Trouble Mounts For Pakistan With Taliban’s New Move Over Cross-Border River

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NDTV: Pakistan’s mounting water crisis is likely to worsen, as the Taliban government in Afghanistan has decided to move ahead with its plans to divert water from the Kunar River towards the Nangarhar region in the country — a move that could sharply reduce downstream flows into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The development, which threatens to open a fresh front in already strained Afghanistan-Pakistan ties, comes after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. Click here to read more (external link).

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AFF: Two Taliban fighters killed in Faryab

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Germany begins deporting convicted migrants to Afghanistan

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Khaama: Germany has deported its first convicted Afghan migrant to Kabul following a recent agreement between Berlin and Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities, German media reported on Wednesday, December 17. According to the daily Bild, the individual was flown from the southern German state of Bavaria to Kabul early on Wednesday and handed over to Taliban officials upon arrival. Click here to read more (external link).

Afghanistan U19 beat Nepal by six wickets at Asia Cup

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Amu: Afghanistan’s under-19 cricket team beat Nepal by six wickets on Wednesday to finish their campaign at the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 with a victory. The win came after a difficult tournament for Afghanistan U19, who lost their opening match to Bangladesh by three wickets on Dec. 13 and were narrowly beaten by Sri Lanka by two wickets on Dec. 15, with Sri Lanka chasing down a target of 236 in the final over. Click here to read more (external link).

Admission of Arbitrary Arrests and Torture Fuels Growing Internal Dissent Within the Taliban Over Intelligence Practices

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Taliban militants (file photo)

8am: For years, the Taliban repeatedly denied torturing or humiliating prisoners in their detention facilities. An audio document obtained by the Hasht-e Subh Daily challenges those claims. In the recording, a local Taliban official openly confirms that Taliban intelligence tortures detainees and carries out arbitrary arrests. The document reveals that many people are detained and abused without any formal charges, often because of internal plots and rivalries within the group. At the same time, local officials voice anger over the arrest of several foreign fighters and say they feel deeply disillusioned with the current regime. They also criticize Taliban clerics who serve as judges and muftis, saying that while they fought on the battlefield, salaries and privileges now go to clerics who arrived from Pakistan. The report shows that many local Taliban feel alienated by ethnic discrimination and by financial and intelligence abuses inside the system. Click here to read more (external link).

Forced returns to Taliban rule must end as latest figures reveal millions unlawfully deported in 2025

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Amnesty: “Despite the Taliban’s well-documented repression of human rights, many states, including Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Tajikistan Germany and Austria, are clamouring to deport Afghans to a country where violations particularly against women, girls and dissenting voices are widespread and systematic. This is without even mentioning the dire and deepening humanitarian crises, with more than 22 million people – nearly half of the country’s population – in need of assistance,” said Smriti Singh, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for South Asia. Click here to read more (external link).

Taliban Leader Urges Officials To ‘Know Their Limits’ After Haqqani’s Remarks

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Afghanistan International: Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has urged members of the group to “recognise their limits and authority” after assuming office, warning against discord, negligence and arbitrary conduct. His remarks follow comments by Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s interior minister, who recently said the group governs through humiliation, violence, fear and intimidation. Click here to read more (external link).

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Lashkar-e-Taiba-Linked Figure Says Group Supports Pakistan Army Against Taliban

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Afghanistan International: Yaqoob Sheikh who has been described as having links to Lashkar-e-Taiba has warned the Taliban that if they fail to guarantee Afghan territory will not be used against Pakistan, his party will stand alongside the country’s army. In a video message circulated on social media, Sheikh said his group was ready to make “any sacrifice” to defend Pakistan. “We are prepared to sacrifice everything for the defence of our beloved homeland,” he said. Click here to read more (external link).