AGP Executive Report

Humanitarian Crisis: UNICEF says more than 4 million Afghan children will need malnutrition treatment in 2027, while the UN projects 19.2 million people will face food insecurity this winter. Rights Under Taliban Rule: UNAMA recorded 443 arbitrary detentions by morality police in three months, including women threatened or detained over hijab rules; the ban on girls’ secondary education has entered its fifth year. Border Tensions: UNAMA says Pakistani attacks killed 512 civilians in Afghanistan over the past year. Russia has also warned of militant activity and arms and drug smuggling from Afghanistan into Central Asia. Diplomacy and Infrastructure: The UK’s Afghanistan envoy met women, civil society groups and Taliban officials in Kabul, saying Afghan women must help shape the country’s future. DABS says a 500-kilovolt power line linking Turkmenistan to Kabul could be completed within ten months.

Power Links: A 500-kilovolt transmission line from Turkmenistan to Kabul is expected to be completed within 10 months, expanding electricity imports as Afghanistan pursues four regional power corridors. Hunger Crisis: The UN says 19.2 million people face food insecurity this winter, while aid cuts leave millions of children at risk of malnutrition; UNICEF expects more than four million children to need treatment in 2027. Rights and Media: UNAMA documented 443 arbitrary detentions and 97 cases of ill-treatment by Taliban morality police in the third quarter. Taliban authorities have also suspended BBC FM broadcasts nationwide. Border Tensions: A UN report says Pakistani attacks killed 512 civilians in Afghanistan over the past year, amid continuing cross-border clashes.

Humanitarian Crisis: Afghanistan faces record hunger and malnutrition: 15.9 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity, and 4.04 million children are expected to need treatment for acute malnutrition in 2027. The UN projects 19.2 million people will face crisis-level hunger or worse this winter, as aid cuts and returning migrants add pressure. Rights and Media: UNAMA says Taliban morality police arbitrarily detained 443 people and recorded 97 cases of ill-treatment from July to September. The Taliban rejected the findings as propaganda. Taliban authorities have also suspended BBC FM broadcasts nationwide. Security and Diplomacy: Russia’s foreign intelligence chief met Taliban intelligence officials in Kabul, while India and Russia held talks on Afghanistan and Pakistan. UNAMA says 512 civilians were killed in border clashes over the past year. Disasters and Accidents: A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck Afghanistan, and a bus-trailer collision in Kandahar killed five people and injured 16.

Kandahar Crash: Five people were killed and 15 injured when a passenger bus and truck collided on the Kabul–Kandahar highway, according to local sources. UN in Afghanistan: Secretary-General António Guterres proposed cutting 60 UNAMA posts in 2027 while adding $3.2 million for the Afghanistan investigative mechanism. OIC Talks: Afghanistan’s crises are on the agenda for the OIC foreign ministers’ meeting in Baghdad on October 17–18. Media Freedom: The BBC’s Dari, Pashto and English FM broadcasts remain suspended nationwide; the Committee to Protect Journalists has urged the authorities to restore them. Women’s Livelihoods: UNDP says training and equipment are helping rural women grow food businesses, though limited finance, electricity and cold storage remain obstacles. Cricket: Afghanistan held Bangladesh to a dramatic Test draw in Abu Dhabi, powered by Sediqullah Atal’s maiden century and a defiant final-wicket stand.

Diplomacy: Russia’s foreign intelligence chief Sergey Naryshkin arrived in Kabul and met Taliban intelligence head Abdul Haq Wasiq; officials gave no details of their talks. The Taliban and Uzbekistan also agreed to speed work on a major power-transmission project. Media: Taliban authorities suspended BBC FM broadcasts nationwide, citing repeated violations. UN & Rights: Guterres proposed $3.2 million for an Afghanistan investigative mechanism in 2027, while 60 UNAMA positions face cuts. UNICEF says more than 2.6 million girls remain barred from education, and Human Rights Watch urged France not to deport Afghans. Humanitarian pressures: The UN is supporting job creation for returnees, and a community-funded health centre has opened in Ghazni. In Bamiyan, MSF says donkeys are sometimes the only way to reach care. Police in Herat destroyed 161 tons of seized drugs. Cricket: Afghanistan held Bangladesh to a dramatic Test draw, with Sediqullah Atal’s 111 helping the team bat out the final day.

Cricket: Afghanistan held Bangladesh to a dramatic Test draw after batting through 92 overs on the final day. Sediqullah Atal’s 111 anchored the rearguard, with captain Rahmat Shah calling the result “equal to a win.” Press Freedom: BBC radio broadcasts have been suspended across Afghanistan, according to reports, raising fresh concern over access to independent news. Human Rights: Afghanistan’s UN envoy Nasir Ahmad Faiq called for independent investigations into the detention, torture and killing of former security personnel, saying abuses have continued despite the Taliban’s amnesty pledge. Returnees: IOM recorded nearly 100,000 movements into Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan in two weeks; many arrivals from Iran cited deportation, as winter approaches. Counter-Narcotics: Authorities say police destroyed 161 tons of seized drugs in Herat and dismantled 10 processing labs in Ghor.

