Latest News
Pakistan shuts Ghulam Khan border crossing with Afghanistan
Pakistan has closed the Ghulam Khan border crossing in southeastern Afghanistan’s Khost province to all forms of movement, Afghan officials confirmed Sunday, marking the latest in a series of intermittent closures along the volatile border shared by the two countries.
Abidullah Farooqi, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Directorate of Border Police, said Pakistani authorities shut the port without providing an official reason. Pakistan authorities reportedly instructed drivers already at the crossing to proceed through alternate checkpoints.
Farooqi added that Afghan officials are currently working to resolve the matter through dialogue.
The Ghulam Khan crossing is one of the three main trade and transit routes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, alongside Torkham and Chaman.
Closures at these ports—often abrupt and unannounced—have become increasingly common in recent years, driven by political tensions, security concerns, or disputes over border management and documentation.
In March this year, the Torkham border was closed for several days following clashes between border forces.
In 2023, Islamabad temporarily shut multiple crossings in response to militant attacks, which Pakistani officials alleged were planned from Afghan soil—an accusation Kabul denies.
These closures have frequently disrupted bilateral trade, caused heavy losses to traders, and exacerbated tensions between the two neighbors.
The current closure of Ghulam Khan, a vital commercial artery especially for southeastern provinces, has sparked concern among local traders and transporters who rely on the port for cross-border commerce.
No timeline has been given for when the border will reopen. Afghan authorities say they remain in contact with their Pakistani counterparts in hopes of reaching a resolution soon.
Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, said that a mortar shell of the Pakistani military regime hit Shanpat area of Nari district of Kunar province at 9:30 am on Sunday, killing one civilian and wounding another.
The injured person is a woman, he said.
Pakistani forces also opened fire on a civilian vehicle in Shakin district of Paktika province, but no casualties were reported, Fitrat said.
The Pakistani government had earlier announced that it would halt its attacks on Afghanistan until Monday night on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Germany was not informed of the appointment of a new Afghan diplomat in Berlin, according to a report by public broadcaster ARD, raising fresh questions about the Islamic Emirate’s expanding control over overseas missions.
The report states that an IEA-linked official has assumed the role of chargé d’affaires at Afghanistan’s embassy in Berlin without prior approval from the German government. Under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, host countries must consent to such diplomatic appointments.
Germany does not formally recognize the IEA government, which returned to power in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces.
Undisclosed leadership role
According to ARD, the official—identified as Nebrasul H.—arrived in Berlin in July last year as a junior consular staff member, a position approved by German authorities. However, documents obtained by the broadcaster suggest he was also quietly appointed to lead the embassy.
He is reportedly acting as chargé d’affaires, effectively heading the mission and liaising directly with Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry in Kabul.
The move highlights the IEA’s efforts to consolidate authority over Afghan diplomatic missions abroad, despite lacking broad international recognition.
Berlin ‘not notified’
Germany’s Foreign Ministry said it had received “no notification of any personnel changes” at Afghan diplomatic missions in the country.
Berlin has consistently maintained that Afghan embassies should remain under representatives appointed by the former government of Ashraf Ghani, which was ousted in 2021.
Previous envoy sidelined
The report also claims that the previous head of mission, Abdul P., has been stripped of his authority and reduced to a largely symbolic role. He was originally appointed under the Ghani administration.
Despite being sidelined, he remains in Berlin, reportedly continuing to live in the ambassador’s residence and retaining diplomatic privileges.
Wider diplomatic shift
In a related development, ARD reported that another Afghan official who arrived alongside Nebrasul H. has assumed a leadership role at the Afghan consulate in Bonn, also without formal recognition from German authorities.
The developments suggest a broader strategy by the IEA to assert control over Afghanistan’s diplomatic presence in Europe, even in countries that do not officially recognize its rule.
Sebastian Gorka, Deputy Assistant to U.S. President Donald Trump, says efforts are ongoing to secure the release of all Americans detained in Afghanistan.
In a post on X, Gorka marked the anniversary of the release of George Glezmann, who had been held for 836 days, describing his detention as part of what he called the Islamic Emirate’s use of “hostage diplomacy.”
He added that Trump “will not rest” until all Americans held in Afghanistan are freed, naming detainees including Dennis Coyle, Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and Polynesus Jackson.
“Kabul, you have been warned,” he said.
The remarks come amid increased US pressure, including a recent designation by U.S. State Department labeling Afghanistan a “state sponsor of wrongful detention.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has described the decision as regrettable, emphasizing that disputes should be addressed through dialogue.
The ministry, said that citizens of no country are detained in Afghanistan for bargaining purposes. Instead, some individuals have been arrested on charges of violating the law, many of whom have later been released after completing legal procedures.
Pakistani military violates Afghanistan ceasefire again
IEA allegedly appoints envoy to Berlin embassy ‘without Germany’s approval’
Tahawol: Pakistan’s efforts to destabilise Afghanistan
Saar: Decline in international assistance to Afghanistan
Afghanistan secures third place at 2026 World Kokpar Championship
Pakistani military jet downed in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad, pilot captured alive
Afghan Air Force conducts airstrikes in Islamabad, other cities
Prominent Muslim scholar issues fatwa calling for Afghanistan-Pakistan ceasefire
Afghan air force strikes key Pakistani military installations in retaliatory operation
IEA: Special circle in Pakistan has launched mission to destabilize region
Tahawol: Pakistan’s efforts to destabilise Afghanistan
Saar: Decline in international assistance to Afghanistan
Tawsia: Assessment of Afghanistan’s economic activities in 1404
Tahawol: Temporary ceasefire draws broad support
Saar: Emphasis on resolving conflicts through diplomacy
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistan opposes normal Afghanistan–India relations: Shaheen
-
Latest News4 days agoIEA announces temporary pause in defensive operations against Pakistan for Eid
-
Sport5 days agoAfghanistan national buzkashi team defeats Hungary 14–0
-
Latest News4 days agoKarzai accuses Pakistan of seeking to destabilise Afghanistan after Kabul strike
-
Latest News3 days agoPakistani shelling hits Kunar districts despite ‘pause in hostility’ over Eid
-
Latest News5 days agoWHO Chief urges Kabul and Islamabad to prioritize peace
-
Regional5 days agoIsrael’s Katz says Iran’s security chief killed, Tehran strikes Gulf neighbours
-
Regional4 days agoIran strikes Tel Aviv with cluster warheads in retaliation for killing of security chief