Taliban Organise Armed Rally Against Pakistan In Khost

According to Uzbek media, the council includes 32 members, among them representatives from the board of Uzbekistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce.

At its first meeting on Thursday, participants discussed measures to strengthen economic and trade ties, facilitate direct business interactions and implement new joint projects.

Both sides agreed to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion in the short term.

Davron Vakhabov, head of Uzbekistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the council would promote direct dialogue between entrepreneurs, encourage new partnerships and boost investment activity.

Zamir Kabulov told RIA Novosti that Moscow wants both sides to avoid conflict and instead work jointly to address the presence of terrorist groups on Afghan soil.

He said the issue of multiple terrorist organisations in Afghanistan genuinely exists, emphasising that terrorism cannot be defeated by a single side.

In recent weeks, Pakistan has carried out a wave of airstrikes against Taliban-linked military sites in Afghanistan. According to available information, the strikes have included dozens of operations, mainly targeting military bases, weapons depots and training centers.

He described the killing of civilians in the attack as a clear disregard for international humanitarian law and the fundamental principles of Islam.

Reacting on Friday to a Human Rights Watch report, Atmar said it is time for Taliban leaders and political opponents to take immediate joint national action.

He proposed convening an emergency loya jirga to resolve internal disputes and achieve national reconciliation, stressing the need for collective efforts to defend the country and its people.

Human Rights Watch said Pakistan’s 16 March 2026 airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul was unlawful and a likely war crime, calling for an impartial investigation.

The United Nations said 143 people were killed in the attack.

Atmar reiterated that such operations show clear disregard for international humanitarian law and the fundamental principles of Islam, particularly those related to the protection of civilians.

He also accused the international community and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation of a shameful silence over Pakistan’s actions, urging them to play a more effective role in ensuring accountability and reviving peace efforts.

In a statement on Friday, the ministry released a video of the visit, claiming the area in Terwa district remains under full Taliban control and dismissing reports of Pakistani forces capturing parts of the district as baseless.

Previously, Enayatullah Toofan, a member of the Taliban’s High Council for Armed Forces Coordination, told Afghanistan International that Pakistan had seized parts of Paktika and issued Pakistani ID cards to local residents.

Faridun Samim, spokesman for the Taliban governor in Nuristan, also confirmed on Wednesday that Pakistani forces were attacking vehicles attempting to enter Kamdesh and Barg-e Matal districts, leading to road closures.

The Taliban Defence Ministry said its forces are committed to defending Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and assured the public that not even an inch of land would be surrendered.

Taliban officials said the decision, ordered by Hibatullah Akhundzada, will take effect from Saturday, allowing Iranian transit vehicles to enter Afghanistan without visas or road permits.

The governor’s office said the measure is expected to reduce transport costs and lower the price of goods.

Herat’s Taliban governor, Noor Ahmad Islamjar, visited the Islam Qala border crossing on Friday to oversee preparations for implementing the decision. During the visit, he held talks with officials from relevant departments, including foreign affairs, public works, customs and transport.

According to the statement, foreign cargo vehicles will be allowed to enter through the Islam Qala crossing without visas or road permits, unload goods and then return to their destinations.

The office said the plan could help reduce transport costs and contribute to lower commodity prices, while also creating daily employment for more than 1,000 people.

Afghanistan and Iran maintain extensive trade ties. Before recent regional tensions, trade between the two sides was estimated at around $4 billion.

Afghanistan’s market, particularly in food, raw materials and construction supplies, is heavily dependent on Iranian imports.

However, rising tensions and conflict in the region have affected Afghanistan’s market, leading to increased prices for some goods and materials.