India Emphasizes on Expanding Relations with Afghanistan

Muttaqi also called for the facilitation of issuing commercial, health, and educational visas for Afghan citizens.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ joint secretary J.P Singh, said that New Delhi wants to expand its relations with Kabul in both political and economic sectors.

The Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi quoting J.P Singh said on X that he expressed optimism about security provision, combating Daesh, and narcotics during his meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Foreign Minister.

“The two sides discussed relations between the two countries in diplomatic and economic sectors. India is one of the important countries in the region, and the Islamic Emirate wants to ensure good relations with India,” Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, said.

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Foreign Minister, appreciated India’s humanitarian aid in this meeting and called for strengthening of Kabul’s relations with New Delhi.

Muttaqi also called for the facilitation of issuing commercial, health, and educational visas for Afghan citizens.

“First, a constitution is formed, which clearly defines foreign policy, and based on that, we will have a codified foreign policy, through which we actively maintain relations with other countries without reacting, defining our friends and enemies,” Rashid Qutbzadeh, a political analyst, told TOLOnews.

Meanwhile, J.P Singh discussed increasing trade from Afghanistan to India, and solving the challenges of traders from both sides in a separate meeting with some Afghan investors at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The Chamber of Commerce’s request was for India to issue visas to Afghan traders so they can conduct their trade between Afghanistan and India effectively,” Khairuddin Mayel, deputy of ACCI said.

At the same time, former President Hamid Karzai, during his meeting with India’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, called for New Delhi’s increased cooperation in the education sector in Afghanistan.

India Emphasizes on Expanding Relations with Afghanistan
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Calls for Improvement of Women’s Situation on Intl Women’s Day

Hamid Karzai on International Women’s Day called on the caretaker government to reopen the doors of schools and universities for girls.

Today (Friday) is March 8th, International Women’s Day.

The former president Hamid Karzai on International Women’s Day called on the caretaker government to reopen the doors of schools and universities for girls.

Karzai said in a statement that to achieve progress, evolution, and freedom from dependency, it is essential to pay serious attention to the education and job opportunities for women and to provide an environment for the growth and flourishing of the bright talents of girls in the country.

The former president said that the future of Afghanistan also depends on the solidarity and meaningful participation of both women and men of the country.

“According to history, Afghan women have had a significant presence side by side with men in all developments and arenas, especially in the struggles for independence, and have established their role and position as responsible members of society,” he said.

Meanwhile, Abdullah Abdullah, the former chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, said that women have the duty to educate the next generation and guide society towards goodness and success.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in a statement also called on the Afghan caretaker government to end the restrictions imposed on women in Afghanistan.

The statement quoted Roza Otunbayeva, the head of UNAMA, as saying: “As we mark this year’s International Women’s Day, the global theme of ‘invest in women’ should be a moment when we redouble our efforts to unlock even greater progress.”

The World Health Organization in Afghanistan has also said that investing in Afghan women is the cornerstone of building an inclusive society, and the progress of Afghan women will benefit everyone.

The European Union has also issued a message on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

The EU wrote on X: Our EU Chargée and colleagues — stand strong and acknowledge the importance of equality, rights and opportunities for women across Afghanistan and worldwide.”

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, emphasizing the Islamic Emirate’s consistent stance, told TOLOnews that effective steps have been taken by the Islamic Emirate to secure women’s rights in Afghanistan and the Islamic Emirate remains committed to women’s rights within the framework of Islam.

“The problems our sisters in Afghanistan faced, such as being deprived of rights in their marriage, not being paid inheritance, being forced into marriage, and our widow sisters who were not able to decide for their own, were addressed by a decree that covered eight issues and required courts to take effective steps in this issue and to follow up on the matter very seriously, and other issues are also being addressed by the Islamic Emirate,” Mujahid said.

International Women’s Day originated from a labor movement in North America and Europe and became a significant event recognized by the United Nations, celebrated worldwide annually.

Calls for Improvement of Women’s Situation on Intl Women’s Day
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On Intl Women’s Day, Afghan Women Demand Rights

They said that the lack of the right to work and education poses serious challenges for women and girls in the country.

On International Women’s Day, some women in the country called on the Islamic Emirate to ensure their rights fully.

They said that the lack of the right to work and education poses serious challenges for women and girls in the country.

