AGP Executive Report

Taliban Crackdown in Herat: Taliban security forces and intelligence units intensified detentions after women’s dress-code protests, with reports of interrogations, deleted social posts, and warnings aimed at activists and even families; UN experts also raised alarm after arrests and clashes left people killed and injured. Cross-Border Violence: Afghanistan accused Pakistan of fresh airstrikes that killed civilians, including children, as the border flare-up escalated again. Women’s Rights Under Pressure: UN reporting said Taliban arrested dozens of women over hijab rules, while a separate account described a detained female aid worker released only after signing a pledge to comply with dress-code demands. Infrastructure & Trade: Taliban officials said the Herat section of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline is past halfway, with construction and supply lines progressing toward a 2026 completion target. Local Tragedy: An eight-year-old girl was reportedly killed in Kunar’s Narang district, with one suspect arrested. Economy & Business: ACCI chief Sayed Karim Hashimi announced a regional investment push to attract trade and funding for Afghan traders.

Herat Crackdown: Taliban forces opened fire to suppress a second protest in Herat over arrests of women accused of violating dress rules, after a June 9 rally in Jibrail neighborhood left at least one child dead and dozens injured. Women’s Rights: UN and rights groups renewed condemnation of the regime’s “gender apartheid” approach, including arrests tied to hijab and clothing enforcement. International Recognition: Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate acting ambassador Suhail Shaheen urged countries to recognize the government, while Belgium and the EU discussed a possible delegation visit focused on returning rejected Afghan migrants. Deportations: The US reportedly sent a deportation flight to the Central African Republic carrying people from Iran and Afghanistan, including those with “withholding of removal,” raising fresh due-process fears. Regional Security: Pakistan’s budget proposal increased defense spending by 17.6% amid deteriorating ties with Afghanistan and renewed border clashes. Peace Index: Afghanistan ranked 157th of 163 in the 2026 Global Peace Index, with conflict and external clashes worsening. Energy: Taliban officials said construction on the TAPI pipeline’s Herat section has reached 52% completion, aiming to finish the segment by end-2026.

Women’s Rights Crackdown in Herat: Taliban morality police detained at least 30 women and girls over hijab rules in Herat, triggering protests that UN experts say were met with gunfire and beatings; UN Women says at least two people, including a boy, were killed and more than 20 injured, while later reports say some detainees were released. Protest Pressure Eases: After the violence, residents in Herat scrapped further protest plans as security forces flooded the city with checkpoints and armed patrols. Child Marriage Law Alarm: Mahbooba Faiz says a new Taliban family law regulation effectively legitimises child marriage and limits girls’ ability to challenge arranged unions. Cross-Border Violence: Afghan officials and Taliban authorities blamed Pakistani airstrikes for killing 13 civilians in eastern Afghanistan, while Pakistan said it hit militants. Security Snapshot: Afghanistan ranked among the world’s least peaceful countries in the 2026 Global Peace Index, with warnings that exclusionary governance and restrictions on political participation could worsen instability. Regional Trade Push: Taliban officials said construction on the TAPI pipeline’s Herat section has passed the halfway mark, with 52% complete. Sports Spotlight: Afghanistan’s ODI series vs India in Dharamsala is framed around a spin-heavy plan led by Rashid Khan, Ghazanfar and Nabi.

Taliban Crackdown in Herat: Taliban forces carried out door-to-door raids after rare anti-hijab protests, hunting women seen in videos and photos, as UNAMA and rights groups warned of excessive force and arrests tied to dress rules. Cross-Border Violence: Pakistan renewed airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan (Khost, Kunar, Paktika), with Taliban officials citing at least 13 civilian deaths including 11 children, while Pakistan said it hit TTP targets and killed militants. EU Migration Talks: The EU migration chief said Europe has “no option” but to talk to the Taliban on returning failed asylum-seekers, arguing talks are not recognition, even as critics say it undermines EU values. Aid Pressure: Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation is worsening after funding cuts, with reports of sharp declines in aid and growing needs. Infrastructure & Economy: Taliban officials said construction on the TAPI gas pipeline’s Herat section has passed the halfway mark (52% complete), aiming to boost regional transit revenues. Air Connectivity: Etihad announced it will double Kabul flights to twice daily from mid-July, citing strong demand.

