Muhammad Imad Abbas

ISLAMABAD: A mortar shell fired from the Afghan territory struck a residential area in the southwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province early in the morning, injuring three people, including a female police constable, police authorities confirmed to Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;According to district police, the shell landed in a house near the border in South Waziristan district , wounding two women, one of them a police constable, and a male resident.&nbsp;Officials said the women sustained minor injuries, while the man was reported to be in serious condition.&nbsp;The incident occurred during the early hours, when the mortar was reportedly launched from across the Afghan border into Pakistani territory, hitting the civilian neighborhood.

Security

A mortar shell fired from the Afghan territory struck a residential area in the southwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province early in the morning, injuring three people, including a female police constable, police authorities confirms

Mortar shell from Afghan side hits residential area, woman constable among three injured 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will participate in upcoming talks between Iran and the United States aimed at easing escalating tensions, the Foreign Office confirmed on Thursday.&nbsp;In a statement to Pakistan TV Digital, a Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan has been invited to take part in the Iran-US engagement and will be &ldquo;taken on board during the talks.&rdquo;&nbsp;Relations between Tehran and Washington have sharply deteriorated in recent weeks, following anti-government protests in Iran and a subsequent security crackdown. US President Donald Trump has warned of possible military action if tensions continue to escalate.&nbsp;The United States has also reinforced its military presence in the Middle East, including the deployment of an aircraft carrier group, amid growing concerns over regional stability.&nbsp;Publicly addressing the situation, Trump said he remained open to diplomacy but issued a warning if talks fail. &ldquo;I hope we&rsquo;re going to work something out,&rdquo; he said, adding that &ldquo;bad things would happen&rdquo; if no agreement is reached.&nbsp;Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran supports negotiations under clear conditions. &ldquo;I have instructed my Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided that a suitable environment exists, one free from threats and unreasonable expectations, to pursue fair and equitable negotiations,&rdquo; he said in a post on X.&nbsp;He added that the diplomatic effort was initiated following requests &ldquo;from friendly governments,&rdquo; underscoring Iran&rsquo;s stated preference for dialogue while maintaining it would respond decisively to any aggression.&nbsp;Pakistan has traditionally positioned itself as a proponent of regional diplomacy and de-escalation, particularly in matters affecting Middle East stability.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan will participate in upcoming talks between Iran and the United States aimed at easing escalating tensions, the Foreign Office confirmed on Thursday

Pakistan joins Iran-US talks as tensions rise: Foreign Office

ISLAMABAD: The United States committed more funds to rebuilding Afghanistan than it did to reconstructing 16 European nations under the post-World War II Marshall Plan, according to a report released Wednesday by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR).&nbsp;Created by Congress in 2008 to provide independent oversight of US reconstruction efforts, SIGAR compiled its findings from original research, including interviews with US and NATO military and civilian officials, contractors, nongovernmental organizations, and Afghan government personnel.&nbsp;The report found that between 2002 and mid-2021, Congress appropriated approximately $144.7 billion for Afghanistan&rsquo;s reconstruction, far exceeding inflation-adjusted Marshall Plan spending.&nbsp;&ldquo;The mission promised to bring stability and democracy to Afghanistan, yet ultimately delivered neither,&rdquo; the report said.&nbsp;Despite nearly $90 billion allocated for security-sector assistance, Afghan security forces collapsed rapidly after the US military withdrawal in 2021.&nbsp;&ldquo;Costs were immense. Tens of thousands of people, including more than 2,450 US servicemembers, were killed. Many more were injured, among them more than 20,700 US servicemembers,&rdquo; the report added.&nbsp;SIGAR cited numerous interviews with former US and NATO officials, contractors, NGOs, and Afghan government staff, concluding that &ldquo;the seeds of failure in Afghanistan had been sown long before the final withdrawal.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Success, when measured against the ambitious goals set by the United States, may never have been achievable, regardless of the strategies adopted or the resources invested,&rdquo; the report said.&nbsp;&ldquo;The outcome in Afghanistan should serve as a cautionary tale for policymakers contemplating similar reconstruction efforts.&rdquo;&nbsp;Funding overviewThe report provided a detailed breakdown of how the funds were allocated. Of the total appropriations, 60% went to security, 24% to development projects, 5% to humanitarian assistance, and 11% to agency operations.&nbsp;Reconstruction funding peaked between 2009 and 2012, coinciding with surges in US troop deployments and civilian personnel in Afghanistan. During this period, SIGAR noted that almost 40% of total reconstruction funding was disbursed, with security-related projects consuming the majority of resources.&nbsp;Even after the US military withdrawal, assistance continued. Between October 2021 and June 2025, nearly $3.5 billion was appropriated for Afghanistan, with more than 72% earmarked for humanitarian aid to address urgent needs among Afghan civilians.&nbsp;Waste, fraud, and abandoned equipmentSIGAR&rsquo;s report highlighted significant instances of mismanagement, identifying 1,327 cases of waste, fraud, and abuse that resulted in at least $26 billion in lost funds and over $4.6 billion in potential savings.&nbsp;&ldquo;Criminal investigations resulting from SIGAR oversight led to 171 convictions, including some of the largest tax evasion and conspiracy cases in US history,&rdquo; the report stated.&nbsp;These investigations also recovered $1.7 billion through criminal fines, restitution, forfeitures, and civil settlements.&nbsp;The report further revealed that the United States left behind more than $38 billion in military equipment and civilian infrastructure during its withdrawal, much of it rendered unusable or vulnerable to insurgent takeover.&nbsp;Factors behind the mission&rsquo;s failureAccording to SIGAR, multiple strategic and operational shortcomings contributed to the collapse of the US reconstruction effort.&nbsp;The report criticized US alliances with corrupt Afghan powerbrokers, noting that such partnerships undermined efforts to promote democracy, good governance, and human rights. Flawed institution-building, unrealistic timelines, and rapid spending also increased opportunities for corruption and weakened program effectiveness.&nbsp;&ldquo;The gap between ambition and reality was vast,&rdquo; the report said.&nbsp;Other challenges included a persistent lack of understanding of Afghanistan&rsquo;s complex social, economic, and political dynamics, insufficient monitoring and evaluation of reconstruction programs, and the compounding effects of a prolonged conflict on development efforts.&nbsp;SIGAR noted that these issues created &ldquo;fundamental flaws&rdquo; in America&rsquo;s two-decade-long mission.&nbsp;&ldquo;If there is one overarching lesson to be learned from a tragedy that unfolded over 20 years, it is that any US mission similar in context, scale, and ambition must confront the real possibility of failure,&rdquo; the report said.&nbsp;Oversight challengesThe report also highlighted difficulties in overseeing US assistance programs.&nbsp;SIGAR was the only office of inspector general dedicated exclusively to Afghanistan reconstruction, facing hurdles such as limited agency cooperation, poor record-keeping, difficulty accessing program sites amid ongoing conflict, and high staff turnover at implementing agencies.&nbsp;&ldquo;A robust, in-country presence is critical to establishing a network of local sources to overcome the difficulty of conducting on-site investigations amid an ongoing war,&rdquo; the report added.&nbsp;Legacy and lessonsDespite the massive financial and human investment, SIGAR concluded that US reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan fell short of their stated objectives, leaving a complex legacy of fiscal cost, human suffering, and strategic lessons for future policymakers.&nbsp;&ldquo;The outcome in Afghanistan should serve as a cautionary tale for policymakers contemplating similar reconstruction efforts,&rdquo; the report said.&nbsp;The findings underscore that while US aid and military engagement were unprecedented in scale, structural challenges and misaligned strategies ultimately prevented the establishment of a stable, self-sufficient Afghan state.

