The Week of August 19-25
Security and Conflict
Jamaat Ansarullah Fighter Killed in Kabul – Abu Jafar al-Muhajir, deputy to Mullah Ibrahim of the Jamaat Ansarullah group, was killed by Taliban Defense Ministry forces in Kabul's Deh Sabz district on August 16. Al-Muhajir, an Afghan from Warduj, Badakhshan, had integrated into the Taliban’s military structure with support from Fasiuddin Fetrat, head of the Taliban Army Staff. His death resulted from internal disputes between Fetrat and Mullah Yaqub Mujahid, the acting Minister of Defense. Abu Jafar was a close ally of Fetrat and was involved in coordinating terrorist activities in Afghanistan. Tajikistan considers Jamaat Ansarullah a terrorist group and has repeatedly expressed concern over its presence in Afghanistan. The UN Security Council has also confirmed the group’s presence in Afghanistan.
Ismaili Man Beheaded in Badakhshan – Mohammad Nabi, an Ismaili man from Badakhshan’s Zibak district, was beheaded on August 17 after receiving a call from a Taliban member. His body was discovered by villagers hours later. A former Afghan National Army soldier, Nabi had previously been extorted, arrested, and tortured by the Taliban. Since retaking power, the Taliban have targeted Ismaili communities, attempting to recruit their youth into jihadist schools and engaging in incidents of torture and harassment.
Two Former ANSF Arrested in Daikundi – The Taliban arrested Asadullah Ahmadi, a former military officer, in Miramor, Daikundi, on August 19, and his whereabouts remain unknown. On August 8, they arrested and tortured Jumma Khan, a relative of two former military personnel, also in Miramor, demanding weapons and equipment from the previous regime. Khan, a driver with no military background, was released after two days following intervention by local elders.
ANSF Killed in Paktika – The Taliban shot and killed Abdul Rahman Dilawar, the former security chief of Sheikhal district in Paktika province, near his home on August 21. Dilawar, who had been working freelance in Paktika after the government's fall, was dragged from his house by Taliban fighters and executed.
Hizb ut- Tahir Members Arrested – Local sources in Takhar report that the Taliban's intelligence agency arrested three members of Hizb ut-Tahrir, an extremist group banned in many countries, on August 22 from a house near Taloqan city. The detainees, Nematullah Farjad, Naeemullah Naumani, and Nuralamin Daqiq Oghli, have not been released despite mediation attempts by local elders.
ANSF Detained in Nangarhar – Local sources in Nangarhar report that the Taliban's intelligence agency arrested Ahmad Shah, a former army commander of the previous government, who had returned from Iran under the Taliban's invitation. Despite receiving a pardon card, he was detained in Jalalabad. The Taliban has not commented on the arrest.
Reports of Taliban Intelligence in Bamiyan – Afghanistan Green Trend reported that on August 5, hundreds of Taliban intelligence militia were sent from Kabul to Bamiyan. They launched nighttime raids on ten former Hazara military personnel, arresting twelve individuals on accusations of resistance and connections to pro-freedom movements. The detainees include Amir Jan from Dara Foladi, a former deputy commander in Bamiyan, along with Hussein Dad, Ghorban Ali, Jumma Khan, Khan Ali, Karam Ali, Noorullah, and Nematullah. They are reportedly being tortured in Taliban custody at Bamiyan's intelligence headquarters.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Virtue and Vice Law Passed – The Taliban's Ministry of Justice announced the ratification of the "Law on Promoting Virtue and Preventing Vice," signed by Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada. This 114-page law, which closely mirrors the Taliban's 1990s regulations, imposes strict rules on public behavior. It mandates specific dress codes for men and women, including requiring men to maintain beards at least "a fistful" in length, prohibiting shaving or trimming them shorter. Women are forbidden from traveling without a male guardian or appearing in public without a full-body veil. The law also bans music and prohibits the mixing of men and women in vehicles, sparking public condemnation from various countries and public figures.
