The Solidarity Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) has issued a pressing call to the Swedish government, urging immediate and long-term action to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

In a statement released during its annual meeting, the SCA warned that Afghanistan is on the brink of catastrophe.

“The people of Afghanistan are suffering severely from poverty and oppression,” the organization said, citing mass forced returns from Pakistan and Iran, with hundreds of thousands of refugees flooding back into a country already stretched beyond capacity.

With half of Afghanistan’s population in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and millions lacking access to healthcare, education, and clean water, the situation is rapidly deteriorating.

The effects of climate change, including recurring droughts and floods, have further exacerbated living conditions, while international sanctions and the diplomatic isolation of the taliban-led government continue to harm ordinary civilians.

The SCA strongly condemned the Islamic Emirate’s restrictions on women’s education and participation in public life, calling them “a violation of their most fundamental rights.”

The organization emphasized that the IEA must take responsibility for the Afghan people and prioritize the expansion of essential services, especially in health and education, while ensuring respect for the rights of girls and women.

The committee also expressed alarm over recent aid cuts, particularly by the United States.

The solidarity committee urged Sweden to take the lead in supporting Afghanistan through three key actions:

Develop an urgent plan to help mitigate the crisis and provide direct humanitarian support; formulate a long-term strategy to enable Afghans to escape poverty through secure livelihoods and reliable access to education and healthcare; and to work actively to reopen international dialogue and break the stalemate in engagement with Afghanistan’s authorities.

“Sweden cannot stand idly by,” the statement concluded. “Our country has long stood for human rights, gender equality, and international solidarity — principles that must now be upheld through decisive action in Afghanistan.”

United Nations Special Representative for Afghanistan Roza Otunbayeva will brief the UN Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan this month.

Scheduled as part of the Security Council’s quarterly consultations, the meeting will focus on Afghanistan’s ongoing crisis and the challenges facing humanitarian aid, the UNSC said in a statement.

Briefings will be delivered by Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA); Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women; and a senior official from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

UNAMA’s mandate remains in effect until 17 March 2025, but the June meeting will provide an opportunity for the Council to assess the mission’s role amid Afghanistan’s escalating crisis.

The consultations will be held in accordance with resolution 2615, which stresses the importance of unimpeded humanitarian access.

Humanitarian leaders hope the session will renew global attention—and urgently needed funding—for one of the world’s most neglected emergencies.

The stage is set for a historic showdown in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) final as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad today, Tuesday June 3. 

Both franchises are vying for their maiden IPL title, ensuring that a new champion will be crowned tonight.

Road to the Final

RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, secured their spot in the final by defeating PBKS in Qualifier 1. 

The team has been bolstered by stellar performances from Virat Kohli, who has amassed 614 runs this season, and Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, who has taken 21 wickets. 

PBKS, under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, earned their place in the final after a high-scoring victory against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2. 

Iyer has been instrumental, scoring six half-centuries this season. This marks PBKS’s first final appearance since 2014. 

Key Players to Watch

Virat Kohli (RCB): With consistent high scores, Kohli aims to lead RCB to their first IPL title.

At 36, Kohli has stepped away from Test and T20 international cricket, following a triumphant run with India in the 2023 World Cup and this year’s Champions Trophy. But the IPL trophy—still missing from his cabinet—remains his burning ambition.

Affectionately dubbed “King Kohli,” he is the IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer and the only player to remain with a single franchise—RCB—for all 18 seasons since the league began in 2008. Kohli has experienced final defeats in 2009, 2011, and 2016, but fans hope that the number on his jersey—18—will bring luck in RCB’s 18th season.

Josh Hazlewood (RCB): His effective bowling has been crucial in RCB’s journey to the final. In fact he is one of the most dependable fast bowlers in the world, and is a T20 World Cup and IPL winner. 

Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): As captain, Iyer’s leadership and batting prowess have been pivotal for PBKS.

Iyer has been Punjab’s best batter this season. He has led from the front, scored over 600 runs and played a match-winning knock in Qualifier 2 to carry his team to the final. However, he faces a specific threat in the form of Hazlewood.

Hazlewood has dismissed Iyer twice in three meetings this season.

What stands out is Hazlewood’s control in the powerplay and his ability to hit that good length, which Iyer often struggles to attack early in the innings. In Qualifier 1, Iyer lost patience and gifted his wicket while trying to counter Hazlewood.

In the final, Hazlewood will probably once again target Iyer early. If he succeeds, it could send a big jolt to Punjab’s batting plans and given the track record, Hazlewood holds the upper hand in this personal battle.

Fan Zone

Fans across Afghanistan can tune in to Ariana Television to watch the match tonight, Tuesday June 3, from 5:30pm.