Taliban In Uruzgan Call On Public To Attend Flogging Of 18 Individuals

Jul 2, 2024, 10:16 GMT+1

The Taliban governor's office in Uruzgan has announced that 18 individuals will be publicly flogged at the stadium of the province capital, Tarinkot.

According to the office's statement, these individuals have been accused of committing various crimes.

The office has called on the public to attend the scene to witness the punishment of these individuals.

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Taliban Orders New Restrictions on Journalists’ Attire in Kandahar

Jul 2, 2024, 09:28 GMT+1

Abdulhai Omari, the provincial director of the Propagation of Virtue in Kandahar, has mandated that journalists and media workers grow beards and wear turbans.

Omari has described the media and journalists as "sources of moral corruption" and stressed on the need for their reformation.

Sources in Kandahar informed the Pashto section of Afghanistan International that during a meeting with several media workers, Omari reiterated the enforcement of Sharia law.

Omari repeatedly and firmly instructed media officials that "broadcasting women's voices is completely forbidden and should not be aired in any programme”.

On Monday, the heads of the Taliban's Department of Information and Culture, along with representatives of their intelligence agency, held a meeting with journalists and media officials in Kandahar.

During this meeting, journalists from Kandahar complained about mistreatment and demanded timely access to information, cooperation from the Taliban's security agencies in preparing reports, and other issues.

However, three days earlier, the Taliban's police command in Kandahar raided media offices without notifying media officials and took some journalists to their headquarters.

It has been reported that these journalists were released after being detained for a few hours. The reason for their detention by the Taliban remains unknown.

Taliban intelligence has instructed journalists in many provinces to avoid reporting critical and negative topics related to the group, warning that failure to comply will result in serious consequences.

Previously, the Afghanistan Journalists Centre reported that the Taliban have threatened or imprisoned media outlets and journalists who ignored their orders.

According to the centre, from May 2023 to May 2024, at least 136 cases of violations against media freedom and journalists have been recorded.

OIC Calls For Constructive Engagement With Taliban For Solving Challenges

Jul 1, 2024, 16:33 GMT+1

Tariq Ali Bakheet, the representative of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Secretary-General at the Doha meeting, called for constructive and ongoing engagement with the Taliban to address Afghanistan's issues.

Bakheet said that the organisation continues its constructive dialogue with the Taliban on women's education and employment and combating terrorism.

According to a press release published by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Bakheet emphasised in his speech on the necessity of a coordinated and integrated strategic approach to address the multiple challenges facing Afghanistan and its people.

He stated that achieving this goal is possible through continuous and constructive interaction with the current rulers of Afghanistan.

The third Doha meeting for Afghanistan was held on Sunday and Monday in the capital of Qatar.

The exclusion of discussion about women's suppression and rights from the third Doha meeting has sparked widespread protests both inside Afghanistan and among Afghan citizens abroad.

Many civil activists, political figures, and Afghan citizens have called for a boycott of this meeting. Meanwhile, the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also described the absence of representatives of Afghan women, religious and ethnic minorities, and human rights activists in the main Doha meeting as "disappointing”.

The ministry stated that without the meaningful and equal participation of Afghan women in the Doha meeting, none of the goals of this meeting will be achieved.

Taliban Announces Conditions For Continuing Cooperation With Doha Process

Jul 1, 2024, 13:50 GMT+1

Zabihullah Mujahid, head of the Taliban delegation, urged participants of the third Doha meeting to release Afghanistan's Central Bank reserves and lift financial and banking sanctions on the group.

Mujahid emphasised that for the Doha process to be "meaningful," an alternative to poppy cultivation should be financially supported.

He also called for the formation of a working group among participants of the Doha meeting to achieve these objectives.

On Monday, the Taliban released an audio file of Mujahid's speech, the head of their delegation at the third Doha meeting.

In his address, Mujahid detailed the group's proposals and conditions for making the Doha process "meaningful”. He stressed that accepting these proposals would help "build confidence" between the Taliban and other participants in Doha.

Meanwhile, Zakir Jalali, an official from the Taliban's Foreign Ministry, stated on the X social media platform that progress on these demands would impact the group's ongoing cooperation with the Doha process.

Head Of Taliban Delegation For Doha Meeting Meets Norwegian Representative

Jul 1, 2024, 13:12 GMT+1

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, reported that he met with the Norwegian representative at the venue of the third Doha meeting.

Mujahid, who leads the Taliban delegation at the Doha meeting, stated that Norway has a "positive" outlook on Afghanistan.

On Monday, he posted a note on X social media platform, mentioning that Norway emphasised on strengthening relations with Afghanistan under Taliban control.

The Norwegian representative's meeting with the Taliban delegation comes after Norway hosted a meeting between representatives of Afghan civil society and members of the Taliban earlier in May.

AFF Reports Attack On Taliban Forces In Kabul

Jul 1, 2024, 10:49 GMT+1

At the end of the first day of the UN meeting in Doha, which included Taliban representatives, the Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) reported an attack on the Taliban in Kabul.

According to the AFF, this "guerrilla operation" targeted a Taliban checkpoint in Bagh-e Bala area, resulting in the deaths of three Taliban members and the injury of one.

A video shared by the front on X social media platform, allegedly belonging to this incident, shows an explosion on a relatively dark and busy road.

The exact location and details of the explosion remain unclear.

Taliban have not yet commented on this regard.

AFF announced the attack after the conclusion of the first day of the UN meeting on Afghanistan, which took place on Sunday.

Concurrently, the National Resistance Front reported that its forces had attacked Taliban patrol forces in the "Qala-e-Nazer" area of Kabul on Saturday, claiming that two Taliban fighters were killed, and two others were injured.

Taliban representatives attended the Doha meeting at the invitation of the UN. However, the UN did not invite representatives from other military, political, and civil groups in Afghanistan.

This exclusion has been widely condemned by Afghan political groups and civil activists, with some calling for a boycott of the meeting.

Several prominent human rights figures and women's rights activists, including former Minister of Women's Affairs Habiba Sarabi, Zubaida Akbar, and Nabila Mosleh, declined the UN's invitation to attend side meetings at the event.