Human Rights Watch has called for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to follow through on its own anti-discrimination policy and suspend Afghanistan from ICC membership.
The organisation’s director of global initiatives Minky Worden said the suspension of Afghanistan from participating in international cricket should stand “until women and girls can once again participate in education and sport in the country”.
The call from the New York-based body – a non-governmental group which conducts research and advocacy on human rights – follows Cricket Australia’s decision to pull the national team out of the ODI series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates in March.
In a statement, Cricket Australia said it was committed to “supporting growing the game for women and men around the world, including Afghanistan.”
A delegation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has left for Urumqi, China, to hold talks with Pakistani officials, sources told Ariana News on Wednesday.
Pakistan and Afghanistan’s worst fighting in years erupted last month, claiming heavy human losses on both sides.
Islamabad accuses the Islamic Emirate of harbouring and supporting militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies it, saying the militancy is Pakistan’s domestic problem.
The US Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday it is easing asylum restrictions for vetted migrants from low-risk countries, while maintaining bans on “high-risk” nations, including Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia.
The move comes after last November’s attack near Washington’s Farragut Square, in which an Afghan asylee killed one National Guardsman and injured another, prompting stricter asylum screening under President Donald Trump.
A DHS spokesperson said thorough vetting remains unchanged for all applicants, with resources now focusing on higher-risk cases.
Participants at a jirga held on Tuesday in Peshawar urged the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan to halt ongoing Durand Line clashes and resolve their disputes through dialogue.
The “Pakistan-Afghanistan Peace Jirga,” organised by Aspire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the National Reform Movement, brought together political and religious leaders, business representatives, and members of the media to address rising tensions between the two neighbours, Dawn newspaper reported.
Speakers stressed that both countries should prioritise diplomatic channels, noting their shared religious, cultural, and social bonds. They described bilateral ties as deep-rooted and warned that continued conflict would have serious consequences for people on both sides of the border.
The jirga called for an immediate ceasefire and strict enforcement to ease tensions. In a joint declaration, participants urged both countries to ensure their territories are not used against one another, in line with international principles, and to enforce this commitment with full state authority.
They emphasised that all disputes should be resolved through negotiation and diplomacy, arguing that war is not a solution and that lasting peace depends on mutual respect and understanding.
The gathering also called for sustained engagement through a permanent platform to improve communication, build trust, and better understand each other’s challenges. It warned policymakers against allowing narrow interests to undermine broader national priorities, public safety, and the long-standing historical and cultural ties between the two nations.
“Peace is the greatest need for both Pakistan and Afghanistan,” the declaration stated.
Participants said the jirga platform would be expanded to include wider political, religious, and social leadership at the national level, with efforts focused on promoting peace through active public diplomacy.
Earlier, organisers said the initiative aimed to provide a forum for collective discussion and to develop practical recommendations for reducing tensions and advancing peace between the two countries.
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