MESSAGE FROM THE AFGHAN DIGEST: Our team will be taking a well deserved summer break for the next two weeks. If any major developments arise, we will publish an abbreviated interim edition. We look forward to returning to our normal schedule starting on July 13, 2025. We appreciate your continued support.
Security and Conflict
Former District Governor Killed in Faryab – On Sunday, former Faryab provincial council secretary and district governor Mohammad Saleh was killed on the Maimana–Almar road. A relative accused the Taliban, citing Saleh’s past role in anti-Taliban operations under Dostum. The Taliban have not commented on the incident.
Protests in Badakhshan – On Thursday, residents of Khash District in Badakhshan protested by setting fire to five Taliban tractors used for destroying poppy fields. The demonstration targeted officials from the Taliban's Counter Narcotics Directorate. The Taliban have not yet issued a public response. Protests continued on Friday and Saturday, following further destruction of poppy fields, prompting a temporary Taliban withdrawal. Protesters warned they would resist future eradication efforts unless similar actions occurred in Helmand and Kandahar. Local Taliban commander Amanuddin reportedly threatened demonstrators. The Taliban have not responded publicly.
Shia Scholar Killed in Badakhshan – Shia scholar Sayed Kazim Amiry was reportedly beheaded in Badakhshan’s Darwaz region, raising concerns about increasing threats to religious minorities. The area is controlled by Taliban commander Juma Khan Fateh, who has previously been accused of pressuring Ismaili Shias. While some pro-ISKP accounts praised the killing, no group has claimed responsibility, and both the motive and perpetrator remain unknown.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Floggings – On Sunday, six people were flogged in Kabul. On Monday, four men and two women were flogged in Parwan. On Tuesday, eight men and one woman were flogged in Kabul and Samangan provinces. On Wednesday, one man and one woman were flogged in Takhar, one man and one woman in another unspecified location, and one man in Maidan Wardak. On Thursday, one man and one woman were flogged in Faryab, and eight people were flogged in Badakhshan and Parwan. On Saturday, 25 men were flogged in Kabul.
Musical Nasheeds Banned – The Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice warned against performing nasheeds with musical-like rhythms, urging artists to adopt ethical, value-based styles. The Ministry stated that violators would face consequences.
International Developments
UN Issues Report On Security Incidents in Afghanistan – On Thursday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reported 2,299 security incidents in Afghanistan between February and April 2025, marking a 3% increase from the previous year. ISIS attacks continued, including strikes on Taliban targets that killed dozens. Opposition groups such as the National Resistance Front carried out over 70 attacks. Cross-border tensions with Pakistan escalated, resulting in deadly airstrikes and clashes. The UN also recorded 22 incidents affecting its staff. Unexploded ordnance and grenade attacks remain major threats, with 16 civilians killed and 35 injured. Civilian casualties included children and journalists, highlighting the country’s volatile security landscape. The full report can be accessed Here
Richard Bennett Delivers Speech to UN – On Monday, at the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, called for robust accountability and a comprehensive “all-tools” approach to address impunity and systematic human rights violations under Taliban rule. Presenting his report, he urged urgent global action. Fatema Amiri, a survivor of the Kaj school attack, echoed his call by urging non-recognition of the Taliban and support for Afghan girls’ education. Poet Maryam Mitra and speaker Zahra also highlighted worsening repression, with Zahra revealing she had to marry off her daughter. All speakers emphasized the need for a coordinated international response and protection. The full meeting can be accessed here
Meeting of Senior Officials on Afghanistan in Brussels – On Monday, at the Senior Officials Meeting on Afghanistan in Brussels, the World Food Programme warned that the country is nearing a humanitarian catastrophe. The WFP’s country director cited rising malnutrition and funding shortfalls that have reduced clinic access for mothers and children. The EU-hosted meeting included diplomats from the U.S., Qatar, Turkey, and others, addressing deteriorating conditions and the Taliban’s political impasse. UN data shows millions still face food insecurity, inadequate healthcare, and reduced aid. The final statement emphasized the need for a political process reflecting the voices of all Afghans, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion.
