AGP Executive Report

US-Iran Strike Fallout: Reuters reports weapons experts believe a US munition directly hit a wedding in southern Iran, killing at least five and wounding nearly 70; VP JD Vance says Washington is investigating as domestic pressure grows to end the war. Taliban Rule & Girls’ Education: The New York Times highlights secret schools keeping Afghan girls learning despite the Taliban’s ban on education beyond sixth grade, with nearly 2.5 million locked out of secondary school. Afghanistan–Pakistan Security Tensions: Pakistan’s ISPR says 15 militants were killed in a 36-hour foiled infiltration attempt from Afghanistan into North Waziristan, with Pakistan blaming “Indian-sponsored” groups and accusing Kabul of failing border control. Pakistan–Kabul Diplomacy: Pakistan’s ambassador to Kabul was called for consultations as Islamabad reviews the “evolving security situation” and rising anti-Taliban armed activity. Afghanistan’s Diplomatic Outreach: A report says Afghanistan’s diplomatic relations expanded over the past year, with Taliban officials seeking normalization. Humanitarian Squeeze: Save the Children warns Trump’s Iran war is driving an oil-price shock that forces aid groups to spend more to reach fewer children, including in Afghanistan.

Deportation Diplomacy: Germany says it is stepping up deportations of Afghans and is inviting the Taliban to help run return procedures, despite earlier refusals to reopen an embassy—raising fresh questions about recognition and responsibility. Domestic Industry Push: In Kabul, Deputy PM Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar launched rehabilitation for the Sana-e-Sabz Industrial Park, linking it to jobs, domestic production, and a planned Islamic printing and publishing center to cut import dependence. Justice After War: A UNAMA report finds decades of conflict have left most Afghan victims with lasting psychological harm and many without effective compensation or redress, citing fear, bureaucracy, and barriers to accountability. Security and Borders: Pakistan’s ISPR says 15 militants were killed in a long infiltration attempt near the Afghan border, while Afghanistan’s side rejects claims and points to border management costs and countermeasures. Governance by Decree: Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate issued a decree ordering arrests of highway traffic-accident suspects and prioritizing court handling for victims’ heirs. Regional Bloc Signals: SCO leaders’ messaging in Bishkek continues to frame expanded cooperation and security coordination, with Afghanistan set to be discussed again at the UN Security Council.

Protest Crackdown: In Kabul, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid defended a nationwide ban on public protests under the Police Law, saying demonstrations have no place in their reading of Islamic law and are needed for security and stability. Diplomatic Outreach: Afghanistan reported issuing 203,693 visas to foreign nationals over the past year, alongside claims of expanded consular services and deeper ties with regional powers, including Russia’s recognition in 2025. Regional Security Pressure: Pakistan’s Foreign Office said any progress with Kabul hinges on “concrete and verifiable” Taliban action against TTP and other militant groups operating from Afghan soil, while Pakistan also reiterated it retains options on cross-border security. Trade Realignment: A new report says Afghanistan is shifting its economic map away from Pakistan after border closures and restrictions, with trade rising steadily toward Central Asia and Iran. SCO Diplomacy: At the SCO summit in Bishkek, leaders adopted the Bishkek Declaration stressing the bloc is not a military alliance, while addressing terrorism, Iran, and Afghanistan alongside cooperation on transport and connectivity. Humanitarian/Justice Watch: UN reporting highlighted Afghanistan’s war victims still face lasting harm and limited access to justice, as humanitarian needs remain severe.

Taliban Governance: Afghanistan’s Taliban government defended a nationwide ban on public protests, with spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid saying demonstrations “don’t exist in Islamic law” and that the rule is meant to prevent “chaos and lawlessness,” drawing renewed condemnation from rights groups. Urban Development: Kabul’s “Sulh” Housing Project moved forward as work began on B4 residential complexes in the Fifth Macroryan area, with officials linking the push to easing a growing housing shortage and completing delayed projects from the previous administration. Justice & International Law: The U.S. push to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC) stayed in focus, with debate intensifying over whether international justice can survive when major powers challenge the court’s authority. Regional Security Context: Pakistan’s military power consolidation drew attention again, with a report describing how constitutional and legal changes have entrenched Field Marshal Asim Munir’s dominance—an issue that directly shapes the security environment around Afghanistan. Afghan Economy/State Capacity: Afghanistan’s visa and mobility posture remained a theme, including reporting that Kabul issued over 200,000 visas to foreign nationals in 2025.

