Taliban Leader Makes Rare Trip To Kabul, Urges Strict Enforcement Of Sharia
Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada
Afghanistan International: Hibatullah Akhundzada, the reclusive leader of the Taliban, made a rare trip from Kandahar to the Afghan capital on Friday, 12 April, to address a one-day conference attended by senior officials of the group. His unexpected appearance in Kabul underscores internal divisions within the Taliban leadership and a possible attempt to reassert control and unity. Click here to read more (external link).
Russia says it will help Taliban fight Islamic State in Afghanistan
Reuters: Russia will help the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan fight against the Afghan branch of Islamic State, Moscow’s special representative for the country was quoted as saying on Friday.
Zamir Kabulov, a former Russian ambassador to Afghanistan, referred to Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) as the “common enemy” of Moscow and Kabul. Click here to read more (external link).
Bilawal Bhutto admits Pakistan’s support for terrorist groups
Zardari
Khaama: Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari admitted to Pakistan’s historical support for terrrorist and extremist groups. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, has admitted to Islamabad’s support for terrorist groups and the Taliban. In an interview with Yalda Hakim from Sky News, Zardari responded to a question about Pakistan’s backing of terrorist groups and the presence of the ISI chief in Kabul when the Taliban took control, acknowledging it as an unpleasant chapter in the nation’s history. Click here to read more (external link).
More Pakistan-Afghanistan Reports
Pakistan deported 144,500 migrants in April, report says
Amu: In April, Pakistan deported 144,500 Afghan nationals, marking the highest monthly total since the mass repatriation campaign began in September 2023, according to a joint report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The report indicates that 72 percent of those returned were undocumented, while 22 percent held Afghan Citizenship Cards and 6 percent possessed Proof of Registration cards. Click here to read more (external link).
More Afghan Refugees/Migrants News
Right now, China occupies Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan: Trump
Donald Trump
Ariana: US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that China occupies the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, which was vacated by America in 2021. “…But we were going to keep Bagram, the big Air Force base, which is one hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons. That’s what they do. They make their nuclear missiles and one hour away from Bagram, and I said you can’t give up Bagram,” Trump said while addressing the 2025 National Day of Prayer at the White House on Thursday. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – May 2, 2025
UN reports six killings of ex-Afghan officials, security personnel
Amu: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has documented at least six killings of former Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) members in the first three months of 2025, highlighting ongoing violence and targeting of individuals linked to the former government. According to UNAMA’s quarterly human rights update, released this week, the Taliban detained at least 23 former government officials and ANDSF members during this period. At least five were subjected to torture or other forms of ill-treatment. Many of the arrests took place in Panjshir and Kabul and were reportedly tied to alleged links to the National Resistance Front. Click here to read more (external link).
US aid to Afghanistan in food and healthcare sectors also terminated: SIGAR
Ariana: After US President Donald Trump issued an executive order instituting a 90-day pause in foreign development assistance, emergency humanitarian assistance providing lifesaving food, nutrition, and healthcare was initially exempted, but terminated in April due to concerns that the Islamic Emirate benefits from such aid, a US government watchdog said. Click here to read more (external link).
Related
Muttaqi: Direct Talks with the US Resumed After Trump’s Return
Muttaqi
Tolo News: The acting foreign minister said that after Donald Trump’s return to power, direct communications with the United States resumed, and he expressed hope that relations between the two countries will improve. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Amir Khan Muttaqi emphasized that the Islamic Emirate has fulfilled its commitments under the Doha Agreement. However, he noted that some obligations on the American side—such as removing the Islamic Emirate’s name from the blacklist—have yet to be fulfilled. Click here to read more (external link).