LAST 24 HOURS
THE UNITED NATIONS RELEASES RESPONSE PLAN FOR HERAT EARTHQUAKE DISASTER – The plan calls for a $93.6 million dollar effort to help the citizens affected by the earthquakes in Herat. The report says the funds will be administered to 114,000 people in the Provinces that were affected by the series of quakes that flattened several villages. A copy of the report can be downloaded by clicking HERE.
TALIBAN’S ‘QUIET’ SUPPORT FOR THE TTP MAY BE TO BLAME FOR PAKISTAN’S DEPORTATION THREAT – According to multiple sources in Kabul, the recent meetings with envoys from Islamabad were pugilistic and may have led to the draconian threats towards Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan. The sources stated that the Pakistani representatives at the meeting brought up direct evidence of TTP involvement in recent terror attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and both video and photographic evidence was provided to the Taliban as confirmation of these claims. However, the Taliban attendees refused to accept the evidence as legitimate and told their Pakistani counterparts that any matters related to the TTP were a domestic issue for Pakistan and did not involve Kabul. Apparently, the Taliban delegates said it had fulfilled all bilateral security obligations it had when it displaced several suspected TTP enclaves along the Durand Line at the behest of Islamabad. Several accusations about drone overflights were also lodged against the Pakistani representatives. A source in Islamabad confirmed that upon the delegation's return, an unidentified group of government officials met with the envoys and the decision was made to present the option of mass deportation to the (at the time) incoming caretaker regime. The source said that, while the Taliban continued to adhere to the talking points regarding the TTP, they had not refused to look at evidence. This intransigence apparently convinced Islamabad that nothing would be done unless Islamabad forced Kabul’s hand. An issue that has been ignored but could have a far greater impact over the long term has been the halt in commercial traffic across Pakistan’s border. Commercial trucks at Spin Boldak are routinely being denied entry and the products/goods represent much-needed revenue for the regime. Time will tell if the pressure is enough to force Kabul/Kandahar to sell out its TTP allies.
TALIBAN MINISTRY OF REFUGEES AND REPATRIATION FACING A ‘TWO-FRONT WAR’ – On Sunday, an official from the Ministry admitted that the Ministry was overwhelmed by issues from both its neighbors, Iran and Pakistan. The official said that over the last thirty days, Iran had returned 46,000 Afghan refugees forcibly and another 46,000 returned voluntarily. Pakistan is holding firm in its threat to deport illegal Afghan refugees on 1 November which has also complicated matters for the Ministry in charge of refugee matters. Afghan refugees in both countries have been faced with violence, extortion, and other inhumane acts by security forces in both countries. Multiple videos and photos have been shared on social media that document the ill-treatment of Afghans in both countries and little has been done to stop the harassment. The Taliban’s Foreign Ministry has called on both Iran and Pakistan to resolve the matters through diplomatic channels but neither country appears to be willing to countenance dialogue over the issue. There seem to be no indications that the Taliban are prepared to receive the expected forced repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Afghans in the coming weeks. There was talk of a camp being prepared in an Eastern Province but local sources say it will only support 30,000 people and that water was going to be a significant issue for any population the camp is meant to support.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iran’s Foreign Minister has been visiting regional States to attempt to drum up support for Hamas in its war with Israel. He also warned of ‘imminent action’ against Israel and most presume he was referring to the possible employment of Iranian-backed militias in Syria.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency warned that failing in Iran would result in the development of nuclear weapons.
The President of Russia hosted a call with his Iranian counterpart to discuss the deteriorating situation in Gaza. Reputedly called the Prime Minister of Israel after the discussion.
PAKISTAN
2 militants were killed and 2 Pakistani soldiers also died during separate clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and North Waziristan yesterday.
8 non-combatants were wounded when a hand grenade exploded in Karachi yesterday. 2 of the wounded were children under ten years of age. It is not clear what transpired.
The Islamabad High Court chose to reserver its verdict on former PM Imran Khan’s plea in the Cipher Case. The case is expected to resume today in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.
SPOTLIGHT OPINION
Pakistan’s Ongoing Challenge: Afghan Refugee Crisis And Its Multi-Faceted Impact
By Khalid Iqbal - EurAsia Review
Pakistan has long been a refuge for one of the world’s largest populations of displaced people, primarily comprising Afghan refugees. This influx of Afghan refugees into Pakistan began during the Soviet-Afghan War, as millions sought shelter across the border. Initially considered a temporary solution, the protracted Afghan conflict and political instability have prevented their swift return. Consequently, many Afghan refugees and their subsequent generations have resided in Pakistan for decades.
AFGHAN NEWS
Aid Continues for Earthquake Affected Areas in Herat
By TOLO News
The distribution of aid from global institutions and domestic and foreign charities to all villages affected by the earthquake is…
Seven goldminers perish in a month in Takhar, say sources
By AMU TV
In a distressing trend, at least seven miners have lost their lives while engaged in gold extraction in the northeastern province of Takhar over the past month, according to…
Afghan Women Demand The Release Of Activists From Taliban Detention
By RFE
In separate protests in Afghanistan and Germany, Afghan women rights activists have demanded the Taliban release two activists detained last month under…
REGIONAL NEWS
Spin Boldak land port an ongoing problem for Afghan traders
By Ariana News
A number of businessmen in Kandahar province say traders are still facing problems at Spin Boldak crossing as Pakistan officials are…
Jilani Says Refugee Policy Applies to “All Illegal People” Not Just Afghans
By TOLO News
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani has once again stressed that the new policy for refugees applies to “all illegal people” not only…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
World has abandoned Afghanistan, says country’s last women’s minister
By Tommy Greene - Al Jazeera
The international community’s response to Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis is “confused” and requires a wholesale rethink, according to…
Okada-Hanafi Meeting Focused on Expanding of Relations: Arg
By TOLO News
The outgoing ambassador of Japan in Kabul, Takashi Okada, in his farewell meeting with the deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs…
THE DAILY WTF
Ensuring security, providing employment basic priorities of IEA, Hanafi
By The Kabul Times
“Ensuring countrywide security, and providing economic and employment opportunities are among the basic priorities of the Islamic Emirate, and not spare any…
“For males anyway.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 75.71 AFN (as of 17 OCT 2023)