Number of Women Imprisoned Doubles in Four Months – The Taliban has confirmed that it currently holds 2,000 female prisoners in Afghan jails. This figure represents a substantial increase from the 1,000 reported in March 2024, indicating that the number of female prisoners has doubled in just four months.
Statement on Girls Education – Nida Muhammad Nadeem, the Taliban's Minister of Higher Education, announced on September 4 that inquiries about girls' education are suspended until further notice. He stated that Taliban decisions align with Sharia, although Sharia does not ban girls' education. The Taliban restricts education for girls above grade six and prohibits them from attending universities, despite claiming to uphold 90% of women’s rights. The Taliban claim that any decisions about allowing girls' education will be based on the rulings of their religious scholars.
Restrictions of Educational Programs over Radio – The Taliban have imposed new restrictions on educational programs beyond grade six broadcast through local radio and television stations in Khost, as directed by their Ministry of Education. This follows a previous ban on phone communications between women and media in Khost. Media officials say the restrictions likely come from Kabul and are cutting off educational opportunities for girls while impacting media revenue sources.
Flogging – On Saturday, the Taliban's Supreme Court announced that a man in Kabul was sentenced to 35 lashes and two years in prison. Earlier in the week, an individual in Khost received 39 lashes publicly, and a woman in Kabul was sentenced to 35 lashes and two years in prison.
International Developments
Taliban Communications on Consulates in Europe – The Taliban-led Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter to 13 Western governments, declaring the activities of Afghan embassies managed by diplomats from the previous government, who are not in contact with the Taliban, as invalid. Most countries have not responded, citing legal complexities. This move is part of a broader effort by the Taliban to assert control over Afghan diplomatic missions in Western countries. Afghan embassies in these nations have been informally notified about the letter. The Taliban's decision challenges the legitimacy of these missions, which continue to be run by diplomats appointed during the republic era, leading to sharp criticism from those diplomats. The Taliban-run Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that five European countries—Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic—are exempt from these restrictions, and their consular services and documents remain recognized.
Afghanistan Listed As One of Most Dangerous for Aid Workers – On World Humanitarian Day, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that Afghanistan is among the five most dangerous countries for aid workers in 2023, with 280 aid workers killed globally. The Taliban's restrictions on women's employment with the UN and international organizations, along with prohibitions against men providing services to women, have intensified the risks for aid workers in Afghanistan.
Chevening Closed to Afghans – The UK has suspended its Chevening scholarships for Afghan students for the 2025 and 2026 academic years, citing eligibility reviews and Afghanistan's challenging situation. Since the Taliban takeover, only Afghan citizens living outside Afghanistan had been eligible.
Freedom of the Press
Social Media Activist Arrested – Local sources in Paktia report that Taliban intelligence arrested social media activist Shams Paktiawal at Kabul Airport upon his return from Dubai. Detained 16 days ago, his whereabouts remain unknown. Paktiawal had supported girls' education and the national tricolor flag, and he was a Taliban supporter after the Republic's fall.
Regional Developments
Cross Border Fighting – On Sunday morning, a Pakistani soldier named Sobidar Tariq Iqbal was killed in a clash with Afghan Taliban fighters near the Pak-Afghan border in the Noshki district. The incident occurred while Iqbal was repairing the fence along the Durand Line, according to Deputy Commissioner Amjad Hussain Soomro and an anonymous Frontier Corps official.
Afghan Ambassador to UAE Credentials Accepted – The Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has accepted the credentials of their ambassador, Badruddin Haqqani. Saif Abdullah Al Shamsi, the UAE's Deputy Chief of Protocol, received the credentials, with both sides noting the appointment's potential to strengthen relations.
