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The United Arab Emirates has released 108 Afghan prisoners to mark the country’s National Day, the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry said.

China and Pakistan voiced strong concern at the United Nations Security Council over the presence and activities of militant groups in Afghanistan, urging the Taliban to take action.

The Taliban have rejected claims that foreign militant groups are operating in Afghanistan, instead alleging that Islamic State fighters have established bases in neighbouring countries.

The Taliban’s Supreme Court said at least 24 people, including one woman, were publicly flogged in Kabul and Kapisa province on charges including drug trafficking and sex outside marriage.

Pakistan is working to connect its seaports with Central Asia through China under a regional transit framework that officials say could become the most efficient trade corridor in the region.

Grain exports from Kazakhstan to Afghanistan nearly doubled between September 2025 and the end of January 2026, the country’s national railway company said.

Human Rights Watch said in its annual report that the Taliban expanded repression in 2025 by tightening restrictions on women and girls, increasing media controls and presiding over a deepening humanitarian crisis.

Afghanistan ranks third globally for the highest number of casualties caused by explosive ordnance, the United Nations Mine Action Programme said, warning that explosive remnants of war continue to threaten livelihoods and food security.

The fourth counter-narcotics working group meeting under the Doha Process was held in Kabul, hosted by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). During the meeting, the Taliban representatives raised concerns about the spread of synthetic drugs.

Türkiye has reduced the level of its diplomatic representation in Afghanistan following the end of the mission of its former ambassador to Kabul.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Afghan migrants were not involved in operating drones during the recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, rejecting rumours that Afghans had been arrested over flying the devices.

The Taliban have rejected comments by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about security threats originating from Afghanistan, saying no country has faced danger from Afghan territory in recent years.

The UN Security Council is set to vote on extending the mandate of the monitoring team supporting the Afghanistan 1988 Sanctions Committee, a move that would keep Taliban-linked individuals and entities under UN sanctions.

Taliban courts flogged 40 people in Kabul and Faryab province on various charges, according to statements from the group’s judicial authorities.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said developments in Afghanistan and security risks in Central Asia are among the main concerns for the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

A Taliban official said the group’s messaging channels are weak and warned that failing to compete on social media would allow opposing narratives to gain ground.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education said a faculty of what it described as “Prophetic Traditional Medicine” will be established at Kabul Medical University under a decree by the group’s leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada.

A new round of polio vaccination began Monday in 18 provinces of Afghanistan, a spokesperson for the Taliban-run Ministry of Public Health said.

Militants attacked government facilities in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, setting buildings on fire and seizing vehicles, local officials said Monday.

The Taliban’s ambassador to Russia said Afghanistan, as an observer member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, should be allowed to participate in the bloc’s meetings.

The Taliban’s ambassador to Russia said the number of direct flights between Afghanistan and Russia is expected to increase.