AGP Executive Report

Humanitarian Pressure: MSF says Kandahar’s malnutrition caseload rose 30% year-on-year, with thousands of children seeking treatment as WFP warns acute hunger is worsening amid funding cuts. Food Security: WFP and UNICEF both warn millions of Afghans—especially children and pregnant or breastfeeding women—face acute malnutrition in 2026, with severe funding gaps limiting aid reach. Return and Deportations: Islamic Emirate spokesman Mujahid says nearly 2 million migrants returned over the past year, while UNICEF links rising needs to mass returns from Iran and Pakistan. Aid and Welfare: Afghanistan’s Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled Affairs says it distributed over $192 million to 650,000 orphans, widows and people with disabilities, alongside food and non-food support for impoverished families. Women’s Rights and International Scrutiny: An EU envoy in Geneva said Taliban policies toward women and girls may amount to crimes against humanity, while Hamid Karzai urged girls’ education and women’s work to rebuild a “vibrant society.” Diplomacy: Taliban Foreign Minister Muttaqi met Russia’s ambassador in Kabul to discuss expanding Afghanistan-Russia ties. Pakistan Border Tensions: The Taliban embassy in Islamabad raised concerns over Afghan migrants’ shop properties reportedly being auctioned in Punjab. Migration Policy Abroad: Guyana announced it received the first group of U.S.-deported Afghan and Cuban nationals under a “third country” arrangement.

Cultural Diplomacy: Afghanistan’s Kazakh community showcased distinctive handicrafts and cultural heritage in an exhibition in Mazar-i-Sharif, with officials saying such events help preserve and promote the country’s diverse identity. Taliban Economy & US Ties: The Taliban pitched the United States on investing in Afghanistan’s vast mineral wealth, but Washington signaled it has no plans to work with the Taliban on critical minerals—raising questions about who would actually control and profit from any future deals. Humanitarian & Rights Pressure: A UN-linked theme across the week highlighted Afghan war victims still facing lasting harm and lack of justice, as well as ongoing concerns over rights and protection for vulnerable groups. Regional Security: Reports also pointed to continued cross-border tensions around Afghanistan, including calls for reopening trade routes and warnings about security risks affecting the wider region.

Pakistan-Afghanistan ties: A Peshawar symposium urged dialogue over conflict, calling for reopening trade crossings and separating commerce from security tensions, as experts warned closures are already costing livelihoods on both sides. Diplomacy and recognition: Russia’s Lavrov said NATO’s Afghanistan mission ended in “failure and disgrace,” while Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate spokesperson said Kabul wants expanded diplomatic ties with Europe and urged wartime partners to shift policies. Trade routes pressure: Calls grew for reopening Afghanistan-Pakistan border routes after reports of major losses in Pakistan’s trade sector tied to suspended crossings. Women under Taliban rule: In Ghazni, girls barred from education turned to painting workshops to cope and to keep their voices alive, even as they demanded schools and courses reopen. Afghan business push: A Kabul entrepreneur is booking bus tickets online and delivering them to customers’ doorsteps, aiming to expand offices and create jobs, including for women. Regional security backdrop: Pakistan’s military reported dozens of militants killed in raids in Balochistan and along the Afghan border, underscoring the volatile environment around cross-border movement.

US-Iran Fallout: Reuters reports weapons experts believe a US munition directly hit a wedding in Kuhestak, Sirik County, Iran, killing at least five and wounding nearly 70; US Vice President JD Vance said Washington is investigating. Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule: A new report highlights how girls are being pushed out of secondary education under Taliban restrictions, with many risking arrest by attending secret schools. Pakistan-Afghanistan Security: Pakistan says its forces killed 15 militants trying to infiltrate from Afghanistan’s side near North Waziristan after a 36-hour clash, blaming Afghan Taliban failures to stop cross-border terrorism. Aid and Food Costs: Save the Children warns Trump’s Iran war-driven oil shock is raising delivery costs, cutting aid reach for children, including in Afghanistan. Culture: Afghan Kazakhs held a handicrafts and traditional arts exhibition in Balkh to preserve weaving and cultural heritage.

