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Tajikistan and Taliban Engage in High-Level Talks to Enhance Bilateral Relations
A delegation from Tajikistan, headed by the Deputy Governor of Khatlon, has met with Taliban officials in Kunduz to discuss improving cooperation amidst historic tensions. The talks focused on preventing opposition groups from operating across borders and emphasized the importance of regional stability and trade. This visit marks a potential shift in Tajikistan’s approach toward the Taliban, aiming to foster better relations and address longstanding issues.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Taliban Supreme Court Orders Public Lashings for Fifteen Individuals Amid Global Outcry
In a troubling development, the Taliban’s Supreme Court has mandated public lashings for fifteen people, including a woman, in Nangarhar and Ghor provinces. These harsh penalties have drawn condemnation from human rights organizations, which assert that such practices violate international law and human dignity. With calls for immediate action against these punishments, the Taliban continues to face scrutiny for its enforcement of Sharia law since regaining control of Afghanistan.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Pakistan Escalates Measures Against Afghan Immigrants Amid Security Concerns
In response to recent terrorist attacks and accusations of Afghan involvement, Pakistan’s Punjab police are offering a 10,000 rupee reward for information on undocumented Afghan immigrants. The measures, which include warnings to landlords in Islamabad to evict Afghan refugees, have intensified fear within the Afghan community. The crackdown follows a deadly attack in Islamabad claimed by a faction of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, with officials identifying the attacker as linked to Afghanistan.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Controversial Degree Initiative by Taliban Promotes Pashtunization in Higher Education
In a bid to reshape Afghanistan’s educational and governmental landscape, the Taliban has issued degrees to 11,000 individuals, primarily from jihadist backgrounds and unskilled Pashtun communities, as mandated by leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada. This initiative has sparked concern over the dismissal of qualified professors and the ongoing restrictions on female education, marking a significant shift towards consolidating Pashtun influence in key institutions.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Former Afghan Security Chief Distinguishes Public Sentiment from Taliban Ties with Pakistan
Rahmatullah Nabil, ex-head of Afghanistan’s National Security Directorate, clarifies that Afghan opposition to Pakistani incursions does not equate to support for the Taliban. He warns against the group exploiting this sentiment, highlighting the Taliban’s historic ties with Pakistani intelligence and the rising tensions affecting bilateral relations.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Russia Offers to Mediate Conflict Between Taliban and Pakistan
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, has announced Moscow’s readiness to mediate the growing tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan, advocating for resolution through diplomatic channels. This comes as both parties face escalating conflicts over security and migration issues, with Zakharova emphasizing the importance of a peaceful resolution for the wider global community.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
UNHCR Warns of Alarming Surge in Afghan Migrant Detentions in Pakistan
The UNHCR has sounded the alarm over a dramatic rise in the detainment of Afghan migrants in Pakistan, with over 100,000 facing expulsion in 2025, marking a tenfold increase from the previous year. Disturbingly, a significant portion of those detained hold refugee documentation, indicating a potential shift in Pakistan’s treatment of refugees amid growing nationalistic policies and escalating humanitarian concerns.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Pakistan Urges Taliban for Written Assurance on Border Security
In response to escalating tensions and terrorist threats, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has called on the Taliban to provide a written guarantee that Afghan territory will not be used against Pakistan. He emphasized the need for backing from regional allies to ensure compliance, arguing that current internal conditions in Afghanistan contradict Taliban declarations of control over terrorism.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Taliban Grants Hunting Permits to Arab Hunters Amid Local Hunting Ban
In a controversial move, the Taliban has issued hunting permits to a group of Arab hunters in Kandahar and Zabul, allowing them to capture birds despite a nationwide ban for Afghan residents. Local sources report that these hunters, operating under official licenses, are taking only the livers of the captured birds while leaving carcasses behind, raising concerns about ecological damage and highlighting a troubling discrepancy in the Taliban’s environmental policies.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Iran Pushes for Diplomatic Peace Between Taliban and Pakistan
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has announced ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize relations between the Taliban and Pakistan, expressing optimism for a forthcoming regional meeting. Pakistan’s government has welcomed Iran’s mediation proposal, highlighting the importance of collaboration in addressing border security issues and regional tensions.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Taliban Expresses Condolences Following Tragic Accident Claiming Lives of Indian Pilgrims in Medina
