AGP Executive Report

Pipeline Progress in Herat: Taliban officials say construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline has hit 52% in Herat, with 80 km laid and more underground work and service roads underway, aiming to finish the Herat segment by end-2026. UNAMA Mandate Vote: The UN Security Council is set to review and vote on extending UNAMA’s mission after its June 16 expiry, with debate over whether to keep it and how its reporting should reflect conditions on the ground. Women’s Rights Crackdown: UN and NGOs report Taliban detentions of women in Herat over dress rules, including an MSF staff member held for two days; separate reports say smartphone use is being banned in schools and across institutions, with phones destroyed and violators sent to military courts. Kabul Transport Upgrade: A private company launched an online taxi service in Kabul, promising safer, more transparent fares and plans to add GPS tracking. Humanitarian Aid: Sweden donated nearly $3m to Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Fund as funding remains far below needs. Sports—India vs Afghanistan: In a rain-shortened 1st ODI, Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 84 helped India beat Afghanistan by seven wickets after Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 102.

TAPI Pipeline Progress: Taliban officials say construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline in Herat has hit 52% completion, with 80 km laid and Turkmenistan assuring the 130-km Herat segment could finish by end-2026. Women’s Rights Crackdown: The EU plans its first “technical talks” with the Taliban in Brussels on deportations, while Taliban morality police have expanded dress-code warnings beyond Herat into Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif, with UN reporting detentions of women over hijab rules. UN Oversight: The UN Security Council will hold a meeting on UNAMA’s mandate on June 15, reviewing the mission’s work in Afghanistan. Humanitarian Returns: Afghanistan’s refugee commission reports nearly 592 returnee families entered via Torkham, Spin Boldak, Silk Bridge and Islam Qala, with cash and services provided. Safety Crisis: Two unexploded devices killed a child and injured six in Helmand’s Sangin district, underscoring the ongoing threat from war remnants. Poppy Eradication: Ghor police launched a province-wide poppy eradication drive, destroying crops on more than 115 acres. Sports (Afghanistan-linked): India beat Afghanistan in the rain-hit first ODI in Dharamshala; Shubman Gill made 84* and debutants helped restrict Afghanistan to 194.

Afghanistan–India Cricket: Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 84 and three-wicket spells from debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey powered India to a 7-wicket win over Afghanistan in the rain-hit 1st ODI in Dharamsala, after Afghanistan were bowled out for 194; Rahmanullah Gurbaz struck a 102-ball 51-ball century that still wasn’t enough. Herat Rights Crackdown: UN and MSF voiced alarm after Taliban authorities detained an MSF healthcare worker in Herat over dress-code enforcement, warning that lethal force and restrictions are harming access to care. Islamic Emirate Governance: Hibatullah Akhundzada urged cabinet members to fully implement the Sharia-based “promotion of virtue and prevention of vice” system, including religious awareness efforts. Regional Investment Push: Afghanistan’s ambassador to China said improved security is attracting investment and highlighted Kabul’s role as a transit corridor. TAPI Pipeline Progress: Taliban officials said construction of the Herat section of the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India gas pipeline is 52% complete, with work and supply lines continuing toward an end-2026 target. Cross-border Deportations: Pakistan released 763 Afghan prisoners and repatriated 3,700 refugees, as Kabul and rights groups continue to track returns.

TAPI Pipeline Progress: Taliban officials say the Herat section of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline is past halfway, with 52% complete and 80 km laid, aiming to finish the 130-km Herat segment by end-2026. Eastern Development Push: Kabul reports 50 infrastructure projects are underway or set to start in Laghman over nine months, spanning health, agriculture, and education, with hundreds of local jobs expected. Herat Protest Crackdown: UN and rights groups condemn Taliban forces for using excessive force in Herat after women were detained over hijab rules; UNAMA says at least two deaths and 20+ injuries occurred, while Taliban denies arrests over clothing. Taliban on Protests: A Kandahar cabinet meeting discussed preventing organized public protests, including coordination across Taliban institutions amid recent unrest. Cross-Border Prisoner Returns: Pakistan freed 763 Afghan inmates and repatriated 3,700 Afghan refugees in one day via Spin Boldak and Torkham. Road Safety: A high-speed crash in Kunduz killed five young people and injured three, with reckless driving blamed. Sports—India vs Afghanistan ODI Opener: Rain delayed the toss for the first ODI in Dharamshala as India begins its 2027 World Cup ODI build-up; Rohit Sharma is cleared to play while Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya are out. US Deportations Raise Alarm: A US deportation flight carrying Afghans and others landed in the Central African Republic, drawing rights concerns over sending people to conflict-hit third countries.

