Senior Taliban Official Urges Exiled Leaders To Return, Vows Safety

The protest, which began on Monday, comes amid the suspension of UN assistance and a worsening economic crisis for Afghan refugees in the country.

Qais Malikzada, one of the organisers, told Afghanistan International TV that although many Afghan migrants received refugee cards in 2023 and 2024, the process was halted in 2025 due to major funding cuts to relevant agencies.

According to Malikzada, the suspension has left many asylum seekers unable to pay rent or meet basic needs. He added that the Indian government does not grant legal work rights to refugee card holders, exacerbating their hardship.

Farshad Moradi, another protester, said more than 380 people have joined the sit-in. Their key demand is the urgent resumption of refugee case reviews. He also highlighted the precarious status of undocumented asylum seekers, who are vulnerable to police arrest. He reported that two young Afghan women had already been detained in Kolkata.

“Afghan refugee children are not allowed to attend public schools in India,” he said. “Families are forced to enrol their children in expensive private classes.”

Moradi emphasised that temporary asylum seeker cards lack legal recognition in India and only formal refugee cards are considered valid.

The demonstration follows multiple rounds of unsuccessful discussions between the protesters and UNHCR representatives in New Delhi.

Protesters are calling for faster processing of refugee applications, the issuance of legal refugee cards, and improved access to education, healthcare, housing, and employment rights. They also seek humane treatment by Indian authorities and an end to the harassment of Afghan refugees by security forces.

In a statement released on Tuesday, 8 July, the court said the two senior Taliban officials are being prosecuted for their alleged roles in the systematic persecution of women, girls, and others in Afghanistan on the basis of gender and political affiliation.

The ICC stated that the charges stem from a broader investigation into the Taliban’s policies and actions since their return to power in August 2021. Prosecutors say the group has imposed widespread and institutionalised restrictions on women and girls, depriving them of fundamental rights including education, employment, and freedom of movement.

The court also cited politically motivated persecution and acts of discrimination targeting dissenting voices and civil society actors.

The arrest warrants mark a significant step in international legal efforts to hold Taliban leadership accountable for alleged human rights abuses. As Afghanistan is a party to the Rome Statute, the ICC retains jurisdiction over crimes committed within the country.

As of Tuesday evening, Taliban authorities had not publicly responded to the announcement.

In a statement released after the incident, the group said two Taliban members were killed and three others wounded in the assault. Local sources in Parwan confirmed the attack took place, though further details remain limited.

The AFF also published video footage purportedly showing the moment of the strike. In the clip, a loud explosion can be heard, followed by plumes of smoke rising from the targeted area.

On Tuesday, local sources told Afghanistan International that a Taliban checkpoint in Charikar had been struck, consistent with the AFF’s claim.

As of Tuesday evening, Taliban officials had not issued a public statement regarding the incident.

The AFF is one of several armed opposition groups that have periodically launched attacks against Taliban targets since the group’s return to power in August 2021.

Despite not being consulted during its formulation, the group says it will review the resolution’s provisions in accordance with Islamic principles.

The resolution, passed by majority vote at a UN General Assembly session on Monday, 7 July, expresses deep concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly the systematic repression of women, and calls for the formation of an inclusive government.

It also stresses the importance of continuing the Doha process and engaging in dialogue with the Taliban to secure inclusive governance and counterterrorism commitments.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the resolution overlooks the current situation in Afghanistan and criticised the UN for excluding the group from the drafting process.

The ministry claimed that the resolution comes at a time when the Taliban is fostering what it described as “positive” political, economic, humanitarian, and diplomatic relations with regional and international partners.

It added that passing such resolutions without engagement does not contribute to improving conditions in Afghanistan and could undermine efforts toward international cooperation.

Nevertheless, the Taliban stated it would examine the resolution’s content and recommendations in light of Islamic principles.

The agreement was reached during meetings in Islamabad between Taliban officials and Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The delegation was led by Noor Ahmad Noor, head of the First Political Directorate at the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the talks, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing trade, transit cooperation, and joint efforts to address security concerns. They also emphasised the need to further facilitate legal cross-border movement and improve coordination on the return of Afghan migrants.

In a joint statement, the parties pledged to maintain ongoing engagement to address shared challenges and promote regional stability.

The 573-kilometre railway project, signed in February 2021 by Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan, is designed to link landlocked Central Asia to Pakistani seaports. With an estimated cost of US$4.8 billion, the initiative is expected to significantly boost economic integration and trade across the region.

Russia has previously expressed interest in supporting the project.