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IEA rejects ICC arrest warrants for senior Afghan leaders, calls court ‘illegitimate’
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has strongly rejected the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) announcement of arrest warrants for its top leadership, calling the court’s actions politically motivated and without legal standing.
In an official audio statement, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said: “We do not recognize any institution by the name or title of the International Criminal Court, nor do we have any commitment to it.”
“Such rulings will not affect the firm will and legitimate position of the Islamic Emirate.”
The comments came in response to the ICC’s move on Tuesday, in which it issued arrest warrants for Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, accusing them of crimes against humanity – specifically, what they claim is the “persecution of women and girls” under IEA rule.
Mujahid dismissed the charges and questioned the ICC’s moral credibility, pointing to the international court’s silence on what he described as the ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
“The genocide of Palestinians at the hands of Israel, supported by its allied countries, continues. Hundreds of women and children are killed daily, and the ICC remains silent. Their claim to defend human rights is shameful,” he said.
The ICC charges center on policies enacted by the IEA since their return to power in August 2021. The court alleges that senior leadership, including Akhundzada and Haqqani, are responsible for institutionalized gender-based oppression, including bans on girls’ education beyond sixth grade; prohibitions on women’s employment; and restrictions on women’s freedom of movement without a male guardian.
The arrest warrants mark the first time the ICC has targeted IEA leaders for gender-based crimes.
While the Islamic Emirate has consistently defended its policies as aligned with Islamic Sharia and Afghan cultural values, international bodies have repeatedly condemned them as violations of basic human rights.
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IEA should respond to Pakistan’s security concerns with concrete actions: Andrabi
Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi says both Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sadyr Japarov, the President of Kyrgyzstan, who visited Islamabad on Thursday, expressed their mutual commitment to a peaceful, stable Afghanistan with a sustainable future for the Afghan people.
Speaking in a press conference on Friday, Andrabi stated that both sides agreed that the Islamic Emirate must fulfill its obligations toward the international community and take concrete steps against terrorist groups to address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns.
This comes while the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has repeatedly emphasized that no terrorist groups operate from Afghan territory and that it will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against any country.
The Islamic Emirate has also stated that Pakistan’s security concerns are an internal issue of that country, and Pakistan itself must take measures to prevent any security incidents.
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Malaysia’s PM calls peaceful solution to Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has voiced deep concern over escalating tensions between the Afghanistan–Pakistan during a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Anwar said he emphasized Malaysia’s concerns regarding regional stability and urged all parties to pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.
His remarks follow media reports indicating heightened tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan after a series of attacks in October.
During the call, the two leaders also exchanged views on several aspects of Malaysia–Pakistan bilateral relations.
Anwar also briefed Sharif on the ongoing flood situation in Malaysia and similar challenges facing neighboring countries, including Indonesia and Thailand.
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Afghanistan makes major strides in cutting drug trafficking, says Putin
Putin stated that Afghan authorities have “substantially reduced” opium cultivation and are “seriously confronting” drug-related threats from within their borders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Afghanistan has taken “active and effective” steps to curb drug trafficking, noting a significant drop in opium production across the country. He made the remarks during an exclusive interview with India Today during his India trip, highlighting what he described as “visible progress” in Afghanistan’s internal security efforts.
Putin stated that Afghan authorities have “substantially reduced” opium cultivation and are “seriously confronting” drug-related threats from within their borders. He added that Afghanistan has also made important advancements in the fight against terrorism.
Responding to a question about why Russia officially recognized the Islamic Emirate, the Russian president said Afghanistan had been engulfed in civil conflict for many years, but the current authorities now hold control over the country. “This is the reality, and it must be acknowledged,” Putin emphasized.
He further noted that maintaining contact with Afghanistan’s leadership is crucial for shaping events inside the country. “If you want influence, you must engage with the people in charge — and that is exactly what we are doing,” he said.
Putin’s remarks come as several regional powers continue to recalibrate their diplomatic strategies toward Afghanistan, focusing on stability, counterterrorism, and economic cooperation.
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