The recent revelation of a six-point letter written by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir has stirred significant debate in Pakistan’s political and military circles. Rana Sanaullah, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public and Political Affairs, has accused Khan of attempting to create divisions between the military and the public, as well as sowing misunderstandings within the army’s command. This development raises critical questions about the implications of such communication from a civilian politician to the military leadership and its potential impact on Pakistan’s fragile civil-military balance.…
Author: Muhammad Idrees
The U.S. watchdog overseeing aid to Afghanistan has stated that the Taliban have no legal claim to billions of dollars in Afghanistan aid funds. The group remains unrecognized as the country’s government and is under sanctions, making it ineligible to access the money. The latest report, released on Friday by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), suggests that former President Donald Trump’s administration and Congress should consider returning nearly $4 billion to U.S. custody. This amount was originally allocated for Afghanistan but has remained largely untouched. In 2022, the U.S. transferred $3.5 billion from previously frozen Afghan central…
The Taliban’s power monopoly has come under severe criticism from religious and political figures in Afghanistan. During a recent meeting in Kabul, the Council for the Support of Jihadi Values condemned the concentration of authority within the Kandahari Taliban faction. The council demanded an inclusive government that represents all Afghans. A council member pointed out that Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, along with 12 cabinet ministers, all hail from Kandahar province. This, he argued, undermines fairness and justice. Demand for Equal Representation Mahmood Hasan, the former head of Hajj and Religious Affairs in Panjshir, warned the Taliban that their power monopoly could…
In an interview with a US-based media outlet, Vice President JD Vance firmly defended Donald Trump’s decision to suspend the Afghan refugee transfer programme. He expressed concerns about inadequate security checks for asylum seekers, questioning the vetting process. Speaking to CBS News, Vance addressed the suspension of the Afghan refugee repatriation programme in his first media appearance since taking office. He strongly supported Trump’s stance, emphasizing security risks. “I don’t believe that all of these asylum seekers have been properly vetted,” Vance said. He added, “There is evidence that some of these individuals were planning terrorist attacks.” Vance highlighted the…
The United States has adopted a tougher stance on the Taliban under the leadership of Marco Rubio, the newly appointed Secretary of State. Rubio recently revealed that the Taliban are holding more American citizens hostage than previously disclosed. He has proposed decisive action, including placing substantial bounties on the group’s leaders, possibly exceeding the reward once set for Osama bin Laden. On Saturday, January 25, Rubio posted on the social media platform X, shedding light on reports that suggest an increase in the number of American citizens in Taliban custody. This revelation has drawn attention to the U.S. government’s approach…
The Interior Ministry has suspended the operations of two international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) and Vital Strategies. This decisive step aims to protect Pakistan’s sovereignty. The action has sparked a nationwide debate over these INGOs’ influence and their compliance with local laws. Despite the ban, affiliates like the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) continue to promote the INGOs’ agendas. SPARC, a key beneficiary of CTFK’s funding, violated the law by hosting a conference in Murree on January 18 and 19. This act highlights the troubling disregard for Pakistan’s legal framework and government…
An official from the United States told Reuters that flights for 1,660 Afghan refugees, including families of US military partners, have been halted by Trump’s orders. These flights were intended to bring Afghan refugees to the United States. The group also includes unaccompanied children waiting to reunite with their families. Additionally, Afghans who worked with the US-backed government and now face threats from the Taliban were part of this group. The White House and the State Department, which manage US refugee programs, have not commented on the situation, according to Reuters. Shawn VanDiver, a veteran of the Afghan war and…
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…
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…