The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the 45 Indian Umrah pilgrims who tragically lost their lives in a recent traffic incident near Medina, Saudi Arabia. Spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi extended sympathy to the Indian government and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Iran, Taliban, and Russia Unite for Regional Stability Talks
In a bid to alleviate tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi recently engaged in diplomacy with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Discussions centered on enhancing cooperation and ensuring regional stability, with Iran offering to mediate between Kabul and Islamabad, a proposal that has been welcomed by Pakistan’s government.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Afghanistan Condemns Pakistan’s Airstrikes, Calls for UN Action
The Permanent Mission of Afghanistan to the United Nations has strongly condemned recent airstrikes by Pakistan, labeling them as violations of territorial integrity and international law. Acting head Nasir Ahmad Faiq emphasized the need for the UN Security Council to intervene and prevent future attacks, highlighting the impact on civilians, including children, following deadly strikes in Khost and Kunar provinces.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Taliban Intelligence Targets Former Military Personnel Amid Rising Tensions with Pakistan
In a troubling development, Taliban forces in northern and central Afghanistan are reportedly gathering information on ex-government military members. This initiative raises concerns that the Taliban may use these individuals as human shields in potential conflicts with Pakistan or to curtail their involvement with resistance movements. Local sources describe a campaign led by Taliban-aligned officials, worsening fears among families of former soldiers already facing threats of targeted violence.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Pakistan Army Warns of Security Threat from $7.2 Billion in U.S. Weapons Left in Afghanistan
Major General Ahmed Sharif Chowdhury of the Pakistan Army has raised alarms about the vast stockpile of American weapons left behind in Afghanistan, valued at $7.2 billion. He emphasized that this poses a significant security threat to regional stability. Chowdhury highlighted the Taliban’s connections to terrorist groups and criticized the regime’s policies towards Afghan women. He also addressed border security challenges, linking trade disruptions to ongoing violence, and underscored the urgency of addressing the dangers posed by the Taliban’s access to advanced weaponry.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Controversial Support: Former Afghan President Karzai Advocates for Taliban Regime
Hamid Karzai, former president of Afghanistan, has ignited debate by advocating for the preservation of the Taliban regime, asserting that its collapse could pose significant risks. Karzai’s support of Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada and his focus on girls’ education as a core issue has led critics to accuse him of promoting an ethnocentric agenda, jeopardizing the broader democratic rights of the Afghan populace.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Former Pakistani Envoy Warns Taliban Against Growing Ties with India
Asif Durrani, a former special representative for Afghanistan from Pakistan, cautions that the Taliban’s escalating relationship with India could jeopardize their government in Kabul. He argues that this move aligns with New Delhi’s strategy to influence Pakistan through Afghan territory, highlighting the risks of regional isolation for the Taliban amidst ongoing tensions with Islamabad.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Border Closures with Afghanistan Cost Pakistan Over $4 Million Daily, Traders Warn
Pakistani traders are sounding alarms over the devastating economic impact of ongoing border closures with Afghanistan, which are costing the nation more than $4 million each day. Trade volumes have plummeted from a potential $5 billion annual market to a staggering low of between $700 and $800 million, as concerns mount over lost regional market share to competitors like Iran and India.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Putin’s Praise for Taliban’s Anti-Terror Efforts Draws Regional Backlash
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent commendation of the Taliban’s actions against terrorism has sparked fierce criticism among regional security experts. Analysts highlight a dissonance between Putin’s portrayal and Afghanistan’s reality, where the Taliban coexists with multiple terrorist organizations while also obtaining substantial financial support from U.S. funds and drug trafficking revenues. These complexities pose significant risks to regional stability, raising alarms about potential new waves of terrorism.
Friday, 18 September , 2026 -
Taliban Emphasizes Chabahar Port as Key Trade Route for Afghanistan
The Taliban’s ambassador in Moscow has highlighted the growing importance of Iran’s Chabahar port for Afghanistan’s foreign trade, particularly following the closure of key border crossings by Pakistan. As Kabul seeks to strengthen ties with Iran and India, the Chabahar route is poised to replace traditional trade pathways, facilitating increased commerce and regional connectivity.
Friday, 18 September , 2026
