Another Earthquake Hits Western Afghanistan Disaster Zone
dpa: Another earthquake has hit western Afghanistan, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), weeks after a series of deadly quakes rocked the area. The quake on the morning of October 28 had a magnitude of 4.5 and occurred at a depth of around 10 kilometers, the USGS posted on its website. There were no immediate reports of any damages or casualties. Click here to read more (external link).
Afghan MMA Fighter Wali Hotak defeats Kazakh opponent
Khaama: This match took place on Friday, within the “MTKF” organization in the city of Moscow. Mr. Hotak defeated his Kyrgyzstani opponent, Makat Abdulqadir, in a thrilling showdown last night. Notably, Wali Hotak secured victory over his Kazakhstani opponent in the second round, utilizing a submission move to clinch the win. Interestingly, Mr. Hotak chose to compete in this match under the flag of Russia, though he did not provide a specific explanation for this decision. Click here to read more (external link).
Invasion of Privacy: Parwan Province Residents Speak Out Against Taliban Moral Police
8am: Some Parwan province residents have filed complaints about the severe conduct of the Taliban’s Moral Police in specific areas of the province. They allege that the Moral Police, on occasion, engage in insulting, belittling, and even physically assaulting individuals. According to their accounts, these Taliban members publicly shame and mock young men for shaving their beards and using derogatory language towards women. Parwan residents view these actions by the Taliban’s Moral Police as intrusions into their personal lives and violations of their privacy. They assert that the ongoing situation has caused them profound distress. Click here to read more (external link).
Islamic State Claims Responsibility For Deadly Kabul Blast
By RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi
October 28, 2023
The Islamic State extremist group has claimed responsibility for an explosion in a Shi’ite neighborhood of Kabul that killed four people on October 26. The group claimed on its Telegram channel on October 27 that it had placed a parcel bomb “in a room where Shi’ites gather” in the Afghan capital’s Dasht-e-Barchi area. Islamic State, which considers Shi’ites heretics, has carried out several deadly attacks in the same neighborhood in recent years, targeting schools, mosques, and gyms.
Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.
Emotional Farewells as Afghan Families Depart Pakistan
Sidra Dar
VOA News
October 27, 2023
KARACHI, PAKISTAN — It was an emotional scene at Sohrab Goth bus terminal when Jannat Bibi, a 50-year-old Afghan woman, bid farewell to the only home her children have ever known. After 35 years in Karachi, she and her eight children were making the difficult journey back to Afghanistan.
The terminal has become a hub for Afghan families forced to leave Pakistan because of a government mandate. Authorities have given a deadline of November 1 for those without legal documentation to leave or face forced eviction.
Jannat, her daughters draped in black Burqas, stood anxiously awaiting their departure. As the minutes ticked away, her son kept them updated on the bus’s schedule. They were hesitant to sit on the rough floor, not wanting to soil their clothes.
Jannat shared her family’s struggle, highlighting the abruptness of the decision. “We spent our entire lives in Pakistan. I got married here. My children were born here. … Now they have suddenly decided that we cannot live in this country.”
The lack of legal documentation further complicated their situation. “When my family reached Pakistan [35 years ago], some of my family members were able to get cards after much struggle. Some of us were never able to get cards. My husband and I were one of those people,” Jannat explained.
The tipping point for Jannat was the repeated arrests of her two sons. Fearful for their safety, she made the painful decision to return to Afghanistan. She had to sell their home and belongings at a fraction of their value, taking only their essentials.
Her daughter, Khanum, expressed her sorrow about leaving behind the life they had built. “Even before the Taliban took control of Kabul, two years ago, my elders did not think about going back to Afghanistan. We were happy here,” she lamented.
The uncertainty of their destination weighed heavily on many families. Fatima, a 21-year-old resident of Mominabad, Karachi, grappled with the reality of leaving behind everything she held dear. “You ask anyone here why they are going back [to Afghanistan], they will tell you the same: the police will arrest our men, our sons and take them to prison, so we are leaving from here.”
As the departure time approached, emotions ran high. Families embraced, tears flowed, and prayers were whispered for safety and blessings. Jannat’s final words resonated, “You heard our pain. I’ll remember you always.”
Several buses, bound for the Chaman border, stood ready to carry families on their journey into an uncertain future. Fatima and her sister, engaged in a last-minute plea to keep a small wooden box of cherished mementos, spoke volumes about the sacrifices they were making.
The departure of Jannat Bibi and countless others from the only home they’ve ever known is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by Afghan refugees. As they embark on this new chapter, they carry with them the weight of their past and the hope for a brighter tomorrow.
This story originated in VOA’s Urdu Service.
Taliban Threaten Teachers with Dismissal in Sar-e Pul Province Over Short Beards and Turban Absence: Those Unwilling to Comply May Be Disposed
8am: In a recent development, Taliban officials in Sar-e Pul province have issued alarming threats to teachers, citing their short beards and the absence of turbans as reasons for potential dismissal. According to a formal statement released by the Taliban’s education directorate in Sar-e Pul, sources shared with Hasht-e Subh Daily on October 27th, approximately 200 teachers and staff members have been warned. The statement indicates that 168 individuals within this group received specific warnings regarding their appearance. The warnings were directed at teachers who failed to grow long beards and did not wear turbans, both of which were deemed violations of the Taliban’s strict dress code under the category of “supervision of appearance.” Those who did not comply with these regulations were threatened with immediate dismissal from their positions. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – October 27, 2023
Pakistan urged to halt Afghan deportations to avoid ‘human rights catastrophe’
UN News: OHCHR is urging the authorities to halt deportations, which are set to begin on 1 November, Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told journalists in Geneva. Currently, more than two million undocumented Afghans are living in Pakistan, at least 600,000 of whom arrived after the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. “We believe many of those facing deportation will be at grave risk of human rights violations if returned to Afghanistan, including arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, cruel and other inhuman treatment,” she said. At particular risk are “civil society activists, journalists, human rights defenders, former government officials and security force members, and of course women and girls as a whole,” she added, recalling “abhorrent policies” banning them from secondary and university education, working in many sectors and other aspects of daily and public life. Click here to read more (external link).
Related
At Least Two Killed, Several Injured By Blast In Shi’ite Neighborhood Of Kabul
AP: An explosion late on October 26 in a mostly Shi’ite neighborhood of Kabul claimed at least two lives and injured nine, a police spokesman said. According to eyewitnesses and pictures and videos published on social media, the explosion occurred in a sports club in the Dasht Barchi area of Kabul. The cause of the explosion wasn’t immediately known. Social media posts indicate that a fire broke out after the explosion. The Dasht Barchi area has been the scene of deadly explosions in the past two years that have been claimed by Islamic State. Click here for more (external link).