US Open to Playing Constructive Role in Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions, Rubio Says

November 1, 2026
Khaama Press

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Washington has heard Pakistan’s concerns about militant attacks it says originate in Afghanistan and is open to helping ease tensions between the neighbours.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, October 31, on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, Rubio said Pakistan believed the Taliban authorities had not done enough to prevent attacks launched from Afghan territory.

“Pakistan is concerned about terrorist attacks that are being sponsored from the territory of Afghanistan,” Rubio said. “They feel as if the Taliban has not done enough to constrain those attacks, and they’ve taken action against it.”

Rubio said Washington did not want Pakistan to be targeted by terrorism and would consider playing a constructive role if an opportunity arose.

“We obviously have heard those concerns on their part. We obviously don’t want them to be targeted for terrorism. So if there’s a productive role for us to play, we would play it,” he said.

However, Rubio stressed that Washington did not have close relations with the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan. He added that the United States opposed terrorism regardless of where it originated or whom it targeted.

“We’ve heard the concerns that Pakistan has raised, and we’ve seen some of those attacks that they point to,” Rubio said. “We’re against terrorism no matter where it emanates from and who it targets.”

The remarks were made as relations between Pakistan and the Taliban administration remain strained over Islamabad’s allegations that armed groups, particularly the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operate from Afghanistan territory and carry out attacks inside Pakistan.

Pakistan has repeatedly called on the Taliban authorities to take action against militant groups it says use Afghanistan as a base for cross-border attacks. Islamabad has also raised the issue in regional diplomatic forums, including the Moscow Format talks.

The Taliban administration has rejected Pakistan’s accusations that it allows Afghanistan territory to be used for attacks against neighbouring countries. It has described Pakistan’s security problems as an internal matter and denied responsibility for the violence.

Rubio’s comments followed renewed diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions. Russia has offered to facilitate dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul, while previous mediation efforts involving Qatar, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and China have failed to produce a lasting agreement.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in October that it remained open to meaningful talks but wanted a verifiable mechanism to ensure that attacks against Pakistan would not originate from Afghanistan territory.

US Open to Playing Constructive Role in Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions, Rubio Says
read more

US Lawmakers Condemn Plan to Deport More Than 150 Afghans

November 1, 2026
Khaama Press
US Congress members Troy Carter and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, who criticised the Trump administration’s reported plan to deport Afghan immigrants detained in Louisiana.

Two Democratic lawmakers have criticised the Trump administration’s plan to deport more than 150 Afghans through Pakistan to Afghanistan, warning that their return could put lives at risk.

Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter called the proposed removals shameful and cruel, saying Afghan families who worked alongside US forces during the 20-year war should be protected rather than sent back to face possible retaliation.

In a statement on Sunday, Carter said the deportation of Afghan families from his state was deeply disturbing and warned that those returned could face revenge or even death.

Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove also accused President Donald Trump of repeatedly breaking US commitments to Afghans who served alongside American troops. She said abandoning those allies would undermine trust in future US partnerships and should not be treated as a partisan issue.

The criticism follows reports by The New York Times that the administration plans to deport more than 150 Afghan immigrants detained in Louisiana. The group is expected to be flown to Pakistan, where they could then be sent across the border to Afghanistan. The first flight could leave as early as Monday, November 2.

The Associated Press reported that court documents confirm plans to transfer Afghan detainees from Louisiana to Pakistan, with onward transport to Afghanistan. The Department of Homeland Security said it does not comment on future removal operations, citing operational security.

The New York Times reported that those facing removal may include relatives of Afghans who assisted the US military and at least one gay man. Refugee advocates warn that some could face persecution or retaliation under Taliban rule. It remains unclear whether those designated for deportation have legal protections against removal to Afghanistan.

The United States does not have diplomatic relations with the Taliban authorities. Routing the removals through Pakistan would allow the administration to transfer the detainees despite the lack of direct arrangements with Afghanistan, according to the reports.

US Lawmakers Condemn Plan to Deport More Than 150 Afghans
read more

Clashes Reported Near Torkham Border Crossing

November 1, 2026
Khaama Press
Islamabad Escalates Diplomatic and Security Pressure on Kabul, Economic Times Reports

Taliban and Pakistani forces exchanged fire near the Torkham border crossing on Sunday, November 1, according to local sources, disrupting the return of Afghan migrants from Pakistan.

