Iran To Invest $5 Billion In Afghan Iron Ore Mines To Boost Steel Production

The annual celebration, held in the Arghandab district of Kandahar, marks the arrival of spring with the ripening of berries and typically lasts between 20 to 40 days. It includes traditional wrestling, Attan dancing, singing, and other cultural programmes.

However, local sources reported on Tuesday, 13 May, that the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice is prohibiting journalists from capturing images or footage of the festival or its participants.

Officials from the ministry in Arghandab reportedly detained several journalists for hours and warned them against any visual documentation.

“Officials from the Propagation of Virtue directorate in Arghandab summoned seven journalists who were filming the festival. They were informed that, by order of the provincial governor and the Taliban leadership, all filming and photography are strictly forbidden,” one source said.

According to the same source, Taliban officials also deleted all photos and videos recorded by journalists at the event.

Festival attendees told Afghanistan International that Taliban forces were actively patrolling the area in vehicles, regularly urging people to “align themselves with Sharia”.

Since the Taliban’s return to power, many aspects of the Shalimar Festival have been restricted. Singing and the performance of the Attan, a traditional Pashto dance, have been banned, despite their cultural significance.

During the meeting, both sides highlighted the importance of maintaining dialogue on Afghan-related matters. Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the meeting took place on Monday, 12 May. According to the ministry’s statement, the two sides not only addressed regional issues but also stressed the need to expand bilateral cooperation on Afghanistan-related matters.

The ministry added that both Uzbekistan and EU representatives called for continued, regular, and constructive dialogue to tackle issues concerning Afghanistan, reaffirming the need for ongoing consultations.

While Uzbekistan has not formally recognised the Taliban government, it aims to preserve and strengthen its relations with the group and has held multiple meetings with officials from various countries on this matter.

Recently, Uzbekistan’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan also met with the Polish Foreign Ministry’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, where both sides emphasised the importance of enhancing cooperation on Afghan-related issues.

According to the Taliban’s statement, the man was sentenced to 39 lashes by the group’s primary court, with the punishment carried out publicly.

The flogging took place on Tuesday, 13 May, in the courtyard of the Taliban’s district police headquarters in Yaftal, attended by local Taliban officials and residents of Badakhshan.

The Taliban's Supreme Court announces incidents of corporal punishment almost daily. The United Nations and various human rights organisations have repeatedly urged the Taliban to cease such practices.

Rights groups have criticised the Taliban’s judicial system, noting that it lacks proper standards, and that defendants are denied access to fair trial procedures, including legal representation.

In a post on the social media platform X on Tuesday, 13 May, the UK Mission stated: "46 percent of married Afghan women face physical abuse, 34 percent emotional abuse, and 6 percent sexual violence." It stressed the crucial role of men in ending such violence. Quoting a 29-year-old man from Paktika, Afghanistan, named Adam, it added: "Supporting women and girls is not a sign of weakness, it is a mark of true character. We must be their allies, friends, and advocates for their rights."

These concerns follow a recent report by the Afghanistan Analysts Network, which revealed that divorce has become nearly impossible for women under Taliban rule. The report noted that divorce remains a source of shame in Afghan society.

Furthermore, the situation for women continues to worsen due to domestic violence and the severe restrictions on their fundamental rights and freedoms.

Qadir’s lawyer has requested a 14-day stay on the ruling, seeking time to file an appeal. The appeal is expected to be submitted within the next two weeks, the lawyer confirmed. Jalal Qadir, the former lawmaker's nephew, told Afghanistan International that the decision was made on Tuesday.

Qadir was arrested in Nairobi on 18 April at the request of the US government, facing charges of attempting to traffic narcotics and illegally transferring weapons. The court has ordered that he remain in police custody pending the commencement of extradition proceedings.

In response to the ruling, Qadir’s family has renewed its appeal for intervention from the Taliban, urging the group to act in securing his release. The Taliban had previously pledged to investigate the case, with acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi stating that efforts would be made "as far as possible."