AGP Executive Report

EU-Taliban Talks: The European Commission hosted a Taliban delegation in Brussels for “technical” talks on deportations and readmission, drawing sharp backlash from rights groups and lawmakers who warn it risks legitimizing the regime. Women’s Rights: UNAMA urged meaningful participation of women in diplomacy on International Day of Women in Diplomacy, as Taliban restrictions on women’s public life continue. Crackdown in Herat: Taliban morality police in Herat reportedly enforced a stricter “proper hijab” directive with detentions and beatings, fueling fear and rare protests. Media Under Pressure: Reporters Without Borders says forced exile of journalists has surged since 2021, with Afghanistan accounting for nearly half of supported cases. Economy & Jobs: Afghanistan’s Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock met the Workers’ Union to discuss job creation through modernizing farming and boosting production. Mining Update: A chromite processing factory opened in Logar, aiming to process up to 500 tons of ore per day and create local employment.

EU-Taliban Deportation Talks: The European Commission hosted Taliban officials in Brussels for the first time since the group’s 2021 return, focusing on “technical” steps to deport Afghans accused of serious crimes or deemed security risks, with Afghanistan’s foreign ministry calling the meetings productive. Rights and Backlash: Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and other rights voices criticized the EU for engaging the Taliban, citing bans on girls’ education, restrictions on women, and alleged abuses. Regional Security Pressure: Pakistan urged “immediate, credible, and verifiable” Taliban action against terrorist groups so Afghan territory isn’t used for attacks, raising the issue at a Pakistan-Russia counterterrorism meeting in Islamabad. Humanitarian and Reintegration Funding: The EU approved €20 million via IOM to support returnees and displaced people, aiming to boost livelihoods and access to services as returns rise. Education Crisis: A UN report says conflict and climate have disrupted education for 258 million children worldwide, with Afghanistan among the hardest-hit. Local Governance/Urban Planning: Herat’s master plan was approved after two years of studies, outlining zoning, roads, industrial zones, water and sewage upgrades, and protections for historical sites.

EU-Taliban Deportation Talks: Belgium issued tightly restricted one-day visas to a five-member Taliban delegation for closed-door Brussels talks with EU staff on deporting Afghans without legal status, with officials insisting it’s “technical” and not recognition—while rights groups and lawmakers warn it sends a political signal and could endanger people. Human Rights Warning: UN special rapporteur Richard Bennett urged the EU not to deport Afghans, saying torture risk is “absolute” and diplomatic assurances can’t override non-refoulement. Taliban Crackdowns at Home: In Daikundi, Taliban detained a girls’ school principal after she refused to hand over her smartphone during enforcement of a widening device ban; separate reporting also says Tamadon TV in Kabul halted broadcasts after a Taliban raid. Women Under Pressure: Reports describe Taliban clampdowns on women’s public space and smartphone use, including arrests tied to dress-code enforcement and intimidation during operations. Urban Planning: Herat’s city master plan was approved by the Islamic Emirate, outlining zoning, new development areas, roads, industrial zones, and infrastructure upgrades. Kabul Market Fire: A fire in Kabul’s Mandawi trading area caused major losses, with authorities citing an electrical short circuit as the likely cause.

Taliban Restrictions on Aid Workers: Taliban morality police detained about 20 aid workers near the Iran-Afghanistan border because their beards were too short, with some released the same day and others freed the next, according to aid sources. Human Rights and EU Deportations: Human Rights Watch warned EU states that inviting the Taliban to Brussels over migrant returns could undermine their credibility, citing documented cases of returnees facing detention and torture. Diplomacy Without Recognition: Kazakhstan reiterated its “pragmatic engagement without recognition” policy toward Afghanistan while pushing regional cooperation on threats like terrorism, migration, and drugs. Regional Trade and Water Cooperation: Kazakhstan opened a trade house in Kabul and signed plans for a Kabul-based water resources and irrigation research center with Afghan universities. Afghan Economy Pressures: Afghans in Kabul reported fuel and gas prices remain high despite global oil drops, while shortages of hemophilia clotting factors were also reported. Germany Deportation Flights: German media said Germany is considering more regular deportation flights to Kabul for Afghans accused or convicted of crimes.

