[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS- JOURNALIST ALI LATIFI REPORTEDLY RELEASED – Well-known media personality Ali Latifi was arrested shortly after leaving the residence of the former President, Hashmat Ghani. Eyewitnesses say the Taliban charged him with consuming alcohol and possibly being drunk. The journalist was released shortly after the incident occurred and released a tweet that said everything was a misunderstanding and that he had been treated well.
- PAKISTANI POLICE SEARCH FORMER PM’S HOME – After conflicting reports suggested ousted PM Khan had turned police away from his residence, the search was confirmed to have taken place and was led by the Police Commissioner of Lahore. The Police contingent was forced to obtain a search warrant after the initial visit to the Zaman Park residence. The search was focused on arresting 30-40 PTI party members who stand accused of arson and vandalism of military bases in last week’s violent demonstrations. It seems that no arrests were made but Khan’s associates were handed a list of over two thousand names of people who were wanted for questioning. Khan has been portraying the protests as a ‘conspiracy’ and has challenged the government to prove that PTI took part. An extension of bail has been granted in his highest-profile case and he will be free until the 2nd of June. The former PM sought medical care for stomach pain early on Saturday morning.
- IRAN AND TALIBAN TRADE BARBS AND LEVY THREATS OVER HELMAND RIVER DISPUTE – Taliban officials criticized remarks made by the President of Iran over the water rights case that has caused decades of tension between the two countries. In a statement, the Taliban said the President’s remarks were inappropriate and cautioned its neighbor to refrain from using incendiary remarks in the future. After the remarks, Iran’s envoy in Kabul (Kazemi Qomi) demanded that a delegation be allowed to visit the Helmand River and assess its flow. He said the visit should take place within 30 days. Iran’s President had hinted at retaliatory acts if the Taliban do not honor the 1973 accord. Farmers and livestock growers in Sistan and Baluchistan Provinces say the water levels are insufficient to plant crops and water their animals. It is not clear what actions Iran could take if it determines the agreement is being violated.
- RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER WARNS UKRAINE THE US COULD ABANDON IT LIKE IT DID IN AFGHANISTAN – Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister made remarks in an interview reminding Ukraine’s leaders of the US’s short attention span when it came to international causes. The FM specifically brought up the Afghanistan and Egyptian cases to make his point.
- LAND REFORM PROGRAM IN TAKHAR RESULTS IN ANOTHER CLASH – Locals in the Khaja Bahauddin District challenged the Taliban officials who were attempting to seize land from citizens and pass it to nomads (Naqileen). The land in question was considered valuable grazing property. The Taliban were acting on an order from Kabul to redistribute 1,000 acres to the Naqileen. The locals reputedly used farm implements to threaten the Taliban officials and drive them away. The incident is said to have taken place on Thursday and locals expect the Taliban to return in force and continue the process.
NEXT 24 HOURS: No Threats Received