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Pakistan defends Afghan strikes as self-defense, rejects Taliban’s civilian casualty allegations

October 26, 2026
Arab News Pakistan
  • Foreign Office says counter-terror operations in Afghanistan have targeted only militants and support bases
  • Islamabad says attacks launched from Afghan territory have caused more than 3,500 casualties this year

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday rejected allegations by Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities that its counterterrorism operations had killed civilians, defending its actions as self-defense against militant groups it accused Kabul of sheltering and supporting.

Relations between the neighbors have deteriorated amid rising militant violence in Pakistan, cross-border clashes and Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan. Islamabad accuses groups including the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), of operating from Afghan territory. Kabul denies providing sanctuary.

The TTP is separate from, but allied with, Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban. The dispute has fueled repeated exchanges of fire and competing accounts of who has been killed in Pakistan’s strikes.

Civilian casualties have also been reported by the United Nations. Following strikes in Afghanistan’s Kunar and Helmand provinces on Oct. 1, the UN mission said at least 10 civilians, most of them children, were killed and nine injured. Pakistan said those operations targeted militant hideouts and killed 22 militants.

“Pakistan categorically rejects the baseless and unsubstantiated allegations regarding civilian casualties attributed to its counter-terrorism operations,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

It accused the Taliban authorities of failing to prevent Afghan territory from being used to plan and launch attacks against Pakistan, saying such attacks had caused more than 3,500 casualties in 2026. The statement did not provide a civilian and security-force breakdown.

“No responsible state can remain passive when its civilians and security forces are repeatedly targeted,” it said.

The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s actions were undertaken “in exercise of its right to self-defense, under principles of necessity and as a measure of last resort,” and were directed exclusively at militants and their logistical support bases.

“The scale and scope of the action reflected restraint, particularly in light of the severity and frequency of terrorist attacks faced by Pakistan,” it added.

The statement accused the Taliban of sheltering the TTP, the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army and their affiliates, citing reports by UN monitoring mechanisms.

A UN sanctions monitoring report published this year described Afghanistan as providing a permissive environment for several militant groups, particularly the TTP.

Pakistan has repeatedly urged the international community to hold the Taliban accountable for preventing cross-border militancy and said it reserved the right to take measures to protect its sovereignty and citizens.

The statement followed a warning by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry of further action if Afghan territory continued to be used for attacks. It also came a day after Pakistan’s military reported that two soldiers and six TTP militants were killed during an operation in Dera Ismail Khan in northwestern Pakistan.

Pakistan defends Afghan strikes as self-defense, rejects Taliban’s civilian casualty allegations
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Mes Aynak Copper Mining Delayed Nearly Two Decades After Deal

October 26, 2026
Mohammad Nazif Safi
Tolo News
26 October 2026

Economic analysts say the continued delay has postponed efforts to harness the economic potential of this important natural resource.

Nearly two decades after a contract was signed with a Chinese consortium to extract copper from the Mes Aynak mine in Logar province, large-scale mining operations have yet to begin.

Economic analysts say the continued delay has postponed efforts to harness the economic potential of this important natural resource.

They emphasize that the launch of practical work on the project could create employment opportunities, increase national revenue, and stimulate economic activity.

According to the analysts, ensuring that the contracting company fulfills its commitments and taking concrete steps to begin extraction are particularly important.

Sayed Masoud, an economic analyst, said: “The Mes Aynak copper project, like the Wakhan, TAPI, CASA and other projects, has become caught up in regional competition and geopolitical maneuvering. Russia, the United States and China are pursuing strategies to preserve these projects for potential future use.”

Nabi Afghan, another economic analyst, criticized the current situation, saying: “The current situation is unacceptable, and the government must change its policy in this regard and adopt clear plans for the proper management of mineral resources.”

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum says agreements have been reached with the Chinese contractor regarding the fulfillment of its commitments, particularly excavation work.

According to him, infrastructure work is underway at the mining site, but he did not provide a specific date for the start of extraction.

Humayoun Afghan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, said: “We have reached agreements with the Chinese contractor regarding the fulfillment of its commitments, particularly excavation work. Infrastructure work is also underway at the mining site, and practical operations will begin once this work is completed.”

The Mes Aynak copper mine, located in Logar province approximately 40 kilometers southeast of Kabul, is one of the major copper deposits in Afghanistan and the world.

