Khaama Press: An Afghan government official privy of the development has told Radio Free Europe (RFE) that the 10 influential Taliban figures have been identified by the Afghan government. The official speaking on the condition of anonymity further added that leaders of the Haqqani network were also among those influential leaders. Click here to read more (external
VOA News Ayaz Gul February 27, 2016 ISLAMABAD—The United Nations says it is “eagerly awaiting” Pakistan’s solution on the status of around 1.5 million Afghan refugees in the country, insisting they continue to need asylum and protection. Pakistan hosts an additional estimated one million Afghans living as illegal economic migrants. The refugee population is the
VOA News Ayaz Gul February 26, 2016 ISLAMABAD—Security forces in Pakistan have rescued an influential former top Afghan official two weeks after he was kidnapped by unknown men in Islamabad. Former governor of the western Afghan province of Herat, Fazlullah Wahidi, was rescued from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border province in a late night security operation,
1TV: Citing Pakistan’s hand in the group, ten Islamic State fighters in Afghanistan laid down their arms in what has been first defection in the militants group. They said that they had been fighting as soldiers of Taliban for years in the province and switched allegiance to IS when it started its activities there, according to provincial
VOA News February 23, 2016 With the announcement of a new round of Afghan peace talks by the first week of March, Pakistan’s military appears to be retaining its role as a key dealmaker in the process. On Monday, Pakistan’s army chief, General Raheel Sharif, met officials from Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political
The News (Pakistan): Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) is going to be revised in the light of the convention on the International Transport of Goods (TIR) to make the accord more appropriate for facilitating transit trade facilities between the two neighbouring countries. Click here to read more (external link).
VOA News Ayaz Gul February 17, 2016 ISLAMABAD—Authorities in Pakistan have reported no progress in their probe to ascertain motives or locate the whereabouts of a visiting senior Afghan politician, nearly a week after he was kidnapped in Islamabad. Fazlullah Wahidi, former governor of Afghanistan’s western Herat province, arrived in the capital city with his
Tolo News: Mullah Obidullah Hunar is believed to be the leader of newly formed group and claims that Mullah Akhtar Mansour is funded by Pakistani intelligence and therefore they do not recognize him as their leader. The newly emerged Taliban faction said that after this they will conduct Jihad against groups funded by Pakistan intelligence. Click here
VOA News Ayaz Gul February 15, 2016 ISLAMABAD—A close aide to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani says he is “very positive” that direct peace talks with Taliban insurgents will take place before the end of this month with no conditions from either side. Efforts are under way to determine the venue for the much-anticipated meeting. In
Michael Hughes: Kabul attempting to negotiate with the Taliban is a worthwhile endeavor for symbolic purposes alone, not to mention the brute fact the war will never end if parties to the conflict never communicate. With that being said, however, expectations should be set that striking a peace deal is highly unlikely in the current environment,