Aid Agencies Suspend Operations At Islam Qala Border Over Taliban Ban On Female Staff

Afghanistan dominated the first half, scoring six goals to Tajikistan’s two, and added three more in the second half while Tajikistan managed three.

In the first half, Mahdi Nowruzi, Seyyed Murtaza Hosseini, Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini, and Akbar Kazemi each scored once, while Abbas Haidari netted twice. During the second half, Murtaza Hosseini added two more goals and Kazemi scored again to seal the victory.

The sixth edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games futsal tournament is taking place in the Saudi capital, featuring two groups. Afghanistan is in Group B alongside Iran, Morocco, and Tajikistan, while Group A includes Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Libya, and Azerbaijan.

Afghanistan is scheduled to face Iran on 6 November and Morocco on 8 November.

Migrants said police extortion has intensified, with demands in some cases reaching up to 100,000 Pakistani rupees.

Samiullah (a pseudonym), an Afghan migrant in Islamabad, said his younger brother was arrested two nights ago but released after paying 20,000 rupees. “Almost every night, police patrol different parts of the city and arrest Afghans,” he told Afghanistan International. “They mostly detain young men and demand money along the way.”

Another Afghan migrant, Aman (a pseudonym), said police have become increasingly demanding. “Previously, police would release Afghans for 20,000 rupees,” he said. “Now they won’t accept less than 100,000.”

Migrants claim police are aware of their residences and are targeting neighbourhoods where recently arrived Afghans live.

The allegations come amid growing reports of mistreatment and extortion of Afghan migrants by Pakistani authorities. In recent months, Islamabad has also suspended visa extensions for Afghans who entered the country legally, leaving many at risk of deportation.

Following heightened border tensions with the Taliban, Pakistan has announced plans to expel all undocumented Afghan migrants from the country.

According to Die Welt, this is the fourth relocation flight since the new German government took office in May. Just last week, 14 Afghan citizens arrived in Germany under the same programme.

Following the Taliban’s return to power four years ago, Germany’s previous government launched a humanitarian admission programme for at-risk individuals including former local staff, human rights defenders, and journalists.

The current coalition government in Berlin has said it plans to scale back such voluntary resettlement initiatives and is reviewing whether previous commitments remain legally binding.

According to the German Interior Ministry, around 1,900 Afghan citizens currently in Pakistan are awaiting completion of their transfer process to Germany. Islamabad has reportedly given Berlin until the end of this year to finalise their cases.

Previously, three groups of Afghans under the same programme were relocated to Hanover via Pakistan and Istanbul.

In a statement, UNICEF said the quake-hit areas are in urgent need of immediate humanitarian assistance.

The 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck early Sunday, 2 November, affecting several provinces, particularly Samangan and Balkh. According to local reports, at least 20 people have been killed and more than 900 injured so far.

The US Geological Survey’s rapid earthquake damage assessment system estimated that about 110,000 people experienced very strong shaking, while more than 1.5 million were exposed to strong tremors across northern Afghanistan.

UNICEF said it has deployed medical teams to the affected areas to provide emergency treatment, primary healthcare, psychosocial support, and counselling. The organisation also called for urgent humanitarian aid to support families who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

According to the sources, the clash erupted on Sunday, 2 November, between Darab’s men and several residents of Qunduz village in the same district. They said the commander’s son, Jamahir, initiated the fight by shooting a local resident, while others were beaten.

One source said Jamahir and his brother-in-law, Qiyam, assaulted villagers during the altercation, leaving six injured including three of them in critical condition. Images obtained by Afghanistan International show the victims with bloodstained bodies.

A resident of Qunduz village said Qiyam, the commander’s brother-in-law, has been arrested, but Jamahir and other fighters remain in the area, threatening locals not to file complaints.

Sources added that Darab Baai is also involved in gold mining operations in Badakhshan province and returned to the Qunduz area of Warsaj shortly after the incident.

The Taliban authorities in Takhar have not yet commented on the reports.