KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Local sources in Nangarhar say the Taliban have forced residents of the province to participate in a protest against Pakistan, in some cases by offering cash payments.
According to the sources, the gathering was held on Saturday (March 7) at the football stadium in Jalalabad city.
The sources said Taliban authorities had instructed tribal elders in the provincial center and districts of Nangarhar to bring at least 20 people each to the rally.
They also said that participants were given 1,000 Afghanis in cash to attend the protest.
In recent days, the Taliban have reported public demonstrations in several provinces in support of the group and against Pakistan. However, local sources say many people are attending these gatherings under pressure or coercion.
The protests come amid escalating tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan. Fighting between Taliban forces and Pakistani border troops has continued for more than a week along parts of the Afghanistan–Pakistan border.
The latest escalation began last Thursday evening when Taliban forces launched what they called a retaliatory operation against Pakistani positions following Pakistani airstrikes in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. Pakistan has conducted further airstrikes since then.
According to figures from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Pakistani attacks inside Afghanistan during this period have resulted in 185 civilian casualties, including those killed and injured.
The recent clashes highlight the growing tensions between the Taliban administration and Pakistan, as both sides accuse each other of violating border sovereignty and contributing to instability along the frontier.
Relations between Pakistan and the Taliban-led Afghan government have deteriorated since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Islamabad accuses the Taliban of sheltering Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders and enabling cross-border attacks, an allegation the Taliban deny.
