Taliban Ministers Express Concern Over Possible Military Attack

Speaking on Thursday, April 16, at a meeting in Kabul on implementing an order by Hibatullah Akhundzada on “preventing harmful practices”, Muttaqi addressed several points outlined in the decree.

He emphasised that the Taliban bears responsibility for enforcing the principle of promoting virtue and preventing vice. He also called on Taliban officials to study religious subjects alongside modern educational programmes.

Muttaqi said: “Balance must be maintained in administrative, political and religious affairs. We pursue balance because we do not want friendship with one country and conflict with another.”

He also said that officials from all ethnic groups are present in Taliban institutions, adding that this has contributed to progress and stability in the country.

The foreign minister made these claims despite repeated criticism of the Taliban over the past four years for monopolising power, excluding women from governance, lacking inclusive political participation, and ignoring Afghanistan’s ethnic and social diversity.

Kabulov said practical work on a railway in Afghanistan, as well as an oil refinery, has not yet begun. He noted that, in addition to Russia, Uzbekistan and the parties involved, the Taliban and Pakistan, are also participating in these projects.

The Russian envoy warned that any military action would affect progress, including the railway project, which remains at the design stage.

Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan signed an agreement in February 2021 to build a 573-kilometre railway linking landlocked Central Asia to South Asia via Afghanistan.

Officials from Uzbekistan and Russia have previously said the Trans-Afghan railway would be completed in 2026. Denis Manturov, Russia’s deputy prime minister, said transport organisations from both countries, along with Russian and Uzbek railways, are working on the project.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also stressed the need to accelerate the Trans-Afghan project during a regional meeting in Turkmenistan in August 2025.

The Russian newspaper Izvestia reported on Wednesday, April 15, citing its sources, that development of the economic feasibility study for the transit route, being carried out with the participation of Russian Railways, has been delayed by at least several years and requires route adjustments.

According to the report, each country involved in the railway project is independently responsible for security within its own territory.

Izvestia, citing a source, added that the idea of creating a joint security body for the project was rejected. The source said that despite Taliban assurances and high-level discussions on security, experts still consider the risks to be serious.

At least four sources confirmed the incident, saying the arrests were linked to students not wearing caps and trimming or shaving their beards and hair.

The Taliban have not yet commented on the arrests.

They have required students and pupils to follow a strict dress code and grow beards.

Sources in Herat also say morality police have recently imposed tighter restrictions on daily life, widely stopping and questioning women in the streets.

These measures have raised concerns about increasing social pressure on residents in the city.

At least four sources told Afghanistan International that the former soldiers were taken away by Taliban forces on Tuesday. Families of at least two of the detainees said they have no information about their whereabouts.

After the collapse of the previous government, many former Afghan security personnel fled to Iran and Pakistan fearing retaliation.

Despite declaring a general amnesty, the Taliban have been widely accused of detaining, torturing and killing former security forces.

The Taliban have not officially confirmed the arrests.

The assistance followed recent assessments and was aimed at providing immediate support to households affected by flooding in different parts of Afghanistan.

According to the organisation, the aid was distributed across five geographical regions, with each area receiving a specific share of the support.

The distributed items included tents and emergency non-food supplies intended to meet the urgent needs of flood-affected families.

The International Organization for Migration said the support was aimed at reducing humanitarian impact and helping restore normal life in affected areas.

Recent floods in Afghanistan have destroyed homes and infrastructure and left thousands homeless across the country. International and local organisations have in recent weeks stepped up efforts to deliver aid and provide essential supplies to those affected.