LAST 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN TROOPS AMBUSHED IN BALOCHISTAN, 14 DEAD – Militants ambushed a military convoy in the Gwadar District on Friday and successfully destroyed 2 army vehicles. At least 14 Pakistani soldiers were confirmed to have been killed in the operation. It was not clear which terror group the attackers may have been affiliated with and the methods used to ambush the army column is also unknown.
MORE RUMORS THAT IRAN MAY BEGIN A DEPORTATION OPERATION SOON – Sources in Iran have stated that the regime is very near to announcing a deportation plan similar to that of Pakistan for its population of Afghan refugees. Sources intimated that Tehran is becoming concerned by views held by many Iranian citizens that the Afghans represent a security threat and should be expelled. A source in Tehran said that a report by an IRGC unit analyzed the possibility that US Military leaders could potentially use Afghan citizens to assist with ‘disruption operations’ in Iran should the US and Iran enter into a conflict. The source said the report was received by two unidentified cabinet officials who commented that the conclusion was convenient for the timing of this rumored plan. While not directly related, a new issue has arisen in Pakistan after members of a nationalist political party have accused the PPP of ‘half-hearted’ enforcement of the controversial deportation order in order to retain the support of Afghan refugees. The concerns appear to be concerning for the governments in both Islamabad and Tehran. Obviously, mass deportations from both Eastern and Western borders would complicate matters for the Taliban.
QUESTIONS SURROUNDING ASSETS OF AFGHANS WHO WERE IN PAKISTAN – Pakistan’s hardline approach to the Afghan refugees who have sheltered in the country for a significant period has prompted accusations that Islamabad has, or intends to, seize the property and money from those unfortunate enough to be deported. The Interior Minister has intimated on previous occasions that all property and wealth accumulated by the refugees in the country had been obtained ‘illegally’ and could be forfeited to the State. No confirmation that this has actually transpired has been received but strict edicts governing the amount of money Afghans would be allowed to take back with them appear to be true and are being enforced.
NEXT 24 HOURS
AFGHANS HOLDING PAKISTANI IDENTITY CARDS TO BE TARGETED IN PAKISTAN – Pakistani officials have signaled that many Afghans living in Pakistan possess forged Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) and plan to start rounding up these individuals in a new operation. It has never been clear how many of the fake identity cards were issued. Still, a source in the Ministry of the Interior said that several lists of people who had purchased the documents had recently been merged and that several thousands are thought to be in circulation. It is not clear if these individuals will be immediately deported or will face actual criminal charges.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
A horrific fire that swept through a drug rehabilitation center in the Gilan Province has killed at least 32 people and as many as twenty sustained injuries.
For the first time since 2017 a woman received a death sentence for committing adultery. The penalty is often reduced upon appeal but human rights organizations are concerned the regime may follow through with the sentence due to criticism of the judicial system.
A German citizen who sits on death row in Iran is reportedly in extremely poor health and German authorities renewed calls for his release.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan International Airlines announced plans to reinstate flights next week after having overcome another temporary halt in services due to late fuel payments.
Security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gunned down a TTP suicide bomber yesterday during an operation in the Dera Ismail Khan District. 2 other TTP terrorists were wounded in the action. 3 Pakistani troops were also killed.
Asad Qaiser, the former Speaker of the National Assembly and a senior leader in the PTI party was arrested by police. Qaiser’s brother said the charges he faces are not clear and were not presented.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
What is U.S. Central Asia Policy?
By Alex Little - The National Interest
On September 19, President Joe Biden met with all five leaders of the Central Asian countries at the UN General Assembly in New York as part of the “C5+1” summit. This marks the first meeting between a U.S. President and every Central Asian leader. Such a significant meeting was sure to make analysts wonder if it would generate a change in the direction of U.S.-Central Asia policy. However, the meeting harped on similar themes that are par for the course in previous C5+1 summits.
AFGHAN NEWS
By ANI
As Afghan refugees return to Afghanistan following Pakistan’s forced expulsion, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Higher Education said that they…
Acting Defense Minister Warns Pakistan Against 'Cruel' Treatment of Afghans
By Mujeeb Rahman Awrang Sanikzai - TOLO News
Acting Defense Minister, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, criticized the treatment of Pakistan’s caretaker government towards the Afghan refugees, saying that the decision to expel Afghans had been taken unilaterally and…
The Azadi Briefing: Afghanistan Struggles To Cope With Influx Of Refugees From Pakistan
By Abubakar Siddique - RFE
Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities and international aid agencies are struggling to cope with the influx of over 200,000 undocumented Afghan refugees forced…
REGIONAL NEWS
IEA’s prime minister lambasts Pakistan for expulsion of refugees, calls for talks
By Ariana News
Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund on Friday harshly criticized Pakistani authorities for deporting and mistreating Afghan refugees, and called…
Torkham border crossing overwhelmed by Afghan influx amid Pakistani expulsion deadline
By AMU TV
Thousands of people swarmed Pakistan’s primary northwestern border crossing on Thursday, November 2, in a rush to enter Afghanistan following the government’s expulsion order for undocumented foreigners…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Moscow denies link to Fair Russia meeting on Afghanistan
By Ariana News
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has said that it has no relation to a meeting on Afghanistan that is expected to be organized by “A Just Russia – For Truth” political party in…
Americans Detained in Afghanistan 'Highest Priority': Decker
By TOLO News
Karen Decker, Chargé d'Affaires of the US Mission to Afghanistan, said that bringing Americans who are detained in Afghanistan back home is…
THE DAILY WTF
By Sophia Saifi & Jessie Yeung - CNN
Earlier this week Nasim was leaving the only home he’s ever known, trudging toward Pakistan’s border alongside tens of…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 73.40 AFN (as of 3 NOV 2023)