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Torkham Border closure: Fifth day of $3 million losses and disrupting trade and travel

February 26, 2025
Khaama Press

The Torkham border crossing has been closed for five days, causing significant problems for travelers and traders on both sides of the border. This closure has disrupted normal movement and trade, creating a severe bottleneck for businesses and individuals relying on this route.

According to local sources, the closure on Wednesday, February 26, was due to the construction of a Taliban checkpoint and facilities near the border. The Pakistani border forces took this action in response to the security concerns posed by these developments on the Afghanistan side.

Pakistani media have reported that the closure of the Torkham crossing is resulting in daily losses of approximately $3 million for traders on both sides. The ongoing shutdown is having a detrimental effect on trade and travel, exacerbating the economic difficulties for people in the region.

So far, the Taliban has not taken any action to resolve the issue or reopen the crossing. Despite the growing concerns, the group has remained silent on the matter, leaving the situation unresolved for now.

Pakistan has not yet officially commented on the closure or provided a statement on how long it expects the situation to last. The tension remains high as the blockage continues, impacting both the local economy and daily life.

The Torkham border has been closed before due to border tensions. In August 2024, the crossing was shut down after clashes between Pakistani forces and the Taliban over road construction near the border. Similar closures have occurred at other crossings like Ghulam Khan and Kharlachi following military confrontations.

Despite ongoing talks between Taliban officials in Nangarhar and Pakistani authorities, no resolution has been reached. Pakistan has requested the Taliban halt construction near the border, but the Taliban have refused. As the closure continues, hundreds of trucks with essential goods are stranded, raising concerns about price hikes and shortages in Afghanistan.

Torkham Border closure: Fifth day of $3 million losses and disrupting trade and travel
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Former Afghan Intelligence Officer arrested amid US Immigration Crackdown

February 26, 2025
Khaama Press
Photos/Newscom, Steve Allen.

A former Afghan intelligence officer, who had worked with U.S. forces for 13 years, was arrested due to the new immigration policies under the Trump administration. Upon visiting the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office for his annual check-in, he was informed that his temporary residency permit had been revoked.

The officer’s situation is a direct result of the immigration policy changes implemented after Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025. These new regulations have significantly impacted the cases of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers.

As part of the policy shift, Trump issued an executive order suspending the resettlement program for Afghan refugees, including halting all flights for eligible Afghans seeking resettlement in the United States. Furthermore, reports indicate that the Trump administration closed the U.S. State Department office responsible for resettling refugees who had worked with U.S. forces.

These changes have caused significant concern among Afghan refugees and other migrants who are seeking the safest way to settle in the U.S. Many individuals, including this officer, who had collaborated with U.S. forces, are now facing serious challenges regarding their immigration status.

The Trump administration’s refugee and resettlement policies have created considerable uncertainty for those who worked alongside U.S. forces, including Afghan nationals who assisted with intelligence and military operations. These individuals, who had been promised protection, now face the risk of deportation or detention under the new regulations.

The suspension of the refugee resettlement program has left many individuals stranded, unsure of their future and safety. With limited avenues for legal recourse, they find themselves in precarious situations as they navigate the shifting policies.

The actions of the Trump administration have sparked widespread criticism, especially from advocates for refugees and human rights organizations. Many argue that these policies betray the promises made to those who risked their lives working with U.S. forces and jeopardize their safety and well-being.

Former Afghan Intelligence Officer arrested amid US Immigration Crackdown
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Islamic Emirate: ‘Good Intentions’ of Russia, Iran Appreciated

February 26, 2025
Mohammad Bashir Soltani
Tolo News
26 Feb 2025

The foreign ministers of Russia and Iran said in Tehran on Tuesday that developments in Afghanistan are of particular interest to both countries.

After discussions between the foreign ministers of Russia and Iran regarding Afghanistan, the Islamic Emirate has described its relations with these two countries as positive and expressed hope that these ties will further expand.

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, stated: “The Islamic Emirate has good relations with both Russia and Iran and appreciates their good intentions regarding Afghanistan. Especially in economic and political matters, we have witnessed significant progress with them, and we hope these relations will grow further.”

The foreign ministers of Russia and Iran said in Tehran on Tuesday that developments in Afghanistan are of particular interest to both countries and that they will continue their consultations on the issue.

Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, stressed in a joint press conference with Abbas Araghchi, Iranian foreign minister, that their discussions focused on regional issues, particularly Afghanistan. According to Lavrov, Moscow addresses Afghanistan-related matters through neighboring countries and within the framework of the “Moscow Format.”

