Russia seeking to undermine US reputation in Afghan, S. Asia

Agencies

August 26, 2017

Washington, Aug 26: Russia is seeking to undermine American reputation in Afghanistan and South Asia region, a senior US official has said after Moscow termed President Donald Trump's new strategy for Afghanistan as a 'dead end'.

"Well, I think that Russia's reaction is very predictable. They've been starting some very unhelpful propaganda with regard the US role in Afghanistan. You've probably seen Russian officials trying to claim that the US is supporting ISIS in Afghanistan, which is a fictitious statement," a senior administration official told reporters during a conference call.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity was responding to questions on Russian scepticism over Trump's new policy on Afghanistan and South Asia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had told reporters yesterday in Moscow that the new Afghan strategy is a "dead end".

The strategy "puts emphasis on force" he said.

According to the US official, the Russian reaction was predictable.

"Unfortunately, I think the Russians have taken a very tactical view here, and they are seeking to undermine our reputation in the region, and so false information about US objectives," the official said.

Explaining that the Afghan and South Asia strategy is not a military only strategy, the official said that this is a strong, diplomatic, political element, even economic element to the strategy.

"So it's just factually incorrect to say that this is an overly militaristic strategy. But it doesn't surprise me because I think the Russians see themselves as competitors for influence in the region, and so there role has not been particularly helpful over the last several months in Afghanistan," the official said.

According to the official, the US thinks that they are genuinely concerned about Islamic State, and this is driving them to consider the support to the Taliban.

"But I think that's a short-sighted policy as well. So they have not been particularly helpful in terms of supporting what the US is trying to do in the region, which is unfortunate," the official added.

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Pak jail authorities say Imran Khan is alive and healthy after ‘murder’ rumours spark panic

News Network

November 27,2025

Authorities at Pakistan’s high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Wednesday dismissed speculation about the condition of imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, rejecting rumours that he had been moved out of the facility or was in danger. Officials said Khan was in “good health” and described the viral death claims as “baseless.”

“There is no truth to reports about his transfer from Adiala Jail,” the Rawalpindi prison administration said in a statement, according to Geo News. “He is fully healthy and receiving complete medical attention.”

Amid swirling rumours on social media, Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), urged the federal government to issue an official clarification and demanded that authorities allow his family to meet him immediately, Dawn reported.

The frenzy began after Khan’s three sisters called for an impartial probe into what they described as a “brutal” police assault on them and other PTI supporters outside Adiala Jail last week. Soon after, several social media handles circulated unverified claims alleging that Khan had been “killed” inside the prison.

The rumours intensified when a handle named “Afghanistan Times” claimed that “credible sources” had confirmed Khan’s “murder” and that his body had been moved out of the jail — allegations that have not been verified by any credible agency.

Imran Khan, PTI’s patron-in-chief, has been lodged in the Rawalpindi prison since August 2023 in multiple cases. For over a month, an undeclared restriction has prevented family members and senior PTI leaders from meeting him. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has reportedly been denied access despite making seven attempts.

In a letter to Punjab Police Chief Usman Anwar, Khan’s sisters — Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan, and Dr. Uzma Khan — said they were “peacefully protesting” outside the jail when police allegedly launched an unprovoked assault after streetlights were switched off.

“At 71, I was seized by my hair, thrown to the ground and dragged across the road,” Noreen Niazi said, alleging that other women present were also slapped and manhandled.

Adiala Jail officials reiterated that speculation over Imran Khan’s health was unfounded and insisted that his well-being was being ensured, Geo News reported.

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