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Pakistan's talks with the Afghan Taliban in Turkiye failed, citing Kabul's retreat from commitments on terrorism prevention. Islamabad vows to continue its counter-terror efforts.

Pakistan-Afghan Taliban Talks Fail Over Terrorism Concerns

Negotiations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban in Turkiye end in failure over unresolved terrorism issues. Pakistan remains committed to counter-terrorism efforts.

Pakistan-Afghan Taliban Talks Breakdown

Pakistan's peace negotiations with the Afghan Taliban in Turkiye failed, citing Kabul's retreat from commitments on countering terrorism. Islamabad vows to continue counter-terror efforts.

Pakistan authorities on Wednesday confirmed that talks with the Afghan Taliban to tackle cross-border terrorism failed, saying Kabul backtracked on commitments to control militancy.
The four-day talks began on Saturday and were facilitated by the host, Turkiye, where officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan attempted to find a common ground but failed to reach a consensus.
Pakistan&rsquo;s Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, confirmed the peace talks ended without a breakthrough. &ldquo;The dialogue thus failed to bring about any workable solution,&rdquo; Tarar said in a post on social media. He said Pakistan had long sought cooperation from Kabul against militants targeting the country.
Tarar said, ever since the assumption of control in Kabul, Pakistan has repeatedly engaged with the Afghan Taliban Regime regarding persistent cross-border terrorism. Tarar added that Islamabad had asked the Taliban regime &ldquo;time and again to fulfil their written commitments to Pakistan and to the international community in the Doha Agreement.&rdquo;
However, he said, &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s fervent efforts proved futile due to the Afghan Taliban Regime&rsquo;s unabated support to anti-Pakistan terrorists.&rdquo; &ldquo;The Taliban regime bears no responsibility towards the people of Afghanistan and thrives on a war economy,&rdquo; he said, adding that it &ldquo;desires to drag and mire the Afghan people into a needless war.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Pakistan has always desired, advocated and immensely sacrificed for peace and prosperity for the people of Afghanistan,&rdquo; Tarar said. He said Pakistan has held countless rounds of talks and parleys with the Afghan Taliban Regime, but unfortunately, they have always remained indifferent to Pakistan&rsquo;s losses. "Sadly, after sustaining such huge losses of men and material for four long years, Pakistan&rsquo;s patience has run its course,&rdquo; he added.
He said Pakistan joined the talks in Doha and later Istanbul &ldquo;to give peace a chance,&rdquo; acting on the request of &ldquo;brotherly countries of Qatar and Turkiye.&rdquo;
Tarar said Pakistan presented &ldquo;sufficient and irrefutable evidence&rdquo; of terrorist activity, which &ldquo;was acknowledged by Afghan Taliban and the hosts,&rdquo; but &ldquo;regrettably, the Afghan side gave no assurances.&rdquo; &ldquo;The Afghan side kept deviating from the core issue, evading the key point upon which the dialogue process was initiated. Instead of accepting any responsibility, the Afghan Taliban resorted to a blame game, deflection, and ruses,&rdquo; Tarar said. He thanked Qatar, Turkiye, and other friendly nations &ldquo;for their support and sincere efforts to bring about a peaceful solution to the problem of terrorism.&rdquo;
Tarar reaffirmed that Pakistan&rsquo;s security comes first. &ldquo;The security of its people is of paramount importance to Pakistan,&rdquo; he said.
Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Geo News on Tuesday night that an agreement was about to be reached with Afghanistan, but Afghan negotiators backpedalled due to intervention from Kabul during the negotiations, elaborating that Taliban negotiators went back on an agreement &ldquo;four or five times&rdquo; after receiving instructions from Kabul.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Whenever we got close to an agreement &mdash; either in the last four days or last week &mdash; when negotiators reported to Kabul, then there was intervention and the agreement was withdrawn,&rdquo; he outlined. Asif also blamed India for the failure of the talks, calling Kabul &ldquo;a tool for Delhi.&rdquo;
After the failure of talks, security sources in Pakistan said that the security of its people is of paramount importance to Pakistan. &ldquo;We will continue to take all possible measures necessary to protect our people from the menace of terrorism and assure them that the Government of Pakistan will continue to employ all the resources which are required in this regard to decimate the terrorists, their sanctuaries, their abetters and supporters,&rdquo; they said.

Afghanistan’s Taliban has dismissed Pakistan’s accusations of India’s involvement in recent border clashes, calling them “baseless.” Kabul said its relations with both nations are driven by national interests amid fragile ceasefire efforts.

Taliban rejects Pakistan’s claim of India's role in border clashes, calls allegations 'baseless'

Afghanistan&rsquo;s Taliban has dismissed Pakistan&rsquo;s accusations of India&rsquo;s involvement in recent border clashes, calling them &ldquo;baseless.&rdquo; Kabul said its relations with both nations are driven by national interests amid fragile ceasefire efforts.

