Daily Evacuation Brief | November 12, 2022
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LAST 24 HOURS
RUMORS ABOUT FURTHER GENDER BANS FOR WOMEN AT UNIVERSITIES – A document provided to an NGO source in Europe, purporting to be the minutes of a recent cabinet meeting chaired by Sheikh Hibatullah, describes a discussion about prohibiting women from attending University in the future. The ban would affect both public and private institutions. Several of the cabinet officials present for the meeting pushed back hard against the idea. We have not yet verified the authenticity of the document and we do not have confirmation if it was adopted for implementation. However, the rumors are circulating on social media, and felt it was important to include them in the Daily Evacuation Brief.
EXPLOSION IN BAMYAN – An unexploded mortar shell detonated in Bamyan Province and reportedly killed 1 non-combatant and injured 2 others. The circumstances around the blast are not yet known and the victims have not been identified as of publication.
PUL-E-SHARKHI PRISON REPUTEDLY HOLDS THOUSANDS OF TAJIKS – A report by a European NGO claims that the Pul-e-Charkhi Prison currently houses over 4,600 Tajiks who have been arrested since the Taliban took power. The report suggests the conditions in the prison are not good and that a location inside the prison grounds is being used to bury the bodies of those who have died in custody. The ICRC is said to be investigating the claims but it is not clear what access they may have been given. The prison is the former national detention center and is situated on the outskirts of Kabul.
FEMALE AFGHAN REFUGEE RESEARCHER IN THE UK HELPS DEVELOP A LIFESAVING DRUG – Homira Rezai, a refugee who fled Afghanistan when she was 13 years old assisted with the development of a drug that saves pregnant mothers with pre-eclampsia. The condition affects between 2-8% of pregnancies and kills up to half a million babies and 100,000 thousand women a year.
RESISTANCE COMMANDER REPUTEDLY EXECUTED IN BAGHLAN – Khan Mohammad, an NRF Commander was reportedly captured when he attempted to visit his home on Thursday evening. He was arrested and then transferred to the Taliban district headquarters where he is thought to have been shot and killed. His son was reportedly released. This information has yet to be verified.
NEXT 24 HOURS
THE LONG MARCH 2.0 (DAY 2) – Former Prime Minister Khan addressed his supporters and claimed there was widespread support for them from England and the United States. Columns of marchers reached Toba Tek Singh and several groups are converging from different regions with plans to unite in Rawalpindi. There have been scattered reports of some arrests by police along the convoy route but they seem to be primarily focused on thieves who are targeting the protestors.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The United Nations announced it would hold an emergency session over the protest crackdowns in Iran.
A former senior US State Department official claimed the nuclear deal being sought was “dead”.
Protests continued and several videos of security forces firing guns in the air and tear gas into crowds in Baluchi areas are circulating on social media.
PAKISTAN
Energy observers sounded alarm bells today that gas supplies would be limited over the winter months and may force a rationing program that would affect millions. A Petroleum Ministry official told a Parliament panel that households would likely lose natural gas service for 16 hours each day. Electricity in the country has already been cut.
Police arrested 2 terrorists they say were planning an operation in Balochistan. They claim to have captured sophisticated bomb-making materials.
UZBEKISTAN
The 9th Summit of Turkic States concluded in Samarkand. A press announcement of the adopted measures is expected next week.
TAJIKISTAN
Russian military forces were seen conducting drills and using mortars to neutralize mountain fighting positions on Friday.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Bridging the Afghanistan gap in Pakistan–US relations
By Claude Rakisits - East Asia Forum
During Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s September 2022 trip to the United States, he repeatedly argued for full engagement with the Taliban. He argued that Afghanistan faces economic collapse without aid, which will lead to a further deterioration of women’s rights and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.
AFGHAN NEWS
Kabul Security Command Installing Surveillance Cameras in Capital
By Fatema Adeeb - Khaama Press
To improve the security situation in Kabul, the Kabul Security Command said that it has started the installation of security…
Afghanistan: Tribal elders call out Taliban to reopen girls' schools in Nimroz
By ANI
Tribal elders in Nimroz province of Afghanistan called out the Taliban to reopen schools for girls above the sixth grade and said that depriving young girls of…
UN Refugee Agency warns of extreme hardship for forcibly displaced families this winter
By UNHCR
Millions of people from Ukraine, Afghanistan and across the Middle East displaced by conflict or persecution could face a perilous winter as…
REGIONAL NEWS
China announces zero-tariff for Afghan products
By Ariana News
China has decided to grant zero-tariff treatment to 98 percent of taxable products from Afghanistan, its ambassador announced…
Maltreatment of Afghan refugees in Pakistan provoking: FM Muttaqi
By Moorullah Zazai - Pajhwok Afghan News
Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has termed Pakistani police recent ill treatment of Afghan refugees as unfair, provoking and…
By AKI Press
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov proposed to develop a unified approach for the engagement of the Turkic states with the government of the radical…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan enters race to join UN rights body after Bahrain withdraws over criticism
By Middle East Eye
Afghanistan has replaced Bahrain as a candidate in elections to the UN's top human rights body to be held later this month, after critics drew attention to…
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR AFGHANS IN EXILE
IDREAM: Capacity Building for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) Living in Exile
By The Center for Victims of Torture
CVT is accepting applications from Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) living in exile to participate in a dynamic capacity development and mentoring fellowship…
Qualified applicants can apply HERE.
THE DAILY WTF
US, Allies Cause of Instability in Region: Envoy
By Bakhtar News Agency
The Iran envoy Hassan Kazemi Qomi, in a tweet on Wednesday said, “During my visit to Pakistan and meeting with the officials of this country, I stressed that security and…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 87.61 AFN (as of 12 NOV 2022)