Perpetrator of An Attack in Pak Sent Audio Message to Sirajuddin Haqqani, Reports Reveal

The report detailed that in October 2022, IRGC agents offered a people-smuggler $200,000 to kill Fardad Farahzad and Sima Sabet, current and former presenters of Iran International, at their residences with a kitchen knife. The plan was thwarted by the would-be assassin, who was reportedly a double agent.

ITV disclosed that initially, a car bomb was planned to detonate outside Iran International's London office in Autumn 2022. Security measures around the building led to a change in strategy, focusing instead on the targeted assassination of the presenters.

The report indicated that IRGC operatives justified the assassination plot by claiming Iran International had profoundly humiliated the Islamic Republic. The double agent shared with ITV that the IRGC's intention was to set an example for anyone aspiring to succeed the presenters at the channel.

Mohammad Reza Ansari, identified as an IRGC commander and under US sanctions, is alleged to be the primary planner of the assassination attempts. He reportedly instructed Muhammed Abd al-Razek Kanafani, linked to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, to execute the plan.

Kanafani, who was overseeing the plot, initially aimed to target the directors of Iran International, but later refocused on Farahzad and Sabet. Unbeknownst to the conspirators, Farahzad had moved to Washington, leaving only Sabet in London.

The report further states that the hired individual initially worked with the IRGC in 2016, but was later recruited by a Western intelligence agency. Upon being approached by the IRGC in 2022 for the assassination plot, he informed the intelligence agency.

This individual also claimed that Kanafani promised him $200,000 and new identity documents. Kanafani allegedly sent someone to photograph the Iran International office as part of the plot.

On Wednesday, a UK court jury found Chechnya-born Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev guilty of scouting Iran International's London office for a potential terror attack. Arrested in February 2023 by London’s Metropolitan Police Counter-Terrorism Command, he was charged with collecting information useful for terrorism.

The court will announce its final verdict on Friday.

In response to the court's decision, Iran International stated that it remains undeterred by threats, vowing to continue providing independent and uncensored news.

Due to terror threats, Iran International temporarily moved its broadcast from London to Washington in February and resumed broadcasting from a new London studio in September.

The Taliban-controlled Bakhtar News Agency reported on Thursday that Haqqani discussed the directive with media professionals during a meeting in Baghlan province and stated that Afghanistan has progressed and the media should reflect this development.

Earlier in Kabul, Zia ul Haq Haqmal, Deputy Minister of Information and Culture for the Taliban, emphasised on the need for media compliance with the group's policies, stressing on "national unity and Islamic Sharia laws" in their reports.

The Taliban have implemented several restrictive measures affecting media operations in Afghanistan over the last two years.

Instances have been reported where Taliban officials pre-screen the content of media publications prior to their dissemination.

Despite these restrictions, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's spokesperson, maintains that Afghan media outlets continue to operate with freedom.

He asserts that the Taliban have treated journalists fairly in Afghanistan, noting that only those under suspicion have been detained for further enquiry.

Gasca, speaking at the UN Security Council, mentioned that several countries are concerned that these groups have found sanctuary among the Taliban.

He stated, on Wednesday, to the council that the measures the Taliban have taken against terrorist groups are still unclear.

Gasca added that the fighters of these terrorist groups pose a threat beyond Afghanistan's borders, and several member countries are worried that these terrorists have found refuge among the Taliban.

He mentioned that although the Taliban are fighting against ISIS-Khorasan, this group still has the capability to target Afghanistan and its neighbours.

He also named the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Al-Qaeda as threats to the region.

The chair of the 1988 Afghanistan Sanctions Committee further stated in his speech at the Security Council meeting that although opium cultivation in Afghanistan has decreased, the price of opium has significantly increased.

Gasca, who was discussing the UN sanctions regime, said that the primary goal of the sanctions is to prevent threats to peace and stability by blocking assets, travel bans, and arms embargoes.

He noted that the sanctions regime against the Taliban remains a useful tool, although the Taliban have repeatedly called for the lifting of these sanctions.

However, this UN official said that his group still lacks sufficient information to determine the extent to which these sanctions have influenced the Taliban's decisions.

He also spoke about the exemption of Taliban officials from sanctions during travel requests, noting that in 2023 they have recorded eight instances of such travel.

Gasca expressed concern about the "last-minute requests" for travel by Taliban officials, as some countries do not know how to properly handle these requests in a timely manner.

He said that the Monitoring Committee has called for a review of how these travel exemption requests for sanctioned Taliban officials are handled. The chair of the committee mentioned that they have not been able to reach an agreement on this matter, and the Security Council will discuss it later.

However, she noted that the Taliban's approach to women's and girls' rights might prolong the existing impasse over the international community's engagement with the group.

