US Eases Stance On Haqqani Network Leaders In Bid To Work With Kabul-Based Taliban

They argue the move violates Norway’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

The letter states that this decision contradicts Norway’s international commitments. It also damages the trust and mental well-being of thousands of Afghan refugees living in the country.

On 20 March, Afghanistan International reported that Norway’s Foreign Ministry had recognised Najibullah Sherkhan, a Taliban diplomat, as First Secretary at the Afghan embassy in Oslo. This came despite the embassy’s official closure.

According to a letter from the ministry, Sherkhan was granted a one-year diplomatic residence permit. The document shows his appointment was accepted on 31 January 2025, following a request from the embassy. He has been advised to apply for an extension at least a month before it expires.

The day after this news, the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry announced that consular services would resume at the embassy in Oslo on 24 March. It described this step as a positive development and posted the update on its official X account.

A Taliban official claimed Norway’s decision reflected growing normalisation of the group’s ties with Western countries.

The decision has triggered protests from 33 Afghan civil society and women’s rights groups. In a letter obtained by Afghanistan International, these organisations warned that allowing Taliban representatives to operate—under the guise of providing administrative services—would help legitimise the group internationally.

They called on the Norwegian government to create an alternative system for providing consular services to Afghan refugees. The groups also urged Norwegian officials to include the voices of Afghan women, civil society organisations, and the Afghan diaspora in decisions related to Afghanistan.

Previously, Norwegian officials have criticised the Taliban’s repression and restrictions on women in Afghanistan.

Citing unnamed sources, the paper stated that the Afghan Taliban admitted they were unable to control the TTP. They reportedly said that if Pakistan, with its military strength, could not contain the group, it would be even harder for them to do so.

The Taliban also raised their own concerns about TTP activities and requested time and cooperation from Islamabad. However, Pakistani officials were not satisfied with these explanations. They urged the Taliban to take stronger action, or at least stop Afghan nationals from joining the group.

The meeting was part of a three-day visit by Sadiq Khan to Kabul, during which he held talks with Taliban ministers and senior officials. The newspaper reported that further ministerial-level talks are being planned.

On Sunday, during a Pakistan Day event at the Pakistani embassy in Kabul, Khan said that both countries were economically interdependent. He stressed Pakistan’s commitment to a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with Afghanistan.

His visit came amid rising tensions between the two countries. These tensions have been fuelled by accusations of cross-border militancy, trade disruptions, and Pakistan’s deadline for Afghan refugees to leave the country.

The Torkham border crossing, closed for 27 days due to a clash over Taliban construction near the border, has since reopened for trucks and patients. Pakistani authorities have said that undocumented Afghan refugees must leave the country by the end of March.

The Taliban have called on Pakistan to avoid harsh actions and allow refugees to return voluntarily.

In an interview with Khabar Online, Araghchi stated that Afghanistan now has a central authority. He claimed that “sovereignty and security” exist, despite the continued presence of terrorist threats.

His remarks contrast with warnings from the UN Security Council and regional countries, including Iran, about the growing activities of terrorist groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

The UN has reported that Al-Qaeda has safe houses and training camps across the country. It also warned that ISIS-Khorasan has expanded its recruitment and operations.

Despite Taliban claims of defeating ISIS, the group has carried out deadly attacks, including ones targeting senior Taliban leaders.

Araghchi acknowledged the terrorist threat but said that Tehran must engage with the Taliban to protect its national interests.

He highlighted several key issues, including terrorism, the protection of Shia communities, Iran’s cultural ties through the Persian language, and its water rights from the Helmand River.

“These are serious matters directly linked to our national interests,” he said.

Araghchi led a delegation to Kabul in January. His visit drew criticism from Iranian media, which accused Tehran of legitimising the Taliban.

In response, Araghchi clarified that Iran does not formally recognise the Taliban government. However, he noted that other countries, including China, Qatar, and Central Asian states, have also sent officials to Kabul.

He defended his trip as a necessary step to manage bilateral concerns and secure Iran’s interests.

In a message to Afghanistan International, he said Afghan women are strong and courageous. He praised them for standing up for their rights despite threats of arrest or violence.

Hosseini described them as resilient and determined, refusing to remain silent under Taliban rule.

He called on the world not to forget Afghan girls. He said education is key not just for their future, but for rebuilding Afghanistan.

The academic year in Afghanistan began on 20 March. Girls’ schools remain closed for the fourth year in a row.

The Taliban continue to block girls and women from attending universities. This includes medical education.

Afghanistan faces a severe shortage of female health workers.

UNICEF has warned that the education ban could lead to over 5,000 deaths this year. These include 1,600 mothers and 3,500 newborns.

The agency said the lack of trained female doctors and nurses is a major threat to women’s and children’s health.

Hosseini urged the Taliban to reopen schools and let girls return to class. He said the world must act now.

In a statement marking World Water Day on 22 March, the ICRC noted that the Afghan population continues to suffer the compounded effects of over four decades of armed conflict and accelerating climate change.

Martin De Boer, head of programmes for the ICRC in Afghanistan, said that for millions already enduring hardship and a deepening humanitarian crisis, access to water for drinking, cooking, and irrigation remains out of reach. He attributed the worsening situation to a lack of basic infrastructure such as functioning water supply systems, dams, and irrigation networks.

The ICRC voiced concern over the growing water crisis and reiterated its commitment to supporting Afghan communities and authorities in improving water management. The organisation highlighted that much of Afghanistan’s freshwater depends on snow and glacial melt, but rising temperatures are threatening these critical sources.

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) also warned of the need to protect Afghanistan’s glaciers, describing them as vital to the region’s water supply. The FAO underlined that safeguarding these resources is essential in tackling both climate change and the global water crisis.

In December 2024, the Taliban’s environmental protection agency reported that 181 square kilometres of glaciers in Afghanistan had melted due to climate change, adding further urgency to the crisis.