Afghan Ambassador to Kazakhstan Credentials Accepted – On Wednesday, August 21, Kazakhstan officially recognized a Taliban diplomat as chargé d'affaires of the Afghan embassy, aiming to strengthen trade and cooperation. Deputy Foreign Minister Bakiev emphasized that Afghanistan's active regional role could promote stability. Kazakhstan follows Turkmenistan in accepting Taliban diplomats, reflecting broader regional engagement.
Drug Arrest at Iranian Border – On Tuesday, Iranian border guards in Taybad arrested three Afghan citizens after discovering 217 sealed packages of heroin and opium in their stomachs, weighing a total of 3.332 kilograms. The drugs were detected during an inspection at the 17 Shahrivar checkpoint. In a separate operation, approximately 400 grams of opium were found hidden inside an Afghan citizen's shoe.
Qatar to Implement Building Projects in Paktia – The Taliban's Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations announced that Qatar will build homes, schools, religious schools, health centers, and recreational facilities in Gardez, Paktia, for Afghan returnees. This was disclosed following a meeting between the Taliban minister and the head of the Qatar Red Crescent. Details on the cost and timeline for the project were not provided. Additionally, Qatar plans to establish 10 health centers in underserved areas of Afghanistan.
Iran and Pakistan Deportations – In the first five months of 2024, over 494,000 Afghan returnees from Iran and Pakistan have returned to Afghanistan. Humanitarian partners have supported over 416,000 returnees with assistance, but additional funding and resources are urgently needed to meet the ongoing needs of the returnees.
Miscellaneous
Flooding – On Monday, flooding in Ghazni's Shirebaz village claimed the lives of two children and a woman and destroyed extensive agricultural land as the victims were traveling from Ghazni to Paktia. The following day, severe flash floods struck parts of Panjshir province, particularly Annaba district, causing significant damage and loss of life, with Tavakh village being the most affected. Additionally, Tuesday's heavy rainfall led to flooding in West Kabul, parts of Jalalabad in Nangarhar, and Kapisa's Nijrab district, where hundreds of acres of agricultural land, residential homes, 11 shops, and vital infrastructure were destroyed. In Laghman's Qarghayi district, a landslide on Wednesday, August 21, caused by continuous rain, closed the Kabul-Jalalabad highway, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded with no immediate response from the Taliban to clear the road.
Retirees Protest Lack of Pensions – On Saturday, a group of retired government employees protested over the non-payment of their pensions. Despite repeated demands, the Taliban has not responded. Earlier this year, the Taliban leader ended the pension system by halting contributions from salaries. Retirees have not received pensions since the Taliban took control three years ago.
Five Health Centers closed in Daikundi – Five healthcare centers in Daikundi, Afghanistan, have closed due to the Taliban halting the operations of the Global Relief Institute, worsening the province's health crisis. Residents, now deprived of essential services, face increased health challenges, especially with rising disease rates during the hot season. Locals demand the Taliban support and resume healthcare services.
NEXT WEEK
The Salang Tunnel is currently closed for repairs, requiring travelers to seek alternate routes.
Flooding in various parts of the country, along with the risk of mudslides, will further impede travel.
Ongoing pressure from Pakistan and Iran regarding the deportation of Afghan refugees and the closure of borders is expected to persist. The situation at the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border remains fluid, with border crossings potentially closing without warning due to natural disasters or political tensions.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Afghans Executed – The Iranian human rights group Hengaw reported that Iran executed five individuals, including two Afghans, on Monday at Yazd Central Prison. The executions were related to drug crimes and murder. Among those executed were three Baloch nationals. Iran has recently increased the number of executions, including 20 Afghans within the past seven months. On Sunday, a report by the Iran Human Rights organization (IHRNGO) indicated that the Iranian government plans to execute two more Afghan citizens on drug-related charges.
Border Fence Construction – On Monday, an Iranian military commander announced that 330 kilometers of border fencing along Iran's eastern border with Afghanistan will be completed by the end of the year. The project, aimed at enhancing Iran's security, is being coordinated with Afghan authorities. The fencing across Khorasan Razavi, South Khorasan, and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces is expected to be completed within three years, with $3 billion allocated to prevent illegal migration and curb terrorism and drug trafficking.
