Taliban Releases Defence Minister’s Picture In Army Uniform

Sources referenced by Pakistan's Jang newspaper reveal that the federal government plans to distribute a list of Afghan migrants possessing temporary Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) to the police for the purpose of deportation.

Initially issued by the Pakistani government in 2017 and 2018, these ACCs were intended as temporary identification for Afghan migrants.

With the expiration of these cards, the validity period has come to an end.

The government of Punjab is urging all ACC holders to voluntarily repatriate to Afghanistan by the deadline of April 15. Those remaining beyond this date will face arrest and forced deportation.

Insights from Pakistani sources suggest that the completion of this phase will pave the way for the subsequent deportation of individuals holding permanent residency cards, marking the third phase of the operation.

The extent of this policy's application, whether confined to Punjab or applicable across Pakistan's other provinces, remains uncertain.

A deportation initiative has been underway since November 2023, with Pakistan's interim government committing to the expulsion of approximately 1.7 million undocumented Afghan migrants.

This move contrasts with previous statements from the Pakistani government, which had assured that holders of both temporary and permanent residence cards would not be subject to deportation.

The ministry emphasised that its forces are fully prepared to counter any further aggressive acts.

Earlier, residents from the Dand-e-Patan district in Paktia province relayed to Afghanistan International that a violent encounter broke out between Taliban forces and Pakistani border guards along the Durand Line. The confrontation reportedly commenced at 7am on Monday, March 18.

Following a missile attack launched by Pakistan, local media reported that inhabitants of the Dand-e-Patan area were forced to evacuate their homes.

This recent skirmish follows a series of air strikes conducted by the Pakistani Air Force on targets within the Khost and Paktika provinces.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban, in an earlier statement, disclosed that these air strikes had resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including three women and three children, underscoring the human cost of the conflict.

The Taliban has issued a stern warning about the potential severe repercussions that continued Pakistani military actions could provoke, suggesting consequences that could extend beyond Pakistan's ability to control.

Local sources have shared with Afghanistan International that the early Monday operations by the Pakistani Air Force were aimed at positions associated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan within the territories of Khost and Paktika.

These assaults, as detailed by sources, took place around 3am in both the Spera district of Khost and the Barmal district of Paktika, marking a significant escalation in the region's ongoing tensions.

The Taliban spokesperson refuted claims of Abdullah Shah Mehsud, a commander of the Pakistani Taliban, being in Afghanistan and warned that continued assaults would have dire consequences outside Pakistan's control.

Contrary to some media reports which allege Abdullah Shah Mehsud's death along with his family in the recent air strikes in Khost and Paktia, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan released a video denying his presence in Afghanistan.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban, disclosed on social media platform X, "Pakistani aircraft targeted civilian homes in Barmal district, Paktika, and Spera district, Khost, around 3am last night. This assault resulted in six casualties, encompassing three women and three children.

Mujahid clarified, "Abdullah Shah Mehsud, the Taliban commander alleged by Pakistan to have been the target of this strike, is located in Pakistan."

The Taliban's statement pointed out that the stricken regions are home to individuals who routinely cross the border for familial visits.

They vehemently denounced Pakistan's actions as an infringement on Afghan territory, asserting their stance against any form of aggression on their land. The statement further highlighted, "The Pakistani populace and its new civilian government must halt certain Pakistani military generals from persisting with policies that have historically harmed the camaraderie between the two neighbouring Muslim nations."

The Taliban urged Pakistan not to attribute its internal shortcomings, lack of governance, and problems to Afghanistan.

In a firm denouncement, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan labelled the Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan as "ruthless," highlighting that the attacks targeted Waziristan refugees within Afghan borders.

This document underscores the critical situation of women in Afghanistan and calls for the Taliban's "full accountability”. The statement advocates for the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and girls in all aspects of public life.

The majority of the endorsements come from Western nations, with Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Latvia, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, and Hungary among the signatories.

Notably, Tajikistan is the only neighbouring country of Afghanistan to sign the letter, with Yemen and Guatemala also showing their support.

The statement highlights the extraordinary bravery of Afghan women and girls in the face of the Taliban's oppressive measures, emphasising that "their grave situation demands a coordinated international response”.

The statement invokes the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women suggesting that the Taliban's treatment of women could lead to gender-based violence due to its extensive and systematic nature.

Signatories called upon members of the Rome Statute to collaborate with the International Criminal Court in investigating Afghanistan's circumstances. They further encouraged countries to stress on Afghanistan's obligations to human rights and the significant involvement of women in forthcoming discussions whenever engaging with the Taliban.

Despite having placed broad restrictions on women and girls for over two and a half years, the Taliban have consistently dismissed international critiques as meddling in their internal affairs, maintaining that their actions are in alignment with their laws.

She also noted that renewing the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) would empower the mission to facilitate essential dialogues between Afghanistan's relevant actors.

In December of the previous year, the United Nations endorsed a resolution urging for a United Nations Special Representative's appointment to streamline communication and coordination for Afghanistan on the global stage.

This role is envisioned to foster reconciliation through dialogue among key stakeholders.

In the meeting that resulted in the extension of UNAMA's mandate for an additional year, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield emphasised on the United States' call for the complete enactment of the Security Council's resolution concerning the Special Representative's appointment.

The Taliban have consistently opposed this appointment, arguing that UNAMA's existing presence negates the need for such a role. Similarly, countries like Russia and Iran have linked their support for this appointment to the Taliban's approval.

Earlier, a meeting concerning Afghanistan, convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in Doha, failed to conclude the discussions on appointing a Special Representative, with the Taliban abstaining from participation.

Moreover, the US Ambassador underscored that the ongoing efforts of UNAMA are crucial for addressing the humanitarian crisis and bolstering the endeavours to revive fundamental rights and freedoms for all Afghans, particularly women.