Deportations and Taliban ties: Germany is stepping up deportations of Afghans and says it needs the Taliban’s help to process returns, despite previously refusing to reopen its embassy in Kabul. Refugees home from Pakistan: Afghanistan’s MoRR says 389 refugees were released from Pakistani prisons and returned this week—329 via Torkham and 60 via Spin Boldak—after receiving humanitarian aid. Industry push in Kabul: Deputy PM Baradar backed the rehabilitation of Sana-e-Sabz and the inauguration of the revised Green Industries plan, linking new factories and a printing/publishing center to jobs and reduced import dependence. Counter-narcotics funding: Japan and the UNODC launched a $9.4m project to support vulnerable communities and former poppy-growing households in Badakhshan, Badghis, Helmand, Kandahar and Takhar. War’s long damage: UNAMA reports decades of conflict have left most Afghan victims with trauma and physical harm, with many unable to get justice or compensation. Border security flare-up: Pakistan says 15 militants were killed in an infiltration attempt from Afghanistan near North Waziristan, blaming the Afghan Taliban for failing to stop cross-border attacks. Education in exile: SOLA says Afghan girls are continuing education at its Rwanda campus, now on a permanent site.

Protest Crackdown: Afghanistan’s Taliban government defended a nationwide ban on public protests, saying demonstrations have “no place” under its reading of Islamic law and are needed for security and stability. Diplomatic Push: Afghanistan says it issued 203,693 visas to foreign nationals over the past year as Kabul seeks wider regional and international engagement. UN Trauma Report: A new UN report says decades of war have left Afghans with deep physical and psychological harm, with many victims still lacking justice and reparation. Girls’ Education Abroad: SOLA, which fled Afghanistan, opened a permanent school campus in Rwanda to keep educating Afghan girls despite Taliban rule. Regional Trade Shift: A report says border closures and new transit corridors are reshaping Afghanistan’s economy, with trade moving away from Pakistan toward Central Asia and Iran. Sports: Afghanistan’s U20 team is set to play Tajikistan in AFC qualifiers in Bahrain, with the tournament’s next matches also featuring Afghanistan.

Taliban Governance: Afghanistan’s Taliban defended a complete ban on protests, saying demonstrations “don’t exist in Islamic law” and are meant to prevent chaos and protect property, drawing renewed condemnation from rights groups. Diplomacy & Foreign Policy: Islamic Emirate officials say Afghanistan expanded ties with Russia, Iran, India and Uzbekistan, and cite new operational missions abroad as part of a push to broaden relations and counter terrorism concerns. Humanitarian & Rights: UN reporting highlights worsening trauma and justice gaps for Afghan war victims, with calls for access to justice and renewed accountability. Economy & Trade: India and Afghanistan’s Joint Working Group reviewed steps to boost bilateral trade, including customs cooperation, visa facilitation for Afghan traders, banking links, pharma and agriculture coordination, and port connectivity. Housing in Kabul: Work began on B4 residential complexes under the “Sulh” Housing Project in Kabul’s Fifth Macroryan area, aimed at easing the capital’s housing shortage. Regional Security: Pakistan’s military leadership and operations in Balochistan remain in focus amid ongoing attacks and counter-operations, with spillover tensions affecting the wider region.

Taliban-U.S. Talks: Afghanistan’s Taliban say the “chapter of war” is over and are inviting U.S. diplomats and investment, including mining and infrastructure, even as Washington keeps the embassy closed and maintains strict travel warnings. Human Rights & Women’s Education: A separate report highlights how Taliban rule continues to erase women and girls from public life through bans on secondary education, universities, and employment, while opposition groups still challenge Taliban control. Humanitarian Justice: UN reporting says Afghan war victims remain without justice and face lasting harm, with many describing psychological damage years after conflict. Regional Security: Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif urged SCO leaders to end terrorism from Afghan territory and stressed that water must never be weaponised, linking regional stability to Afghanistan’s security situation. Sports Diplomacy (India-Afghanistan): India named a 15-member T20I squad for its series in Delhi starting Sept. 13; Krunal Pandya’s “Hope is still alive” post followed his omission. Afghan Diaspora Education: SOLA, which fled Afghanistan to educate girls, opened a permanent school in Rwanda, underscoring the ongoing risks of educating Afghan girls.

