Afghan Refugees Face Taliban Harassment, Economic Hardship After Deportation, Says HRW
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has warned that Afghan refugees deported from Pakistan are at risk of harassment by the Taliban and face severe economic hardships.
Archive
Pakistan Begins Screening Afghans In Security Roles At Rawalpindi Housing Complexes
Pakistani authorities have launched a screening process to verify security personnel employed in private housing schemes in Rawalpindi.
Torkham Border To Reopen After Month-Long Closure, Says Taliban Official
Abdul Jabbar Hikmat, the Taliban commissioner in Torkham, has confirmed that the border crossing will reopen on Wednesday, March 19, at 4:00 PM local time.
Pakistan Vows To Target Militants Inside Afghanistan, Citing Security Threats
Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has warned that the country will take action against Pakistani militants operating inside Afghanistan. He stressed that Pakistan’s security and national interests would take precedence over diplomacy or alliances.
Torkham Border Stays Closed As Taliban Refuses To Stop Construction, Says Jirga Members
Afghan members of the Taliban-Pakistan Jirga have confirmed that the Taliban has not agreed to Pakistan’s demand to halt construction near the Torkham border. The crossing has now remained shut for over 25 days after two rounds of Jirga meetings failed to reach a resolution.
Berlin Plans One More Charter Flight for Afghan Refugees
German media, citing the German Interior Ministry, reported that Berlin will arrange only one more charter flight for Afghan refugees. A ministry spokesperson confirmed that no new commitments for refugee acceptance have been made.
Over 600,000 Afghan Refugees Reside in Iran’s Razavi Khorasan
The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) has reported that at least 600,000 Afghan refugees, both documented and undocumented, are living in Razavi Khorasan province.
Taliban Enforces New Media Restrictions In Kandahar, Bans Women’s Voices On Radio
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has reported that the Taliban has imposed new media restrictions in Kandahar. According to a directive issued by the Taliban’s Directorate of Information and Culture, broadcasting women’s voices on the radio is now “absolutely forbidden.”
Taliban Urges UN Mission To Avoid ‘Unnecessary Concerns’ Over Afghanistan
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, has called on the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to refrain from creating “unnecessary concerns” about the country.
Pakistan, Taliban Agree To Reopen Torkham Border After Talks, Says Pakistani Media
Pakistan’s Express Tribune reported that the Taliban and Pakistani delegations have agreed to reopen the Torkham border crossing on Tuesday, March 18, following successful negotiations.
Taliban Announces Military Modernisation, Plans To Upgrade Advanced Weapons
Fasihuddin Fitrat, Chief of Staff of the Taliban Army, has announced plans to equip Taliban forces with advanced weaponry and modern military equipment. He stated that strengthening the so-called “Islamic Army” is not intended to provoke conflict with neighbouring countries.
UN Security Council Extends UNAMA Mission In Afghanistan Until 2026
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously extended the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until March 17, 2026.
Taliban Yet To Halt Border Post Construction At Torkham, Says Pak Delegation
Pakistani tribal elders have stated that the Taliban has not yet agreed to stop building a border post at the Torkham crossing. The statement follows a Jirga meeting on Monday aimed at resolving the ongoing dispute.
Taliban Rejects Claims Of Interior Minister Haqqani’s Resignation
The Taliban’s Ministry of Interior has denied reports that Sirajuddin Haqqani has resigned as Interior Minister.
Pakistan Summons Taliban Envoy Over Use Of Afghan Soil In Train Attack
Pakistan’s The News International has reported that Sardar Ahmad Shekib, the Taliban’s Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad, has been summoned by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Pakistan, Taliban Resume Talks On Reopening Torkham Border After Weeks Of Closure
Pakistan and the Taliban are set to resume negotiations on Monday to reopen the Torkham border, which has been closed for the past 25 days. Sources told Afghanistan International that delegations from both sides have traveled to Torkham for talks scheduled at noon.
Pakistan Rejects Taliban’s Request To Extend Afghan Refugees’ Stay
The Express Tribune reported on Monday that Pakistan has rejected a formal request from the Taliban to extend the stay of Afghan refugees.
Former Taliban Detainee Alleges Forced Stripping, Abuse & Photography In Prison
Former Taliban detainee Nadia Sadat told Afghanistan International that she was stripped naked and subjected to abuse in prison. She claimed that Taliban officials took photos and videos of her during interrogations.
Karzai Urges Taliban To Lift Ban On Girls’ Education, Calls It Barrier To Progress
Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has urged the Taliban to reopen schools and universities for girls as the new academic year approaches.
Taliban Closes 22 Media Outlets, Detains 50 Journalists In One Year
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has reported a 24 percent rise in violations against journalists and media outlets in the past year. The report, covering March 2024 to March 2025, documented 172 cases of media suppression by the Taliban.
Pakistan Must Engage Taliban To Tackle Terrorism, Says KP Adviser
A senior adviser to Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has stated that while Islamabad blames Taliban for terrorism, it refuses to engage in diplomatic talks with the group.