Over 600,000 Afghan Refugees Reside in Iran’s Razavi Khorasan

The directive also orders all radio stations to refer to Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada as the “Esteemed Amir al-Mu’minin, may Allah protect him.” Additionally, media outlets must refer to the Taliban government as the “Islamic Emirate.”

The restrictions extend beyond content regulations. Advertisements for medicine, cosmetic products, and healthcare services are now banned unless officially approved by the Directorate of Public Health. Radio employees traveling within Kandahar for reporting or programming purposes must also obtain prior authorisation from the Directorate of Information and Culture.

The AFJC condemned the new measures, calling them an escalation in the Taliban’s suppression of independent media. “Until now, no media outlet in Kandahar or any other province had been officially and publicly required to refer to the Taliban leader with such formal titles,” the organisation stated.

Previously, media outlets in Kandahar could still air some content featuring women, especially programmes produced in Kabul. However, with this new directive, Kandahar has become the second province, after Helmand, where the Taliban has officially banned women’s voices in the media.

Kandahar lacks local television networks. The national television station that once operated there was shut down and converted into a radio station due to Taliban-imposed restrictions on broadcasting living being images.

The AFJC denounced the latest measures, describing them as further proof of the Taliban’s increasing crackdown on press freedom in Afghanistan.

His statement follows the UN Security Council’s decision to extend UNAMA’s mandate for another year.

Mujahid accused UNAMA of using isolated issues to spread “propaganda against Afghanistan” and claimed it was becoming a “tool for hostile circles.” He urged the mission to focus on strengthening the Taliban’s relations with the United Nations and other countries.

He also called on UNAMA to support efforts to lift international sanctions on the Taliban, release Afghanistan’s frozen assets, and facilitate the group’s recognition at the United Nations.

On Monday, the UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution extending UNAMA’s mission until March 2026. During the session, several member states expressed concerns over security in Afghanistan, the Taliban’s failure to establish an inclusive government, and continued restrictions on women’s rights.

Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, head of the Pakistani negotiating team, stated that the Taliban agreed to stop “illegal construction” along the border. The second round of talks took place in Torkham, focusing on reopening the critical crossing.

Kazmi, who also leads the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Express Tribune that both sides agreed that any future border construction would require mutual approval.

A 36-member Pakistani delegation, including clerics, tribal leaders, and business representatives, met with a 25-member Afghan delegation in Torkham. This was the second jirga in two weeks aimed at resolving the border closure. A week earlier, a 57-member Pakistani jirga also met with Taliban representatives, calling for a ceasefire and reopening the crossing.

Pakistani media reported that the first round of talks failed due to the Taliban’s refusal to halt border post construction.

The Torkham crossing, a key trade and travel route, has been closed for 25 days. The closure followed a border clash on February 21, when Taliban and Pakistani forces exchanged fire over the construction of a Taliban outpost and the installation of a road sign by Pakistan at the zero-point border. Pakistan then shut the crossing to passengers and trade.

Thousands of travelers remain stranded on both sides, and businesses have suffered heavy losses. A Pakistani official told Express Tribune that the closure has cost Pakistan’s treasury an estimated $72 million.

The Taliban government remains under strict economic and military sanctions, raising questions about the source of its modern weaponry. Since taking control of Afghanistan in 2021, the group has seized American arms left behind in the country. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly urged the Taliban to return these weapons.

On Monday, Fitrat said the main goal of modernising the Taliban’s military is to protect Afghanistan’s borders and uphold Islamic values. “We do not seek war or conflict with neighbouring countries or the world,” he said. “We prefer dialogue and reconciliation.”

However, he warned that any force challenging the Taliban would face a response similar to that experienced by past superpowers. His remarks referenced the defeats of British, Soviet, and U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

His comments come amid rising tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan. Islamabad has signalled its willingness to target militant groups inside Afghan territory, further straining relations.

Despite Fitrat’s announcement, there is no confirmation that the Taliban has entered negotiations with any country to acquire modern arms. With many senior Taliban officials still on the United Nations’ blacklist, it remains unclear which nation would supply weapons to the group.

Russia’s representative at the UNSC stated that lasting peace in Afghanistan is possible but requires a comprehensive and pragmatic approach, including engagement with the Taliban.

Pakistan, which supported the extension, identified terrorism as Afghanistan’s main challenge. Its representative accused the Taliban of failing to contain ISIS and alleged their involvement in attacks by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Citing recent attacks in Pakistan, he claimed to have evidence of financial links to sources in Afghanistan and urged the Security Council to take immediate action.

The extended UNAMA mandate includes monitoring human rights, women’s and girls’ rights, peace and security, economic and humanitarian conditions, counterterrorism, drug trafficking, refugees, and the impact of natural disasters.

UNAMA was originally established on March 28, 2002, under UNSC Resolution 1401, to support the Afghan people. However, the Taliban has dismissed its mission as a “failure.” Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused the UN agency of issuing negative and inaccurate reports that misrepresent Afghanistan’s situation, claiming they distort the country’s image within the UN.