Russia, Taliban In Talks On Recruiting Afghan Workers

Pakistan had reopened the crossing on Thursday, after about a month, for the deportation of Afghan migrants.

The newspaper Dawn reported that the deportation of undocumented Afghans was halted on Friday after a border security official was wounded in a cross-border attack from Afghan territory on Thursday evening.

The Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan had reopened on Thursday for the deportation of Afghan refugees. The crossing had been closed since February 26, at the same time Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab-il-Haq.

Pakistani officials at Torkham said border forces were placed on full alert after a member of the border force was wounded at the Awal Khan post near the frontier. The incident took place at about 9:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Pakistani sources at Torkham said that despite the full presence of staff from the National Database and Registration Authority, the Federal Investigation Agency, the National Logistics Cell, police and other government bodies, they were ordered to immediately stop the registration and deportation of Afghans. According to the sources, about 220 undocumented Afghans were registered on Thursday and then returned to their country through the Torkham crossing.

Pakistani security officials at Torkham said on Friday that the deportation process had been suspended because of the worsening security situation at the border, and that border forces remained on alert. They added that, because of what they described as the “aggressive behaviour of the Afghan side”, the process could not continue for now.

Amid rising tensions with the Taliban, Pakistan has deported millions of Afghan refugees in recent months. Relations between Pakistan and the Taliban have deteriorated to an unprecedented level. Islamabad accuses the Taliban of supporting militant groups, while the Taliban reject the allegation and say Pakistan is seeking to destabilise Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the temporary Eid ceasefire has ended, and Pakistani officials have stressed the resumption of Operation Ghazab-il-Haq.

He said any decision would be based on the principles of justice, inclusivity, respect for the rights of women and minorities, and guaranteed access to education.

Ibrahim spoke on Thursday with Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the Taliban prime minister, about current developments in the region, particularly tensions between the Taliban administration and Pakistan.

In a post on X, Malaysian prime minister said the two sides discussed ways to reduce tensions. He said he hoped the tensions would ease.

The Malaysian prime minister also voiced support for mediation efforts by Türkiye, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to help lower tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan.

He also said Malaysia would continue its humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.

It was the first time Ibrahim has publicly spoken about reviewing recognition of the Taliban administration. So far, however, no Islamic country has recognised it.

Many Islamic countries oppose the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islam, particularly on women’s education and employment. Last year, a number of scholars from across the Islamic world said at a meeting in Islamabad that banning girls from education has no basis in Islamic law.

Russia is the only country to have recognised the Taliban administration.

Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the Taliban’s prime minister, and Anwar Ibrahim discussed regional developments, particularly the recent situation between Pakistan and the Taliban administration.

Akhund expressed concern over rising regional tensions following US and Israeli attacks against the Islamic Republic.

Referring to a temporary ceasefire with Pakistan, the Taliban prime minister said that violence benefits no party. He stressed that actions escalating tensions should be avoided and that issues must be resolved through wisdom and rationality.

According to the Taliban, Malaysia’s prime minister also voiced concern over increasing tensions in the region and emphasized the continuation of the ceasefire between Pakistan and the Taliban.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, wrote on Thursday that Akhund, during the phone call, reiterated the Taliban administration’s position on resolving issues through “understanding and mutual cooperation.” He added that the group had demonstrated goodwill by halting defensive operations during the Eid holidays.

According to the Taliban, Anwar Ibrahim emphasized resolving differences with Pakistan through “sincere negotiations and mutual understanding,” adding that Malaysia seeks to play a positive role in stopping clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan.

Earlier on Thursday, Malaysia’s prime minister also spoke with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about recent regional developments. During the call, he expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s peace efforts in the region.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a press briefing on Thursday that Islamabad has resumed “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq” against militant hideouts in Afghanistan following the end of a temporary ceasefire.

He described the operation as “targeted” and said the temporary ceasefire, observed on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, has now ended.

Sharafat Zaman, spokesman for the Taliban’s public health ministry, said the total death toll from the attack had reached 411, with 263 others injured.

He added that dozens of families have approached Taliban authorities searching for the bodies of relatives, but many remain missing.

The Taliban have buried dozens of victims in mass graves in Sarai Shamali in two stages.

The United Nations has confirmed 143 deaths in the attack.

Pakistani warplanes struck at least nine targets in Kabul and Nangarhar on the night of March 16. The Omid drug treatment center in eastern Kabul caught fire following the strike.

Pakistan’s information minister, Attaullah Tarar, described the incident as a precision operation, saying terrorist facilities and support infrastructure were targeted.

Reports indicate that Taliban military facilities were located near the treatment center.

Pakistan has been accused of failing to observe the principle of proportionality in the strike. International humanitarian law requires parties to a conflict to adhere to proportionality in their attacks.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday, March 26, that Islamabad had restarted Operation Ghazab-il-Haq, describing it as a targeted campaign.

He said the temporary ceasefire for Eid al-Fitr had come to an end.

Pakistan launched the operation on the night of February 26, saying its forces were responding to militant attacks and what it called provocative actions by the Taliban, including alleged support for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP.

The Taliban and Pakistan had agreed to a ceasefire after weeks of clashes, with mediation by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Qatar.

During Eid, the Taliban accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire.

Pakistan said the operation is targeting militant infrastructure and hideouts in Afghanistan. The Taliban have denied the accusations, insisting no group uses Afghan soil to launch attacks against other countries.