Germany Deports ‘Criminal’ Afghan Refugee After Agreement With Taliban

He said that the survival of the Taliban administration depends on maintaining unity.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Taliban’s central jihadist madrassa in the capital, Nadeem urged Taliban members not to be swayed by what he described as “enemy propaganda.” He said there were efforts under way to sow division within the ranks and told fighters to ignore the messaging of what he called the “enemies of Islam.”

Nadeem, who is considered close to Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, again stressed the need for obedience and allegiance to the leader. His remarks followed recent criticism by Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s interior minister, who has spoken publicly about intimidation and the widening gap between the authorities and the public.

The higher education minister said the Taliban could preserve its system only through unity and adherence to its leadership, warning that internal divisions and a growing distance from the population could weaken the administration.

This is not the first time Nadeem has raised concerns about internal rifts. He has previously warned of tensions and disagreements among senior Taliban figures and their potential impact on the group’s hold on power.

His comments come days after Haqqani again criticised the Taliban’s approach towards the public in a speech in Khost province. In that address, Haqqani denounced what he called a “government of fear and intimidation,” saying: “We, who were once condemned by the world’s empires, now lack tolerance and instead condemn and humiliate our own people.”

Haqqani urged Taliban officials to treat the population in a manner that would reduce hostility and resentment.

According to a statement from the ministry, the delegation includes deputy ministers from Kyrgyzstan’s ministries of trade, energy and transport, as well as several private sector representatives. The visit is taking place at the official invitation of the Taliban’s Ministry of Commerce.

The delegation is scheduled to hold talks with a number of Taliban officials during the visit. It is also expected to take part in a trade conference and bilateral business meetings, and to visit industrial facilities and other commercial operations in Afghanistan.

The visit follows remarks made in June by Kyrgyzstan’s ambassador in Kabul, who said during a meeting with Taliban Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi that a delegation led by a deputy minister from Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Economy would soon travel to Afghanistan.

At the time, Azizi said that while a delegation at the deputy minister level would be welcome, agreements could be signed in a more coordinated manner and at a higher level if the Kyrgyz delegation were led by the minister of economy and trade.

Randhir Jaiswal, the ministry’s spokesperson, said the visit reflects India’s continued support for Afghanistan’s health sector and that New Delhi looks forward to “constructive and productive” talks with the Taliban.

The visit comes amid strained relations and recent clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan. Taliban officials have stepped up diplomatic engagement with India in recent months, and Jalali’s trip marks the third visit by a Taliban cabinet minister to India in nearly three months.

Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited India on 8 October after receiving travel authorisation from the United Nations Security Council. He travelled at the official invitation of India’s external affairs minister. Separately, Nooruddin Azizi, the Taliban’s minister of industry and commerce, led a delegation to India on 19 November.

Relations between the Taliban and Pakistan have deteriorated over the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan fighters in Afghanistan, with heavy fighting reported in recent months. During Muttaqi’s visit to India, Pakistan launched airstrikes inside Afghanistan, and clashes continued for more than a week.

Georgette Gagnon, UNAMA’s deputy special representative, has said that at least 50 civilians were killed and 453 others wounded in clashes between Taliban forces and Pakistan between 10 and 17 October.

Following the fighting, border crossings have remained closed for nearly two months. The Taliban have said they are seeking alternative transit and trade routes and aim to strengthen commercial ties with other countries.

Earlier, the Taliban’s minister of commerce said India was a suitable destination for Afghan agricultural exports, putting the current volume of trade between the two sides at about $1 billion.

Since Taliban officials began visiting India, New Delhi has on several occasions sent consignments of medical supplies and food assistance to Afghanistan.

In a ruling by a primary court in Andar district of Ghazni province, two people accused of “extramarital relations” were publicly flogged with between 35 and 39 lashes and sentenced to one year in prison.

At the same time, two other people, including a woman, were flogged with 25 lashes on similar charges in Yaftal district of Badakhshan province.

In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, the Taliban Supreme Court said a total of four people were punished in the two provinces.

Despite repeated criticism from the international community over the use of corporal punishment, the Taliban have continued to detain and publicly flog individuals, citing the implementation of what they describe as Islamic sharia.

According to a recent United Nations report, between 1 August and 31 October this year the Taliban publicly flogged 215 people across Afghanistan, including 44 women and 171 men, on a range of charges.

According to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry, Wang met Prince Faisal on Sunday, 14 December, on the sidelines of the fifth meeting of the China–Saudi Arabia Joint High-Level Committee.

During the meeting, Wang said China supports Saudi Arabia playing a more prominent role in regional and international affairs. No further details were released about the ministers’ discussions specifically on Afghanistan.

China has not formally recognised the Taliban administration but has been among the first countries to establish broad diplomatic and economic relations with it since the group returned to power.

Saudi Arabia has also not recognised the Taliban administration. However, over the past two decades particularly since the collapse of Afghanistan’s former government and the sharp decline in international assistance Riyadh has continued to provide humanitarian and relief aid to Afghanistan.