8am: Farhad Basharyar, a counternarcotics expert, says drug trafficking is one of the Taliban’s sources of funding. According to him, the Taliban have set up drug processing laboratories inside Afghanistan. He claims that these laboratories previously operated in Pakistan’s tribal areas. The expert believes that the dependence of part of the Taliban’s revenue on the drug trade, together with broad demand in global markets, is among the factors behind the continuation of trafficking. He adds that alongside natural drugs, the spread of synthetic drugs, including narcotic tablets, methamphetamine (known as “shisha”) and crystal meth, has also become a serious challenge in Afghanistan. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban Builds Second Drone Operations Centre in Badakhshan
Afghanistan International: Sources say the Taliban has opened a second drone operations centre near the governor’s office in Badakhshan amid rising insecurity and repeated attacks on Taliban facilities in the province. According to the sources, the Taliban plans to establish additional drone operations centres across Badakhshan. The main purpose of the new centre is said to be protecting the governor’s office and Taliban institutions in the old city of Faizabad, the provincial capital. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – October 19, 2026
Afghanistan-Pakistan Trade Plunges 74 Precent To $358 Million
Afghanistan International: New figures in Pakistan show bilateral trade with Afghanistan fell by more than 74 percent in the latest financial year, dropping from $1.3 billion to around $358 million. According to data from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, the diplomatic deadlock and the continued closure of major border crossings, including Torkham, Chaman, Kharlachi, Ghulam Khan and Angoor Ada, are the main reasons for the unprecedented decline in trade. Click here to read more (external link).
Afghanistan’s Ali Sajad Hamraz Defeats Myanmar Opponent in Para Taekwondo
Khaama: Afghanistan’s para taekwondo athlete Ali Sajad Hamraz will compete for a bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Japan after winning his opening bout against a Myanmar opponent and losing his second match to Taiwanese representative. He will now face a competitor from Mongolia in a match for the bronze medal, the committee said. The Asian Para Games bring together athletes with disabilities from across Asia to compete in a range of sports. The 2026 edition features 18 sports and participants from more than 40 countries and territories, according to reports. Click here to read more (external link).
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Kandahar Residents Say Taliban Municipality Keeps Them in a Bureaucratic Maze Until They Pay Bribes
8am: Gul Mohammad (pseudonym), a resident of District 7 of Kandahar city, says that bribes are also demanded from people under various pretexts during the permit process. He stresses that he was referred to the Taliban’s Directorate of Agriculture to obtain an opinion on his land, but after three weeks, a Taliban official in that office wrote the opinion for him in exchange for a bribe of 14,000 Afghanis. Gul Mohammad adds: “If I had not paid this money, they would have demanded a Sharia-based property deed covering 40 years for that same land. If you do not pay, not even one percent of your work moves forward.” Click here to read more (external link).
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Tolo News in Dari – October 18, 2026
Human Rights Defenders Call for End to Forced Evictions in Omid-e Sabz Township
Hazaras (file photo)
8am: Most residents of the township are Shia Hazaras, and these pressures threaten the livelihoods, health, and security of thousands of them. According to the signatories, approximately 11,500 families, comprising nearly 80,000 people, are at risk of displacement. Click here to read more (external link).
ACL: League leaders Sorkh Poshan claim another 3 points
Ariana: Sorkh Poshan Khafi continued their impressive run in Afghanistan Champions League Season 6, beating Aino Mina 2-1 in Kabul on Sunday, October 18, to strengthen their position at the top of the standings. In the second Afghanistan Champions League (ACL) match of the day, Sorkh Poshan showed their quality to secure all three points against an Aino Mina side looking to improve its position in the competition. Afghanistan Champions League Season 6 features 10 clubs and 90 matches, with the team finishing on the most points set to lift the trophy. Click here to read more (external link).
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Other Sports News
Clashes Erupt Between Taliban and Pakistan in Paktia’s Dand Patan District
8am: Local sources say clashes have erupted between the Taliban and Pakistani forces in the Dand Patan district of Paktia province, with Pakistan firing artillery shells toward the area. Sources told the Hasht-e Subh Daily on Saturday evening, October 17, that several civilians had been trapped inside their homes following the clashes, while some families had also fled their homes. Click here to read more (external link).