LAST 24 HOURS
INCREASED PASSPORT ISSUANCE — The Passport Directorate announced that it is doubling its online passport distribution quotas from 2,000 passports to 4,000 passports daily. Despite repeated announcements of increased capacity and efficiency over the past year, the Directorate has continually failed to meet its stated objectives and these announcements are often seen as mere propaganda.
JAILING “FAKE” BEGGARS IN KABUL — A new policy has been announced in Kabul stating that those who are caught begging on multiple occasions will face imprisonment. The new initiative aims to reduce the massive amount of beggars on the streets of Kabul, especially given that many are not believed to truly be in need. The police began to round up beggars a month ago, and a police spokesman claimed that of the 3,048 beggars who were questioned, only 629 were deemed to be in actual need and the remainder were labeled as “professional beggars”. Those deemed in actual need are being referred to the International Red Crescent.
RUSSIAN EMBASSY PAUSES VISA ISSUANCE — The Russian Embassy in Kabul has suspended consular operations, including visa issuance, in the wake of the deadly bombing. There has been no announcement about a date for the resumption of operations, but a thorough security review is in progress and is expected to take at least a week to complete.
NEW HRW REPORT ON MINORITY PERSECUTION — A scathing report by Human Rights Watch has explicitly blamed the Taliban for a lack of security among ethnic and religious minority groups in Afghanistan. The report recounts multiple attacks against minorities over the past year and documents the cavalier attitude the Taliban have taken in protecting the targeted communities in the wake of the attacks.
GIRLS’ SCHOOL IN PAKTIA — The Taliban are investigating reports that girls’ schools have opened in Paktia province. Kabul was perplexed at the reports of schools opening their doors to girls and questioned who had authorized the openings.
FIGHTER RECRUITMENT IN HERAT — The Taliban launched a recruitment effort in Herat in hopes of bolstering their fighters in their conflict with the NRF in Panjshir. Sources stated that the district governors in Herat received a note from Kabul directing them to recruit 50 fighters each (500 total) so they can be sent to Panjshir to battle the Resistance there. Several religious schools in the province are being canvassed to find recruits.
US WAR PLANES OVER AFGHANISTAN — US B-52 bombers have been sighted flying over Afghanistan. Observers in Kandahar have shared photographs of the bombers flying with fighter escorts. The US admitted to flying the aircraft over the region as a show of force given ongoing tensions with Iran and the stalling of talks about the nuclear agreement.
ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE, NO DAMAGE — Another earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale struck the Hindu Kush region. No casualties or damage was reported from the tremors.
NEXT 24 HOURS
HEALTH SCREENING IN TORKHAM — A new health screening facility is expected to open at the Torkham border crossing to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. It is not yet clear how the screening center will operate and when travelers will be expected to use the facility.
SPOTLIGHT OPINION
Taliban statement on women’s rights calls for caution
By Chris Feitzgerald – Asia Times
The Afghan Taliban’s apparent decision to allow women and girls a right to go to school and work is a positive development. But it should be welcomed cautiously by the international community until there is evidence of meaningful change. After all, the Taliban have made such promises before.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghanistan: ISIS Group Targets Religious Minorities
By Human Rights Watch
The Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP), the Islamic State’s (ISIS) affiliate in Afghanistan, has repeatedly attacked Hazaras and other religious minorities at their mosques…
Commission on Media Violations to Begin Meeting: MoIC
By TOLOnews
Officials of the ministry added that during the last year they identified 150 books that are against the principles of Islam.
Ministry: US Proposes Online Education for Young Afghans
By TOLO News
The acting minister of education, Noorullah Munir, held a meeting with Ron Mac Cammon, chief of the…
REGIONAL NEWS
Five Pakistan soldiers killed in clash with Taliban
By RFI
Pakistan's Taliban accused the military Tuesday of breaking a fragile ceasefire, after the army said five soldiers and at least four…
China calls on int’l community to play 'constructive role' for peace in Afghanistan
By Riyaz ul Khaliq – Anadolu Agency
A day after at least six people, including two Russian Embassy workers, were killed in the Kabul blast, China on Tuesday called on the international community to…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
$614M Immediate Funding Needed for Winter Operations: OCHA
By Amina Hakimi – TOLO News
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a report that some $614 million is urgently required to support…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban Says Masterminds Behind Kabul Attack Sponsored by Foreign Special Services
By Fars News
"Certain well-known elements in Afghanistan who have the support and financing of foreign special services resort to such terrible terrorist acts designed to…”
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.20 AFN (as of 7 SEP 2022)