[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS- HOUSE SEARCHES REPORTED IN SEVERAL NORTHERN KABUL NEIGHBORHOODS – Intensive search efforts have been reported across several of the neighborhoods in Northern Kabul over the past 24 hours. Unlike in previous search efforts, Taliban security forces are not searching for people but seem to be looking for documents or technology. It is not clear what has prompted the recent search effort and there has been no information provided about how long the searches will continue. As of publication time, there has been no word of any arrests that may have resulted from the searches.
- RECENT US/TALIBAN TALKS POSSIBLY BEARING SOME FRUIT – Taliban officials announced the establishment of a new Economic Commission on Saturday and sources in Kabul say the new body was formed in answer to criticisms by US officials during the recent round of talks in Doha. The US and both of the major international financial institutions (IMF and World Bank) have criticized the lack of expertise and transparency in the banking and finance sector. A senior source said that senior Taliban leaders believed the establishment of the new commission would allow the Taliban officials who serve in leadership roles at the Central Bank to continue in their roles while satisfying the international community’s concerns.
- FORMER AFGHANISTAN PRESIDENT, ASHRAF GHANI, PLANS TO GIVE A SPEECH ON THE SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY TODAY – Several social media sites have indicated that the former President plans to address the situation in Afghanistan at 0900hrs local time (Kabul). It is not clear what platform the former President will use and what has prompted his remarks.
- AT SOME POINT, PAKISTAN MUST PROVIDE DEFINITIVE EVIDENCE THAT TERROR ATTACKS IN THE COUNTRY COME FROM AFGHANISTAN – Pakistan continues to implicate Afghanistan in terror attacks that are taking place in the country. While most are apt to believe the announcements that come from Islamabad, Pakistani leaders would have a much stronger case if they were able to provide more public evidence to back up these claims. It is possible that such evidence is consistently circulated among Pakistan’s allies and shared with the Taliban, but international observers are not privy to these exchanges, and very little evidence has been uncovered by the press.
NEXT 24 HOURS
SEARCHES MAY CONTINUE IN NORTHERN KABUL – Without definitive information regarding the purpose of the recent search operations, it is logical to assume they may continue. At-risk Afghans residing in these neighborhoods should be prepared to have their homes searched should Taliban security forces arrive on their streets.