Lavrov stated: “I already mentioned the successful holding of the Economic Forum in January here in Iran and our cooperation on Afghanistan, where we interact in various formats, including the Moscow format, meetings of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries, and the Quadrilateral group of China, Iran, Russia, and Pakistan.”

The Russian foreign minister stressed that Afghanistan should not be forgotten and that Moscow, in collaboration with Afghanistan’s neighboring countries, pays special attention to resolving the country’s issues.

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, also noted that developments in Afghanistan have always been of interest to both Tehran and Moscow and that the two countries will continue their consultations in this regard.

The Iranian foreign minister stated: “Afghanistan’s developments are important to us and Russia. Our discussions on this matter have always continued, and we intend to consult even more on this issue.”

“Overall, we should maintain balanced relations with the West to avoid being dragged into a Cold War, as Afghanistan suffered significant damage in the 1980s and 1990s,” said Moeen Gul Samkanai, a political analyst.

Previously, Russia’s foreign minister had also stated that the United States seeks to maintain its influence in Afghanistan and is using neighboring countries to achieve this objective.

Islamic Emirate: ‘Good Intentions’ of Russia, Iran Appreciated
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Taliban says ‘misunderstanding’ led to arrest of British couple in Afghanistan

February 25, 2025

 and Reuters

The Guardian

Tue 25 Feb 2025

A British couple were arrested in Afghanistan due to a “misunderstanding” that they had fake Afghan passports, the Taliban said on Tuesday.

Peter and Barbie Reynolds, 79 and 75, were detained by the Taliban’s interior ministry on 1 February while returning to their home in the central province of Bamiyan.

The couple, who run education and training programmes in Afghanistan, were arrested along with Faye Hall, a Chinese-American friend and an interpreter from their business.

Taliban spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani said the arrests were due to a “misunderstanding” that they possessed fake Afghan passports.

On Monday, the Reynolds’ daughter, Sarah Entwistle, said the family had initially chosen not to involve the UK authorities “hoping to hear directly from the Taliban about why they’d arrested our parents”.

“Our parents have always sought to honour the Taliban, so we wanted to give them the opportunity to explain their reasons for this detention. However, after more than three weeks of silence, we can no longer wait,” Entwistle told Times Radio.

“We’re now urgently calling on the British consulate to do everything in their power to get us answers and to put as much pressure as they can on the Taliban for their release.”

On Monday, Qani said the Taliban would attempt to release the couple “as soon as possible”, the BBC reported.

He said: “A series of considerations is being taken into account and, after evaluation, we will endeavour to release them as soon as possible.”

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was “supporting the family of two British nationals who are detained in Afghanistan”.

The couple married in Kabul more than 50 years ago and run Rebuild, “an Afghan-registered research and training business” that has been operating since 2009.

In an open letter to the Taliban, Entwistle and her three brothers said: “We do not understand the reasons behind their arrest. Our parents have consistently expressed their commitment to Afghanistan, stating that they would rather sacrifice their lives than become part of ransom negotiations or be traded.”

Taliban says ‘misunderstanding’ led to arrest of British couple in Afghanistan
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155 Afghan staff transferred from Pakistan to Germany, another group expected next month

February 25, 2025
Khaama Press

German media reported that a group of 155 Afghan local staff members who worked for the German government were transferred from Islamabad to Berlin on Tuesday. According to Bild newspaper, another group of Afghan refugees is expected to be transferred from Islamabad to Germany next month.

The group flew from Islamabad to Berlin on Tuesday, February 25, with a stopover in Dubai. Bild reported that there are no direct flights from Afghanistan to Germany, and the next flight from Pakistan to Germany is planned for March.

Some of those transferred to Berlin had worked for the German government before the German forces left Afghanistan in 2021. These individuals were part of the local staff employed by the German government in Afghanistan.

The Bild newspaper also noted that the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) have criticized these flights. German politician Thorsten Frei warned that the federal government is bringing in people from Afghanistan instead of focusing on deporting Afghan criminals.

Reports indicate that Germany has accepted over 48,000 Afghans since the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban. Of these, 38,000 are individuals identified as “at risk” by the German government.

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, won the recent German elections, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) making significant gains.

The AfD’s rise has sparked concerns among migrants about potential changes in immigration policies. The transfer of Afghan refugees to Germany continues, reflecting the country’s ongoing commitment to those at risk in Afghanistan.

