UN Renews Call To Lift Taliban Restrictions On Girls’ Education

Speaking at the opening ceremony of an international traditional wrestling tournament in Kabul on Thursday, Muttaqi referred to the situation in Iran and said he hoped peace talks would continue, the ceasefire would hold and stability would return to the region.

The tournament, which opened on April 23, brought together athletes from six regional countries.

Muttaqi said the presence of foreign athletes in Afghanistan reflected what he described as improving ties between the Taliban administration and countries in the region. He added that Afghanistan has co-operation with regional countries in political, trade and other fields.

He also expressed regret over the ongoing conflict involving Iran and called for continued negotiations and the preservation of a ceasefire, saying he hoped countries in the region would be able to live in peace.

Since the start of US and Israeli strikes on Iran and the subsequent escalation, the Taliban have voiced support for Tehran and condemned the attacks.

Juan Vargas, US Congressman, described the move as “horrific and disgraceful”, saying it treats people who risked their lives for the United States in an inhumane way.

Representative Ami Bera also condemned the plan as a “cruel betrayal” of Afghan interpreters, partners and their families, arguing they now face an “impossible choice” between returning to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan or being sent to a country facing a severe humanitarian crisis.

Bera urged the Trump administration to honour its commitments to these individuals.

According to The New York Times, Donald Trump is considering relocating around 1,100 Afghan refugees, including 400 children, from Al Sayliyah camp in Qatar to Congo. These individuals were transferred there after the fall of Kabul and had been promised visas and resettlement in the United States.

Nearly five years after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, thousands of Afghan refugees remain in limbo across the region. Since returning to the White House, Trump has halted relocation efforts for former Afghan partners.

Local Taliban authorities said the flood deaths occurred in Bala Murghab district of Badghis. At the same time, the media office of the Taliban governor in Maidan Wardak reported that two young women, aged 15 and 22, were killed when a wall collapsed in Jaghatu district on Wednesday, April 22.

Officials in Badghis said floods also destroyed homes and agricultural land in the province.

According to the Taliban’s disaster management authority, at least 190 people have died across Afghanistan between March 26 and April 12 due to heavy rainfall, floods and earthquakes.

During the same period, 238 people were injured in natural disasters.

The data show around 1,400 homes were fully or partially destroyed, and thousands of acres of farmland were damaged.

He added that the Taliban does not seek war but will defend the country if war is imposed.

According to Hurriyat Radio, a media outlet affiliated with the Taliban, Noori made the remarks at a public gathering in Takhar province.

He called on people at the meeting to work toward strengthening the Taliban system. “The people of Afghanistan have stood firm against all kinds of problems and are ready to make any sacrifice to defend their land,” he said.

The remarks come amid rising verbal tensions over the Durand Line between officials of the former government, the Taliban, and some activists. The governments of Pakistan and the Taliban have so far failed to resolve ongoing disputes between the two countries.

Pakistan alleges that the Taliban are providing shelter in Afghan territory to militant groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The Taliban have repeatedly rejected these claims.

According to the sources, this message was conveyed to Islamabad via China.

A Taliban official source said on Wednesday, April 22, that Pakistan had sent a message to the Taliban through China, warning it to refrain from any actions that could undermine the security situation in Islamabad.

According to the information received, the message described Pakistan’s security situation as “highly sensitive” and stated that “the smallest miscalculation could trigger a strong response.”

The warning was reportedly issued amid concerns over potential drone activity originating from Afghan territory. Sources added that the Taliban has, via China, assured Pakistan that no drone operations against its territory would take place.

However, the Taliban has made this commitment conditional, stating that Pakistan must not resume airstrikes, bombings, or shelling against Afghanistan.

Islamabad has been preparing to host peace talks. Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has deployed more than 20,000 security personnel to ensure security. Despite conflicting statements, the second round of talks is expected to be held in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Earlier, it was reported that US Vice President J.D. Vance may also travel to Pakistan for the new round of talks with Iran.

Residents of border districts have repeatedly complained about Pakistani rocket fire and mortar shelling. Earlier reports also emerged of a Pakistani rocket attack on Kunar on Tuesday night.