New OCHA Statement – In a statement released Monday, OCHA warned that Afghanistan faces a worsening crisis driven by conflict, climate shocks, underdevelopment, and declining international aid. Taliban restrictions on women and girls have intensified vulnerabilities, increasing rates of child marriage, gender-based violence, and child labor. With the 2025 humanitarian response plan only 18% funded, millions lack essential services. OCHA urged donors to provide urgent, flexible support and to invest in long-term resilience to sustain life saving efforts. The full statement can be accessed here
UK Appoints New Special Envoy – The UK has appointed Richard Stephen Lindsay as its new Special Envoy for Afghanistan, effective June 2025. Currently Deputy Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the FCDO, Lindsay previously worked with the 2001 Afghanistan Emergency Unit. He replaces Andrew McCoubrey, while the UK’s diplomatic mission to Afghanistan remains based in Doha.
Freedom of the Press
Ministry of Vice and Virtue Issues Social Media Warning – On Monday, the Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue declared fake social media accounts to be criminal and warned users against insults, threats, or harassment. Violators will be pursued. The Taliban have previously detained and tortured users over online activity.
Three Journalists Acquitted – On June 3, 2025, coinciding with Eid al-Adha, three local journalists—Munir Hadaf, Asadullah Timur, and Nusratullah Ebrahimi—were temporarily released in Takhar Province following guarantees from known individuals. The journalists had been detained in early May in Taloqan for allegedly cooperating with an exiled media outlet. A Taliban-run primary court later acquitted them in a public session. According to the Afghanistan Journalists Center, they spent several weeks in police and intelligence custody.
Regional Developments
Kazakhstan Appoints Special Representative to Afghanistan – On Monday, Kazakhstan appointed Yerkin Tukumov as its Special Representative for Afghanistan, signaling increased engagement with the Taliban-led administration. While Taliban authorities welcomed the move, Kazakh officials clarified it does not imply formal recognition. Tukumov is expected to oversee expanding trade, humanitarian, and diplomatic ties. Kazakhstan recently delivered over 5,000 tonnes of aid and removed the Taliban from its list of banned organizations, describing these steps as pragmatic diplomacy rather than endorsement.
Taliban Deputy PM Travels To China – Taliban Acting Deputy Prime Minister Hanafi traveled to China for the 9th China–South Asia Expo, accompanied by senior Taliban officials. He is scheduled to speak at the event and meet with Chinese officials. China has pledged support for Afghan returnees, including 160 housing units and 30 million yuan in aid. China remains the only country to officially accept a Taliban ambassador.
Taliban Cancels Chinese Oil Contract – On Tuesday, the Taliban’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum canceled a $540 million, 25-year oil extraction contract with China’s Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas Co. (CAPEIC), citing repeated breaches of the agreement. Signed in January 2023, the deal involved oil extraction from the Amu Darya basin, with a $150 million investment promised in the first year. A joint committee found CAPEIC had failed to meet its obligations, prompting the contract’s termination.
Miscellaneous
Salang Reopens for Cargo Trucks – On Tuesday, the Taliban's Ministry of Public Works reopened the Salang Highway to cargo trucks to support trade. Passenger vehicles will continue to use an alternate route. The highway had been closed for reconstruction for two months.
NEXT WEEK
In Afghanistan, protests in Badakhshan are expected to continue for several days and may grow over the next week. The combined pressures of poppy eradication and ethnic tensions have created localized unrest, which may escalate into violence, though it is unlikely to spread beyond the province. Afghans are advised to exercise caution on social media, especially when posting about protests, civil unrest, or criticism of the Taliban, as recent crackdowns on online expression have been reported.
Resistance groups have been unusually quiet in recent weeks, with no clear explanation for the decrease in activity. This lull may indicate a planning phase for future attacks, but that remains uncertain at this time.
Afghans in Iran are urged to exercise caution amid intensified fighting between Israel and Iran and the possibility of further escalation in the coming days. Many Afghans have reported difficulties obtaining exit and travel permits, and may face restrictions on intercity travel or leaving the country. Those attempting to exit Iran should research visa requirements for neighboring countries, the safety of land routes, and the status of border crossings before traveling. Reports also indicate power outages, internet and phone outages, ATM shortages, and flight cancellations in Iran. Individuals should follow official safety guidance, and those near potential targets should adhere to shelter-in-place or evacuation orders.
In Pakistan, deportations continue, and authorities plan to begin deporting holders of PoR cards starting July 1. Afghans should be aware that deportation may occur even with valid visas, and some individuals have reported instances of extortion to avoid removal. Movement should be minimized, crowds avoided, and valid documentation carried at all times.
