Taliban Announces Return of Former Representative of Sikhs & Hindus In Afghan Parliament

The institute stated that designating the Taliban as a foreign terrorist group would limit the group's ability to attract certain support and financial resources.

The request was made by citing reasons such as the Taliban’s relationships with several terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, both of which are considered as foreign terrorist organisation.

According to the report, the Taliban not only lacks the ability to prevent terrorism, but also continues to violate the rights of women and children, engaging in "criminal and corrupt activities" to consolidate its governance.

It emphasised that if a foreign organisation threatens US national security through premeditated violence with political motivations, it can be listed as "foreign terrorist organisations" under the country’s laws.

According to the report, listing the Taliban in this category would weaken any international efforts to legitimise the Taliban, halt support to the group, and restrict travel for its leaders. Furthermore, this would also deprive the Taliban of access to financial institutions.

Moreover, by designating the Taliban as a foreign terrorist organisation, countries would be obliged to recognise individuals associated with the group as terrorists and impose economic sanctions and visa restrictions against them.

The report states that it would also compel financial institutions to establish a specific mechanism for identifying individuals closely affiliated with the group to prevent the Taliban from accessing support and financial resources.

The report stated that the criminal activities of the Taliban and the suppression of vulnerable communities throughout Afghanistan have consistently been condemned by the international community, but these condemnations have not held the Taliban meaningfully accountable for human rights violations.

As per the report, the Taliban has bypassed existing accountability mechanisms through corruption and kleptocracy.

According to the George Bush Institute, "opportunistic" countries overlook the Taliban's exploitation of the government and view Afghanistan under the control of the group as a means to achieve their geopolitical goals.

This institute recommended that the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), the US Departments of State, Defence, and Treasury should harmonise information-sharing practices to enhance transparency and Washington's efforts towards Afghanistan.

It also suggested that the global community should take more definitive roles in confronting the Taliban's capabilities in corruption and human rights violations.

The committee urged Taliban authorities not to impede the free flow of information.

Najibullah Haqqani, the Taliban’s Minister of Telecommunications and Technology, announced on Sunday that the ministry has finalised plans to restrict or completely shut down certain social media networks, including Facebook.

He cited the reason for this action as "preventing young people from spending time and money" and being exposed to immoral issues.

In reaction to the Taliban’s decision, CPJ stated that the group has arrested journalists, shut down news websites and restricted access to foreign media outlets since the beginning of their takeover.

Beh Lih Yi, CPS’ Asia Programme Coordinator said, “The Taliban’s plan to restrict or block access to Facebook would be a further blow to freedom of information in Afghanistan.”

She added that social media platforms, including Facebook, have filled the void left by the decline of media industry in Afghanistan and the crackdown on press freedom, but the proposed ban would worsen the situation of media censorship by the Taliban.

Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid told CPJ that Facebook will not be banned, but restrictions will be imposed on it.

Dujarric refrained from providing specific details, but assured that any developments in this regard would be communicated promptly.

This announcement came during a press conference in response to Mariam Rahmati, a journalist with Afghanistan International, who questioned whether a particular timeline had been established for nominating a Special Representative for Afghanistan.

Dujarric clarified that there is currently no definitive timeline for naming the United Nations Special Representative to Afghanistan.

The process of appointing a Special Representative for Afghanistan has been ongoing for several months. The appointment faces opposition from the Taliban, and countries with close ties to the group, including China, Russia, and Iran, who have indicated that their support for a UN representative's appointment hinges on the Taliban's approval.

According to them, police officers in civilian attire detain Afghan migrants in public areas.

Some migrants in a note sent to Afghanistan International said that police disregard legal documents like passports, visas, and residence cards when detaining Afghan migrants.

In a video sent to Afghanistan International, one of the migrants who had been detained stated that he possessed a passport and visa, yet the Iranian police detained and expelled him.

In the video, it is evident that the police transport migrants using a van and detain them in a room.

Afghan migrants are complaining about the forced expulsion from Iran, where hundreds of Afghans are detained and expelled daily.

The Iranian authorities have reiterated their commitment to seriously executing the plan to expel Afghan migrants from Iran.

Nevertheless, in the past year, both Pakistan and Iran have forcibly expelled tens of thousands of Afghan migrants. This action by Afghanistan's neighbouring countries has provoked strong reactions from the international community.

On Sunday, on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, this ministry sent this letter to the clerics.

This letter, a copy of which has also been sent to the Pashto section of Afghanistan International, was signed by Maulawi Mohammad Nabi Mohammadi, the head of administrative coordination at the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs and was sent to the provinces with an emphasis on its implementation.

It has been stated in this letter, "Mosque clerics should inform people to stay away from anti-regime (Taliban) gatherings and propaganda, as well as factors that disrupt security."

The Ministry of Hajj asked the clerics all over Afghanistan to prepare for the Eid al-Fitr ceremony according to the date of Eid announcement.

After the announcement of the Eid day, the Eid al-Fitr prayer will be held simultaneously throughout the country at 07:30 am. The ministry emphasised that the Eid message of Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the group, should be given to the people during the Eid prayer.

In this statement, people have also been asked to refrain from using firecrackers during Eid days.