However, with the AfD’s increased influence, the issue of immigration and refugee policies is becoming more contentious. Election outcomes could shape future policies, balancing humanitarian efforts with concerns over security and immigration control, potentially impacting Germany’s domestic and international stance on refugees.

Around 3,000 Afghans with German admission permits are currently waiting in Islamabad for their transfer to Berlin. This ongoing refugee process continues to be a significant issue in Germany’s foreign policy and immigration strategy. The government’s approach has sparked debate over the consistency of its policies regarding Afghan refugees.

155 Afghan staff transferred from Pakistan to Germany, another group expected next month
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US continues weekly payments to Afghanistan, says Sopko

February 25, 2025
Khaama Press

John Sopko, the former Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), stated at the Herat Security Conference in Madrid on Tuesday that the United States has spent over $21 billion on Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power. He highlighted that, despite a reduction in foreign aid, the U.S. continues to send money to Afghanistan on a weekly basis.

Sopko, who previously headed SIGAR, mentioned that a significant portion of this funding had been directed towards humanitarian aid, refugee relocation, and the repayment of Afghanistan’s foreign assets. According to SIGAR’s report from August, 2021, Washington had provided around $21 billion in assistance with $3.7 billion allocated specifically for humanitarian purposes.

Despite the U.S. government’s stance on cutting aid, Sopko argued that if the Taliban does not change its policies on women’s rights, education, and human rights, the U.S. believes that these funds should be halted. He also proposed that $4 billion from Afghanistan’s Swiss escrow fund should be used as compensation for victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

He added, “The humanitarian aid provided to Afghanistan has had no real impact on the Taliban’s views on women, children, education, and human rights.”

SIGAR’s report further breaks down that from the $20.7 billion allocated between August 2021 and June 2024, $2.97 billion went towards humanitarian and development assistance. These funds were spent across various sectors, including humanitarian aid, development projects, organizational operations, and security.

Sopko also raised concerns that a significant portion of U.S. aid has reached the Taliban, as there was insufficient oversight regarding how the funds were used. He noted that previous U.S. military and diplomatic personnel often provided misleading reports to enhance their careers, leading to a lack of accountability. According to Sopko, much of the assistance was funneled through organizations like the UN and the World Food Program, but the monitoring process was not robust enough to ensure it was used effectively.

Sopko’s remarks reflect the ongoing challenges in Afghanistan, highlighting issues with U.S. financial aid and the lack of transparency in its use. His comments underscore a growing sense of frustration within the U.S. about its involvement in Afghanistan and the lack of tangible outcomes from its extensive investments. Moving forward, as U.S. priorities shift under a new administration, the future of American aid to Afghanistan remains uncertain.

US continues weekly payments to Afghanistan, says Sopko
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Iran, Pakistan Deportations May Harm Legacy of Hospitality

February 25, 2025
TOLOnews
TV Network
25 Feb 2025

Political analysts also stress that to prevent border issues, Iran and Pakistan must create opportunities for the voluntary return of Afghan refugees.

The UNHCR representative in Afghanistan has called on Iran and Pakistan not to undermine their decades-long history of hosting Afghan refugees by expelling them.

Emphasizing proper treatment, voluntary return, and cooperation between the two countries and the United Nations, Arafat Jamal told TOLOnews that if coordination is not ensured, chaos will arise in the region.

He said: “We should be able to set with those countries and with Afghanistan to make sure that they come home in a systematic manner and in a manner that contributes to stability, to economic growth and to peace inside Afghanistan, this is our appeal. Treat people with dignity, make sure that those who want to go home are doing so voluntarily and work with us so that the movement is organized and contributes to stability. If not, we will have a situation of chaos on both sides of the border, and nobody wants that.”

Political analysts also stress that to prevent border issues, Iran and Pakistan must create opportunities for the voluntary return of Afghan refugees.

“If this process is not halted or a proper framework is not established to ensure the dignified return of Afghans, historical grievances between Afghanistan and these two countries will deepen and could even lead to conflict,” said Zakiullah Muhammadi, a university professor.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation reported that 14,000 Afghans have returned from Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey the month of Dalwa (solar calender).
Abdul Matlub Haqqani, the ministry’s spokesperson, said: “The total number of returnees stands at 14,140, including 10,683 from Iran, 3,311 from Pakistan, and 146 from Turkey.”