Afghanistan

According to a SIGAR report, US Afghanistan reconstruction spending exceeded $144 billion, yet widespread corruption, strategic failures, and weak Afghan forces led to mission collapse and lasting instability.

US spent more on Afghanistan reconstruction than Marshall Plan: report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan responded with counter-fire after Afghan border forces launched unprovoked artillery shelling into Kurram district on Saturday night, a local police official told Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;The official said the incident occurred at around 8:00 p.m., when Afghan forces &ldquo;fired 6&ndash;7 artillery rounds&rdquo; into Upper Kurram in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.&nbsp;Pakistani forces &ldquo;responded with heavy weaponry,&rdquo; he said, adding that &ldquo;relative calm had returned&rdquo; by the time authorities assessed the area. &ldquo;It was initiated from the Afghan side,&rdquo; the official confirmed.&nbsp;The exchange comes amid heightened tensions along the Pakistan&ndash;Afghanistan frontier. Earlier this week, Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Office said the security understanding reached in Qatar last month, meant to halt cross-border attacks, was no longer <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-not-to-hold-any-dialogue-with-terrorist-groups-foreign-office" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">functioning</a>.&nbsp;Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told reporters during his Friday press briefing that the arrangement &ldquo;was never a conventional ceasefire,&rdquo; but a commitment that Afghan soil would not be used for attacks inside Pakistan.&nbsp;&ldquo;Interpreting it in that sense, the ceasefire is not holding,&rdquo; he said, citing recent assaults involving Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Fitna al-Khawarij (FAK), and Afghan nationals. He added that continued incidents, including an attack in Islamabad, had eroded Pakistan&rsquo;s confidence in the mechanism.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s military has also raised concerns over cross-border facilitation of militants. During a November 25 briefing, military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Afghan forces &ldquo;routinely open fire on Pakistani border posts&rdquo; to <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/afghan-regime-now-a-threat-to-regional-security-says-pakistan-military" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">divert</a> attention and enable militant infiltration.&nbsp;He noted that large stretches of the Afghan side lack functional governance, allowing hostile groups to exploit gaps between border posts.&nbsp;Chaudhry said the difficult terrain, divided tribal communities, and distance between Pakistani posts and the frontier further complicate border control. Despite fencing and surveillance, he added, the porous environment and limited law-enforcement presence on the Afghan side continue to create vulnerabilities exploited by militant elements.

Afghan forces fired artillery into Upper Kurram Saturday night, prompting Pakistani retaliation, police said. Calm later returned amid ongoing concerns over cross-border attacks and militant infiltration.

Pakistan retaliates after Afghan forces fire unprovoked border shells: police

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s top intelligence official, Lieutenant General Asim Malik, has arrived in Istanbul to resume negotiations with the Afghan Taliban leadership, security sources told Pakistan TV Digital on Wednesday.&nbsp;Malik, the Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), is expected to meet Afghanistan&rsquo;s interim intelligence chief Abdul Haq Wasiq as both sides enter the next phase of talks on the ongoing ceasefire and cross-border security arrangements.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif earlier confirmed the delegation&rsquo;s travel plans and reiterated that Islamabad expects decisive action against militant groups operating from Afghan territory, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).&nbsp;The ceasefire was initially agreed in Doha on October 18&ndash;19 and reaffirmed during last week&rsquo;s discussions in Istanbul. A principal-level meeting is scheduled for November 6 to finalize implementation details, including the establishment of a joint monitoring and verification mechanism.&nbsp;Afghan spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has said that both sides will continue talks to address remaining issues, stressing Kabul&rsquo;s desire for stable, respectful, and non-interfering bilateral relations.&nbsp;Officials describe the progress as a significant move toward regional stability, while underscoring that the ceasefire remains conditional on Afghan territory not being used for attacks in Pakistan.&nbsp;&ldquo;This outcome reflects patience, diplomacy, and firm commitment to national interest,&rdquo; one official said.

Pakistani and Afghan Taliban delegations meet again today in Istanbul to finalize ceasefire implementation and anti-terror measures.