Afghanistan&rsquo;s Taliban has dismissed Pakistan&rsquo;s accusations that India was involved in the recent border clashes between the two nations, calling the claims &ldquo;baseless.&rdquo; The violent exchanges had left dozens dead on both sides before a ceasefire brought temporary calm.
The response from Kabul came shortly after Pakistan&rsquo;s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif alleged in an interview with local media that the Taliban administration was &ldquo;fighting a proxy war&rdquo; for India.
Following a week of hostilities, officials from Afghanistan and Pakistan reached a ceasefire agreement on October 19 after mediation efforts in Doha, facilitated by Qatar and Turkiye.
Taliban responds to Pakistan&rsquo;s allegations
Afghanistan&rsquo;s Defence Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid strongly refuted the accusations, asserting that Kabul&rsquo;s ties with both India and Pakistan are based purely on national interests.
&ldquo;These claims are baseless. Afghanistan has never allowed its territory to be used against any other country. We are an independent nation and our relations with India and Pakistan are guided solely by national interest,&rdquo; Mujahid told Al Jazeera. A translated clip of his remarks was shared by Afghanistan&rsquo;s national broadcaster, RTA.
He went on to add, "These accusations that Pakistan is making are baseless and not supported by reality. These accusations are not true and are not acceptable and will only complicate the issue rather than resolve them." Mujahid, who is the son of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, stressed that such claims only escalate tensions instead of easing them.
Background of the clashes
Tensions between the two countries escalated after a series of explosions rocked Kabul on October 9, which Afghan authorities blamed on Pakistan. In retaliation, Afghan forces reportedly launched a border offensive over the October 11&ndash;12 weekend, prompting Islamabad to promise a strong counteraction.
As the situation worsened, with casualties reported among both soldiers and civilians, the two sides agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire on October 15. However, fresh Pakistani airstrikes were carried out on October 17, which Islamabad claimed were aimed at armed groups allegedly given refuge by the Taliban &mdash; a charge firmly denied by Kabul.
The second ceasefire, announced on October 19, marked a renewed effort to prevent further escalation, though mistrust between the two neighbours remains high.

The Taliban assures China that Afghan territory won't be used against them, reinforcing security collaboration. Talks with Wang Yi deepen ties amid regional dynamics.

Taliban Pledges Afghanistan Safety to China

Afghanistan commits to not threatening China, marking significant diplomatic dialogues. Meetings enhanced security ties, key amid 70 years of diplomatic relations.

The Taliban pledged to China that Afghan soil won't threaten it, supporting security cooperation. Meetings with Wang Yi focused on stability, marking 70 years of ties.

The Taliban interim government of Afghanistan on Wednesday assured Beijing that it will not allow &ldquo;any force&rdquo; to use country's territory against China.
The Afghan side attaches great importance to China's security concerns and will never allow any force to use Afghan territory to engage in activities that harm China, Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi told top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi during their meeting here.
Afghanistan is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the security field, combat violent crimes, safeguard China's interests in Afghanistan, and jointly maintain regional security and stability, Muttaqi told Wang, a Chinese Foreign Ministry press release here said.
Muttaqi, who also attended an informal tripartite meeting of the foreign ministers of China, Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday, met Wang separately and discussed bilateral issues.
China was one of the early countries to continue diplomatic relations with Taliban government after it captured power in 2021.
Afghanistan shares a narrow strip of territory called Wakhan corridor connecting Afghanistan&rsquo;s Badakhshan province with China&rsquo;s volatile Xinjiang province where Beijing has launched a crackdown on the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which allegedly maintains links with the Islamic State and Al-Qaida.
Muttaqi told Wang that the Afghan interim government values the traditional friendship with China and places Beijing in an important position in its foreign policy.
The Afghan government will continue to firmly abide by the one-China principle and oppose interference in China's internal affairs, he said.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party, welcomed Muttaqi's visit to China on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan.
China respects Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the independent choices made by the Afghan people, Wang said, noting that China will, as always, support the government of Afghanistan in achieving long-term peace and stability in the country at an early date.

A high-level meeting between Indian officials and Taliban representatives took place in Dubai to discuss strengthening ties across various sectors including humanitarian aid, trade, regional security, and cultural exchange.

India and Afghan Taliban government hold crucial talks in Dubai

A high-level meeting between Indian officials and Taliban representatives took place in Dubai to discuss strengthening ties across various sectors including humanitarian aid, trade, regional security, and cultural exchange.

