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Afghan peace talks teams share demands that differ vastly
The Afghan Republic’s talks team and the Taliban’s team each presented their demands during discussions on Wednesday and while the republic’s team wants achievements to be preserved, the Taliban are set on an Islamic state.
This came on the fifth straight day of discussions between the two sides after last week’s breakthrough in the months-long deadlock.
Sources told Ariana News on condition of anonymity that the Republic’s team put forward 28 items and emphasized the need to preserve the achievements made over the past 19 years.
The Taliban in turn put forward 22 demands and emphasized the need for an interim government and women’s rights to be upheld in accordance with Sharia law.
The source said the requests by the Republic’s negotiators included the following:
- Declaring a lasting ceasefire without any conditions
- Preserving the Islamic Republic system
- Preserving the country’s flag
- Preserving the Afghan Constitution
- Preserving the Afghan national defense and security institutions
- Accepting all contracts and agreements that the government signed with various countries
- Disarming all Taliban fighters after a peace agreement has been signed
- Recruiting the Taliban into government structures after the completion of the peace process
- Accepting women, children, and people with disabilities’ rights as per national and international norms.
“Today both [teams of] negotiators discussed relevant issues on the agenda. Our negotiators focused on people’s demands,” said Najia Anwar, spokeswoman for the State Ministry on Peace Affairs.
The Taliban meanwhile called for the following:
- Removal of all Taliban names from blacklists
- Removal of the use of terms such as republic and democratic and for the next government to be named the Islamic government
- All educational and training institutions should operate in accordance with Sharia law
- Establishing an organization under the name of Amr-bil-Maroof to enforce Islamic law
- Establishing an interim government for between 12 and 18 months
- Both sides to keep the areas under their control currently [but local governments in Taliban areas to be handed over]
- Disarming the Taliban would be accepted once an Islamic government has been established
- Recognizing the Taliban as a shadow government until the peace process has been finalized
- Terms like war crimes and violations of human rights should be removed and the use of the words should be recognized as a crime
- Including at least 100,000 Taliban fighters into the Afghan security forces after a peace deal has been reached
- Civil society, human rights, women rights, and freedom of speech should be in accordance with Sharia law
- Establishing an Ulema council to advise the government and its decisions should be adhered to
“The Taliban and the government’s proposals should be discussed in the peace talks and I personally want a ceasefire first,” said Sima Samar, State Minister for Human Rights.
This comes after the Afghan Republic’s team and the Taliban agreed on procedural rules last week in order to take the talks forward.
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Turkish intelligence captures a Daesh member near the Durand Line
Turkish intelligence agents have captured a senior member of Daesh near the Durand Line, reportedly preventing planned suicide attacks in Turkey and other countries, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency on Monday.
The suspect, identified as Mehmet Goren, is a Turkish citizen. He was apprehended during a covert operation and transferred to Turkey. Details on the timing of the operation or the involvement of Afghan and Pakistani authorities were not disclosed.
According to the report, Goren had risen through the ranks of Daesh and was allegedly tasked with carrying out suicide bombings in Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Europe.
Daesh has a history of deadly attacks in Turkey, including the January 1, 2017 shooting at an Istanbul nightclub that killed 39 people.
Anadolu Agency reported that Goren’s arrest also provided intelligence on the group’s recruitment strategies and planned activities.
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Dozens of needy families in Kabul receive winter aid from Bayat Foundation
Dozens of needy families in Kabul’s fifth district have received essential winter assistance from the Bayat Foundation, as part of ongoing efforts to ease hardship during the cold season and worsening economic conditions.
According to foundation officials, the aid package includes staple food items such as flour, rice, and cooking oil, along with warm blankets to help families cope with freezing temperatures. Haji Mohammad Ismail, Deputy Head of Bayat Foundation, said the distribution began in Kabul and will soon be expanded to other provinces.
“Our assistance includes flour, rice, cooking oil, and blankets,” Ismail said. “Today, we started distributing these items in Kabul’s fifth district, and God willing, the aid will reach other provinces in the near future.”
Afghanistan continues to face widespread poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity, with many families struggling to meet basic needs, particularly during winter when access to work and heating becomes more difficult.Humanitarian organizations and charitable foundations have stepped up relief efforts to support those most affected.
Beneficiaries welcomed the assistance, describing it as a lifeline. “May God bless you for helping the poor. We had nothing and no work,” said one recipient. Another added, “Thank you for your help. Our flour was almost finished.”
Bayat Foundation officials stressed that winter aid distributions will continue in Kabul and other provinces in the coming days, as part of their broader commitment to supporting needy families across the country.
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Nearly seven million Afghan refugees return home since Islamic Emirate’s takeover
Since the Islamic Emirate came to power, approximately 6.8 million Afghans have returned home, either voluntarily or forcibly, from neighboring countries and other nations, according to the Minister of Refugees and Repatriation.
Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, speaking at a meeting on finalizing a draft plan for a permanent migration solution in Afghanistan, added that 1.3 million Afghans have been internally displaced due to natural disasters during the same period.
With winter approaching, widespread poverty and severe cold are threatening thousands of lives. Meanwhile, the forced expulsion of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan, continues.
The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly urged neighboring states to allow migrants to return voluntarily. According to UNHCR, over two million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan since the start of 2025.
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