Pakistan intelligence chief in Türkiye for crucial Afghan talks

ISLAMABAD: Fierce clashes among rival Taliban factions in Afghanistan&rsquo;s Badakhshan province over the control of lucrative gold mines are exposing widening internal divisions within the group, according to officials and local reports. The ongoing disputes underscore how competition for valuable mineral resources continues to drive instability, corruption, and armed conflict in the region. The mines, which once served as a significant source of revenue for the Taliban during their insurgency, have now become the center of violent power struggles among different Taliban-aligned groups. On Wednesday, Afghan interim security officer Abdul Halim Hamidi was killed in a confrontation with an armed group linked to a businessman in Badakhshan, according to local media. Spokesperson for the Taliban-run Badakhshan Police Headquarters, Ehsanullah Kamgar, said the group involved was made up of &ldquo;10 to 12 armed men associated with a businessman active in the mining sector.&rdquo; Kamgar said the men had been the subject of multiple complaints before security forces were deployed. This incident followed several recent confrontations in the Shahr-e-Buzurg district. Earlier this week, at least five Taliban members were killed and three were wounded when clashes broke out between local and non-local Taliban fighters over mining control. Local reports named Shafiqullah Hafizi, the current Taliban director of mines in Badakhshan, and Abdul Rahman Ammar, the former head of the department, as key rivals in the dispute. During the fighting, Abdul Hamid, operations chief of the Taliban&rsquo;s Border Brigade, was among those killed, according to local media. Earlier this month, at least 10 Taliban members were also killed in heavy clashes in Yalor village, Yaftal district, involving Taliban members from Helmand and local Taliban fighters from Badakhshan. Local Taliban members accused fighters from Helmand of &ldquo;seizing the gold mines&rdquo; and cutting them off from revenue. Reports in Badakhshan suggest that Taliban members from the southern provinces were supported by the provincial Taliban governor and police chief, further deepening internal resentments. Strategic and economic ImportanceBadakhshan has long served as a key corridor for armed groups operating in northeastern Afghanistan. The Shahr-e-Buzurg district borders Chah Ab in Takhar, providing access to Dasht-e-Archi in Kunduz. A route historically used by insurgents. The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime has noted that natural resources in Badakhshan are a major driver of conflict, stating that competition for the mines has &ldquo;created conditions of lawlessness and conflict and a hollowed-out state.&rdquo; Estimates suggest Afghanistan holds nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral reserves. Tolo News, citing a security chief in Badakhshan, reported that the Taliban earn approximately $0.4 to $0.7 million per month from the Raghistan gold mine alone. Historical precedentThe struggle for control of Badakhshan&rsquo;s gold mines predates the Taliban takeover in 2021. In 2014, a local commander named Abdul Malek seized the mines, claiming that local MP Zulmai Mujadidi had personally profited from exploiting them for over a decade. By 2016, the Taliban were reportedly receiving around 50% of mine revenue, allowing them to expand influence in the region before their return to power. Regional spilloverThe conflict has also taken on a cross-border dimension. On Aug. 24, Taliban fighters and Tajik border forces exchanged fire near the Panj River in Badakhshan, after mining activities altered the river&rsquo;s flow and threatened farmland on the Tajik side, according to reports. This was the first direct armed encounter between Tajik forces and the Taliban since 2021. While the Taliban have largely suppressed rival insurgent groups, such as the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), internal conflicts driven by competition for natural resources are emerging as a significant and escalating challenge to their authority.

Deadly clashes among Taliban factions in Badakhshan over lucrative gold mines highlight growing internal fractures within the group, with local and non-local forces competing for revenue in a region critical to Afghanistan’s mineral wealth and strategic routes

Gold mine power struggle exposes widening rifts inside Taliban ranks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan are preparing for a second round of talks in Istanbul, a follow-up to discussions held in Doha earlier this month, aimed at establishing what Islamabad calls a &ldquo;verifiable monitoring mechanism&rdquo; to address cross-border militant activity.&nbsp;The Pakistan Foreign Office confirmed on Friday that the dialogue will continue under T&uuml;rkiye&rsquo;s facilitation.&nbsp;The Afghan government also confirmed the talks. In a statement posted on X, Afghan spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the Acting Deputy Interior Minister Haji Najib had departed for T&uuml;rkiye &ldquo;to follow up on the agreement reached in Doha several days ago.&rdquo;&nbsp;At the time this report was filed, Pakistan had not publicly announced its delegation.&nbsp;While the agenda is expected to focus on preventing cross-border attacks, analysts caution that the core issues driving tensions remain unresolved.&nbsp;&lsquo;Elephant in the room&rsquo;Abdul Basit, senior associate fellow and head of the South Asia desk at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR), told Pakistan TV Digital that progress will remain stalled unless Kabul acknowledges the presence of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Afghan soil.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Afghan side is not ready to accept the fact that the militant Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan continues to operate from its soil,&rdquo; Basit said. &ldquo;As long as Kabul continues to refute that, any breakthrough will remain but a distant dream.&rdquo;&nbsp;Basit said Pakistan wants the Taliban authorities to dismantle militant hideouts used to orchestrate attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul, meanwhile, has demanded assurances that Pakistan will respect Afghanistan&rsquo;s sovereignty following recent cross-border strikes. &ldquo;Both parties are entering the talks with different aims,&rdquo; Basit said.&nbsp;Strained public sentimentJournalist and Afghanistan-Pakistan affairs analyst Sami Yousafzai said mutual distrust is deepening, particularly after recent clashes along the border.&nbsp;&ldquo;Healing that relationship will likely require consistent diplomatic engagement, confidence-building measures, and perhaps third-party facilitation at some stage,&rdquo; Yousafzai told Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;Without trust, analysts argue, discussions will remain procedural rather than transformative.&nbsp;Possible scenarios aheadBasit warned that if Kabul continues to deny the presence of TTP militants, Pakistan may see &ldquo;only one option, to target the leadership of the TTP in Afghanistan,&rdquo; a move he said would be justified by Islamabad in the name of national security.&nbsp;Analyst Inam Ul Haq described the Taliban&rsquo;s current posture as &ldquo;maneuvering the roof&rdquo; under the Doha framework, maintaining diplomatic cooperation while preserving ideological space for groups aligned with their worldview.&nbsp;T&uuml;rkiye&rsquo;s roleThe Istanbul round reflects T&uuml;rkiye&rsquo;s growing role as a mediator between the two uneasy neighbors. Ankara facilitated the Doha discussions, where both sides agreed to continue dialogue and maintain a ceasefire announced on October 19.&nbsp;Despite the challenges, analysts say continued engagement is preferable to confrontation.&nbsp;The upcoming talks, Basit said, represent &ldquo;an opportunity to begin reshaping the relationship, provided both sides are ready to speak plainly about the realities on the ground.&rdquo;

Following last week’s Doha talks, Islamabad and Kabul meet today in Istanbul to discuss a verifiable monitoring mechanism, though analysts warn progress remains uncertain amid ongoing disputes over militancy and border security.