A high-level meeting between senior Indian officials and the Afghan Taliban leadership took place in Dubai on Wednesday. Representing India was Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, while Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister of the Taliban government, represented Afghanistan.
This meeting is seen as a significant step in reviving and fostering bilateral ties, which have remained largely dormant since the Taliban&rsquo;s return to power in 2021. Despite limited engagement, New Delhi has continued providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Foreign Secy <a href="https://twitter.com/VikramMisri?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VikramMisri</a> met Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai today. Both sides discussed 🇮🇳's ongoing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, bilateral issues and security situation in the region. India reiterated its commitment to&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/a3UyuIqkAG">pic.twitter.com/a3UyuIqkAG</a>
&mdash; Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1876979447175217450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The primary agenda of the Dubai meeting was to enhance cooperation across various sectors, including humanitarian aid, developmental assistance, trade, commerce, sports, cultural exchanges, regional security, and critical infrastructure projects. One focal point of the discussions was the Chabahar Port in Iran, which serves as a strategic supply route for goods to Afghanistan. While India and Afghanistan share a land border, it has remained inaccessible due to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). 
Commitments and Support During the meeting, India pledged further humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, with priority placed on healthcare, medicine supply, and refugee rehabilitation. Over recent years, New Delhi has provided significant aid, including 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat, 300 tonnes of medicines, earthquake relief aid, vaccines, hygiene kits, and other essential supplies.
The Afghan foreign minister expressed gratitude for India&rsquo;s continued support and engagement with the Afghan people. India's Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its readiness to address the urgent developmental needs of Afghanistan. "In view of the current need for development activities, it was decided that India would consider engaging in development projects in the near future," a statement from the ministry confirmed. 
Regional Security and Strategic Projects Kabul assured India of its sensitivity to regional security concerns, emphasizing full cooperation on this front. A joint statement highlighted the agreement to further utilize Chabahar Port to support trade, commercial activities, and humanitarian aid delivery.
Foreign Secretary Misri also underscored India&rsquo;s deep-rooted cultural and historical ties with Afghanistan. "The foreign secretary underlined India's historic friendship with the Afghan people and the strong people-to-people contacts between the two countries," noted the ministry.
&nbsp;
Strengthening Sporting Ties Sports, particularly cricket&mdash;a shared passion in both nations&mdash;was also discussed during the talks. Both sides agreed to explore ways to strengthen their sporting connections. 
&nbsp;
Regional Tensions and Pakistan&rsquo;s Airstrikes The Dubai meeting followed India&rsquo;s strong condemnation of Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan earlier this week. On December 24, Pakistani airstrikes in Barmal district, Paktika province, killed 46 people, including women and children. This marked the second such strike in 2024, with a similar attack in March claiming eight lives, including children.
In response to the airstrikes, India issued a sharp statement: &ldquo;We unequivocally condemn any attack on innocent civilians. It is an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbors for its own internal failures,&rdquo; said the foreign ministry.
&nbsp;
 Historical Context The Taliban, a predominantly Pashtun group, refers to itself as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Initially forming a government in 1996, the Taliban was ousted in 2001 by the US-led coalition following the 9/11 attacks. However, in 2021, the group regained power after the abrupt withdrawal of US forces, establishing itself as the governing authority in Afghanistan.
This meeting in Dubai marks a key effort by India and Afghanistan to navigate complex geopolitical challenges while strengthening mutual cooperation in the region.

Pakistan's airstrikes targeting militant hideouts in Afghanistan have led to significant civilian casualties, with Afghan officials condemning the attacks as violations of sovereignty. 

Pakistan's Airstrikes in Afghanistan: Rising Tensions and Civilian Impact

The Afghan Taliban regime lodged a strong protest with Islamabad over the airstrikes, warning to give a response to the attack.

Pakistan on Thursday confirmed that it carried out strikes targeting militants' hideouts in Afghanistan, amid strong protest from the Afghan leadership, which condemned it as a "brutal act" and said such arbitrary actions are not a solution to any problem.
According to the Afghan officials, at least 46 people, including women and children, were killed and several others injured in airstrikes by Pakistani fighter jets on parts of the Barmal district in Paktika province on Tuesday night that also damaged several homes.
"The intelligence-based operation was conducted by Pakistani security forces in the border areas of Afghanistan," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in response to a query about the Tuesday night strikes at the weekly press briefing here.
She added that the operation was carried out "based on threats to the security of Pakistani citizens".
The spokesperson, however, emphasised that Pakistan had "always prioritised dialogue in matters relating to ties with Afghanistan". "We respect Afghanistan's integrity and sovereignty."
She also said that Pakistan's security forces and law enforcement agencies routinely conduct operations "against terrorist groups in the border areas".
"Preparations for these operations are made in an extremely careful manner,&rdquo; she said, adding that protecting its citizens was Pakistan's top priority.
The spokesperson reiterated that there were threats posed by terrorist elements to Pakistan and its citizens. "Pakistan is committed to the security of its public,&rdquo; she said.
Earlier, sources said that Pakistan targeted four locations of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province, killing several terrorists.
The Afghan Taliban regime lodged a strong protest with Islamabad over the airstrikes, warning to give a response to the attack.
The Afghan Taliban regime's Ministry of Defence spokesperson Enayatullah Khwarazmi said the Islamic Emirate considers this brutal act a violation of all international principles and an outright aggression.
"Pakistan must realize such arbitrary actions do not solve any problems," he was quoted as saying by TOLOnews.
Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai and some other leaders also condemned Pakistan's airstrikes, with Karzai describing it as blatant aggression and a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty.
The former president attributed tensions in the relations between the two countries to Pakistan's flawed policies of promoting extremism in the region and emphasized that Pakistan must reassess its policies toward Afghanistan, according to a statement released by his office.
Abdullah Abdullah, the former Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, also stated that Pakistan's airstrikes on Paktika province are a clear violation of Afghanistan's national sovereignty.
Pakistan has been facing a spike in terrorist attacks since the Afghan Taliban came to power in 2021, while it demanded the Kabul regime to control the terrorists using its soil against Pakistan.

Pakistan's airstrikes in Paktika, Afghanistan, have left 15 dead, including women and children, intensifying border tensions. The Taliban promises retaliation, citing sovereignty violations.

Pakistan Conducts Airstrikes in Afghanistan

While Pakistan has not officially confirmed the strikes, military sources claim the operation aimed to neutralize militant hideouts near the border.

