Taliban militants (file photo)
Afghanistan International: Former Pakistani senator Mushahid Hussain has said that an overwhelming majority of Afghans are dissatisfied with Taliban rule, describing the group’s governance as “medieval.” Hussain said Afghanistan’s current crisis dates back half a century to the overthrow of King Mohammad Zahir Shah. He argued that Zahir Shah had been the “axis of stability” in the country and said the Bonn Conference’s failure to restore him to power was a major historical mistake. He further criticised Pakistan’s security institutions, saying they were paying the price for the miscalculations of former military leaders, particularly General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Faiz Hameed. Hussain said those leaders assumed the Afghan Taliban would cooperate on the issue of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, even though “there is no difference between the Afghan Taliban and TTP; they are the same movement.” Click here to read more (external link).
Afghanistan International: As the world marks World Television Day on, the Taliban’s leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, continues efforts to curb visual media in Afghanistan. Television broadcasting in Afghanistan began in 1978 with the establishment of National Radio and Television under the Soviet-backed government, an institution now fully controlled by the Taliban. Over the past four years, the Taliban, acting on Akhundzada’s orders, have sought to restrict or eliminate visual media. The group’s “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” law bans the broadcast of images of living beings. Ratified by Akhundzada in July last year, the law imposes sweeping media restrictions and violates numerous civil rights, particularly those of women. This June, a member of the Taliban’s Qatar office told Afghanistan International that Akhundzada had “never listened to the radio in his life, never watched television, and never engaged with modern digital media.” Other Taliban sources have said he occasionally listens to the radio but only rarely. 
Amu: Afghanistan A clinched a thrilling 20-run victory over India A in the semi-final of the ACC T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup on Friday, powered by a blistering 83 from Sediqullah Atal and a disciplined bowling performance. With this victory, Afghanistan A advanced to the final, continuing a strong tournament campaign and showcasing the depth of emerging cricket talent in the country. 
News Line Magazine: This means that if Pakistan decides to throw its weight and experience behind the opposition, it could transform the fortunes of both Massoud’s NRF and Zia’s Afghan Freedom Front overnight. Their attacks would no doubt become more sophisticated and sustained. And with the right backing — not just a plush office in Islamabad but years of financial, political and military support akin to what the Taliban and the mujahedeen once received — both men could become serious contenders for power in Kabul. 
Ariana: Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said at Security Council committee briefing, the militants are deliberately fueling tensions and attempting to position themselves as an alternative power in the country. Nebenzia added that Daesh continues to receive foreign financing and includes fighters with battlefield experience from Syria and Iraq. He also warned that weapons left behind by Western forces could fall into the hands of militants, posing a serious threat to Afghanistan and neighboring states. “There is a clear risk of terrorist activity spilling over to Central Asia and beyond,” he said. 
Amu: In a statement on Thursday, the ministry said that 565 Afghan citizens had been freed, including 517 from various detention centers across Pakistan and 48 from prisons in Iraq. The statement did not specify the reasons for their detention, referring to them only as “migrants.” However, in previous cases, Pakistani authorities have cited lack of legal residency documents as the primary reason for arresting Afghan nationals. Taliban said the detainees had spent between two and nine months in custody before being released and returned to Afghanistan. 
Amu: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the groups and fixtures for the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2026, placing Afghanistan in Pool D alongside South Africa, the West Indies, and tournament debutant Tanzania. Afghanistan will open their campaign on January 16 with a high-stakes clash against South Africa in Windhoek, Namibia.