UN Justice for War Victims: UNAMA says Afghan conflict victims from 2001 to Aug 15, 2021 still face severe physical, psychological and economic harm, with most lacking access to justice; it cites 40,000+ civilian deaths (2009-2021), 95% reporting psychological harm, and many reporting barriers when seeking help. SCO Summit on Afghanistan: At the Bishkek SCO summit, leaders signed the Bishkek Declaration calling for an independent, neutral, peaceful Afghanistan free from terrorism, and urged an inclusive government with broad participation of Afghanistan’s ethnic and political groups. Terror and Diplomacy: India’s PM Modi pushed SCO members to dismantle the “terror ecosystem,” reject double standards, and resolve conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, linking regional stability to peace in Afghanistan. Water, Treaties, and Regional Security: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif told the SCO that water must never be weaponised and stressed honoring the Indus Waters Treaty, as the summit also kept Afghanistan tied to broader regional stability. Afghan-Pakistan Lines: Afghanistan’s ambassador in Islamabad reiterated Kabul will not allow Afghan soil to be used against Pakistan, while asking for direct, evidence-based engagement on security concerns.

Flash Floods in Nuristan: Torrential rains triggered flash floods in Wanat district, Nuristan, killing 3 and injuring 1, with damage to infrastructure and farmland; officials say figures are preliminary as assessment teams continue. Taliban-US Minerals Push: Afghanistan’s Taliban government is offering the U.S. access to vast mineral wealth, pitching mining and investment as part of a bid for sanctions relief and more foreign investment. Deportations to Africa: U.S. ICE expanded “third country” deportations, sending more than 100 people including Afghans to multiple African nations over a 10-day period, according to internal documents. SCO Summit Focus: As the SCO summit opens in Bishkek, India’s PM Modi attends alongside Russia, China and Iran, with Afghanistan expected to be on the agenda as Eurasian powers seek a new multipolar balance. Afghans Forced Back: A report highlights millions of deportees and undocumented Afghans being pushed to restart after crackdowns in Pakistan and Iran, with families crossing at Torkham “Zero Point.”

Humanitarian Urgency: The ICRC warns Afghanistan is slipping from global attention as malnutrition worsens and clinic closures rise, urging the world “not to abandon” Afghan communities. Diplomacy & Recognition: Afghan Red Crescent chief Sheikh Shahabuddin Delawar says the U.S. committed 3,000 violations after the Doha Agreement and argues Washington’s engagement amounts to recognition of the Islamic Emirate. U.S.-Taliban Deal Backstory: A look back at how the Doha Agreement shaped the final U.S. withdrawal—covering withdrawal timelines, counterterrorism guarantees, intra-Afghan talks, and a ceasefire. International Pressure on Refugees: The European Parliament plans a human-rights hearing on deportations of Afghan refugees, after Germany’s moves and a Taliban delegation’s push to speed returns. Regional Politics: At the SCO summit in Bishkek, leaders discussed security, connectivity, and Afghanistan’s regional concerns, while India’s Modi pressed for an end to “endless wars” in talks with Putin. Afghan Economy & Trade: Reports highlight how border closures and transit disruptions have hit Afghanistan and regional trade flows, with traders facing major losses. Taliban Outreach to Washington: The Islamic Emirate renews calls for U.S. investment in mining, infrastructure, agriculture, and trade, while rejecting any U.S. military return.

Taliban-US Minerals Push: Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate is inviting the Trump administration to invest in its estimated $1 trillion mineral wealth and normalize ties, including calls to reopen a US embassy in Kabul. Durand Line Tensions: Badakhshan police denied reports of clashes in Zebak district, saying security is maintained and any fighting was limited to Pakistani territory. Border Closure Hits Poultry: Pakistan’s poultry exports to Afghanistan remain suspended since last October, squeezing producers with surplus supply and price losses. SCO Summit Spotlight: Leaders including Xi and Putin are set to meet in Bishkek for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, with Afghanistan and regional security expected on the agenda. Afghan Cricket Series Watch: India’s men’s team will play three T20Is vs Afghanistan in September; the squad is expected to be announced Sept. 3, with Afghanistan series timing overlapping other schedules. UN on Child Nutrition: UN reporting says over 100 child malnutrition clinics have been closed in Afghanistan, raising alarm over access to care.