Cricket: Afghanistan secured a dramatic draw against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi after Sediqullah Atal’s 111 and Qais Ahmad’s unbeaten 49 helped the team bat through 142 overs. Trade and Jobs: Afghan officials say contracts worth $934 million were signed at the Abu Hanifa exhibition, spanning industry, mining, energy and infrastructure. Media and Rights: Taliban authorities suspended BBC FM broadcasts nationwide, citing alleged repeated violations; UNAMA also reported dozens of women detained in Kabul and Herat over dress-code rules. Humanitarian Crisis: The World Food Programme is seeking $2.6 billion for winter relief as hunger deepens, while Afghan authorities say natural disasters killed 679 people over the past year. Housing Dispute: Residents of Kabul’s Omid-e Sabz township face eviction and rent demands as Taliban officials review property claims; residents have also reported armed inspections and thefts. Regional Tensions: Pakistan is pressing the Taliban to curb militant attacks, while Kabul rejects Islamabad’s accusations as border tensions persist.

Disasters: Afghanistan reports 679 deaths and 1,634 injuries from floods and other natural disasters over the past year, with thousands of homes and farmland damaged. Border Tensions: Islamabad again urged Taliban authorities to curb cross-border attacks, citing TTP networks in Afghanistan; Kabul rejects the accusations, as a deadly clash in Pakistan’s Kurram district adds to tensions. Humanitarian Crisis: UN agencies say more than 111,000 Afghan children were hospitalized for malnutrition in one month, while health services reached over six million people. Rights: The ICC unsealed arrest warrants for Taliban officials accused of persecuting women and LGBTQ+ people; Kabul rejects the court’s jurisdiction. Trade: Afghanistan and Iran signed 28 trade agreements worth $451.8 million and reached a preliminary deal for Afghan investment at Chabahar port. Drug Seizures: Police in Kunduz seized 263 kilograms of opium-type drugs and detained two suspected smugglers.

Border Tensions: Pakistan again urged the Taliban to curb militants operating from Afghanistan, while Kabul rejected the accusations. Pakistan also reported 12 deaths in a border clash; the claims have not been independently verified. UNAMA says cross-border violence has caused more than 1,100 civilian deaths and injuries in Afghanistan this year. Humanitarian Needs: UNICEF says 6.6 million people received health services in August, while many Afghan workers’ purchasing power has fallen by a quarter as jobs decline and food prices rise. The OIC has pledged to fund heart surgeries for Afghan children. Women and Girls: Afghan women are building businesses despite Taliban restrictions, while girls in Kandahar are reportedly barred from school and the UN continues to warn of child marriage and other risks. Trade and Transit: Afghanistan and Iran signed 28 trade agreements worth $451.8 million. Tehran says port facilities at Chabahar could be leased to Afghanistan, but no deal has been formally proposed. Afghanistan War Inquiry: UK investigators say many SAS personnel have refused to answer questions about alleged killings in Helmand. Cricket: Bangladesh moved within seven wickets of victory after setting Afghanistan a target of 479 in Abu Dhabi.

Living Costs: The WFP says falling wages and fewer workdays have cut unskilled workers’ purchasing power by 25% in a year, as rising food and fuel prices deepen hardship. Winter Aid: OCHA warns thousands of returning Afghan families urgently need shelter, heating and basic supplies as winter approaches. Border Tensions: Clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces in Paktia displaced families, while Pakistan’s foreign minister warned the Taliban authorities of consequences if they do not act against militants. Children and Girls: A UN report says 1,415 children were killed or maimed in Afghanistan from 2023 to 2025, mostly by explosives and war remnants. Girls are still barred from secondary school, and local reports say about 500 fifth-grade girls in Kandahar were also turned away. Trade and Energy: Afghanistan and Iran signed 28 business agreements worth $451.8 million; the countries also discussed Iranian electricity exports and a preliminary plan for Afghan investment at Chabahar Port. Medical Education: Afghan medical interns and specialist trainees in Pakistan face uncertainty after a deadline to leave expired, with some saying they have been barred from hospitals.

Girls’ Rights: UNICEF says 28.7% of Afghan women aged 20–24 married before turning 18; in some areas, the figure reaches one in two. The agency renewed calls to end child marriage and reopen secondary schools to girls. Regional Trade: Afghan, Uzbek and Indian businesses signed nearly $400 million in agreements at a Kabul trade exhibition. Iranian officials separately said deals with Afghanistan exceeded $400 million, with further negotiations underway. Border Clashes: Pakistan’s military says 12 militants and Afghan Taliban personnel were killed in a clash in Kurram, where a Pakistani soldier also died. The account has not been independently verified, and Afghan authorities had not responded to the report. Energy and Services: A UN project has equipped 833 Afghan schools and health centres with solar power, benefiting more than 812,000 women and girls. Kabul: Residents in western Kabul report rising thefts, including of mosque donation boxes, and allege that some suspects are released after paying bribes. Cricket: Afghanistan were bowled out for 240 against Bangladesh after Hasan Mahmud took a hat-trick and five wickets; Rahmat Shah’s century helped keep Afghanistan in the match.