Pakistan, Afghanistan to resume talks in Istanbul amid persistent tensions

ISLAMABAD: Interim Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has dismissed claims that Afghanistan poses a security threat to its neighbors, even as multiple reports highlight that militant organizations continue to operate from Afghan territory, fueling instability across the region. During a recent visit to India, Muttaqi addressed concerns about militancy and regional security. Responding to questions from the Indian press, he said, &ldquo;Pakistan is not our only neighbor. China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan&mdash;why don&rsquo;t they have any complaints?&rdquo; However, a number of reports, including those by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), suggest that several armed groups maintain a presence in Afghanistan. These groups are said to threaten not only Pakistan but also other countries in the wider region. According to the UNSC&rsquo;s findings, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) remains the most prominent Pakistan-focused militant organization operating inside Afghanistan. The TTP, formed in 2007 and aligned with Al-Qaeda, is estimated to have around 6,000 fighters stationed across Afghanistan&rsquo;s Baghlan, Wardak, Nuristan, Kunar, Ghazni, Kabul, and Helmand provinces. The report further notes that the TTP &ldquo;continues to receive logistical and operational support&rdquo; from Afghanistan&rsquo;s de facto authorities and that its militants are &ldquo;trained in camps set up by Al-Qaeda.&rdquo; In April this year, Pakistan&rsquo;s military reported killing 54 TTP fighters attempting to infiltrate from Afghanistan. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that the operation was part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts along the border. Militant groups based in Afghanistan are not limited to the TTP. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which has waged an insurgency in Pakistan&rsquo;s southwestern Balochistan province, is also believed to maintain safe havens inside Afghanistan. BLA commander Aslam Baloch, also known as Achu, was killed in Kandahar in December 2018, according to Al-Jazeera.&nbsp; The UNSC report adds that the BLA has a &ldquo;non-aggression pact&rdquo; with the TTP, under which both groups refrain from targeting each other, and that TTP provides training support to Baloch militants. The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), another major group, reportedly commands between 4,000 and 6,000 fighters in Afghanistan, including defectors from the Afghan Taliban, TTP, and Al-Qaeda. ISKP has expanded its reach across the region. Last year, Pakistan, in coordination with T&uuml;rkiye&rsquo;s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), arrested ISKP&rsquo;s media head, Abu Yasir al-Turki, during a joint intelligence operation near the Afghan border. Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda continues to maintain training facilities across Afghanistan, used by both its members and TTP operatives. The group&rsquo;s South Asian affiliate, Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), remains ideologically aligned with the Taliban. AQIS&rsquo;s second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, was killed in a US drone strike in Kabul in July 2022, according to the US Department of War. Other regional outfits, including the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), which targets China, and Tehrik-e-Taliban Tajikistan, reportedly operate from Afghan soil. The TIP, led by Abdul Haq Turkistani, maintains ties with both the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, with Abdul Haq serving on Al-Qaeda&rsquo;s executive council, according to the UNSC. Similarly, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), with an estimated 500 to 800 fighters based in northern Afghanistan, continues to pose a threat to Central Asian states. Afghanistan-based outlet Amu TV has described the IMU as maintaining &ldquo;deep historical ties&rdquo; to Afghanistan&rsquo;s insurgency. Despite these documented presences, the Afghan Taliban government continues to deny harboring foreign militants. Muttaqi&rsquo;s remarks in India reflect Kabul&rsquo;s consistent position that Afghanistan is not a source of regional instability. Still, the contrast between official statements and international assessments underscores the region&rsquo;s lingering security dilemma, where assurances of peace coexist uneasily with the persistent activity of transnational militant networks.

Multiple UN and intelligence reports indicate that militant networks, including the TTP, BLA, ISKP, and Al-Qaeda affiliates, continue operating from Afghan soil despite Taliban denials, raising fresh concerns over regional stability and cross-border security threats

Militants expand footprint in Afghanistan as Taliban downplay regional threat

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan&rsquo;s interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is on an official seven-day visit to India, emphasizing the potential of Iran&rsquo;s Chabahar Port as a vital trade link between India and Afghanistan.&nbsp;The visit, delayed earlier due to visa clearance issues, marks the first official trip by an Afghan interim minister to India since the Taliban takeover. Previously, India&rsquo;s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited Kabul in January 2021 during former president Ashraf Ghani&rsquo;s tenure.&nbsp;Addressing a press conference at the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi, Muttaqi underlined the significance of Chabahar Port, calling it a &ldquo;good option for trade.&rdquo; He urged both India and Afghanistan to &ldquo;remove obstacles&rdquo; to its full utilization, noting that &ldquo;US sanctions have complicated operations.&rdquo;&nbsp;Chabahar is not a new trade idea for Afghanistan. Successive governments have explored it as an alternative route connecting Afghanistan to global markets through Iran, bypassing Pakistan. Yet, questions remain over whether it can become a reliable trade corridor that benefits Afghan traders and strengthens regional ties.&nbsp;Why Chabahar matters for India?Located along Iran&rsquo;s southeastern coast on the Gulf of Oman, Chabahar holds strategic importance for India. It lies just 550 nautical miles from Gujarat&rsquo;s Kandla port and offers New Delhi a direct trade corridor to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Europe, circumventing Pakistan.&nbsp;Since 2016, India has invested heavily in the project, spending nearly half of its allocated 4 billion Indian rupees. A year ago, India signed a 10-year agreement with Iran&rsquo;s Ports and Maritime Organization to manage and develop the port through India Ports Global Limited (IPGL).&nbsp;The initiative is part of India&rsquo;s broader vision to integrate Chabahar into the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), linking India to Russia via Iran. Originally proposed in 2003 as a counterbalance to Pakistan&rsquo;s Gwadar Port, developed under China&rsquo;s Belt and Road Initiative, the Chabahar project has faced repeated delays due to sanctions and bureaucratic hurdles.&nbsp;Challenges facing the projectDespite India&rsquo;s commitment, challenges persist. Afghan experts say Kabul remains skeptical of India&rsquo;s reliability as a partner.&nbsp;&ldquo;Afghanistan continues not to see India as a dependable ally because New Delhi has traditionally remained distant from Kabul,&rdquo; said Zia Ur Rehman, a Pakistan-based expert on Afghan affairs, speaking to Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;He added, &ldquo;India&rsquo;s renewed interest in Afghanistan is driven by geopolitical signaling aimed at maintaining influence along Pakistan&rsquo;s western border.&rdquo;&nbsp;India&rsquo;s caution stems from its fraught history with the Taliban. The hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane to Kandahar in 1999 and the 2008 Kabul embassy bombing, both linked by India to Taliban elements, continue to shape New Delhi&rsquo;s approach.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Afghan traders remain reluctant to abandon the shorter and cheaper trade routes through Pakistan. &ldquo;Chabahar increases transport costs, and those dealing in perishable goods cannot afford delays of several days,&rdquo; said Qudrat Ullah, a local trader speaking to Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;Sanctions and strategic setbacksComplicating matters further, the Trump administration&rsquo;s decision to revoke the US sanctions waiver on Chabahar has disrupted India&rsquo;s plans. The exemption, granted in 2018, allowed India to operate freely at Iran&rsquo;s Makran coast despite broader sanctions on Tehran.&nbsp;&ldquo;This move will disrupt New Delhi&rsquo;s strategic and economic ambitions in Iran and Central Asia,&rdquo; said Rehman, adding that the decision exposes Indian operators at Chabahar&rsquo;s Shahid Beheshti terminal to punitive action under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA).&nbsp;As Afghanistan&rsquo;s acting foreign minister pushes for renewed cooperation, India faces a delicate balancing act, navigating strained regional dynamics, economic sanctions, and a skeptical Kabul, all while striving to keep its Chabahar ambitions afloat. NOTE: $1 was equal to ₹88.72 (Indian Rupees) at the time of publishing of this article.

