Politics

Pakistan Says Afghan Cross-Border Fire Kills Soldier

In A Return To Moral Policing, Taliban And Clerics Ban Music In Afghan Province

Faryab is the latest of Afghan provinces where residents face increasing restrictions from an assertive Taliban that is embracing the type of moral policing imposed by the hard-line Islamist regime a quarter-century ago.

Afghan Peace Negotiators Far Apart On Cease-Fire, Women's Rights

The Afghan government and Taliban militants remain far apart on even the most basic issues a week into talks meant to end two decades of a war that has killed tens of thousands of people, diplomats and negotiators say.

Pakistan Debates Tough Punishments For Rape, Child Sexual Abuse

A series of recent high-profile rape and child sexual abuse cases in Pakistan has spurred a debate over how to curb the incidence of violent crimes that mostly target women and children.

Nine Afghan Soldiers Killed As Negotiations Between Government, Taliban Continue

At least nine Afghan soldiers were killed in an attack late on September 20 despite ongoing negotiations between the Taliban and the Kabul government.

In Tough Reelection Bid, Trump Pushes Afghan Troop Withdrawal To Meet Campaign Promise

Intra-Afghan peace negotiations have begun in what is thought will be a long and difficult process with little progress expected by U.S. election day. Despite that, President Trump is pushing to withdraw more troops before the November vote in order to meet a campaign pledge.

Taliban Demands 'Elite Religious Council' To Select National Leader

The Taliban militant group on September 20 demanded the creation of an "elite religious council" to replace democratic means of selecting Afghanistan's leaders in a future Islamic system.

Pakistani Opposition Demands Prime Minister Imran Khan Resign

Pakistani opposition parties have demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan's immediate resignation and pledged to launch a nationwide protest movement aimed at unseating his government.

Kabul Says Afghanistan Will Sign Agreement On Strategic Partnership With Tajikistan

Afghanistan says it plans to sign a strategic partnership agreement with neighboring Tajikistan.

Int'l Tribunal Stays $5.8B Fine On Pakistan In Mining Case

An international tribunal has granted a stay pending a final decision on a $5.8 billion penalty imposed on Pakistan for denying a mining lease to an Australian company, the adviser to Pakistan's prime minister said on September 18.

Taliban Kills 20 Afghan Government Troops Amid Ongoing Peace Talks

Fierce fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban militants has left at least 20 government troops dead, even as peace talks continued in an effort to end the 19-year war.