At a meeting held on Wednesday to review the reports of the UN special representatives for Afghanistan, Otunbayeva stated that dialogue does not legitimise the Taliban, but can be used to express opposition and, at the same time, encourage the Taliban to change.

The UN Secretary-General's representative stressed on the need for a lasting international understanding on Afghanistan. She expressed hope that this understanding would emerge at the next meeting of special representatives for Afghanistan. She said that the Taliban's willingness to engage with countries around the world should be more effectively utilised.

Welcoming the report by Feridun Sinirlioglu, the Special Coordinator of the UN Secretary-General, praised it for providing necessary clarity on several issues. She added that the report presents a way for Afghanistan to integrate into the international system "without another cycle of violence and in accordance with international laws”.

She said, "Although there is something in this report that not everyone likes, I have asked everyone to focus on the larger goal."

Otunbayeva did not specify what these issues are.

Widespread Human Rights Violations

Otunbayeva identified the Taliban's lack of progress in addressing human rights issues as a major factor in the current deadlock in relations between the international community and the group.

Otunbayeva emphasised that adherence to and striving to maintain international standards and norms are non-negotiable conditions for Afghanistan's representation in the United Nations.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General said, "Key characteristics of the current human rights situation in Afghanistan are indicative of systematic discrimination against women and girls, suppression of political opponents and freedom of speech, lack of meaningful representation of minorities (in government bodies), and extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, and maltreatment."

She added that despite the recent release of two female activists, several human rights defenders and media workers remain detained by the Taliban.

Ban on Girls' Education

The UN Special Envoy stated that the ban on girls' education and the worsening quality and access to education also affect boys' education in Afghanistan.

In the Security Council meeting on alternative education proposed by the Taliban for girls, Otunbayeva said that she had obtained ample evidence that "girls of all ages" can study in religious schools.

However, she stated it is unclear what is being taught in these schools. Otunbayeva raised questions about the existence of a "standard curriculum" in these schools that would allow modern subjects to be taught and how many girls can study in these schools.

She said that according to reports she has obtained, the Taliban's Ministry of Education is assessing these schools and also reviewing the curriculum of public schools.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General mentioned that Taliban education officials also told her that they are working on creating conditions for girls to return to school. However, Otunbayeva noted that time is passing while a generation of girls falls behind in education.

She said, "Failure to develop a modern curriculum with equal access for girls and boys makes it impossible for the Taliban to achieve economic self-sufficiency."

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General stated that many Afghans have told her they fear being forgotten, as has happened in the past. Otunbayeva said that her role and that of UNAMA is to prevent this from happening.

Terrorist Group Threats

The Secretary-General's representative at the Security Council meeting said that the Taliban have generally been successful in providing security. However, she pointed to the increase in attacks against Hazaras and Shias, who, she said, continue to be targeted.

In her speech, she referred to the killing of 39 Hazara and Shia people in three recent attacks documented in the latest report of the UN Secretary-General. She said that the ISIS has claimed responsibility for all these attacks.

Otunbayeva also said that countries in the region are deeply concerned about further potential threats originating from within Afghanistan.

She mentioned that Pakistan has concluded that the Taliban have been lax in curbing the Pakistani Taliban, which has claimed responsibility for recent terrorist attacks within Pakistan.

Concerns About Humanitarian Situation

Otunbayeva described the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan as worrying. She said that more than 20 million people will be reliant on international community aid in the upcoming winter.

Otunbayeva added that with a reduced budget this year and expanded aid distribution, many needy Afghans will be more vulnerable than last year.

Rejection of UN Special Peace Envoy

The UN Secretary-General's representative also said that the Taliban considers the appointment of a Special Peace Envoy unacceptable. She stated that the Taliban's Foreign Minister justified this stance by saying that the long history of UN special representatives in Afghanistan has not been positive.

Khairullah Khairkhwa, Minister of Information and Culture for the Taliban also highlighted the importance of maintaining respect for individual "privacy" and refraining from insulting anyone in media content.

In a recent meeting in Kabul titled "Newspapers and National Languages - History, Development, Challenges, and Solutions," the Taliban addressed various media-related topics.

Khairkhwa underscored the necessity for media outlets to align with the "Islamic principles" upheld by the Taliban government, particularly regarding the respect for individual privacy.

The Taliban have implemented several restrictive measures affecting media operations in Afghanistan over the last two years.

Instances have been reported where Taliban officials pre-screen the content of media publications prior to their dissemination.

Despite these restrictions, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's spokesperson, maintains that Afghan media continue to operate with freedom.

He asserts that the Taliban have treated journalists fairly in Afghanistan, noting that only those under suspicion have been detained for further enquiry.