Taliban Minister Can Detain Accused For 10 Days, Group Reacts to AFG Int'l Report

Hakimov pointed out that although Afghanistan submitted a request to join the SCO in 2015, the circumstances now make it clear that "this matter cannot be currently addressed”.

As reported by the TASS news agency, Hakimov, who serves as Vladimir Putin's delegate to the SCO, delivered these comments during a press briefing in Moscow.

Afghanistan holds the status of an observer within the SCO. The nation's former administration had sought to elevate its membership to a permanent level within the organisation.

The SCO's permanent members include Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, and Iran.

Following the Taliban's ascension to power, the SCO has consistently underscored the importance of establishing an inclusive government in Afghanistan through its declarations.

At the 23rd SCO summit, hosted by India in July 2023, member states unanimously advocated for an inclusive Afghan government that incorporates various ethnic, religious, and political factions. They collectively stated that promptly addressing Afghanistan's situation is essential for the region's security and stability.

The Taliban, which was not invited to the summit, criticised the SCO's stance and described the group's exclusion from the organisation's meetings as a significant obstacle to comprehensive coordination.

This contract, revealed on Wednesday, commits the Iranian firm to supplying 20,000 railway sleepers for the development of Afghanistan's railway infrastructure.

Brace Concrete Industries, hailing from Hamadan province, is recognised for its specialisation in manufacturing concrete sleepers, illustrating the company's innovative and leading stance in the sector.

An official from the Taliban’s Railway Authority informed IRIB about their order of 20,000 sleepers from Brace Concrete Industries.

Hossein Mirabian, the founder of Brace Concrete Industries, detailed that the delivery schedule includes 10,000 sleepers by the end of the Persian year and an additional 10,000 by April 2024, ensuring a steady supply for the ongoing railway projects in Afghanistan.

Mirabian further indicated plans for expanded involvement of his company in Afghanistan's railway development initiatives.

Despite the lack of formal recognition of the Taliban by the Islamic Republic and other nations, there exist engagements, with Iran maintaining both diplomatic and economic interactions with the group.

The letter stated that Seddiqi is in a dire condition at the Pul-e-Charkhi prison and has fallen severely ill due to "Taliban torture”.

A copy of this letter that was published on Wednesday has been sent to Afghanistan International. The Spontaneous Movement of Afghan Women also said that the Taliban prevented Seddiqi’s family from providing her with medicine.

The letter highlighted that the Taliban has accused this activist of burning an image of the Taliban leader. The movement urged the United Nations to address Seddiqi’s situation.

Manizha Seddiqi was forcibly taken by the Taliban intelligence forces on October 9, 2023, and later transferred to the Pul-e-Charkhi prison. However, the Taliban has not provided any explanation for her detention or her current situation in prison.

In a statement, Amnesty International stated that women rights activists have been detained on fabricated charges, and they have not been given the right to a fair trial.

According to the front, these attacks were carried out at the Taliban checkpoints on Silo Road and in front of the National Archive.

The NRF stated that these attacks occurred one hour apart from each other during the night.

The Taliban has not yet commented on this matter. However, a source close to the Taliban told Afghanistan International that the NRF's attack on the Silo Road checkpoint did not result in any casualties.

The NRF has reported that one Taliban fighter was killed in the attack.

This marks the fifth attack by the NRF on the Taliban in the past three days. Meanwhile, Afghanistan Freedom Front, another armed group against the Taliban, announced this week that it would refrain from launching any military attacks during Ramadan and the Eid days.

In a statement, the court mentioned that the individual has been sentenced to three months of imprisonment and 20 lashes.

On Wednesday, the Taliban’s Supreme Court said that the individual was flogged two weeks ago under the jurisdiction of the district court of Barmal district, Paktika province.

The Taliban did not provide further details regarding the gender of the individual.

Recently, this group had flogged four men on charges of "banditry" in Parwan province.

In less than a month, Taliban has flogged nearly 30 individuals in Herat, Logar, Balkh, Bamiyan, Parwan, Sar-e Pul, and Paktika provinces.

Following the takeover of power in Afghanistan, physical punishments such as flogging, hand amputation, and execution have resumed.

Human rights activists and former government officials accuse the Taliban of having double standards in punishment, saying that the group does not implement Sharia rulings on its members.