Kabul Governance: Taliban’s Kabul mayor Abdul Rasheed was detained in Kandahar for nearly 20 days after traveling to challenge corruption-linked dismissals of Kabul Municipality officials, with reports citing major projects under review. Rights & Restrictions: Taliban morality police detained about 20 aid workers near Islam Qala over short beards; separate reports say women are being barred from recreation areas, and new rules restrict Muharram mourning ceremonies and filming. Humanitarian Needs: UN says 16 million people in Afghanistan need clean water and sanitation help in 2026 as drought and weak infrastructure worsen disease and food insecurity. Return Migration: 52,561 Afghan families have returned from Pakistan in three months via Spin Boldak and Torkham, with reintegration support reported. Regional Economy: Kazakhstan and Afghanistan discussed mining and trade, including processing Afghan aquamarine and zinc in Kazakhstan, while Kazakhstan also delivered humanitarian and medical aid. Diplomacy/Deportations: Germany reportedly agreed to accept six more Taliban diplomats to expand deportation flights to Afghanistan. Security Context: A 5.4 quake hit Pakistan’s Islamabad/Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and was traced to Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush.

Taliban Governance & Corruption: Sources say Taliban intelligence arrested Kabul Mayor Mawlawi Abdul Rashid and detained 20 district officials on corruption charges, as Afghanistan’s corruption ranking slipped again in Transparency International’s latest index. Humanitarian & Rights: UN experts and rights groups warn Afghan returnees face barriers and rights risks, while UNAMA’s mandate extension passed without a new mission chief being named. Education & Access: A reported internet price surge is deepening fears for girls’ online education under Taliban rule. Public Services & Daily Life: The Taliban expanded smartphone restrictions for government staff, with reports of uneven enforcement and device seizures. Regional Diplomacy: Kazakhstan’s deputy PM met Afghanistan’s PM to boost ties, including transport subsidies for flour exports, a Kabul chamber of commerce plan, and 320 tons of humanitarian aid; Astana also signaled it could mediate Afghanistan-Pakistan disputes if asked. Cross-border Movement: Hundreds of Pakistani truck drivers and conductors stranded near Torkham for months have begun returning home as repatriations accelerate. International Pressure: Germany is reportedly considering up to three deportation charter flights per month to Afghanistan for people with criminal convictions. Health & Polio: Rotary’s president-elect pledged to keep polio eradication on track despite funding pressure, citing needle-free jet injectors used in Afghanistan.

Women’s Health After Returns: UNFPA says women returned from Iran to Afghanistan are struggling to get even basic health and hygiene items, with aid groups providing health kits and psychosocial support. Education Access: Afghan users report a sharp rise in internet prices while speeds stay low, hitting girls’ online learning as tech restrictions tighten. Cross-Border Claims: Pakistan rejects Afghan Taliban claims of strikes in border areas, saying no such militant camps exist and that a downed drone was neutralized by Pakistan’s air defenses. Media Under Pressure: RSF reports a mass exodus of Afghan journalists since Kabul’s fall in 2021, with hundreds forced into exile and press freedom shrinking. Humanitarian & Rights: Amnesty urges countries to stop unlawful expulsion of Afghan refugees, warning of arrests, family separations, and rights violations on return. Regional Diplomacy: Afghanistan’s PM met Kazakhstan’s deputy PM to boost ties; Kazakhstan pledged transport subsidies, a Kabul chamber of commerce, and delivered humanitarian aid. Local Development: Work has started on a 400 million afghani underground market in Ghazni City, aiming to create hundreds of shops and jobs. Security Incident: A vehicle accident in Parwan killed five and injured seven, underscoring ongoing road safety risks. Deportation Debate Abroad: Germany plans more deportation flights for Afghan nationals convicted of serious crimes, drawing renewed rights concerns.

Women’s Rights Under Taliban: Taliban restrictions are tightening again, with reports of men’s “loose trousers” being seized and burned in Badakhshan, while women’s access to public life remains heavily curtailed under a “gender apartheid” model. Humanitarian Crisis: The EU warns Afghanistan’s hunger crisis is now here, urging more funding and action as Kabul asks donors to keep aid separate from politics. Refugees & Deportations: World Refugee Day coverage highlights mounting pressure on Afghan returnees and refugees, with Amnesty warning of rights violations and deportation risks. Security & Detentions: Taliban arrests of former security personnel continue in Panjshir, and a separate Helmand report describes a deadly family dispute. Regional Diplomacy & Trade: Afghanistan and Kazakhstan opened a trade and business forum in Kabul, aiming to boost bilateral trade toward $3 billion. Media & Accountability: Accountability Watch Afghanistan launched a documentation portal to record alleged human rights violations. Pakistan Tensions: Pakistan’s defense minister again accused Afghanistan and India of backing terrorism, as cross-border blame and attacks persist.

