The Week of November 12-17
Security and Conflict
Taliban Arrest Former Canadian Soldier – David Lavery, a Canadian veteran and private security consultant, was detained by the Taliban last week upon his arrival in Kabul. Lavery, renowned for facilitating the evacuation of over 100 Afghans during the 2021 fall of Kabul, was the last Canadian at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the evacuation efforts. He has frequently traveled to Afghanistan and operated a private security firm there. Currently in Taliban custody at an undisclosed location, Lavery’s detention has prompted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pledge serious attention to the case and offer consular support to Lavery’s family.
Taliban Arrest Commanders Recruiting for TTP – On Tuesday, the Taliban detained several commanders and fighters in Khost, Paktia, and Paktika provinces for recruiting Afghan Taliban members into the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Among those arrested was Sangari, a prominent recruiter. Taliban leadership is increasingly concerned about the TTP's growing strength and influence, which has drawn disaffected fighters. Despite efforts by Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah, including deploying forces to monitor TTP activities, analysts remain skeptical that this will alleviate Pakistan's border security concerns.
Protests over Land in Sar-e Pol – On Wednesday, lands and orchards owned by Uzbek and Tajik residents in Sar-e Pol were reportedly confiscated and some destroyed by Kuchis, allegedly with Taliban support. Despite residents presenting ownership documents, a Taliban-appointed committee ruled in favor of Pashtun settlers, sparking protests by hundreds of affected locals. Clashes over land rights between nomads and villagers are longstanding in the region.
Taliban Transfer Alleged NRF to Bagram Prison – On Thursday, reliable sources reported that the Taliban transferred hundreds of prisoners accused of ties to the National Resistance Front (NRF) from Pul-e-Charkhi prison to Bagram. Most of the detainees are from Panjshir, Parwan, Kapisa, Baghlan, Takhar, and other northern provinces. While the exact number of prisoners remains unknown, the Taliban have not commented on the transfer.
Former ANSF Killed – On Friday, the Taliban arrested Mohammad Younis, a former Afghan soldier, in Zazi Aryob District, Paktika. Younis, who had left military service and was engaged in personal work, was killed in Taliban custody. His body was later returned to his family. Taliban officials in Paktia have not issued a statement regarding the incident.
Taliban Police Chief Arrested in Laghman – On Saturday, Taliban intelligence raided the home of Mawlawi Habib-ur-Rahman, the deputy police chief of Laghman province, after he reportedly used government-issued weapons for celebratory gunfire at a wedding. The raid also resulted in the arrest of the groom and three family members, who remain in custody.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Execution in Paktia– On Wednesday, the Taliban publicly executed an alleged murderer in Gardez, Paktia province, with senior officials, including Acting Interior Minister Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, in attendance. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, condemned the execution, citing it as a violation of human rights and the prohibition of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. A video emerged showing crowds heading to the sports stadium for the execution.
Three ANSF Detained – On Tuesday, the Taliban arrested three former Afghan military personnel—Ghyasuddin and Burhanuddin, former army members, and Homayoun, a former police officer—in Kabul, just two days after their deportation from Iran. Originally from Dara district in Panjshir, the individuals had been residing in Kabul. The Taliban have not commented on the arrests.
Activists Arrested – Taliban agents in Herat arrested education activist Abdul Qoddus Yasinzada, the founder of Resalat Private High School, three weeks ago. Despite efforts by his family and community, he remains in custody without explanation. Similarly, on Wednesday, social activist Hameed Qarloq was detained in Takhar while fundraising for school reconstruction.
Arrests in Ghor for not Attending Prayers – On Friday, the Taliban arrested two individuals in Laleh and Sarjangal districts of Ghor province for failing to attend congregational prayers. The arrests occurred in the district market, where the Taliban enforce a rule that shops close from 12:40 PM to 1:30 PM for prayers. Locals, mostly Hazaras, have expressed concerns about Taliban discrimination since their return to power.
Floggings – On Tuesday, a man was flogged in Ghazni. On Thursday, ten men and one woman were flogged in Nangarhar. On Sunday, two men were flogged in Takhar. In total, the Taliban have flogged 85 people, including 12 women, over the past month.
