Quadrilateral Summit Pressures Taliban, Deportations Surge, and Internet Restrictions Deepen Crisis

Kokcha News Agency: In the latest developments from Afghanistan, foreign ministers from China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia convened on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York for the fourth round of talks on Afghanistan. They issued an 11-point joint statement, reaffirming their commitment to a stable, terrorism-free Afghanistan and calling for stronger regional economic ties.

The ministers expressed deep concerns over active terrorist groups such as ISIS, al-Qaeda, and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which continue to threaten global security. They pressed the Taliban to take “effective, verifiable measures” to dismantle terror camps, halt recruitment, and eliminate foreign fighter networks. The statement also emphasized the need for an inclusive political system that represents all ethnic and religious groups, with full rights for women and girls in education, employment, and public life.

Humanitarian aid was highlighted as a priority, with calls to provide it without political conditions. The ministers also urged the Taliban to curb drug production and support the return of refugees. NATO was called upon to address the fallout from past military actions, lift sanctions, and avoid establishing new military bases in the region.

Mass Deportations and Protection Fears:
As of September 25, over 707,800 Afghans have returned from Pakistan this year, with 210,800 returning in September alone. This brings the total number of returnees from Pakistan and Iran to over 2.8 million. The surge in returns from Pakistan has been particularly alarming, with a rising number of Proof of Registration (PoR) cardholders—55% in September (116,000 people)—facing arrests and detentions. Over 11,700 were detained this month.

The UNHCR has warned of grave risks for returnees, especially women and girls, given Afghanistan’s ongoing human rights crisis and economic collapse. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti accused the Taliban of state-sponsored terrorism, claiming that Afghan-based militants are fueling cross-border attacks on Pakistan.

Deadly Border Clashes:
In a tragic incident, Iranian border guards shot and killed several young Afghan migrants attempting to cross the Iran-Afghanistan border illegally. The bodies were initially abandoned at the site before being retrieved by families. This incident is part of a broader pattern of lethal border clashes driven by poverty, unemployment, and insecurity, which have pushed many Afghans to attempt irregular crossings.

Funding Shortfall and Internet Restrictions:
Iran’s delegation at the quadrilateral talks held the US and NATO accountable for Afghanistan’s current woes, noting that the 2025 humanitarian plan has secured just 1.27% of the required funds. This has led to renewed calls for the unfreezing of Afghan assets and the lifting of sanctions to revive the country’s economy.

Meanwhile, the Taliban’s recent restrictions on fiber-optic internet have further isolated Afghanistan, particularly affecting women who relied on the internet for remote work, online education, and selling handmade goods through digital platforms. Critics argue that the ban is a tool of control, severing what was once a “last lifeline” for many Afghan women.