The directive applies to both Card holders and those without documents. From 1st April they will be forcibly expelled, but the advice is to ‘leave voluntarily’ before the deadline. Human rights groups are concerned. Meanwhile, at the Torkham crossing, tribal leaders from both sides have signed a truce.

The young son of a bishop of the (Protestant) Church of North India died and two women were raped in a crime committed at a well-known tourist site. The Catholic bishop of Bellary, Mgr D'Souza, calls for “culture of safety and security for all women".

A Taliban minister and the Iranian ambassador met in Kabul to discuss the return of Afghans to their country of origin, with an Afghan delegation set to travel to the Iranian capital. An NGO reported the recent killing by Iranian border guards of Afghan migrants (260 dead and wounded, according to some sources).

Enforcement is overseen by the Ministry of Morality. Over the past year more than 13,000 people detained, half of them held for 24 hours. Specific rules are also provided for the media, such as a ban on showing images of living beings. Sanctions include counseling, warnings of divine punishment, verbal threats, confiscation of property, and detention.

Women in administrative positions who do not work regularly will see their salaries reduced to 5,000 Afghanis (US$ 70). Yet it is the Taliban regime that prevents women from leaving their home. Despite several rounds of talks, the international community has not yet found a solution to resolve the political and economic stalemate in Afghanistan.