Arafat Jamal also stated during an event in Kabul yesterday (Monday, February 24) that over 2.1 million Afghan refugees returned to Afghanistan last year.

Iran, Pakistan Deportations May Harm Legacy of Hospitality
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Three Foreign Nationals and a Local Interpreter Arrested: MoI

February 25, 2025
Mohammad Bashir Soltani
Tolo News
25 Feb 2025

According to Abdul Mateen Qane, these individuals were arrested for “specific reasons,” and efforts are ongoing to resolve their cases.

The Ministry of Interior has confirmed to TOLOnews that three foreign nationals and their Afghan interpreter have been arrested in the country.

Abdul Mateen Qane, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, told TOLOnews that the detainees include two British citizens who hold Afghan identification documents, an American of Chinese origin, and their translator.

According to Abdul Mateen Qane, these individuals were arrested for “specific reasons,” and efforts are ongoing to resolve their cases.

The spokesperson further stated: “Regarding the arrest of foreign nationals, two of them are British citizens with Afghan ID cards and passports, one is an American of Chinese origin, and a translator has also been detained for certain considerations.”

Some experts believe that host countries have the right to detain foreign individuals if they violate local laws.

Zalmai Afghan Yar, a military affairs analyst, told TOLOnews: “Any foreign citizen traveling to Afghanistan who acts against governance policies will naturally be detained. I hope countries will not engage in confrontation over the enforcement of policies and will resolve these matters diplomatically. If they are guilty, they should be punished, and if not, they should be released.”

Previously, a former Canadian soldier accused of violating Afghanistan’s law was arrested who was then released following Qatar’s mediation.

Three Foreign Nationals and a Local Interpreter Arrested: MoI
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Taliban withdraw Afghanistan from International Criminal Courts

February 24, 2025
By Ayaz Gul

Voice of America

February 20, 2025

Islamabad — Afghanistan’s radical Taliban leaders on Thursday rejected the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over their country, declaring as ‘unlawful’ the decision in 2003 by their predecessors to join the Hague-based court’s founding treaty.

The decision follows the ICC chief prosecutor’s announcement last month, seeking arrest warrants for the reclusive Taliban supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, and a close associate, accusing them both of being “criminally responsible for persecuting Afghan girls and women.”

The Taliban militarily regained power in August 2021, succeeding the internationally recognized government in Kabul, which collapsed alongside the withdrawal of U.S.-led NATO troops after nearly two decades in Afghanistan.

The Taliban, now governing as the Islamic Emirate, have imposed their strict interpretation of Islamic law, known as Sharia, placing sweeping restrictions on freedom of speech and women’s access to education and public roles in society.

No country has recognized the Taliban as a legitimate government primarily over their harsh treatment of Afghan women and girls.

“As an entity that upholds the religious and national values of the Afghan people within the framework of Islamic Sharia, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan does not recognize any obligation to the Rome Statute or the institution referred to as the ‘International Criminal Court,’” the Taliban stated in an English-language declaration.

It accused the ICC of political bias and failing to take any “substantive measures against the war crimes perpetrated in Afghanistan by occupying forces and their allies.”

“Given that many of the world’s major powers are not signatories to this ‘court,’ it is unwarranted for a nation such as Afghanistan, which has historically endured foreign occupation and colonial subjugation, to be bound by its jurisdiction,” the Taliban asserted.

In October 2001, Western forces led by the U.S. invaded Afghanistan, overthrowing the then-Taliban government for sheltering al-Qaida leaders held responsible for the terrorist attacks in the United States that occurred in September of that year.

In February 2003, the Washington-backed successive government in Kabul formally deposited its instrument of accession to the Rome Statute, which founded the ICC, thereby granting the court jurisdiction over crimes committed within its territory or by Afghan nationals.

“In light of the aforementioned considerations, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan formally asserts that it does not recognize any legal obligation under the Rome Statute and deems the previous administration’s accession to this statute to be devoid of legal validity,” said Thursday’s Taliban statement.

Karim Khan, the ICC prosecutor, stated in his January 23 announcement that his decision to seek arrest warrants for Akhundzada and Taliban chief justice, Abdul Hakim Haqqani, was based on a thorough investigation and evidence collected into their alleged crimes against humanity.

The ICC is mandated to rule on the world’s worst offenses, such as war crimes and crimes against humanity. The court has no police force and relies on 125 member states to execute its arrest warrants.