Afghan-Pakistan Border Crisis: UNAMA confirmed 13 civilian deaths, mostly women and children, from Pakistani airstrikes in Khost, Kunar and Paktika, after Afghanistan had reported the same toll; Pakistan rejected the claims, and the strikes ended nearly a month of relative calm as the border stays closed and trade and aid routes remain disrupted. Diplomacy Track 1.5: Afghanistan and Pakistan held a second round of Track 1.5 dialogue in Türkiye, aiming to improve communication and reduce tensions, with Türkiye and Qatar facilitating. Humanitarian Displacement: UNHCR says global forced displacement fell for the first time in a decade to 117.8 million at end-2025, but warns long-term exile remains severe—70% of refugees are stuck for five years or more; Afghanistan is cited among key drivers of returns. Regional Energy: Taliban officials say construction of the Afghanistan section of the TAPI gas pipeline in Herat has reached 52% completion, with work and supply lines continuing toward an end-2026 target for the Herat segment.

Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Strikes: Pakistan renewed airstrikes on Kunar, Khost and Paktika, with Afghanistan saying 11 children, one woman and an elderly man were killed and 14 injured, while Pakistan claims it killed 26 militants linked to the TTP. UNAMA Rights Watch: UNAMA urged Herat authorities to protect peaceful protest and stop measures restricting women and girls’ rights, after reports of violence and suppression during demonstrations. Women’s Rights Crackdown in Herat: Sources say Taliban personnel removed surveillance camera hard drives in Jebrail after protests over women’s education and work, as UNAMA confirmed at least one death and injuries from gunfire. Regional Energy Push: Taliban officials said the Herat section of the TAPI pipeline is 52% complete, with 80 km laid and Turkmenistan assuring completion of the 130-km segment by end-2026. Food Security Alarm: The WFP warned the Iran conflict and US funding cuts are pushing 45 million more people toward acute hunger, including 2.3 million in Afghanistan. Sports Update: Hardik Pandya was ruled out of India’s Afghanistan ODI series with a quadricep injury, while Rohit Sharma rejoined the squad after fitness clearance.

Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Escalation: Pakistan renewed airstrikes inside Afghanistan, with the Taliban saying at least 13 people were killed—including 11 children—in Khost, Kunar and Paktika, while Pakistan claimed “precise” strikes killed 26 militants tied to TTP. Women’s Rights Crackdown in Herat: Taliban forces dispersed a rare protest against women’s dress rules in Herat, with reports of deaths and injuries and residents saying patrols and detentions intensified afterward. Humanitarian Pressure From the Iran War: The World Food Programme warned the Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions are worsening global hunger, citing rising fuel and food costs that are already hitting Afghanistan. Education and Infrastructure: Taliban officials announced the Herat section of the TAPI pipeline has reached 52% completion, while Afghan authorities also launched three school-building projects in Takhar. Return Movements: IOM reported 85,420 people returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan between May 24 and June 6, with aid and protection support continuing for vulnerable returnees.

UN Security Council Tensions: Russia and China pushed for continued UNAMA engagement as the mission’s mandate nears expiry, while the West faced criticism over how UNAMA is used and funded. Women’s Rights Crackdown in Herat: Taliban morality police dispersed a rare men-led rally against hijab and dress restrictions; witnesses alleged sticks, whips and gunfire, with arrests and injuries reported. Afghan Migration Pressure: UNHCR says more than 400,000 Afghan migrants have returned from Pakistan in four months, while migrants complain of ongoing harassment despite valid documents. Cross-Border Trade Restart: Stranded empty Pakistani trucks are set to re-enter via the Torkham border after nearly nine months, following meetings to resolve the dispute. TAPI Progress: Taliban officials in Herat say the TAPI pipeline is 52% complete, with major pipeline installation and transport of materials underway. Humanitarian Risk From Explosives: A recovered shell blast in Paktika killed seven, including five children, underscoring the danger of unexploded ordnance. Culture and Economy: Jalalabad’s summer handicrafts market is booming, with traditional baskets and wooden goods selling strongly.

