Taliban Culture Minister To Attend International Forum In Russia

In a statement that included a list of those released, the ministry said some of the prisoners had already returned to Afghanistan, while others would travel back after completing administrative procedures.

The ministry did not specify how long the individuals had been held in the UAE or what charges they had faced.
It thanked the UAE government and relevant institutions for what it described as a humanitarian gesture in securing the prisoners’ release.

In May 2024, the Taliban also announced the release of more than 40 Afghan prisoners in the UAE under what it said was a “leadership amnesty” decree.

Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s representative, said militants had gained a “new lease of life” under Taliban rule and were operating freely from Afghan territory. He said the groups were responsible for deadly attacks in Pakistan and stressed that his country remains on the front line of the fight against terrorism, having suffered more than 90,000 casualties and heavy economic losses.

Referring to recent attacks in Balochistan, Ahmad said 48 civilians, including five women and three children, were killed, adding that Pakistani security forces had killed 145 militants linked to Baloch separatist groups.

He said Pakistan is determined to eradicate the groups and expose their supporters and accomplices.

China’s representative, echoing concerns raised by other major Security Council members, highlighted the presence and activities of groups such as al-Qaida, Islamic State and Uyghur militants in Afghanistan, and called on the Taliban to take serious action.

Referring to an Islamic State attack on a Chinese restaurant in Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw district, the Chinese envoy said militant activity on Afghan soil must be treated seriously.

The Taliban have consistently rejected reports about the presence and activities of militant groups in Afghanistan. Taliban officials say Afghan territory has not been used under their rule to threaten neighbouring or regional countries.

With the exception of India, however, neighbouring and regional states have expressed concern about militant activity in Afghanistan.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, made the remarks in response to a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, where several countries voiced concern about militant activity in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

Mujahid said Afghanistan is secure and that “no foreign or rogue groups exist” in the country. He claimed that Islamic State (ISIS), which he said had been defeated in Afghanistan, has “unfortunately established bases in our neighbouring countries.”

He described the security concerns raised at the United Nations as “unfounded” and said they stem from the absence of Taliban representation at the UN.

He did not name the neighbouring countries where he alleged Islamic State Khorasan had taken refuge. Taliban officials have previously said Islamic State fighters are based and trained in parts of Pakistan.

At the Security Council session on Wednesday, Alexandre Zouev, a senior UN official, warned that Islamic State Khorasan in Afghanistan remains a serious threat to the region and beyond, a view at odds with the Taliban’s assertion that the group has been contained.

Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the United Nations, said the Islamic State threat in Afghanistan persists and requires coordinated international action. He added that the threat is expanding beyond Afghanistan to parts of Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

Pakistan’s representative, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, told the Council that since the Taliban returned to power, groups including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch separatists have gained renewed strength. He said these groups operate freely from Afghan territory and are responsible for major attacks in Pakistan.

Ahmad said Pakistan is on the frontline in the fight against terrorism, has suffered more than 90,000 casualties and endured heavy economic losses.

China’s representative also expressed concern about the presence and activities of militant groups such as al-Qaida, Islamic State and Uyghur militants in Afghanistan, and urged the Taliban to take action.

Referring to an ISIS attack on a Chinese restaurant in Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw district, China’s envoy said militant activity on Afghan soil must be treated seriously.

According to statements from the Taliban judiciary, 22 people were flogged in Kabul after being accused of selling and trafficking alcohol, cannabis, crystal meth and heroin. The punishments were carried out Tuesday by a Taliban counter-narcotics primary court.

In a separate statement, the court said a man and a woman were flogged in public in Alasay district of Kapisa province on accusations of extramarital relations. The punishments were carried out in the presence of local civilian and military officials.

Those punished received between 10 and 39 lashes and were also sentenced to prison terms ranging from seven months to three years, the statements said.

Based on announcements from the Taliban’s Supreme Court, the group has flogged at least 124 people across Afghanistan on various charges over the past 10 days.

Despite opposition from international organisations to corporal punishment and the treatment of detainees, the Taliban have continued to carry out public floggings of people convicted by their courts. Taliban authorities describe the punishments as the enforcement of Islamic law.

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy said shipments to Afghanistan rose from 216,000 tonnes to 416,000 tonnes over the five-month period.

During the same timeframe, Kazakhstan exported 5.8 million tonnes of grain worldwide, an increase of about one million tonnes compared with the same period a year earlier, the company said.

It said exports to Afghanistan increased by about 1.9 times as trade relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan remain suspended and Taliban authorities seek alternative trade routes.

Most of Afghanistan’s grain imports are currently supplied by Central Asian countries, particularly Kazakhstan. Following disruptions to trade and transit routes with Pakistan, Afghanistan’s reliance on imports from Central Asia has grown significantly.