LAST 24 HOURS
TALIBAN MAY BE PLANNING A CRACKDOWN ON THE TTP TO APPEASE PAKISTAN – The recent high-level dialogue between Pakistan and the Taliban regime in Kabul appears to have borne some fruit for Pakistan. Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, traveled to Kabul for discussions over various matters but security was clearly at the top of his list. Durani released some details of the negotiations with AMU TV and said that Taliban officials appear to now understand the importance his country has placed on halting any possible incursions from Afghanistan of TTP militants. While he did not elaborate, he did say that the Taliban intends to take concrete steps to eliminate the threat posed to Pakistan. He also announced an intention to form a standing Pakistan/Afghanistan committee that would be the main vehicle for handling disputes between the two countries where the joint border is concerned. Several temporary committees have previously been formed to handle certain situations but this new proposed body may have greater authority and more permanence than previous iterations. For their part, the Taliban will have to walk carefully as it clearly has sympathy with the TTP’s goals and most estimates put the number of armed TTP fighters in Pakistan around 5,000. Rumors and source-based information had indicated the TTP leadership was becoming disillusioned with the Taliban’s support for their cause and some leaders believed they were being sacrificed in the interests of better regional relations.
THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK WILL PROVIDE $400M IN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FUNDING – The Bank has already approved the amount and will add it to $149M in approved funds from the European Union in order to shore up aid operations in the country. The United Nations has long warned that donors have not followed through on promised commitments to provide aid and it is facing a massive shortfall in funding for the country. The additional funding is expected to buoy humanitarian support operations throughout the coming winter months.
TALIBAN WORKING ON A CONSTITUTION – The Chief Justice, Abdul Hakim Haqqani has been charged with writing a new constitution for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and a spokesman for the Taliban claims he is finalizing details about the advisory committee that will help draft the governing document. There are not many who believe the constitution will be ratified in any type of democratic process but will be imposed on the population. Many have theorized the constitution will enshrine the bans against women’s education/work and say the deliberative process is being delayed until after some form of recognition is achieved. The question of elections has been absent in most of the international discussions about Afghanistan. Typically, in nations where a non-democratic transfer of power takes place, elections are a dominant topic. Perhaps international negotiators deem the topic premature and have chosen to discuss it after some of the more egregious policies have been moderated.
NEXT 24 HOURS
IRANIAN POLICE ENFORCING NEW HIJAB LAW – Some reports out of Iran suggest that over 500 women have been arrested for violations of the Hijab law. A source in Tehran said that orders had come down late on Wednesday night from the Ministry of the Interior to ‘make an example’ of women who may be flaunting the law. Police and militia were advised verbally to do so in public spaces for maximum effect. The majority of the arrests have taken place in Tehran and near University campuses. At-risk Afghans in Iran are advised to observe the law so as not to draw unwanted attention to themselves. With the announcement of the passage of the stricter new Hijab laws recently, it appears likely that security forces will prioritize enforcement over the coming days.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The military put several drones on display for the National Army Day parade in Tehran. The Iranian President, newly returned from the US, used the event to call for a regional approach to counter the US in the Persian Gulf.
Security forces personnel apparently raided a home belonging to the family of a protestor who had been shot dead during a protest last year. According to a family member who was not present during the raid, the security personnel shot at the home and beat many of the family members. It was not clear what had prompted the raid.
The ringleader of the most recent terror attack on the Shah Cheragh shrine that killed 2 and wounded 7 others was sentenced to two deaths for his actions.
PAKISTAN
TV news anchor, Khalid Jamil, was arrested by agents of the Federal Investigative Agency late Thursday night and stands accused of spreading false information about government agencies.
While the Rupee has continued its recovery against the dollar, the weekly inflation rate rose by nearly 40% for the week and was driven primarily by rises in the cost of fuel.
The Islamabad High Court ordered former Prime Minister Khan to appear in a case about his third marriage. He must answer questions to counter claims the marriage was ‘un-Islamic’.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Biden Takes Aim at Putin’s Soft Underbelly in Central Asia
By Amy Mackinnon - Foreign Policy
The five Central Asian nations that, like Ukraine, were once part of the Soviet Union have refused to endorse the war while also pursuing a delicate balancing act as they seek to avoid antagonizing the Kremlin. China, for its part, continues to seek economic and security inroads into what has been Moscow’s backyard for two centuries. For the United States, the jolt to the global chessboard brought about by the war has created a fresh opening to deepen ties with Central Asia as the region seeks to fend off its two increasingly assertive giant neighbors.
AFGHAN NEWS
Education Minister Emphasizes Need for Modern and Religious Sciences
By TOLO News
The Acting Minister of Education, Habibullah Agha, said during a visit to the province of Jawzjan that modern and religious sciences are crucial for development and…
Yes, US drones patrolling in Afghan airspace which is a clear violation: Stanekzai
By Ariana News
Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, deputy foreign minister for political affairs, says the ongoing patrolling of US drones in the airspace of Afghanistan is a…
Fuel prices spike again in Afghanistan
By Ariana News
Kabul residents have expressed their concern over the increase in fuel and gas prices, saying that a liter of gasoline has jumped to…
REGIONAL NEWS
Afghan Consul: Immigrants Should Not Join in Pakistani Political Activity
By Naweed Samadi - TOLO News
The consul of the Islamic Emirate in Karachi, Abdul Jabar Takhari, in a video called on Afghan refugees in Pakistan to not participate in the gatherings of…
Taliban develops ‘concrete plan’ to curtail TTP activities in Afghanistan
By AMU TV
Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, confirmed on Friday that the Taliban has devised a “comprehensive plan” to “neutralize” the activities of the…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
US to expand temporary protection to Afghan refugees
By The Middle East Eye
The resolution announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday extends TPS for an additional 18 months for nearly 3,100 Afghans who were in the…
World asked to take practical steps against Taliban over edicts against women
By AMU TV
Attending an event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, titled “Global Solidarity with Afghan Women and Girls”, activists and diplomats said the international community needs to show…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban send all-male team to Asian Games but Afghan women come from outside
By David Rising - Associated Press
In the first Asian Games since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, two teams of athletes are arriving in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, looking…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 78.85 AFN (as of 23 SEP 2023)