Women’s Rights Crackdown in Herat: Afghan police and Taliban morality forces dispersed a protest against women’s dress-code detentions in Herat, with eyewitnesses reporting gunfire, injuries, and dozens of arrests; the UN special rapporteur Richard Bennett urged restraint and accountability, while Taliban officials denied some claims and said fines/mediation led to releases. Taliban Smartphone Ban: Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada reportedly issued a verbal order banning smartphones for Taliban members and government employees, warning violators could face military court action; the ban also extends to students and earlier restrictions on phone use at universities. UN Security Council on Afghanistan: Countries stressed protecting women’s rights and keeping UNAMA active, while the US called for a review of UNAMA’s value and costs ahead of mandate renewal. Afghan Humanitarian Pressure: UN reporting highlighted education and rights strains, including millions of girls out of school, as security incidents rise. Regional Security Spillover: In Pakistan’s Peshawar area, TTP militants killed six paramilitary personnel and abducted eight after an attack on a checkpoint, underscoring cross-border tensions. Afghanistan-India Ties: India’s MEA reiterated continued humanitarian and development support for Afghanistan, while India also condemned Pakistan’s strikes on Afghan territory at the UN. Mine/UXO Risk: A blast in Paktika killed seven, including five children, after an unexploded shell was reportedly handled for scrap. Aviation Link: Etihad Airways will double Kabul flights to twice daily starting July 15, citing strong demand.

UN Security Council Tensions: India sharply rebuked Pakistan at the UN over Islamabad’s “Fitna al-Hindustan” label for militant groups, calling it “officially sponsored misinformation” and saying Pakistan is trying to shift blame for its own security failures. Taliban Women’s Rights Crackdown: In Herat, residents and UN officials reported multiple women detained by Taliban morality police for alleged dress-code violations, with UNAMA warning the arrests raise serious human rights concerns. UN Warns on Afghanistan’s Future: UNAMA said Afghanistan looks stable under Taliban rule, but warned of worsening humanitarian and economic pressures, severe restrictions on women and girls, and a “lost generation” risk as millions remain out of school. Humanitarian Pressure from Iran War: The UN food agency WFP warned the Iran conflict is pushing millions more toward hunger, including an estimated 2.3 million in Afghanistan. Islamic Emirate Law: Afghanistan’s Ministry of Justice says a new law on preserving “jihadi heritage” has been published, setting up a directorate to collect and organize materials from the 20-year jihad. Pakistan Blames Afghanistan for Terror: Pakistan’s UN envoy warned that terror attacks in Pakistan linked to groups operating from Afghanistan threaten world peace and urged Taliban action against banned outfits.

Women’s Rights Crackdown: UNAMA says Taliban morality police detained multiple women in Herat over alleged non-compliance with dress rules, warning the arrests raise “serious human rights concerns” and urging equality before the law. Taliban Governance & Economy: Taliban officials say they’ve identified nearly 600 mining sites in Panjshir, citing mineral wealth and thousands employed in extraction, as critics question transparency. Security & Law Enforcement: Afghan police report seizing 21 kg of illegal drugs and destroying drug-processing labs in Uruzgan and Farah. Regional Diplomacy: EU appoints a new Chargé d’Affaires for Afghanistan, while UN calls for a Security Council meeting on Afghanistan. Culture & Sports: An Afghan skiing documentary, “Champions of the Golden Valley,” wins an Emmy; meanwhile India’s one-off Test vs Afghanistan dominates sports coverage, with India’s spinners and debutant Manav Suthar in focus.

Women’s Rights Crackdown in Herat: Taliban authorities in Herat began arresting women over dress-code violations, using mobile inspectors and warning that detained women’s government-employed guardians could be dismissed. UN Humanitarian Funding: Luxembourg pledged €300,000 to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund as OCHA warns only 16% of the $1.72bn appeal is funded, with 17.5m people needing help and acute hunger rising. Governance Push in Kandahar: A meeting of governors from Afghanistan’s seven regional zones focused on implementing directives, strengthening security, anti-corruption, police-community relations, and counter-narcotics. EU Engagement: The European Commission said it is still pursuing plans to invite Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate representatives to Brussels, while naming Nicola Bellomo as its new Chargé d’Affaires for Afghanistan. Financial Scam Warning: Da Afghanistan Bank urged Afghans to verify licenses after “Gold BS” faced allegations of blocking withdrawals and trapping investors. Taliban Deny Security Claims: The Islamic Emirate rejected reports of foreign “terrorist camps” inside Afghanistan, calling them propaganda. UNFPA Staff Death Case: Taliban police said preliminary findings indicate UNFPA employee Freshta Emady died by suicide, while other accounts dispute the cause.