Pakistan has reportedly conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika province on December 24, targeting several villages in the Barmal district. The attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people, including women and children, with local sources warning that the toll could rise. Among the hardest-hit areas was Murg Bazaar, which suffered significant destruction, compounding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
While Pakistan has not officially confirmed the strikes, military sources claim the operation aimed to neutralize militant hideouts near the border. Afghan officials, however, strongly condemned the attacks, with the Taliban's Ministry of Defence accusing Pakistan of targeting civilians, including Waziristani refugees. The Ministry declared the strikes a violation of Afghanistan&rsquo;s sovereignty and vowed to retaliate, asserting their right to defend their territory.
The airstrikes have further strained relations between the two nations, already fraught with tensions over the activities of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of harboring TTP militants, who have intensified attacks on Pakistani forces in recent months. The Afghan Taliban denies these allegations, maintaining that their territory is not being used as a safe haven for militants.
The civilian toll of the strikes has sparked outrage, with reports of children among the victims and entire families displaced. Waziristani refugees, long uprooted by military operations in Pakistan&rsquo;s tribal regions, now face renewed suffering as they are caught in the crossfire of escalating hostilities.
This latest incident highlights the fragile state of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and the growing risk of broader conflict. As both sides exchange blame and promises of further action, the region faces mounting instability and an uncertain future.

Afghan women leaders gathered at United Nations asking the world to do more for Afghan women. Women leaders joined the Summit organised by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for Afghan women. Guterres highlighted deep crisis of gender-based discri

Meryl Streep Joins UN Chief, Slams Taliban: 'Today, A Squirrel Has More Rights Than A Girl In Afghanistan'

Afghan women leaders gathered at United Nations asking the world to do more for Afghan women. Women leaders joined the Summit organised by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for Afghan women. Guterres highlighted deep crisis of gender-based discrimination, oppression faced by Afghanistan women. The even attended by Oscar winning actor and activist Meryl Streep, she introduced short film on Afghan women. Introducing ‘The Sharp Edge of Peace’ Streep described the story of Afghanistan as ‘a cautionary tale for the world’.

Afghan women leaders gathered at United Nations asking the world to do more for Afghan women. Women leaders joined the Summit organised by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for Afghan women.

Afghan women leaders gathered at United Nations asking the world to do more for Afghan women. Women leaders joined the Summit organised by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for Afghan women. Guterres highlighted deep crisis of gender-based discrimination, oppression faced by Afghanistan women. The even attended by Oscar winning actor and activist Meryl Streep, she introduced short film on Afghan women. Introducing &lsquo;The Sharp Edge of Peace&rsquo; Streep described the story of Afghanistan as &lsquo;a cautionary tale for the world&rsquo;.

Taliban have called Balochistan as one of the main hubs of ISIS Khorasan branch and highlighted the ISIS-Khorasan threat emerging from neighbouring Tajikistan.

Taliban dub Pakistan, Tajikistan launchpad of ISIS-K, warn more Moscow-like attacks 

Taliban have called Balochistan as one of the main hubs of ISIS Khorasan branch and highlighted the ISIS-Khorasan threat emerging from neighbouring Tajikistan.

As Russia suspects Ukraine's hand in the deadly terror attacks that killed more than 150 people despite the Islamic State's affiliate, the Islamic State Khorasan Province, owning the assaults, Taliban mouthpiece Al-Mirsad English has alleged that the terror group has been imparting training to its fighters in Pakistan's Balochistan province.
The report quoting sources said that more brutal terror attacks akin to Moscow might happen across the world in the near future if the world governments fail to address the issue.&nbsp;
"Sources suggest that Balochistan currently serves as a significant stronghold for the Khorasan branch of ISIS, housing hideouts, training facilities and bomb-making workshops. Furthermore. it has been disclosed that the leader of the Khorasan branch ---Shihab Al-Muhajir ---and his close associates are residing in Balochistan province, orchestrating attacks not only in Afghanistan but also globally," Hindustan Times quoted the publication as saying.&nbsp;
It dubbed Balochistan as &lsquo;one of the main hubs of ISIS Khorasan branch&rsquo; and highlighted the ISIS-K threat emerging from neighbouring Tajikistan.&nbsp;
Notably, Russian media, including Telegram channels with links to the security services, and a lawmaker have alleged that the four suspected assailants were Tajiks.&nbsp;
Lawmaker Alexander Khinshtein said a pistol, a magazine for an assault rifle, and passports from Tajikistan were found in their getaway car. &nbsp;
On Saturday, Tajikistan's foreign ministry said reports that its citizens were involved were "fake".
The interior ministry also said two of those initially named in Russian media were in Tajikistan at the time of the attack.
Putin said on Saturday that 11 people had been arrested over the attack, including the four suspected gunmen, who it said were trying to flee to Ukraine.
IS has said it was behind the attack on multiple occasions since Friday, though Russian officials have not publicly addressed the claims of responsibility.
&nbsp;

Pakistan's airstrikes killed eight people in Afghanistan on Monday. The Taliban later issued a warning to Islamabad.

Taliban react to Pakistan’s airstrike that killed 8: ‘consequences will be out of your control'

Pakistan's airstrikes killed eight people in Afghanistan on Monday. The Taliban later issued a warning to Islamabad.