Border Tensions: Pakistan’s military says troops killed 12 militants and Afghan Taliban fighters while stopping an attempted crossing from Afghanistan into Kurram; one Pakistani soldier was killed. The claim adds to tensions over alleged cross-border militant activity. Trade: Afghan businesses signed deals worth nearly $400 million with Uzbek and Indian firms, while Afghanistan and Iran agreed on trade memorandums valued at $451.8 million at a Kabul expo. Rights and Relief: UNAMA called on Taliban authorities to end abuse and arbitrary detention of women and girls; more than 50 women and one girl were reportedly detained in Kabul and Herat. Separately, the Red Cross says 700 families affected by clashes in Zabul received cash aid. Weather: FAO forecasts above-average rain that could help winter wheat planting but also trigger flash floods and damage remaining summer crops. Cricket: Afghanistan were 220 for eight against Bangladesh after Hasan Mahmud took a hat-trick; Rahmat Shah’s 86 kept Afghanistan in the fight.

Cricket: Afghanistan reached 211-4 on Day 2 against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi, still 135 runs behind. Rahmat Shah’s unbeaten 84 and Abdul Malik’s 62 led the fightback. Women’s rights: UNAMA says Taliban authorities detained 52 women and one girl in Kabul and Herat over dress-code violations; UN Women voiced serious concern. Forced returns: Taliban officials say 678 migrants were forcibly returned to Afghanistan. Education: Afghan educator Shabana Basij-Rasikh established a $2.5 million Oxford scholarship fund for Afghan women, supporting at least one master’s student each year. Humanitarian concerns: A UN warning says insecurity and restrictions are having devastating consequences for children in Afghanistan, while WHO is urging greater mental-health support. Regional trade: Afghanistan, Central Asia and India signed trade agreements worth more than $400 million. Executions in Iran: Rights group Iran Human Rights says at least 233 Afghans have been executed in Iran since the Taliban returned to power.

Mental Health: WHO says many Afghans face psychological distress amid bereavement and daily hardships, and urges communities to listen and offer support. Panjshir Mines: Emerald sales have neared 400 million Afghanis this year, but miners still use basic tools and face landslides, avalanches and falling rocks. Afghanistan–Bangladesh Test: Bangladesh closed Day 1 on 317 for eight in Abu Dhabi; Afghanistan took regular wickets after a strong opening stand. Women’s Rights: UNAMA says Taliban authorities detained 52 women and one girl in Kabul and Herat over alleged dress-code violations. Returns and Deportations: More than 6.5 million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan in three years, while France is discussing the return of some Afghans it considers without legal status or a security risk. Kunar Earthquake: Survivors still need help rebuilding homes, securing clean water and restoring livelihoods, the Norwegian Refugee Council says, a year after the quake.

Cricket: Bangladesh closed day one of the Abu Dhabi Test at 317 for 8 after Afghanistan’s bowlers struck late, taking seven wickets. Deportation Talks: France says discussions with Taliban authorities are technical and aim to return undocumented Afghans considered security risks; Paris says the process does not target asylum seekers or women. Trade and Returns: Afghan and Iranian businesses signed 28 agreements worth $451.8 million, while Iran has allocated more than 110 hectares at Chabahar for Afghan investment. Separately, the UN says more than 6.5 million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan in three years. Women’s Rights: The UN reports Taliban authorities detained 52 women and one girl in Kabul and Herat over alleged dress-code violations in a three-month period. Regional Tensions: Pakistan’s interior minister told the UN chief that 25 militant groups operate in Afghanistan; a regional meeting in Moscow ended without a joint statement amid disagreements between Kabul and Islamabad.

Women’s Rights: UNAMA says Taliban authorities detained 52 women and one girl from July to September over alleged dress-code violations, including wearing makeup or colourful scarves and appearing in public without a male guardian. Economy: Panjshir emerald auctions have brought in an estimated 400 million afghanis this year, with more than 15,000 people employed in mining, though miners still work with basic tools. Security: Police seized 614kg of opium from an ambulance in Takhar, which was travelling from Badakhshan disguised as a vehicle carrying a patient. Regional Tensions: Moscow Format talks on Afghanistan ended without a joint statement amid disagreements between Kabul and Islamabad; China’s Afghan affairs envoy attended the meeting. Cricket: Bangladesh chose to bat first against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi’s one-off Test, with Rahmat Shah captaining Afghanistan.