The Week of March 24-30
Security and Conflict
Fight Between Talibs in Samangan – On Monday, Mawlawi Shakir, the Taliban police chief in Samangan, was beaten by Uzbek Taliban fighters inside the police headquarters over alleged ethnic discrimination against Uzbek and Tajik members. Some Taliban intervened to stop the assault. The attack was reportedly led by Taliban commanders Mullah Sajid, Hamza Aka, and Mullah Qaid. Shakir, a Pashtun, had been accused of mistreating non-Pashtun Taliban members.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Former MOI Official Killed – Hassan Jabar Khil, a former Afghan Interior Ministry officer, was abducted from his home in Kabul’s Kolola Pushta area and later found dead in Shakardara district. Unidentified gunmen shot him in the chest. His family stated he had no known enemies, and the perpetrators remain unknown. Jabar Khil, 34, previously served as deputy commander of the Kabul-Jalalabad highway security unit.
Floggings - On Monday, one person was flogged in Kabul. On Wednesday, another was flogged in Balkh.
Restrictions Imposed on Eid Celebrations – Ahead of Eid al-Fitr, Taliban authorities in Badakhshan issued new restrictions on public behavior. The directive bans music, women without hijabs, gambling (including egg-breaking games), firecrackers, and traditional Eid house visits. Issued by the Directorate for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, the order urges residents to avoid "immoral behavior," further tightening social controls during the holiday.
Internal Politics
Mullah Hibatullah’s Eid Message Released – In his Eid al-Fitr message, Mullah Hibatullah emphasized Afghan unity and urged support for the Taliban regime. He praised Taliban fighters for maintaining security and defended the role of courts and the Ministry of Virtue. Dismissing poverty concerns as propaganda, he claimed major development projects are underway. Hibatullah also called for non-interference in Afghan affairs and condemned Israeli actions in Palestine as unjust and barbaric.
National Security Meeting Held in Kandahar – On Friday, senior Taliban security officials, including acting Defense Minister Yaqoob Mujahid, acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, and Intelligence Chief Abdul Haq Wasiq, met with Mullah Hibatullah in Kandahar to discuss Afghanistan’s security situation. The meeting focused on reviewing security proposals, force preparedness, and strategic directives. Mullah Hibatullah issued key instructions to enhance security capacity and maintain order. The meeting marked the first time Haqqani had publicly participated in such a gathering in two months, fueling speculation about a rift between him and Hibatullah.
Prisoners Released for Eid – The Taliban’s Supreme Court announced the release of 2,463 prisoners and sentence reductions for 3,152 others as part of an Eid al-Fitr amnesty ordered by Mullah Hibatullah. No details were provided about their crimes or sentences. Afghanistan’s prisons reportedly house 10,000–11,000 inmates, including women and juveniles, though it is unclear if female prisoners were included in the amnesty.
International Developments
Taliban Release American Faye Hall – On Saturday, American citizen Faye Hall, detained by the Taliban in February for unauthorized drone use, was released Thursday following mediation by Qatar. She is in good health and currently at the Qatari Embassy in Kabul, preparing to return home.
Norwegian Refugee Council Suspends Some Programs – NRC has suspended parts of its humanitarian operations in Afghanistan and closed several provincial offices due to declining international aid. The cuts affect essential services, particularly for women and children. NRC has shut down community centers and laid off staff, citing donor funding reductions. While maintaining some programs, NRC warned of worsening conditions as the UN’s aid plan for Afghanistan remains underfunded. The organization urged the international community to restore support.
Taliban Statement on Meeting With Khalilzad – Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed discussions with a U.S. delegation in Kabul, led by Adam Boehler and Zalmay Khalilzad, covering various issues, including reopening embassies. The Taliban requested control of the Afghan embassy in Washington and the reopening of the U.S. embassy in Kabul. Following the visit, the U.S. lifted bounties on Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and two Haqqani network members. The Taliban also released an American hostage. Mujahid called the U.S. decision a positive step. Talks also covered consular services and ongoing aid. The Taliban expect continued U.S. assistance and await further American responses.
Freedom of the Press
Communications Cut on First Day of Eid – Mobile networks were shut down in Kabul and several provinces on the morning of Eid al-Fitr, leaving many unable to communicate. The Taliban provided no explanation, though similar blackouts have occurred in past Eids. Some sources suggest security concerns, but no threats were confirmed. The disruption contrasts with Taliban claims of nationwide security since their 2021 takeover. Services typically resume by midday.
