| [AfghanDigest] NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE:
2022 has been a year full of disappointments for most with several regional conflicts raging, multiple humanitarian crises, historic population displacements, and the disappointing situation that continues in Afghanistan. Here at the Afghan Digest our sincerest hope is that 2023 will bring about a better situation for all those who are struggling and that those ‘leaders’ who have seemingly been touched by madness will find their humanity once again.
Happy New Year to all.
LAST 24 HOURS
- DRONES OVER NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN? – In remarks made after the NRF suffered a defeat in Andarab by Ahmad Massoud, the Resistance leader claimed that drones had been used before and during the fighting. He said the drones had been provided by foreign intelligence services who were also providing additional tactical intelligence to the Taliban. The specific countries were not named and no confirmation of drones being used in the Andarab fighting has been supplied.
- FORMER PRESIDENT KARZAI ASKS PAKISTAN TO RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF AFGHAN REFUGEES – After several international news reports broke a story about the treatment of Afghan refugees in Sindh Province, many leaders and international organizations have pressed Pakistan to release those being held in prisons around Karachi. Former President Karzai added his voice to mix in a plea to respect their human rights. Apparently, Pakistan officials were not expecting such a significant outcry over the situation.
- INTERNATIONAL AID MONEY BEING MISUSED, US THINK TANK SAYS – Speculation about how foreign aid funds are being used in Afghanistan since the Taliban took power has run rampant. Several watchdog organizations have suggested the funds seldom reach the programs they are intended to support. On Friday, the US journal, Foreign Policy, released a report detailing the extent of the corruption. If the information in the report is true, it illustrates a massive failure in oversight on the part of the international community and the US in particular. The report says the overwhelming bulk of the misappropriated money is used to ‘pay off’ Taliban supporters in predominantly Pashtun communities.
- TALIBAN SAYS THAT SOME INTERNATIONAL NGO’S AND UN AGENCIES AGREE TO HIJAB MANDATE – The Minister for Refugees and Repatriation has said that some NGOs and UN agencies will now tell their employees that they must wear the Hijab if they intend to work in Afghanistan. The dress code has been a point of contention between the Taliban and foreign workers for some time. While the Minister did not elaborate on which NGOs and UN bodies had agreed to the requirement, he seemed to be confident that others would follow suit. Nothing was said about the issue of women aid workers resuming their duties in the country.
NEXT 24 HOURS
- SECURITY FORCES ON HIGH ALERT FOR NEW YEAR – It is not clear if the Taliban has raised the security posture in response to a possible threat or is simply taking the precautionary measure of putting the security forces at an elevated security footing. Regardless, locals have reported an increased presence at checkpoints, especially in the diplomatic neighborhood in Kabul.
- PAKISTAN REFUGEE POLICIES – Many are watching to see how Pakistan’s police react today with regard to Afghan refugees in the country. Several conflicting statements have been made over the past three months which have Afghan refugees in the country on edge. Many fear arrests and deportations may take place as the 31 December amnesty period expired. Several international human rights groups are monitoring the situation closely.
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