Local sources reported that the two sides fired towards each other’s positions near the Durand Line and that the fighting was continuing. The reports said the clashes began after Taliban forces attempted to establish a security post known as Jangal near the border.

The sources said the latest fighting had also halted the return of Afghan migrants from Pakistan through Torkham. They added that tensions and clashes had previously erupted over plans to build the same post.

Neither Taliban nor Pakistani officials had publicly commented on the reported incident by the time of publication. No information was immediately available about possible casualties or damage.

The reported confrontation comes amid repeated clashes and rising tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The Long War Journal reported on October 29 that Taliban and Pakistani forces had clashed at least three times along different sections of the border since October 19, including an exchange of fire near Torkham on October 28.

The United Nations has also warned that fighting near Torkham threatens civilians and humanitarian workers. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said clashes on October 28 killed a child and injured a humanitarian worker who had been assisting Afghan families returning from Pakistan. An AFP report separately cited Afghan police as saying two children were killed and two civilians wounded in the incident; the accounts differ and have not been independently reconciled.

Torkham is one of the main crossing points for people and goods between Afghanistan and Pakistan. OCHA said more than 600,000 people had returned to Afghanistan through the crossing between January and early October 2026, accounting for nearly 85 percent of recorded returns from Pakistan during that period.

Previous border clashes have repeatedly disrupted movement and trade. The crossing was closed for more than two weeks following fighting that began on October 11, before reopening for Afghan refugee returns and trade, according to TRT World, citing officials and Afghan authorities.

The latest reported dispute over the Jangal post adds to tensions between the Taliban authorities and Pakistan. Islamabad accuses the Taliban of allowing militant groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from Afghanistan territory. Kabul denies providing safe havens to militants and says Pakistan’s security problems are an internal matter.

Clashes Reported Near Torkham Border Crossing
read more

Mujahid Says Pakistan Is Not Ready for Dialogue

October 31, 2026
October 31, 2026
Mujahid Tells Pakistan to Address ‘Failed Policies’ Amid Rising Tensions With Afghanistan

 

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid says Pakistan is unwilling to pursue peaceful talks, despite continued diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.

Mujahid made the remarks on Saturday, October 31, in an interview with Harayat Radio, a media outlet close to the group. He said messages were still being exchanged between Kabul and Islamabad through the mediation of several countries.

Mujahid did not identify the countries involved or provide details about the messages, the level of contact or any proposed steps to resolve the dispute.

He accused Pakistan of maintaining what he described as misguided policies and said Islamabad was not prepared to resolve differences peacefully through negotiations. He also rejected the suggestion that the Taliban had initiated the tensions, saying its actions during recent clashes had been defensive.

The comments come amid a prolonged deterioration in relations between Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities and Pakistan, largely over Islamabad’s allegations that armed groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operate from Afghanistan territory.

Pakistan accuses the TTP of using Afghanistan as a base to organise and launch attacks against Pakistani security forces. Islamabad has repeatedly called on the Taliban authorities to prevent militant groups from operating across the border.

The Taliban denies providing shelter or support to the TTP and says insecurity in Pakistan is an internal matter. The two sides have repeatedly exchanged accusations as border tensions and cross-border attacks have continued.

Mediation Efforts Have Failed to Secure a Breakthrough

Several countries have sought to ease the dispute. Qatar and Türkiye facilitated talks between the two sides in Doha in October 2025, resulting in a ceasefire agreement. Subsequent negotiations in Istanbul, however, failed to produce a lasting settlement, according to Reuters.

Saudi Arabia has also been involved in more recent diplomatic efforts. In September, Mujahid welcomed Riyadh’s role and said the Taliban authorities wanted continued dialogue and cooperation with Pakistan. Pakistan, however, said it would not allow what it called a “pretence of dialogue” to shield groups threatening its security.

The two sides have also publicly differed over responsibility for the stalled negotiations. In an October 23 briefing, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said previous efforts to reach an understanding had failed because of what it described as the Taliban’s intransigence. Islamabad said meaningful dialogue required Kabul to address its security concerns and take action against militant groups it alleges operate from Afghanistan territory.

Earlier this month, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said the problems between the neighbouring countries could be resolved through diplomacy. Speaking at Afghanistan-related talks in Moscow on October 5, he accused Pakistan’s military of relying on force rather than political understanding. Pakistan’s representative at the meeting, meanwhile, called on the Taliban to prevent militant groups from operating from Afghanistan soil, Reuters reported.

