Archive

Republican lawmakers in the US House of Representatives plan to remove the proposed increase in Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghan allies from their spending bill.

US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has urged President Donald Trump to abandon plans for a travel ban that could prevent Afghan citizens from entering the United States.

Nine countries have issued a joint statement backing the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants against Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani.

Afghan journalist Ehsan Mahdavi has denied reports that he was beaten by the Taliban, raising concerns of a forced confession. The Taliban’s intelligence agency in Daikundi province arrested him three weeks ago, accusing him of propaganda against the regime.

Pakistani security sources have reported that the Taliban resumed construction of a border post on Monday, despite a ceasefire agreement reached by a tribal council.

Reports that the Trump administration may impose a travel ban on Afghan citizens have deeply alarmed Afghans who worked with U.S. forces and are awaiting resettlement. The White House is expected to announce the decision on Monday.

US Congresswoman Doris Matsui has urged the United States to increase support for former Afghan allies who assisted US forces during the twenty years presence in Afghanistan. She called on President Donald Trump to honour the commitment to protect thousands of at-risk Afghans.

Mohsen Bagheri, a representative in Iran’s Supreme Labour Council, has stated that Iranian workers are leaving for Afghanistan and Iraq in search of better wages.

Ehsanullah Ehsan, former spokesperson of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has claimed that Pakistan is increasingly concerned about the Taliban’s growing ties with India. He also alleged that Pakistan is using ISIS to pressure the Afghan Taliban.

Afghan and Pakistani tribal elders have agreed on a temporary ceasefire at the Torkham border until 11 March. The decision was made during the first round of a tribal jirga, aimed at easing border tensions.

Friedrich Merz, Germany’s Chancellor-in-waiting, has announced that once his government takes office, the refugee admission programme, including those for Afghans, will be suspended.

Iranian security forces have arrested 150 undocumented Afghan migrants in Sistan and Baluchestan province, according to Ebrahim Nouri, police commander of Hamun County.

Pakistan did not consult the Taliban regarding the extradition of Mohammad Sharifullah to the United States, according to Aqeel Malik, Adviser to Pakistan’s Ministry of Law and Justice.

In an effort to ease tensions and facilitate the reopening of the Torkham border crossing, a joint jirga comprising tribal elders and traders from both Pakistan and Afghanistan is set to convene today.

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister, travelled to Oman on Sunday, 9 March at the invitation of Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi, Oman’s Foreign Minister.

The Taliban’s spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, has described the group’s relations with Iran as strong. He stated that the Taliban seeks closer cooperation with Tehran and considers Iran an important country.

After 16 days of closure, traders and drivers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) staged a protest in Landi Kotal, demanding the immediate reopening of the Torkham crossing.

The U.S. State Department has confirmed that it is conducting a comprehensive review of all visa programmes.

The Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, has claimed that Afghan women live in complete physical and psychological security.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has once again urged the Taliban to remove restrictions imposed on women and girls.

On International Women’s Day, Human Rights Watch (HRW) called for increased support for Afghan women facing Taliban oppression.