Internal Politics
IS Podcast Criticizes Taliban – In a podcast by the pro-ISKP outlet Mubarizeen, scholar Abu Mohammad criticized the Taliban's pursuit of UN recognition, calling it "un-Islamic." He argued that the selective application of Sharia undermines their claims to an Islamic system and referred to their appeals for international legitimacy as "nullifiers of Islam." Mohammad further questioned the authenticity of the Taliban's governance system.
International Developments
Trump Allegedly Considering Court Martials Related to Afghanistan Withdrawal – The Trump transition team is reportedly exploring whether senior military officers involved in the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal could face charges, including potential court-martial or treason, though the legal basis for such charges remains unclear. They aim to investigate decision-making and accountability during the withdrawal. Critics, like Pete Hegseth, have labeled the exit a "humiliating retreat," blaming Defense Department leaders for mismanagement. Efforts may include recalling commanders to active duty for potential disciplinary actions. The chaotic withdrawal, initiated under Trump and completed under Biden, drew bipartisan criticism. Trump condemned it as a national embarrassment, while an independent review blamed both administrations. The Full article on this can be accessed here
Mike Waltz Named as Trump NSA – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Florida Congressman and retired Army Green Beret Mike Waltz as his National Security Adviser. Waltz, a vocal Trump supporter and published author, served in the U.S. Army and National Guard for 27 years. He is a staunch critic of the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and has voiced concerns about the Taliban's growing influence in the country. Waltz has also warned of al-Qaeda’s potential resurgence and predicted a future need for U.S. military intervention. A full list of Trump’s nominees can be found here
Germany Accepts 200 Refugees – On Thursday, Germany transferred around 200 Afghan refugees from Pakistan to Erfurt via a charter flight. The group consists of former local staff of German forces and their families. Organized by Germany's Foreign Ministry, they were transported to Lower Saxony. Many eligible individuals remain in Pakistan, awaiting relocation to Germany.
Freedom of the Press
Officials in Nangarhar Banned from Photo and Video – On Thursday, the Taliban escalated its media crackdown by banning officials in Nangarhar and Herat from taking photos or conducting video interviews, marking the fifth province to impose such restrictions. Deputy Governor Molla Azizullah Mostafa announced the ban under Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada’s vice and virtue law, restricting officials to written communications or audio interviews. Similar orders were issued on Saturday and Sunday for Herat and Paktia, prohibiting officials from participating in photos or video interviews. These bans now cover Nangarhar, Kandahar, Takhar, Badghis, Herat, and Helmand. The Afghanistan Journalists Center issued a statement condemning the move, warning that it undermines media freedom, as similar bans have already led to the closure of TV stations in other provinces.
Regional Developments
Afghan Prisoners in Iran To Be Repatriated – On Wednesday, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Justice, Askar Jalalian, announced plans to transfer 1,000 Afghan prisoners back to Afghanistan within two months, where they will complete their sentences under Taliban authority. Most are convicted of drug-related crimes, and transfers are reportedly voluntary, excluding those with private complaints, debts, or capital sentences. Jalalian also mentioned fewer than 10 Iranians are held by the Taliban and will negotiate their return. This transfer agreement, established in 2006, is still recognized by the Taliban.
Pakistan Statement on Cross Border Terrorism – On Thursday, Pakistan's Foreign Office urged the Taliban to prevent terror groups from using Afghan soil for cross-border attacks, following increased violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Officials hinted at potential retaliation. The Taliban denied facilitating such attacks, accusing Pakistan of harboring ISKP militants, highlighting escalating tensions between the neighbors.
Afghans Detained in Türkiye – On Thursday, Turkey's Coast Guard intercepted 49 undocumented migrants in Ayvacık, Çanakkale Province, transferring them to a repatriation center. This aligns with Turkey's ongoing deportations of Afghan nationals, including 325 sent back on November 9-10. The Taliban claim some deportees had valid documentation, raising concerns about the deportation process. On the same day, Turkish authorities arrested 27 Afghan nationals in Çanakkale after tracking them to an apartment. The arrests followed a police investigation into a suspicious vehicle in Namık Kemal. Two suspects were detained; one was arrested after legal procedures, while the other was released on probation, according to local media.
