Doha Agreement With Pakistan Has No Secret Clauses, Says Taliban Defence Ministry

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Afghanistan International: The Taliban’s Ministry of Defence has outlined the key points of its recent agreement with Pakistan, denying claims that the accord contains any secret provisions. The ministry said the deal includes a ceasefire, mutual respect, a pledge to avoid attacks on security forces, civilians and infrastructure, and a commitment not to support assaults against each other. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry expressed hope that the agreement would ease tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan frontier and lay the groundwork for lasting regional peace. However, the use of the term “border” in Qatar’s initial statement sparked controversy, with Taliban critics accusing the group of implicitly recognising the Durand Line as an international boundary. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry later removed the word “border” from its statement on its website without explanation. During the Doha press conference, Mujahid stressed that the agreement did not include any discussion on the Durand Line, which he referred to as an “imaginary line.” Click here to read more (external link).

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Afghanistan’s wrestling team heads to Bahrain for Asian youth competition

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Amu: A five-member Afghan wrestling delegation has departed for Bahrain to participate in the third edition of the Asian Youth Games. The games begin Sunday, Oct. 22, in Bahrain and will continue through Oct. 31. Click here to read more (external link).

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India restores full diplomatic presence in Afghanistan

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Ariana: India has officially restored its full diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, upgrading its Technical Mission in Kabul to the level of an embassy, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday. The decision follows recent discussions during the visit of Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister to New Delhi, marking a renewed phase in India-Afghanistan relations. The MEA said the move reflects India’s “resolve to deepen its bilateral engagement with the Afghan side in all spheres of mutual interest.” Click here to read more (external link).

Germany to End Afghan Refugee Program Citing Bureaucratic Delays

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Khaama: Germany is preparing to cancel its special admission programs for Afghan refugees due to prolonged processing times and complex bureaucratic hurdles, according to a report aired on Monday. The public broadcaster MDR said the decision follows years of administrative delays that have left thousands of Afghans stranded in Pakistan after fleeing Kabul in 2021.  Rights groups have urged Berlin to reconsider, calling the cancellation a betrayal of those who assisted German forces and institutions during the war. Click here to read more (external link).

Zimbabwe edge ahead after Day 1 against Afghanistan in U19 Test

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Amu: Zimbabwe’s U19 team ended Day 1 of the four-day Youth Test against Afghanistan with a narrow lead, reaching 130 for 2 at stumps and leading by 3 runs after bowling out the visitors for 127 earlier in the day. The fixture is part of a bilateral U19 red-ball series hosted by Zimbabwe. Click here to read more (external link).

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Pakistani Militants Are Not Terrorists, Says Taliban Defence Minister

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Afghanistan International: The Taliban’s defence minister, Mullah Yaqub Mujahid, said the group does not consider armed groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to be terrorists, in contrast to Islamabad’s position. In an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday, Mujahid said Pakistan and other countries use the label of “terrorism” for political purposes against their opponents. “There is no universal or clear definition of terrorism,” he said, adding that any government can brand its adversaries as terrorists to advance its own interests. Click here to read more (external link).

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Pakistan Demolishes Afghan Refugee Settlement in Karachi Amid Deportation Drive

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Khaama: Authorities in Pakistan said Monday that demolition operations targeting Afghan refugee settlements in Karachi have entered their fifth consecutive day, as part of a broader campaign to repatriate undocumented Afghans. Officials confirmed that more than 1,200 residential and commercial units have so far been demolished in the Manghopir area, once home to thousands of Afghan refugees. Click here to read more (external link).

Explosion at Parwan Mosque Injures Nine People

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Khaama: At least nine people were injured when a hand grenade exploded inside a mosque in Afghanistan’s Parwan province, local officials said on Monday. The explosion occurred Sunday evening during evening prayers in Shinwari district. Officials said the blast happened when a man accidentally dropped a grenade he was carrying. Witnesses said the man who dropped the grenade was a member of the Taliban and was also wounded in the explosion. Click here to read more (external link).