Deportation of Afghans – Iranian authorities announced the deportation of 56,356 Afghan migrants through the border with Afghanistan's Nimroz province over the past four months, reflecting a 23% increase from the previous year. These deportations occurred between March 21 and July 21, 2024. The rise in expulsions highlights Iran's increasingly tough stance towards Afghan migrants, who face challenges such as limited access to essential services and frequent deportations. Approximately 3 million Afghan migrants currently reside in Iran.
Immigrants Beaten – An Afghan migrant in Iran reported that Iranian police raided the workplace of Afghan migrants, beat them, and arrested a friend despite him having valid documents. The friend was severely beaten and taken to a camp. Such incidents of mistreatment of Afghan migrants by Iranian authorities are reportedly common.
PAKISTAN
Militants Killed Attempting to Cross Afghanistan-Pakistan Border – On Monday, five militants were killed and four others injured while attempting to cross the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Bajaur District, according to a statement from the Pakistan military. During the exchange of fire, three Pakistani soldiers were also killed. Pakistan has called on the Afghan interim government to enhance border management and prevent militants from using Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan.
Attack On Police – In an attack near Camp 2 Matchka police station in Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, fighters fired rockets at two police vans, resulting in the deaths of eleven policemen. The ambush occurred when 18 officers, stranded after their van became stuck, were being assisted by a second van. Twelve officers were killed, and eight others were injured and taken to Sheikh Zayed Hospital. In retaliation, the main culprit, Bashir Shar, was killed, and five fighters were injured. This marks the second attack by the Shar-Kosh fighter group.
Protests in Mubarak Sani Case – On Monday, protesters from various religious groups breached Islamabad's Red Zone and stormed the Supreme Court, demanding the resignation of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and a reversal of the recent verdict in the Mubarak Sani case. Sani, convicted under the Punjab Holy Quran (Printing and Recording) (Amendment) Act, 2021, was granted bail because the offense was not criminalized until 2021. The Supreme Court is set to hear the Punjab government's urgent application on August 22, seeking amendments to the verdict. The application, filed by the prosecutor general, is supported by clerics and parliament members who are requesting corrections to the judgment.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
TAD STAFF
While the newly ratified Law on the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has drawn much shock and criticism in some circles, the restrictive edicts come as no surprise to those familiar with Afghanistan’s history, particularly the Taliban rule in the 1990s.
The Taliban emerged in 1994 in response to the lawlessness, abuses, and power vacuum left after the Soviet withdrawal and subsequent civil war. The movement's ranks were primarily composed of young men from southern Afghanistan and refugee camps in Pakistan, particularly those educated in Deobandi madrasas. These madrasas emphasized religious purification, teaching strict adherence to Sharia law, rejecting innovation, and advocating a return to practices from the time of the Prophet.
Taliban ideology is rooted in an extreme interpretation of Deobandi Islam, a branch of the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. The young men, uprooted from normal family structures and radicalized in extremist madrassas and schools, like those run by the Haqqani family or by foreign Islamist extremists, adopted this belief system. These individuals were accustomed to seeing women in burqas, staying indoors due to their families having been uprooted from extended family networks and placed in dangerous, unfamiliar refugee camps. Their views on religion, law, and gender roles were profoundly shaped and disrupted by the violence and disruption of decades of war and brutality.
Their rise to power was seen at the time as a return to security, though their strict rules were foreign to those outside rural areas, particularly the educated in Kabul. It is important to comprehend the rural-urban divide in Afghanistan in the 1990s and understand that, for many, the Taliban's rules did not have a large impact on daily life. That being said, the Taliban do not, and never have, represented the majority of Afghans. Their laws and beliefs are imposed on the people of Afghanistan.