World Refugee Day: UNHCR marked June 20 by warning that protection gaps leave refugees facing perilous journeys, lost schooling, and heightened risks for women and girls, as global displacement tops 117 million. Afghan Return Pressure: Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif said 2.4 million Afghans have returned since Sept 2023, while UN-linked concerns highlight reintegration strains. Media Exile: Reporters Without Borders says Afghanistan has become a top source of exiled journalists since 2021, with 677 forced to flee. Security Under Taliban: A report says rising crimes under Taliban rule challenge claims of restored safety. Targeted Killings: Sources report a former military officer killed in Daikundi after detention, and another former officer found tortured in Kapisa. Taliban Controls: Taliban expanded smartphone bans in Panjshir public offices. Regional Trade: Taliban officials in Kabul pushed Kazakhstan to boost trade to $3 billion, with a forum and cooperation roadmap. Infrastructure: Authorities inaugurated a drinking-water network in eastern Nangarhar for 300 families.

Border & Trade: The Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce says transfer of empty containers stranded for nearly nine months has resumed through Torkham, after the route reopened—though officials say full trade is not yet back to normal. Refugees: Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif urged an “economically stable Afghanistan” for dignified refugee resettlement on World Refugee Day. Security Crackdown: Taliban intelligence detained two former security personnel in Panjshir, underscoring continued pressure on ex-ANDSF figures. Cross-Border Tensions: Afghanistan’s defence ministry claimed airstrikes on ISIS-linked hideouts in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Pakistan rejected the claims and said a drone was shot down. Taliban Rule Changes: The Taliban expanded its smartphone ban, ordering courts to enforce it for civil servants and soldiers, with confiscation and destruction for violators. Women’s Rights & Accountability: An international conference in Geneva called for justice, accountability, and women’s meaningful participation in Afghanistan’s future decisions. Media Freedom: RSF reports Afghanistan is the world’s top source of exiled journalists since 2021, with 677 Afghan media workers forced to flee. Local Impact: Herat residents complain the Herat-Badghis alternative route is unsafe and damaging vehicles after flooding submerged part of the highway.

Press Freedom & Refugees: RSF says the number of countries where exiled journalists flee has doubled since 2021, with Afghan reporters making up a large share of those forced to leave; Finland is urged to expand safe entry routes like humanitarian visas, while Turkey is criticized for both sheltering foreign journalists and pushing its own reporters into exile. Afghan Media Access: Afghanistan Journalists Center warns Taliban smartphone bans in government offices will further choke access to information. Cross-Border Tensions: Afghanistan claims airstrikes hit alleged ISIS-linked hideouts in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Pakistan rejects the claims, saying a “rudimentary” drone was shot down and that militant camps operate from Taliban-controlled areas. EU Diplomacy: An EU lawmaker says Taliban talks should be held in Kabul, not Brussels, warning the plan risks granting legitimacy. Women & Sports: King Charles will host Afghanistan’s refugee women’s cricket team at Clarence House, highlighting ongoing Taliban restrictions on women’s public life. Humanitarian & Rights: UN-backed reporting highlights acute hunger risks for millions of Afghans and continued pressure around UNAMA’s mandate.

Smartphone crackdown: Taliban officials in Afghanistan have begun enforcing a wider ban on phones for civil servants and security forces, with reports of devices being abandoned or destroyed—raising fresh alarms about tighter media access and information flow. Women’s rights and UN pressure: UN experts and rights groups renewed calls for the Taliban to reverse restrictions on women and girls, warning that the crackdown is deepening gender apartheid. Humanitarian stress: UN agencies warned acute hunger is set to worsen in multiple hotspots, with Afghanistan listed among the countries at risk as funding gaps and climate shocks bite. Returnee pressure: IOM reported over 6 million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan since late 2023, straining shelter, healthcare, and jobs. Economy and trade: Pakistan-linked coverage highlights losses from closure of transit trade affecting Afghan and Pakistani commerce, while Helmand officials say Iran has pledged investment in a textile factory. Regional diplomacy: Qatar is again highlighted as a key mediator in US-Iran talks, while Europe is reported to consider Afghan-linked interlocutors beyond the Taliban for migrant return discussions. Security backdrop: Pakistan security sources claimed 1,861 terrorists killed in 32,000+ operations this year, alleging sanctuaries in Afghanistan.

