Multiple Sources Report Detentions in Kabul Over Hijab Non-Compliance

Zaheer's family said that he had gone to Iran following the takeover of power by Taliban in August 2021.

A family member, who preferred not to disclose their identity for security reasons, informed Afghanistan International that on December 5, two Taliban members came to Zaheer's residence in Qala Sahra village and took him with them.

As per the source, there has been no information about Zaheer's fate over the past one month.

It has been reported that Zaheer previously worked as an employee in the press office of the governor during the previous government in Parwan, actively engaging and collaborating with local media.

The cause for his arrest is unclear, and the Taliban has not commented on the matter.

As per the source, family members of Zaheer reached out to the Taliban intelligence offices in both Parwan and Kabul. However, the Taliban asserted that they did not detain him.

The source added that during the initial days of Zaheer's detention, there was reception on his mobile phone, but no one responded.

Following the Taliban’s takeover of power, the group announced a general amnesty. As per the decree from the Taliban's leader, individuals who served in the previous government and security forces will not be subject to interrogation based on their past responsibilities.

Nonetheless, in the last two years, there have been numerous reports of the Taliban detaining and subjecting military personnel, former civil servants, and journalists to torture.

In June, the Taliban detained Sabro Rezaei, the former head of women's police recruitment in Parwan province police command. She was later released from detention.

Reportedly, Kakar issued this directive during a meeting which had been held to assess Afghanistan's transit trade.

On Monday, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported that Kakar has called for the immediate establishment of a transit trade management system.

The Ministers of Finance and Industries and Commerce from the states of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan were in attendance at this meeting.

Addressing these officials, the Pakistani Prime Minister emphasised that one of the primary reasons for the weakness in the country's economy is smuggling and illegal transportation of goods.

Kakar has ordered the reinforcement of the monitoring system at Chaman, Torkham, Ghulam Khan check posts, and the border areas of Baluchistan.

The visit primarily aims to address the issue of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and mend relations with Islamabad.

Shirin Akhund, who maintains close ties with both the Taliban leadership and the TTP, is part of a delegation that Pakistani officials view with cautious optimism. Islamabad expects the delegation to propose negotiations with the TTP, an idea Pakistan has been reluctant to entertain.

Pakistan has consistently demanded that the TTP disarm before any talks commence. Furthermore, Islamabad has urged the Afghan Taliban to take action against the TTP on Afghan territory, a request that has been repeatedly denied.

The delegation, which includes Shirin Akhund, is scheduled to meet Pakistani officials, including Asif Durani, Pakistan's special envoy for Afghanistan. The visit comes at a time when Pakistan has scaled back high-level interactions with the Afghan Taliban, frustrated by their inability to curb TTP's attacks. These attacks have notably escalated, targeting Pakistani military forces and causing considerable concern in Islamabad.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Karzai highlighted the resolution's recognition of Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence, and the international community's commitment to its stability and development.

Karzai stressed the importance of women's participation in governance for Afghanistan's growth. He underscored the need for 'national understanding,' representing the people's will, and ensuring access to education for all, as critical to the nation's progress and the establishment of peace.

Writing from Kabul, Karzai asserted that Afghans themselves hold the key to resolving their country's issues and achieving lasting peace. His endorsement of the resolution contrasts with the Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which recently deemed the appointment of a special envoy 'unnecessary' and criticised the resolution for lacking consultation with the Taliban government.

The UN Security Council passed the resolution following an 'independent assessment and recommendations' by the agency's Special Coordinator for Afghanistan Freidoun Sinirlioglu. It received support from thirteen members, with Russia and China abstaining. The resolution calls for the implementation of Sinirlioglu's recommendations and advocates for the appointment of a special peace envoy for Afghanistan.

This figure marks a significant increase from 2022, where around 367 attacks were recorded.

The report, obtained by Afghanistan International Pashto, indicates a doubling of TTP's activities compared to the previous year. North and South Waziristan were the most targeted areas, with 208 and 152 incidents respectively, including five suicide bombings. Peshawar witnessed 57 attacks, whilst 40 occurred in Balochistan. Notably, attacks in Punjab rose from 5 in 2022 to 10 in 2023.

Ehsanullah Ehsan, TTP's spokesperson, conveyed to Afghanistan International that their attacks surged by 100% in 2023 and continue to grow. He also noted a rise in recruitment, with many young Pakistanis from schools and universities expressing interest in joining TTP.

In response, the Pakistan Army reported conducting 18,736 military operations in 2023, eliminating 565 militants. However, the Army also acknowledged significant losses, with over a thousand casualties including 260 officers and soldiers due to terrorist attacks.

The Pakistani government has previously attributed the escalation of TTP's activities to their access to advanced weaponry following the Taliban's ascent to power in Afghanistan. Additionally, Pakistan asserts that TTP's leadership orchestrates these attacks from within Afghanistan.