The Taliban have issued a stern warning to Pakistan after Islamabad&rsquo;s airstrikes allegedly killed eight people on Monday. Taliban spokesperson said the &lsquo;reckless&rsquo; strike can have very bad consequences which will be out of Pakistan's control.
The Taliban government also labeled the airstrike a violation of Afghanistan&rsquo;s sovereignty. All eight people killed in Pakistan's airstrike are believed to be women and children.
The Pakistani strikes come two days after the country&rsquo;s eight troopers were killed in an attack. President Asif Ali Zardari promised to retaliate to the strikes.
Pakistan would retaliate against every force that enters its border to commit terror and make it accountable for the blood of each fallen soldier, Zardari said on Sunday.
A Lieutenant Colonel and a Captain were killed along with five soldiers. All the six terrorists who attacked the check post in Mir Ali area were shot dead.
"Pakistan has decided that whoever will enter our borders, homes or country and commit terror, we will respond to them strongly, regardless of who it is or from which country,&rdquo; Zardari was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Pakistan Army.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/pia-canada-mystery-why-cabin-crew-are-vanishing-after-leaving-pakistan-1710779106522">PIA-Canada mystery: Why cabin crew are vanishing after leaving Pakistan</a>

'Vacations with Taliban': who's Herbert Fritz- 84-year-old Austrian far-right activist freed by Taliban  

'Vacations with Taliban': who's Herbert Fritz- 84-year-old Austrian far-right activist freed by Taliban &nbsp;

An 84-year-old Austrian man who travelled to Afghanistan last year and was arrested there was released by the country's Taliban rulers, the Austrian government said on Sunday.
The Austrian Foreign Ministry in a statement identified the man as Herbert Fritz and said he arrived in Doha, Qatar from Afghanistan on Sunday afternoon. If necessary, he will be given medical treatment before continuing on to Austria, it said.
A spokeswoman for the Austrian Foreign Ministry told the Associated Press that the man had been held in a prison in Kabul.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer thanked the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his team for their &ldquo;strong support in releasing one of our citizens from prison in Afghanistan&rdquo;.
&ldquo;It is only due to our trusted collaboration that this Austrian citizen will be able to return home to his daughter and grandchildren,&rdquo; Nehammer said.
Qatar's Foreign Affairs ministry released a statement on X expressing gratitude to the &ldquo;caretaker government in Afghanistan&rdquo; for releasing the Austrian.
&ldquo;The State of Qatar has proven, regionally and globally, that it is a trusted international partner in various important issues, and it spares no effort in harnessing its energy and ability in the areas of mediation, preventive diplomacy, and settling disputes through peaceful means ... ," it said.
Austrian newspaper Der Standard reported last year that an Austrian man had been arrested in Afghanistan and that he was a veteran far-right extremist and co-founder of a minor far-right party that was banned in 1988, the National Democratic Party.
It said he had been in custody for a few weeks, since shortly after a far-right magazine published an article he wrote titled &ldquo;Vacation with the Taliban&rdquo; in which he gave a positive view of life in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
According to the report, he was accused of spying and Austrian neo-Nazis made his case public via Telegram channels.
The Taliban have barred women from most areas of public life and stopped girls from going to school beyond the sixth grade as part of harsh measures they imposed after taking control of the country in 2021, despite initially promising more moderate rule. The Taliban seized Afghanistan as US and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war.
According to Der Standard, the Austrian has been a keen traveller to dangerous locations, visiting Afghanistan in the 1980s and, a few years ago, visiting Kurds fighting against the Islamic State group in northern Syria.
Austrian officials said Fritz arrived in Afghanistan last May but did not say where in the country he was detained.

Two men were publicly executed inside a football stadium by the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan for alleged murder.

Taliban authorities execute two convicted murderers in football stadium

Two men were publicly executed inside a football stadium by the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan for alleged murder.

Taliban authorities publicly executed two men convicted of murder in a football stadium in eastern Afghanistan on Thursday, according to an AFP journalist at the scene.
Both men were executed by multiple gunshots to the back in Ghazni city after Supreme Court official Atiqullah Darwish read aloud a death warrant signed by Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
"These two people were convicted of the crime of murder," Darwish said. "After two years of trial in the courts of the country, the order has been signed."
Thousands of people gathered in the stadium to witness the executions.
Families of the convicted men's victims were present, including women and children, and were asked if they wanted to grant the condemned a last-minute reprieve, but they declined in both cases.
Relatives were also offered to carry out the execution themselves, in line with Taliban government implementation of Islamic law, but members of the security forces killed both men after they refused.
The executed were identified as Said Jamal and Gul Khan, both guilty of knife murders in September 2017 and January 2022 respectively, according to a Supreme Court statement.
The statement said Akhundzada had conducted an "extraordinary investigation" into their cases.
The Taliban administration in Kabul has not been officially recognised by any other government since it took power in 2021 and installed its strict interpretation of Islamic law.
Akhundzada ordered judges in 2022 to fully implement all aspects of Islamic law -- including "eye for an eye" punishments known as "qisas".
Regular floggings &nbsp;
Islamic law, or sharia, acts as a code of living for Muslims worldwide, offering guidance on issues such as modesty, finance and crime.
However, interpretations vary according to local custom, culture and religious schools of thought.
Taliban scholars in Afghanistan have employed one of the most severe interpretations of the code, including capital and corporal punishments little used by most modern Muslim states.
Hundreds of millions of dollars were spent building a new judicial system under the last foreign-backed government, a combination of Islamic and secular law with qualified prosecutors, defence lawyers and judges.
However, many Afghans complained of corruption, bribery and the slow delivery of justice.
Public executions were common during the Taliban's first rule from 1996 to 2001.
Thursday's executions are believed to be the third and fourth death penalties meted out since the Taliban authorities returned to power.
The first two had also been convicted of murder.
There have been regular public floggings for other crimes, however, including theft, adultery and alcohol consumption.
The last reported execution was carried out in June 2023, when a convicted murderer was shot dead in the grounds of a mosque in Laghman province in front of some 2,000 people.
The UN mission in Afghanistan, UNAMA, condemned the use of capital punishment in a post on social media later Thursday, urging the authorities "to establish an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty, as a step towards its abolition".

