ISLAMABAD, 23 August 2021, (TON): Islamabad and New Delhi have issued assignment visas to each other's diplomats after a gap of around 28 months as both sides are trying to normalise ties that have been on ice since 2019 when a suicide bomber targeted a military convoy in Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Later that year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi withdrew IIOJK’s semi-autonomous status to tighten his grip over the occupied territory, provoking outrage in Pakistan and the downgrading of diplomatic ties and suspension of bilateral trade.

Pakistan and India have issued a large number of assignment visas to each other's diplomatic staff in recent weeks.

Both countries have issued visas on all applications submitted by March 15 this year.

Pakistan issued visas to 33 Indian officials, while seven Pakistani diplomats received assignment visas from India.

Sources said that there was a possibility of an agreement between Pakistan and India to issue visas on assignment applications by June 15.

The two countries are likely to issue more visas to each other's diplomats after that.

 KABUL, 22 August 2021, (TON): An official of the group told media that the Taliban will be accountable for its actions and will investigate reports of reprisals and atrocities carried out by members.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added that the group planned to ready a new model for governing Afghanistan within the next few weeks.

It has been just a week since the Taliban completed a lighting fast takeover of the country, finally walking into Kabul last Sunday without firing a shot.

Since then, individual Afghans and international aid and advocacy groups have reported harsh retaliation against protests, and roundups of those who formerly held government positions, criticised the Taliban or worked with Americans.

The official said "we have heard of some cases of atrocities and crimes against civilians. If Talibs (members) are doing these law and order problems, they will be investigated."

He added, "we can understand the panic, stress and anxiety. People think we will not be accountable, but that will not be the case."

 WASHINGTON, 22 August 2021, (TON): The United States has said that it wants Pakistan and China to help evolve “some sort of political settlement” in Afghanistan even though the Taliban now effectively control the country.

Asked at a Thursday afternoon news briefing what Washington wanted from Pakistan now, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said “the United States wanted all neighbouring states to help stabilise Afghanistan.”

He said “the point we’ve made to all of Afghanistan’s neighbours is that it is in everyone’s interest to do what we can to secure or to help facilitate stability, security, some sort of political settlement.”

Biden administration in touch with all of Afghanistan’s neighbours for bringing peace

He said “countries bordering Afghanistan also faced a particular challenge, refugees leaving Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover.”

He further added that we have continued to encourage countries in the region to be welcoming of the most vulnerable, those who are seeking a better life.

KABUL, 22 August 2021, (TON): A spokesman for the Islamist movement said “the Taliban aim to unveil a new governing framework for Afghanistan.”

The official told media “legal, religious and foreign policy experts in the Taliban aim to present the new governing framework in the next few weeks.”

BRUSSELS, 22 August 2021, (TON): The European Commission president said that EU countries had a "moral duty" to help Afghans.

"The European Union is firmly committed to continue supporting the NGOs operating in the country," Ursula von der Leyen said, stating that millions of women and children were internally displaced within the country.

She added that “EU would increase their humanitarian aid but warned that the international community needed to prevent people from falling into the hands of smugglers.”

The Commission president added that the Afghan situation must be a central concern of next week’s G-7 meeting to help create “legal and safe routes globally, organised by us, the international community, for those who need protection."

“This resettlement of vulnerable people is of utmost importance,” she said. “It is our moral duty.”

Many EU governments are concerned that the crisis in Afghanistan could lead to a migrant crisis like the one in 2015.

NIAMEY, 22 August 2021, (TON): A local official and a security source said that at least 16 people have been killed in an attack on a village in southwestern Niger where attackers have repeatedly massacred civilians this year.

Mayor Halido Zibo told media that the unidentified gunmen opened fire during Friday prayers in the village of Theim in the Tillaberi region and killed 16 people.

A security source confirmed the attack and put the death toll at 17.

The attack follows the killing on Monday of 37 civilians, including 14 children, in a village in the same region.

Thiem is about 20km (12 miles) from three other villages where a series of attacks in May.

Armed groups in Tillaberi and Tahoua regions bordering Mali have killed more than 420 civilians and driven tens of thousands of others from their homes in 2021.

ISLAMABAD, 22 August 2021, (TON): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in separate phone calls on Saturday, discussed the situation in Afghanistan with his Russian and Turkish counterparts Sergei Lavrov and Mevlut Cavusoglu, as well as Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen.

Qureshi, in his conversation with Lavrov, stressed that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was extremely important not just for Pakistan, but for the entire region.

He noted that Pakistan and Russia being a part of the “Troika Plus” which includes Pakistan, the United States, Russia and China, played a pivotal role in establishing peace in Afghanistan.

The minister emphasised that ensuring the security of Afghan citizens and protecting their rights should be the first priority in the current situation.

He said “the path to lasting peace in Afghanistan can be paved through a comprehensive political settlement.”

The two foreign ministers also agreed to continue mutual consultations in light of the changing situation in Afghanistan.

he OIC secretary general apprised the foreign minister of an extraordinary meeting of the organisation convened on August 22 (Sunday) to discuss the rapidly changing Afghan situation.

WASHINGTON, 22 August 2021, (TON): The United States is grateful to Bahrain for its humanitarian efforts and its gracious offer to facilitate the safe transit of U.S. citizens and evacuees.

The United States greatly appreciates the Bahraini government’s support; it is emblematic of our strong and enduring partnership.

We thank our Bahraini partners for their support in this effort.

We have no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas, including our military and diplomats serving in Afghanistan

RIYADH, 22 August 2021, (TON): The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will hold an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Afghanistan on Sunday (today).

The meeting comes at the invitation of Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Taliban leaders gathered in the Afghan capital Saturday to begin mapping out an “inclusive government.”

Thousands of Afghans and foreign nationals are scrambling to leave the country after the Taliban took control.

ISLAMABAD, 22 August 2021, (TON): The Foreign Office (FO) said that incarcerated neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui had received minor injuries after being assaulted by a fellow inmate at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Carswell, US last month and was doing fine.

Siddiqui, a US citizen of Pakistani origin was convicted by a US court on charges of shooting at US army and FBI officers while in custody in Afghanistan and was sentenced to 86 years imprisonment.

In a statement, FO spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said that authorities had learnt of the assault on Siddiqui by a fellow inmate on July 30.

He said "our embassy in Washington, DC as well as our consulate general in Houston immediately took up the matter with the concerned US authorities."

He added "our consul general in Houston visited Dr Siddiqui immediately to ascertain her well-being. She had received some minor injuries but was doing fine."

The FO spokesperson said that a formal complaint had been lodged with the relevant US authorities to investigate the matter and ensure her safety and well-being.