Trump Cuts $562 Million In Afghanistan Aid, UN Warns Of Dire Consequences

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ministry said no entity should use migrants as instruments for achieving political objectives. The Taliban also addressed similar actions by Iranian authorities, urging both Pakistan and Iran to halt what it described as the "violence and mistreatment of migrants."

According to the statement, Afghan migrants in Pakistan are being unlawfully detained from their homes, shops, and public spaces, then transferred to prisons before being forcibly expelled. The Taliban further claimed that the assets of Afghan migrants are being confiscated and their household goods seized.

“We urge the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Iran to exercise patience and tolerance when dealing with migrants, and to respect the principles of good neighbourliness, Islamic values, and international law,” the statement read.

The ministry noted that despite the Taliban’s repeated calls for the voluntary repatriation of migrants through a joint mechanism based on mutual understanding and adequate preparation, Pakistan has initiated mass deportations.

The Taliban reiterated that while they are prepared to receive returning Afghan citizens, the ongoing mistreatment of migrants by neighbouring countries is "unacceptable and intolerable."

The group also appealed to international organisations, humanitarian agencies, and Afghan investors to urgently intervene and address the challenges faced by returning migrants.

With the deadline set by Pakistan for the expulsion of undocumented migrants now expired, thousands have been returned to Afghanistan. According to a recent report by the International Organization for Migration, more than 8,000 undocumented migrants and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders were deported through the Torkham and Spin Boldak border crossings in the past two days alone.

Organised by Malta’s Permanent Mission to the OSCE, in collaboration with the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Afghanistan, the session addressed critical issues facing Afghan women and girls.

Feridun Sinirlioglu, OSCE Secretary General, called for practical support for Afghan women and girls, urging member states to take tangible actions to ensure their safety, security, and full societal participation.

Speakers highlighted the critical importance of education for Afghan women and girls, describing it as essential for empowerment and sustainable peace. They emphasised that women's political participation is fundamental to Afghanistan’s stability.

The event also addressed barriers confronting Afghan women and advocated for enhanced international support for their rights. The OSCE Secretary General specifically called for sufficient financial backing for targeted initiatives and facilitation of visa processes for Afghan women involved in OSCE programs or affiliated educational institutions.

Canada’s representative to the OSCE, Veronique Pepin-Halle, remarked, “Afghan women have shown extraordinary courage, and it is our duty to stand with them.” Drawing on her personal experiences in Afghanistan, she noted, “Positive change needs long-term planning. It is often generational. However, rollback can occur in just two days.”

Manizha Bakhtari, Afghanistan’s Ambassador in Vienna, warned that denying education to Afghan girls is both a human rights violation and a threat to regional stability, fuelling migration, extremism, radicalisation, and organised crime, including terrorism and drug trafficking. She called for an international strategy to hold the Taliban accountable, urging recognition of gender apartheid as an international crime and praising recent initiatives by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

Natasha Meli Daudey, Malta’s Permanent Representative, stressed the international community’s responsibility to support programs fostering Afghan women's meaningful political participation. She asserted that Afghan women must not be left to face their struggle alone, highlighting their resilience and determination as sources of inspiration. She concluded that supporting Afghan women requires concrete action rather than mere slogans.

In a statement, the embassy said the foreign minister highlighted Tehran's commitment to cooperating with the Taliban in pursuing agreements to facilitate the gradual return of Afghan migrants from Iran.

The statement further emphasised Araghchi's view on the importance of Afghan migrants actively participating in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

During the meeting, Bikdeli provided an update to the foreign minister regarding the current state of Tehran’s relations with the Taliban.

While Iran, like other countries, has not formally recognised the Taliban, it maintains close political and economic ties with the group.

However, Iran has recently increased pressure on Afghan migrants through intensified arrests and deportations, resulting in significant numbers being expelled daily.

According to these sources, Qadriya sustained serious facial injuries during the assault.

The Taliban released Qadriya from Kiligai Prison on Saturday, 5 April, handing her over directly to her father. Prior to her release, Qadriya had explicitly warned authorities that returning to her family posed a grave risk to her life, stating that she feared she would be killed.

On Monday, local Taliban officials, accompanied by members of the provincial Ulema Council, visited Qadriya's father's home to assess her condition. Her father initially resisted allowing them entry, prompting officials to forcibly enter the home.

Inside, officials reportedly found Qadriya in a severely distressed condition. A source stated that when questioned about her facial injuries, Qadriya accused her father, husband, and brother of assaulting her. However, her father denied the allegations, claiming instead that his daughter was mentally ill and had inflicted the injuries upon herself.

In response, the Taliban's municipal court ordered that Qadriya remain under protective care until her father formally guarantees her safety.

Prior to her release, Qadriya had appeared in a video obtained by Afghanistan International from inside Kiligai Prison. In the video, she pleaded for help, clearly expressing fears that her life would be endangered if she was returned to her family, particularly by her father.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UAE confirmed that Saif Mohammed Al Ketbi, the UAE’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan, had emphasised the country’s dedication to deepening cooperation with Afghanistan. This includes support for refugee repatriation, addressing humanitarian needs, and contributing to the country’s stability and development.

Al Ketbi, accompanied by a high-level UAE delegation, visited Kabul last Thursday. He held meetings with senior Taliban officials, including Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s Acting Foreign Minister; Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs; and Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Commerce.

According to the statement released on Monday, the talks focused on ways the UAE can support both humanitarian and development efforts in Afghanistan.

Al Ketbi also discussed strengthening economic ties and supporting reconstruction projects during his meeting with the Taliban’s commerce minister.

The statement underlined Al Ketbi’s reaffirmation of the UAE’s “steadfast commitment and continued support” for the Afghan people.

Separately, the Taliban’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce stated that both sides agreed on enhancing trade relations. They reportedly discussed the potential appointment of a Taliban commercial attaché in the UAE, the establishment of an Afghanistan trade centre to manage imports and exports, and facilitating the participation of Afghan industrialists and traders in the Gulfood exhibition in Dubai.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also noted that discussions between Muttaqi and Al Ketbi covered the expansion of bilateral ties, visa facilitation, and regional developments.