The current outrage over the new law in some circles should be alarming. As the saying goes, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The new laws, revenge killings, corporal punishments, and restrictions on women were completely predictable, if not inevitable. The Taliban never evolved as the outside world hoped they would. The Taliban never stopped attacking civilians and never made any real indication of positive change. Rather, their ranks and files became more radicalized with the availability of information through social media, the emergence of ISIS, and the spread of the idea of global Jihad. They see themselves as the most Islamic political system in the world, hence the ineffective intervention by the OIC and other moderate Muslims, who have encouraged them to adopt less radical policies in their current rule. World leaders and policymakers knew the nature of the Taliban and chose to walk away.
Though Mullah Omar is gone, many of the leaders and ministers making policy and laws now are the same individuals responsible for the policies of the 1990s. And this time, notoriously brutal terrorists like the Haqqani network have been openly incorporated into the government. The restrictions on girls' education came quickly; the Taliban were testing the waters to see how far they could push without retaliation or real repercussions. As time passed and more countries engaged in some form, they became emboldened.
The new laws are not new. These are the same laws that were implemented in the past: bans on girls' education, mandatory burqas, restrictions on transportation, and limits on who can see women even in their own homes. This is simply a codification of the rules of the past and the rules that have been reintroduced since the Taliban’s return to power.
The following are translated excerpts from a translated Etilaatroz article with comparisons to Taliban laws from the 1990’s compiled in part by Physicians for Human rights in 1998:
Article 13 of this law, which has eight sections, is dedicated to "rules regarding women's hijab." The first section states that "covering the entire body of a woman is mandatory," the second states that "covering the face is necessary to avoid temptation," and the third states that "a woman's voice (singing, reciting poetry, or reading aloud in public) is part of her awrah."
The fourth section specifies that "women's clothing must not be thin, short, or tight," the fifth requires Muslim women to "conceal their bodies and faces from non-mahram (unrelated) men," and the sixth mandates that "Muslim women must cover themselves from non-Muslim and immoral women to avoid temptation."
The seventh section prohibits "non-related adult men from looking at women's bodies and faces, and women from looking at non-related men," and the eighth requires women "to cover their voice, face, and body when leaving their home for any necessary reason.”
The law prohibits playing music in transportation vehicles, transporting women without hijab, and transporting women without a mature and sane male guardian.
During the Taliban’s first rule, women were required to wear burqas, were banned from wearing high heels as the sound was sinful, windows of homes had to be painted so women could not be seen, women had to be accompanied by a mahram (male guardian) to leave the house, were banned from being measured for clothes, were banned from being seen by unrelated men, including doctors for treatment, makeup and colorful clothes were banned, women could not ride in taxis alone or on the back of bicycles for transportation, women and girls were banned from work and education.
Article 14 of the law addresses "rules regarding men's covering," stating in the first section that "the awrah of men extends from below the navel to the knees, including the knees.”
The third section specifies that "men must wear clothing during sports and leisure activities that conceals their awrah, avoiding tight clothing that reveals the shape of the body parts.”
According to the law, certain acts are considered "specific prohibitions," including celebrating Nowruz, Yalda Night, fireworks, shaving or trimming beards shorter than a fist length, wearing neckties, cutting hair contrary to Islamic Sharia, women’s voices being heard outside the home, and watching images or videos of living beings on computers and mobile phones. Inspectors are responsible for preventing these actions.
During the first Taliban rule, Western clothes and hairstyles were banned for men, including shorts and popular hairstyles (like the "Titanic style"). Taliban police would stop men in the streets, cut their hair, or beat them if the rules were violated. All men were required to pray during prayer times; shops were forced to close, and violators were beaten or arrested.
Yalda and Nowruz were banned as un-Islamic. Also banned were kite flying, fireworks, music, singing, watching television, movies, using computers and the internet, and displaying images of living beings. The Taliban went so far as to decapitate statues of animals.
Public punishments, including floggings, amputations, hangings, shootings, and wall collapses on offenders, were openly practiced during the first Taliban regime.
