US Congresswoman Introduces Bill To Designate Taliban As Terrorist Organisation

The department stated in a press release that it is offering $10 million for information that results in disrupting the funding processes of ISIS-Khorasan.

This announcement was posted on the "Rewards for Justice" website, which tracks the State Department's rewards for information about wanted individuals and groups.

The release adds that ISIS-Khorasan is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians, who lost their lives in the group's terrorist attacks on schools, mosques, funerals, and even hospitals.

The Department of State believes that ISIS-Khorasan finances its activities through the extraction of natural resources in Afghanistan, including the profitable talc mines in Nangarhar.

The department also noted that ISIS-Khorasan funds itself through activities such as taxation, extortion from local businesses and individuals, illegal tobacco sales in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and money laundering using cryptocurrency.

Additionally, the department stated that this terrorist group receives financial support from the main branch of ISIS.

According to the "Rewards for Justice" website, the group uses its financial resources to purchase weapons, train members, and conduct terrorist operations.

The department emphasised that ISIS-Khorasan uses informal remittance systems to transfer money and fund its activities.

The announcement calls for cooperation to cut off the financial pathways of the group.

ISIS-Khorasan is officially a branch of the "Islamic State" operating in South Asia, primarily in Afghanistan.

The group refers to Afghanistan and its neighbouring countries as "Khorasan Province," based on the historical region of Greater Khorasan.

The Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Ovezov shared the "recent progress regarding the practical work on the TAPI pipeline extension" with Muttaqi.

Hafiz Zia Ahmad, Taliban’s Deputy Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, mentioned that the focus of the meeting between Muttaqi and Ovezov was the initiation of the TAPI pipeline extension within Afghanistan and the enhancement of bilateral diplomatic relations.

Muttaqi stated that "the relevant Afghan departments are working on finalising all technical aspects of the pipeline extension within Afghanistan so that the work can practically commence soon”.

This week, the foreign ministers of Pakistan and Turkmenistan also emphasised on the importance of developing economic and energy cooperation, including the TAPI project.

On July 10, during a meeting with the Turkmen Ambassador, Muttaqi said that they are resolving the legal obstacles hindering the TAPI project.

The TAPI project was inaugurated in 2016 by the leaders of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. The TAPI gas pipeline passes through Herat, Farah, Nimroz, Helmand, and Kandahar province of Afghanistan.

TAPI will transport Turkmenistan's gas through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.

Since coming to power, the Taliban have prioritised the exploitation of natural resources and major energy projects of the previous government.

The group has attempted to improve relations with China and Central Asian countries to attract their investment in Afghanistan's mining sector, albeit unsuccessfully.

During a call with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), he mentioned that they are working on a sustainable solution for Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

On Thursday, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the phone conversation between Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's Foreign Minister, and Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan stated that the two sides discussed issues related to the cooperation between Pakistan and the UNHCR.

Dar said that "the recent attacks and violent demonstration (by Afghani diaspora) against Pakistan's diplomatic missions in Frankfurt, London, and Brussels” were also discussed with Grandi.

On July 20, a group of angry protestors entered the premises of the Pakistani Consulate in Frankfurt and took down the country's flag. According to reports, this incident occurred on the sidelines of a demonstration in support of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) in Pakistan and in protest against the killing of Gilaman Waziri, a member of this movement.

Pakistani citizens were also involved in this protest. On July 21, Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister announced that the identification cards and passports of Pakistani citizens involved in the attack on the consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, would be blocked.

Following the attack, Pakistan summoned the German ambassador. The spokesperson of the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Berlin has committed to punishing the perpetrators of the attack.

Earlier, following the death of Gilaman Waziri, several PTM supporters also stormed the Pakistani embassy in London.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the High Commissioner for Refugees has appreciated the recent decision by the Pakistani government to extend the validity of refugee registration cards.

The two sides agreed to continue their cooperation to advance Pakistan-UNHCR collaboration and to find sustainable solutions for the Afghan refugee issue.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees visited Pakistan earlier this month to review the situation of Afghan refugees. After talks with Pakistani officials, he announced the agreement to extend the residency cards for Afghan refugees.

Hanafi added that "the Taliban leadership fully supports the One China Policy and its proposed major projects”.

He expressed hope that the Wakhan Corridor will play an important role in developing economic relations between Afghanistan and China.

The One China Policy is a principle established by the Chinese government, declaring that there is only one country named China and that Taiwan is an inseparable part of it. This policy rejects the recognition of Taiwan as an independent country and asserts that the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government of China.

The United States recognises the People's Republic of China as the legitimate government of China and does not support Taiwan's formal independence. However, Washington does not formally consider Taiwan a part of China and has urged Beijing not to annex Taiwan by military force, but to resolve its differences with Taipei peacefully.

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Taliban’s support for China's projects refers to the "Belt and Road Initiative," which includes a network of infrastructure projects aimed at improving trade and investment in over 60 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa.

In a statement, the Taliban announced that Hanafi, in a meeting with Li Qun, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, said that Afghanistan has a historic and close relationship with China, and China has remained a good friend to Afghanistan throughout history.

Hanafi thanked China as an important economic and political partner and stated that "China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, should continue to support Afghanistan's position on the international stage”.

He expressed hope that the Wakhan Corridor will play an important role in developing economic relations between Afghanistan and China. The Deputy Prime Minister of the Taliban welcomed the start of the Aynak copper project and expressed hope that extraction activities would begin as soon as possible.

The Taliban official emphasised that neighbouring countries, including China and all other countries, can rest assured that the Taliban will never allow Afghanistan's territory to be used against them.

According to the Taliban, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of China emphasised on the protection of historical artefacts at Aynak copper area and expressed hope that "the Taliban regime remains stable”.

He came to Kabul for the inauguration of the Aynak copper road and to meet with Taliban officials.

Shojai reported that the border guards of the country have been equipped with electronic and optical equipment for better monitoring of the area.

Khorasan Razavi province shares approximately 302 kilometres of border with Afghanistan to the east.

Shojai also reported that since the beginning of this year, 160,000 litres of smuggled fuel have been discovered at the borders of this province.

The border guards of the Islamic Republic of Iran have repeatedly reported the discovery of drugs at the Afghanistan border over the past three years.

Eskandar Momeni, Secretary General of Drug Control Headquarters, requested in May 2023 from Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Special Representative for Afghanistan, to consider drug trafficking as a serious threat.

Momeni said that there has been no decrease in the production, growth, and trafficking of drugs in Afghanistan.