LAST 24 HOURS
TALIBAN RELEASE SOME DETAILS OF PLAN TO RESETTLE REFUGEES RETURNING FROM PAKISTAN – A copy of a tentative plan for the resettlement of the expected 1.7 million Afghans who may be returned from Pakistan was provided to Afghanistan International. The ‘yet to be approved’ plan calls for providing land and homes for the permanent resettlement of the refugees. The plan mentioned offering property to the East of Kabul (Deh Sabz) as potential new home sites for the families who are expected to return over the coming months. The recently appointed Taliban Commission has also suggested that those Afghans who had run enterprises in Pakistan would be provided with funds and facilities to continue their trade in Afghanistan. With Winter in the offing, any resettlement of such a large number of people was going to be problematic but the Taliban’s lackadaisical response to Pakistan’s threats has resulted in a hastily assembled plan that will likely result in more hardships. Sources say that the Ministry of the Interior has not yet finalized a plan it intends to put into place by 3 November which is meant to identify potential high-threat returnees. A source in Kabul says a list of several hundred names was circulated on Saturday among senior GDI personnel and is thought to include former members of the Government’s intelligence service, some police, and many former military leaders. A second list of individuals is rumored to exist which includes former employees of the central bank and others who are thought to possess financial skills needed by the Taliban. Sources did not have information concerning what actions would be taken in regard to these individuals.
ISIS-K ASSASSINATES ANOTHER SCHOLAR IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA – ISIS-K has reportedly taken credit for the killing of Qari Ismail, a Salafist religious scholar in the Bajaur District of the Province. ISIS-K called Ismail a ‘Taliban member’ on their website when claiming credit. Ismail is thought to be the third Ahl-e Hadith scholar assassinated in Pakistan within the last two weeks. Of note, ISIS-K did not claim credit for the other two killings.
PROTESTS AT UNHCR HEADQUARTERS IN ISLAMABAD – Hundreds of Afghan and some Pakistani citizens turned up at the UNHCR headquarters yesterday to protest the coming deportation, and to complain about issues they face with their UNHCR case processing. Protestors also highlighted difficulties they have had with obtaining the proper documentation from Pakistan’s Embassy in Kabul. Protestors also complained of mistreatment and malfeasance on the part of the Pakistani NGO responsible for the initial processing of refugee cases (SHARP Pakistan). Several claimed that SHARP employees commonly asked for bribes in order to process cases and were very seldom in their offices to work on cases. The issues with this NGO are not new and UNHCR has reputedly been made aware of the problems but has been unable to work through any other NGO. A spokesman for the UNHCR Pakistan office urged refugees to consult with the UNHCR-approved lawyers to deal with their cases and to contact them immediately in the event of arrest.
AFGHANISTAN’S CRICKET TEAM RACKS UP ANOTHER VICTORY AT THE WORLD CUP – The men’s cricket team defeated Sri Lanka in another step towards its unprecedented Cinderella season. Afghanistan is scheduled to play the Netherlands on Friday (3 NOV). The success of the team appears to have sparked some joy during a particularly difficult time for Afghans.
NEXT 24 HOURS
ALL EYES ON PAKISTAN – Today marks the final day for ‘illegals’ in Pakistan to depart. Some sources in Rawalpindi say that police units could begin some raids after the midnight deadline has passed and say that Provincial leadership planned to target several migrant camps that have been erected on the outskirts of major cities. Sources say that police and military leaders were upset that many of the landlords thought to be renting homes to ‘illegal’ Afghans had not followed edicts to report those staying in their lodging facilities. As a result, security forces do not have a good grasp of where hundreds of thousands of Afghans are staying. At-risk Afghans can expect a significant security force presence on the streets throughout the day and some clearing operations may begin after midnight. Political figures on both sides of the issue are expected to be conducting interviews on the streets during the early morning hours. In addition, international journalists, human rights activists, and international aid agency personnel are also expected to be keeping a close eye on the operation.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
In the run-up to parliamentary elections, only 2% of the candidates have political experience and only 13% are female. Observers attribute the phenomenon to discontent with the economic situation in the country.
Iran-backed militias in Syria and Iraq targeted US forces yesterday with multiple drone and rocket attacks.
Iran said it is planning to send ships to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid. Observers are concerned the aid shipments will also include military equipment and possibly personnel.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan’s acting Minister of the Interior warned Pakistani nationals against helping Afghans and said that those found to be helping would be dealt with harshly.
A court in Karachi has issued an arrest warrant for Arsalan Taj, a PTI party leader. Taj reputedly went into hiding after avoiding an earlier attempt to arrest him and his whereabouts are currently unknown.
Pakistan’s market gained a little over a percentage point on the day’s trading as the internal issues in the country continue to have little effect on the health of the market.
SPOTLIGHT GENDER
Afghanistan:Taliban increase crackdown on girls' education
By Khudai Noor Nasar - Deutsche Welle
In 2022, the Taliban barred girls from attending secondary school and university, making Afghanistan one of the world's most restrictive countries when it comes to educating women. The Taliban have claimed they would open schools and universities for girls after arranging segregated classes for girls and boys.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban Leader Appoints “Special Commander” to Secure His Safety
By Hasht-E Subh
Mullah Habibullah Akhundzada, the elusive leader of the Taliban, has appointed Abdul Ahad Talib, the former governor of Helmand and the…
Taliban expands recruitment of youth at jihadi madrassas, sources report
By Sharif Amiry - AMU TV
The Taliban is “actively enrolling” young individuals into jihadi madrassas in at least 10 different provinces, as revealed by local…
Mullah Baradar Appointed Head of National Standards Council
By TOLO News
According to the deputy PM’s office, the establishment of this council was ordered by the Prime Minister under “Order 2083” and Mullah Baradar has been appointed as…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan shuts Afghan schools ahead of deportations
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
In Pakistan, schools teaching Afghan children have started closing their doors as families go into hiding to avoid deportation before the…
Pakistan: 200,000 Afghan Nationals Returned Home
By Ayaz Gul - VOA
Pakistan said Monday that almost 200,000 Afghan nationals voluntarily returned to Afghanistan over the past two months ahead of an official deadline for all…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
'Refugee visa' for 10,000 Afghans will slash small boat crossings, think tank says
By Miriam Burrell - The Standard
A pilot "refugee visa" scheme for Afghans travelling to the UK to seek asylum will help to slash small boat crossings across the Channel, a think tank has…
Canada meets commitment to welcome 40,000 vulnerable Afghans
By The Government of Canada
In August 2021, when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, leading to a political, economic, and humanitarian crisis that affected, and continues to affect, millions of…
THE DAILY WTF
Pakistan PM says Afghans to blame for their country’s suffering, more than outsiders
By Ariana News
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the acting Prime Minister of Pakistan, has said that the cause of misery in Afghanistan is more Afghans themselves than…
“While many of his points are accurate, the jabs towards India seem self-serving.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 73.35 AFN (as of 31 OCT 2023)