Pakistan reopened its southwestern border crossing with Afghanistan allowing goods to cross into the country as NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg urged "negotiated settlement" with the Taliban amid heavy heavy fighting with Afghan troops.

'Deeply challenging': NATO urges 'negotiated settlement' with Taliban

Afghanistan deployed more than 100,000 troops and police on Friday (September 27) to guard polling stations in a presidential election due to be held at the weekend which the Taliban has threatened to disrupt with suicide bombings and rocket attacks.

Afghanistan bolsters security as Taliban threatens presidential poll

Afghans are set to head to polls on Saturday (September 28) to choose the country's new leader. Some 9.6 million voters have registered, in a country with a population of about 32 million.

Violence and fraud overshadow Afghanistan poll

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's election rally was hit by a powerful blast in central Parwan province on Tuesday with several people reportedly killed in the attack.

Afghanistan: At least 24 killed in blast in Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's election rally

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani agreed that it was time to "accelerate efforts" to end the war in Afghanistan, the State Department said on Thursday. Pompeo and Ghani spoke by phone on Wednesday, the State Department said. Pompeo assured Ghani that the United States remains committed to a conditions-based drawdown of troops, according to the State Department. Violence flared in Kabul on Thursday, with two explosions taking place moments after a bus carrying government employees was hit by a blast, killing five people.

Pompeo, Ghani agree to 'accelerate efforts' to end war in Afghanistan: State Department

The Afghan government on Monday expressed dismay over the Taliban's refusal to call for a ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan despite repeated requests.

No major step taken on peace process so far: Afghan Chief Executive

US defence ministry said today that Afghan and US forces had caught Haji Mohammad Ramin, the intelligence chief of Taliban for northern Baghlan province. "Taliban intelligence chief for Baghlan, Haji Mohammad Ramin was caught alive by Afghan and US forces in Baghlan province," the Ministry of defence said in a statement.

Afghan Taliban intelligence chief caught in Baghlan

A historic "loya jirga" peace summit in Kabul ended Friday with delegates from across Afghanistan demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire and President Ashraf Ghani said he was conditionally prepared to implement the call.

Afghanistan loya jirga demands 'immediate and permanent' ceasefire

Afghanistan's supreme court on Sunday said it had extended the term of President Ashraf Ghani until delayed elections take place - resolving, for now, the question of what would happen after his term expires on May 22.

Afghan supreme court extends President Ashraf Ghani's term until delayed elections

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday embarked on a visit to Germany to attend an international security conference in Munich where leaders and defence experts from across the world will discuss security issues.

Qureshi in Germany to attend Munich Security Conference

Acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan arrived in Afghanistan on a surprise visit Monday as the United States seeks to support the Kabul government while negotiating peace with the Taliban.

Acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan arrives in Afghanistan

Afghan president Ashraf Ghani called on the Taliban to "enter serious talks" with the government in Kabul Monday, following unprecedented marathon negotiations between the insurgents and the US in Qatar last week.

Afghan president Ghani calls on Taliban to 'enter serious talks' with Kabul

Multiple rockets hit the Afghan city of Ghazni on Thursday during a visit by President Ashraf Ghani, according to officials and residents of the city, which is still struggling to return to normal after it was overrun by Taliban fighters last month.

Rockets hit Afghan city during president Ghani's visit

Afghanistan's poverty rate has worsened sharply over the past five years as the economy has stalled and the Taliban insurgency has spread, with more than half the population living on less than a dollar a day, a survey published on Monday showed

Afghanistan's poverty rate rises as economy suffers

The announcement of the Al Khandaq campaign, named after the so-called Battle of the Trench, fought by the Prophet Mohammad to defend the city of Medina in the early days of Islam, marks the symbolic start of the fighting season.

Taliban announces spring offensive, dismisses peace overtures

The elections are considered a dry run for the presidential vote to be held in 2019 and a test of whether Afghanistan's Western-backed government can overcome past election problems of poor security and fraud.

Afghanistan sets October date for much-delayed elections

President Ghani is desperate to start negotiations with the Taliban by offering to recognise the Taliban as a legitimate political group, proposing a ceasefire and release of prisoners and holding “unconditional” talks.

Opinion: Afghanistan wants peace with Taliban but will it come?

The decision to oust the bearded strongman on December 18 has backfired badly on Ghani, who has been criticised for his poor timing and clumsy handling of the issue

Future president? Afghan strongman mulls bid for highest office