The leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party also said that Pakistan has provided the use of its airspace to the United States over the past twenty years.
Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, the leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, denied Pakistani officials’ claims about terrorists entering Pakistan from Afghanistan.
The leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party also said that Pakistan has provided the use of its airspace to the United States over the past twenty years to attack border areas of Afghanistan.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman said: “They gave bases to attack Afghans, they gave airspace to attack Afghans. Have they ever complained to you, asking ‘why are airplanes taking off from your airports and attacking us?’ They never complained about the planes, nor about the bombings. You destroyed thousands of people with your planes for twenty years, you destroyed tribes.”
The Islamic Emirate said that anti-security incidents in Pakistan have no connection to Afghanistan, and this country should seek the roots of anti-security incidents within its own territory.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, told TOLOnews: “Sometimes when there is insecurity there, it is not related to Afghanistan because all incidents happen on their soil in different provinces, hundreds of kilometers away from the Durand Line.”
Amid increasing anti-security incidents over the past two years in Pakistan, senior military and political officials of this country have occasionally claimed that Afghan soil is being used against this country.
“The TTP issue is an internal matter of Pakistan. Instead of turning it into a project, it is better for Afghanistan and Pakistan, as neighboring and Islamic countries, to seek each other’s political stability and security in responding to the demands of the people,” Nasir Shafiq, a political analyst, told TOLOnews.
This comes as anti-security incidents in Pakistan over the past three years have cast a shadow over relations between Kabul and Islamabad.
Fazl-ur-Rehman Denies Claims of Attacks From Afghan Soil on Pakistan
The Russian Defense Minister, Andrey Belousov, has stated that the situation in Afghanistan highlights the necessity of strengthening Tajikistan’s borders and taking other measures to ensure regional stability.
According to the TASS news agency, Andrey Belousov said on Friday, May 31, at a meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Almaty, Kazakhstan, that Afghanistan remains the primary source of instability in Central Asia.
He was, recently appointed as the Russian Defense Minister, and stated that numerous “radical” groups had gained a foothold in Afghanistan and were increasingly striving to promote their ideas in neighboring countries.
He added, “The risk of the spread of banditry and terrorism beyond the country, Afghanistan, is increasing.”
According to him, all of this requires “continuous monitoring and swift action to ensure regional stability.”
The Russian Defense Minister pointed out that these actions include efforts to strengthen the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
Russia and its allies in Central Asia consider the activities of quasi-military groups in northern Afghanistan, bordering Tajikistan, as a threat.
These countries have repeatedly expressed concerns about the infiltration of these groups into Central Asia.
Russian officials’ warnings about terrorist activities in Afghanistan continue as Russia seeks to expand relations with the Taliban and considers the option of removing this group from the list of terrorist organizations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently stated that the Taliban are the current authorities in Afghanistan and establishing relations with this group is essential.
Russian defense minister urges Tajikistan border strengthening amid threat of terrorism from Afghanistan
According to Mujahid, the relationship between Kabul and Beijing is expanding with each passing day.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said that the interim government has official interactions with China, and Beijing has been striving to invest in various sectors in Afghanistan.
According to Mujahid, the relationship between Kabul and Beijing is expanding with each passing day.
The spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate said: “The relationship between Afghanistan and China is in a very good state. We have official interactions and exchanges, especially with China making significant efforts to invest in Afghanistan’s economic sector.”
At the same time, Sultan Barakat, a university professor in Qatar, said that China plays an important role in Afghanistan’s progress.
He told Reuters news outlet that China’s words are heard more in Afghanistan than those of others.
Sultan Barakat, a professor and researcher in Doha, said: “China can create significant progress in Afghanistan, and their words are heard more than others in Afghanistan.”
But is China a reliable neighbor for Afghanistan?
“We should proceed with great caution with China because China is not interested in the people of Afghanistan but in Afghanistan’s mines. Afghanistan should be able to use that to its advantage,” Salim Paigir, a political analyst, told TOLOnews.
“China generally has a soft policy towards Afghanistan. We should take advantage of this point, and China needs Afghanistan,” said Mohammad Emal Dostyar, an international relations analyst.
Since the return to power of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan, although no country, including China, has recognized the Islamic Emirate, China, in an unprecedented move, accepted Bilal Karimi as the ambassador of the Islamic Emirate in Beijing.