India

Experts warn India’s Chabahar ambitions face major setbacks after the Trump administration revoked sanctions waivers, exposing Indian operators to punitive action and disrupting New Delhi’s strategic trade and connectivity plans in Iran and Central Asia.

New Delhi’s Chabahar ambitions face hurdles amid Afghan FM’s India visit

Muhammad Usman Amin

Mariam Ellahi

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI/PESHAWAR: Afghanistan has requested Pakistan to halt its &ldquo;heavy counteraction&rdquo; after the Pakistan Army launched a strong and sustained response to unprovoked cross-border firing from Afghan forces, security sources told Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;According to the sources, Afghan troops carried out unprovoked firing late Saturday night across multiple points along the Pak-Afghan border, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Baramcha in Balochistan, allegedly to facilitate the infiltration of Khawarij formations, a faction Islamabad identifies as Indian-sponsored proxies of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).&nbsp;Pakistan Army positions responded with full force using artillery, tanks, and aerial assets, effectively targeting Afghan military posts and militant hideouts.&nbsp;&ldquo;A strong and decisive response from the Pakistan Army against Afghan forces is ongoing. Afghan forces are in a state of panic due to the intense retaliation,&rdquo; security sources said. &ldquo;Several Afghan posts have been abandoned as a result of heavy losses.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Afghan soldiers fled, leaving behind multiple bodies at their posts following Pakistan&rsquo;s effective and intense response.&rdquo;&nbsp;Security sources confirmed that Afghanistan has formally requested Pakistan to halt its counteraction, as Pakistani forces continue to target positions linked to Khawarij and Daesh elements operating from Afghan territory.&nbsp;The sources further revealed that Pakistani forces employed a combination of precision artillery and drone strikes to destroy multiple Afghan posts. &ldquo;The Army&rsquo;s timely and decisive action has neutralized key militant hideouts under the protection of Afghan authorities,&rdquo; one official added.&nbsp;District administration officials confirmed that several missiles were fired from the Afghan side targeting civilian areas across the border, prompting Pakistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;measured but powerful&rdquo; military response to protect its citizens.&nbsp;Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned Afghanistan&rsquo;s unprovoked firing, calling it a &ldquo;blatant violation of international law.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s brave forces have shown, with an immediate and effective response, that any provocation will not be tolerated,&rdquo; Naqvi said.&nbsp;&ldquo;Our forces are vigilant, and Afghanistan is being answered brick for brick. The fire and blood being played out from Afghanistan have links to our perennial enemy,&rdquo; he added, referring to India.&nbsp;&ldquo;Afghanistan will be given a strong, decisive response, just as India was, so it will not dare cast a covetous eye toward Pakistan,&rdquo; the minister warned.&nbsp;Defence analyst Hassan Khan told Pakistan TV that the current Afghan behavior reflected a deep betrayal of Pakistan&rsquo;s long-standing support.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan hosted millions of Afghans for decades. Now, their behavior has completely changed,&rdquo; Khan said. &ldquo;Afghanistan is harbouring and providing hideouts to groups like the TTP, BLA, and Majeed Brigade. Their forces are now giving cover to Fitna al-Khawarij to harm Pakistan.&rdquo;&nbsp;Another analyst, Agha Iqrar, stressed that Pakistan must reassess its Afghan strategy.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Afghan Taliban are not only hosting, harbouring, and funding TTP and Fitna al-Khawarij, but more than 42 militant groups are operating from Afghan soil,&rdquo; he noted. &ldquo;Pakistan must take decisive action and redefine its Afghan policy.&rdquo;&nbsp;Taliban officials in Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktia, Khost, and Helmand confirmed to AFP that clashes were ongoing along several points of the border.&nbsp;The escalation follows two days after a deadly terrorist attack on the Police Training School in Dera Ismail Khan, in which six policemen, including trainees, embraced martyrdom. According to ISPR, members of &ldquo;Fitna al-Khawarij&rdquo; rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the facility but were eliminated after an intense firefight.&nbsp;In the wake of the rising tensions, Saudi Arabia and Iran have both called for restraint and dialogue.&nbsp;The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in a statement by its ministry of foreign affairs, said:&nbsp;&ldquo;The Kingdom is following with concern the tensions and clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. We urge both sides to exercise self-restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritize dialogue and wisdom to preserve regional stability.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Saudi Arabia reaffirms its support for all regional and international efforts aimed at strengthening peace and prosperity for the two brotherly Pakistani and Afghan peoples.&rdquo;&nbsp;Meanwhile, Iran&rsquo;s ministry of foreign affairs expressed similar concern, urging both countries to resolve their differences peacefully.&nbsp;&ldquo;Iran is closely monitoring developments and calls on both sides to engage diplomatically to prevent further escalation,&rdquo; an Iranian spokesperson said in Tehran. &ldquo;Peace and cooperation must prevail over confrontation.&rdquo;&nbsp;Security officials in Islamabad reiterated that Pakistan remains resolute in defending its sovereignty.&nbsp;&ldquo;Any future aggression or attempt to aid terrorist infiltration will be met with a strong and immediate response,&rdquo; one senior source emphasized.

Islamabad’s security sources say Pakistan Army’s strong and coordinated retaliation destroyed multiple Afghan border posts, forcing Afghan troops to flee amid mounting casualties. The clashes follow recent militant attacks in Dera Ismail Khan linked to Afghanistan-based groups.

