Taliban Publicly Execute Two Men Accused Of Murder in Ghazni, Say Local Sources

They underscored that a comprehensive resolution to Afghanistan's enduring crisis necessitates the active participation of all stakeholders.

The joint statement issued by the National Resistance Front, Islamic Unity Party, Afghanistan Freedom Front, and various Afghan women's protest movements, lamented the Doha meeting's failure to delve into Afghanistan's profound, decades-long issues.

They pointed out that the meeting neglected critical concerns such as human rights, poverty, gender discrimination, and the plight of forced migrants, accusing the Taliban of flouting fundamental human and civil rights.

Addressing UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the special representatives who participated in the Doha meeting, these groups emphasised on Afghanistan's core challenge: reclaiming the citizens' rights to self-determination and human rights, which they claim have been seized by "the clutches of terrorism.”

Released by the National Resistance Front on Wednesday, their statement highlighted the necessity for the UN's acknowledgment that resolving Afghanistan's crisis demands constructive dialogues with all parties involved.

They also criticised the second Doha meeting for its exclusion of Afghan political and societal representatives, which they believe is a critical given the country's diverse ethnic and cultural fabric.

Furthermore, the National Resistance Front and women's protest groups urged the UN Secretary-General to appoint a special representative focused on fostering a democratic, people-centred political framework reflective of the Afghan populace's aspirations. They advocated for a nominee well-versed in Afghan affairs, adhering to neutrality, and capable of independent action in their mandate.

The statement also warned that an exclusive reliance on the Taliban for addressing the current crisis, the appointment of a new UN special representative, and governance could stymie the political process, thereby broadening the range of alternative solutions outside the conventional political discourse.

Despite the Taliban's formal invitation to the Doha conference by the United Nations, the meeting conspicuously lacked participation from any Taliban opposition groups, with the exception of five civil society members, during its proceedings on February 18 and 19.

This statement came in response to Taliban’s Deputy Foreign Minister’s comments regarding the Durand Line.

Afghanistan is the only country in the world that does not recognise its border with Pakistan. Abbas Stanikzai, Taliban’s deputy foreign minister, had said that the Taliban does not recognise the Durand Line as the official border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, like the previous governments.

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan called Abbas Stanikzai’s statements "self-serving and fanciful".

However, Stanikzai’s statement had been welcomed by Hanif Atmar, the former foreign minister of Afghanistan. On February 17, Atmar wrote on X social media platform that despite the differences with the Taliban, he agrees with the statements of this Taliban official and that Stanikzai is not alone in his national stance.

18,000 Special Immigrant Visas

Meanwhile, on another issue, Miller told Marzia Hosseini, a reporter of Afghanistan International, that last year the US government approved more than 18,000 Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) to Afghan applicants outside the US.

He said that this number has been the highest in any single year.

The spokesperson of the State Department once again asked the US Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act.

Qomi highlighted that during the discussions in Doha, UN Secretary-General António Guterres acknowledged the critical role of regional nations in addressing Afghan matters.

In an interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Wednesday, Kazemi Qomi, who also serves as the Islamic Republic's ambassador in Kabul, elaborated on the qualifications for the new UN envoy.

He underscored the necessity for the appointee to originate from an area deeply connected and cooperative with Afghanistan, reflecting a consensus on the importance of regional engagement in Guterres' summarisation of the meeting.

Iran's special representative stressed on the pivotal role of neighbouring countries in fostering stability and security within Afghanistan.

He noted the Doha meeting's efforts to galvanise international support for the UN's regional initiative, tackling critical issues such as terrorism, migration, narcotics, border security, and the pursuit of a political consensus.

The Doha conference which concluded on Monday, did not see the participation of Taliban representatives and witnessed Iranian and Russian delegates abstaining from meeting with Afghan civil society and women's groups at the Taliban's behest.

Previously criticised by Iran's national broadcaster as "fruitless," the Doha meeting was defended by Secretary-General Guterres, who argued that the Taliban's non-participation did not detract from the meeting's efficacy, asserting the productive nature of the discussions held.

Zakharova called the two-day United Nations meeting on Afghanistan in Doha a "failure”.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson added that no decision was made regarding the previously announced UN plans to establish a special envoy post and a "small contact group" for Afghanistan.

She emphasised that such an issue was placed on the agenda without proper explanation.

Zakharova added that the inclusion of extra-regional parties is only possible on the condition that the USA and NATO take primary responsibility for the current situation in Afghanistan and the country's post-war reconstruction and return the frozen assets to Kabul.

The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the Russian delegation conducted numerous discussions with representatives from China, Iran, and Pakistan on the sidelines of the Doha meeting, emphasising Russia's solidarity in strengthening regional cooperation.

Zakharova added that the Russian side refrained from contacting Afghan representatives at this meeting as a sign of solidarity.

The second United Nations meeting on Afghanistan was held on Sunday and Monday, hosted by Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in Qatar.

Russian and Iranian special representatives refrained from meeting with five representatives of the Afghan civil society at the Doha meeting upon the request of the Taliban's Foreign Ministry.

Vahidi emphasised that Iran had previously announced that illegal migrants must be expelled from the country.

According to Tasnim News Agency, on Wednesday, he told reporters that a bill has been prepared to address illegal migrants and has been submitted to the Islamic Consultative Assembly for approval.

The Islamic Republic's Interior Minister mentioned the distribution of cards to Afghan migrants, stating that these cards have been prepared and are in the process of being distributed.

This comes after the National Immigration Administration of Iran announced a residency scheme for migrants, under which migrants can obtain residency by paying 100 million tomans.

Following the Taliban's ascension to power in Afghanistan, thousands of Afghan refugees fled to various countries, including Iran and Pakistan. Both countries have expelled thousands of refugees in recent months and returned them to Afghanistan. It has been reported that the Islamic Republic has recently intensified the expulsion of refugees.