Regional Developments
Pakistan Special Representative Finishes Kabul Visit – Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan, Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, concluded his three-day visit to Kabul and has briefed officials in Islamabad on discussions with Afghan authorities. Talks focused on cross-border terrorism, border security, trade, and economic cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized sustained dialogue for regional stability. Both sides agreed to enhance engagement on mutual concerns. Pakistan reiterated its concerns over terrorism originating from Afghan soil, while discussions also covered trade facilitation and transit cooperation. Further consultations on Afghanistan policy are expected.
UAE Releases 54 Afghans – On Saturday, the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry announced an agreement with the UAE for the release of 54 Afghan prisoners. The ministry described it as a goodwill gesture from the UAE but did not disclose details about the charges. Emirati authorities have not commented. The move aligns with the Taliban’s broader diplomatic efforts to secure the release of Afghan detainees abroad.
Miscellaneous
Four Chinese Citizens Detained for Gold Smuggling – On Friday, Taliban border police arrested four Chinese nationals at Kabul airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle 679 grams of raw gold to China, according to spokesperson Abidullah Farooqi. The individuals were stopped while trying to transport the gold out of Afghanistan. Further details have not been provided, and the Chinese Embassy in Kabul has yet to comment on the incident. Authorities have not disclosed any additional information regarding the investigation.
NEXT WEEK
Today marks the beginning of Eid. AFF has issued a statement indicating that they will not carry out attacks during the Eid period. Resistance activities are expected to remain low over the next several days.
In Afghanistan, heavy snowfall has forced the closure of the Salang Tunnel, which will impact Eid travel. The Taliban have reportedly cut communications in Kabul and several other major provinces, apparently due to security concerns. Checkpoints, including searches of individuals, vehicles, and phones, are likely during Eid. While Resistance forces are less likely to conduct attacks, ISKP attacks remain possible, particularly in Shiite areas.
In Pakistan, March 31 marks the last day for voluntary departure for Afghans holding ACC cards. Stop-and-search operations have already begun in Islamabad and are expected to expand to other cities. Afghans should carry paper documentation even before the March 31 deadline. Active deportation operations are scheduled to begin in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh. In Balochistan, night travel has been banned due to rising violence and protests. Afghans in Balochistan, particularly in Quetta, are likely to face deportation as Pakistani authorities have blamed Afghans for recent unrest. Afghans in Pakistan should remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and steer clear of crowds and protests. Regardless of legal status, they should be prepared for extortion and deportation.
In the U.S., a travel ban remains likely, though the exact timing is unclear. Afghans, including green card holders, should avoid traveling outside the U.S. at this time.
SIV holders with issued visas in their passports should travel to the U.S. as soon as possible, as travel restrictions will likely be implemented as soon as the ban takes effect. Housing and resettlement assistance for new arrivals remains blocked. New arrivals should ensure they have a local support system prepared to assist with initial costs and accessing benefits.
ICE raids are ongoing in the U.S. Afghans should be aware of their legal rights and carry proper documentation at all times. Resources are available:
Parole assistance – Here
Resources for recent SIV arrivals – Here
Support for recent refugee arrivals – Here
Updates on U.S. visa cases and legal developments – Here
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
First Section of Border Wall Completed – Iran has completed the first phase of a border wall along its northeastern frontier with Afghanistan, constructing 55 kilometers of fencing to curb unauthorized crossings. Iranian officials state that the project, led by the Army Ground Forces, adheres to modern engineering standards. Future phases will cover an additional 100 kilometers. The broader initiative spans 953 kilometers, with over 300 kilometers currently under construction. Iran cites security concerns and Afghan instability as reasons for accelerating the project.
PAKISTAN
Meeting Held on Deportations – On Saturday, Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi chaired a meeting on repatriating ACC holders, reaffirming the March 31 deadline despite appeals from the Afghan government and human rights groups. State Minister Talal Chaudhry will oversee provincial challenges. At least 932 Afghan migrants have been detained in Rawalpindi. Rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the deportations, warning of humanitarian risks. Pakistan maintains that undocumented Afghans must leave by March 31, while Proof of Registration (PoR) cardholders can remain until June 30. The decision has drawn global concern over refugee protection, underscoring tensions between migration control and humanitarian obligations.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Begin Deportations – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government has announced its support for Pakistan’s federal policy on Afghan refugee deportations, reversing its earlier opposition. While aligning with federal decisions, the province emphasized that returns will be voluntary and conducted "with dignity." A support office will be established at the Torkham border. With eight days remaining before forced deportations begin, a key meeting on the issue is scheduled next week. Approximately 800,000 ACC holders and many undocumented Afghans are expected to be affected.