Akhundzada seldom leaves his office in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar and rules the country through religious decrees. He has banned girls’ education beyond the sixth grade and prohibited women from most public as well as private sector employment, among other restrictions on their rights.

In a speech he delivered in Kandahar last week, the Taliban chief again dismissed criticism of his governance, asserting that it was rooted in divine commands. A government spokesperson quoted Akhundzada as stating that “every decree he issues is based on consultation with scholars and derived from the Quran and Hadith [sayings of Islam’s prophet] and represents commands of Allah.”

Taliban withdraw Afghanistan from International Criminal Courts
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British Couple Arrested by Taliban in Afghanistan, Family Says

February 24, 2025
By Megan Specia

Reporting from London

The New York Times

A Peter and Barbie Reynolds were arrested on Feb. 1, their children told U.K. news outlets. The couple had run an education company in Afghanistan for almost two decades.

A man with a beard and glasses stands next to a woman with a purple head scarf.

An undated photograph of Peter and Barbie Reynolds. The couple were arrested when returning to their home in the country’s Bamiyan province, their children said.Credit…via Rebuild Consultants

British couple who spent almost two decades running education programs in Afghanistan were detained by the Taliban earlier this month, their children said in interviews with a number of British news outlets.

The couple, Peter Reynolds and Barbie Reynolds, were arrested on Feb. 1 when returning to their home in the country’s Bamiyan province, according to accounts first given to The Sunday Times of London. The pair, who are in their 70s, have long run a program that offers education and training in Afghanistan.

After the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in 2021 and the withdrawal of Western troops from the country, Mr. Reynolds and Ms. Reynolds decided to stay despite the potential risk, according to one of their four children.

“They were just trying to help the country they loved,” Sarah Entwistle, the couple’s eldest daughter, told The Sunday Times.

When the Taliban came to power, it imposed an Islamic republic government and rolled back rights for women and other groups, including restricting access to education for women after the sixth grade. Women are also banned from most workplaces, and public spaces like parks, gyms and salons under Taliban law.

Ms. Entwistle told the BBC that she and her siblings were able to message their parents for a few days after their arrest. Her parents told them they were being held by the interior ministry but were fine, she said. But she added that she has not heard from them in over two weeks and said she feared for their well-being because of their age and because her father is currently taking medication, after recently suffering from a stroke.

Mr. Reynolds, 79, and Ms. Reynolds, 75, were working on a number of educational projects as part of Rebuild, a research and training company that they founded in 2009. One program helped to teach parenting skills to mothers, according to their daughter. “The idea they are being held because they were teaching mothers with children is outrageous,” Ms. Entwistle told The Sunday Times.

The couple’s connection to Afghanistan extends back to their youth. According to their development company’s website, they married there more than 50 years ago. Rebuild is based in Kabul, but has programs across the country.

“Under the new Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Rebuild has grown and developed new enterprises with new staff, eager to help and support their country’s future,” the company website reads. In a video on the website, published months after the Taliban took control, Mr. Reynolds explains the practical training they offer. Footage shows women in head scarves and men taking part in courses, including “communication skills” and management training. In other clips, children are shown apparently learning the alphabet.

The couple’s children have written to the Taliban, in a letter shared with The Associated Press, urging them to release Mr. and Ms. Reynolds.

“They have always been open about their presence and their work, diligently respecting and obeying the laws as they change,” their children wrote. “They have chosen Afghanistan as their home, rather than with family in England, and they wish to spend the rest of their lives in Afghanistan.”

In their letter, the family said that the Taliban were aware of the couple’s work and had previously supported their training efforts.

“We kindly ask for the release of our father and mother so they can return to their work in teaching, training and serving Afghanistan, which you have previously supported.”

A spokesperson for Britain’s Foreign Office confirmed in an emailed statement that it is “supporting the family of two British nationals who are detained in Afghanistan,” but declined to provide further details.

The foreign office advises against all travel to Afghanistan, pointing to a “heightened risk of British nationals being detained” and to the British government’s “extremely limited” ability to help those in need of consular support, as it has no embassy or diplomatic relationship with the Taliban.

The United States also has no diplomatic representatives in the country and has likewise warned against travel to Afghanistan by American citizens. A number of Westerners have been detained in the country since the Taliban seized control, and two Americans were freed in a prisoner swap in January.

Safiullah Padshah contributed reporting

British Couple Arrested by Taliban in Afghanistan, Family Says
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