These abuses are horrific in and of themselves, but they are made worse this time around for all those who had a glimpse of freedom. Though family restrictions and cultural norms remained during the Republic, there was a period of hope and freedom for at least some to dream. Furthermore, the prominence of cell phones, the internet, and social media has made people more aware of the restrictions they face, more aware of the disconnect between their lives and the outside world, and more able to see and understand that there are executions, public beatings, and retaliation against former regime members. The Taliban may claim that they are against social media, images, and videos, but in reality, this digital age has become a powerful propaganda tool in their favor. Videos of their brutal tactics have been used to recruit fighters in Afghanistan and to promote Islamist ideologies in the West. Further, the fear of who is watching and who might be next for these brutal punishments is a powerful deterrent to real opposition forming.
The third-anniversary "festivities," with Talibs on motorcycles displaying the yellow gas canisters used for decades as IEDs to kill civilians, show their pride in the brutality of their methods. In the three years since taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban-run Supreme Court has issued over 176 execution sentences, 37 stoning sentences, and 4 sentences involving wall collapses. Additionally, 587 individuals, including 106 women, have been subjected to corporal punishment in public. As of May 4, 2023, 245 people, including 26 women, have been publicly flogged for various offenses; these numbers are likely underreported and do not include the past 14 months. These are not so-called moderate Talibs. The true outrage should be focused on what other atrocities will be reintroduced when the international community inevitably fails to do more than make a few cursory statements condemning this new law. A brief study of history shows how far they are willing to go—beatings in the street for ankles showing, public executions, and massacres in Mazar-e-Sharif in 1997 and 1998, and massacres in Shomali in 1999. Some may be shocked in the present, but instead, we should fear what echoes of the past will reemerge in the future.
AFGHAN NEWS
13,000 People Arrested by Taliban's Morality Police In Past Year
Afghanistan International News
Over 13,000 people had been arrested by the Taliban's Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in the past year for "immoral acts".
The ministry said that during this period, it has also dismissed more than 280 members of its security forces for not keeping beards.
Officials of the Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice said in a press conference on Tuesday that the arrest of citizens is one of the achievements of the ministry over the past year.
Exposing the Hidden: The Hasht-e Subh Daily Reveals Digital Map of Taliban’s Women’s Prisons
Mohammad
The Hasht-e Subh Daily has published a digital map of women’s prisons under Taliban control, making it accessible to the public on its website.
Unveiled today, Wednesday, August 21, 2024, this dynamic map was compiled using information from journalists, local sources, contacts within the Taliban prison system, female prisoners, and their families.
The map provides precise locations of detention centers and women’s prisons across various provinces. It also exposes previously hidden information suppressed by the Taliban, including the number of prisoners, the charges they face, and their access to family members.
REGIONAL NEWS
Fear grips parts of Tirah as armed militants start patrols
Ibrahim Shinwari
Fear has gripped parts of Tirah valley here as armed men from militant groups Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) began patrols.
The residents urged authorities to enhance security in the valley for their protection.
People of Pir Mela and Maidan areas told Dawn over the phone that though local markets were open and vehicles were entering and leaving the valley as usual, the resurgence of TTP and LI had heightened their security concerns.
They said that those militants were present in Bar Qambarkhel, Adamkhel, Thiyrai and Landawar areas of Shalobar, Pir Mela of Zakhakhel, Bhutan Shareef and Sanda Pal areas but didn’t openly patrol main roads and markets until now.
Iranian nurse in coma after arrest amid crackdown on protests
Azadeh Akbari
Iranian authorities have ramped up their crackdown on nationwide nurses' protests, resulting in multiple arrests and one nurse falling into a coma after her detention.
Among those detained is Firoozeh Mojrian-Shargh, a nurse at Qaem Hospital in Mashhad, who was arrested on Tuesday night by security forces. Shortly after her detention, Mojrian-Shargh fell into a coma, raising serious concerns about her treatment in custody.
