Pakistan’s defense minister claims Afghans are ‘ungrateful’ following Frankfurt incident

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Khawaja Muhammad Asif

Ariana: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khwaja Asif said Monday Islamabad needs to rethink its stance of extending hospitality to the people from Afghanistan – claiming they are ungrateful. “You see how thankless these people are. We fought a war with them. We fought a war for them. We became a US ally and fought a war with Russia, we fought the Soviet Union,” Asif said. “There’s a limit to hospitality. They swore at us, They swore at Pakistan. They talk against the integrity of Pakistan. They carry out proper rallies [against Pakistan]. They burn our flags,” he said. “I think Pakistan needs to rethink their hospitality,” he said. This comes after Pakistan lodged a complaint with the German government over its failure to prevent protesters, reportedly from Afghanistan, from getting into the grounds of the Pakistani consulate in Frankfurt on Saturday. Click here to read more (external link).

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OCHA reports 110 die in landmine explosions in Afghanistan every month

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Deminer (file photo)

Ariana: The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Afghanistan (OCHA) says that explosive devices kill 110 people every month across the country. This report states that since 1989, 45,000 people have been victims of landmines and explosive remnants in Afghanistan. In addition, the organization says that the United Nations Office of Mine Action Services is facing a lack of funds to continue its activities in Afghanistan in 2024. Click here to read more (external link).

Manizha Talash, Afghanistan’s First Female Breakdancer, Will Compete on Olympics Refugee Team

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Talash

Teen Vogue: Manizha Talash is considered Afghanistan’s first female breakdancer. She officially began training in 2020, at age 17, with the Kabul-based Superiors Crew after watching a Facebook video of one of the members spinning on his head. When Manizha started breakdancing, a lot of people looked down on what she was doing. Music and dance in Afghanistan are haram, or forbidden, she tells me, and during periods of Taliban control, they’ve been considered crimes. On top of that, women in general are expected to adhere to strict and conservative societal norms. Click here to read more (external link).

Trump Asserts Afghanistan Crisis Wouldn’t Have Occurred Under His Presidency

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Donald Trump

Afghanistan International: In a speech marking his first joint campaign with his running mate, J.D. Vance, Donald Trump asserted that the Afghanistan crisis would never have happened if he had been president. He also stated that he would have retained control of Bagram Air Base, which he claims is now under China’s control. Click here to read more (external link).

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Pakistan Reopens Key Border Point With Afghanistan Following Complaints

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By RFE/RL’s Radio Mashaal
July 21, 2024

Pakistan on July 21 reopened a key border crossing point with Afghanistan after a nine-month closure following complaints by residents. Pakistan in October closed the Chaman-Spin Boldak border that runs through Pashtun communities, ending the century-old Easement Rights, which had allowed certain communities along the 19th-century Durand Line border to cross freely. Pakistan began requiring people show valid documents like passports and visas to cross into Spin Boldak, a district in Afghanistan’s Kandahar Province, sparking anger. Pashtun communities on both sides of the border argued that it harmed their livelihoods and caused significant financial losses.

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.

Afghan Migrants Report Torture in Pakistani Prisons

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Tolo News: Afghan migrants who were imprisoned in Pakistan report being tortured against all human norms. These migrants, who were returned through the Spin Boldak border crossing in Kandahar, said that despite having legal documents, they were still arrested by Pakistani forces and severely tortured while in prison. They call the treatment of Afghan prisoners by Pakistani security institutions a blatant violation of human rights. Click here to read more (external link).

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Australia announces compensation plan for Afghan war crime victims

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Ariana: Over the past 20 years, more than 39,000 Australian soldiers served in Afghanistan. As part of peacekeeping efforts alongside the United States and other allies, 400 Australian soldiers were deployed until their withdrawal in 2021. During that time, an investigation revealed that Australian soldiers committed war crimes, including the murder and abuse of numerous Afghan civilians. Incidents included shooting prisoners, planting weapons, radios, and grenades next to bodies to suggest they were legitimate targets. Click here to read more (external link).