Pipeline Progress: Taliban officials say construction of the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline in Herat has crossed the halfway mark, with 52% complete and 80 km laid, aiming to finish the Herat segment by end-2026. Women’s Rights Crackdown: In Herat, Taliban forces opened fire to disperse a second protest over arrests of women and girls for dress-code violations, following earlier deadly clashes. Refugee Fate Under Pressure: US lawmakers are urging a halt to plans to transfer Afghan allies from Qatar to unsafe third countries, as a deportation flight reportedly targets migrants including Afghans, Syrians and Iranians to the Central African Republic. International Recognition Push: Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate is seeking broader recognition and says lack of recognition is blocking investment, while Europe weighs inviting an Emirate delegation to discuss returns of rejected asylum seekers. Security & Peace Ranking: Afghanistan is ranked among the least peaceful countries in the 2026 Global Peace Index, with conflict scores worsening amid rising Afghanistan–Pakistan tensions. Sports (India-Afghanistan): India begins its first ODI series vs Afghanistan in Dharamsala, with Rohit Sharma returning and a No. 3 selection battle after Virat Kohli’s injury.

TAPI Pipeline Progress: Taliban officials say construction of the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India gas pipeline’s Herat section has hit 52% completion, with 80 km laid and Turkmenistan assuring completion of the 130-km segment by end-2026. Women’s Rights Crackdown in Herat: UN Women reports at least 30 women arrested for alleged hijab and dress-rule violations in Herat’s Injil district, after protests; it also says Taliban forces fired on demonstrators, killing at least two and injuring 20+ (local authorities deny arrests). Cross-Border Tensions: Afghanistan and Pakistan face renewed diplomatic strain after Pakistan airstrikes in border areas reportedly killed civilians, with conflicting accounts and warnings of wider fallout. Humanitarian/Peace Snapshot: Afghanistan ranks seventh least peaceful in the 2026 Global Peace Index, with worsening conflict measures and concerns about Taliban monopoly and international isolation. Security and Daily Life: Police in Takhar report seizing 13 kg of opium and arresting three traffickers; in Baghlan, a truck-motorbike crash killed three. Sports (Afghanistan Premier League): The Afghanistan Premier League is set for Dec 27 in the UAE, with five franchises (Kabul, Kandahar, Balkh, Paktia, Nangarhar) and investor proposals due June 30.

Women’s Rights Crackdown in Herat: UN experts and MSF-linked reports condemn Taliban morality police actions after protests over dress rules turned violent, with dozens detained and at least two killed, as Herat residents describe door-to-door hunts for women seen in videos. Taliban vs Pakistan Escalation: Kabul accuses Islamabad of airstrikes hitting civilian homes in eastern provinces, while Pakistan says it targeted militants—UN figures cited 13 civilian deaths, including children, as tensions flare despite recent talks. US Afghan Allies in Limbo: US lawmakers urge Trump officials to stop plans to move Afghan partners from Qatar to unsafe third countries, warning of moral and security risks. Humanitarian Aid Slows: Afghanistan’s economy ministry says humanitarian assistance is shrinking after foreign funding suspensions, even as NGOs keep operating at reduced scale. Prisoner Transfers: Kabul and Tehran report repatriation of 408 Afghan prisoners from Iran via border crossings. Regional Energy Push: Taliban officials say the Herat section of the TAPI gas pipeline is over halfway complete, with work and supplies continuing toward end-2026 targets. Sports (Youth): Maldives beat Afghanistan in an Under-20 handball match, while Yemen routed Nepal.

Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions: UNAMA says Pakistan’s airstrikes on Khost, Kunar and Paktika killed 13 civilians, including women and children, and wounded 10, urging a sustainable ceasefire and protection of civilians as Islamabad denies targeting non-combatants. Women’s Rights Crackdown: UN and OCHA report at least 30 women detained in Herat over Taliban dress-code enforcement, with protests met by live fire and beatings, as humanitarian groups warn restrictions are worsening. Child Labor Pressure: Ahead of World Day Against Child Labor, reports highlight Afghan children leaving school for brick kilns and other work as poverty deepens. Forced Displacement Update: UNHCR says forced displacement fell for the first time in a decade, but 117.8 million people remain displaced worldwide, with many returns from Pakistan and Iran occurring under pressure. Regional Energy Deal: Taliban officials say construction on the Herat section of the TAPI gas pipeline has passed the halfway mark (52%), with progress on laying and transporting pipeline materials. Returns to Afghanistan: 724 families (3,693 people) returned via crossings, with UN figures showing tens of thousands of Afghans coming back from Iran and Pakistan recently.