Erdoğan calls for Inclusive Government in Afghanistan – On Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, during a meeting in Ankara, issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan and respecting fundamental rights. They also reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring stability and continuing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
Taliban Participate in Conference in India – Baraat Shah Agha Nadeem, head of Afghanistan's ATRA Department, led a Taliban delegation to India for the 25th South Asian administrative regulations meeting on telecommunications and IT development. Following JP Singh's Kabul visit, Taliban and Indian officials discussed expanding bilateral relations. Representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iran, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan also attended the New Delhi meeting from November 11-13.
Afghan Citizens released from Pakistani Jail – The Taliban-run Afghan Consulate in Karachi announced the release of 11 Afghan citizens, including seven children and a woman, from Sindh province prisons on Friday. Consul General Abdul Jabbar Takhari stated that they returned via the Chaman–Spin Boldak border, adding that 4,258 Afghan prisoners have been freed previously, though the reasons for their arrests and the timelines were not specified.
NEXT WEEK
Checkpoints and searches are likely to intensify in Afghanistan, particularly in the northern provinces. Mobile search units, such as those formed in Badakhshan last week, may be deployed to identify individuals involved in resistance activities. Crackdowns on moral crimes and public punishments are expected to increase.
In Pakistan, tensions remain high with planned protests scheduled for November 24. Social media and cell phone services may be disrupted during the week. Arrests are possible in the lead-up to the protests. Afghans in Pakistan, especially in major cities, should exercise caution, avoid large crowds, and steer clear of protest sites. Deportations of Afghans from Pakistan continue.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports suggest that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has fallen into a coma. Afghans in Iran should refrain from speculation, particularly on social media. Deportations from Iran persist, and Afghans in the country are advised to travel cautiously and avoid gatherings.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Protestors Sentenced to Death – On Wednesday, Iran's judiciary sentenced six individuals to death for the alleged killing of Basij militia member Arman Aliverdi during the 2022 protests. The accused—Milad Armoon, Alireza Kafa’i, Amir Mohammad Khosh Eqbal, Navid Najaran, Hossein Nemati, and Alireza Barmarzpournak—were sentenced under "qisas al-nafs" (retributive justice). Human rights groups contest the charges, citing insufficient evidence.
Activist Sentenced to Death – On Tuesday, Iran's Revolutionary Court sentenced Kurdish women's rights activist Varisheh Moradi to death for alleged "armed rebellion" due to her purported ties to the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK). Her legal team was denied access to her case file. Detained in August 2023, Moradi was reportedly tortured and began a 20-day hunger strike to protest her sentence.
Elon Musk Meets with Iranian Ambassador to UN – On Thursday, reports emerged of a meeting between Elon Musk and Iran's UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, in New York. The hour-long discussion reportedly focused on easing U.S.-Iran tensions. Iranian officials described the meeting as “positive,” but Tehran has officially denied it took place.
Afghan Woman among 10 Executed In Iran – At least ten prisoners, including an Afghan woman and two Kurdish citizens, were executed on drug and murder charges at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. A Norway-based rights group reported that the executions occurred amid protests by family members, which were met with a heavy security crackdown.
PAKISTAN
PTI Protest Planned November 24 – Imran Khan has called for a nationwide march to Islamabad on November 24, with his sister, Aleema Khan, describing it as a "final call" for supporters. Imran criticized alleged vote rigging, judicial erosion, and demanded the restoration of PTI’s mandate, the release of detainees, and accountability for election interference. Ahead of the protest, police arrested several PTI leaders and activists, including Raja Ghazanfar, Secretary General of NA-48, during raids in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Police Officer Arrested for 2023 Bombing – On Monday, police constable Mohammad Wali was arrested in Peshawar for allegedly aiding a suicide bomber in the January 29, 2023, mosque attack that killed 101 people and injured 250. Police chief Akhtar Hayyat stated that Wali provided the bomber with a compound map and police uniform. Linked to the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar faction of the Pakistani Taliban, Wali confessed to his involvement.