In the United States, a broad travel ban affecting Afghans is in place. Although SIV holders are exempt, the implications for other categories remain unclear. Unverified reports suggest that Afghan Green Card holders who have been in the U.S. for less than two years may not be allowed to re-enter after international travel. For now, international travel is strongly discouraged, as re-entry may be difficult in the coming months.
SIV relocation flights to Doha and other third-country processing hubs have been suspended, and CARE is expected to be defunded and shut down in the coming weeks. U.S.-funded flights to these platforms are unlikely to resume. SIV and immigrant visa interviews must now take place at U.S. embassies or consulates in third countries, and applicants must cover all related expenses, including travel, medical exams, and onward travel to the U.S. SIV and immigrant visa applicants are also personally responsible for maintaining legal presence (Valid visa) in the third country. Those considering case transfers should thoroughly research processing times and the cost of living in the host country.
Recently arrived SIV holders who were previously blocked from receiving resettlement benefits may now be eligible for assistance. They are encouraged to contact their local resettlement agency for more information.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans in the U.S. is set to expire on July 14, despite ongoing litigation. Those whose only legal status is TPS should seek legal assistance as soon as possible. All Afghans in the U.S. are reminded to carry their Green Card or proof of legal status at all times.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Travel Permit Office Closed to Afghans – Iran’s Kefalat office has reportedly denied travel permits to Afghans for five consecutive days (as of Tuesday), leaving many stranded in Tehran amid escalating Israeli attacks. While most residents flee, some Afghans are reportedly being kept as guards in sensitive areas. One Afghan man confirmed that his relatives were denied exit despite urgent requests. Unofficial reports cite Afghan casualties, including Hafiz Bustani, whose body has not yet been released. The restrictions, fear of attacks, and forced immobility are placing Afghan migrants at serious risk.
Iran Crackdown on Alleged Mossad – Iran has intensified its crackdown on suspected Mossad-linked espionage, arresting five individuals in Lorestan and initially detaining 18 Afghan nationals in Mashhad on allegations of constructing surveillance and explosive drones. Authorities claimed the group planned attacks on sensitive sites and seized drone components and forged documents. However, a day later, officials retracted the Mossad-related accusations against the Afghans, stating they were merely undocumented migrants and had been deported. In a separate case, an Afghan student in Tehran was detained over alleged possession of drone and bomb-making materials. On Friday, two more undocumented Afghans were arrested in Tehran, accused of collaborating with Mossad to plan attacks on high-profile targets, including the state broadcaster and a senior official’s residence. Police alleged the suspects were paid $2,000 per mission and had shared sensitive locations via WhatsApp. Iranian media highlighted the investigations as part of broader concerns over Israeli covert activity.
Afghan Casualties of Israeli Bombing – On Wednesday, an Israeli airstrike in Iran reportedly killed an 18-year-old Afghan from Bala Marghab, Faryab province, and injured three other Afghan nationals. Their identities and the extent of injuries remain undisclosed. The Interim Afghan Government has not commented, and the circumstances surrounding the Afghans' presence at the strike site remain unclear.
PAKISTAN
Deportations Continue and PoR Deadline Looms – Since April 2025, over 200,000 Afghans have left Pakistan amid intensified deportation efforts targeting undocumented migrants. According to Amnesty International, more than 1.08 million Afghans have been deported since October 2023. Approximately 1.4 million Afghans currently hold Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, which are set to expire at the end of June. Amnesty has urged the Pakistani government to extend the validity of PoR cards and suspend deportations, warning of serious risks including persecution and insecurity in Afghanistan.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
As Iran-Israel conflict escalates, Taliban weigh fallout for Afghanistan: Sources
Bais Hayat
As the Iran-Israel tensions expand and the United States enters the conflict with airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, sources said Taliban are quietly assessing the potential consequences for Afghanistan, a country closely tied to Iran economically, politically and diplomatically.
According to multiple sources familiar with internal discussions, the Taliban’s intelligence agency and Foreign Ministry have held at least two high-level meetings in recent days to evaluate possible scenarios and the broader implications of the widening regional war. These include concerns over border security, energy imports, the fate of millions of Afghan migrants in Iran, and the disruption of trade routes.
While Taliban have publicly condemned Israel’s strikes on Iran, describing them as a violation of Iranian sovereignty, sources said that Taliban officials in Kabul are increasingly concerned about the stability of their western neighbor, with whom they share deep political ties and a $3.1 billion annual trade relationship.
