KABUL: Taliban guerrillas staged attacks on another city in northern Afghanistan on Sunday, increasing pressure on the central government ahead of crucial presidential polls slated for later this month and hours after the group concluded a round of talks with US diplomats.
The attack on Pul-i-Khumri, the provincial capital of Baghlan came a day after the Taliban broke government defense lines and entered parts of adjacent Kunduz city where the group continues to have some presence, locals told Arab News.
The defense ministry in a statement said that local uprising forces had foiled the Taliban assaults in atleast two directions of Pul-i-Khumri, which lies along the strategic highway that links much of southern Afghanistan with the north and with Central Asia.
However, Mohammad Azim Mohseni, a lawmaker from Baghlan said that the Taliban had presence in atleast four areas of the city where intense fighting had raged since the militants began their strikes early before dawn.
“The Taliban have entered in the city, this is the first time that they have managed to do so. The city is shut,” Mohseni told Arab News by phone.
He said the Taliban had also blocked the highway that runs through the city.
The interior ministry said Taliban fighters who had fled the Kunduz clearance operations by the government, were involved in the attack on Pul-I-Khumri.
Mohseni could not say how many Taliban fighters had participated in the assault on the city, but added that the fighters belonged to various parts of the country, including Baghlan.
The Taliban attacks on Kunduz and Baghlan, following their gains in some other northern areas in recent days, show according to analysts an intelligence failure in the government and may put it under further pressure ahead of Sept. 28th presidential elections.
Afghan analyst Fazl Rahman Orya, beelives that by spreading and stepping such attacks, the Taliban wants to show further weakness of the government which has been left out of nine rounds of talks between the militants and US diplomats in Qatar.
“These attacks come as US and Taliban emissaries are wrapping up their 9th round of talks. The Taliban want to show that the government is weak and from other side want to show its military might so that they have the upper hand in future intra-Afghan dialogue,” he told Arab News.
US envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad who has led the talks with the Taliban is heading to Kabul on Sunday for talks with government leaders about the conclusion of the last round of discussions.
Both Khalilzad and the Taliban said they nearing a final deal.
“We are at the threshold of an agreement that will reduce violence and open the door for Afghans to sit together to negotiate an honorable & sustainable peace and a unified, sovereign Afghanistan that does not threaten the United States, its allies, or any other country,” Khalilzad said in a tweet on Sunday.
Suhail Shaheen, Taliban spokesman based in Qatar in a tweet said the agreement will mean end of “occupation and peaceful settlement of Afghanistan’s crisis,”.
Taliban seize territory in northern Afghan city in second major attack
Taliban seize territory in northern Afghan city in second major attack
- Could derail crucial elections and peace talks that have been months in the making
- Officials said fighters hail from various parts of the country, including Baghlan
Authorities in northwest Pakistan to treat individuals spreading Kurram violence as ‘terrorists’
- Ali Amin Gandapur asks authorities to collect heavy weapons from area residents
- He urges locals to identify those disrupting peace as death toll surpasses 100
PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) administration on Saturday vowed to eliminate trenches dug by warring tribes in Kurram, where 10 days of sectarian clashes have killed over 100, warning that anyone disrupting peace in the area would be treated as “terrorist.”
Kurram, a former semi-autonomous tribal region bordering Afghanistan, has a long history of violent conflicts, including a major clash in 2007 that lasted for years before being resolved by a jirga, or council of tribal elders, in 2011.
The recent clashes erupted on November 21, when gunmen attacked a convoy carrying members of the minority Shiite community in Lower Kurram, killing 41 people.
“Anyone who takes up arms will be called a terrorist, and the fate of a terrorist is hell,” KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced while addressing a grand jirga that brought together tribal chieftains along with senior government functionaries in Kohat, located near Kurram.
Last week, the provincial administration announced it had brokered a seven-day ceasefire to end hostilities between the warring tribes. However, a local police official told Arab News a day earlier that violence continued unabated, with sporadic gunfire echoing in the area, reflecting that the arrangement had not worked.
Gandapur noted the army, police and district administration officials were making concerted efforts to achieve enduring peace in the region.
“Though political differences between federal and provincial governments persist, the central government should provide Frontier Constabulary (FC) troops to maintain peace in the area,” he said.
The members of the grand jirga would remain in the area until peace was established, he added, noting that the provincial government would provide them with all possible support.
“Those who are disrupting peace in Kurram should be identified by the local community,” he added. “Local elders should play their role to end the atmosphere of hatred between the warring factions.”
Only a day earlier, Hameed Hussain, a parliamentarian from Kurram, confirmed to Arab News that the ceasefire announced by the provincial authorities had failed to hold.