UN warns of unfair detentions, death sentences for Iran's minorities
Iran International
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has raised concerns about ethnic and ethno-religious minorities in Iran facing disproportionate detentions and death sentences.
The statement released on Friday called on Iran “to review its legal framework, repeal vaguely worded criminal offenses punishable by death, ensure fair and due process for minority groups, and establish a moratorium on the death penalty with the goal of abolishing it.”
The Committee also expressed concern over reports of “grave human rights violations and abuses committed by law enforcement officers” against ethnic and ethno-religious minority protestors during the November 2019, July 2021, and September 2022 protests, particularly in regions with high minority populations. It called on Iran to conduct impartial investigations into these allegations and to provide reparations for the victims.
Bus Accident In Iran Kills at least 28 Pakistani Pilgrims injures 23
Dawn
At least 28 Pakistani pilgrims were killed and 23 others injured last night when their bus crashed in Iran’s Yazd city, Pakistan’s envoy to Tehran confirmed on Wednesday.
“In pursuit of their religious journey, 28 Pakistani zaireen laid down their lives last night in Yazd city in a bus accident. Another 23 are injured,” Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Mudassir Tipu, announced in a post on X.
Pakistan’s jailed ex-PM Khan seeks Oxford University chancellor role
Ayaz Gul
Imran Khan, Pakistan’s former prime minister, has formally applied to run for chancellor of the University of Oxford in Britain from his prison cell, a close aide announced Sunday.
Khan served as Pakistan’s leader from 2018 until April 2022, when he was ousted through an opposition parliamentary no-confidence vote he alleges was planned by the powerful Pakistani military.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
How al-Qaeda has found a foothold again in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan
Arpan Rai
The killing of al-Qaeda’s leader in a US drone strike in 2022 was hailed by Joe Biden as a moment of “closure” for the families of the victims of 9/11. Ayman al-Zawahiri, the man who replaced Osama bin Laden and who had direct involvement in planning the attack on the World Trade Center, had been traced to a home in Kabul almost one year after another militant group – the Taliban – took control of the Afghan capital.
It is now three years since Afghanistan fell to Taliban rule following the withdrawal of Nato forces, a moment marked last week by militants parading captured and repurposed US military hardware through Bagram airbase, host to the last American presence in the country before their hurried evacuation.
Experts say Zawahiri’s presence in Kabul was significant if not unexpected, and that since his death many other senior figures within al-Qaeda have followed him in relocating to Afghanistan, finding an environment that allows them to continue operating with minimal interference from the country’s Taliban rulers.
Number of UK asylum seekers who died in Home Office care doubles in a year
Diane Taylor
The number of asylum seekers who have died in the care of the Home Office has more than doubled in the last year, according to data shared with the Guardian, a development that has been described as “deeply troubling”.
While some deaths were a result of illness or old age, others are thought to have happened as a result of suicide. Charities fear that the treatment of asylum seekers in the UK has adversely affected the health of an already vulnerable group of people.
Many have fled persecution in their home countries where some experienced rape and torture or abuse by traffickers on their journey in search of safety.
Ottawa stops funding temporary accommodations for Afghan migrant applicants waiting in Pakistan
Raffy Boudjikanian
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has stopped subsidizing temporary accommodations in Pakistan for people applying through a special immigration program for Afghans who worked for the Canadian government or armed forces.
Special measures for Afghans trying to move to Canada were introduced by the federal government in summer 2021, after the Taliban swept to power and sent many former employees of western governments into hiding.
UN rights expert barred from Afghanistan: diplomatic source
France 24
"Richard Bennett was informed of the decision that he would not be welcome to return to Afghanistan several months ago," a diplomatic source confirmed to AFP after local media reported the ban, citing a Taliban government spokesman.
Bennett marked two years in the role on May 1.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 70.84 AFN (as of 25 August 2024)