Afghanistan Roundup: Deported migrants, diagnosis laboratory, frozen assets

Deported Afghan migrants

The Ministry of Migrants and Repatriation of Afghanistan reported that nearly two thousand Afghan migrants were deported from Pakistan and Iran in a single day. On February 8th, around 1,563 migrants were expelled from Iran and about 212 migrants returned from Pakistan. Despite Pakistan's extension of registration cards for Afghan migrants until March 2024, over half a million migrants have been expelled, reports local media Khaama. The returnees face challenges such as a lack of shelter, food, medical treatment, and livelihood opportunities.

Polio diagnosis laboratory

A polio diagnosis laboratory was opened for the first time in the country's capital city of Kabul. Acting Director of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Qalandar Ibad, highlighted its importance in early and accurate disease diagnosis as the first such in Afghanistan. The Ministry aims to eradicate polio in Afghanistan by 2024, with efforts underway. The laboratory was constructed with support from the Bill Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, and the global polio laboratory network, reports local media Bakhtarnews.

Frozen Afghan assets by U.S.

US President Joe Biden has announced that Afghanistan's foreign reserves will continue to be frozen beyond February 11, per his initial executive order addressing the country's humanitarian crisis and associated threats. The original executive order, issued on February 11, 2022, emphasised urgent needs such as food security and essential health services, citing national security concerns. Biden highlighted the importance of preserving assets held by Afghanistan's Central Bank in the US to address the crisis, despite legal claims to these assets, local media Pajhwok reported. Afghanistan's foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, has repeatedly called for the asset release, but the US has maintained its stance.

Afghan security

The global community faces a crucial decision regarding Afghanistan's security situation. Despite the Taliban-led government downplaying their significance, the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP) presents a genuine threat. While the Taliban claim to have dismantled ISKP strongholds, the ongoing attacks suggest otherwise, highlighting the need for international intervention. Efforts by the Taliban to combat ISKP have faced challenges, local media Afghanistan Times reports. There are indications within the Taliban government towards cooperation with the international community to address the ISKP threat. However, the level of engagement and support from nations remains uncertain and the extent of international involvement remains unclear.

EU envoy visit

EU Special Envoy Tomas Niklasson held talks with Taliban officials in Kabul, including the economy minister, deputy counternarcotics minister, and deputy chief minister, Abdul Kabir. Discussions involved the forthcoming Doha meeting and strategies to combat drug trafficking. Niklasson conveyed the EU's support for drug control efforts and discussed economic cooperation, humanitarian aid, and development initiatives with the Taliban's economy minister, Din Mohammad Haneef, reports local media Afghanistan Times.