The Taliban government announced on Tuesday that it had released two American prisoners in exchange for an Afghan fighter held in the United States. The deal, facilitated by Qatar, marks a significant prisoner exchange between the two nations. Talks about the exchange began last year but were finalized after outgoing US President Joe Biden handed over power to Donald Trump, who took office on Monday. The Afghan foreign ministry confirmed the exchange in a statement. It said, “Khan Mohammed, an Afghan fighter imprisoned in the United States, has been released in exchange for American citizens and has returned to the…
Author: Muhammad Idrees
The Taliban’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs has openly criticised the group’s ban on women’s education, stating it has no basis in Islamic teachings. Abbas Stanekzai admitted that the prohibition on girls attending schools and universities is merely the personal opinion of Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban’s Supreme Leader. Speaking at a religious school graduation ceremony in Khost Province on Saturday, Stanekzai described the Taliban’s actions as un-Islamic. He said the ban deprives 20 million Afghan women of their fundamental rights. Since coming to power, the Taliban has closed schools for girls beyond the sixth grade and barred women from…
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a landmark strategic partnership treaty on Friday. The agreement signals a new phase of cooperation between two nations burdened by heavy international sanctions. Both leaders hailed the treaty as a “breakthrough” during a joint press conference in Moscow. The pact spans multiple areas, including politics, security, trade, transportation, and energy. President Putin emphasized its importance, calling it pivotal for the “stable and sustainable development” of Russia, Iran, and the wider region. Kremlin sources revealed that the treaty is expected to enhance military, political, and trade relations. However, specific details about…
John Kirby, the White House National Security Spokesperson, emphasized Pakistan’s continued struggle with terrorism from the Afghan border. He stated that Pakistan faces regular attacks linked to this ongoing threat. Kirby assured that the United States remains committed to working with Pakistan on counterterrorism efforts. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, January 15, Kirby clarified that Islamabad has never been a “technical ally” of the United States. He explained that no formal treaty exists between the two nations. However, he acknowledged their cooperation over the last two decades to counter terrorist activities near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The US official…
Reports of India-Taliban discussions have raised concerns in Pakistan’s media and policy circles. Some analysts are urging a shift in Pakistan’s strategy toward Afghanistan. However, such views overlook Pakistan’s consistent policies, historical support for Afghan stability, and legitimate security concerns. Pakistan has always respected Afghanistan’s sovereignty and supported the Afghan people’s right to decide their future. For decades, it has provided significant assistance during Afghanistan’s most difficult periods, including the Soviet invasion and prolonged conflicts. Pakistan also hosted millions of Afghan refugees, offering them shelter, education, and livelihoods despite the social and economic costs. These actions underscore Pakistan’s commitment to…
Pakistan has announced the second tranche of the Allama Iqbal Scholarships Programme, offering 4,500 fully funded scholarships to Afghan students. The scholarships will be provided over the next three years and cover diverse fields such as medicine, engineering, agriculture, and other disciplines. Afghan students can apply for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD studies through this initiative. The program was unveiled during a meeting of the Afghanistan Central Asia/Azerbaijan Inter-governmental Coordination Cell (ACICC). Pakistan’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, chaired the session. He highlighted the importance of the initiative, calling it the largest and most popular foreign scholarship program for Afghan…
Afghan refugees face starkly different experiences in Iran and Pakistan. In Iran, many migrants complain about mistreatment and harsh restrictions. Asadullah Zairi, an Afghan migrant, highlighted critical issues like disconnected SIM cards and increased bus fares. “The disconnection of SIM cards and bank cards is a major issue. According to new regulations, Afghan migrants must pay higher bus fares,” he explained. Another migrant, Farzana Khaleqi, described the treatment of refugees in Iran as “rude and inappropriate.” She added that life for Afghan refugees there is extremely difficult. Migrant rights activists in Iran have also raised concerns. Nazar Nazari noted, “Our…
India’s Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that the country is considering engaging in development projects in Afghanistan, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties. The announcement followed a significant meeting in Dubai between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi. This was the first publicly acknowledged high-level interaction between India and the Taliban government since its takeover in 2021. According to India’s statement, the Afghan side requested material support for the health sector and refugee rehabilitation. India responded by promising further assistance in these areas as an immediate measure. Discussions also included broader…
Pakistan has long been a champion of religious freedom, far outpacing India in its treatment of religious minorities. While India continues to restrict the movement of Pakistani pilgrims, Pakistan stands as a beacon of hope for minority communities. India’s recent action of drastically reducing the number of visas for Pakistani pilgrims during the Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is a prime example. While the quota for Pakistani pilgrims was set at 500, India issued only 100 visas. This move not only violates the 1974 Pak-India Protocol but also deprives hundreds of devotees from attending a spiritual event that holds…
Iran has taken significant steps to strengthen its eastern border with Afghanistan. According to Ali Karimi, a commander of Iran’s Border Force, all borders in the region, including the Afghanistan-Iran border, are now under round-the-clock surveillance with advanced smart equipment. Karimi noted that substantial progress has been made in building fences and walls along this border. The Iranian commander also acknowledged the harsh climatic challenges in the region but stated that the border sealing project is advancing rapidly and achieving tangible progress. His comments underline Iran’s commitment to securing its frontier with Taliban-led Afghanistan, a nation often accused of harboring…