Islamic Emirate: Relations Between Kabul and Beijing ‘Expanding’
Abdul Qayum Karzai was one of the figures who participated in the Bonn Conference in 2001.
Abdul Qayum Karzai, brother of former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, passed away yesterday (Thursday) at the age of 77 in the state of Maryland, USA.
He was born in 1947 in the village of Karz in Kandahar. Abdul Qayum’s father, Abdul Ahad Karzai, was an influential tribal elder and served in the National Assembly of Afghanistan during the reign of King Zahir Shah.
Shahzada Masoud, a close associate of Abdul Qayum Karzai, said: “As far as I know, Qayum Khan Karzai, for the past four decades, was a person who frequently traveled from the United States to his country and made significant efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to this nation.”
Abdul Qayum Karzai completed his primary education at Mirwais Khan Nika School in the village of Karz, Kandahar, and then studied political science and economics in the United States.
Abdul Qayum Karzai was one of the figures who participated in the Bonn Conference in 2001.
In 1384 (solar year), Karzai was elected as the representative of the people of Kandahar in the Wolesi Jirga; however, he later resigned from this position by his own decision.
He was also a candidate in the 1393 (solar year) Afghan presidential elections.
Several political figures in the country, including Abdullah Abdullah, the former Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, expressed condolences over Abdul Qayum Karzai’s death and added that Mr. Karzai was a patriotic man.
Nemat Hanif, a poet and writer, said: “The family was very good and dedicated to serving our country. They always thought about how to serve the country in various ways and means.”
Abdul Qayum Karzai, the elder brother of former President Hamid Karzai, passed away on Thursday, at the age of 77 due to illness in the state of Maryland, USA.
The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said that special representatives of countries have been invited to attend the Doha meeting to create “greater clarity and coordination” in the global response to the situation in Afghanistan.
Stephane Dujarric stated that human rights and women’s rights are important priorities for this meeting.
On Tuesday, May 28, in a press conference, the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson said that the UN will continue to engage with the Taliban. He said, “We continue our current engagement with the current rulers of Afghanistan because they are the rulers of Afghanistan.”
Dujarric added that the UN consistently and continuously raises the issue of women’s and girls’ rights with the Taliban, rights which, according to him, women and girls in Afghanistan have been deprived of.
Meanwhile, recently The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a review meeting for the third Doha meeting’s agenda and has approved participation.
Meanwhile, most of the country especially regional states have urged the Taliban to form an inclusive government, and respect diversity and ethnic rights, human rights and women’s rights including education and employment however, the Taliban claim that it’s an internal matter of the country and their government is inclusive.
The third Doha meeting is scheduled to be held on June 30 and July 1.
UN Spokesperson: Human and women’s rights in Afghanistan top priority at Doha meeting
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has announced that Afghanistan needs food assistance. Seventy-seven percent of the Afghan population faces an “emergency level of food crisis.”
On Wednesday, May 29, this organization released a statement calling for a strategy tailored to the region’s climate to aid in the growth and self-sufficiency of agriculture in the country.
The statement mentioned that 15.8 million people in Afghanistan are “severely food insecure.”
The Food and Agriculture Organization also reported the distribution of some wheat seeds to farmers.
According to the organization’s report, out of these, 4 million people, including 3.2 million children under five years old, suffer from “acute malnutrition,” and 3.4 million others are in the “emergency phase.”
Several humanitarian aid agencies and the United Nations have previously warned of an increasing emergency level of food insecurity in Afghanistan.
Reports indicate that the return of refugees and the rise in natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes, have increased this need.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also requested $3.06 billion to address humanitarian aid in Afghanistan.
UN: 27% of people in Afghanistan facing food crisis
Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, described the situation of women in Afghanistan as an example of lost rights.
Several United Nations officials expressed concern over the situation of women in Afghanistan during a meeting titled “Women, Youth Must Have Greater Participation in Peacebuilding Efforts” in New York.
Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, described the situation of women in Afghanistan as an example of lost rights.
The main issues discussed at the meeting included the rights of women in Afghanistan, particularly the prohibition of girls from attending universities and secondary schools.
DiCarlo said at the meeting: “Ultimately, it comes down to a simple vision — of overcoming obstacles that deny the full contribution of women.”
Sima Bahous, Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), said: “1.1 million girls are without schooling since the 2021 ban in Afghanistan.”
