Norwegian Refugee Council Delivers Emergency Aid In Eastern Afghanistan

Sharif described the measures as part of a broader national security strategy and said strengthening the “Durand Line” was essential to counter security threats.

He added that differing views on the issue should be respected, but that the government has a responsibility to ensure security.

The Pakistani prime minister made the remarks in response to comments by opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Achakzai argued that the Durand Line divides Pashtun communities on both sides of the border and carries social and humanitarian consequences.

On Saturday, June 13, Sharif said billions of rupees had been spent on border fencing, surveillance cameras and other monitoring infrastructure along the nearly 2,000-kilometre frontier with Afghanistan.

He said the measures were designed to reduce illegal crossings and prevent security threats.

Sharif added that if these efforts save even a single citizen’s life, particularly that of a child, the expenditure would be justified.

In a statement, the office of the Taliban governor in Herat said Islamjar had departed for Kabul at the head of a delegation and is expected to meet several senior officials in the capital.

Although observers have linked the visit to the recent security situation and tensions in Herat, the governor’s office described the trip as focused on economic and infrastructure issues.

According to the statement, the main purpose of the meetings is to review progress on major economic projects, the expansion of Herat’s industrial park and efforts to address challenges affecting commercial transport.

The statement added that increasing imports and exports through the Islam Qala border crossing and improving customs procedures will also be discussed in an effort to provide greater facilities for traders.

Herat witnessed two anti-Taliban protests over the past week. Taliban forces suppressed both demonstrations and have since imposed extensive security measures across the province to prevent further protests.

The protests erupted following the mass detention of women accused of violating the Taliban’s dress code.

At the same time, the Afghanistan Freedom Front claimed responsibility for an attack on the Taliban’s Directorate for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice office in Herat, saying three Taliban members were killed.

Earlier, Noor Ahmad Islamjar said compliance with the Taliban’s prescribed dress code had been steadily declining in Herat.

He described the detained women as suffering from “psychological and religious problems” and said authorities had been instructed to remove them from public spaces.

According to the statement, the individuals had been detained in Pakistan for lacking valid residency documents.

The Taliban ministry said 230 people returned through the Torkham crossing, while another 533 entered Afghanistan via Spin Boldak.

The detention of undocumented Afghan refugees in Pakistan continues.

The United Nations has called on Pakistan to halt the detention and deportation of Afghan migrants.

Taliban officials, however, have called for the return process to be accelerated despite limited humanitarian resources available to support returnees.

He urged cabinet members to teach religious knowledge to the public and expand religious education to “the mountains and deserts”.

Akhundzada said the strengthening of the Islamic system depends on the spread of religious learning.

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy Taliban spokesman, released details of the cabinet meeting on Saturday.

Earlier, multiple informed sources in Kandahar told Afghanistan International that the Taliban cabinet meeting, chaired by Hibatullah Akhundzada, was held in the province on Wednesday. According to the sources, the Taliban prime minister also attended, and 11 issues were discussed during the session.

The group claimed that three Taliban morality officers were killed and two others wounded in the attack.

In a statement posted on X, the AFF said the attack took place at around 10:00 pm local time.

The group had previously described members and facilities of the Taliban’s morality police as “legitimate targets”.

Dawood Naji, the AFF’s political chief, told Afghanistan International: “We said it, and we did it.”

The group released a video it said showed the operation and stated that the attack was carried out in response to the harassment of women and the suppression of public protests by the Taliban in Herat.

The Afghanistan Freedom Front also urged Herat residents to stay away from Taliban military vehicles and gathering points.