database and such a program would take years to build. It is thought that approximately 400,000 Afghan refugees in Pakistan are undocumented. UNHCR has continued its program of assisting Afghans with voluntary repatriation and is offering $350 per person for those who return to Afghanistan. More information is needed to analyze the potential threats the new policy poses for at-risk Afghans residing in Pakistan.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Teachers warned the regime of a potential national strike if demands are not met.
New sanctions announced by the EU and the United Kingdom against leaders of the IRGC.
Nowruz celebrations have started in many locales across the country. Largely peaceful but reports indicate there is a protest ‘flavor’ to this year’s celebrations.
PAKISTAN
Police continue to arrest PTI supporters of former PM Imran Khan. Current estimates say that nearly 1,000 supporters have been jailed across Pakistan.
A deadly attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resulted in the death of a PTI District chairman and at least 7 others when unknown assailants fired upon their vehicles.
A new policy announced Monday will restrict the movement of Afghans in Pakistan. The new policy mandates that Afghans must remain near the police stations where they have registered.
SPOTLIGHT GENDER
Women Will Suffer, No Matter What US Does in Afghanistan
By Russ Baker - Who What Why
Imagine having to cover your entire body — including your face — before you dare go out in public, and to be under constant threat of violence, including sexual violence. And being ordered to remain at home at all times, imprisoned, except in cases of necessity. And even then, you will be denied essential services, including medical care, unless you are accompanied by a male chaperone.
AFGHAN NEWS
Grenade Blast Kills Mother, Five Children in Afghanistan’s Ghor
By Nizamuddin Rezahi - Khaama Press
The explosion took place on March 19, in a residential house in Ghorqand village, in the vicinity of Ferozkoh, the provincial…
Taliban bans Nowruz Celebration in Afghanistan's Daikundi
By ANI
Taliban have banned the celebration of the Afghan festive Nowruz in the central Daikundi province, warning residents if they are caught celebrating…
Security Situation of Afghanistan in 1401 (Solar Year)
By Banafsha Binesh - TOLO News
The Islamic Emirate has conducted 70 military operations in the past year with the aim of suppressing the Khorasan branch of Daesh group in…
REGIONAL NEWS
PTI Leader, Severn Others Killed in Pakistan’s Abbottabad Rocket Attack
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
At least eight persons, including Atif Munsif Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) District Chairman, were killed when unknown shooters fired…
Movement of Afghans to be ‘restricted’ within country
By Qamarul Munawar - SAAMA
The Pakistan government on Monday decided to restrict the movement of Afghan citizens and refugees within the country, as part of a new policy…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Afghan refugees want Canada to bring more family and friends to join them
By Pratyush Dayal - CBC
Atiq fled Afghanistan shortly before the Taliban took control of Kabul. He went to Turkey, where he is now living in a…
US Afghanistan spies enter Zimbabwe to fight for asylum in South Africa
By Bulawayo 24
THE group of 22 Afghan nationals, who worked closely with United States military and security agencies after the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 in the aftermath of the…
THE DAILY WTF
By Lighthouse Reports
Tracing fate of Afghans who assisted the UK’ after fall of…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.41 AFN (as of 21 MAR 2023)