ABBREVIATED DAILY EVACUATION BRIEF
LAST 24 HOURS
5.3 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE REPORTED IN HERAT – The German Research Centre for Geoscience reported that a shallow quake (10km depth) had struck at approximately 2327 local time in Herat Province. The epicenter was plotted north of Herat City and seismologists said they did not expect widespread destruction or casualties due to the shallowness of the activity. Residents of Herat City, Qarah Bagh, and Karukh will likely report some light shaking.
THE EUROPEAN UNION ANNOUNCES 140 MILLION EURO SUPPORT FOR AFGHANISTAN - WOMEN AND GIRLS IN PARTICULAR – The European Union announced that after a six-month assessment period had concluded, it planned to release the funds to assist with supporting the basic needs of citizens but will also follow the ‘for women, by women’ principle. This strategy is focused on empowering females struggling under the Taliban by using Afghan females to primarily disburse the aid. The funds will follow all other EU donations and will be administered by the UN, World Bank, and International NGOs operating in the country.
FOREIGN MINISTER IN TURKEY, MAY BE SEEKING TREATMENT – A Ministry spokesman said that Amir Khan Muttaqi was in Turkey for meetings with the Embassy in Ankara and the consulate in Istanbul. However, there are reports that his health is suffering and he may be seeking treatment for an undisclosed condition. His absence comes at a critical time with the looming mass deportation threat from Pakistan and similar disturbing signals coming out of Iran lately. Sources in Kabul say there has been some bickering between the various Ministries over who should take responsibility for the returning refugees.
NEXT 24 HOURS
PLANNED PROTEST MARCHES BY AFGHANS IN PAKISTAN TODAY – The planned ‘Aurat March’ that is scheduled to take place today in four cities (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Multan) at 1530hrs local could spell trouble for participants. It is not clear at this time whether organizers had called the protests off or not. The protests were scheduled to commence in front of the Press Clubs in the four locations. Sources in Rawalpindi say that a serious security presence should be expected in these areas and that things could rapidly turn violent if orders to disperse are ignored. Should the protests proceed, at-risk Afghans residing in Pakistan are encouraged to avoid the protests.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Youth groups, angry at the recent spate of executions, again targeted the Judicial Complex in Tehran on Saturday night. In a video of the event, weapons can be heard firing on the building which prompted the security lighting to be turned on.
The teenage girl who was injured during a mysterious incident on the Metro, Armita Geravand, has reportedly died after having been in a coma for weeks. The circumstances surrounding her injury have been hotly debated by her family and activists.
Iran denied ordering militia groups it supports in the region to attack US forces in Syria and Iraq. Iran’s Foreign Minister flatly denied claims that Tehran played a part in the operations.
PAKISTAN
Several international news organizations have dispatched journalists to Pakistan in order to cover the upcoming deportation operation. International human rights NGOs have provided guidance to associates in Pakistan to capture video/photo evidence of possible abuses.
The acting PM, Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, plans to hold a cabinet meeting today. While a spokesman said the cabinet will discuss ‘normal affairs’ many are speculating that the meeting will serve as a final strategy session before the planned deportation operations begin.
Economists were alarmed at another drop in the value of the Rupee this past week and said it could create issues at next week’s IMF review.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
EU leaders are trying to find money, which is not enough for everything
By Modern Diplomacy
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned European Union leaders in a tense, closed-door meeting that it’s time to get serious about limiting the bloc’s spending plans as many push for new funding to help Ukraine and address migration. The EU’s heads clashed with each other and with the bloc’s executive arm late into Thursday night, the start of a two-day Brussels summit, according to people familiar with the talks, writes Bloomberg.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghani gains ground against dollar but commodities prices remain unchanged
By AMU TV
Afghanistan’s currency has recently experienced a significant increase in value against the US dollar but the expected decrease in commodity prices in local markets has…
Stores of Dried Wood in East to Be Transferred to Kabul
By Habib Rahman Qooyash - TOLO News
"The roads were blocked, government officials would not allow wood to be brought to Kabul. That's why the price of wood was raised in the markets," said…
Islamic Emirate: Qosh Tepa Canal Will Not Infringe on Neighbors' Water
By Habib Rahman Qooyash - TOLO News
Following the concerns of the Eurasian Development Bank regarding the construction of the Qosh Tepa Canal, the Islamic Emirate has said that no country's water rights will be taken…
REGIONAL NEWS
Afghans leave Pakistan in droves before deportation deadline
By Deutsche Welle
The United Nations refugee agency has warned of a looming "human rights catastrophe" as droves of Afghans living in Pakistan are forced to return back home after the…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
By Ritisha Sinha - JURIST
Ravina Shamdasani, the spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), on Friday, said that Pakistan’s plan to deport the…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban builds its own ‘Al-Aqsa mosque’ in Kabul in hopes of ‘liberating’ Jerusalem
By Vikrant Singh - WION
Taliban members said they hoped the $120,000 mosque would lead to the “liberation” of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“We’re just spitballing here but perhaps that 120K could have gone to earthquake victims.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 73.37 AFN (as of 29 OCT 2023)