Afghanistan urges Pakistan to halt ‘heavy counteraction’: security sources

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has formally reopened offshore oil and gas exploration after nearly 20 years, with the signing of 23 production-sharing agreements and exploration licenses for blocks awarded under the Offshore Bid Round 2025, marking a renewed push to attract investment in the country&rsquo;s offshore energy sector, according to an official statement on Wednesday.&nbsp; The awarded blocks are located in the Indus and Makran offshore basins, adjoining the territorial waters of Sindh and Balochistan. The agreements cover approximately 54,600 square kilometers of Pakistan&rsquo;s offshore area. Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik witnessed the signing ceremony. Two offshore blocks awarded under the same bid round, Offshore Deep-C and Offshore Deep-F, had earlier been executed on December 2, 2025, with Mari Energies Limited, Turkish Petroleum Overseas Company, and Fatima Petroleum Company Limited during a ceremony held at the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office.&nbsp; The statement said that with the signing of the remaining 21 agreements, the contractual framework for the entire 2025 portfolio is now complete. Mari Energies Limited emerged as the most active participant in the 23 offshore blocks, serving as operator on 18 blocks and as a joint venture partner on five blocks with other exploration and production companies. Oil and Gas Development Company Limited and Pakistan Petroleum Limited have each been awarded eight exploration blocks, including two blocks as operators. Prime Global Energies Limited has been awarded one block as operator. United Energy Pakistan Limited and Orient Petroleum Incorporation, alongside other joint venture partners, also participated in the signing ceremony. Collectively, the awarded blocks represent an investment of approximately $82 million during Phase I of the initial three-year license period. Total investment is projected to increase to approximately $1 billion if exploration activities progress to Phase II drilling operations. Phase I activities will involve extensive geological and geophysical studies, including seismic data acquisition, processing, and interpretation, aimed at better defining the hydrocarbon potential of Pakistan&rsquo;s offshore basins. Subject to encouraging results, Phase II will involve the drilling of exploratory wells in prospective offshore areas. The Petroleum Division intends to engage leading international oil companies in the next phase of offshore exploration, with several global energy firms already evaluating available offshore data, the statement said.&nbsp;

Economy

Agreements signed for 23 blocks in the Indus and Makran basins to attract foreign investment and boost offshore oil and gas exploration.

Pakistan reopens offshore exploration after 20 years, 23 agreements signed 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan declared a three-day public holiday from May 26 to 28 to observe Eid-ul-Adha, according to a government notification. Eid-ul-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, marks the conclusion of the annual <a href="https://pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-hajj-operation-accelerates-as-thousands-of-pilgrims-arrive-in-saudi-arabia" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hajj pilgrimage</a> to the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The festival takes place on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month in the Islamic lunar calendar. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim&#39;s (Abraham) submission to God. On the festival&#39;s opening day, Muslims gather for special congregational prayers. Families engage in &quot;qurbani,&quot; the ritual slaughter of permissible (halal) livestock, including goats, sheep, cattle, and camels. The sacrificial meat is divided equally among the household, extended family and friends, and the poor. Throughout the celebration, adherents dress in new clothes, visit relatives, and greet one another with &quot;Eid Mubarak.&quot;

Culture

Pakistan's government declares a three-day public holiday for Eid-ul-Adha, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signing off on the decision

Pakistan announces three-day public holiday for Eid-ul-Adha

ISLAMABAD: The US Senate on Tuesday advanced a resolution to limit President Donald Trump&rsquo;s authority to conduct military action against Iran without congressional approval, marking the first time Democrats have cleared such a procedural vote after seven failed attempts. The joint resolution, introduced by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine and several other senators, directs the president to remove US armed forces from &quot;hostilities within or against Iran&quot; unless Congress formally authorizes military action through a declaration of war or a specific use-of-force authorization. According to the text of the resolution, lawmakers argued that Congress alone has the constitutional authority to declare war under Article I of the US Constitution and that Congress has neither declared war on Iran nor approved military force against the country. The Senate voted 50-47 to discharge the resolution from the Committee, with four Republican senators, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Bill Cassidy, joining most Democrats in backing the resolution, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against it, CBS News reported. The resolution further states that military action against Iran, including the enforcement of a naval blockade, would constitute hostilities under the War Powers Resolution. However, the measure includes provisions allowing the United States to defend itself against attacks, continue intelligence-sharing with allies, and assist partner countries targeted by Iran or its proxies through defensive support, according to the resolution. Speaking before the vote, Kaine said Americans were increasingly opposed to another conflict in the Middle East. &quot;They are deeply opposed to this war,&quot; he told reporters, according to CBS News. Kaine also linked the conflict to rising economic pressure on Americans, particularly fuel prices ahead of the Memorial Day holiday travel period. &quot;We&rsquo;re coming up on Memorial Day. A lot of people do a lot of driving, they&rsquo;re going to be paying a lot for gas,&quot; Kaine said, according to CBS News. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the vote showed growing Republican unease over the administration&rsquo;s Iran policy. &ldquo;Momentum is building to check him,&rdquo; Schumer said. The resolution still has to pass a final vote and, even then, would face major obstacles in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, which has already rejected similar efforts, and would almost certainly be vetoed by Trump if it reached his desk, AFP reported.

US Senator Tim Kaine speaks following the Senate's vote on the War Powers resolution, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on February 13, 2020. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP)

Americas

Middle East

The Senate has approved a procedural step to limit unauthorized US hostilities against Iran. However, the resolution still has to pass a final vote in both chambers of Congress and likely presidential opposition. 

US Senate moves to restrict unauthorized hostilities against Iran

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations has warned of a growing and potentially grave threat of nuclear terrorism emerging from Afghanistan under the Taliban.&nbsp;According to a UN report, the Taliban regime has sheltered international terrorist groups to sustain its rule, allowing militant networks operating from Afghan territory to pose a serious danger to global security.&nbsp;The report raises particular alarm over 133 tablets of stolen uranium dioxide taken from Tajikistan, which could potentially be acquired by the banned al-Qaeda network in Afghanistan. &ldquo;I think the threat has never been so high as it is today,&rdquo; according to Mauro Miedico, Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT). &ldquo;Terrorist groups and individuals engage much more strongly with new technologies. Terrorist groups have recruited experts, including AI specialists, and we have seen the use of drones in terrorist acts. This potentially makes it more possible that they will launch a dirty bomb via drone.&rdquo;&nbsp;The report notes that al‑Qaeda has repeatedly signaled intent to conduct nuclear attacks, and that incidents of smuggling and theft of radioactive material have been recorded in several countries.&nbsp;Experts cited in the report say the combination of foreign fighters, modern technology available to militant groups in Afghanistan, and the sanctuary provided by the Taliban creates a real risk of nuclear terrorism.&nbsp;The findings echo warnings previously issued by the United States, Pakistan, European states and Central Asian countries, which have repeatedly described terrorism emanating from Afghanistan as a major security threat.&nbsp;The UN has called for strengthened international cooperation, improved controls on nuclear and radiological materials across the region, and enhanced monitoring and interdiction efforts to prevent dangerous materials from reaching extremist hands.