A video of Taliban forces patrolling Kabul's streets on skates has now gone viral on social media.

Kabul: Armed Taliban men patrol streets on roller skates

A video of Taliban forces patrolling Kabul's streets on skates has now gone viral on social media.

Members of the Taliban were seen gliding through Kabul&rsquo;s streets wearing roller skates. The armed men catapulted and launched each other onto a busy street while some held onto the armoured trucks.&nbsp;
Reports say the men who patrolled the streets on skates were part of the public security force, which answers to the Ministry of Interior.
The &ldquo;amazing balance and body strength,&rdquo; of the skating men was appreciated by a fellow member of the security forces. &ldquo;It might be common in the world elsewhere, but for us, it was rare to see on the roads of Kabul,&rdquo; a member told the Telegraph.
The authenticity of the unusual video was confirmed by Khalid Zadran, the spokesperson of Kabul&rsquo;s police wings.&nbsp;
Social media users also reacted to the video. &ldquo;They&rsquo;re just spinning their wheels,&rdquo; a user commented on the viral video.
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Taliban foreign minister lists 2 reasons behind Pakistan's move to remove Afghan refugees

Taliban foreign minister said Pakistan was using the refugee situation as a pressure tactic to force his administration to act against TTP and accept the Durand line as a permanent border between the two nations.&nbsp;

Not all is well between neighbours Afghanistan and Pakistan, with Islamabad forcing out over 1,70,000 Afghan refugees from its soil in recent days.&nbsp; The ruling Taliban has already rebuked Pakistan over its expulsion of undocumented migrants as thousands of Afghans cross back over the border after Islamabad's deadline expired.
Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob, the Taliban regime's defense minister, chided Pakistan with a proverb in Pashto: "As you sow, so shall you reap." In a conversation with BBC Pashto service, Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said that Islamabad was using pressure tactics and wanted them to act against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, a terror group active in the country's resistive Western frontier.&nbsp; Muttaqi also said that Pakistan wants Kabul to accept the Durran line as an International border.&nbsp; In June 2023, the Taliban's Defence Minister Mujahid had said that the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, called the Durand Line, is merely a 'line'. The voluntary evacuation has been going on since the government gave an ultimatum to all unregistered foreign nationals to leave Pakistan by November 1 after which action would be taken against them according to law.

 Taliban appeal to Afghan private sector as Pakistan expels lakhs of migrants

&nbsp;Taliban appeal to Afghan private sector as Pakistan expels lakhs of migrants

The Taliban on Saturday appealed to Afghanistan's private sector to help people fleeing Pakistan's mass deportation drive.
Pakistan is arresting and expelling all foreigners it says are in the country illegally, but the policy mostly affects Afghans because they are the biggest group of undocumented foreigners in the country.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Kabul urged Afghanistan's private sector to step forward and help.
Afghans forcibly expelled from Pakistan are facing the worst situation of their lives, with no opportunities, the ministry said.
&ldquo;The ministry invites the private sector to take action because of the profound humanitarian disaster caused by the forced migration of hundreds of thousands of the poor and needy. It is the duty of Islam and Afghans to stand up for their fellow countrymen.&rdquo; Afghanistan is overwhelmed by challenges, including years of drought, a beleaguered economy and the aftermath of decades of war.
Millions are already internally displaced, raising concerns among the humanitarian community about the impoverished country being unable to support or integrate those leaving Pakistan.
Taliban social media accounts have shown senior officials at the Torkham border, in eastern Nangarhar province, shaking hands with returning Afghans and welcoming them home. Temporary camps are providing people with food, shelter, and health care, according to Taliban authorities.
As many as 250,000 Afghans left Pakistan before an October 31 deadline to leave voluntarily expired. Tens of thousands are heading to border areas fearing detention and deportation as Pakistan security forces go door-to-door searching for undocumented foreigners.
Aid agencies have scrambled teams to border areas, describing chaotic and desperate scenes among returning Afghans.
People told Save the Children they have nowhere to live or money to pay for food, rent or transport after crossing the border. Some Afghan children born in Pakistan are in Afghanistan for the first time, the agency said.
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The deportation drive marks a spike in tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban.
Pakistan says Afghans are responsible for carrying out suicide attacks in the country and accuses the Taliban of harbouring such militants. The Taliban deny the allegations.
On Friday, senior Taliban figures again condemned Pakistan for its anti-migrant crackdown. They called the policy cruel and one-sided and demanded that Afghans be treated with respect and dignity.
The Taliban's acting defence minister in Kabul, Muhammad Yaqoob Mujahid, issued a warning to Pakistan.
&ldquo;Pakistan should face the consequences of its actions and reap what it sows," he said. &ldquo;What is going on right now will have a negative impact on relations between both countries.&rdquo;

