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IEA envoy tells Islamabad forum Afghanistan is not involved in attacks on Pakistan

Shakib discussed Afghanistan’s unique geographic position and the potential for regional projects, particularly in energy and water management, as well as the extraction of natural resources

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Afghanistan’s Charge d’Affaires to Pakistan, Sardar Ahmad Shakib, has stated that Pakistan is like a second home to Afghans and that the current government has no involvement in the violent incidents taking place in Pakistan.

Speaking at a seminar at the Institute of Regional Studies in Islamabad (IRS), Shakib said: “We do not want instability in Pakistan. Some individuals may cross the border, but the caretaker government of Afghanistan has no role in these violent incidents.”

The seminar was titled “Strengthening Economic Ties between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia”.

Shakib said that insecurity in Pakistan negatively impacts Afghanistan and the entire region, reaffirming that Afghanistan does not wish for conflict in its neighborhood but is committed to an economic-driven policy aimed at regional connectivity.

He also highlighted that economic and trade relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan should not be tied to security issues, as this would serve the mutual interests of both countries and the region.

Shakib discussed Afghanistan’s unique geographic position and the potential for regional projects, particularly in energy and water management, as well as the extraction of natural resources.

He underscored that Afghanistan, with its strategic location, can play a key role in connecting the region through shared initiatives, benefiting from its rich natural resources and efforts towards energy production and water management, which can foster stability across the region.

He also addressed economic ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan, expressing concern over recurring border closures, sudden tariff hikes, unnecessary inspections of transport trucks, issues with Pakistani visas, and other challenges that affect trade relations, impacting not only the governments but also people on both sides of the border.

“Afghanistan is an important trade partner for Pakistan in the region, particularly in terms of transit and exports. There are significant trade facilitation measures in place through the Chaman and Torkham crossing points, and these relations hold vital importance for both economies.

“However, the level of trade has continually faced difficulties due to some problems, though the Islamic Emirate always believes in a better future,” he said.

He said trade relations between the two countries continually face significant obstacles.

“Absence of modern trade agreements between the two countries, dumping policies, frequent closures of crossing points, limited customs facilities, sudden and unilateral increases in tariffs, unnecessary checking of loaded vehicles, and other issues have hindered trade flows,” he said.

He said the first step to improve relations would be to invest in trade infrastructure and to streamline customs processes.

In addition, he suggested the building of mutual trust and enhancing diplomatic dialogue was critical in terms of achieving long-term trade benefits.

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Over 2.13 million Afghan refugees repatriated from Pakistan

Officials say over 150,000 individuals were returned from Punjab alone, where enforcement efforts are being led by the Punjab Home Department’s Foreign National Security Cell.

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More than 2.13 million Afghan nationals have been repatriated from Pakistan to Afghanistan as part of an ongoing campaign targeting undocumented foreign residents, according to Pakistani authorities cited by local media.

Officials say over 150,000 individuals were returned from Punjab alone, where enforcement efforts are being led by the Punjab Home Department’s Foreign National Security Cell. The campaign includes inspections of thousands of residential areas and hundreds of markets, resulting in numerous detentions and legal cases against Afghan nationals found without valid documentation.

The repatriation process comes amid heightened tensions along key border crossings between the two countries. Hundreds of migrants have recently been sent back via the Chaman crossing, particularly during disruptions at other transit points.

The Torkham crossing—a major gateway for cross-border movement—has faced repeated closures. Although it briefly reopened, local officials in Nangarhar Province report that it was shut again after only a few hours. Authorities in Pakistan have not provided a clear explanation for the latest closure.

According to Sediqullah Quraishi, head of Nangarhar’s Information Department, the crossing was opened temporarily on Thursday before being closed again without official clarification.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Afghan migrants remain in temporary holding centers across Punjab, where they are undergoing registration and processing ahead of their return to Afghanistan. The large-scale repatriation effort continues to raise humanitarian and logistical concerns, particularly as border access remains unpredictable.

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Human Rights Watch calls Pakistani airstrike on Kabul rehab center ‘unlawful’

Patricia Gossman, senior associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said available evidence suggests the strike hit a well-known civilian medical facility.

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Human Rights Watch has condemned a recent Pakistani airstrike on a rehabilitation facility in Kabul, calling it “unlawful” and warning it could amount to a war crime.

The strike, which reportedly took place on March 16, targeted the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Center, located within the former Camp Phoenix complex in eastern Kabul. According to international agencies, at least 143 people were killed and more than 250 others injured, most of them patients undergoing treatment.

Patricia Gossman, senior associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said available evidence suggests the strike hit a well-known civilian medical facility.

“The available evidence indicates that the Pakistani airstrike against a well-known Kabul medical facility killing dozens of patients was unlawful,” she said, adding that authorities must determine why the site was targeted and who should be held accountable.

An employee of the center told the organization that three buildings were struck, including a dining hall, a residential building housing hundreds of patients, and a guard post. At the time of the attack, more than 1,000 patients were reportedly at the facility, many gathered to break their fast during Ramadan.

Human Rights Watch said satellite imagery and visual evidence show extensive destruction across the compound, with multiple structures either destroyed or severely damaged. The organization added that it found no indication the facility was being used for military purposes.

Under international humanitarian law, medical facilities are afforded special protection. The group stressed that attacks failing to distinguish between civilian and military targets, or those causing disproportionate civilian harm, may constitute serious violations of the laws of war.

Human Rights Watch has called on Pakistan to carry out a prompt, impartial investigation and ensure accountability if violations are confirmed.

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Torkham crossing closes again hours after brief reopening

Officials say the reason for the sudden closure has not been clearly communicated by authorities in Pakistan.

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Torkham closed

The key border crossing at Torkham crossing has once again been shut down, just hours after it was temporarily reopened, according to local officials in Nangarhar province.

Sediqullah Quraishi, head of information at the provincial Department of Information and Culture, said that on Thursday the Pakistani side allowed the crossing to open briefly to Afghan migrants. However, the crossing was closed again shortly afterward, leaving many travelers stranded.

Officials say the reason for the sudden closure has not been clearly communicated by authorities in Pakistan.

The Torkham crossing serves as one of the most important transit points between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Its repeated closures have caused significant disruption, particularly for migrants, traders, and families who rely on cross-border movement.

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