Taliban’s Governor For Kandahar Arrives in Islamabad Along With A Delegation

Prior to this, Pakistani sources informed the media that the main topics of discussion during his visit to the country would be the restoration of relations with Islamabad and the situation of the Pakistani Taliban.

Pakistani media had reported that discussions between the Taliban delegation and Pakistani authorities would encompass the handover of certain Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan members and the relocation of their fighters to areas distant from the border between the two countries. Additionally, talks were expected to focus on the revival of dialogue between the Pakistani Taliban and the government of Pakistan.

It has been said that the Taliban delegation will meet Pakistani officials, including Asif Durrani, Pakistan's special representative for Afghanistan.

On Monday, The Express Tribune reported that the Pakistani authorities are not very optimist about the visit of the Taliban official. It is expected that the delegation will invite Pakistan to negotiate with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Pakistan has previously accused the TTP of making unreasonable demands and has declined to engage in negotiations with the group until it disarms. Furthermore, Islamabad has intensified pressure on the Afghan Taliban, urging the group to take action against the TTP in Afghanistan—an appeal that the Taliban has consistently refused.

The governor of the Taliban in Kandahar is believed to maintain close ties with the group’s leader and the TTP. His visit to Islamabad, instead of Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister, may suggest the marginalisation of the foreign ministry in resolving tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban in the case of the TTP.

One Taliban Member Killed in Kunduz Province, Claims NRF

Jan 3, 2024, 10:18 GMT+0

On Tuesday, the National Resistance Front (NRF) of Afghanistan announced that its forces attacked a Taliban vehicle in Imam Sahib district of Kunduz province.

The front wrote on X social media platform that one Taliban member has been killed and two others got injured as the result of the attack.

According to the front, this attack resulted in a conflict; however, the forces of the front remained unharmed.

The Taliban has not commented on the incident yet.

Former Commander Shirin Tagabi Assassinated in Faryab Province

Jan 3, 2024, 09:27 GMT+0

Shirin Tagabi, a former public uprising commander, was assassinated by unidentified individuals in the Shirin Tagab district of Faryab province, local sources reported.

He was attacked on Monday whilst returning from Maimana city to his residence in the Daryacha-i-Gorzad area.

Taliban local officials have confirmed the incident and announced that an investigation is underway.

This killing adds to a series of mysterious deaths involving members of the former Afghan government's security forces since the Taliban's takeover. International human rights organisations have pointed to a pattern of detentions, torture, and killings of these individuals, accusing the Taliban of involvement.

In response, the Taliban has denied such allegations, attributing most of these deaths to personal or familial disputes rather than political motives.

Multiple Sources Report Detentions in Kabul Over Hijab Non-Compliance

Jan 2, 2024, 17:00 GMT+0

In western Kabul, several girls have been detained by Taliban forces for not adhering to strict hijab regulations, according to Afghanistan International's sources.

These individuals, detained from shops and streets, were reportedly taken to an undisclosed location.

Two independent sources confirmed the arrest of three girls in Dashte Barchi area of Kabul city. Owing to the sensitive nature of the situation, the girls' families have chosen to remain anonymous.

On Monday, Taliban officials were seen enforcing hijab compliance in various areas in Kabul. A Taliban member from Kabul's 13th police district relayed a message from the Ministry of Affairs, stating that women failing to wear the Islamic hijab as prescribed would be apprehended. According to the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, non-compliant women will be detained at police stations and must have relatives assure future compliance to secure their release.

Despite acknowledging the arrests as regrettable, the Taliban member emphasised the importance of following the hijab mandate. Additionally, reports from western Kabul indicate that private school teachers are warning female students about being barred from classes for not meeting hijab requirements.

This enforcement follows a 2022 directive by the Taliban, threatening 'punishment' and a three-day imprisonment for relatives of women who do not comply with hijab standards. Government employees face dismissal for non-compliance. The directive specifies that the hijab must cover all but the eyes.

Taliban Detains Former Employee of Governor’s Press Office in Parwan

Jan 2, 2024, 15:26 GMT+0

The family of Zamir Zaheer, a press office employee of the former governor in Parwan, said that he remains in prison since his arrest by the Taliban intelligence department in Jabul Saraj on December 5.

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.

Pakistan PM Calls for Improvement of Track System for Afghan Transit Trade

Jan 2, 2024, 13:31 GMT+0

Anwarul Haq Kakar, Pakistan’s Interim Prime Minister, has called for additional measures to improve the tracking system for Afghanistan's transit trade.

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.

•