‘Jihad capital of world’: What references to Pakistan in Epstein files say

Documents from the UD Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein

• Leaked emails reveal Epstein got reports on Pakistan's tribal areas
• Emails covered polio campaigns, Taliban changes, and local politics
• Updates mixed polio work with intelligence on militant leadership

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Fresh disclosures cited by The Express Tribune have drawn attention to a set of emails from 2013 and 2015 that place Pakistan’s tribal belt at the centre of unusual correspondence linked to convicted sex offender and American financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Far removed from the financial scandals that dominated global headlines after his 2019 arrest and death in custody, these communications reference polio operations, Taliban leadership shifts, and detailed situation reports routed through a humanitarian institution.

The Express Tribune reported that the emails show field updates from Pakistan’s then Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) being passed along institutional channels before reaching Epstein, who had no formal role in public health or government.

‘The jihad capital of the world’

In one message dated April 30, 2013, a field operative, Nasra Hassan, described leaving Peshawar, calling it “the jihad capital of the world”. She apologised for limited communication due to “constant bombings in and around town, pre-elections turbulence,” as Pakistan headed into national polls amid militant violence.

According to the report, Hassan said she had engaged with representatives from all seven tribal agencies in FATA -- long viewed as strongholds of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda during the height of the 'War on Terror'. She also mentioned meetings with the FATA secretary health and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa secretary health, noting prior work “in peacekeeping in Kosovo.”

Security scrutiny was routine, she wrote, adding that officials “are based in everrry hotel lobby.” However, she claimed that her “Paki name and the subject of polio disarmed them.”

Most strikingly, Hassan stated she “managed via Fixer to speak on cellphone to a senior Taliban guy about their position on polio.” The message, forwarded through the International Peace Institute (IPI), eventually reached Epstein. The Express Tribune suggested that such routing indicated a structured reporting chain rather than a casual exchange.

Polio, funding, and ‘your mechanism’

The emails also delved into funding conversations. Hassan reported that “FATA about to sign MOU with UAE Govt, which will give a huge grant covering all polio vaccination campaigns 100% for the next 3 years!”

In the same chain, a note from Boris Nikolic read: “BTW – Bill raised all money for Polio. Even more than he needed. Can you imagine with your mechanism?” The reference to “Bill” is mentioned in the report in the context of global polio fundraising, though the emails themselves do not elaborate.

Hassan’s on-ground assessment differed from standard explanations for vaccine resistance. She wrote that “religion-based refusal is a very tiny part, the rest is pressure tactics, one-upmanship, and the vast amount of jobs & money involved.” The Express Tribune said this reflected a granular reading of local power equations, where aid flows are often entangled with patronage networks.

Taliban succession briefing

A separate email dated August 10, 2015 shifted focus from public health to high-level militant politics. The message analysed the fallout after the death of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, whose passing had been concealed for two years.

The briefing stated that Mullah Akhtar Mansour “appears to be gaining ground” in the leadership contest, with “pro-Mansour voices” outweighing opponents. It named Maulana Samiul Haq as “the teacher of the majority of the Afghan Taliban leaders at his madrassa, including Mullah Omar,” and described him as “pro-PEP” -- referring to the Polio Eradication Programme.

The document further observed that “there is no other senior figure who poses a serious challenge to Mullah Mansour.” It noted manoeuvres to convene “a large gathering of clerics” to endorse him, while warning that “AA/Northern Alliance/NDS forces” were targeting such assemblies.

On regional dynamics, the message recorded that Pakistani security forces “are still in control of the process” and were “very active in trying to get all their chickens in one coop.” It also remarked that the US “would like the Rounds to proceed & begin to yield results before Prez Obama’s term ends” but were “simultaneously miffed as to why ISI did not support ‘their’ Doha process.”

Humanitarian work or cover?

The Express Tribune said that updates on the Polio Eradication Programme appeared alongside intelligence-style assessments of Taliban politics. The briefing concluded that “violence & insecurity affect PEP delivery in the field and the attention of the Kabul authorities is focused elsewhere.”