Afghanistan’s Taliban government announced a new visa policy on Monday. They will allow people with visas from the previous Western-backed government to stay in the country for now. However, these individuals cannot return without documents from a Taliban-approved diplomatic mission. The Taliban’s Foreign Ministry made the announcement on the social media platform X. This clarified their earlier statement from July 30, which said they would no longer accept documents from consulates and diplomatic missions staffed by former government members. This move is part of the Taliban’s strategy to control Afghanistan’s representation abroad since they returned to power in 2021. The…
Author: Khanzada Gul
Internet services in Gwadar have been restored following successful talks between the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and local administration officials. The Gwadar protests, led by the BYC, ended on Thursday night after a significant agreement was reached. Dr. Mahrang Baloch, representing the protesters, and the deputy commissioner of Gwadar district signed the agreement. As part of the deal, the government pledged to reopen all roads for traffic and remove all obstacles. They also promised to release arrested individuals once the protesters dispersed peacefully. The Gwadar protests began when convoys heading to the BYC meeting were stopped. In Mastung, protesters trying…
KHYBER: In a tragic Khyber incident, three people, including two cops, embraced martyrdom in a firing attack near Landi Kotal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The police spokesperson said that the Khyber incident occurred near Charwazgai post where unknown assailants opened fire on police. The firing resulted in the killing of two cops, Alamzeb and Sher Alam. A passerby also died, and two others sustained injuries. Earlier, a firing exchange between the Railway Police and porters at Mardan Railway Station led to the martyrdom of two police constables and injured one. Four porters were also injured in this exchange of fire. Several others…
Afghan diplomatic missions faced a major setback on Tuesday when the Taliban disavowed many of them. The Taliban declared they would not honor passports, visas, and other documents issued by diplomats from Afghanistan’s former Western-backed administration. This move is part of the Taliban’s ongoing efforts to seize control of diplomatic missions since their return to power in 2021. Despite this, many Taliban leaders are still under sanctions, and no country officially recognizes them as Afghanistan’s legitimate rulers. The seat at the United Nations for Afghanistan remains with the former government led by Ashraf Ghani. On the social media platform X,…
TEHRAN: Iran has decided to seal the Iran-Afghanistan border following several terrorism incidents. Since the Taliban took control in Afghanistan in 2021, terrorist activities in the region, especially in neighboring states, have surged. Iranian media reports indicate that many terrorist organizations, influenced by the Taliban, such as the TTP and the Islamic State of Khorasan, have found safe havens in Afghanistan. This has led to a substantial increase in terrorist activities in Iran and other neighboring countries. Fed up with the growing threat, Iran is implementing a plan to construct a 300-kilometer-long and 4-meter-high wall on the Iran-Afghanistan border. Earlier,…
As Pakistan fights a resurgent wave of terrorism, officials insist they can keep a few thousand Chinese nationals safe. This year, hundreds of local civilians and security personnel have been killed. Pakistan, a major ally of China, has seen billions in energy and infrastructure projects through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of Beijing’s global Belt and Road initiative. However, Islamist militants and Baloch insurgents targeting Chinese nationals and projects have affected CPEC. Since 2017, at least 19 Chinese nationals have been killed in Pakistan. The March suicide attack in Besham, a town in northwestern Pakistan, followed militants storming a…
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur chaired a crucial Apex Committee meeting on Thursday to tackle the current security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The meeting focused on recent terrorist incidents and strategies to maintain law and order. The Apex Committee meeting included key civil, military, and law enforcement officials. They emphasized the need for unified efforts against terrorism. The committee decided on uncompromising action against terrorism and sectarianism. The provincial government will take strict action against individuals and groups involved in terrorism and sectarian hatred. Chief Minister Gandapur directed all departments to ensure no leniency is shown. Law enforcement and intelligence…
In a pivotal development, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has accepted the demands put forth by the Bannu Aman Jirga. These demands, discussed in a recent meeting, are set to be presented at an upcoming apex committee session. The agenda will include the formulation of terms of reference (ToRs) for a committee tasked with investigating the recent Bannu incident. Expected to convene tomorrow, the apex committee session will gather key officials including the KP chief secretary, additional secretary home, Corps Commander Peshawar, KP Inspector General (IG), and other senior officers. During the meeting, the jirga emphasized several…
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly recently passed resolutions addressing critical issues both at home and abroad. One resolution strongly denounced the recent vandalizing of Pakistan’s consulate in Germany, an act that ignited international outcry and diplomatic responses. Another resolution focused on the treatment of Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), currently held in custody. The assembly expressed grave concern over reports alleging Khan’s exposure to mental and physical abuse while incarcerated. They emphasized the urgent need for him to receive adequate facilities commensurate with his status. During the session, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, a treasury member, presented these resolutions. He underscored…
In a distressing incident, another girls’ school attack has rocked the village of Zerakki in North Waziristan. On Monday, unidentified individuals detonated explosives that obliterated the Government Girls’ Middle School and inflicted severe damage on a nearby house. Fortunately, no lives were lost. The blast, which occurred last night according to the district administration, not only leveled the school but also left a neighboring residence in ruins. The intensity of the explosion was such that it completely razed seven rooms, where 255 female students were enrolled. Education Minister Faisal Tarakai swiftly responded to the incident, promptly instructing the education director…