He said the death toll from the ongoing clashes had reached 110.
The KP chief minister directed the relevant authorities to collect heavy weapons from residents of the restive district.
“The government will ensure the dignified return of families displaced due to fighting,” he added. “Funds will be released for the repatriation of temporarily displaced people.”
Pakistan’s top cricket official assures highest security for Champions Trophy teams in Dubai meeting
Pakistan’s top cricket official assures highest security for Champions Trophy teams in Dubai meeting
- Naqvi visits UAE amid speculation about a hybrid model for the event after India’s refusal to play in Pakistan
- The PCB chairman emphasizes the importance of keeping cricket and politics separate during the meeting
KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday the government will provide the highest level of security and hospitality to visiting teams for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, amid ongoing speculation about a hybrid model for the tournament after India declined to play in Pakistan, citing security concerns.
Pakistan is set to host the event in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi from February 19 to March 9. However, political tensions with India have already cast a shadow over the tournament, creating uncertainty about how to ensure the participation of the Men in Blue in the event.
Naqvi held a meeting in Dubai with Mubashshir Usmani, former Secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board and Chairman of the ICC Associate Members Committee, to finalize key arrangements for the tournament and discuss ways to promote cricket in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
“Pakistan is a peaceful country, and cricket is deeply loved by our nation,” he was quoted as saying in an official PCB statement circulated after the meeting.
“Fans are eagerly awaiting the thrilling contests of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025,” he added. “All participating teams will be treated as state guests, with the highest level of security and hospitality provided to them.”
India has not sent its team to Pakistan since 2008 due to political tensions between the two countries. However, the PCB chief emphasized the importance of keeping cricket and politics separate.
“Hosting this tournament is a matter of great pride for our nation, and we look forward to welcoming all teams with open arms,” Naqvi said. “We have finalized all arrangements, including comprehensive security measures, to ensure a seamless event.”
The PCB chairman also updated Usmani on Pakistan’s progress in upgrading its stadiums to meet international standards. The discussions included collaborative measures to enhance cricket development in Pakistan and the UAE.
The talks occurred against the backdrop of growing speculation that the ICC may adopt a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy, similar to the Asia Cup 2023, which was partially hosted in Sri Lanka due to India’s refusal to play in Pakistan.
However, the PCB has ruled out such an arrangement, arguing it sent its players to India to participate in the ODI World Cup last year, and Indian cricketers should also play their matches in Pakistan.
Gunmen attack checkpoint, abduct six laborers in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province
- The Baloch Liberation Army claims responsibility for twin attacks in Nushki district this week
- Pakistan has announced an operation against Baloch separatists targeting Chinese nationals
QUETTA: Baloch separatist militants have targeted a dam construction site and a Levies check post in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan in two separate attacks, a senior official confirmed Saturday, abducting six laborers and seizing weapons just days after Pakistan announced a comprehensive operation against armed factions in the province.
The attacks occurred late Thursday night along the border of the remote Nushki and Kharan districts.
Pakistan’s largest but sparsely populated province, Balochistan borders Afghanistan and Iran and is central to the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. The region has been the site of a low-level insurgency by separatist militants for over two decades, though violence has intensified in recent months.
In August, the province witnessed a series of coordinated attacks that killed over 50 people.
“Unknown armed men attacked a dam construction site in Nushki district on Thursday night and abducted six laborers,” Additional Chief Secretary Home Shahab Ali Shah said while speaking to Arab News. “The laborers were working for a private construction company.”
“In another incident, armed men attacked a Levies check post at Zarin Jungle area and snatched three submachine guns from the soldiers,” he continued, adding that no loss of life was reported in the attack.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a prominent militant group in the province, claimed responsibility for the attacks on Friday, saying the group seized weapons from the Levies and “arrested” construction company personnel.
“BLA fighters captured a post of the Pakistani Levies force on the highway at Zarin Jungle and seized the weapons,” it said in a statement. “At the same time, different squads of fighters conducted a snap-check on the highway and arrested five personnel working on a construction project.”
It added the BLA had destroyed the construction company’s machinery and equipment by setting them on fire.
Rich in land and mineral wealth, Balochistan is otherwise an impoverished region, prompting separatist groups to accuse Pakistan of exploiting provincial resources, including gold and copper.
Pakistan denies the allegations and says the government is carrying out several development projects in the region to ensure its prosperity and improve the quality of life of its residents.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif approved a “comprehensive military operation” in Balochistan against the separatist outfits involved in attacks on Pakistani security forces after a suicide bombing at the Quetta Railway Station killed about 25 people, including army troops.
