Taliban Deny Presence Of Pakistani Taliban During Istanbul Talks

Speaking during a visit to Helmand province, Nadeem claimed that the new curriculum enjoys the support of religious scholars and university professors, and that the Taliban-led ministry remains committed to fulfilling its “scientific responsibilities.”

State-run television, controlled by the Taliban, reported that Nadeem also announced plans to introduce new academic programmes aimed at “advancing education” under the Taliban.

The minister’s remarks come amid ongoing restrictions on female education, as girls’ schools and universities remain closed beyond the sixth grade.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, recently said the group could not specify when girls’ schools might reopen, reiterating that the issue remains under discussion.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Higher Education banned 679 academic books and educational materials from use in public and private universities, saying the content was “inconsistent with Islamic values and national culture.”

Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women’s education and work, drawing international condemnation and accusations of gender apartheid.

Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the ministry, said that 1,120 tonnes of diesel fuel arrived at Rozanak station in Herat province on Sunday.

In a post on X, Haqshenas said the shipment comprised 20 wagons carrying Type-02 diesel fuel, totalling 1,120 tonnes.

While the official did not provide details about the importing company, he confirmed that the consignment belongs to a private firm.

The Taliban administration said the operation highlights the strategic importance of the Herat–Khaf railway, describing it as a vital corridor linking Asia and Europe through Afghanistan.

Earlier in March 2024, the Taliban governor’s office in Herat announced Afghanistan’s first export consignment through the same railway, a $1.2 million shipment of dried fruits bound for Türkiye and Europe.

The Khaf–Herat railway, a joint project between Afghanistan and Iran, is part of a broader initiative to enhance trade, transit, and energy cooperation between the two countries.

One Pakistani security official said: "The Pakistani delegation has made it clear that no compromise is possible on our core demands on cross border terrorism.”

Negotiating teams from the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan met for a third consecutive day as part of the second round of peace talks mediated by Türkiye. The discussions aim to establish a long-term ceasefire, but sources say the two sides hold sharply different interpretations of the talks’ purpose and outcome.

Earlier, Pakistani officials told local media that the Taliban delegation’s arguments were “illogical” and “detached from ground realities.” On Monday, security sources alleged that the Taliban were creating hurdles in the negotiation process.

However, a Taliban representative present at the talks rejected Pakistan’s claims, telling Reuters: “Overall, the meeting is going well, and we discussed multiple issues in a friendly environment.”

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s chief spokesperson, also reiterated on Monday that the Taliban supports dialogue and believes disputes “can and should be resolved through talks.”

Last week, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that if the Istanbul negotiations fail, the situation could escalate into an “open war.”

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, speaking on Sunday night at a regional summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, reiterated his willingness to mediate, saying: “I’ll get the Pakistan–Taliban war solved quickly.”

Tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban have intensified in recent weeks after Islamabad launched airstrikes on Kabul and Paktia provinces, claiming to target the leadership of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

In response, Taliban forces reportedly attacked Pakistani military outposts along the border, sparking fierce clashes that ultimately led both sides to sign a ceasefire agreement on 19 October after several days of border fighting.

Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of providing sanctuary to TTP fighters, allowing them to launch attacks across the border, allegations that Kabul firmly denies.

On Sunday, Pakistan’s military said five of its soldiers and 25 TTP militants were killed during weekend clashes near the Afghan border.

Ali Bagheri, Director General of Foreign Nationals Affairs at the ministry, said on Sunday that about 400,000 foreign nationals are currently working legally in Iran, while many others remain undocumented.

Under the new policy, all legal foreign workers will now be covered by social insurance, with Iranian employers required to ensure their employees are insured before hiring.

According to IRNA, foreign workers in Iran are not limited to Afghans, though Afghan nationals constitute the majority of the country’s foreign workforce.

In Fars Province, Majid Ahmadi, Director General of Foreign Nationals and Migrants Affairs, announced the introduction of a new “Kafeel (Sponsor) Plan”, which regulates the entry and employment of Afghan workers. The plan allows Afghans to enter Iran only through the Iranian embassy in Afghanistan under a work visa sponsored by an Iranian employer.

Ahmadi said that Iranians wishing to employ Afghan workers must obtain an official work permit, adding that the new measures are designed to formalise and monitor migrant employment.

Bagheri explained that the policy requires employers to assume full responsibility for foreign workers in the event of workplace accidents. “Every Iranian who hires a foreign worker must take responsibility for them and ensure they are insured before employment,” he said.

Conditions for Work Visa Issuance

Bagheri said that previously, work visas were issued only to specialists, investors, and foreign company managers. However, following the departure of many Afghan workers which led to a labour shortage in certain service sectors the government decided to facilitate the legal return of skilled Afghan workers who are already familiar and trusted by employers.

He explained that Afghans without valid work visas must exit Iran legally, obtain a visa from Afghanistan, and re-enter for temporary employment. These nine-month work visas will not be extendable within Iran.

“At the end of this period, workers must leave the country,” Bagheri said. “After three months, employers may apply for their re-entry if required.”

He added that to prevent labour monopolies, employers may replace departing workers with Iranians or other authorised foreign employees, ensuring that employment continues transparently and competitively.

The conference will take place in the Iranian capital from 27 to 28 October.

This marks the first time in 15 years that the ECO interior ministers’ meeting is being hosted by Iran.

According to the Taliban’s Interior Ministry, the main objectives of the visit are to expand regional cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations among ECO member states.

The Islamic Republic of Iran said the meeting is part of its broader policy to enhance cooperation and engagement with neighbouring countries.

Ali Zinevand, spokesperson for Iran’s Interior Ministry, described the gathering as “a highly important event”, noting that 10 member countries, including Iran’s key regional neighbours, will participate. He added that several bilateral and multilateral meetings will be held on the sidelines of the main session to discuss security, border management, and regional stability.

The Economic Cooperation Organization, established in 1985, includes Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan as member states.