Tolo News: The Deputy Secretary of Uzbekistan’s National Security Council has disclosed that Uzbekistan had established relations with the Islamic Emirate [Taliban] before it returned to power in Afghanistan. Abdulaziz Kamilov described his country’s approach as reasonable and timely, adding that many countries that once criticized Uzbekistan for these relations have now changed their views.
Afghanistan International: Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban’s ambassador in Qatar has claimed that Iran and India no longer regard the group as a proxy of Pakistan. Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Shaheen stated that both New Delhi and Tehran have come to recognise that this perception was inaccurate. He asserted that regional powers have
Afghanistan International: China has announced that Pakistan and the Taliban have agreed to elevate their diplomatic relations to the level of ambassadors. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomed the development, stating that Beijing supports the strengthening of ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Although neither Pakistan nor China has formally recognised the Taliban government, both countries
Afghanistan International: Sources confirmed to Afghanistan International that Salahuddin Rabbani, Afghanistan’s former Foreign Minister and leader of a faction of the Jamiat-e Islami party, arrived in Tehran on Monday, 19 May. Rabbani is scheduled to meet with officials from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during his visit, sources said. Significantly, Rabbani’s arrival coincides with
Amu: According to sources, the move, which has not been publicly announced by the Taliban administration, sidelines the Taliban-run Ministry of Finance and centralizes decision-making in the leader’s stronghold in southern Afghanistan. Sources familiar with internal operations said Akhundzada has established a financial office in Kandahar through which he oversees national budgetary and revenue matters.
Khaama: Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has claimed that the Taliban and Israel were the only two regimes that supported India’s recent military strikes against Pakistan. His remarks came amid rising tensions following India’s cross-border operation codenamed “Sindoor.” So far, the Taliban have not officially responded to these claims. However, reports indicate that ties between
Amu: Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has continued reshuffling Taliban’s senior police commanders in a move that further sidelines Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s acting interior minister..In the latest changes, Akhundzada reassigned the Taliban’s police chiefs of Bamiyan and Samangan provinces, transferring each to the other’s post. These appointments, although officially under Haqqani’s purview, were made directly
Afghanistan International: A court in Nairobi has approved the extradition of Zahir Qadir, former deputy speaker of Afghanistan’s House of Representatives, to the United States, according to his family. Qadir’s lawyer has requested a 14-day stay on the ruling, seeking time to file an appeal. The appeal is expected to be submitted within the next
8am: Now, nearly four years into the Taliban’s rule, occasional physical and virtual meetings on Afghan affairs are held. Alongside these, alliances and forums have emerged, composed primarily of Mujahideen leaders, former government officials, and individuals who directly intervened in Afghanistan’s politics over the past twenty years. Much like in the past, these alliances lack
Amu: Taliban leader has dismissed Abbas Stanikzai, the Taliban’s deputy foreign minister for political affairs, following rare public criticism of Hibatullah Akhundzada, according to multiple sources in Kabul and Kandahar. The removal was reportedly ordered directly by Akhundzada with sources citing “incompetence” and waning popularity as the reasons behind the decision. Stanikzai came under internal