Wasiq
Amu: Abdul Haq Wasiq, the Taliban’s intelligence chief, will lead their delegation for the third round of talks with Pakistan in Istanbul, two sources confirmed. The delegation is expected in Istanbul on Wednesday, a day ahead of the new round of negotiations between the two sides. The second round of talks between a five-member Taliban delegation and the Pakistani side ended on October 31 after at least five days of talks that faced impasse at least two times. The two sides agreed to continue the next round of negotiations and keep the ceasefire agreed upon in first round of talks in Doha. The first round of talks in Doha was led by Taliban defense minister Yaqoob Mujahid. The second round was led by Taliban deputy interior minister. Click here to read more (external link).
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The National Interest: Afghanistan’s trade and diplomacy are shifting in unexpected ways that reflect broader regional realignments. Four years after India shut its Kabul embassy following the Taliban’s return, bilateral trade has nearly rebounded to pre-2021 levels—even as Afghanistan’s trade through Pakistan collapses. This reversal highlights Pakistan’s waning leverage and India’s quiet re-emergence as a key economic and diplomatic player, a trend that increasingly links Afghanistan’s revival to India’s wider westward strategic turn, with Kabul serving as New Delhi’s gateway to Central Asia. 
8am: The Taliban, in addition to imposing extensive restrictions on women in Afghanistan, have also deprived them of the right to divorce. Several women who have approached the group’s courts seeking divorce due to domestic violence or dissatisfaction with their husbands report that not only were their requests rejected, but they were also labeled as “immoral,” “disobedient,” or even “prostitutes.” According to these women, Taliban members told them that men have the right to beat their wives and warned them not to bring such matters to the group’s courts. 
NDTV: Pakistan is working to shift the global narrative in its favour amid ongoing tensions with Afghanistan and uncertainty regarding peace negotiations with the interim Taliban government. To achieve this, Islamabad is portraying itself as a victim of cross-border terrorism, calling the Taliban uncooperative, seeking external support from Western and friendly Islamic nations on the issue, justifying aggressive military actions in Afghanistan, and blaming India for the rift with the Taliban. All these factors also contribute to Pakistan’s attempts to hide its “strategic depth” policy failure in Afghanistan and coerce the Taliban leadership to fall in line or face consequences. Riding high on renewed ties with the United States and a growing diplomatic role in the Middle East, Pakistan believes it can reshape the perception about Afghanistan. While this tactic may work in the short term, Islamabad risks alienating the Taliban in the long run. 
Ariana: The World Health Organization (WHO) says it has mobilized emergency health teams and dispatched life-saving medical supplies to northern Afghanistan following a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck near Mazar-e-Sharif early Monday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 860 others. The quake, which hit at 1 a.m. local time, caused extensive damage across Samangan and Balkh provinces, destroying homes, injuring hundreds, and damaging critical health infrastructure. 
8am: Kabul residents have complained about the lack of proper management in waste collection across the city. They say that the Taliban-run municipality, when cleaning drainage canals, removes garbage, mud, and other impure materials from inside the drains and leaves them piled up along the streets. According to residents, this practice causes unpleasant odors, dirtiness in the city, and an increased risk of disease outbreaks. They emphasize that the Taliban municipality must adopt a clear and organized approach to waste collection to prevent problems for pedestrians and the spread of illnesses. 
Amu: Afghanistan’s futsal team delivered a dominant performance against Tajikistan on Tuesday, securing a thrilling 9–5 victory at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh. The match, held as part of the ongoing Riyadh 2025 Games, showcased Afghanistan’s attacking prowess, with standout performances from several players. This win adds to Afghanistan’s growing record of futsal success in international competitions, following their recent U-17 Asian title win. The team is now considered a rising force in the sport. 
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