Artillery shells have hit areas near the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine since the full-scare Russian invasion of the country in 2022. (File photo: United Nations/IAEA)

The report notes that al‑Qaeda has repeatedly signaled intent to conduct nuclear attacks, and that incidents of smuggling and theft of radioactive material have been recorded in several countries.

UN warns of rising nuclear terrorism risk from Afghanistan under Taliban

STRASBOURG (FRANCE): EU lawmakers and member states reached a deal in the early hours of Wednesday to implement the bloc&#39;s nearly year-old trade pact with the United States, as President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs unless the pact is implemented by July 4. The 27-nation bloc struck an accord with Washington last July, setting levies on most European goods at 15%, but to Trump&#39;s frustration, it had yet to make good on its pledge to scrap levies on most US imports in return. Negotiators from the EU&#39;s parliament and capitals wrangled late into the night, finally emerging several hours after midnight with news of an agreement to move forward. &quot;This means we will soon deliver on our part,&quot; EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said as she welcomed the agreement and called for the implementation process to be finalized quickly. &quot;Together, we can ensure stable, predictable, balanced, and mutually beneficial transatlantic trade,&quot; von der Leyen said in a social media post. The EU agreement puts the bloc on track to meet Trump&#39;s deadline for ratification of the deal sealed in Turnberry, Scotland, between Trump and von der Leyen, and hopefully turn the page on more than a year of transatlantic trade battles. Short of that, Trump had warned the European Union should expect &quot;much higher&quot; tariffs -- and had already vowed to raise duties on European cars and trucks from 15% to 25%. The tariff blitz unleashed by Trump before the Turnberry accord, including hefty levies on steel, aluminum and car parts, jolted the bloc into cultivating trade ties around the world. But the EU cannot afford to neglect the &euro;1.6-trillion ($1.9-trillion) relationship with the US, its largest trade partner. No more &#39;sunrise&#39;&nbsp;The EU parliament gave the deal a conditional green light in March, after months of delay caused by Trump&#39;s designs on Greenland and a US Supreme Court ruling striking down many of the president&#39;s tariffs. Lawmakers were under pressure to renege on several amendments that the Americans considered unacceptable -- including a suspension clause that would scrap favorable tariff conditions for US exporters should the US breach the deal. The final text empowers the European Commission to trigger the suspension mechanism if the US fails to meet its commitments or disrupts trade and investment with the EU, including by &quot;discriminating against or targeting EU economic operators.&quot; It also gives the EU means to address spikes in US imports &quot;that cause or threaten to cause serious injury to domestic producers,&quot; with suspension again a possible outcome. But parliament also agreed to scale back some demands -- and the final text notably gave the US until the end of the year to drop surtaxes above 15% on steel components, rather than insisting on it as a precondition. Another fight was over so-called &quot;sunrise&quot; and &quot;sunset&quot; clauses under which the EU side of the accord would kick in once the US makes good on its pledges, and would expire unless renewed in 2028. The sunrise clause was removed altogether, while the sunset was pushed back to the end of 2029, according to a parliament statement. The head of parliament&#39;s trade committee, Bernd Lange, faced the challenge of hammering out a common stance between different factions that haggled until the last moment. Lange played down the concessions extracted from lawmakers, declaring after the deal was announced that &quot;parliament has prevailed with its demands for a comprehensive safety net.&quot; But Anna Cavazzini of the EU&#39;s Greens was less effusive, saying the &quot;deal puts the EU at a disadvantage&quot; while conceding &quot;it can secure a certain degree of economic stability.&quot; &quot;One can only hope that the agreement on the tariff deal will now calm the situation, so that other major issues in the EU-US relationship can be addressed,&quot; she said.

Europe

EU lawmakers and member states approve progress on a major US trade pact to avoid fresh Trump tariffs and stabilize the $1.9 trillion transatlantic economic relationship after months of tensions.

EU agrees to implement US trade pact after Trump threats

SYLHET:&nbsp;Spinner Taijul Islam took six wickets to lead Bangladesh to a 78-run win over Pakistan in the second Test and clinch a famous 2-0 series win on Wednesday. Pakistan, who started the fifth day on 316-7 chasing a record 437, were bowled out for 328 in the first session in Sylhet after Mohammad Rizwan hit a valiant 94. It was Bangladesh&#39;s first Test series win at home against Pakistan and a second successive sweep after their 2-0 triumph on Pakistani soil in 2024. The win marked another major milestone for Bangladesh, who secured four successive Test series victories for the first time in their history. &quot;It&#39;s difficult to explain the emotions of that final hour because Pakistan were batting really well and we were under pressure,&quot; Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said. &quot;But compared to previous matches, we controlled our emotions better and avoided panic. &quot;Every player and member of the support staff contributed, and as captain I feel very proud of the team&#39;s work ethic.&quot; Wicketkeeper Rizwan kept Pakistan in the hunt for an unlikely win with a 166-ball stay after the visitors had slumped to 162-5 on day four. Rizwan put on an eighth-wicket partnership of 54 with overnight partner Sajid Khan, who made 28. Taijul broke through to dismiss Sajid for his 18th Test five-wicket haul, and pace bowler Shoriful Islam had Rizwan caught in the next over to end Pakistan&#39;s resistance. &quot;It&#39;s never good to lose games,&quot; said Pakistan skipper Shan Masood. &quot;In both matches we had significant chances, but we need to reflect on where we lost the game in batting, bowling and fielding if we want to move forward as a side.&quot; Taijul took the final wicket of Khurram Shahzad to return second-innings figures of 6-120 and trigger the Bangladesh celebrations. Taijul&#39;s four wickets on Tuesday had left Pakistan in deep trouble. Former captain Babar Azam counter-attacked with 47 before wicketkeeper Litton Das produced a stunning catch off Taijul. Captain Masood made 71, while Salman Ali Agha added 71 in a crucial 134-run sixth-wicket stand with Rizwan before Taijul broke through. Taijul, a left-arm spinner, also took 3-67 during Pakistan&#39;s first innings of 232. Litton, who was named player of the match, scored 126 in Bangladesh&#39;s first innings of 278. Veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim scored 137 in the second to guide Bangladesh to 390, with contributions from Mahmudul Hasan Joy (52) and Litton (69). The 39-year-old Mushfiqur was named player of the series for his 253 runs in two matches. Bangladesh won the opening Test by 104 runs.

