LAST 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN ARMY ENGAGES SMUGGLERS ON THE BORDER – Members of Pakistan’s Frontier Corps engaged a group of smugglers who were reputedly attempting to infiltrate the country near the Talaab security post. The fighting was over quickly and 3 of the smugglers were wounded while 2 members of the Frontier Corps also sustained injuries. A source in Rawalpindi claims that 2 of the smugglers were carrying Afghan identity cards.
UNAMA HEAD MEETS WITH THE TALIBAN FOREIGN MINISTER IN ADVANCE OF UPCOMING UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING – Roza Otunbayeva, the leader of the UN assistance mission to Afghanistan met with Foreign Minister Muttaqi yesterday to discuss outstanding questions that would be asked at the UN Security Council briefing scheduled for next week. A source in Kabul said that Otunbayeva mainly asked if any policy changes were anticipated and if there had been a shift in the case of women’s employment and education. Muttaqi signaled that no changes were expected and reiterated the regime’s adherence to Sharia law as the primary governing principle. Muttaqi used the time to press the UNAMA chief for inclusion in the meetings and said that the lack of Afghan voices at such meetings was not conducive to progress.
3 AFGHAN NATIONALS KILLED IN SYRIA AMBUSH – In a suspected ISIS operation, a vehicle was ambushed in the Homs District. The 3 Afghans were members of the Fatemiyoun Brigade, an Afghan Shia militia group sponsored by Iran. While no confirmation of ISIS’s involvement has been received, a spokesman for the al-Assad regime said the area has long been suspected of harboring an ISIS sleeper cell. The identities of the 3 dead Afghans have not been released.
ARMS CACHE DISCOVERED IN PAKTIA PROVINCE – A house on the outskirts of Gardez was searched on Monday and several rifles, pistols, and grenades were discovered. The owner of the house was arrested and it was not clear if he belonged to any particular faction or group. Late last week, similar searches turned up arms caches in both Baghlan and Takhar that were linked to Resistance forces.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iran’s President spoke at the United Nations General Assembly meeting and demanded the US remove sanctions on the country. Israeli Ambassador waves photo of Mahsa Amini and was reportedly escorted out.
The 5 prisoners who were part of the $6B exchange deal arrived in the US yesterday. The US administration attempted to ‘walk back’ claims made by the Iranian President that it was free to use the funds on projects of its choosing.
The regime continued discussions with Azerbaijan over the fighting that has erupted in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
PAKISTAN
Petroleum transporters have gone on strike to protest the use of the ‘White Line’ pipeline that has eaten into their business. The drivers are demanding a hike in fares and a guarantee that the pipeline throughput will not be increased in the future.
US officials announced that it was taking steps to shorten the waiting time for visas for Pakistani citizens. The change will affect 10,000 visa applicants who were originally told they would not receive their visas until 2024. Their appointments will now take place in 2023.
The PTI President was remanded for an additional 14 days and has been moved to the Adiala Jail. He faces charges of making illegal appointments to friends and party members.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
US policy of ‘pragmatic engagement’ in Afghanistan risks legitimatizing Taliban rule
By Sher Jan Ahmadzai - The Conversation
For two decades, the conflict in Afghanistan occupied international attention and U.S. resources. But ever since American troops withdrew in 2021, the conflict has seemingly been viewed in Washington more as a concern localized to the region of Central and South Asia. This is due in large part to the U.S.’s shifting global priorities. The invasion in Ukraine and Chinese ambitions in the Pacific have meant that Afghanistan is no longer a top priority for the U.S. administration.
AFGHAN NEWS
Photos: The ‘silent bravery’ of Afghanistan’s healthcare workers
By Al Jazeera
Every day, millions face the grim reality of living with poor or no access to healthcare and food, putting them at risk of…
Activist Neda Parwani arrested in Kabul, sources confirm
By AMU TV
Sources also indicated that Parwani’s spouse and son have been detained by the Taliban, although the reasons for their arrests remain undisclosed at…
By TOLO News
A company established an exclusive women's market in Kabul, providing more than a hundred female businesswomen an opportunity to find…
REGIONAL NEWS
Over 100 Afghan Security Outposts Built Along Durand Line
By Barakatullah Hasand - TOLO News
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has established more than 100 security outposts alongside the Durand Line in the eastern parts of the…
By Ariana News
A delegation of the Islamic Emirate led by the office of the deputy prime minister for economic affairs has left for…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Australia rejects 50,000 Afghan humanitarian visa requests
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The Australian government has announced that it has rejected the asylum requests of 50,000 Afghan citizens who had applied for a humanitarian visa in the country after the…
John Kirby: ‘There’s No Plans Right Now to Recognize the Taliban’
By Nazir Shinwari - TOLO News
John Kirby, US National Security Council spokesman, said that Washington does not have a plan to recognize the current Afghan…
THE DAILY WTF
UN Security Representative Praises IEA’s Commitment to Afghanistan
By Bakhtar News Agency
The UN Representative, stated, “As far as I can see, the current government of Afghanistan is an example of the best government with good characteristics.”
“If true, probably in for a tongue-lashing when he gets home.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 78.84 AFN (as of 20 SEP 2023)