The contract for extracting copper from the mine was signed on May 25, 2008, with a consortium comprising two Chinese companies.

Exploiting the mine could create job opportunities and increase national revenue. However, analysts also stress that mining operations must be carried out while protecting the area’s cultural heritage and archaeological sites.

Mes Aynak Copper Mining Delayed Nearly Two Decades After Deal
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Shaheen Renews Call for Islamic Emirate to Take Afghanistan’s UN Seat

October 26, 2026
TOLOnews
TV Network
26 October 2026

The UN Credentials Committee has postponed the Islamic Emirate’s request to take over the seat every year.

Following the collapse of the republic in August 2021, Afghanistan’s permanent seat at the United Nations has remained in the hands of diplomats from the former government, led by Naseer Ahmad Faiq.

The UN Credentials Committee has postponed the Islamic Emirate’s request to take over the seat every year.

Meanwhile, the ambassador of the Islamic Emirate in Doha, Qatar, has once again called for Afghanistan’s permanent seat at the United Nations to be handed over to a representative of the current government.

Suhail Shaheen criticized the failure to transfer the seat to the current government, saying the United Nations should recognize the existing realities and hand it over to a representative of the Islamic Emirate.

Shaheen said: “The fact that Afghanistan’s permanent seat at the United Nations has not been given to the Islamic Emirate, which governs the entire country, is not only unfair but has also created certain challenges. If the seat had been given to a representative of the Islamic Emirate, many challenges could have been resolved through this channel, and the annual membership dues would also have been paid.”

The formation of an inclusive government, combating terrorism and narcotics, and respecting human rights are among the international community’s key conditions for recognizing the current government.

In return, the Islamic Emirate has called for the removal of its officials’ names from blacklists, the release of Afghanistan’s frozen assets, and the transfer of the country’s permanent UN seat to the current government.

The two sides have yet to reach an agreement on fulfilling these conditions.

Sayed Moqaddam Amin, a political analyst, said: “Over the past five years, the Islamic Emirate has demonstrated that it is a political reality in Afghanistan, and the United Nations should recognize this. However, the existing differences would be better resolved through dialogue rather than political pressure.”

Afghanistan has also been deprived of its voting rights in the UN General Assembly since 1402 (2023–2024) due to unpaid membership dues, under Article 19 of the UN Charter.

According to available information, Afghanistan last paid its UN membership dues in 1399 (2020–2021), and its outstanding debt has since been estimated at nearly $1.1 million.

Shaheen Renews Call for Islamic Emirate to Take Afghanistan’s UN Seat
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France Conditions Kabul Ties on Women’s Rights, Political Changes

October 26, 2026
TOLOnews
TV Network
25 October 2026

French Ministry also emphasized that the resumption of cooperation with Afghanistan depends on changes in the country’s political and security situation.

France’s Foreign Ministry has clarified that the country has had no diplomatic relations with Afghanistan’s current government, the Islamic Emirate, since 2021.

The ministry added that normalizing relations with Afghanistan is conditional on changes in the country’s political situation and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2593, particularly respect for the rights of women and girls.

The French Foreign Ministry also emphasized that the resumption of cooperation with Afghanistan depends on changes in the country’s political and security situation.

In a statement, the ministry said: “Any normalization of France’s relations with the Taliban depends on developments in Afghanistan’s political situation and compliance with the conditions outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2593, particularly respect for the rights of women and girls.”

Although the Islamic Emirate has not yet commented on the matter, it has previously described women’s rights and the country’s political situation as internal affairs, emphasizing that other countries’ relations with Afghanistan should not lead to interference in its domestic affairs.

Mohibullah Sharif, a political analyst, said: “Until our officials engage in consultations and dialogue with them, reach common ground on areas of disagreement, establish mutual understanding, and address the demands of the Afghan people, others will continue to find reasons for objections, and relations will not return to normal.”

Previously, on December 7, 2024, Norway also announced that it would reduce its relations with the Islamic Emirate in response to what it described as restrictions on girls’ education and violations of human rights.

France Conditions Kabul Ties on Women’s Rights, Political Changes
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Pakistan Arrests 517 Afghan Migrants in One Week, UN Agencies Report

October 24, 2026
Khaama Press
Pakistani police searching for Afghan refugees.

