Taliban Yet To Halt Border Post Construction At Torkham, Says Pak Delegation

Abdul Mateen Qani, the ministry’s spokesperson, dismissed the claims on Monday. He called them false and urged media outlets to stop spreading “propaganda far from reality.”

In an official statement, the ministry insisted the reports were baseless. It called on journalists to verify information before publishing.

Speculation about Haqqani’s resignation arose due to his prolonged absence from the ministry, lasting nearly 50 days. After visiting the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, he did not return to Kabul. Instead, he moved to his hometown in Khost. Sources say he has been frequently shifting between Khost and North Waziristan.

Neither Haqqani nor his representatives have given an official explanation for his extended absence.

Reports of tensions between Haqqani and Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada have surfaced repeatedly. Haqqani has previously criticised the group’s leadership. In a speech last December, he indirectly challenged Akhundzada, stating, “One should not think that just because I am the ruler, everyone must accept my words, and if they don’t, the sky will fall.”

The move follows accusations that Afghan territory was used in the recent attack on the Jaffar Express train.

Pakistani officials conveyed strong objections to the Taliban representative. They reminded Shekib of the group’s international commitment under the Doha Agreement, which prohibits the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan.

According to the report, Pakistani authorities warned that a group designated as a terrorist organisation by international bodies had used Afghan territory for its “heinous acts.”

The summons comes after last week’s attack by Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants, who bombed railway tracks and took more than 440 passengers hostage. Pakistani military forces launched an operation to rescue the hostages, killing 33 attackers. However, before the operation began, Baloch militants executed 26 passengers, including 18 security personnel. Four more security forces were killed during the rescue mission.

Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Pakistan’s Army spokesperson, claimed that the attack was planned and directed by Baloch separatists based in Afghanistan. He stated that intelligence reports confirmed terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory. He also alleged that one of the key attackers was a former Afghan army soldier now engaged in terrorist activities against Pakistan.

Geo News reported that Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Taliban to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan soil for attacks. The report highlighted an increase in terrorist incidents in Pakistan since the Taliban regained power in Kabul. It also noted that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has gained greater operational freedom and access to safe havens in Afghanistan.

A Pakistani delegation, led by Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, head of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Industry and Commerce, left Jamrud for the border. Meanwhile, a 25-member Afghan delegation from Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, is also heading to Torkham.

This is the second Pakistani delegation to engage in talks after last week’s negotiations ended without progress. A 57-member Pakistani delegation had previously met with Taliban representatives, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the reopening of the border. However, the talks collapsed after the Taliban continued building a border post, which Pakistan strongly opposed.

The Torkham border, a crucial crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan, has remained shut since clashes erupted on 21 February. The dispute began when the Taliban attempted to construct a border post, while Pakistan installed a signboard at the zero point. The confrontation led to the complete closure of the crossing for both passengers and trade.

The prolonged shutdown has left thousands stranded on both sides and caused heavy financial losses. Kazmi stated that the closure is costing Pakistan around three million dollars per day.

Pakistani authorities have reaffirmed their decision to deport undocumented Afghan migrants and holders of Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) after March 31.

According to the Express Tribune, citing sources within the Pakistani government, the Taliban had requested an extension through diplomatic channels following Islamabad’s announcement on March 7. However, a senior Pakistani official told the newspaper that the request had been denied. The government maintains that the expulsion of undocumented Afghan migrants and ACC holders will proceed as planned from April 1.

The official stated that Pakistan’s federal government has instructed provincial authorities to make the necessary arrangements for the deportation process. On March 7, the Pakistani government announced that Afghan migrants without residence permits, as well as those holding ACC cards, must leave by March 31. Authorities warned that deportation measures would be enforced against those who remain after the deadline.

While the exact number of undocumented Afghan refugees in Pakistan remains unclear, estimates suggest around 800,000 Afghans currently hold ACC cards. Pakistan has issued these cards for years to identify Afghan refugees, but they are distinct from Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, which are granted only to Afghan refugees recognised by the United Nations.

Sadat was detained for protesting in Mazar-i-Sharif and for speaking to the media about the closure of schools and universities for women and girls. She said that during her detention, Taliban officers sexually abused her and touched parts of her body without consent.

Sadat criticised the conditions in Taliban prisons, saying, “The Taliban are devoid of humanity.” She added that detainees are tortured, and female prisoners are particularly vulnerable. After two weeks in detention, she was released on bail after a large sum was paid. However, her health has since deteriorated and she struggles to sleep. Sadat also disclosed that a senior Taliban official in Balkh had proposed to her.

At least ten women confirmed to Afghanistan International that they were sexually assaulted during their detention. Eight women reported being raped, while two said that Taliban officials filmed and photographed their naked bodies during interrogations. Some witnesses claimed that the Taliban used mobile phones or installed cameras in women’s cells to record the abuse.

Richard Bent, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, confirmed that he is aware of these allegations and that investigations are ongoing.