Humanitarian Access & Justice: UN and Red Cross reporting says Afghanistan is being overlooked despite severe needs, while UNAMA warns war victims still lack access to justice and lasting harm continues. Women’s Rights & Public Life: Coverage highlights Taliban restrictions that keep women and girls out of education and work, alongside new reporting on how repression is reshaping daily governance. US-Taliban Diplomacy Push: The Taliban is urging Washington to reopen engagement through diplomats and investment, including mineral and infrastructure offers, as the US keeps the embassy closed and maintains strict travel advisories. Regional Security & Terrorism: China’s envoy reportedly explores a new round of the Urumqi process with Pakistan, focusing on threats from groups operating from Afghanistan, including TTP and ETIM. Afghan Economy & Infrastructure: EU funding is reported for climate resilience and food systems, while separate reporting points to Kabul efforts to cut air cargo fees to boost exports. Security Incidents: Reports also note ongoing opposition activity against the Taliban-led government and continued localized friction over control.

Afghanistan Banking & Economy: Afghanistan Banks Association says public deposits have climbed to nearly $3 billion, citing rising confidence, while Da Afghanistan Bank says it’s improving services and urges citizens to use the formal system. Justice & Human Rights: UNAMA reports that victims of Afghanistan’s 2001-2021 conflict still face severe physical, psychological, and economic harm, with most lacking access to justice and support. Regional Diplomacy (SCO): At the Bishkek SCO summit, leaders signed the Bishkek Declaration, calling for diplomacy over force, rejecting “double standards” on terrorism, and stressing an “independent, neutral, peaceful” Afghanistan; India’s Modi pushed a 10-point plan including dismantling terrorism ecosystems. Water & Indus Waters Treaty: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif told SCO water must never be weaponised, linking the issue to treaty obligations after the PCA ruling kept the Indus Waters Treaty in force. Afghan- Pakistan Security Talks: Afghan ambassador Sardar Ahmad Shakib urged Islamabad and Kabul to deepen direct engagement, arguing Afghan soil must not be used against Pakistan while demanding specific, verifiable claims before any action.

Afghan-US Accountability Push: Families in Kandahar and Paktia are again demanding prosecution and compensation over alleged civilian killings during past foreign military operations, calling for international rights groups to act. Taliban Security Shake-Up: A resistance group claims it killed a senior Taliban intelligence deputy in Kandahar, signaling pressure on the regime’s coercive apparatus. Cross-Border Returns Under Strain: Reports from Pakistan’s Torkham “Zero Point” describe deportees—some undocumented, others reportedly even with registration proof—being forced to restart in Afghanistan as crackdowns intensify. Humanitarian Disaster Watch: Flash floods in Nuristan killed three and injured one, with officials warning damage assessments are still underway. Regional Diplomacy: As the SCO summit convenes in Bishkek, leaders including Russia, China, Iran, India and Central Asia set the tone for Eurasian security and trade talks—an arena Afghanistan’s neighbors watch closely. Taliban-US Minerals Pitch: Kabul is offering the US access to mineral wealth in exchange for sanctions relief and investment, aiming to shift the relationship toward economics. EU Aid Signal: The EU announced €15m to support livelihoods and climate resilience in Afghanistan.

Humanitarian Pressure in Afghanistan: The ICRC warns Afghanistan is slipping from global attention as funding cuts force clinic closures; it says 1 million children face life-threatening malnutrition and 3.7 million suffer acute malnutrition, urging the world “not to abandon Afghan communities.” US-Afghan Deal Fallout: A former Afghan Red Crescent official says the U.S. committed 3,000 violations after the Doha Agreement and argues the occupation’s end should have ended the need for intra-Afghan talks, calling for diplomatic, trade and humanitarian engagement instead. Taliban Outreach to Washington: Five years after U.S. withdrawal, the Islamic Emirate calls for U.S. investment in mining, infrastructure, agriculture and trade, while rejecting any U.S. military return and criticizing sanctions. Regional Diplomacy at SCO: At the Bishkek SCO summit’s 25th anniversary, leaders push multipolar cooperation; Afghanistan is listed as an observer as the bloc highlights connectivity, security and counterterrorism, with Afghanistan framed as a priority for cross-border threats. Afghan Deportations: Reports say the U.S. expanded “third-country” deportations, including Afghans sent to African countries, raising legal and rights concerns.

