Residents of Nimruz province report that human trafficking remains widespread despite a decree by the Taliban Supreme Leader. They claim that the trafficking network operates openly in the province, particularly from Zaranj city to the Iranian border. Instead of taking effective action, Taliban officials have focused on public messaging, instructing mosque clerics to preach against trafficking and putting up banners in the city. Two weeks ago, Mohammad Qasim Khalid, the Taliban governor of Nimruz, announced that the “Duk” border was closed to traffickers. However, local sources refute this claim. They state that human trafficking continues daily through this border, with…
Author: Salar Tajik
At the fourth coordination meeting between the Taliban and UN agencies, held on January 15 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul, the Taliban’s foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, called for continued international assistance to Afghanistan. He stressed that aid should align with the needs and priorities of the Afghan people while also having long-term benefits for the country. This appeal for global support comes as the Taliban administration faces mounting criticism for its blatant disregard for international norms. While claiming to work towards Afghanistan’s development, the Taliban has been widely condemned for its oppressive policies, particularly against women,…
Recent weeks have seen a sharp rise in Pak-Afghan tensions, leading to the deaths of dozens of civilians, including a Pakistani security officer. In response, Pakistan launched airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktia province, targeting hideouts of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). However, the Afghan Taliban accused Pakistan of killing at least 46 civilians, including women and children, in these strikes. Pakistan maintained the strikes were retaliation for the TTP’s December 25 operation, where 16 Pakistani soldiers were martyred. As the Taliban consolidated power in Afghanistan, conflicts on the Pak-Afghan border worsened. Separatist groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and TTP…
Pakistan’s madrassas have long been hubs for religious education and cultural preservation. Over the years, these institutions have garnered attention for their pivotal role in providing education, particularly to underserved communities. However, the increasing presence of Afghan clerics and students has raised significant security concerns. These concerns revolve around the potential for radicalization, the spread of extremist ideologies, and links to cross-border terrorism. With the intricate socio-political ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the issue is multifaceted and demands careful scrutiny. The Role of Madrassas in Pakistan Historical Background of Madrassas Madrassas, derived from the Arabic word for “school,” have been…
There’s a shocking similarity between the agenda of PTI and the banned terrorist group Fitna Al-Khwaraj, which spreads chaos in Pakistan. The evidence is clear—they’re both working against Pakistan. Just like Fitna Al-Khwaraj uses terror to get what it wants, PTI seems to be following the same path of extremism to achieve its goals. The targets of both? Pakistan, its economy, and its military forces. Right now, it’s plain for everyone to see: Pakistan’s economy is on a better track, thanks to the government and military working together. Investor confidence, both local and international, has been rebuilt, and foreign investments…
The oppression of women continues to grow in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. On December 28, the regime announced a new decision. Residential buildings overlooking public spaces will now be deprived of windows. Women, already confined to their apartments most of the time, are being further erased from society. The Taliban stated that seeing women in kitchens, courtyards, or drawing water could lead to “obscene acts.” Since regaining power in 2021, after an agreement with Donald Trump’s administration the previous year, the Taliban have relentlessly attacked women’s fundamental rights. Women lost access to education and were gradually pushed out of the…
The recent Spoiled Wheat Scandal in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) highlights alarming failures in governance during the PTI-led administration. Wheat worth a staggering 10 billion rupees has been declared unfit for human consumption. This colossal loss exposes the dire consequences of poor planning and oversight under the previous government. In a heated provincial assembly session, Food Minister Zahir Shah Tooro revealed disturbing details. According to him, wheat samples were tested in two laboratories. One declared the grain unfit for humans, while another report by the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) confirmed that 77,762 metric tons of wheat had…
Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing a federal cabinet meeting, emphasized Pakistan’s unwavering resolve against terrorism. He stated that the country’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies stand united in this fight. Speaking about relations with Afghanistan, the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s desire for improved ties. He expressed a wish for enhanced cooperation in trade, economic development, and other sectors. However, he criticized the ongoing operations of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from Afghan soil. He firmly stated that this policy of sheltering the TTP cannot continue. “We have repeatedly conveyed to the Afghan government that while we seek positive…
The European Union has strongly criticized the Taliban for restricting women’s rights and barring access to education. Recent reports claim the Taliban leader ordered institutions in Afghanistan to stop offering medical education to women and girls. This applies to both public and private institutes. The Taliban have neither confirmed these reports nor issued an official response. Efforts to contact the Ministry of Public Health for comments were unsuccessful. When the Taliban regained power in August 2021, they banned girls’ education beyond grade six. In December 2022, they prohibited women from attending universities. Medical fields like nursing and midwifery were among…
There are reports that Afghan women are arrested under the Taliban’s anti-begging laws. These women have shared horrifying experiences of abuse. These women, who had no other means to survive, said they were subjected to rape, beatings, and forced labor in detention. Many of them also witnessed children being abused and even killed in prison. Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, Afghan women have faced severe restrictions. Most are banned from working, forcing many to beg for food and money to feed their families. Earlier this year, the Taliban introduced strict anti-begging laws. These laws target anyone deemed…