Taliban Orders Shamshad TV Off Air, Reason Unclear

According to the sources, a Taliban delegation led by Defence Minister Mullah Yaqub is expected to travel to Doha on Saturday.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Ariana TV that the ceasefire with Pakistan is indefinite, saying, “As long as Pakistan does not attack Afghanistan, the Taliban will not attack Pakistan.” Mujahid added, however, that no delegation from Afghanistan had yet departed for the talks.

Pakistani officials have not issued any official statement regarding the ceasefire extension.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson told reporters he had no specific information regarding possible talks in Qatar, where discussions were reportedly being planned.

Taliban sources told Afghanistan International that a delegation, led by Defence Minister Mullah Yaqub, is expected to travel to Doha to meet Pakistani officials. The talks would reportedly focus on the recent border clashes and the potential for extending the ceasefire.

However, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment on any planned meetings in Doha.

Meanwhile, Qatar, Iran, and Saudi Arabia have each expressed readiness to mediate between the Taliban and Pakistan amid heightened tensions following deadly cross-border fighting earlier this week.

Speaking at a press conference in Kabul on Thursday, at the end of a six-day visit, Bertrand said the EU views a multilateral process as the only viable path to address the international community’s concerns about Afghanistan. He emphasised that the Taliban must honour its international commitments.

Bertrand said he had met several Taliban officials, UN representatives, diplomats, and aid agencies during his visit, stressing the importance of the UN’s comprehensive approach as outlined in the 2024 report by Feridun Sinirlioğlu, the UN special coordinator for Afghanistan. The approach, he said, involves identifying initial common steps acceptable to all parties.

The envoy reiterated that the EU considers inclusivity, adherence to international obligations, and intra-Afghan dialogue essential for sustainable peace. He added that the EU had raised concerns with Taliban officials about the presence and cross-border activities of regional terrorist groups in Afghanistan, while acknowledging the Taliban’s efforts to curb opium cultivation and combat ISIS-Khorasan.

Bertrand met with senior Taliban officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi, Minister of Economy Deen Mohammad Hanif, Minister of Refugees Abdul Kabir, Minister of Information and Culture Sher Ahmad Haqqani, and Deputy Foreign Minister Naeem Wardak.

His visit came amid heightened tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan. Bertrand said he had urged both sides in discussions with Taliban officials and Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul to exercise restraint, respect each other’s territorial integrity, protect civilians, and resume security dialogue.

This was Bertrand’s first visit to Afghanistan as the EU’s special envoy. He previously served as a diplomat in Kabul during the early years of the Karzai administration.

EU Concerns Over Women’s Rights

Bertrand said he had discussed human rights with Taliban officials and expressed deep concern over restrictions on Afghan women and girls. He said the Taliban’s recent ban on women working in UN offices had sent “another negative message” to the international community.

He reaffirmed the EU’s strong support for media freedom in Afghanistan.

EU Aid and Development Support

Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the EU has provided €1.8 billion in humanitarian aid, essential services, healthcare, private-sector development, and alternative livelihoods, Bertrand said.

He announced a new €83 million support package approved by EU member states to assist Afghanistan’s private sector, vulnerable families, job creation, women’s economic empowerment, and education and health programmes.

However, Bertrand noted that restrictions imposed on aid partners have undermined the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of assistance. He stressed that after four years of substantial support, the EU and its partners remain committed to improving the lives of Afghans but those restrictions must be reconsidered.

Afghan Refugees and Deportations

Bertrand said the mass return of Afghan migrants had become “a major challenge and considerable additional pressure” on Afghanistan’s fragile situation.

He said UN and international partners acknowledged the Taliban’s efforts to accommodate returnees and provide basic services, but emphasised the need for reintegration, housing, and employment opportunities.

The envoy said EU support for Afghan returnees would increase in 2025 through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), focusing on sustainable reintegration, job creation, private-sector development, and access to health and education.

EU Conditions for Engagement

Bertrand said the EU’s engagement with the Taliban is guided by principles, pragmatism, and a focus on the Afghan people.

He said the EU seeks to work with all Afghans striving for a peaceful, inclusive, and self-reliant Afghanistan and pledged to continue visiting the country regularly to meet with Taliban officials, women, civil society representatives, and other social groups.

Mohammad Reza Bahrami, Director General for South Asia at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Tehran remains committed to addressing the situation of undocumented Afghan migrants and will continue talks with the Taliban administration on the issue.

Bahrami expressed satisfaction with the growing ties between Tehran and Kabul and confirmed that a high-level Iranian delegation will soon visit Afghanistan. He added that Iran has fulfilled its commitments toward Afghan migrants.

In response, Abdul Kabir urged Iranian authorities to treat Afghan migrants with dignity, protect their rights, and halt deportations. He described Iran’s decision to issue work visas as an important step and said the Taliban government would soon submit a proposal to address the challenges faced by Afghan nationals in Iran.

According to official figures, Iran has deported nearly two million Afghan migrants since the beginning of this year.

Mohammad Reza Bahrami, Director General for South Asia at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conveyed Tehran’s offer during a meeting with Abdul Kabir, the Taliban’s Minister for Refugees, on Friday.

Bahrami voiced concern over the escalating conflict and said Iran was prepared to assist in resolving disputes between the two sides if the Taliban agreed. The ministry’s statement said the officials also discussed broader regional issues.

Iran’s offer comes as Qatar has formally invited senior representatives from both parties to Doha for talks aimed at deescalation.

The Iranian diplomat praised the Taliban’s approach toward Tehran and said a high-level Iranian delegation would soon visit Kabul, though he did not specify who would be included in the delegation.