Rawalpindi Deportations – Pakistani authorities have repatriated 213 Afghan nationals from Rawalpindi, where 923 were initially detained as part of a crackdown on undocumented foreigners. By Thursday, no detainees remained at the Golra Mor holding center, though 22 had escaped a day earlier. Among those arrested, 86 had expired visas, 116 held ACC, and 290 had PoR cards. While ACC holders face expulsion before the March 31 deadline, PoR cardholders can remain until June 30. Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan persist amid security concerns, with authorities closely monitoring the relocation plan and tightening security at detention centers.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Is Retrieving U.S. Equipment Left in Afghanistan Feasible?
Mir Hamidullah Mir
Following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, a substantial amount of military equipment was abandoned. This included weapons, machine guns, ammunition, tanks, armored vehicles, helicopters, and other military and non-military assets. Estimates suggest that billions of dollars worth of equipment were either left behind or fell into the hands of the Taliban and other militant groups. This article assesses the feasibility and strategic worth of retrieving this equipment, considering the complexity of the current situation, accessibility, financial and logistical constraints, and security concerns. The author argues that attempting retrieval would expose personnel to significant risks and could entangle the U.S. in another conflict.
Introduction
Throughout the 20-year U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP) received substantial military aid to combat insurgency and drug trafficking. Reports indicate that the U.S. supplied Afghanistan with approximately $7.1 billion of military equipment (SIGAR 23-04 Evaluation Report). However, the U.S. exit from Afghanistan resulted in the abandonment of hundreds of thousands of military and non-military equipment items across multiple military bases, including Bagram Airfield, Kabul Airfield, Shindand Airbase, and Mazar-i-Sharif Airbase.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban expand ban on images of living beings to three more provinces, watchdog says
Ahmad Azizi
The Taliban have extended their ban on the publication and broadcast of images depicting living beings to three additional provinces, bringing the total number of affected regions to 10, according to a media watchdog.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) reported Thursday that the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, under the Taliban, issued new directives to media outlets in Badakhshan, Baghlan, and Nimroz provinces, instructing them to refrain from publishing or airing images of humans or animals.
The AFJC said it obtained voice messages from Taliban officials, shared via WhatsApp groups that include journalists and provincial authorities. In the recordings, Taliban figures directed local media to adhere to Article 17 of the group’s morality law, which prohibits the depiction of living creatures in any form of media.
Amu News also reviewed a voice message from the Taliban’s head of the virtue and vice department in Baghlan, in which he explicitly ordered media outlets to stop publishing such content.
REGIONAL NEWS
It means death’: Afghan women’s rights activists face deportation from Pakistan
Hannah Ellis-Petersen
More than 50 prominent female Afghan women’s rights activists sheltering in Pakistan are facing deportation home, where they fear they will be imprisoned or killed under Taliban rule.
Under a draconian policy, the Pakistan government has pledged to deport millions of Afghan nationals, after relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan severely deteriorated and attacks by militants in the border areas surged.
Pakistan government ministers have accused Afghans of being “terrorists” and “traitors” who are fuelling crime and militancy in the country.
Pakistan began deportations of Afghan refugees in September 2023. According to a recent report by Amnesty International, so far at least 844,499 Afghan nationals have been forcibly deported back to Afghanistan where they are at “real risk of persecution by the Taliban”.
Nine dead, 21 injured in Balochistan gun and bomb attacks
The Nation
Three people including two policemen were martyred and 21 others including four policemen sustained inju-ries in a bomb blast that target police van at Double Road in Quetta on Thursday.
According to police sources, the blast occurred near the police mobile van when it was crossing the area. As a result, two police personnel martyred on the spot and 21 others including citizen sustained injuries.
The bodies of the victims and the injured were shifted to Civil Hospital’s trauma centre where treatment of the injured was being started in supervision of Managing Director Trauma Centre Dr Arbab Kamran. One of the deceased persons was identified by police as Abdul Jabbar.
New bill seeks to sanction Pakistan’s army chief, free former PM Khan
Ailia Zehra
Reps. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif). introduced the “Pakistan Democracy Act” on Monday, seeking to sanction the country’s Army chief for “persecution of political opponents” including former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The Hill obtained a copy of the bill, which would place sanctions on Pakistan’s military boss within 180 days, under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Violators can be subjected to denial of entry to the United States and ineligibility for U.S. visas.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Trump administration pauses some green card applications as part of aggressive vetting effort
Camilo Montoya-Galvez, Nicole Sganga
The Trump administration has quietly paused the processing of green card applications filed by certain individuals, including approved refugees, as part of a broader effort to more aggressively vet immigrants, multiple sources familiar with the move told CBS News.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, recently directed officials to suspend processing of requests for legal permanent residency submitted by immigrants granted refugee or asylum status, according to the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss an action that has not been publicly reported.
The move will, for the time being, place in legal limbo immigrants who were granted refuge in the U.S. because they proved they could be persecuted in their home countries.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 71.08 AFN (As of March 30)
