Taliban Orders Closure Of Hezb-e-Islami Offices & Arrest Of Staff

In a statement carried by the Taliban-affiliated Bakhtar News Agency on Monday, deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat dismissed allegations that armed groups are using Afghan territory to launch attacks into Pakistan. He described the claims as “false” and accused Pakistan of deflecting blame for its own failures.

“Pakistan’s security problems are its internal matter,” Fitrat said. “Blaming Afghanistan is a way for Islamabad to avoid accountability for its own shortcomings.”

The remarks were made in response to comments by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who, speaking in London on Sunday, stated that terrorist groups were operating from Afghan soil. Sharif noted that Pakistan had repeatedly urged the Taliban to adhere to the terms of the Doha Agreement by preventing cross-border militancy.

Sharif specifically named Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as one of the groups allegedly conducting operations from Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of numerous Pakistani civilians.

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated in recent months, fuelled by concerns over border insecurity and the activities of extremist groups. Pakistani officials have consistently accused the Taliban of harbouring militants, including the TTP, who they claim use Afghanistan as a base for launching attacks.

The Taliban has consistently denied these accusations, maintaining that no armed group is permitted to threaten other nations from Afghan territory and that Pakistan’s ongoing security issues stem from its own domestic conditions.

In an official statement, the ICC revealed that cricket boards from India, Australia, and England and Wales will collaborate to assist Afghan women cricketers in both their professional development and personal well-being.

As part of the initiative, the ICC will establish a special fund to offer direct financial assistance to Afghan women players. The support is intended to ensure they have access to the resources needed to continue pursuing their cricketing careers, despite being displaced from their home country.

“We are deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring every cricketer has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their circumstances,” said Jay Shah, Chairman of the ICC.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board had maintained a women’s squad of 25 players as recently as 2020. However, following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, most of these players have sought refuge in countries including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Since taking control, the Taliban has imposed widespread restrictions on women, including a ban on participation in sports—effectively dismantling the progress made by Afghan women in cricket and other athletic arenas.

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan men’s national cricket team has faced criticism over its perceived alignment with Taliban authorities. The controversy intensified after more than 160 British politicians signed an open letter calling for the cancellation of England’s scheduled matches against Afghanistan. The England and Wales Cricket Board, however, did not act on the request.

Despite the growing concerns, the ICC previously decided against sanctioning the Afghanistan men’s team, stating that athletes should not be penalised for the actions or policies of their country’s ruling regime.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muttaqi raised the issue during a meeting with Ubaid Ur Rehman Nizamani, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul.

Muttaqi criticised the "inappropriate" treatment of Afghan migrants by certain elements within Pakistan, stating that such behaviour is detrimental to the relationship between the two neighbouring countries. He called for a fundamental change in the current approach to Afghan migrants residing in Pakistan.

In response, Nizamani reportedly assured Muttaqi that Islamabad understands the concerns raised by the Taliban and pledged to convey the matter to the relevant authorities in Pakistan.

The two officials also discussed broader political and economic issues affecting bilateral ties, the statement noted.

Pakistan initiated the second phase of its migrant deportation campaign at the beginning of April. According to The Express Tribune, since the start of this renewed effort, at least 33,258 Afghan nationals have been expelled via the Torkham border crossing.

There have been increasing reports in recent weeks of Afghan migrants facing mistreatment by Pakistani police, adding to the tensions surrounding the mass deportations.

According to the report, the returning families entered Afghanistan through the Torkham, Spin Boldak, Pul-e-Abrisham, and Islam Qala border crossings.

A total of 450 families crossed from Pakistan via the Spin Boldak border in Kandahar province, while another 402 families entered through the Torkham crossing in Nangarhar. From Iran, 76 families returned through the Pul-e-Abrisham crossing in Nimruz province, and 49 families entered via Islam Qala in Herat.

The returns come amid Pakistan’s ongoing crackdown on undocumented Afghan nationals and those holding the Afghan Citizen Card (ACC). Authorities in Pakistan have recently accelerated deportation measures, leading to a sharp increase in cross-border movements.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced on Saturday that at least 44,900 Afghan refugees had returned from Pakistan between 1 and 11 April.

While Pakistani officials have reaffirmed that the deportation campaign will continue, the Taliban administration has criticised the move, describing it as a violation of fundamental humanitarian principles.

Speaking on Sunday evening, Hashemi described a recent visit by an Iranian delegation to Afghanistan as “successful,” noting that opportunities for Afghan investors in Iran are set to expand.

The governor’s visit to Herat and Farah provinces last week was part of a broader mission led by Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister. The delegation included the Director General for South Asia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development, and other senior officials. Their discussions with local Taliban authorities focused on enhancing trade and transit cooperation.

Hashemi stated that the visit spotlighted investment prospects in South Khorasan, and that Afghan investors responded positively to the initiatives proposed.

He added that more than 38 per cent of Iran’s exports last year were facilitated through the Mahirood border crossing. However, he stressed that the Mahirood–Farah highway remains incomplete after 15 years. “Completing this route is now our top priority,” he said.

In an effort to further boost bilateral trade, the governor invited Afghan traders to take part in the Iran–Afghanistan Trade Exhibition, scheduled to be held in South Khorasan from 9 to 12 June.

In a symbolic gesture during the visit, the Iranian delegation also attended Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque of Herat. Commenting on the occasion, Hashemi remarked, “By attending Sunni Friday prayers, we emphasised that Iran holds special respect for the people of Afghanistan. The Islamic Republic is the only country that has provided full security for Afghan nationals.”

He further expressed South Khorasan’s willingness to attract Afghan investment, particularly in the renewable energy sector. “We are prepared to offer opportunities for establishing solar power plants in the province to Afghan investors,” he said.

Iran has increasingly prioritised the development of ties with Afghanistan’s western provinces, including Herat, Farah, and Nimroz. As part of this policy, greater administrative authority has been granted to Iranian provincial governments to deepen trade and transit cooperation with Afghan counterparts. Plans are also underway to establish an Iranian consulate in Farah province.