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Sources confirmed to Afghanistan International that the group's Ministry of Information and Culture has issued a verbal directive ordering provincial departments to halt the cultural programmes until further notice.

The Mushaira events, held over the past four years in various provinces, have been part of the Taliban’s efforts to promote cultural unity. However, the recent suspension follows a high-profile incident at the Naranj Gul festival in Nangarhar province, where poets recited critical verses and urged the Taliban’s supreme leader to appear publicly in Kabul.

Sources report that on Monday, the Taliban also cancelled the Gul-e-Arghawan poetry festival in Parwan province. Officials allegedly attributed the cancellation to bad weather, although local observers reported that weather conditions were favourable.

The Taliban have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

While the Taliban had used the Mushaira events as a cultural tool, the gatherings have remained tightly controlled. Only poets and cultural figures aligned with the group's ideology were permitted to participate. Women have been entirely excluded, and romantic or critical poetry has been strictly prohibited.

The cancellations have sparked discontent not only among independent cultural voices but also from some pro-Taliban users on social media, who criticised the decision to suspend a programme intended to foster national cohesion.

The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) warned the move “could amount to a death sentence for millions of people facing extreme hunger and starvation.”

According to US officials, the aid cuts could worsen humanitarian crises and increase instability in a country already reeling from years of conflict under Taliban rule. Officials caution that deteriorating conditions could push vulnerable populations toward extremist groups such as ISIS-Khorasan.

This funding reduction is part of a broader strategy that has seen over $1.3 billion in US humanitarian aid slashed globally. Cuts include $237 million from Syria, $170 million from Somalia, $107 million from Yemen, and $12 million from Gaza. These nations are grappling with ongoing conflicts and humanitarian emergencies, compounded by the loss of crucial U.S. support.

Sarah Charles, former head of the US Agency for International Development’s Office of Humanitarian Assistance, and nine other sources — including six current officials — confirmed the cuts to Reuters. “Every remaining USAID award for Afghanistan was terminated,” a source said, with funding to the WFP, a UN agency supporting Afghan women and girls, and at least six NGOs halted.

Five sources also stated that US aid to Afghan refugees, managed by the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, has been discontinued.

The UN estimates that 23 million people in Afghanistan, over half of them children, require humanitarian assistance. The WFP reported it reached nearly 12 million Afghans last year, with a focus on women and girls experiencing “extreme hunger.”

In 2024, the US has contributed $206 million to Afghan aid efforts, down from $736 million in 2023, when it was the largest donor. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has also cancelled a $24 million grant for reproductive health services in Afghanistan and a $17 million grant for Syria.

Cindy McCain, executive director of the WFP, said on X (formerly Twitter), “Cutting aid will deepen hunger, fuel instability, and make the world far less safe.”

In addition to the humanitarian fallout, the cessation of aid may destabilise Afghanistan’s economy. Humanitarian dollars flowing through UN agencies have helped stabilise the Afghan currency, and US officials warn the absence of such support could increase economic turmoil and migration pressures.

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.