Russian Envoy Visit to Pakistan – On Thursday, Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, met with Pakistani Deputy Foreign Ministers Amina Baloch and Ahmad Naseem Waraich to discuss regional stability. Talks focused on tensions over TTP fighters in Afghanistan, with a UN report estimating 6,000 TTP members in the country.
Explosion in Alleged Bomb Making Factory North Waziristan – A powerful explosion on Thursday destroyed a bomb-making facility in Tappi, Miranshah, operated by militant commander Jihadyar. The blast caused widespread destruction, killing or injuring at least 13 militants and collapsing nearby houses. Among the casualties were women and children; 14 injured individuals were taken to the hospital.
New Rules for Entry at Karachi Airport – Karachi airport implemented stricter entry rules on Tuesday following a recent suicide attack. Visitors accompanying passengers must present a copy of the traveler's ticket and original CNICs to enter. Entry is now limited to four individuals per passenger, and access will be denied without the required documentation.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
A Reciprocal Relation: How Taliban and the World See Each Other
Mirwais Balkhi
On August 15, 2021, the 20-year war against the Taliban, led by the US/NATO alliance and the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, ended with a dramatic Taliban takeover of power in Afghanistan. For the second time, they announced an acting government in Kabul. The re-emergence of the Taliban in the political arena of Afghanistan necessitates an analysis of how the Taliban and the countries involved in the Afghanistan conflict view each other. What will be the nature of reciprocal relations between the Taliban and other concerned states? How does the Taliban view the different regions that have engaged in Afghanistan over the past 20 years? Moreover, how do various capitals perceive the Taliban, a question frequently asked by media and think tanks? While global actors have viewed the Taliban with different attitudes, how will they perceive them in the future? This article attempts to answer most of these questions.
AFGHAN NEWS
USAID: 2.2 Million Afghan migrants return from Iran and Pakistan in past year
Syar Sirat
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), citing data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), reported that from August 15, 2023, to September 2024, some 2.2 million Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan.
According to the report, of the total returnees, 734,817 Afghans came back from Pakistan alone.
During this period, USAID said it has provided assistance to 588,000 returning migrants, helping to support their reintegration into Afghan society.
REGIONAL NEWS
IMF mulls stricter review of Pakistan bailout package
Shahbaz Rana
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is considering reverting back to a three-month review schedule of the $7 billion bailout package after seeing early slippages, but the Pakistani authorities insist that no final decision has so far been taken.
The issue of returning to the quarterly reviews surfaced during an unscheduled visit of the IMF mission that had to rush to Islamabad to keep the programme on track. The finance ministry is also struggling to keep the provinces on the right track, sources said.
Restaurant in Karachi targeted in gunfire and grenade attack
Express Tribune
In the early hours of Saturday, four unidentified gunmen opened fire on a restaurant in Karachi’s Orangi Town and threw a hand grenade before fleeing the scene.
Fortunately, the grenade did not detonate, and a bomb disposal unit successfully rendered it safe, according to local police.
The incident occurred at around 4:15 am near Frontier Morr, a busy area in Orangi Town.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Chevening Scholarship For Afghan Students Resumed By UK Government
Afghanistan International
After several months of suspension, the UK government has resumed offering Chevening Scholarships to Afghan students.
"We are pleased to announce that applications for the Chevening Scholarship in Afghanistan for the academic year 2025-2026 are now open," stated the official page of Chevening on social media platform X.
'We are dying every moment' - the Afghans risking their lives to reach UK
Yogita Limaye
The first time Azaan made the jump across the wall, he broke his arm.
Braving the 20ft (6m) drop into a wide trench below is, for many Afghans, the only way to cross into Turkey from Iran - and yet hundreds risk it each day.
“I was in severe pain,” the former Afghan army officer told the BBC.
“Several others had broken limbs. The smuggler left us here and told us to run in the direction of the lights of Van city. Many of us were fading out of hunger. I fainted.”
The wall - which stretches for nearly 300km (185 miles) - was built to prevent illegal crossings, and is patrolled constantly by Turkish border forces.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 68.08 AFN (as of 17 November 2024)