Cross-Border Violence: Pakistan renewed deadly airstrikes on Afghanistan’s eastern provinces Khost, Kunar and Paktika, with Afghan officials saying 13 people were killed—11 children, one woman and an elderly man—and 14 others injured, while Islamabad said it hit TTP hideouts and killed 26 militants. Women’s Rights Crackdown in Herat: UNAMA confirmed at least one death and injuries after Taliban forces dispersed protests against arrests of women over dress-code rules, while also reporting detentions of women in Herat. Sports—ODIs vs India: Afghanistan added fast bowler Mohammad Saleem to its ODI squad for the series starting June 13 in Dharamsala; Rashid Khan is expected to join there and Mohammad Nabi is unwell. Cricket—India Team Update: Rohit Sharma returned to training after fitness clearance, but Hardik Pandya is set to miss the ODIs with a leg strain. Energy & Transit: Taliban officials said construction of the Herat section of the TAPI gas pipeline has reached 52% completion, with work and supply lines progressing toward an end-2026 target for the Herat segment.

TAPI Pipeline Progress: Taliban officials say construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline in Herat has hit 52% completion, with 80 km laid and more burial and service-road work underway, aiming to finish the Herat segment by end-2026. Cross-Border Strikes: Afghanistan’s government and Taliban officials report Pakistani airstrikes in Kunar, Khost and Paktika killed at least 12–13 civilians, including 11 children, and wounded others, while Pakistan says it carried out “precise” strikes killing 26 militants linked to TTP. Women’s Rights Crackdown: In Herat, Taliban forces dispersed a rare anti-hijab dress-code protest; Amnesty says a new wave of arrests is deepening repression of women and girls. Humanitarian Pressure: UN-linked reporting highlights rising poverty and hardship, while IOM says 85,420 Afghans returned from Iran and Pakistan in about two weeks. Education Push: Authorities launched three school-building projects in Takhar’s Rustaq district to improve access for hundreds of students. Sports—Afghanistan in Focus: Cricket coverage notes Afghanistan’s presence in regional tournaments and ongoing India-Afghanistan series fallout, including fitness and squad updates.

TAPI Pipeline Progress: Taliban officials say the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline in Herat is 52% complete, with 80 km installed and more equipment and underground work underway, aiming for completion of the Herat segment by end-2026. Women’s Rights Crackdown: In Herat, men held a rare rally supporting women detained over Taliban dress-code rules; witnesses and rights groups report live fire and injuries, while police deny weapons use. UNAMA Mandate Fight: At the UN Security Council, Russia warned the West is using UNAMA in ways that could jeopardize the mission’s future, while UN officials stressed engagement is not endorsement. Return Pressure from Pakistan: UNHCR says more than 400,000 Afghan migrants have returned from Pakistan in four months, as migrants complain of harassment despite valid documents. Security Risks: A blast in Paktika killed at least seven, including five children, after people tried to dismantle an unexploded shell—another reminder of lingering ordnance dangers. Justice Abroad: A former Taliban commander, Haji Najibullah, was sentenced to 42 years in a US court for kidnapping a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.

Taliban Restrictions: Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has banned smartphones for Taliban members and government officials, with violators facing court-martial—another step in tightening daily life controls. Unexploded Ordnance: A blast in Paktika’s Barmal district killed seven, including five children, after a resident tried to open an unexploded shell for scrap. Rights and Protests: UN human-rights rapporteur Richard Bennett urged accountability after Taliban forces opened fire on protesters in Herat, amid reports of detentions over the dress code and growing limits on women and girls. Security Snapshot: The UN reported a 57% jump in Afghanistan security incidents (Feb 1–Apr 30), with thousands of attacks and restrictions affecting civilians and UN operations. India-Afghanistan Ties: India’s UN envoy Harish Parvathaneni condemned Pakistan’s Afghanistan airstrikes as a “massacre,” citing UNAMA figures, and reiterated India’s humanitarian support. Cricket (Afghanistan Focus): India crushed Afghanistan in the one-off Test by innings and 300 runs, with debutant Manav Suthar taking 6/33 and 1 wicket, while Gill and Rahul powered the big total.