Afghanistan-US Relations & Minerals: Taliban officials are inviting the Trump administration to invest in Afghanistan’s lithium and rare earth deposits (over $1 trillion), while also urging embassy reopenings and normalized ties—framing the shift as “the chapter of war has come to an end.” Regional Security Messaging: Afghan authorities, via Zabihullah Mujahid, rejected claims that Afghanistan threatens neighbors, saying borders are controlled and concerns stem from misinformation; the CSTO had discussed strengthening the Tajik-Afghan border with weapons deliveries. International Law & Accountability: The ICC faces fresh US sanctions tied to concerns about possible jurisdiction over US actions in Afghanistan, as critics argue the court is being targeted for its effectiveness. Humanitarian Governance: UN reporting highlights major service closures in Afghanistan, including over 100 child malnutrition clinics shut, raising pressure on the Taliban’s ability to sustain health delivery. Afghan Deportations & Legal Pressure: Multiple reports describe Afghans being deported to third countries despite legal challenges and court protection, underscoring ongoing friction between US policy, courts, and Taliban concerns.

Security & Rights in Panjshir: Taliban forces detained about 30 residents during evening prayers in Abdara, Anaba district, Panjshir, after an explosion and gunfire; locals allege a mine was detonated by Taliban units and detainees reportedly remain in custody. Diplomacy with Washington: Islamic Emirate FM Amir Khan Muttaqi says Kabul wants to normalize relations with the United States on “mutual respect,” while “recognition” is framed as the next stage. Education Policy Update: Zabihullah Mujahid says the government is working to resolve the girls’ education gap beyond grade six, citing construction/renovation of schools and claiming millions are in education, but without a clear reopening timeline. Regional Coordination on Afghanistan: Ahead of the SCO summit in Bishkek, India says it has set up a joint working group with Central Asian states to review political, security, and humanitarian developments in Afghanistan. Trade & Economy: Afghanistan and Uzbekistan traders signed 20 agreements worth $267m, with calls to simplify trade and transit procedures. Health Access: WHO says it is supporting expansion of primary healthcare in Afghanistan’s remote regions with assistance from Italy.

Energy & Local Governance: Afghanistan’s Paktia province inaugurated a 41 million afghani power supply network in Gardez, connecting about 1,050 households and aiming to expand access to more families. Economic Governance & Trade: In Zabul, dried fruit traders warned that export bottlenecks are hurting livelihoods after shipments were reportedly turned back from China and fines piled up, while officials said they’re trying to open new regional markets. Human Rights & International Law: UN experts urged ICC member states to defend the court as the US escalates sanctions against ICC officials, arguing the move threatens international criminal accountability. US Immigration Policy: The Trump administration deported an Afghan man to the Central African Republic despite a US judge’s protection order over fears of Taliban persecution, with advocates calling it a legal loophole. Diplomacy & Regional Security: The SCO plans to discuss Afghanistan at its Bishkek summit, focusing on counterterrorism, border security, and drug trafficking, with Afghanistan still holding observer status. Taliban Administration & Jobs: Bamyan’s Taliban-run municipality shortlisted 121 applicants for a “night watchman” post, highlighting how educated Afghans are being pushed into low-skilled service work amid deep unemployment.

Deportations & Consular Ties: Germany is bringing Taliban-linked technical teams into the country to set up document procedures for more Afghan deportations, with Berlin confirming short-term support visits and reporting that 228 people have been deported since March 2025, including a recent flight of 23 from Leipzig. Media Freedom: Kabul’s Afghanistan Journalists Center urged the Taliban to reopen the Lapis Media Office after Taliban intelligence shut it down, confiscating equipment and threatening staff with arrest. Rights & Representation: During Prophet’s Birthday events in Kabul, Shia scholars and community figures renewed calls for Taliban government inclusion and recognition of Shia personal status laws. International Policy Signals: Taliban acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said the group is seeking to normalize relations with the U.S., while avoiding any clear timeline on reopening education for girls beyond middle school. Security Claims: Afghanistan’s Interior and Defense ministries rejected claims that Afghan soil threatens neighbors, saying no substantiated proof has been provided and border forces are deployed. Humanitarian/Abuse Claims: Rights groups say at least 20 Afghans have been executed in Iran since 2026, raising concerns about due process and access to lawyers. Diaspora/Access to Study: An Afghan activist blocked from taking up an Oxford place after winning a visa case, citing the UK’s “emergency brake” on Afghan nationals. Regional Diplomacy: Uzbekistan reiterated a “constructive approach” toward Afghanistan, tying engagement to economic diplomacy and hopes for peace and stability.

