Taliban Halts Anti-Pakistan Content on Group’s Affiliated Media, Claim Sources

The Taliban have not disclosed any details regarding the meeting or its agenda. However, it is suggested that the discussion of Afghan immigrants returning from Pakistan is a primary focus.

In Kandahar, heightened security measures have been implemented by the Taliban over the last three days, restricting local citizens' movement. Mandigak Palace, the meeting's location, is reportedly under stringent security.

Notably absent from the meeting are key figures such as Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob and Sirajuddin Haqqani, the defence and interior ministers, and Abdul Haq Wasiq, the head of the Taliban’s intelligence agency.

The meeting is attended by several high-ranking Taliban officials, including Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Abdul Salaam Hanafi, the deputy prime ministers.

Among the discussed topics, sources mention the forced repatriation of Afghan immigrants from Pakistan and the inauguration of a new 400-bed hospital in Kandahar. This hospital project, reportedly funded by the Qatari government, is expected to commence soon with Qatari officials visiting Kandahar to initiate the construction.

This meeting continues the trend of the Taliban's leader holding cabinet meetings in Kandahar over the past two years.

According to Nai, 52% of the nation's visual media outlets have halted operations. The media landscape in Afghanistan, as per Nai's statement, remains far from ideal.

The date, November 21, aligns with World Television Day, a day recognizing the impact of television as a medium for communication and enlightenment. Nai highlighted television's critical role in the past 20 years, notably in fostering freedom of speech, educating the public, and promoting awareness.

Nai's surveys revealed that out of 147 television channels, 77 have stopped broadcasting, primarily due to financial difficulties. The organization has appealed to the Taliban for a revised media support strategy, focusing on tax relief and financial aid, to avert the possible collapse of Afghanistan's media sector.

Furthermore, Nai is urging both national and international media support entities to aid Afghan media. Recently, on November 18, the Afghanistan Journalists Centre reported 75 instances of freedom of expression violations over a six-month period.

Caroline Gluck, the UNHCR spokesperson, emphasised that these individuals have undergone significant developments and are currently confronting numerous perils in Afghanistan.

On Tuesday, publishing a video, UNHCR said that since the announcement of Pakistan's decision to deport undocumented refugees in mid-September, more than 327,000 Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan.

Many deported asylum seekers have told UNHCR that they were persecuted during their deportation. The spokesperson of the commission stressed that the return of migrants to Afghanistan should be voluntary and not forced.

Following the end of the one-month deadline, the interim government of Pakistan announced that it will detain and deport people without legal documentation.

Over the past few weeks, Pakistani police have initiated door-to-door searches, detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants. Additionally, there have been reports of misbehaviour by Pakistani police towards Afghan immigrants, including the confiscation of their property. These actions have prompted a strong reaction from the Taliban officials.

The group has said that there is no need to form an inclusive government and the people of Afghanistan are satisfied with the Taliban government.

The Taliban claimed that they had saved Afghans from corrupt and repressive rulers of the previous government and had ended warlordism in Afghanistan.

On November 17, Feridun Sinirlioglu, the UN special coordinator on Afghanistan, presented his assessment report of the situation in Afghanistan to the UN Security Council. The report is described as the road map of interaction with the Taliban.

Sinirlioglu said that the Taliban's adherence to human rights, and a political process for the participation of Afghan political factions can lead to the normalisation of relations between the international community and the Taliban government.

In response, the Taliban said that the group’s government is inclusive and represents various ethnic and religious groups.

The group said, "Any attempt to bring back the failed figures of the past or form a coalition government is contrary to the sacrifices made by the Afghans."

The Taliban had accepted and agreed to "starting an intra-Afghan dialogue" in the Doha agreement with the United States, which led to the withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan. The group had announced that after the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan, it would start a dialogue with Afghan political factions.

Following the fall of Kabul in August 2021, the leaders of prominent Afghan political groups fled the country to the neighbouring countries. They stressed that an inclusive government must be formed in Afghanistan.

The crossing was closed after Pakistan implemented visa requirement for truck drivers at Torkham to visit the country, starting Tuesday.

According to reports, Sarfraz Bugti, Pakistan’s Caretaker Minister of Interior, has emphasised on border security and the passage of people with visas from Afghanistan.

Taliban officials have not yet commented on the matter.

Visa requirements for truck Afghan drivers to enter the country is a new step taken by the Pakistani government.

In recent weeks, the interim government of Pakistan implemented a similar decision at the border between Chaman and Spin Boldak of Kandahar province too. In response to the newly enforced passport and visa policy, thousands of people have initiated a sit-in at the Chaman border on the Pakistani soil.

Meanwhile, Torkham border crossing reopened for businessmen and travellers on September 15 after being closed for nine days.

The Torkham border was closed due to a clash between Pakistani border guards and Taliban fighters.