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IEA leader calls for judicial punishments to be in line with Sharia law
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) supreme leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada met judges in Kandahar and ordered them to carefully investigate cases of robbery, kidnapping and sedition and to implement Hudud if Sharia conditions are fulfilled.
Hudud punishment includes amputation, flogging and the death penalty.
The meeting took place in Kandahar on Saturday evening. Present at the meeting were the deputy chief of the IEA for the Supreme Court, the head of the military court, the Kandahar governor and other officials from courts in the southern zone, according to a statement released by the IEA on Sunday.
“The cases [involving] those charged with robbery, kidnapping and sedition should be assessed thoroughly,” Mujahid said, quoting Akhundzada.
“You are responsible to implement the Hudud and Qisas (death penalty),” Akhundzada said adding “because this is the order of Sharia and it is my order, too, and it is an obligation.”
The IEA has reintroduced Sharia law and restrictions in the country since coming into power in August last year.
Three months ago, the IEA’s supreme leader stated that the government would deal with the international community in line with Sharia law.
During a meeting attended by about 3,000 scholars and IEA officials in Kandahar in August this year, Akhundzada stated: “We will deal with the international community as per Islamic Sharia …if Sharia doesn’t allow it, we will not deal with any other country.”
Restrictions on women in particular have continued to be imposed. However, on Sunday Bilal Karimi, a deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, said that the IEA respects all rights of women in accordance with Islamic principles.
This came in response to remarks by Rina Amiri, the US special representative for Afghan women, that the rights of women and girls are protected now more than ever in the country and that the Islamic Emirate respects all their rights in accordance with Islamic Sharia.
“The Islamic Emirate is committed to protecting all the rights of women within the framework of Islam, and all the rights that are for them in Islam will be protected,” said Karimi.
This comes after the IEA’s Ministry of Vice and Virtue last week banned women from entering amusement parks, sports clubs and public baths.
The Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan has announced scholarship opportunities for Afghan students under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program for the 2027 academic year.
According to the embassy, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan is offering scholarships for graduate-level study at Japanese universities under the research student category, including both regular and non-regular students.
Interested and eligible applicants can download the application guidelines and forms from the official Study in Japan website and are advised to carefully review all requirements before applying.
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and have prepared all required documents must submit their applications by 25 May 2026. The embassy said late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
The first screening process will include a written examination in Kabul on 18 June 2026, followed by interviews scheduled for July 2026 (date to be confirmed).
The Embassy of Japan noted that the Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan will assist in collecting applications and facilitating written examinations, but will not be involved in the selection process.
It further emphasized that the selection will be conducted independently by the embassy and the Japanese government, based on academic merit, quality of application documents, and performance in written and interview examinations, without consideration of religious, linguistic, or ethnic background.
The scholarship program is fully funded and free of charge. The embassy warned applicants to remain cautious against scams, stressing that no financial contributions are required at any stage of the application process.
Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, has launched the distribution of more than 1,000 residential land plots for returning migrants in Logar province.
During a visit to Logar, Hanafi inaugurated a new township and said the initiative aims to support Afghan returnees by providing them with housing opportunities and improving settlement conditions.
He called for speeding up the process of distributing residential plots designated for migrants, stressing the importance of timely implementation.
“We inaugurated this township today, which includes more than 1,000 plots. These plots will be distributed to migrants. In addition, other townships will also be constructed soon,” he said.
Hanafi also noted that over the past three years, more than five million Afghan migrants have returned from neighboring countries, adding that efforts are underway to provide them with essential services and support their reintegration.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, has urged the Afghan authorities to take concrete action against militant threats that Islamabad says originate from Afghan soil.
Speaking at an event at the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul marking the first anniversary of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos against India, Nizamani reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining “brotherly ties” with Afghanistan.
The ambassador also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in reducing tensions between Iran and the United States, saying Islamabad’s initiatives reflected its commitment to regional and global peace.
During the ceremony, Nizamani reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to defend itself against any aggression.
“Pakistan’s desire for peace must never be mistaken for weakness,” the ambassador said, calling for heightened vigilance against regional threats.
Pakistani officials have consistently claimed that militants use Afghan soil to attack Pakistan. The Islamic Emirate, however, has denied this claim and said that Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan’s security failures.
Japan announces MEXT scholarships for Afghan students for 2027 academic year
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