Meanwhile, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, emphasized the importance of engaging with current Afghan officials while also stressing the need to ensure the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Dujarric said: “We continue on the same path in terms of Afghanistan which is engaging with the de facto authorities, because they are the de facto authorities in Afghanistan. We also continue to push them constantly and continuously on the issue of the rights of women and girls which are their rights to have which are being denied on a daily basis almost across the border.”
However, the Islamic Emirate reiterated that women’s rights in Afghanistan are ensured within the framework of Islamic law.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said: “Men and women in Afghanistan have rights, and the Islamic Emirate is committed to providing those rights as endorsed by Islamic law. The Islamic Emirate strives to address the rights of all citizens of the country.”
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s representative at the UN Human Rights Council emphasized efforts towards gender equality in Afghanistan and called for the removal of restrictions on women and girls in the country.
UN Officials Concerned About Situation of Women in Afghanistan
Three Spanish travellers and three Afghans were killed and five others, including McDowell, were severely injured.
Islamic State has reportedly claimed responsibility.
Three Spanish tourists and an Afghan shot dead in Afghanistan attack
McDowell said he was chatting with his travelling companions in a van in a shopping district when the gunman opened fire.T
“It was rapid, like ‘bang, bang, bang, bang’ … like firecrackers,” he told Australian Associated Press on Thursday.
McDowell, an engineer from Perth, said the gunman – who was armed with an AK-47 Kalashnikov rifle – fired into a shop that some of the group was in before turning on the van.
“Bullets started coming through the windscreen … We were fish in a barrel,” he said.
“I flung the door open and ran … Then I felt a slap on the arse.”
McDowell had been shot in the right buttock from close range as he attempted to escape the hail of bullets but did not realise at the time.
“I spun around and he was looking at me, pointing the gun,” he said.
The avid hockey player dropped to the ground and rolled under a car, fearing for his life.
“He came and stood beside the car … and I thought this is where he’s going to squat down and shoot under the car,” McDowell said.
“That was the moment I thought ‘I might die here’. I wasn’t scared. It all happened too quickly. I had too much adrenaline.”
The gunman continued firing indiscriminately. Three of McDowell’s tour group who were trapped in the van suffered serious gunshot wounds.
Watching the gunman’s feet, McDowell saw him turn and take a few steps away from the car, allowing him time to “wriggle out” and run to safety down an adjoining alleyway.
After the shooting stopped, McDowell walked back to the van and shops, where he found a gruesome scene and the bodies of two of the three dead tourists from his group.
“We’d only known each other for a couple of days, but when you’re in that sort of environment you become mates quickly. It’s just so senseless.”
McDowell and the other survivors were taken to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment before being transferred to a Kabul hospital, where he had surgery to remove bullet fragments from his buttock.
“It hit my arse cheek and burst and left a heap of shrapnel,” he said.
He has since been able to fly out of Afghanistan with his fellow travellers and was expected to return to Australia in the coming days.
McDowell said he had no doubt the gunman, who fled the scene, was targeting tourists.
Multiple foreign tourism companies offer package tours to Afghanistan, often visiting cities such as Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif and Bamiyan.
Bamyan is home to a Unesco world heritage site and the remains of two giant Buddha statues the Taliban blew up during their previous rule of Afghanistan in 2001.
‘We were fish in a barrel’: Australian tourist describes deadly Islamic State attack in Afghanistan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Taliban administration has announced a meeting to review the agenda for the third Doha meeting and has given a green light for participation.
According to a press release shared by Hafiz Zia Ahmad, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Taliban, on social media platform X, the Ministry’s Center for Strategic Studies held a meeting under the framework of what is called an “academic discussion” titled “Doha 3: The de facto administration’s Interaction with the International Community.”
As the main speaker, Zakir Jalali, the head of the third political department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reviewed the previous Doha meetings and stated that there was a positive change in the interaction between the organizers and the hosts of the third meeting.
He mentioned that in the past few days, many delegations have come to Kabul to facilitate the Taliban delegation’s participation in the future.
Mr. Jalali also added that the Taliban “will participate in the main discussions of the third meeting of special representatives for Afghanistan.”
Zakir Jalali clarified that the Taliban is waiting to receive the full details of the Doha meeting agenda from the United Nations and will make the final decision after receiving them.
The Taliban representatives did not participate in the second Doha meeting because they described their demands as not being met.
The third Doha meeting will be held on June 30 and July 1, 2024, in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
Afghan Taliban likely to accept invitation to third Doha meeting
Afghanistan Peace Campaign
