LAST 24 HOURS
TALIBAN CRACKS DOWN ON PRIVATE VEHICLE USE AS TAXIS – Thousands of Afghan citizens have used their personal vehicles to supplement their income by providing taxi-like services throughout the country. The Taliban’s Ministry of the Interior plans to put a stop to the practice and warned citizens yesterday that a vehicle owner must obtain a license to conduct such business or face legal consequences. The edict presents a conundrum for the Taliban as many of their own security forces members have ‘confiscated’ vehicles owned by those from the previous government and often engage in the scheme to make additional money for themselves.
IRAN SAYS THAT APPROXIMATELY 6,000 AFGHAN NATIONALS REMAIN IMPRISONED IN THE COUNTRY – Iran’s Foreign Ministry made the announcement yesterday after several international NGOs called on the country to provide statistical information about those being held. The official report was unavailable but a spokesman for the Ministry said that over half of those in prisons had been convicted of petty crimes while the other half consisted of serious offenders and those awaiting trial.
OIC DELEGATION HEARS FROM THE MINISTER FOR VICE AND VIRTUE – A delegation of Islamic scholars that have been in Afghanistan for several days met with Mohammad Khalid al-Hanafi, the Minister of Vice and Virtue yesterday. The Minister called on the scholars to carry back an accurate picture of Afghanistan to their countries and spent considerable time detailing the specific actions his Ministry has taken to root out Western influences from Afghan society. The OIC has repeatedly condemned many of the policies implemented by the Taliban and is seen as one of the few international institutions that could have a moderating effect on the regime. While some human rights groups criticized the OIC delegation for not taking the Taliban to task for gender-related policies, a source close to the situation said this delegation’s role was more of a fact-finding and monitoring stance.
NEXT 24 HOURS
LARGE POLICING OPERATION IN PAKISTAN UNDERWAY – Police and military authorities in Sindh Province announced they had marshaled the necessary forces to launch a crime-focused operation across the Province and initial reports indicate that some early successes have been realized in busting up narcotics trafficking gangs. Authorities were careful to point out that the operation is not targeting anything other than street criminals, drug trafficking, and other criminal activities. However, with such a large presence of forces patrolling local areas, it would be wise for at-risk Afghans living in Sindh to maintain a low profile. No official timeline for the operations has been given but a local source with knowledge of the situation has suggested it will go on for several weeks at least.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The regime sentenced 2 female journalists to three years in prison but suspended part of the sentence and the women are expected to remain in custody for another four weeks. The women were convicted of ‘conspiracy’ and ‘collusion’ for reporting on the protests.
Photos published two days ago show that Russia has begun delivering several YAK-130 training jets to Iran. The jets are expected to be used to train Iranian pilots in anticipation of receiving several SU-35S fighters.
A spokesman for the regime announced that it was planning to initiate legal proceedings against the United States for the killing of General Soleimani in Iraq some years ago.
PAKISTAN
An appeal by Pakistan International Airlines for a $78m bailout has been refused by the Government and the troubled airline has been ordered to undertake a massive restructuring and privatization plan.
Local leaders in Waziristan announced they had succeeded in reopening the Angoor Adda border crossing for commercial traffic between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The gate has been closed for many months due to security issues and local merchants have been working steadily to adopt procedures acceptable by Islamabad.
Islamabad has called on companies in the oil and gas sector to ensure a smooth supply of products over the coming months and has urged the companies to maintain suitable reserves for the coming winter months.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
A Taleban Theory of State: A review of the Chief Justice’s book of jurisprudence
By John Butt - Afghanistan Analysts Network
In the second of our mini-series on Taleban publications, this report examines what may be the fullest and most authoritative account yet of what the Taleban believe an Islamic state should look like. In his book, ‘Al-Emarat al-Islamiya wa Nidhamuha’ (The Islamic Emirate and its System of Governance), the Islamic Emirate’s Chief Justice, Abdul Hakim Haqqani, lays out his vision and the rationale for it. He delves into the legitimacy of an Islamic state, what he believes should be the political role of Islamic scholars, parliament, the judiciary, education system, what he sees as the proper place of women and why an Islamic state cannot be based on ‘man-made laws’. The book is written in Arabic, which makes it accessible to many scholars in the Islamic world, but limits its readability among Afghans. AAN, therefore, asked John Butt*, a journalist and broadcaster who was based in Afghanistan for several decades and is also a graduate of the Darul Uloom Deoband seminary in northern India, to read and review this important text.
The full review can be downloaded by clicking HERE.
AFGHAN NEWS
Steady food prices despite dollar depreciation raise concerns among Kabul residents
By AMU TV
A number of residents of Kabul voiced concerns regarding the persistence of stable food prices in the city’s markets, despite a recent decline in the value of the…
'Gender apartheid' - What is it like to live in a country at war with its own women?
By David Pratt - Yahoo News
Education, employment and travel curtailed, barred from parks, gyms, and other public spaces, torture for those that disobey, the oppression of women in…
Afghan women bring hope through online education amid challenges
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
Many creative women and girls in Afghanistan are seeking ways to bring about change following the end of individual and social freedoms for…
REGIONAL NEWS
Since Political Change, Nearly 50 Clashes Happened on Border Areas: MoI
By Naveed Samadi - TOLO News
Qani said that the clashes were first started by the neighboring countries and then faced reactions by the Islamic Emirate’s…
First Chinese cargo shipment via Torkham border reaches Afghanistan
By Business Recorder
The first ever Afghanistan bound China cargo shipment that entered Pakistan through Sost border from Khunjerab on August 28, 2023 has crossed Torkham border for its…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan, World Need to Connect, Find Solution: Chief of Islamic Relief
By Mitra Majeedy - TOLO News
“We believe that education must be for all boys and girls and inshallah, we will work with other national and international organizations and authorities to see that how…
Marine veterans and interpreters are still on mission, bringing Afghans to St. Louis
By Tony Messenger - Stars and Stripes
It's really hard to navigate the broken American immigration system, even when the country establishes that getting Afghan interpreters to U.S. shores is a…
THE DAILY WTF
Gold Star mother on Biden's conduct at dignified transfer ceremony: 'Total disrespect'
By Megan Barnes - ABC News
Kelly Barnett had a "horrible feeling" about her son after learning of the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate outside Kabul's airport amid the hectic…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 73.38 AFN (as of 4 SEP 2023)