Taliban Leader Vows To Enforce Sharia Despite Global Criticism

According to the commission’s statement released on Saturday, 1,543 individuals were expelled via Spin Boldak, while nearly 5,000 were returned through the Torkham crossing.

The statement noted a significant surge in deportations, with 288 families entering Afghanistan through Spin Boldak and 820 families through Torkham in just 24 hours.

In addition, the commission confirmed the deportation of 134 Afghan migrants from Iran. Of these, 70 returned via the Islam Qala border crossing and 64 through Pul-e-Abrisham.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) also reported on Saturday that at least 44,900 Afghan migrants had returned from Pakistan between 1 and 11 April. According to the agency, 14,100 of them were forcibly deported during that period.

The deportations come amid an intensified crackdown by Pakistani authorities on undocumented Afghan migrants. Since the expiry of the voluntary return deadline on 31 March, reports indicate that hundreds of Afghans are being expelled daily, raising humanitarian concerns among international agencies and rights organisations.

According to a statement from the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, Robert Dickson, the United Kingdom’s Chargé d’Affaires for Afghanistan, conveyed this development during a recent meeting in Kabul with Acting Minister Abdul Kabir.

“Robert Dickson expressed satisfaction that a proposal on Afghanistan is being prepared within the United Nations and is expected to be shared with officials of the Islamic Emirate soon,” the ministry stated. “He mentioned that the proposal includes strengthening ties with Afghanistan, ensuring security, and other positive points.”

The Taliban further quoted Dickson as saying the UK has played a key role in shaping the proposal. However, neither the British diplomatic mission for Afghanistan nor the United Nations has released any formal confirmation or comment regarding the document.

During the meeting, both parties reportedly discussed the situation of Afghan refugees, the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and the possibility of expanding cooperation between the Taliban and the international community. The ministry added that Dickson reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting the Afghan people and to maintaining constructive engagement with Afghanistan, while seeking to bring the country back into focus on the UN’s international agenda.

The Taliban quoted Dickson as stating, “The world is changing,” while emphasising Afghanistan’s strategic importance.

It remains unclear whether the proposal mentioned by the Taliban refers to the independent assessment commissioned by the UN Secretary-General in 2023 or if the organisation is working on a new and separate initiative.

In April 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Turkish diplomat Feridun Sinirlioğlu as the Special Coordinator for Afghanistan, under Security Council Resolution 2679. His mandate was to conduct a broad assessment and recommend a coordinated international approach to the country’s ongoing challenges.

Sinirlioğlu’s report called for the launch of an intra-Afghan dialogue aimed at forming an inclusive government and fostering sustainable peace and economic development. He made clear that Afghanistan’s formal reintegration into the international system would depend on the Taliban’s compliance with international obligations, including ensuring women’s participation in governance.

Following the report, the UN Security Council called for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Afghanistan—an initiative the Taliban has strongly opposed.

To inform his recommendations, Sinirlioğlu conducted extensive consultations with Taliban officials, political opposition figures, regional leaders, and women’s representatives during his visit to Kabul.

The Iranian Embassy in Kabul confirmed the delegation’s arrival in Farah on Saturday, noting that discussions were held with the provincial governor and representatives from the private sector.

Speaking to reporters, Mohajer described the visit as “highly significant” and emphasised Iran’s commitment to enhancing cooperation between its South Khorasan province and Afghanistan’s Farah province.

“We encourage the private sector in South Khorasan to prepare for expanded cooperation, building on the excellent proposals shared during this visit,” he said. “This will lay a strong foundation for deeper economic and regional ties.”

The Iranian delegation included senior officials such as Mohammadreza Bahrami, Director General for South Asia at the Foreign Ministry, the Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development, and the Governor of South Khorasan. In Herat, the delegation toured the Herat Industrial Town, the Khaf-Herat railway project, and Roznak Station, while holding technical and economic discussions with Taliban officials.

During meetings in Farah, the two sides focused on expanding cross-border cooperation in infrastructure, energy transmission, railway connectivity, and trade. According to Bahrami, both parties reached joint decisions to bolster regional integration and economic collaboration.

The Iranian team also inspected an ongoing road construction project linking Farah to the Mahirood border crossing in South Khorasan. Once completed, the road is expected to enhance the capacity of the East-West trade corridor and improve Afghanistan’s access to Iranian and regional markets. Alireza Bikdeli, acting head of Iran’s diplomatic mission in Kabul, announced that the project is scheduled for completion in 2025-2026.

This visit highlights Tehran’s strategy to strengthen engagement with Afghanistan’s border provinces, even as the Taliban government remains unrecognised internationally. As part of this initiative, Iran plans to open a consulate in Farah, while the Taliban are expected to establish a diplomatic presence in Birjand, the capital of South Khorasan.

Bilateral trade between Iran and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan has surged in recent years. Iranian officials report that formal trade volumes have reached nearly $4 billion annually, reflecting a marked increase in economic and political coordination between the two countries.

In Darzab district of Jowzjan, two women were sentenced to 39 lashes each after being accused of extramarital affairs and fleeing their homes. The court also handed down additional sentences of three years’ imprisonment for both women.

Meanwhile, in Khost province, the Taliban court convicted two men and one woman of engaging in extramarital sexual relations, and a further six men and two women of so-called “illicit relationships.” All received corporal punishment ranging from 35 to 39 lashes.

According to a statement released by the Taliban’s Supreme Court on Saturday, 13 April, the floggings were carried out in public, with local Taliban officials and members of the community in attendance.

The court did not provide any information regarding the judicial process or whether the accused had access to legal counsel. Human rights organisations have repeatedly condemned the Taliban’s use of corporal punishment, citing serious concerns over the absence of due process and fair trial standards under the group’s rule.

Despite ongoing international criticism, the Taliban continue to impose harsh punishments, often in public, as part of their strict interpretation of Islamic law.

Earlier, on Friday, 11 April, the Taliban publicly executed four men in separate locations across Afghanistan. According to the Supreme Court, two were executed in Qala-e-Naw, the capital of Badghis province; one in Zaranj, the capital of Nimruz; and another in the capital of Farah province. These executions, like the floggings, were carried out without transparent legal proceedings, drawing condemnation from global rights groups.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Refugees on Saturday, the meeting focused on logistical and security planning for the reintegration and relocation of returnees. Kabir reportedly urged Haqqani to deploy security forces in support of the process to ensure safe and orderly returns.

Haqqani’s return to public duties follows at least a two-month absence from his office, with the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior providing no official explanation for his prolonged disappearance. However, reports of internal tensions between Haqqani and Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada have fuelled speculation about his diminished role within the administration.

Kabir stated that preparations for the return and resettlement of refugees have now been finalised across all provinces and at major border crossings, signalling a nationwide effort to manage the influx of returning Afghans.