Afghan embassy in India announces shut down of operations

Afghan embassy shuts down its India operations Embassy in New Delhi released statement on Sept 30 on X Decision to cease operations is effective from today

The emergency consular services for Afghan citizens will remain operative till the transfer of the custodial authority of the embassy to the host country, the statement further read.

The Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi announced Saturday night that it is ceasing its operations from October 1, citing a "lack of support from the host government", failure to meet expectations in serving Afghanistan's interests, and reduction in personnel and resources.
In a statement, the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi said it regrets announcing the decision to cease its operations, effective October 1, 2023.
"It is with profound sadness, regret, and disappointment that the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi announces this decision to cease its operations," the statement said.
The embassy said that this decision, while deeply regrettable, was made after careful consideration, taking into account the historic ties and long-standing partnership between Afghanistan and India.
The embassy statement also listed key factors affecting its ability to continue the mission effectively and said that they were the primary reasons for the "unfortunate closure".
The embassy cited a "lack of support from the host government", alleging that it has experienced a notable absence of crucial support from the host government, which it said hindered its ability to carry out duties effectively.
The mission also cited "failure to meet expectations in serving Afghanistan's interests" as one of the reasons.
"We acknowledge our shortcomings in meeting the expectations and requirements necessary to serve the best interests of Afghanistan and its citizens due to the lack of diplomatic support in India and the absence of a legitimate functioning government in Kabul," the mission said.
It also said that due to unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances, there has been a significant reduction in both personnel and resources available to it, making it increasingly challenging to continue operations.
"The lack of timely and sufficient support from visa renewal for diplomats to other critical areas of cooperation led to an understandable frustration among our team and impeded our ability to carry out routine duties effectively," the statement said.
Given these circumstances, "it is with deep regret that we have taken the difficult decision to close all operations of the mission with the exception of emergency consular services to Afghan citizens till the transfer of the custodial authority of the mission to the host country," it said.
The embassy has been headed by Ambassador Farid Mamundzay.
Mamundzay was appointed by the previous Ashraf Ghani government and he has been operating as the Afghan envoy even after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021.
In April-May, the embassy was rocked by a power struggle in the wake of reports of the Taliban appointing a charge d'affaires to head the mission, replacing Mamundzay.

This picture of Marine Corps Sergent Nicole Gee at the Kabul Airport has become the epitaph of human tragedy that has unfolded in Afghanistan with swift Taliban takeover and hasty American retreat.  
23-year-old Gee was among the 13 US troops killed in the suicide bombing at the Kabul airport.  
Gee cradled a baby in her arms and had posted the photo on Instagram where she wrote that she loved her job.  The photo was later picked up by the Pentagon and shared on its Twitter account.
She last posted on Instagram on August 22 — a photo showing her armed and watching over a long line of evacuees as they boarded an airplane to flee Kabul at night.
Also Read Several children killed in U.S. drone strike on ISIS in Afghanistan: Reports
'Escorting evacuees onto the bird,' Gee wrote with a heart emoji.
They say public memory is short, but this face of Kabul Airport crisis will keep reminding us of the colossal human tragedy that has unfolded in Afghanistan.  

U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Nicole Gee: the face of Kabul Airport tragedy

US Marine Corps Sergent Nicole Gee&nbsp;cradled a baby in her arms and posted the photo on Instagram where she wrote that she loved her job.&nbsp;Gee was among the 13 US troops killed in the suicide bombing at the Kabul airport

US Marine Corps Sergent Nicole Gee&nbsp;cradled a baby in her arms and posted the photo on Instagram where she wrote that she loved her job.&nbsp;Gee was among the 13 US troops killed in the suicide bombing at the Kabul airport

This picture of Marine Corps Sergeant Nicole Gee at the Kabul Airport has become the epitaph of human tragedy that has unfolded in Afghanistan with swift Taliban takeover and hasty American retreat. &nbsp;
23-year-old Gee was among the 13 US troops killed in the <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/kabul-airport-blast-death-toll-over-100-95-afghans-and-13-us-soldiers-killed-1630061777105">suicide bombing at the Kabul airport. &nbsp;</a>
Gee cradled a baby in her arms and had posted the photo on Instagram where she wrote that she loved her job. &nbsp;The photo was later picked up by the Pentagon and shared on its Twitter account.
She last posted on Instagram on August 22 &mdash; a photo showing her armed and watching over a long line of evacuees as they boarded an airplane to flee Kabul at night.
Also Read <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/several-children-killed-in-u-s-drone-strike-on-isis-in-afghanistan-reports-1630290735136" target="_blank">Several children killed in U.S. drone strike on ISIS in Afghanistan: Reports</a>
'Escorting evacuees onto the bird,' Gee wrote with a heart emoji.
They say public memory is short, but this face of Kabul Airport crisis will keep reminding us of the colossal human tragedy that has unfolded in Afghanistan. &nbsp;