Cricket Diplomacy in Mullanpur: India crushed Afghanistan in the one-off Test at New Chandigarh by an innings and 300 runs, with debut spinner Manav Suthar taking 6/33 and finishing with 7 wickets as Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav wrapped up the chase. UN Rights and Education: UN officials warned Afghanistan’s situation is worsening, citing the ban on girls’ education, rising security incidents, and continued restrictions on women and girls. Herat Dress Crackdown: Taliban morality police detained women in Herat over clothing rules, prompting UN concern and eyewitness accounts of arrests and fear. Taliban Law on Jihadi Heritage: Afghanistan’s Ministry of Justice says a new law has been published to document and preserve “jihadi heritage,” including collecting and organizing materials from the 20-year insurgency. Kabul Cash Complaints: Residents in Kabul say worn-out banknotes are causing disputes and pushing people toward card payments. Security at Crossings: Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry says it has tightened screening for returning migrants to stop “malicious elements” from entering.

One-off Test, Mullanpur: India wrapped up a crushing innings-and-300-runs win over Afghanistan in three days, with debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar the star. After India declared 564/8, Suthar took 6/33 and then finished with 7/62 as Afghanistan were bowled out for 152 and 112. Afghan batting milestone: Rahmat Shah made history by becoming the first Afghanistan batter to reach 1,000 Test runs, scoring 60 in the first innings. Taliban women’s dress crackdown: UNAMA urged the Taliban to stop arresting women in Herat over “dress requirements,” after reports said at least 21 women and girls were detained. Panjshir mining push: Taliban officials said they’ve identified nearly 600 mining sites in Panjshir and claim thousands are employed in mining and mineral processing. Kabul security report: Gunfire was reportedly heard near Kabul airport overnight.

India-Afghanistan Test: Debutant spinner Manav Suthar struck early and finished with 3/21 as Afghanistan were 113/5 at stumps on Day 2, still 451 runs behind India after the hosts declared on 564/8; Mohammad Saleem earlier replied with 6/140, but Afghanistan’s batting faltered. Women’s Rights in Herat: UNAMA warned that women in Herat are being detained over Taliban dress-code violations, calling it a serious human rights concern. Local Governance in Kandahar: Islamic Emirate governors from seven regions met in Kandahar, focusing on security, anti-corruption, and counter-narcotics, with calls for better guidance and accountability. Cross-Border Tensions: The Peshawar-Torkham Highway reopened after protests by Sultan Khel tribesmen over “targeted killings,” temporarily disrupting repatriation via Torkham. Financial Scams: Da Afghanistan Bank urged Afghans to avoid unlicensed schemes after Gold BS investors reported blocked accounts and heavy losses. Sanctions & Energy: The US Treasury expanded sanctions on Iran-linked LPG networks, including an Afghan businessman tied to UAE front companies. Sports: Afghanistan lost 2-0 to Pakistan in the Maldives tournament group stage.

Afghanistan Cricket: India crushed Afghanistan in the one-off Test at New Chandigarh, declaring on 564/8 with centuries from Shubman Gill (126) and KL Rahul (100) plus Washington Sundar’s 52*; Afghanistan ended Day 2 at 28/1 at tea, trailing by 536, after debutant Manav Suthar struck early and Mohammed Saleem Safi replied with 6/140. DRS & Tactics: Afghanistan’s missed reviews and a costly DRS call on Siraj became a major talking point as India built momentum. Kabul Begging Crackdown: Afghan police say they rounded up more than 90,000 beggars in Kabul over four years, separating “fake” and organized beggars from those genuinely in need. Power & Regional Trade: Work on the CASA-1000 transmission project is progressing in three phases, expected to bring Afghanistan about $60m annually in transit revenue. Humanitarian Pressure: WFP warns hunger is worsening, with Afghanistan facing acute food insecurity for millions amid funding gaps and rising costs. Courts & Justice: Afghanistan’s Supreme Court says courts handled 70,376 cases and executed 37,995 legal documents in Jan–Mar 2026. Environment: Communities across Afghanistan are expanding tree planting and forest restoration, aiming to plant 200 million trees by 2030.