Daily Evacuation Brief | November 24, 2023
LAST 24 HOURS
BAHARE KARIMI RELEASED FROM DETENTION – Reports suggest that Ms. Karimi was released from prison after a bond had been paid by an anonymous source. Her arrest launched an international outcry and steered attention to the plight of women’s rights activists who have been arbitrarily arrested by the Taliban. Several other women are thought to still be in Taliban prisons.
GERMAN AID EMPLOYEES ARRESTED, OFFICES CLOSED TEMPORARILY – At least 4 Afghan employees of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) have been arrested over the last few weeks. In October, 4 GIZ employees were briefly detained and local sources said the Taliban had suspicions the employees were ‘spying’ for foreign governments. No reason has yet been given for the recent arrests but GIZ officials ordered a halt to its programs and closed the offices in Afghanistan while it attempts to negotiate for the release of the 4 employees.
PAKISTAN LAUNCHES ‘PHASE II’ OF DEPORTATION PROGRAM – The Minister of Information in Balochistan, Jan Achakzai told reporters that Phase II had commenced and the government intended to purge 1 million undocumented immigrants over the coming 2 months. Eyewitnesses in Karachi said that house-to-house inspections had intensified across the city and that police were working directly with NADRA officials to verify identities and detain undocumented Afghans for eventual deportation. A source in Quetta stated that several thousand Afghans detained so far had valid CNIC cards in their possession and that Ministry of Interior officials were ramping up an internal investigation to determine how the Afghans had procured the documents. The United Nations, international human rights groups, and several foreign governments have called on Pakistan to halt the deportation effort but Islamabad appears unwilling to listen. Interestingly, the Minister of Information in Balochistan used the press briefing to call upon Kabul to hand over TTP terrorists. Sources in Islamabad have continually stated that this is the objective of the deportation operation and other commercial pressures being applied to Afghanistan. So far, Kabul has continued to ignore its neighbor.
2 SHIITE RELIGIOUS LEADERS KILLED IN HERAT – Unidentified gunmen shot and killed two religious leaders in Herat Province on Thursday. The two murdered men were identified as Sheikh Rajab Akhlaqi and Khadim Hossain Hedayati. The men were killed by gunmen riding a motorcycle in the Jibraiel neighborhood. No group has claimed responsibility and the motivation for the murders is not yet known.
TALIBAN NOT INVITED TO MOSCOW SUMMIT ON AFGHANISTAN, RESISTANCE LEADER SPOKE – Some observers say the invitation extended to the head of the National Resistance Front may signal a coming change in how Russia deals with the Taliban. To their credit, the Russians have continued to sound the alarm over terror threats that are rumored to be growing within Afghanistan. Russia’s allies, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, have repeatedly cited intelligence that suggests multiple terror groups continue to operate unhindered under the protection of the Taliban. An envoy for Iran at the summit hailed the Taliban’s efforts to eradicate ISIS-K in the country, but others pointed out that ISIS-K is largely seen as a competitor to the Taliban and that inaction among the other groups had been noted.
NEW SPATE OF ARRESTS REPORTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY, TALIBAN TARGETING RESISTANCE FORCES – Several videos are circulating on social media that allegedly portray young men who have been arrested by Taliban security personnel for involvement with the National Resistance Front. Sources have told several external Afghan media outlets that the arrests appear to be primarily focused on those who hail from Panjshir, Kapisa, and Parwan. However, reports of arrests have also come from Khost, Kandahar, and Balkh. It is not clear what prompted this recent spate of arrests but could be due to an uptick in recent successful counter-Taliban operations by several Resistance groups.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The Iranian regime intends to increase taxes in the upcoming year in an effort to increase revenues and make up for shortfalls. The plan calls for as much as a 10% tax increase on low-wage earners. The public appears less than pleased with the scheme.
Iran’s Foreign Minister met with the leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon to discuss the situation in Gaza.
Rampant inflation has ignited concerns that nutrition among citizens is suffering and that children and pregnant women are bearing the brunt of the problem.
PAKISTAN
The Special Court convened to hear the Cipher Case involving the former PM has ordered that he appear on 28 November at the Federal Judicial Complex.
An Iranian news outlet filed a report that states Lake Urmia is now ‘dead’ and only retains about 4% of its capacity. In September, the regime attempted to dismiss claims the lake was depleted but satellite imagery shows a bleaker picture.
The Election Commission ordered the PTI party of former PM Imran Khan to hold intra-party elections within 20 days or it could be disqualified from the upcoming elections.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Pakistan’s New Afghan Policy: Another Disaster in the Making?
By Abdul Basit - The Diplomat
In an unprecedented, but unsurprising, policy shift, Pakistan has decided to take a tough line on the Taliban’s de facto regime. It will not be supporting its case at the international level or extend any other assistance. This was decided following the Taliban’s persistent refusal to rein in Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)’s growing attacks in Pakistan from its sanctuaries in Afghanistan.
AFGHAN NEWS
Former President Karzai says educating girls, boys vital for Afghanistan's prosperity
By ANI
Reiterating the importance of opening schools and universities in the country, former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has said that educating…
Taliban arrests GIZ employees in Afghanistan: Report
By AMU TV
German media report that at least four employees of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) have been arrested by the Taliban in…
Kabul Residents Complain of Power Shortage
By TOLO News
The residents of Kabul complained about the increasing shortage of power, saying that they are struggling with daily needs due to…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan-Afghanistan border reopens after visa rule suspension
By Samaa
Cross-border trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan resumed on Wednesday after officials from both countries reached an…
Protests Against Pakistan's Visa Policy Continue in Chaman Area
By TOLO News
Protests continue across the Durand Line in the Chaman area of Quetta, Balochistan, against Pakistan’s policy which stipulates passengers…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Afghan asylum claims ’10 times number of those arriving in resettlement schemes’
By Aine Fox - The Independent
The number of asylum applications from Afghans was 10 times the number of people from Afghanistan who resettled to the UK in the…
Aid groups say Ottawa still hampering work in Afghanistan, despite legislation
By Canadian Press
Canadian aid groups say they are still facing roadblocks from Ottawa in getting aid into Afghanistan, despite Parliament passing legislation this spring intended to…
THE DAILY WTF
Pakistan charging refugees $830 to leave
By Caroline Davies - BBC
Pakistan has confirmed that it is charging an $830 fee to undocumented refugees who want to leave the…
“Bribes to get in, bribes to stay in, bribes to register, bribes to walk around, ‘official’ bribes to leave.” Truly…WTF Pakistan! - TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 69.45 AFN (as of 24 NOV 2023)