A total of 517 Afghan nationals were arrested in Pakistan during the week of October 11–17, while fear of arrest remained the main reason many Afghans returned to their home country, according to a joint report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN refugee agency.

The report estimated that 2,744,068 Afghan nationals had returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan between September 15, 2023, and October 17, 2026. The total includes both voluntary and forced returns.

During the same week, an estimated 3,883 Afghans returned through the Torkham, Chaman and Bahramcha border crossings, the two agencies reported. Of those who returned, 83 percent were undocumented, while 9 percent held Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) and 8 percent held Proof of Registration (PoR) cards.

Fear of arrest was cited as the main reason for returning by 95 percent of undocumented Afghans and ACC holders. The figure stood at 68 percent among PoR cardholders, highlighting the role of detention concerns in cross-border movements.

The report also recorded 499 deportations during the week. Compared with October 4–10, overall returns declined by 10 percent, while deportations fell by 48 percent.

The figures reflect continued returns of Afghan nationals from Pakistan amid enforcement measures affecting undocumented Afghans and people holding different forms of registration or identity documentation.

Afghanistan is facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of people struggling to access adequate food, healthcare and other essential services. The return of Afghan nationals from Pakistan adds to the pressure on communities already affected by poverty, unemployment, displacement and limited public services.

For families arriving without secure housing, livelihoods or adequate support, forced returns can deepen their vulnerability and make reintegration particularly difficult.

Human rights organisations and international agencies have also raised concerns about the risks faced by Afghans returning to a country where restrictions on women and girls, limitations on freedom of expression and other rights violations remain serious concerns.

Deportations may expose some returnees, particularly people at risk because of their work, public profile or personal circumstances, to further danger.

Pakistan Arrests 517 Afghan Migrants in One Week, UN Agencies Report
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UNICEF Warns Afghanistan’s Water Crisis Is Worsening

October 24, 2026
Khaama Press
UNICEF has warned that worsening water shortages are affecting children and communities across Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s water crisis is worsening due to climate change, rising demand, inadequate funding and infrastructure, and poor management of water resources, UNICEF’s representative in the country has warned.

Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF’s representative in Afghanistan, said on Saturday that children and communities were increasingly suffering from the consequences of the growing crisis. He thanked member states, donors and international financial institutions that participated in a UNICEF briefing on Afghanistan’s water challenges.

The warning comes as Afghanistan faces mounting pressure on its water supplies, with drought, declining groundwater resources and rapid urban growth making access to safe water increasingly difficult in some areas.

The Associated Press reported in April 2026 that Kabul’s groundwater levels had fallen by an estimated 25 to 30 metres over the previous decade. The city’s growing population, reduced rainfall, drought and excessive groundwater extraction have intensified shortages, leaving some residents dependent on expensive water supplies or sources that may be unsafe.

UNICEF has also highlighted the wider effects of climate change on children. In June, the agency reported that more than 8.8 million children in Afghanistan were exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, including droughts, floods and extreme heat. These conditions can disrupt access to safe water, sanitation, healthcare and education.

In a further effort to address shortages, UNICEF and the Government of South Korea announced on October 22 that a water project had established or rehabilitated supply systems serving more than 39,000 children and their families in climate-vulnerable communities. The systems include boreholes, solar-powered pumps, reservoirs and distribution networks.

However, humanitarian needs remain substantial. UNICEF says reliable access to safe water is essential to protecting children’s health and preventing waterborne disease, while improved sanitation and hygiene are also important to reducing the risks of illness and malnutrition.

The agency’s latest warning underscores the need for sustained funding, climate-resilient infrastructure and better management of water resources to help Afghan communities cope with growing shortages

UNICEF Warns Afghanistan’s Water Crisis Is Worsening
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OIC Reaffirms Commitment to Engagement with Afghanistan

October 24, 2026
Hadia Ziaei
Tolo News
23 OCTOBER 2026

The OIC representative also stressed the need for continued, coordinated international support for the Afghan people.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), at the Afghanistan Coordination Group meeting in Doha, emphasized continued engagement with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities and cooperation with the United Nations, World Bank and European Union.

According to a statement, the OIC representative at the meeting identified girls’ education, counterterrorism, food security, and humanitarian and economic assistance as the organization’s priorities regarding Afghanistan. The representative also stressed the need for continued, coordinated international support for the Afghan people.

