Afghanistan International: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that due to rapid urbanisation and climate change, there may be no groundwater left in Kabul by 2030. UNICEF called on its partners to take immediate action to address the problem. The European Union’s mission to Afghanistan also expressed concern over the growing water crisis in the country in August this year, saying that drought, pollution and excessive use of water resources threaten people’s lives. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban Forcibly Converting Ismailis In Badakhshan, Claims Rukhshana Media
Afghanistan International: Rukhshana Media reported that the Taliban has established a jihadi school for followers of the Shia Ismaili sect in Shighnan District, Badakhshan. According to the report, Taliban’s Sunni mullahs teach Sunni religious books to children in the predominantly Shia Ismaili district of Shighnan. Rukhshana Media reported on Monday (October 28), citing its sources, that the Taliban’s action is “an attempt to forcibly convert the residents of this district”, who are Shia Ismaili. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – October 28, 2024
Polio vaccination campaign kicks off in Afghanistan
Child getting polio drops (file photo)
Ariana: Public Health Ministry officials have confirmed that a polio vaccine campaign across 16 provinces was launched on Monday. Sharaft Zaman Amarkhil, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Health, says that the campaign got underway on Monday in a number of provinces including Kabul, Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan, Zabul, Farah, Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, Nuristan and some other provinces. Amarkhil said the campaign will last for three days and an estimated 6.2 million children under the age of five will receive the anti-polio vaccine. Click here to read more (external link).
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Afghanistan A Cricket Team crowned 2024 Asia Cup champions after defeating Sri Lanka
Khaama: The Afghanistan A cricket team defeated Sri Lanka in the final match of the 2024 Asia Cup, securing the title by maintaining seven wickets. In this match, Sediqullah Atal was the top batsman with 55 runs, while Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar and Bilal Sami were the standout bowlers, taking two and three wickets, respectively. Winning the 2024 Asia Cup has cemented the Afghanistan A cricket team’s reputation as a formidable side in the region. The triumph not only brings joy to fans but also signifies a bright future for Afghanistan cricket on the international stage. Click here to read more (external link).
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The Taliban and the Pashtun Society
Taliban militants dancing (file photo)
8am: In their efforts to spread their ideology among the Pashtuns, the Taliban have killed many tribal leaders and intellectual youths. During the republic era, the National Security Council published a book titled “Thousands of Crimes”, documenting the Taliban’s killing of tribal leaders and intellectual youths, most notably in Kandahar. It is evident that if the Taliban had not dismantled the core structure of the Pashtun society, they would not have been able to dominate the community. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – October 27, 2024
Haqqani the Trickster
Sirajuddin Haqqani
8am: Recently, The New York Times referred to Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Interior Minister of the Taliban and the leader of the Haqqani Network, as the only “dissenting voice from within” the group. This is not the first time some media outlets and reputable international organizations have made such claims. Click here to read more (external link).
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Afghanistan beat Bangladesh 3-2 in AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers
Ariana: Afghanistan U17 national football team defeated Bangladesh 3-2 in their final match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers on Sunday to end their campaign undefeated. Afghanistan have qualified for the 2025 AFC U7 Asian Cup that will be held in Saudi Arabia in April next year. Click here to read more (external link).
Other Afghan Sports News
At Least 18 Killed in ISIS-Linked Attacks in Ghor Province Over 40 Days
8am: The Taliban have repeatedly denied the presence of ISIS in Afghanistan, labeling it as propaganda from their enemies. However, findings from the Hasht-e Subh Daily indicate that, in the past 40 days, ISIS has killed 18 individuals in attacks in Ghor province, including four Taliban members. The report reveals that over the past month, 18 people have died in attacks attributed to ISIS in Ghor, among whom four Taliban members were also killed. This occurs despite the Taliban’s ongoing denials of ISIS’s presence in Afghanistan. Click here to read more (external link).