Bangladesh's players celebrate after the dismissal of Pakistan’s Babar Azam during the fourth day of the second Test cricket match between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet on May 19, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Cricket

With this win, Bangladesh completes a 2-0 whitewash, marking their second consecutive series win against Pakistan in red ball cricket.

Taijul takes six to lead Bangladesh to Pakistan Test series win

ISLAMABAD: Taliban authorities in southern Afghanistan&rsquo;s Kandahar province have imposed new restrictions on YouTubers and video content creators, warning them against producing and publishing videos on social media platforms, according to Afghanistan International on Wednesday. According to the report, officials from the Taliban&rsquo;s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice recently summoned several YouTubers and social media activists in Kandahar and ordered them to stop creating video content.&nbsp; The move has alarmed young Afghan creators who say social media platforms such as YouTube have become one of the few remaining outlets for cultural expression and employment in the country. Youtubers spoke to Afghanistan International that they made videos about the city, historical sites, markets, traditions and people&rsquo;s lives.&nbsp; They said some of the videos also focused on social issues, including harmful customs, drug addiction and illiteracy. Other creators said their content had attracted thousands, and in some cases millions, of online views, helping showcase Afghan culture and daily life to international audiences. &ldquo;YouTube was one of our main sources of income, but now that making videos has been banned, we are effectively unemployed,&rdquo; another creator said. The restrictions currently appear to apply only in Kandahar province, though creators expressed concern that the policy could expand to other parts of Afghanistan. Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have steadily tightened restrictions on media and public expression. Under the Taliban&#39;s morality law, the publication of images of &ldquo;living beings&rdquo; is prohibited. As part of enforcing the policy, Taliban authorities have suspended state television broadcasts and shut down or restricted several local media outlets in different provinces. International rights organizations and media advocacy groups have repeatedly condemned the Taliban&rsquo;s restrictions on images and media content, calling on the authorities to respect freedom of expression and reverse policies limiting independent journalism and digital media activity in Afghanistan.

Freedom of expression - (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The Taliban in Kandahar have banned YouTubers and content creators from making videos, further tightening media restrictions and threatening livelihoods and freedom of expression in Afghanistan.

Afghan Taliban tighten restrictions on youtubers and video creators in Kandahar

BEIJING: Beijing has agreed to work with Washington on reducing levies affecting tens of billions of dollars in goods, a commerce ministry statement said Wednesday, days after US President Donald Trump visited China. Under the auspices of a newly established trade council, &quot;both sides agreed in principle to discuss a framework arrangement for reciprocal tariff reductions on products of equivalent scale&quot;, covering &quot;$30 billion or more on each side&quot;, the online statement said. US President Donald Trump was in Beijing last week, where he held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, over a variety of issues, especially the trade tariffs.

Asia

A statement from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said that Beijing and Washington agreed in principle to discuss a framework arrangement for reciprocal tariff reductions on products of equivalent scale.

China says to work with US on reciprocal tariff cuts for $30 billion of goods each

ISLAMABAD: Students across Afghanistan are growing discouraged as the Taliban expand religious schools while public education facilities continue to deteriorate, according to the daily Hasht-e-Subh. Images circulating on social media in recent days showed students sleeping inside classrooms, highlighting worsening conditions in public schools and sparking renewed criticism of the Taliban&rsquo;s education policies. Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, modern education has been systematically weakened while the group has prioritized religious instruction through madrasa networks. According to the daily, subjects such as mathematics, physics and chemistry have received less attention in some schools, while greater emphasis has been placed on ideological, political and military-related topics aligned with Taliban teachings. The concerns come as Afghanistan&rsquo;s education sector continues to face severe economic strain. Many families struggling with poverty are unable to keep children in school, while restrictions imposed by the Taliban have further discouraged students from pursuing education.&nbsp; International observers and education advocates have repeatedly warned about the growing imbalance between religious and public education in Afghanistan. An international survey found that the Taliban had built 15 religious schools for every one public school, despite the country&rsquo;s deepening education crisis. Afghanistan&rsquo;s public schools also continue to suffer from shortages of qualified teachers, learning materials and proper classroom facilities, particularly in rural areas.

Afghan schoolboys in Helmand (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Afghanistan’s public education system is deteriorating under Taliban rule as religious schools expand, classrooms decline, and students lose access to quality modern education.

Afghan Taliban’s focus on religious schools is discouraging students from education

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has emphasized the need for sustained &ldquo;confidence-building measures&rdquo; and expedited &ldquo;resumption of negotiations,&rdquo; reiterating Islamabad&rsquo;s deep concern over the ongoing war in Ukraine.&nbsp; Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with the ensuing conflict resulting in a tidal wave of destruction that has left entire cities in ruins. Speaking at the UNSC, Acting UN Permanent Representative of Pakistan Ambassador Usman Jadoon, the ambassador said, &ldquo;The conflict has persisted for over four years, resulting in widespread devastation that has severely impacted human lives and livelihoods.&rdquo; He said that Islamabad was concerned about the prolongation of the war, condemning reports of increased attacks. Such actions prolong the conflict, erode trust, and obstruct meaningful progress toward peace, he said, stressing that civilians remained the primary victims.&nbsp; The ambassador reiterated that protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and civilian infrastructure was a fundamental legal obligation under international humanitarian law, which all parties must uphold under all circumstances. Welcoming the recent ceasefire announcements, the ambassador said these measures can help build confidence and should be sustained to create an enabling environment for a complete ceasefire and lasting peace. He also urged both parties to &ldquo;prioritize diplomacy, demonstrate genuine political will, and move forward constructively toward a just and enduring solution.&rdquo;

Acting UN Permanent Representative of Pakistan says Islamabad is concerned about the prolongation of the war, condemns reports of increased attacks.

Articles by Muhammad Imad Abbas