Despite repeated mediation attempts and statements expressing willingness to engage, Kabul and Islamabad have yet to reach a durable agreement addressing their central security and political differences.

Mujahid Says Pakistan Is Not Ready for Dialogue
read more

UN Warns Clashes Near Torkham Border Put Civilians and Aid Workers at Risk

October 31, 2026
Khaama Press

Renewed clashes near Afghanistan’s Torkham border crossing with Pakistan have endangered civilians and humanitarian operations, with a child killed and an aid worker injured, the United Nations said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the casualties occurred during fighting on Wednesday, October 28, near the eastern border crossing in Nangarhar province.

The injured humanitarian worker had been assisting Afghan families returning from Pakistan, while the child was from the local community, OCHA said in a statement on Friday, October 30.

The agency warned that repeated clashes in the area were threatening the safety of nearby communities and could further disrupt humanitarian assistance. It called on all parties to protect civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian personnel, and to ensure aid can be delivered without obstruction.

Despite the tensions, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners remain at the border, providing assistance at Torkham and nearby reception and transit centres, according to OCHA.

Torkham handles most returns from Pakistan

Torkham is a major crossing point for Afghans returning from Pakistan. OCHA said more than 600,000 people had crossed into Afghanistan through the route between January and the beginning of October 2026, accounting for nearly 85 per cent of recorded returns from Pakistan.

The latest violence comes as large numbers of Afghans continue to return from Pakistan, including people affected by Islamabad’s campaign to expel undocumented Afghan nationals.

The UN agency warned that previous escalations in the border area had forced the crossing to close temporarily and humanitarian partners to relocate some services. Further fighting could again interrupt assistance and expose returning families to additional risks.

An AFP report published on October 29 also cited Afghan police as saying that two children were killed by Pakistani gunfire near Torkham on Wednesday and two other civilians were wounded. The police account differs from OCHA’s statement, which reported one child killed and one humanitarian worker injured. The figures should therefore be treated as separately attributed accounts rather than combined casualty totals.

The renewed clashes come amid continued tensions between Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities and Pakistan. In a separate report on October 28, Reuters cited a Pakistani regional official as saying that firing from Afghan Taliban forces had killed one person and injured five others in Pakistan’s Waziristan region. The report did not provide further details about the circumstances or a response from authorities.

OCHA stressed that civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected, while aid organisations need safe and unhindered access to people requiring assistance.

UN Warns Clashes Near Torkham Border Put Civilians and Aid Workers at Risk
read more

Turkic Leaders Emphasize Stability in Afghanistan

October 31, 2026
TOLOnews
TV Network
31 Oct 2026

the statement described a stable Afghanistan as vital to the security and prosperity of Turkic countries and the wider region.

Turkic countries have emphasized their commitment to continued efforts toward peace and stability in Afghanistan in a joint statement issued in Ankara.

According to Turkish media reports, the statement described a stable Afghanistan as vital to the security and prosperity of Turkic countries and the wider region.

Turkic leaders also pledged to continue coordinated efforts through the Organization of Turkic States’ Working Group on Afghanistan to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development in the country.

Although the full text of the joint statement has not yet been made public, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed during the meeting: “The ongoing armed conflicts and disputes in the regions surrounding Turkic countries negatively affect not only security but also trade and economic relations, transport connectivity, and development prospects. We consider regular political consultations within the organization on current international and regional issues important for coordinating our approaches and efforts.”

According to Turkish media, the joint statement also noted that Turkic countries are closely monitoring Afghanistan’s security situation, political developments, and humanitarian conditions.

The statement further highlighted the strategic importance of the Afghan-Trans railway project in connecting Central Asia with South Asia and strengthening regional trade.

Faridullah Zazai, a political analyst, said: “The emphasis by Turkic countries on coordinated efforts to support stability in Afghanistan and expand economic cooperation presents an important opportunity for Afghanistan. Turkic countries have now recognized that stability in Afghanistan will contribute to greater economic cooperation.”

At the 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, held on October 7, 2025, in Gabala, Azerbaijan, leaders also emphasized the vital role of stability in Afghanistan for the security and prosperity of member states.

Turkic Leaders Emphasize Stability in Afghanistan
read more

UN Expert Warns of Security Risks From Rising Extremism Among Afghan Youth

October 30, 2026
Khaama Press
Richard Bennett Says Afghan Children Are Growing Up in Fear and Hopelessness
UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett speaking at the United Nations.

UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett has warned that Afghanistan’s younger generation faces growing risks of extremism, raising concerns about the country’s long-term stability and regional security.

Bennett issued the warning on Thursday, October 29, while presenting his report to the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee in New York. He also said the Taliban had shown no willingness to reform or change policies he described as repressive and discriminatory.

The warning comes amid growing international concern over changes to Afghanistan’s education system, particularly the expansion of religious schools and the promotion of Taliban ideology among young people.

A February 2026 report by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) said the Taliban had expanded religious education while removing or reducing some secular subjects from school and university curricula. It noted that universities had been instructed to stop teaching 18 subjects considered inconsistent with the Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia, including topics related to gender, democracy and human rights.

The EUAA report also said the number of formally registered madrassas in Afghanistan had risen to nearly 23,000 by August 2025, according to figures provided by the Taliban authorities. Before the Taliban returned to power in 2021, around 5,000 madrassas were formally registered, although many others operated without registration.

The agency cited concerns among some commentators that madrassas could contribute to ideological indoctrination and extremism. However, it also noted that researchers had found no evidence that the public madrassas they examined were conducting militarised training or education, while warning that their possible role in recruitment into Taliban institutions could not be ruled out.

A separate policy brief published by ODI Global on September 21, 2026, warned that the Taliban’s expanding madrassa system could have implications for regional and international security. Based on interviews with students, parents and teachers in Kabul, the report said the system was reinforcing the Taliban’s ideology and restrictive gender norms, with potential long-term consequences for social stability.

The ODI brief also highlighted the ban on formal education for girls beyond Grade 6 as part of a broader shift in the country’s education system. The Taliban have barred girls from secondary education and women from universities, sharply limiting educational opportunities for millions.

The concerns outlined by Bennett and international research organisations point to wider questions about the future of Afghanistan’s young population, including access to diverse education, employment opportunities and the ability to engage with different ideas.

Experts have warned that the long-term effects of educational restrictions and ideological instruction warrant continued international monitoring. However, assessments of security risks linked to religious education vary, and the available evidence does not establish that madrassa attendance alone leads to extremism.

UN Expert Warns of Security Risks From Rising Extremism Among Afghan Youth
read more

Islamic Emirate Rejects UNODC Report on Poppy Cultivation in Afghanistan

October 30, 2026
Mohammad Nazif Safi
Tolo News
29 Oct 2026

Islamic Emirate called on the United Nations to clarify its calculation methods and sources of information.

According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the area under poppy cultivation in Afghanistan increased nearly fivefold in 2026, reaching approximately 43,300 hectares.

The figure stood at around 10,200 hectares last year, while opium production rose from nearly 300 tons to approximately 1,500 tons, marking a 400% increase.

The report indicates a 330% increase in poppy cultivation compared with the previous year.

Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan, said the 2026 Afghanistan Opium Survey was not merely a research publication but also an opportunity to strengthen collective efforts to address drug-related challenges through evidence, dialogue and joint action.

UNODC warned that poverty and the lack of sustainable livelihood opportunities could push farmers back into poppy cultivation. The agency therefore emphasized the importance of providing alternative sources of income and supporting farmers.

Meanwhile, UNODC Representative in Afghanistan Polleak Ok Serei expressed hope that the report’s findings would encourage constructive discussions and reinforce commitments to evidence-based solutions aimed at supporting sustainable livelihoods for Afghan farmers and reducing their dependence on the illicit drug economy.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Interior rejected the UN figures, saying that more than 26,000 hectares of land had been cleared of illicit drug cultivation this year.

The ministry called on the United Nations to clarify its calculation methods and sources of information.

Abdul Matin Qani, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, told TOLOnews: “This year, more than 26,000 hectares of land have been cleared of illicit drug cultivation. The figures presented in the UN report contradict the official information and field evidence collected by the ministry’s Counter-Narcotics Deputy Ministry. The United Nations must clarify its calculation methodology and how eradication operations were taken into account, and review the report.”

In April 2022, the leader of the Islamic Emirate announced a ban on the cultivation, production and trade of narcotics. Islamic Emirate officials say drug-related activities have declined since the decree was implemented and thousands of drug addicts have received treatment.

