Jen Psaki, former White House press secretary, will testify before House GOP investigators examining the Biden administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. The investigation focuses on potential misrepresentations made by Psaki regarding the withdrawal, with Republicans questioning whether she knowingly provided inaccurate information or was misled by others.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3 struck Afghanistan on Tuesday morning, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The quake’s epicenter was located in the eastern part of the country at a depth of 134 kilometers. While no casualties have been reported yet, authorities are gathering further information.
India participated in the third UN-led conference on Afghanistan in Doha, marking the Taliban’s first appearance at an international event. While India is cautiously engaging with the Taliban for humanitarian and security purposes, the conference drew criticism over the regime’s treatment of women. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar also visited Doha, strengthening India-Qatar ties across various sectors.
Pakistan has initiated the second phase of its controversial plan to deport undocumented Afghan refugees, facing criticism from the international community, including the United Nations. The plan, citing security concerns and economic strain, aims to expel over 800,000 Afghans, adding to the 541,000 already deported in November 2022. The UN and refugee organizations argue that the deportations are exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and urge Pakistan to consider the profiles of individuals before expelling them.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has accused the Taliban regime in Afghanistan of failing to take action against militants involved in cross-border attacks, raising concerns about escalating tensions between the two countries. Asif’s remarks, which came amidst Pakistan’s Operation Azm-e-Istehkam targeting terrorist hideouts across the border, have been met with criticism from opposition parties in Pakistan who fear further escalation of conflict and damage to regional peace.
The Taliban government has defended its exclusion of Afghan women from UN-led engagement talks in Qatar, claiming that women’s rights are an internal matter. The Taliban delegation, led by Zabihullah Mujahid, will participate in the talks while civil society groups, including women’s rights organizations, will meet with international envoys and UN officials separately. The Taliban has faced widespread condemnation for its restrictive policies towards women, which have been described as ‘gender apartheid.’ The talks aim to increase international coordination on engagement with the Taliban, but the exclusion of women and the lack of human rights issues on the agenda have raised concerns.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that the country may target sanctuaries of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan as part of its newly launched military operation. This comes after lukewarm support from the Afghan Taliban to stop the use of their territory by the TTP for attacks against Pakistan. Asif ruled out dialogue with the TTP, citing a lack of common ground and blaming former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government for the Taliban’s presence in Pakistan.
The Taliban will meet with international envoys in Qatar, raising concerns about the lack of human rights on the agenda. The exclusion of women’s rights groups has sparked criticism, while the UN insists this is not a step towards recognition.
South African skipper Aiden Markram expressed his delight at reaching the T20 World Cup final, highlighting the team’s resilience and ability to adapt to challenging conditions. He acknowledged the team’s past struggles in global events but emphasized the current focus on winning the trophy. Markram also praised Afghanistan’s performance and their impact on inspiring cricket fans back home.
Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott criticized the pitch used for the T20 World Cup semifinal against South Africa, calling it unfit for a contest of such magnitude. He argued the pitch, which offered erratic bounce and lateral movement, made batting difficult and contributed to Afghanistan’s record-low score of 56 in a semifinal. Trott acknowledged that while South Africa also struggled, he believes the pitch hindered a fair contest and didn’t allow for attacking play. He expressed disappointment with the pitch, highlighting its impact on the game and the need for more balanced surfaces in international cricket.