UN Security Council: UNAMA says the UN Security Council will hold a special meeting on Afghanistan on June 8, with a report on Taliban restrictions on women’s education and employment and the impact of declining aid. EU Diplomacy: The EU appointed Italian diplomat Nicola Bellomo as Chargé d’Affaires for its Afghanistan delegation, keeping an “engagement without recognition” approach. Humanitarian Pressure: WFP warns prolonged conflict and aid shortfalls are worsening hunger, with millions facing severe food insecurity in Afghanistan. Rights and Monitoring: Shia Rights Watch reported anti-Shia violations across seven countries, including Afghanistan, citing pressure on Shia clerics and other abuses. Security Inside Afghanistan: Sources say Taliban governors met in Kandahar, with concerns raised about deteriorating security in the north, drug trafficking expansion, and armed activity in Herat. Connectivity and Economy: Ariana Afghan Airlines launched daily Kabul–Delhi passenger and cargo flights, aiming to boost trade and access to markets. Sports (Afghanistan focus): Afghanistan made history in the India one-off Test as Rahmat Shah became the first Afghan to reach 1,000 Test runs, while India dominated Day 2 after declaring 564/8.

Afghan-Iran Trade: Iran’s consul general in Nangarhar says a joint Afghan-Iranian products exhibition will be held in Jalalabad to connect traders and expand business ties. Humanitarian Aid Logistics: WFP says fortified biscuits for Afghanistan reached via a longer detour after the Afghanistan–Pakistan border and the Strait of Hormuz were closed, with delivery through multiple countries and the Torghundi border; the shipment is set for 172,000 schoolchildren. Food Security Pressure: The UN food agency warns the Iran war is pushing millions toward acute hunger, including an estimated 2.3 million in Afghanistan. UN Diplomacy: The UN Security Council will hold its quarterly open briefing on Afghanistan on June 8, with UNAMA and humanitarian officials expected to brief members. Regional Engagement: Afghanistan’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid and the economy ministry urge the country’s inclusion in all regional meetings to shape decisions on regional stability and cooperation. Security and Detentions: Taliban authorities detained a former Afghan soldier in Balkh’s Zari district, with his family reporting no information on his whereabouts. Natural Disasters: A 4.0 quake struck Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region, with no immediate damage reports.

Humanitarian Pressure: Canada convened UN talks on Afghanistan ahead of a Security Council review, with UN and ICRC briefings warning 21.9 million people need aid in 2026 as funding gaps and restricted access bite. Education Clampdown: Taliban-run Kankor university entrance exams began for Kabul-area candidates, but girls are again barred from participating for the fourth straight year. Women’s Rights: UN rights bodies and UN Women warn restrictions are deepening exclusion for women and girls, including risks of gender-based violence. Security & Crime: Taliban authorities reported a month of arrests tied to robberies, theft, weapons smuggling, kidnapping, and narcotics trafficking. Food Crisis Spillover: The WFP says the Iran war is pushing millions more toward acute hunger, including an estimated 2.3 million in Afghanistan. Returns Home: Over 3,500 Afghan refugees reportedly returned in one day, mostly from Pakistan. Local Development: A water supply network was inaugurated in Logar’s Baraki Barak to serve 512 families. Sports (Afghanistan vs India): India dominated Day 1 of the one-off Test against Afghanistan, reaching 368/3; Afghanistan coach Richard Pybus said Rashid Khan’s Test availability remains uncertain.

Food Security: The UN World Food Programme says the Iran war is pushing millions toward acute hunger, warning that higher oil prices and fertilizer shortages could hit Afghanistan hard, with an additional 2.3 million people at risk of not meeting basic food needs. Humanitarian Returns: UNHCR reports more than 700,000 Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan since the start of 2026, including about 400,000 from Pakistan, as return waves strain shelter, jobs, and healthcare. UN Diplomacy: Ahead of UNAMA’s mandate renewal, UNAMA’s acting head met the UAE’s UN deputy, with both sides stressing protection of women and girls’ rights and the need for a clear, renewed mandate. Regional Connectivity: At the Termez Dialogue in Tashkent, officials discussed linking Central and South Asia through Afghanistan, including progress on the Afghan-Trans railway feasibility study and the role of stability in boosting trade and security. US Courts/Immigration: A US judge struck down Trump-era immigration restrictions affecting people from 39 countries, ordering asylum and other processing to resume—an issue that also touches Afghan cases.