Taliban Arrests Social Media Critic “Abid Lemar”

This marks the team's second climb of the year.

The group, consisting of 11 men and six women, reached the 5,671-meter summit of Damavand, the tallest volcanic peak in the Middle East, after a two-day ascent.

The climb was conducted under the guidance of Baqer Sharifi and Ahmad Hosseini, with oversight from Mohammad Valizadeh, the head of mountaineering teams for Afghan immigrants in Iran.

The climbers carried the message "Education and sports are the right of Afghan women," underscoring their solidarity with those who have been deprived of these fundamental rights in Afghanistan.

Details about the identities of the Afghan prisoners who were executed have not yet been released.

According to the organisation, five prisoners, including the two Afghans, were executed in Yazd Central Prison on Monday morning.

Hengaw identified two of the executed individuals as 23-year-old Abdolrauf Shahbakhsh and 34-year-old Abdolrahman Damani, both from Zahedan. The identities of the Afghan prisoners are still under investigation.

The organisation reported that one of the Afghan prisoners was executed on charges of "premeditated murder”.

In a separate statement, Hengaw reported that three individuals were executed in Shiraz Central Prison on Saturday. These executions were carried out for drug-related offences and murder.

Information regarding the trial and prison conditions of those executed remains scarce, and it is unclear whether they had access to due process and legal representation.
A recent report by Iran Human Rights revealed

that at least 300 people, including 20 Afghan nationals, have been executed in Iran's prisons during the first seven months of this year.

Karzai highlighted that Afghanistan's future hinges on the education of its youth, particularly girls. His plea comes amid a three-year ban imposed by the Taliban, which has prevented 1.4 million Afghan girls from accessing secondary and higher education, according to the United Nations.

In a message released on Sunday, marking the 105th anniversary of Afghanistan's independence, Karzai reiterated his hope for national unity and development. "Afghanistan is the common home of all Afghans," he stated. "I hope every citizen of this land, with a full sense of ownership and freedom, will have the opportunity to work and contribute to the country's progress."

Karzai also expressed his aspiration for Afghans to come together and pursue national understanding to ensure lasting peace and stability.

This is not the first time Karzai has called for the reopening of schools and universities. Over the past three years, he has consistently raised this issue. Recently, however, the Taliban's deputy prime minister responded with an unusual laugh when questioned by an Ariana News reporter about the possibility of reopening girls' schools.

Despite the Taliban's restrictions on his movements and visits, Karzai has remained in Kabul for the past three years, continuing to advocate for education and national unity.

Speaking at a ceremony in Kabul on Sunday to mark Afghanistan's Independence Day, Kabir noted that, over the past century, no Afghan leader has adequately addressed the root causes of the nation's issues or provided lasting solutions.

"Throughout history, Afghan politics has lacked true independence," Kabir remarked, underscoring the notion that while Afghans have succeeded in resisting foreign powers, they have often failed to secure political stability.

However, he asserted that the Taliban, after 100 years, have not only won militarily but also politically and economically. He emphasised that the group's foreign policy is now focused on economy and is independent.

Kabir also stated that the Taliban government is committed to understanding and addressing the causes of war and instability in Afghanistan to prevent future conflicts. Without directly mentioning Pakistan, he urged neighbouring countries to "refrain from irresponsible attitudes and statements," warning that such provocations could undermine regional stability and cooperation.

Tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan have escalated in recent months, particularly over Islamabad's dissatisfaction with the presence of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan. On August 14, Pakistan's Independence Day, the country's military called on the Afghan Taliban not to prioritise Pakistani militants over their long-standing relationship with Islamabad.

Pakistani officials have repeatedly accused the Taliban of harbouring TTP militants and failing to prevent their attacks on Pakistani soil. Recently, Pakistan's special envoy urged the Taliban to hand over TTP leaders to resolve the ongoing tensions between the two countries. However, the Taliban continue to deny the presence of the TTP within Afghanistan.

During a visit to Takhar province, Hanafi asserted that the Taliban remains committed to enforcing Sharia law, regardless of external opinions or pressures.

In his remarks, Hanafi emphasised that the people are obligated to support and comply with the Taliban regime.

On Monday, August 20, Taliban-controlled Afghan National Radio and Television reported that Hanafi, addressing a gathering in Takhar, urged clerics to cooperate with the Taliban and assist in fostering positive relations between the group and the public.

The Taliban minister highlighted the role of religious scholars, stating that they have a duty to strengthen the bond between the Taliban and the people.