[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- FORMER CANADIAN AND AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADORS CALL FOR ESTABLISHING TIES WITH TALIBAN – Arif Lalani, a former Canadian Ambassador to Kabul, and Nicola Gordon-Smith, a former Australian Ambassador to the country both say it is time to reopen diplomatic facilities in Kabul. Their arguments highlight the inability of sanctions to moderate the Taliban domestic policies that have resulted in gender apartheid and a steady roll-back of human rights across society.
- TALIBAN CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND REMOVAL OF SANCTIONS ON INDEPENDENCE DAY – Yesterday marked the 104th anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence from Great Britain. The Taliban used the day to implore the world to ‘work with them’ and to remove the sanctions on the country. While the Taliban attempted to use the day as a center stage for its propaganda, human rights critics seized the moment to point out that King Amanullah Khan implemented education reforms for both boys and girls shortly after casting off the British yoke.
- IRAQ ANNOUNCED THAT IT IS PROVIDING GRATIS VISAS FOR PAKISTAN, LEBANON, AFGHANISTAN, AND YEMEN – With Arbaeen approaching, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it would provide free visas for pilgrims from several countries. Afghanistan was specifically mentioned and it is thought that Iran will similarly offer free transit visas for Afghans to make the Arbaeen pilgrimage. Iraqi diplomatic facilities in Iran and Pakistan have the details for applying for the visas and the government of Iran is expected to announce its free transit visa program in the coming days.
- AFGHAN REFUGEE IN UK JAILED FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING 12-YEAR-OLD ALBANIAN REFUGEE GIRL – Sakhidad Ahadi was sent to jail for reportedly raping a 12-year-old Albanian refugee girl who was staying in the same government-sponsored hotel at the time the crime was committed. Ahadi had been seeking asylum in the UK since shortly after the fall of Kabul and the offenses took place in December of 2022. He was first arrested in January of 2023 and now faces at least 8 years in prison before he can be considered for parole.
- PAKISTANI BUSINESS OWNERS AND UNION LEADERS CALL FOR THE REOPENING OF THE ANGOOR ADDA BORDER CROSSING – Union leaders, trade representatives, and business owners attended a meeting at the Rustam Bazar to discuss the continued closure of the Angoor Adda border crossing. The crossing has been closed for several months in response to increased terror activity. The group called a press conference and demanded the Pakistani government reopen the crossing on an emergency basis so that trade could be resumed.
NEXT 24 HOURS
PARWAN SECURITY OPERATION RAMPING UP – Sources in Kabul say that Taliban security forces have moved approximately 300 men to Parwan in an effort to reinforce the local Taliban units in the Province that came under attack recently by Resistance forces. In addition, the local GDI offices have received additional personnel from the Ministry of the Interior who have participated in several of the clearing operations in Kabul in 2022 and 2023. Sources say that house-to-house searches will begin today in certain areas and that additional road checkpoints are being planned to try and interdict Resistance forces. |