Human rights

While the removal of the death penalty for two relatively obscure crimes was welcomed by international rights groups, many activists argue the government’s action is insufficient.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has sounded a dire warning about Afghanistan’s escalating hunger crisis, as an economic downturn, recurring droughts, and the forced return of thousands of Afghan migrants strain the country’s fragile infrastructure and limited resources.

UNICEF also called for more humanitarian aid and commercial traffic to come in to stabilise the situation and reduce the desperation of the population.

According to the junta, the NDSC will now assume all legislative, executive, and judicial powers, as permitted under Article 427(a) of the 2008 Constitution.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had initially ordered the formation of a commission to probe the misuse of the law, but that decision was overturned last week, triggering outrage and disappointment among victims’ families.

The situation is especially dire for Afghan migrants in Pakistan, where visa renewals have been suspended, and Proof of Registration (PoR) cards invalidated without clear guidance. Migrants are reporting increased police harassment and arbitrary detentions.

Sri Lanka’s police force is facing an unprecedented leadership crisis following the dismissal of its second-highest-ranking officer and the looming impeachment of its Inspector-General.

Currently, Afghanistan is in the midst of a dire humanitarian crisis, marked by the oppressive rule of the Taliban regime.