“The OIC reiterated its commitment to constructive engagement with the de facto authorities on these issues. It also stressed the importance of continued cooperation with international partners, including the United Nations, the World Bank, and the European Union, to ensure the delivery of consistent and integrated humanitarian and economic assistance to Afghanistan,” the OIC statement read.

Sayed Enayatullah Adel, a political analyst, said: “The Organization of Islamic Cooperation should expand its cooperation with Afghanistan and take practical steps. It should also encourage the international community to strengthen its engagement with Afghanistan.”

On Saturday, the OIC held its 52nd two-day Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Baghdad, but no representative from Afghanistan attended.

Aziz Maarij, a former diplomat, said: “If the Organization of Islamic Cooperation develops a framework for cooperation with Afghanistan in the economic and political sectors, as well as strengthening relations with the international community, or at least with Islamic countries, it could help resolve many of Afghanistan’s problems. Unfortunately, Afghanistan’s representatives are not invited to some of the organization’s meetings.”

Mohammad Aslam Daneshmal, a political analyst, said: “The Organization of Islamic Cooperation and its member states should take practical steps to establish relations with Afghanistan and move toward recognition.”

Earlier, Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, speaking at the two-day Afghanistan Coordination Group meeting in Doha, emphasized continued international engagement with Afghanistan and said the country’s future should be determined through an inclusive, Afghan-led political process.

Meanwhile, Suhail Shaheen, the Islamic Emirate’s ambassador to Qatar, described the policy of pressure and isolation as unsuccessful, saying positive engagement and broader international cooperation with Afghanistan could help resolve challenges and strengthen regional stability.

OIC Reaffirms Commitment to Engagement with Afghanistan
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UN Marks 81st Anniversary, Reaffirms Commitment to Supporting Afghans

October 24, 2026
TOLOnews
TV Network
24 October 2026

Afghanistan was among the early members of the United Nations, joining the organization in 1946 alongside Iceland and Sweden.

Today, October 24, marks the 81st anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

The United Nations operates in Afghanistan across various sectors, including political and diplomatic affairs, humanitarian assistance, human rights, education, counter-narcotics, and healthcare.

On this occasion, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA described the United Nations as a committed partner of Afghanistan, emphasizing that the country’s future belongs to its people and that the organization will continue supporting Afghans.

Rabab Fatima, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, said: “Afghanistan’s future belongs to its people, and the United Nations will remain a committed and trusted partner alongside the Afghan people as they shape their country’s future.”

In a statement, the United Nations expressed concern over restrictions imposed on women and girls and the challenges facing returning migrants. Praising the resilience of the Afghan people, the organization noted that decades of war, poverty, displacement, and climate change have created numerous challenges for the population.

Enayatullah Adel, a political analyst, said: “As its name suggests, the United Nations should bring countries and nations together to defend human rights and resolve disputes between them.”

Afghanistan was among the early members of the United Nations, joining the organization in 1946 alongside Iceland and Sweden.

However, the organization has also faced criticism in recent years.

Sair Quraishi, an economic analyst, said: “The people of Afghanistan are facing serious economic challenges today. Therefore, the United Nations should reduce its administrative expenses and avoid duplicating activities.”

The Islamic Emirate has also previously criticized the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), saying the mission has not been successful in fulfilling its mandate in the country.

Nevertheless, the United Nations continues its operations in Afghanistan at a time when humanitarian needs remain widespread.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s representation at the United Nations remains unresolved, with the country’s seat lacking a formally recognized representative of the current authorities.

UN Marks 81st Anniversary, Reaffirms Commitment to Supporting Afghans
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New UN Envoy Says Afghanistan’s Future Must Be Shaped by Its People

October 24, 2026

Mujeeb Rahman Awrang

Kabul Tribune

24 October 2026

The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The United Nations’ new special representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, has pledged to work alongside the Afghan people as they confront years of conflict, displacement and humanitarian crises, emphasizing that the country’s future must be determined by its own citizens.

In a video message marking the United Nations’ 81st anniversary on Saturday, Fatima said she was beginning her responsibilities in Afghanistan with deep respect for its people, culture and heritage, and a commitment to listening and engaging with communities.

“The future of Afghanistan belongs to its people, and the United Nations will remain a committed partner as Afghans shape that future,” she said.

