On Monday, the Taliban carried out a public execution in Shibirghan, the capital of northern Jawzjan province. This marked the third such death sentence executed in the past five days. This public spectacle took place at a sports stadium, with thousands of people witnessing the event in heavy snowfall. The victim, identified as Nazar Mohammad from Faryab province, was convicted of murdering Khal Mohammad in Jawzjan. The execution was conducted by the brother of the murdered man, who shot Nazar Mohammad five times with a rifle. Security around the stadium was reportedly tight, emphasizing the Taliban’s control over the event.…
Author: Web Desk2
Austrian radical Herbert Fritz, an 84-year-old with alleged ties to the far-right extremist scene, has arrived in Doha, Qatar, after being freed by Taliban authorities, as reported by Austrian media. Fritz was arrested in May for defying Austria’s travel warnings to Afghanistan, which had returned to Taliban rule in 2021. Despite his ordeal, Fritz expressed an intention to visit again. The Austrian authorities thanked Qatar for facilitating his release. They also mentioned the possibility of Fritz receiving medical care in Doha before returning home. The Taliban government did not respond to requests for comment on the matter. The Austrian newspaper…
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is grappling with a significant deficit of Rs608.18 billion in the ongoing fiscal year, primarily attributed to a shortfall in grants from the federal government. This includes funds allocated for tribal district development, the net profit of hydroelectric power, counter-terrorism efforts, current expenditures, and other grants. The provincial government had initially projected total revenue from federal and provincial sources at Rs1,579.65 billion for the current fiscal year, with Rs971.46 billion received thus far. The budget estimates for the settled districts were Rs 1,366.76 billion, and for tribal districts, Rs 212.89 billion. However, the anticipated federal grant of Rs764.61…
A wedding is a joyful occasion of celebration, where people dance and sing. However, in Afghanistan, the Taliban authorities consider these activities as crimes. Earlier this week, the people of Badakhshan province were shocked when the Taliban crashed a marriage event and arrested 12 young people for playing music.Unfortunately, the cruelty did not stop there. The Taliban forces publicly shaved the heads of the arrested youths, causing humiliation and pain in front of their community. After holding in custody for four days, the Taliban eventually released the young people on bail.This is not the first time that such inhumanity has…
The United States has reaffirmed its support for the territorial integrity of Afghanistan and Pakistan within their internationally recognised borders. The State Department restated the United States’ stance on the Durand Line during a news briefing. It came in response to recent claims by the Afghan Taliban challenging the legitimacy of the Durand Line. This is a borderline that separates Afghanistan and Pakistan. Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the department, stated, “We support the territorial integrity of both Afghanistan and Pakistan, in accordance with their internationally recognised borders.” The United States, along with other major world powers, recognises the Durand…
On Wednesday, the Bara police issued an apology to woman for the reprehensible behavior exhibited by officers during a raid on her residence. The raid was conducted with the intention of apprehending a suspect allegedly affiliated with militant groups. The individual in question, Rahmatullah, was targeted for his suspected involvement in recent sabotage activities in Bara. The situation took a distressing turn when the police reportedly subjected the mother of the accused to physical assault. This happened as she resisted her son’s arrest. Social Media Response and Public Protest The incident, capturing the misconduct on video, swiftly spread across social…
The United States Department of State’s spokesperson, Mathew Miller, has expressed limited surprise at the Islamic Emirate’s decision to abstain from participating in the second Doha meeting. The country has also acknowledged that diverse stakeholders beyond Taliban play a role in shaping Afghanistan’s fate. Speaking at a press briefing, Miller emphasized that the Taliban do not exclusively represent the interests shaping Afghanistan’s future. He underscored the U.S.’s commitment to ensuring the voices of all Afghans, including women and girls, are considered in determining the nation’s trajectory. Miller outlined three primary objectives the U.S. aimed to achieve through its participation in…
Afghanistan has been a prominent fixture in global news for over a decade, often associated with the Taliban, terrorism, burkas, and beards. However, beyond the war-related headlines, Afghanistan holds a rich tapestry of ancient traditions and the emergence of a new nation, according to Lyse Doucet. Here are some lesser-known facts about Afghanistan. Nowroz and Buzkashi Nawroz, the Afghan New Year celebrated on March 21, marks the first day of spring. In the city of Mazar-e-Sharif, locals partake in Nawroz festivities, including the raising of the Janda, an Islamic banner, signaling the arrival of spring and the start of the…
The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has agreed with the Balochistan government to settle a substantial royalty of Rs 12.6 billion for the Uch Gas Field. Since September 2021, OGDCL has suspended royalty payments to the Balochistan government. It cited an unusual surge in the revolving credit of power-buying entities. The recently reached agreement outlines a comprehensive mechanism for the payment of royalties. It spans from August to January 2024, with disbursements scheduled monthly. Mardan Brings Matter at National Level This significant development follows concerted efforts by the Balochistan government to recover overdue royalties. These are owed by…
The Swat Circuit Bench of the Peshawar High Court granted bail to Sadidur Rahman. He is a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Bisham Tehsil Council chairman. Police arrested Rahman recently following a violent protest after the general elections in Shangla. The court considered the arguments presented by the petitioner’s lawyer. Later, it ruled in favor of granting bail to Rahman and ordered his immediate release. The police had apprehended approximately two dozen PTI workers who were participating in a protest in Alpuri. The demonstration became violent, resulting in three fatalities and numerous injuries. Subsequently, the police filed charges against about…