Daily Evacuation Brief | November 4, 2022
LAST 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN - FORMER PRIME MINISTER KHAN SHOT IN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT – Former PM Khan was shot and several others in his entourage were wounded after a gunman opened fire during a stop along the protest route. The former PM was reportedly shot in the leg and survived the attempt on his life. Several other PTI leaders were thought to be injured in the attack as well. No deaths have been verified but rumors are swirling. The gunman was arrested. PTI leaders are calling for calm amid all the confusion but it is possible that some followers may seek to clash with police. The motivations behind the attempted assassination are not clear but many in the media have pointed their fingers at the current regime. Khan named three likely organizers who were all members of the current regime and with whom, he has had long-standing disagreements.
AL QAEDA IN AFGHANISTAN – Sources have since come forward after previous reporting indicated that select elements of the Taliban were assisting Al Qaeda militants staying in Afghanistan to find safer housing options. The two primary sources reported to AMU TV that the Taliban had responded to panicked requests for assistance from leaders of the group in the wake of the US drone attack which killed their former leader. The sources said the Taliban had successfully relocated many of the affiliates to Baghlan Province where they are reputedly living openly.
SMALLPOX OUTBREAK TICKS UP IN AFGHANISTAN – Baghlan Province and other areas are reporting an uptick in the number of cases of small pox they are seeing among residents. Children appear to be those primarily affected. At-risk Afghans are encouraged to continue practicing distancing and hygiene protocols to lower their chances of contracting the disease.
TALIBAN DISRUPTS AFGHANISTAN WOMEN’S MOVEMENT PRESS CONFERENCE – A planned press conference by the Afghanistan Women’s Movement was broken up by Taliban security forces in western Kabul. It is believed that leaders of the movement were to deliver a message of support for the Women of Iran as well as call on Afghan civil society to do more for gender rights in the country. Several of the women and girls were reputedly beaten and taken away before the media event could take place. There has been no word on how many were arrested and where they were taken too.
NEXT 24 HOURS
LONG MARCH ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT FALLOUT – At-risk Afghans sheltering in Pakistan should continue to maintain a low profile. Khan's supporters could easily use the shootings as an excuse to challenge the regime and violence between protestors and police is a very real possibility. While the bulk of the protestors are still far from Islamabad, this incident could see supporters converge on the city earlier than planned.
CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS PROMPT AN EARLY AUCTION OF US DOLLARS – Some recent fluctuations in the value of the Afghani have prompted the Central Bank to auction a batch of $13 million dollars ahead of schedule today. While the fluctuations are not severe, it is thought the Bank is very concerned about runaway inflation and potential devaluation of the currency.
POWERFUL STORM SYSTEM MOVES INTO AFGHANISTAN – Snow, torrential rains, and high winds are expected to adversely affect transportation in many of the Provinces over the next 24-48 hours.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
PAKISTAN
Protestors sympathetic to former Prime Minister Khan were filmed protesting on Pakistan Army vehicles in several locations. It is believed to be the first direct challenge made to the government during this crisis.
IRAN
Fresh protests kicked off across many cities in Iran and demonstrators turned out in massive numbers. Regime insiders are concerned that a violent crackdown is coming.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Russia And Afghanistan’s Partnership Of Convenience – Analysis
By Claudia Chia - East Asia Forum
The signing of a provisional deal between Russia and the Taliban in September 2022 marks the Taliban’s first known major international economic deal. But beyond the announcement that Russia will supply gas, oil and wheat to Afghanistan, the payment and pricing details have not been released to the public. How the two countries will navigate international sanctions and their exclusion from the global banking system remains unclear.
AFGHAN NEWS
Kabul Residents Concerned About High Price of Medicine
By Gulalai Hakim - TOLO News
“Doctors write every prescription for 6,000 or 5,000 Afghani and we are not able financially to buy…
Snowfall, Torrential Rain, and Flash Floods Forecast in 17 Provinces of Afghanistan
By Saqalain Eqbal - Khaama Press
In a newsletter published on Thursday, the meteorological agency of Afghanistan warned that the provinces of Herat, Ghor, Badghis, Faryab…
Grave containing 5 bodies found in Kandahar’s Daman district
By Amin Samsour - Pajhwok Afghan News
A grave containing five bodies has been found in the Daman district of southern Kamdahar…
REGIONAL NEWS
Imran Khan survives ‘assassination attempt’
By Ariana News
Imran Khan, Pakistan’s former prime minister, was shot in the leg on Thursday in what his…
Iran: Huge Protests in Karaj and Arak in Commemoration of Uprising Martyrs
By NCRI
Today, Thursday, November 3, the city of Karaj, west of Tehran has risen on the 49th day of Iran’s nationwide uprising and the 40th day of martyrdom of its…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Czech Republic to close its embassy in Afghan capital
By Askin Kiyagan - Anadolu Agency
No improvement in country’s security situation expected anytime soon, says Czech Foreign…
THE DAILY WTF
IEA says it has facilitated a good working environment for the media and journalists
By Ariana News
“To this end, it has facilitated an environment conducive to the activities of the media and its employees, including by providing access to information across…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.19 AFN (as of 4 NOV 2022)