Fatima praised the resilience of Afghans who have continued serving their communities despite decades of instability and hardship.

She highlighted the contributions of women, young people, teachers, health workers, community leaders and humanitarian workers, describing their dedication as a source of hope and inspiration.

The U.N. envoy acknowledged the scale of Afghanistan’s challenges but said the abilities and aspirations of its people offered greater potential for the country’s future.

“The challenges facing Afghanistan are significant, but the talents, aspirations, and potential of its people are even greater,” she said.

Fatima reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to supporting Afghans and advocating for dignity, opportunity and improved living conditions across the country.

She also reflected on Afghanistan’s long relationship with the United Nations, noting that the country joined the organization in 1946, a year after its establishment.

For nearly eight decades, she said, the U.N. and its humanitarian partners have supported Afghan communities through conflict, drought, displacement and natural disasters.

The special representative said the organization, established in the aftermath of World War II, remains guided by the belief that peace can be achieved through dialogue, international cooperation and shared humanity.

Her remarks come as Afghanistan continues to face significant humanitarian and economic challenges, with vulnerable communities struggling to recover from years of conflict and recurring natural disasters.

Marking United Nations Day, observed annually on Oct. 24, Fatima called for confidence in Afghanistan’s future and renewed the organization’s commitment to working with its people.

The United Nations was founded in 1945, and Afghanistan became a member the following year.

New UN Envoy Says Afghanistan’s Future Must Be Shaped by Its People
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Pakistan urges Afghanistan to act against militants and denies recruiting Afghan fighters

October 24, 2026
By MUNIR AHMED
Associated Press
October 24, 2026

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan urged Afghanistan’s Taliban government on Saturday to take verifiable action against militants it says operate from Afghan territory, dismissing Kabul’s assertion that Islamabad was shifting blame for its own security failures.

In a separate statement on X, Pakistan’s Information Ministry rejected allegations that it was arming Afghans to fight the Taliban or recruiting them to fight anti-Pakistan insurgents. Former U.S. envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad had cited reports of both activities a day earlier.

The exchanges come amid heightened tensions between the two sides over militant activity, repeated border clashes and Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan, deepening a longstanding dispute over responsibility for cross-border violence.

Khalilzad on Friday wrote on X that there had been reports of Pakistan arming Afghans to fight the Taliban inside Afghanistan and of the Pakistani military recruiting Afghans to fight anti-Pakistan insurgents. He offered no evidence, and did not identify the sources of those reports.

Last month, Afghanistan said its forces killed 28 fighters and captured 32 others, including alleged members of the Islamic State group said to have crossed from neighboring Pakistan.

Pakistan frequently accuses Kabul of sheltering the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, as well as the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army, or BLA, and al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent, an affiliate of the global extremist network. The TTP is separate from but closely allied with Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban.

On Friday, the Afghan Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that Kabul was not responsible for insecurity in Pakistan. He accused Pakistani military and security agencies of shifting blame when they failed to maintain security at home. He said Kabul had neither an interest in destabilizing Pakistan nor the capability to foment or finance unrest in other countries.

In Islamabad, the Information Ministry on X said those assertions did not address what it described as documented security concerns. It cited attempted cross-border infiltration, the deaths of Afghan nationals and members of militant groups during Pakistani counterterrorism operations, and the recovery of foreign-origin weapons as matters requiring scrutiny.

According to the ministry, the U.S. report covering January through March 2026 estimated the strength of the Pakistani Taliban at 4,000 to 6,000 fighters.

Pakistan is currently conducting multiple operations against militants near the Afghan border.

The ministry said these security measures were aimed at targeting militant threats, not the Afghan people. It urged the Taliban government to end any tolerance, facilitation or support for militant organizations, including the TTP and the BLA, and prevent Afghan territory from being used to plan or launch attacks against Pakistan.

Militant violence has surged in Pakistan in recent years, with much of it blamed on TTP and BLA. Pakistan says many TTP leaders and BLA insurgents have found sanctuary in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power there in 2021, an allegation Kabul denies.

Pakistani authorities say more than 2,800 militant attacks since January have killed 3,000 people across Pakistan, mainly in the northwest and Balochistan province.

 

Pakistan urges Afghanistan to act against militants and denies recruiting Afghan fighters
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