Afghanistan Under Taliban Faces Serious Problems but Is ‘Under Control’, Says Putin

He said the Taliban could not preserve their system using only the weapons left behind by the United States.

Speaking on Thursday, Mujahid said the Taliban needed to develop the capacity to counter what he described as the “enemy’s” advanced weapons. He added that modern scientific knowledge was essential, arguing that it would prevent “criminals” from viewing Afghanistan “with ill intent.”

Mujahid also claimed that unlike in the past when Pakistan’s border closures led to shortages and price spikes in Afghan markets there had been no recent shortages and only slight price increases. He reiterated that trade routes with Pakistan would remain closed until Islamabad provided firm assurances that the crossings would not be used as instruments of political or economic pressure.

Sami Sadat, the former Deputy Chief of the Afghan Army, said Safi had led counterterrorism operations against al-Qaida and ISIS-K in Afghanistan and argued that the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should immediately release him and issue an apology.

DHS announced on Wednesday, December 3, that Jahan Shah Safi, an Afghan refugee transferred to the United States after 2021, had been arrested in Virginia on suspicion of ties to ISIS-K.

Sadat wrote on X on Thursday that Safi had been one of Afghanistan’s most effective intelligence officers, serving in Kunar province and leading operations against al-Qaida and ISIS-K. He said describing Safi as a terrorist amounted to a betrayal of wartime allies.

Sadat added that he personally knew Safi, noting that Safi’s father had fought against Soviet forces. He also criticised DHS, saying the department had failed to recognise Safi’s record of service.

All five detainees are members of a single family from Panjshir. The men identified as Shermullah, Gulbuddin, Aleem, Jan Mohammad and Suleiman had served as soldiers and officers under the former Afghan government.

Sources in Parwan said the arrests took place on Thursday. The detainees include two brothers, their nephew and two cousins from a Panjshiri family originally from the Roy Dara area of Shotul district in Panjshir.

After the Taliban returned to power, the men had travelled to Iran in search of work but were forced to return amid increasing pressure on Afghan migrants there.

Over the past four years, the Taliban have arrested hundreds of residents from Panjshir.

The individuals received between 10 and 39 lashes, in addition to prison terms ranging from six months to four years.

In a statement issued Thursday, the Supreme Court said the Kabul Primary Court for Counter-Narcotics had flogged 15 defendants accused of selling and trafficking tablet-k, alcohol and hashish.

In a separate statement, the court said three people were flogged by the Janikhel district primary court in Paktia province for “using counterfeit money.”

Data compiled by Afghanistan International shows that at least 53 people across the country have been flogged over the past week on various charges.

The Taliban continue to carry out corporal punishments despite repeated objections from international organizations that regard flogging and other physical penalties as forms of torture.

The Taliban say public flogging constitutes the implementation of Islamic Sharia.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesperson, wrote on X on Thursday, 4 December, that the administration had decided the routes would reopen only after receiving “strong guarantees” from Pakistan. He said these guarantees must ensure the passages will not be closed “for political pressure, illegal misuse or coercion of the people,” and that the rights of traders and citizens on both sides will be protected.

Mujahid accused Pakistan of “illegally” shutting trade and transit routes and using them as a tool of political and economic leverage. He acknowledged that the closure of the crossings had caused serious harm to the population, but said Afghanistan is currently meeting its needs through other countries.

His remarks come nearly 50 days after border crossings were closed following deadly clashes between Taliban forces and Pakistani troops.

Meanwhile, Pakistani media, quoting Tahir Andrabi, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported on Thursday that the border has been partially reopened for the movement of UN humanitarian aid. Commercial trade with Afghanistan, however, remains suspended.

Recently, Taliban Energy and Water Minister Abdul Latif Mansour said Pakistan’s fruit season had begun and Islamabad was seeking to reopen the crossings to export its produce to Afghanistan. He argued that Pakistan had closed the borders during Afghanistan’s fruit season, and that the Taliban should now keep the gates closed in response.