EU and Uzbekistan Stress Need for International Co-ordination for Afghan Stability

This news was confirmed on Thursday by fellow activists Hoda Khamosh and Parwana Ibrahimkhel. Parwani, a key figure in the Spontaneous Movement of Afghan Women, was arrested with her family in Kabul on 19 September.

A source close to Parwani revealed to Afghanistan International that Parwani's health has deteriorated, necessitating her transfer to a hospital following her release. Ibrahimkhel also verified Parwani's health issues on her social media account on platform X.

Parwani was taken into custody by Taliban fighters from her residence in the Khairkhana area of Kabul. Throughout her detention, the Taliban officials have neither commented on her arrest nor addressed the allegations made against them.

Human rights organisations and defenders have been vocally demanding the release of detained women protesters, particularly Parwani. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) recently voiced its concern over the arbitrary and prolonged detention of female activists by the Taliban, stating that at least four women's rights activists have been arrested in Kabul.

In a related development, Zhulia Parsi, another women's rights activist, was reportedly moved from Taliban detention to a hospital. Sources indicate that Parsi's transfer was due to the severe physical and mental impacts of torture endured in captivity.

At present, three women activists - Zhulia Parsi, Manizha Sediqi, and Parisa Azada - remain in Taliban custody, raising continued concerns among human rights groups about their well-being and treatment.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson of Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, said that the Taliban should handover the perpetrators of the attack along with the leadership of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to Islamabad.

In a press conference on Thursday, Baloch stated, "We have noted the Taliban interim government statement that it will investigate the terrorist attack of December 12."

Amidst escalating security concerns in Pakistan, the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced another suicide attack on Tuesday, December 12. The Pakistani army has confirmed that 23 soldiers lost their lives in the incident.

Tehreek-e-Jihad of Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Following the deadly attack, Pakistan's foreign ministry issued a statement calling for “immediate and verifiable action" by the Taliban against militant groups.

In response to Pakistan's request, the Taliban promised to investigate the terrorist attack, but also asked Islamabad to refrain from blaming Kabul for any problems.

In response to the deadly attack in Dera Ismail Khan, the Taliban’s spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that the attack has nothing to do with Afghanistan.

Mujahid stated that they will consider Pakistan's demands, but at the same time, he asked Pakistan to strengthen its security instead of pointing fingers at Afghanistan.

In the press conference, Mumtaz also welcomed the UN Security Council’s message of sympathy and condolences regarding the attack.

According to her, UNSC members have emphasised the necessity to hold responsible the assailants, sponsors, and facilitators of the attack.

Nasir Ahmad Andisha, Former Afghanistan's ambassador in Geneva, said that two members of the British Parliament and a representative from the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also in attendance at the meeting.

He told Afghanistan International that the primary focus of these discussions was the establishment of a democratic system in Afghanistan.

According to Andisha, in this meeting, the necessity of the participation of civil society institutions and political groups under one umbrella was emphasized.

He emphasized that the world has now taken note of the activities of Afghan political and civil groups outside Afghanistan. He added that the British Parliament, particularly members of the Labour Party, is paying attention towards in the civic and political endeavors of the Afghan diaspora.

Murtaza Solangi, Pakistan's Minister of Information, said that the decision was taken to encourage immigrants to obtain legal documents or finalise their "evacuation process".

Earlier, the Pakistani government had set November 1 as the deadline for deporting immigrants without official residency documents.

Solangi said that Afghan immigrants must pay a fine of $100 per month after the deadline.

He stated that the government wants the Afghan immigrants to evacuate to another country as soon as possible or to get legal documents to stay in Pakistan.

He stated that Iran cannot continue providing services to Afghans, many of whom are trying to immigrate to Europe.

In a speech at the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, Amir-Abdollahian said, "The plight of Afghan refugees cannot be resolved without their return to their home country."

He asked the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, neighbouring countries, donor countries, and other interested parties to cooperate effectively with Afghanistan in order to create necessary economic, security and political infrastructure to attract refugees back to their country.

The Iranian foreign minister called the Taliban as primarily responsible for the preparations for the return of Afghans to their country.

Amir-Abdollahian said that despite the "inhuman sanctions of the United States”, the people of Iran have generously shared their limited resources with the Afghan refugees. However, he added that Iran is facing "increasing pressure" on its limited national resources to help an influx of Afghan refugees.

He stated, "This is an unprecedented challenge as our public infrastructure in the healthcare system, basic education, employment, energy, and water sectors are under immense pressure due to the huge number of refugees."

Earlier, an Iranian official had said that they had raised the issue of the return of Afghan immigrants to their country during the visit of a Taliban delegation. However, the group requested for additional time from Iran.

Over the past two months, Taliban has been facing serious challenges with the deportation of immigrants from Pakistan.

According to the interior minister of Pakistan, nearly half a million undocumented Afghan migrants have left Pakistan in the past two months.