Iran Re-Registering Former Afghan Security Forces, Claim Sources

This meeting comes in the wake of concerns voiced by Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Defence Minister, who recently pinpointed Afghanistan as a threat to the stability of Central Asia.

Shoigu elaborated on these concerns in a briefing with Russia's high-ranking military officials, revealing a concerning 15 percent surge in ISIS fighters within Afghanistan.

Details from a statement released on Tuesday by the Taliban's Ministry of Interior revealed that Haqqani and Zhirnov's discussions also touched upon the broader situation in Afghanistan and the surrounding region, although specifics of their dialogue on security cooperation remain undisclosed.

While the Taliban persistently refute claims of terrorist factions and ISIS' presence within the country, the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO)—where Russia plays a key role—has issued several warnings about the active presence of ISIS fighters near the Afghan-Tajikistan border.

In response to these escalating threats, the CSTO is set to ratify a strategy aimed at bolstering the security framework along the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border within this calendar year.

Ismail Miakhel, the ex-director of Afghanistan's National Radio and Television, emphasised at the conference that the Taliban only respond to military force.

The roundtable discussions on the first day focused on governance, civic participation, and the distribution of political power, with a special emphasis on strategies for dealing with the Taliban.

Afghanistan International's correspondent reported that Ismail Miakhel highlighted the necessity of applying both political and economic pressures. He stated, "Should these measures prove ineffective, the military option must remain on the table. To my knowledge, the Taliban have remained unchanged over the past two years, showing no understanding beyond the use of force."

Ali Mohammadi, a former presidential advisor, encouraged open dialogue and interaction with the Taliban, but faced criticism from other participants.

Rahmatullah Yarmal, former governor of Zabul, advocated for continued resistance against the Taliban.

Women at the conference also voiced their concerns about the deteriorating conditions for Afghan women and strongly opposed any form of engagement with the Taliban.

The discussions, held in Dari, Pashto, and Uzbek, are scheduled to continue through Tuesday.

Quoting security sources, Dawn reported that the involvement of Afghan citizens in "terrorist" actions in Pakistan has been confirmed once again.

This Pakistani media outlet stated that a 16-year-old suicide bomber was also killed among the fighters.

Disclosing the identity of the fighters, it wrote that these TTP fighters were from Khost, Logar and Paktika provinces of Afghanistan.

Last week, Pakistani security forces in North Waziristan killed six militants and seized a large number of weapons and equipment.

Earlier, Pakistani authorities had accused the Taliban of collaborating with TTP, alleging the use of US weapons left in Afghanistan in attacks against Pakistan's security forces.

In response, the Taliban refuted these allegations, advising Pakistan to address its internal issues rather than blaming others.

Quoting a statement from a former UN official, it wrote that the primary objective of the conference is to attract financial support for individuals involved in the alternative poppy cultivation sector.

However, the report does not provide specific details regarding the exact date and time of the conference.

RTA stated that Pino Arlacchi, former executive director of UN drug control programme met with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Kabul.

The purpose of this former UN official's trip to Kabul remains unclear.

During the meeting, Baradar said that the current level of narcotics production and trafficking in Afghanistan has "reached zero."

These remarks were made in the context of the Afghan Taliban's instructions to the TTP to reinitiate dialogue with Islamabad.

According to The Express Tribune, which cited its sources, Pakistan has enlisted the help of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Sami ul Haq faction, leveraging its influence to persuade the Pakistani Taliban to reengage in negotiations.

Maulana Yousaf Shah, representing Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, conveyed to The Express Tribune about the discussions that acknowledging their autonomy in decision-making, they have commenced the dialogue. “We are hopeful that with Sirajuddin Haqqani's endorsement and the backing of the Kandahari Taliban, we will reach a favourable conclusion,” he added.

Shah also mentioned his involvement, alongside others, in dialogues with the TTP during Faiz Hameed's tenure as the chief of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI.

He further asserted that a peaceful resolution and bringing the Pakistani Taliban to the negotiation table are feasible with the goodwill of both parties and mutual support for the dialogue process.

Another Haqqania madrasa representative informed The Express Tribune that with the assistance of the Taliban's Interior Minister and Islamabad's backing, the TTP is expected to engage in negotiations.

The Express Tribune has disclosed that the Kandahar Taliban and the Haqqani network have encouraged the Pakistani Taliban to initiate talks with the Pakistani government to alleviate tensions between them and Islamabad.

Nonetheless, sources close to both the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban have refuted the reports of any meetings between the two factions' leaders.

Previously, Geo News reported a meeting between Mullah Mohammad Hassan, the Taliban's Prime Minister, and Noor Wali Mehsud, the TTP leader. The Afghan Taliban reportedly advised the TTP that their attacks within Pakistan were undermining the group's relationship with the Pakistani populace and government.

This denial occurs as Maulana Hamid ul Haq, leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, engaged with prominent Taliban figures in Afghanistan, including Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the deputy prime minister for political affairs, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, Refugee Affairs Minister Khalil-ur Rahman Haqqani, and the Governor of Logar, during a visit to the country.

During a discussion with Hamid ul Haq, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir emphasised the Taliban's stance against allowing any threats to others from Afghan territory.