Baloch separatists have also been involved in targeting Chinese workers in Pakistan, prompting Beijing to urge authorities in Islamabad to provide them with foolproof security.
Pakistan PM sympathizes with Malaysian counterpart over loss of lives in recent floods
- The floods have killed at least four people and forced over 122,000 people out of homes in several states of Malaysia
- The number, which surpassed the 118,000 evacuated during one of Malaysia’s worst floodings in 2014, is feared to rise
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday telephoned his Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and offered his deepest sympathies over the loss of lives and damage caused to property in recent floods in several states of Malaysia, Sharif’s office said.
At least four people have been killed and more than 122,000 people forced out of their homes as massive floods caused by relentless rains swept through Malaysia’s northern states, disaster management officials said Saturday.
The number surpassed the 118,000 evacuated during one of the country’s worst floodings in 2014, and disaster officials feared it could rise further as there was no let-up in torrential downpours.
During his telephonic conversation, Sharif told his Malaysian counterpart that the people of Pakistan stood in solidarity with their Malaysian brothers and sisters in these testing times.
“The Prime Minister offered all possible assistance to Malaysia and announced the immediate dispatch of humanitarian assistance as a token of Pakistan’s support to their Malaysian brethren,” Sharif’s office said.
The prime minister also expressed admiration for the swift response of the Malaysian government in dealing with this natural calamity.
Pakistan and Malaysia enjoy a strong bilateral relationship, rooted in shared Islamic values and historical ties. Since 1957, they’ve fostered economic cooperation, defense collaborations, and cultural exchange. The Pakistan-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement of 2008 boosted trade and investment, while regular high-level visits have solidified their partnership, underpinned by mutual respect and trust.
Recalling the recent visit to Pakistan by PM Ibrahim in October this year, Sharif expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.
He also noted with satisfaction that some of the trade related issues identified during the Malaysian prime minister’s visit had already been resolved amicably.
Trade between Malaysia and Pakistan currently stands at $1.4 billion, including in palm oil, apparel, textiles, chemical and chemical-based products, and electrics and electronic products. Among South Asian countries, Pakistan is Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner.
“The Malaysian Prime Minister thanked the Prime Minister for his support and agreed that the two countries need to continue to work closely on advancing ties in all important areas,” Sharif’s office said.
“Both leaders also agreed to continue the momentum of high level visits, with both the Prime Minister as well as Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister expected to visit Kuala Lumpur early next year.”
Participation of foreign nationals in political activities in Pakistan ‘unacceptable,’ FO says
- Statement comes after government accuses ex-PM Khan’s party of deploying Afghan nationals in this week’s protests in Islamabad
- Pakistan has said that Afghan nationals won’t be allowed to stay in Islamabad without proper authorization after December 31
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office has said that the participation of foreign nationals in any political activity in Pakistan is “unacceptable,” days after authorities said they had arrested dozens of Afghan nationals during violent protests in Islamabad this week.
Clashes broke out between law enforcers and supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party this week after they set out for Islamabad in caravans from different parts of the country to demand the release of Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023.
The government accused the PTI of deploying Afghan nationals to take part in the anti-government protests and said authorities had arrested over 1,100 Khan supporters, including 60 Afghan nationals living illegally in the country, who had stormed the Pakistani capital earlier this week.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday announced that Afghan nationals would not be allowed to stay in the federal capital of Islamabad without proper authorization after December 31, 2024.
Asked about the impact of seeking permission to stay in Islamabad for even the 3 million legal Afghan refugees, Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the Pakistani interior ministry would soon issue details of the policy.
“We expect all foreigners in Pakistan to respect Pakistani laws and customs,” she said at a weekly press briefing in Islamabad on Friday. “Details of the policy with regards to continued stay of Afghan nationals in Islamabad will also be released by the Ministry of Interior.”
The move comes as the latest blow to Afghans living in Pakistan, with nearly 800,000 that Islamabad says were residing in the country ‘illegally’ expelled since November last year when the government launched a deportation drive that has drawn widespread criticism from international governments and rights organizations.
Pakistan began expelling illegal foreigners from Nov. 1, 2023, following a spike in bombings which the government said were carried out by Afghan nationals or by militants who crossed over into Pakistan from neighboring Afghanistan.
Islamabad has also blamed illegal Afghan immigrants and refugees for involvement in smuggling and other crimes. The Taliban government in Kabul says Pakistan’s security and other challenges are a domestic issue and cannot be blamed on the neighbor.
“I am not aware of any communication that has taken place,” Baloch said, when asked if the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had contacted Pakistan about the deadline announced for Afghan refugees living in Islamabad.
“The Ministry of Interior will share with the media the details of these Afghan nationals and their status in Pakistan.”
