LAST 24 HOURS
HIGH-FUEL PRICES CAUSING PAIN ACROSS ALL SECTORS OF SOCIETY – The price of petrol rose again this week by 10-15 Afghanis per liter. The transport sector has called upon the Taliban to step in and regulate fuel pricing and now, other sectors of society are joining the call. Many taxi drivers and truck drivers say they have been forced to pass their costs along to customers or they will simply go broke. The recent spike in fuel costs has been attributed to the closure of the Salang Pass for much-needed repairs. The main sources of supply for gas and diesel are Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan which used the Salang Pass to transport much of the fuel to Kabul and other Provinces. With the repairs in the tunnel expected to continue for some time, the problem could grow worse as Winter approaches.
TALIBA DELEGATION DEPARTED YESTERDAY FOR RUSSIA, KAZAKHSTAN – The Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi is leading a delegation from the Taliban to attend the Moscow Format meeting in Kazakhstan on 29 September. The group will stop in Russia for a few days before the meeting. The Taliban is ecstatic they have been invited but many observers say they will likely face tough questions from Central Asian states as well as from Russia over the issues of an inclusive government and women’s roles in society.
NATIONAL CAMERA GRID STILL BEING DISCUSSED – A spokesman for the Ministry of the Interior confirmed to Reuters that the Taliban regime intends to implement a national grid of surveillance cameras in cities and other critical locations deemed strategically important. They have dusted off a plan that was drafted by international forces before the 2021 pullout. The plan will take approximately four years to complete and details of how the project will be carried out have not been released. Representatives from Huawei (China) visited Afghanistan earlier in 2023 to conduct a feasibility assessment and to discuss particulars with the Taliban government.
QATAR ENCOURAGING THE WORLD TO ENGAGE WITH THE TALIBAN – The government of Qatar has taken a leading role in mediating disputes with the Taliban in Afghanistan. The Foreign Ministry is now recommending a new path of engagement with the Taliban. The small country has played an outsized role virtually since the beginning of the crisis and has relied on its long-standing ties with the Taliban to maintain open channels of communication. Several sources at the United Nations say that a consensus was beginning to form among certain nations that a policy of ‘engagement, not recognition’ is what will likely be implemented over the remainder of this year or into 2024.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The US government confirmed that it had denied a request by Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, to visit the Iranian Consulate in Washington DC. The US maintains that Iran has unlawfully detained American citizens and is a sponsor of terrorism and thus, the request was denied.
The head of the IAEA said that no progress had been made in monitoring Iran’s nuclear program. Of particular concern is the lack of responses to questions about trace elements of uranium found at 3 sites.
Iran said it has produced a missile capable of striking Israel. The Ministry of Defense announced that the weapons were already fielded. Few observers believe the missiles exist.
PAKISTAN
A new report that cites data from the Pakistan Petroleum Information Services indicates that without any new exploration, Pakistan’s reserves of oil and gas will be exhausted in 15 years.
There is some confusion as to where the former PM, Imran Khan, is currently being held. His lawyer says he was transferred to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi but officials at the facility said that was not the case and he remains in Attock Jail.
The TV journalist, Imran Riaz Khan, who had been jailed by the regime for supporting the former PM Imran Khan was reportedly released by Pakistani authorities and has returned home.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
By CNN
The explosion hit a security checkpoint as government employees were leaving work for the day. It struck at the heart of what was, until the collapse of the former Afghan government in August 2021, the capital’s heavily fortified diplomatic enclave, known as the “Green Zone.” The attack was later claimed by Islamic State Khorasan or ISIS-K — the group’s second strike on the ministry this year, as it focuses its firepower on high-profile targets, attempting to undermine the Taliban’s rule and erode public confidence in its assurances of security.
AFGHAN NEWS
Formation of Ulema Council Completed for All Provinces: Mujahid
By TOLO News
The Islamic Emirate’s Spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said that the formation of the councils of Ulema (religious scholars) for all provinces have been…
Women protesters demand release of activist Neda Parwani
By Siyar Sirat - AMU TV
The sixth day of Neda Parwani, her husband, and her young child’s detention is today,” declared the…
Afghan doctors warn of healthcare crisis as international aid cuts bite
By Ali M. Latifi - The New Humanitarian
Afghanistan’s healthcare system is facing serious challenges in providing vital care due to a growing funding shortfall caused by cuts from…
![People line up to buy or reserve a new Mate 60 smartphone outside a Huawei flagship store after the company unveiled new products on September 25, 2023 in Beijing, China [Kevin Frayer/Getty Images]](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1cc489b1-652d-4b4d-aac8-f0847ff52173_1200x799.jpeg "People line up to buy or reserve a new Mate 60 smartphone outside a Huawei flagship store after the company unveiled new products on September 25, 2023 in Beijing, China [Kevin Frayer/Getty Images]")
Taliban weighs using US mass surveillance plan, met with China Huawei
By Middle East Monitor
The Taliban are creating a large-scale camera surveillance network for Afghan cities that could involve repurposing a plan crafted by the…
REGIONAL NEWS
IEA minister asks Pakistan envoy to stop violence and arrests of Afghan refugees
By Ariana News
The Acting Minister of Information and Culture met with the special representative of Pakistan on Sunday and urged the delegation to stop…
Taliban wants to open new border crossing with Turkmenistan
By AKI Press
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan said it plans to establish a new transit crossing with Turkmenistan through the Bala Murghab District of…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Probe launched into charity after NHS Chaplain's pro-Taliban Afghanistan visit
By Charlie Peters - GBN
A charity is being examined by the Charity Commission after it sent a delegation to meet with Taliban ministers in Afghanistan over the…
Austrian politicians to portray ‘real picture’ of Afghanistan in Europe, says Kabul
By Anadolu Agency
A group of Austrian politicians visiting Kabul has assured the interim Taliban administration that it will portray a “real picture” of Afghanistan in…
THE DAILY WTF
Afghanistan women’s volleyball team fumes at training conditions at Asian Games
By AMU TV
The Afghanistan women’s volleyball team have complained about the training facilities at this year’s Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, stating they have not been able to practice yet on…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 78.82 AFN (as of 26 SEP 2023)