Islamic Emirate Rejects UNODC Report on Poppy Cultivation in Afghanistan
read more

Richard Bennett: Pakistani Killed Over 512 Afghan Civilians Last Year

October 30, 2026
Hadia Ziaei
Tolo News
29 Oct 2026

He also reported that, according to UNAMA, more than 512 Afghan civilians have been killed and 1,200 others injured in clashes with Pakistan.

Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, said at a meeting of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly that his report examines human rights developments in Afghanistan over the current year and the past five years, with a particular focus on the situation of children.

He also reported that, according to UNAMA, more than 512 Afghan civilians have been killed and 1,200 others injured in clashes with Pakistan over the past year, with women and children among the victims.

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, said: “Civilians are suffering as a result of cross-border clashes with Pakistan. According to UNAMA, more than 512 civilians have been killed and 1,200 injured over the past year. Many of the victims were women and children who were inside their homes.”

Regarding the rights of women, girls, and children, France and Canada emphasized the need to lift the restrictions imposed by the Islamic Emirate on education, employment, and the participation of women and girls in public life. Germany’s representative also stressed the importance of Afghanistan fulfilling its obligations under the relevant convention and using international legal mechanisms to improve the situation of women and girls.

Nicola Gilhoff, Germany’s representative at the UN Human Rights Council, said: “Germany calls on the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to comply with the country’s international obligations to ensure the necessary accountability for human rights violations.”

Kristina Woinarowicz, Canada’s representative at the UN Human Rights Council meeting, said: “The continued exclusion of women and girls from secondary and higher education, including medical education, combined with restrictions on women’s participation in public life, is reducing the number of female healthcare professionals.”

Regarding the humanitarian crisis, Italy, South Korea, and Malta warned about the consequences of the large-scale return of migrants, declining humanitarian funding, and difficulties in accessing basic services.

Randolph De Battista, Malta’s representative to the United Nations, said: “We call on the international community to make the necessary investments to provide the humanitarian assistance needed in Afghanistan and to support the rights of women and girls who have been marginalized.”

Geng Shuang, China’s representative to the United Nations, said: “China believes that the international community should assess the situation in Afghanistan comprehensively and objectively and provide more constructive guidance. We call on all parties, particularly traditional donor countries, to take immediate action to address the humanitarian funding shortfall.”

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has previously described such meetings, held without a representative from Afghanistan, as ineffective for the Afghan people.

Richard Bennett: Pakistani Killed Over 512 Afghan Civilians Last Year
read more

Over the past five years, more than 32,000 foreign tourists have visited the country’s tourist destinations.

October 30, 2026

Tolo News

30 Oct 2026

From Band-e Amir and the ancient monuments of Bamyan to the historic minarets of Herat and the mountains of Badakhshan, Afghanistan’s attractions continue to draw domestic and international tourists.

Over the past five years, more than 32,000 foreign tourists have visited the country’s tourist destinations.

Khabib Ghufran, spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture, said: “Over the past five years, more than 32,000 foreign tourists and more than eight million domestic tourists have visited Afghanistan’s tourist attractions.”

Historic monuments, ancient architecture, and natural landscapes are among Afghanistan’s most important tourist attractions.

Cultural experts believe that preserving historical sites and promoting the country’s attractions internationally could help attract more tourists.

Faqir Mohammad Maiwand, former senior adviser to the Ministry of Information and Culture, said: “Tourism is a culture and an art. Afghanistan needs to develop a comprehensive tourism policy and benefit from the experiences of other countries and professionals who have worked in this sector.”

In addition to promoting Afghanistan’s historical and cultural heritage, tourism can contribute to economic growth and create employment opportunities.

Sayed Masoud, an economic analyst, said: “If tourism is properly managed, it could become one of Afghanistan’s largest sources of revenue.”

However, a shortage of accommodation, recreational facilities, and tourism services in some areas remains an obstacle to the industry’s development.

Abdul Zahoor Modaber, an economic analyst, said: “Fortunately, Afghanistan has great potential for tourism, with numerous natural attractions and scenic landscapes. By modernizing this sector, we can generate more revenue through improved facilities and better security.”

With its historical and natural attractions, Afghanistan has considerable potential to expand its tourism industry. However, realizing its economic benefits requires infrastructure development, improved services, and better facilities for tourists.

Over the past five years, more than 32,000 foreign tourists have visited the country’s tourist destinations.
read more

Recent Posts