War Casts Shadow Over Afghanistan’s Trade: Fears Mount Over Shipment Disruptions at Bandar Abbas
Avizha Khorshid
Amid escalating Israeli attacks on Iran, several traders and experts have expressed concerns over the potential halt of commercial shipments belonging to Afghanistan’s industrialists and merchants at Bandar Abbas port. They state that disruptions in Iran’s security situation have raised serious worries about the stoppage or damage of commercial consignments. According to them, the continuation of this situation could disrupt Afghanistan’s supply chain, plunging the country’s fragile economy into further distress.
Some traders and industrialists, in interviews with the Hasht-e Subh Daily, expressed alarm, noting that the ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Iranian soil are causing delays in the loading and transfer of Afghanistan’s commercial goods.
Sayed Ebrahim Sadat, an industrialist in Herat, voiced concerns about the ongoing conflict, stating: “When a region becomes insecure and trade routes are affected, it naturally harms all traders in the region and the people of Afghanistan. We are, of course, affected by these changes. We hope these issues are resolved as soon as possible.”
AFGHAN NEWS
Spiraling Poverty and Unemployment: Afghanistan’s Economic Deadlock Under Taliban Rule
Amin Kawa
Several Afghanistan’s citizens express deep concern over the intensifying poverty and the growing spread of unemployment across the country. They state that they have reached a dead end and a crisis in meeting living expenses, no longer able to withstand hunger and joblessness. Concurrently, some economic experts confirm that the country’s economic situation is becoming increasingly critical, attributing it to population growth, lack of market-based knowledge, absence of human capital investment, and Taliban rule. These experts emphasize that Afghanistan needs an economic revival to address structural deficiencies and train a skilled, professional workforce based on market knowledge. They argue that heavy taxation compared to the low profitability of businesses has reduced disposable income, consequently diminishing people’s purchasing power. They also assert that elite migration, restrictions on women, and distrust in domestic investment are among the factors that, under Taliban governance, have exacerbated poverty and the economic crisis in the country. In the latest development, the United Nations Secretary-General has reported that Afghanistan’s economic outlook remains fragile, affected by political instability, financial isolation, trade fluctuations, and declining international aid.
Afghan Women and Girls Face ‘Unprecedented’ Assault on Rights and Dignity, Says UN
Kabul Now
Nearly four years under Taliban rule, Afghan women and girls face a “deliberate and unprecedented” assault on their rights, freedoms, and dignity, UN Women said in a new report.
In its 2024 Afghanistan Gender Index, released on Tuesday, UN Women said Afghan women and girls have been systematically erased from nearly all aspects of public life.
The report highlights that eight out of ten young women are excluded from education, skills training, and jobs, four times higher than the rate for men.
Afghanistan now has one of the largest gender gaps in the workforce, with only 24% of women participating, compared to 89% of men, the report says.
Afghan Singer Zulala Hashemi Reportedly Abducted In Kabul
Afghanistan International
Zulala Hashemi, a well-known Afghan singer, has been missing for 15 days and is believed to have been abducted in Kabul, according to her family.
Her husband, Sayed Mohsen Hashemi, told Afghanistan International that he has received no information about her whereabouts despite continuous efforts to locate her. “Zulala left home to visit friends and never returned. Her phone has been switched off, and all attempts to contact her have failed,” he said in a video message on Thursday, 19 June.
REGIONAL NEWS
Thousands of Afghans are fleeing Iran every day to escape war and deportation
Independent
Thousands of Afghans are fleeing Iran every day to escape deportation and war, a major international aid agency and Taliban official said Friday.
Millions of Afghans have called Iran home for decades. But they have been leaving in large numbers since October 2023, when authorities announced a crackdown on foreigners who it said were in the country illegally. Neighboring Pakistan launched a similar campaign around the same time.
Iran’s war with Israel, which started last Friday, is also forcing them to flee as Israeli strikes target the country.
Four bogies derail as bomb rips through Jaffer Express in Jacobabad
Waseem Shamsi
A powerful explosion of a remotely-controlled explosive device fitted to rail tracks caused four bogies of the Jaffer Express to derail near cattle market in Jacobabad on Wednesday.
Luckily, no one was hurt in the incident. The responsibility of the terror act was claimed reportedly by the banned Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) through a statement, which started circulating on social media soon after the blast.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 71.04 AFN (As of June 22)