Smartphone crackdown: The Taliban ordered government employees and Taliban members to stop using smartphones, with reports of devices being confiscated and smashed publicly, while the Afghanistan Journalists Center warned the ban will further restrict access to information. Women’s rights under new rules: UN experts say a Taliban decree on “separation of spouses” could license child marriage and make it harder for women and girls to escape abuse, raising risks for religious minorities too. UN diplomacy: Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi spoke by phone with UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo about expanding cooperation and UNAMA’s role, including humanitarian aid facilitation. Hunger warning: UN food agencies warned acute hunger will worsen in 13 hotspots, with Afghanistan among the countries at risk as conflict, funding cuts and climate shocks bite. EU pressure on engagement: Dozens of Afghan and European civil society groups urged the EU to stop normalising ties with the Taliban over deportations and migration talks. Returnee integration: A Kabul conference focused on integrating returnees into Afghanistan’s private sector, as more people come back from abroad. Regional development: Kazakhstan approved a UN regional SDG center for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty, aiming to boost regional cooperation and capacity. Security shake-up: Taliban sources say they are seeking to replace a key Badakhshan commander amid a growing internal dispute.

Returnee Integration Push: Kabul hosted a conference on integrating returnees into Afghanistan’s private sector, with officials citing land distribution, tax and customs exemptions, business licensing, and calls for low-interest loans and long-term development beyond humanitarian aid. Mass Returns: IOM says more than 6.04 million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan since Sept 2023, warning reintegration gaps are straining housing, livelihoods, services, and community resilience. Media Access Under Pressure: The Afghanistan Journalists Center condemned the Taliban’s smartphone ban for government offices, saying it tightens control and cuts journalists’ access to information. Smartphone Ban Expands: AFP reports government staff across provinces have started switching off phones after an order attributed to Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, with exemptions only reportedly granted by him. UN Diplomacy: UN Security Council extended UNAMA’s mission for one year, signaling continued pressure on the Taliban. Women in Peace Talks: UN officials and civil society urged the Security Council to make women’s participation in peace processes funded and non-negotiable as conflicts spread, including across Afghanistan. Pensions Crisis: Afghan retirees say Taliban authorities have failed to pay pensions for nearly five years, warning of deeper poverty and a looming humanitarian fallout.

Smartphone crackdown: Afghan government workers have started switching off smartphones after an order attributed to Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, with letters circulating under the Supreme Court emblem and threats of punishment for non-compliance. Women’s rights and family law: Reporting says Taliban’s family law is making divorce harder and child marriage easier, deepening restrictions on women’s autonomy. Governance and access: The EU again urged an inclusive government in Afghanistan and demanded unhindered humanitarian access, while UN-linked voices warn women are being pushed out of aid delivery. Regional diplomacy: Pakistan’s defense minister said talks with Afghanistan have failed, while Uzbekistan’s president highlighted the Trans-Afghan Corridor as key to reaching southern waters. Security and militancy: Turkey says it captured a senior ISIS-K operative tied to media operations, after intelligence traced him to the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. Humanitarian pressures: UNAMA warned Afghanistan is on the front lines of climate change impacts, and a UN report flagged worsening hunger risks in multiple “hotspots,” including Afghanistan-related vulnerability.

UNAMA Mandate: The UN Security Council renewed UNAMA’s Afghanistan mission for another year, tasking it to coordinate humanitarian help, mediate UN-led meetings, and facilitate dialogue with Afghan authorities and regional partners. Mine Risk: A UN rights report warned that at least 58 states and territories remain contaminated by anti-personnel mines, with Afghanistan among the hardest hit and civilians suffering long after conflicts end. Women Under Taliban: Afghan women’s repression remains in focus as a new UNAMA push comes alongside reports of Taliban pressure on women and protests in Herat. Herat Crackdown: Sources say a protest figure, Morteza Karimi, was buried under heavy Taliban intelligence surveillance and denied a public funeral. Local Violence: In Bamyan, armed Kuchi nomads attacked a village, beating at least three farmers and firing during clashes over grazing land. Regional Integration: UN and Central Asian officials met in Almaty, urging Afghanistan’s full participation in regional economic cooperation for lasting stability. SCO Support: China’s FM said the SCO should back Afghanistan’s stability and development, as Afghanistan seeks deeper ties.