Afghanistan is vital to China in terms of geopolitics because it acts as a link between South and Central Asia within the context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).&nbsp;

Taliban, China and Pakistan holds talks in Islamabad; what they agreed on 

Afghanistan is vital to China in terms of geopolitics because it acts as a link between South and Central Asia within the context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).&nbsp;

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Saturday said China is ready to assist Afghanistan in realising self-sufficiency, peace, stability, development and prosperity, Khaama Press reported. Qin Gang, during a meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan's Acting Foreign
Minister in Islamabad under the caretaker Taliban regime, said China will always stand firmly with the Afghan people and support Afghanistan in pursuing a development path that suits its national conditions, Khaama Press reported quoting Xinhua.
The Chinese foreign minister also said the Chinese side will keep up its respect for Afghanistan's territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty. In addition to fulfilling its commitment to combat terrorism, Afghanistan should also guarantee the security of Chinese troops and institutions there.
Muttaqi, on the other hand, reaffirmed that Afghanistan will never permit any force to exploit its territory for anti-China Activities, Khaama Press reported. For the sake of both nations, Muttaqi wants to expand infrastructure, trade, and people-to-people engagement with China as part of the and Road Initiative.
China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang also proposed joint coordinBelt ation efforts with Pakistan to reconstruct Afghanistan, according to Khaama Press. He also said, "China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Pakistan on the Afghan issue and to contribute to the peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan jointly."
Qin Gang was on a two-day visit to Pakistan to take part in trilateral talks on Afghanistan during May 5-6. Afghanistan is vital to China in terms of geopolitics because it acts as a link between South and Central Asia within the context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and most crucially because the country has untapped mineral resources worth billions of dollars that draw Chinese investment, Khaama Press reported.

The suicide attack had killed 13 US soldiers and 170 Afghans amid America's chaotic exit from Afghanistan.

Taliban killed ISIS mastermind of 2021 suicide bombing at Kabul airport: USA

The suicide attack had killed 13 US soldiers and 170 Afghans amid America's chaotic exit from Afghanistan.

Taliban fighters have killed the ISIS terrorist who masterminded the devastating suicide bombing at Kabul airport in August 2021, American officials said on April 25, 2023.
The suicide attack had killed 13 US soldiers and 170 Afghans amid America's chaotic exit from Afghanistan.
The ISIS mastermind was eliminated during a series of battles between the Taliban and an ISIS affiliate earlier in April.
US officials reportedly said that America had no role in the ISIS terrorist's killing.

Authorities say the curbs are in place because of gender mixing or because women allegedly are not wearing the hijab, or Islamic headscarf, correctly.

Taliban ban restaurant gardens for families, women in Herat

Authorities say the curbs are in place because of gender mixing or because women allegedly are not wearing the hijab, or Islamic headscarf, correctly.

The Taliban have banned families and women from restaurants with gardens or green spaces in Afghanistan's northwestern Herat province, an official said Monday.
The moves followed complaints from religious scholars and members of the public about mixing of genders in such places, he said.
It was the latest in a slew of restrictions imposed by the Taliban since they took power in August 2021. They have shut girls out of classrooms beyond sixth grade and women from universities, most types of employment, including jobs at the United Nations.
They are also banned from public spaces such as parks and gyms.
Authorities say the curbs are in place because of gender mixing or because women allegedly are not wearing the hijab, or Islamic headscarf, correctly.
The outdoor dining ban only applies to establishments in Herat, where such premises remain open to men.

Akhundzada's decree also ordered that all Taliban officials immediately fill the vacated posts with people other than their sons, family members or relatives.

Afghanistan: Taliban orders its officials to sack relatives working in administration

Akhundzada's decree also ordered that all Taliban officials immediately fill the vacated posts with people other than their sons, family members or relatives.

The supreme leader of the Taliban has issued a decree against nepotism, barring officials in Afghanistan's Taliban administration from hiring relatives in government positions.
The shadowy leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, also ordered all Taliban officials to sack their sons and other relatives who are already working in their administration.
The decree was posted late on Saturday on the Taliban government's Twitter account.
&ldquo;It is an order to all officials in the ministries, departments and independent authorities that no one is allowed to appoint family members or relatives in government positions,&rdquo; the decree said.
The tweet did not elaborate on the reasons behind the decree but it followed rumours that many Taliban officials have appointed their sons and relatives in high-ranking government positions rather than professionals or those with experience needed for the posts.
Taliban government spokesmen were not immediately available on Monday to elaborate on the order or provide further details.
The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in mid-August 2021 amid the chaotic departure of U.S. and NATO troops after 20 years.
Despite initial promises of a more moderate stance, the Taliban gradually reimposed their harsh interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, as they did during their previous rule of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.
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Girls are now barred from school beyond the sixth grade and women are banned from working, studying, travelling without a male companion, and even going to parks, gyms or bath houses.
Women must also cover themselves from head to toe and are barred from working at national and international non-governmental organisations, disrupting the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Akhundzada's decree also ordered that all Taliban officials immediately fill the vacated posts with people other than their sons, family members or relatives.

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