As Afghan Women Face Travel Bans, American Adult Star Poses With AK47 Under Taliban Escort

Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, previously stated that the closure was triggered by the Taliban’s attempt to construct a checkpoint on Pakistani territory.

According to the Associated Press, over 5,000 trucks carrying perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables remain stranded, awaiting the resumption of cross-border movement. Meanwhile, Taliban trade officials in Nangarhar province have reported that the closure is causing daily losses of approximately $500,000 to Afghanistan’s private sector.

Torkham, a crucial trade route between Afghanistan and Pakistan, was shut down after Pakistani authorities raised objections to the Taliban’s construction of a new checkpoint. The blockade has reportedly resulted in financial losses exceeding $12 million for Afghan traders.

During a press briefing in Islamabad on Friday, Shafqat Ali Khan stated that Pakistan had communicated its concerns to Taliban officials and urged them to resolve the matter through diplomatic negotiations.

Official sources confirm that discussions are ongoing, but there is still no indication of when the border will reopen.

According to a statement released by the court on Saturday, the individuals received between 10 and 39 lashes. Additionally, two of the accused were sentenced to two years of imprisonment, while the third received a two-month prison sentence.

This latest punishment is part of a series of public penalties imposed by the Taliban over the past month. Reports indicate that at least 42 individuals across Afghanistan have been publicly punished for various alleged offences during this period.

The Taliban claims that such punishments are in accordance with “Islamic Sharia law.” However, international organisations argue that trials under Taliban rule lack transparency and fail to meet the standards of due process.

Human rights groups have repeatedly condemned the Taliban’s severe punishments, including flogging, stoning, and executions, warning that these practices could target individuals who may not have committed any crime.

Her visit comes nearly 18 months after the Taliban imposed a ban preventing Afghan women from entering the park.

On Friday, Wright also posted images from Kabul and Herat on her social media accounts, showcasing various locations in these cities. The images included an Ariana Airlines aircraft, the tiled ceiling of a shrine in Herat, a shop, and rickshaws on a street. However, she was not visible in any of these pictures.

Afghanistan International reached out to Wright to inquire about the exact timing and purpose of her trip, but no response has been received so far. The Taliban have also not commented on the matter.

Despite their harsh restrictions on Afghan women, the Taliban have facilitated travel for foreign male and female tourists, aiming to project a “positive image” of their rule to the world.

Previously, photographs of Taliban members posing warmly with female Chinese tourists gained widespread attention, highlighting the group’s stark contrast in treatment between local and foreign women.

According to these sources, Taliban intelligence officers arrested Abdul Nasir on Tuesday, and handed over his body to his family on Friday night.

Sources told Afghanistan International that Abdul Nasir was detained from his shop in the Tot Bagh area of Taloqan. The Taliban have yet to disclose the charges against him or provide any explanation for his arrest.

A close relative of Abdul Nasir stated that after his detention, several local elders attempted to negotiate his release with Taliban officials. The Taliban reportedly confirmed his arrest and assured them that he would be freed soon. However, on Friday night, 1 March, his body was returned to his family.

Relatives of the deceased claim that visible signs of torture were present on his body, leading them to believe he died as a result of mistreatment while in Taliban custody.

Pattern of Deaths in Taliban Prisons

This is not the first case of a detainee dying in Taliban custody. Over the past three years, numerous reports have surfaced of individuals dying due to torture in Taliban prisons. Human rights organisations have repeatedly accused the Taliban of unlawful detentions, arbitrary arrests, and the systematic torture of prisoners.

In October 2024, Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban’s supreme leader, acknowledged reports of prisoners dying under torture during a visit to Kunduz province. He stated that he had received reports of such incidents and contacted prison officials to inquire whether these deaths were carried out under judicial orders or occurred without legal authorisation. The prison official reportedly denied any knowledge of the incidents, claiming that subordinates had carried out the killings.

Despite acknowledging the issue, Akhundzada has not announced any action to hold those responsible for the torture and deaths of detainees accountable. The Taliban leadership remains silent on addressing or preventing further incidents of abuse in detention centres.

Speaking at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Friday, Eleanor Sanders, the UK Ambassador for Human Rights at the United Nations, condemned the Taliban’s continued suppression of women, particularly the bans on female education and employment.

She described the prohibition of women’s access to medical education, including nursing, midwifery, and dentistry, as “appalling,” highlighting these actions as clear violations of fundamental human rights. Sanders called on the Taliban to immediately reverse these restrictions, stating, “The Taliban must lift these inhumane measures to ensure a brighter future for all Afghans.”

The UK Human Rights Ambassador also reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to supporting vulnerable groups in Afghanistan, announcing a £171 million humanitarian aid package to provide essential services.

She stressed that sustained international pressure is crucial to compelling the Taliban to reverse their repressive policies and uphold the rights of all Afghans.