LAST 24 HOURS
TALIBAN MEET A WALL OF RESISTANCE AT MOSCOW FORMAT SUMMIT – While the Taliban regime attempted to leverage the fact that they had been invited to the Moscow Format meeting as a sign it was being recognized, the reality on the ground in Kazakhstan has surely returned expectations to earth. The representatives of international and regional states who attended the meeting basically took the Taliban Foreign Minister to task for a multitude of concerns. The organizers of the meeting brushed past claims from Muttaqi about the absence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan and called on Kabul to dismantle the groups that are ‘known’ to be operating from within Afghanistan. They then read off a litany of additional concerns about the lack of ethnic representation in the government, human and women’s rights, and the narcotics trade as precursors to any real engagement. Observers at the conference said that Russia and Iran were perturbed that the Taliban continued to make appeals to the US and had basically warned the Taliban that further cooperation could damage relations in the future. The stern messaging from the conference will be difficult to spin for the Taliban regime.
PAKISTANI AUTHORITIES IMPLICATE THE INDIAN INTELLIGENCE SERVICES IN DEADLY SUICIDE ATTACKS – The Interior Minister, Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti has said that the Indian Intelligence Agency - Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was behind the two attacks this past week. The Minister did not provide any proof but said the regime was aware of a plan to destabilize the government and that an investigation was underway to discover all the pertinent details. Several news outlets presented a conflicting theory that ISIS-K was likely responsible for the attacks and pointed to an attack carried out by the terror group just days prior in the Mastung District. As of publication, no arrests had been announced in either case.
TALIBAN DELEGATION IN TEHRAN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNITY CONFERENCE – The delegation was invited by Iran’s embassy in Kabul and is expected to take part in discussions about some secular matters of importance to Tehran. Chief amongst these will be the issue of water rights.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Additional arrests were reported as protestors continued anti-regime demonstrations in the aftermath of the Bloody Friday anniversary. The majority of the protests took place in the Southeast of the country.
The Iranian activist, Narges Mohammadi, is considered a leading candidate for the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize. Mohammadi is currently serving a prison sentence for anti-state activities.
A source in Tehran says that Saudi diplomats are amping up calls for Tehran to do more in controlling their support for the Houthi rebels after an attack on the border resulted in the deaths of several Bahraini soldiers.
PAKISTAN
The death toll from the Mastung bombing has risen to 59 after several people who had been wounded in the blast succumbed to their wounds while in several local hospitals.
The government has reduced the price of fuel starting on 1 October. Prices were raised in mid-September and a public outcry arose which led to some demonstrations.
While petrol prices have been reduced, the government is warning consumers that LPG prices are being raised to offset the costs of inflation. The increased costs will impact many as LPG is used primarily for heating homes during the coming winter months.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
By Harsh V. Pant & Shivam Shekhawat - ORF
China has appointed a new ambassador to Afghanistan, signaling its growing support for the Taliban. While other countries have not formally recognized the emirate, China's decision to appoint a new ambassador demonstrates its willingness to make its support more explicit without de jure recognition. China has already signed oil and mining deals with the Taliban, and has shown interest in investing in Afghanistan's mineral deposits.
AFGHAN NEWS
Prince Mirwais Zahir, Youngest Son of Afghanistan's Former King, Has Died
By TOLO News
Prince Mirwais, the youngest member of his family, passed away in Kabul on Friday, 7 Mezan, at the age of…
Work on ‘New Kabul’ project underway
By Ariana News
They said the project plan, which includes construction of roads, intersections, subways, infrastructure, commercial buildings, and housing, has been…
Takhar Residents in Baharak District Lack Safe Drinking Water
By Nazim Qasimi - TOLO News
The local officials of Baharak district in Takhar province said that about 3,000 families in the district lack safe drinking…
REGIONAL NEWS
Appointment of Ambassador Signals China's Ambition in Afghanistan, Experts Say
By VOA
Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi attended talks Friday in the Russian city of Kazan, where he praised China for sending a new…
Muttaqi meets Chinese, Pakistani envoys on sidelines of Moscow format
By Ariana News
Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with the special representatives to Afghanistan from China and Pakistan, Yue Xiaoyong and…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Moscow Format Attendees Call for Inclusive Govt in Afghanistan
By Fatema Adeeb - TOLO News
Members of the Moscow Format meeting, in the final declaration, emphasized the formation of an inclusive government, the fight against terrorist groups, respect for human rights, especially the…
Pariani embarks on sit-in protest in Germany in ongoing fight for Afghanistan’s women
By AMU TV
Women’s rights activist, Tamana Zaryab Pariani, said that she will continue her sit-in until the international community recognizes the “gender apartheid” that is being…
THE DAILY WTF
China’s Special Envoy Advocates for Non-Interference in Afghanistan’s Internal Affairs
By Bakhtar News Agency
In a recent interview with the Russian Sputnik News Agency, China’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, emphasized that no reason should justify interference in Afghanistan’s…
“At least not until they’ve launched their mining operations.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 77.96 AFN (as of 1 OCT 2023)