Kabul–Pakistan Legal Clash: Islamabad High Court questioned a petition seeking visa extensions for 87 Afghan students, probing their legal status and even whether Pakistan should treat them like students from other countries while “at war” with Afghanistan. Border Security & Migration: Separate reporting highlights Pakistan’s ongoing pressure on Afghan migrants, including deportations and the legal friction around student visas. Rule of Law & Taliban Governance: Human rights coverage says the Taliban has tightened punishments and banned protests, while other reporting points to continued repression and abuses. Security Incidents: In eastern Afghanistan’s Laghman, a blast in Mehtarlam injured 14 after a gas cylinder exploded in a rickshaw. Environment Enforcement: Afghan forces in Kunar arrested two people for illegal deforestation and timber trafficking, with a specialized unit set to enforce environmental rules. Regional Diplomacy: Leaders are set to meet in Kyrgyzstan for the SCO summit, with Afghanistan’s neighborhood politics and sanctions-era alignments shaping the agenda.

Taliban Governance & Rights: Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says Afghanistan is “undoubtedly” better off five years after the US withdrawal, while acknowledging serious challenges—amid reports of continued repression, including a Taliban ban on protests and tightened punishments. Human Rights Abuses: In Baghlan, Taliban forces allegedly shot and publicly displayed two young men, pouring acid on their bodies after accusing them of links to the National Resistance Front; separate reporting also highlights ongoing bacha bazi allegations and ritual rape by gangs, with victims describing repeated abuse. Security & Armed Groups: Taliban-linked outlets report clashes with NRF commanders in Baghlan, while the broader region remains tense as Pakistan continues counterterror operations and blames militant activity on cross-border sanctuaries. Humanitarian & Aid: The EU provides €15 million via WFP to boost climate resilience and local food systems, as Afghanistan faces acute funding shortfalls and child malnutrition risks. Political Futures: A Cambridge Afghanistan Series in early September aims to create a space for Afghan-led pathways toward peace, inclusion, and prosperity rather than importing foreign political formulas. Regional Diplomacy: The SCO summit in Bishkek is set to address security and economic cooperation across Eurasia, with Afghanistan discussed alongside wider regional conflicts.

Taliban Education & Curriculum Control: Students in Zabul say textbook shortages and mixed editions persist two years after the Taliban’s primary curriculum overhaul, with learners asking for new books and stationery to arrive on time. Afghanistan Five Years On: A Foreign Affairs interview with Laurel Miller revisits Afghanistan’s political, economic, and humanitarian trajectory since the US withdrawal and how the international community’s engagement has evolved under Taliban rule. UK-Afghanistan Aftermath: New reporting revisits the UK’s 2021 Kabul evacuation, “Operation Pitting,” with questions about structural failures in Whitehall and the long trauma for families left behind. Afghan Deportees’ Hard Landing: Afghans deported from Iran and Pakistan report unemployment and poverty after return, while the Afghan Red Crescent Society in Herat provides cash aid to affected families. Afghan Soil & Militancy Diplomacy: Pakistan says it is open to state-level dialogue with Kabul on terrorism, but insists any mechanism must be backed by “tangible and verifiable” action against militants using Afghan territory. Regional Security Talks: Pakistan and the UK agree to strengthen cooperation, including counterterrorism, and discuss regional security concerns tied to Afghanistan.

Trade & Connectivity: Afghanistan’s Taliban-run Ministry of Transport cut air cargo fees at international airports—dropping the aviation security fee from $100 to $10 per ton and ground-handling from $96 to $40—plus discounts for scheduled and special cargo flights, aiming to lower costs and boost exports. Human Rights & Law Enforcement: Human Rights Watch condemned a new Taliban police law that bans all protests and expands police powers, calling it a renewed crackdown on dissent. Afghan-Pakistan Security Diplomacy: Pakistan said any bilateral mechanism with Kabul hinges on “concrete and verifiable actions” against militants, not assurances, as Islamabad presses the Taliban to prevent Afghan territory being used for attacks. Russia-Afghanistan Economic Talks: Russian and Afghan officials discussed creating a special economic zone at Hairatan Port to support storage, processing, and trade, alongside plans for joint companies and repairs/imports. Regional Energy Projects: Herat officials said the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline work in Herat should be completed within two months, with preparations urged for gas use.