Security & Diplomacy: Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry says no neighboring country has provided evidence for claims of security threats from Afghan soil, and denies ISIS-capable groups can pose domestic or cross-border threats. Regional Coordination: Ahead of the SCO summit in Bishkek, India says it has set up a joint working group with Central Asian states to review political, security, and humanitarian developments in Afghanistan. Education Update: The Islamic Emirate says it has built 238 schools and seminaries and renovated 970, with 7.62 million students in education; it also says the girls’ education gap beyond grade six remains under review. Humanitarian & Health: WHO says it is supporting expanded primary healthcare in Afghanistan’s remote areas with help from Italy. Trade: Afghan and Uzbek traders signed 20 agreements worth $267 million across food, textiles, construction materials, livestock, electronics, and furniture. Crime & Violence: A six-year-old girl’s body was found in a sack in Herat, and sources report an elder killed in Baghlan in an alleged attack by armed Kuchis. Deportations: US documents say ICE expanded “third country” deportations, including flights that sent Afghans to African countries.

Energy & Local Development: Afghan authorities inaugurated a 41 million afghani power supply network in Paktia’s Gardez, set to bring electricity to 1,000+ households and local businesses, as Afghanistan remains reliant on imported power. International Justice Under Pressure: UN experts urged ICC member states to act to protect the court after fresh U.S. sanctions targeting ICC officials, warning the move could embolden perpetrators and weaken accountability. Afghan Allies & Resettlement Fallout: The U.S. deported an Afghan man to the Central African Republic despite a judge granting protection over fears of Taliban persecution tied to his family’s work with U.S. forces. Deportations & Taliban Diplomats: Germany allowed a short-term technical team from Taliban authorities to enter to prepare documents for deportations, with 228 people deported since March. Regional Security Talks: SCO leaders in Bishkek on Sept. 1 are expected to discuss Afghanistan, focusing on counterterrorism, drug trafficking, and border security. Armed Opposition: Anti-Taliban fronts reportedly stepped up attacks in August, shifting toward more front-line fighting ahead of the fifth anniversary of Kabul’s fall.

Deportations & Consular Work: Germany has sent a short-term technical team from Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to help set up document procedures needed for more deportations, with Berlin confirming the mission after reports of a three-member delegation staying at the Afghan embassy in Berlin and expected to travel to consulates in Bonn and Munich. UK Visa Crackdown: An Afghan activist, Aisha Khurram, says she was blocked from taking up an Oxford master’s place after the UK “emergency brake” on Afghan visas, despite having rebuilt her education in Germany. Media Freedom: The Afghanistan Journalists Center urged the Taliban to reopen the Lapis Media Office in Kabul, saying Taliban intelligence shut it on Aug. 26 and confiscated equipment. Higher Education Controls: The Taliban ordered removal of law and political science from private universities, while Shia-linked concerns grow over exclusion of Ja’fari-related teaching and related academic changes. Security Claims: Afghanistan’s Interior and Defense ministries rejected claims that Afghan soil poses threats to neighbors, saying no evidence has been provided and border forces are deployed. Community & Rights: During Prophet’s Birthday events in Kabul, Shia scholars renewed calls for representation and respect for personal status laws.

Blast & injuries in Laghman: A gas-cylinder explosion in a rickshaw at Rahmani Square, Mehtarlam city, left 14 people injured, with victims taken to nearby hospitals as authorities continue probing. Kabul fuel squeeze: Petrol prices in Kabul jumped from 80 to 87 afghani per liter and diesel from 75 to 79 over the week, adding to a two-month climb that drivers say is outpacing business. Women’s trade from Herat: Herat Women’s Chamber reports nearly 100 tons of handicrafts worth $175,000 exported in five months to the US, Europe, Turkey and neighbors, with entrepreneurs calling for more export support. Taliban five years on: Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says Afghanistan is “undoubtedly” better off after the US withdrawal, while admitting serious ongoing challenges. Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions: Islamabad’s strikes in eastern Afghanistan’s Paktia reportedly hit residential areas, with UN reporting dozens of civilian deaths and injuries. Regional diplomacy: Kyrgyzstan is set to host an SCO summit in Bishkek with leaders including Russia, China, Iran, India and Pakistan, as Afghanistan remains a key regional concern. CSTO border focus: CSTO says it will supply equipment to strengthen Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan, with first shipments expected this autumn. Student visa dispute: Pakistan’s Islamabad High Court questioned a petition seeking visa extensions for 87 Afghan students, citing the state of conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.