22 year-old Wajiha said that going to school and university for girls, and also women having the right to work, has become a dream for her.

“It is International Women’s Day, and we urge the Islamic Emirate to remove restrictions on women and allow them to study, learn, and work,” she said.

Some women in the capital, in separate programs marking the occasion, asked the Islamic Emirate for meaningful participation and involvement in society.

“As half of the society, with a significant number of women and journalists representing this half today — each working in a media outlet is the voice of a woman whose voice is not heard from the farthest corners of Afghanistan,” said Shabnam, a journalist.

“Women who are present inside Afghanistan, you are not ordinary women, and congratulations on this day for you are different than congratulations in other countries,” said Fazila, a women’s rights activist.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate said on that the caretaker government is committed to ensuring full rights for women and efforts are being made to do more in areas where there is ambiguity for women.

“Efforts to create jobs and business opportunities for our sisters and to enhance their capacity in certain sectors continue, and the Islamic Emirate is committed to ensure the rights of women in the framework of Islamic Sharia,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.

Earlier, the leader of the Islamic Emirate emphasized the observance of some women’s rights within the framework of Islamic laws in a six-point decree.

International Women’s Day was first held in Germany in 1914 and has been celebrated annually worldwide since then.

On Intl Women’s Day, Afghan Women Demand Rights
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3rd CDP-G Conference on Afghanistan in Turkey wraps up

The 3rd CDP-G National Dialogue Conference on Afghanistan concluded in Antalya, Turkey, drawing a diverse array of participants including political figures, activists, and journalists from both within and outside Afghanistan. Over two days, discussions delved into critical topics such as sovereignty, legitimacy, and the role of civil society in shaping the nation’s future.

Among the key outcomes was the consensus among representatives of 14 civil society institutions to establish the Afghanistan Civil Society Complex. This initiative aims to foster coordination and collaboration among civil actors, both domestically and internationally, to address pressing issues facing Afghanistan.

Despite the overarching theme of peace, concerns were voiced regarding the simultaneous discussion of war-related matters during the conference. Political expert Ismail Gharni lamented this dual focus, advocating for a more singular emphasis on peace-building efforts.

Women’s rights activists played a prominent role in the dialogue, highlighting the imperative of women’s participation in political and social spheres. Adila Zamani, a leading advocate, emphasized the significance of authentic representation that accurately reflects the challenges faced by Afghan women.

Despite the constructive engagement of various stakeholders, the Taliban dismissed the conference as “unofficial.” This stance underscores ongoing tensions and divergent perspectives within Afghanistan’s political landscape, posing challenges to inclusive dialogue and consensus-building efforts.

Moving forward, the conference outcomes underscore the need for continued dialogue, inclusivity, and concerted efforts to address the multifaceted challenges confronting Afghanistan.

Following the Taliban’s assumption of power in Afghanistan, there has been widespread international and domestic pressure for the formation of an inclusive government that encompasses all ethnicities, genders, and religious affiliations.

Calls have been particularly strong for the protection of human rights, including women’s rights to education and employment. However, despite mounting criticism, the Taliban leadership has yet to effectively address these persistent challenges, raising concerns about the group’s commitment to fostering a truly inclusive and rights-respecting governance structure.

3rd CDP-G Conference on Afghanistan in Turkey wraps up
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US to halt Special Immigration Visa (SIV) issuance for Afghans

By Fidel Rahmati

International media reports indicate that the process of issuing special immigrant visas to Afghan citizens for the United States is coming to a close by the end of this year.

Reuters reported on Wednesday, March 6th, citing the US State Department that out of the 38,500 special visas allocated for Afghan citizens, only 8,000 remain.

According to the report, the issuance of the remaining visas will conclude by the third anniversary of the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan, meaning until August this year.

More than 38,000 SIVs were allocated by the US Congress to relocate local colleagues of American forces from Afghanistan to the US.

In addition to these visas, of which only 8,000 remain, the Biden administration had previously proposed a plan to issue an additional 20,000 immigrant visas for Afghan citizens to Congress. However, according to Reuters, the likelihood of Congress approving this plan is very slim.

International media reports indicate that the process of issuing special immigrant visas to Afghan citizens for the United States is coming to a close by the end of this year.

Reuters reported said that out of the 38,500 special visas allocated for Afghan citizens, only 8,000 remain.

US to halt Special Immigration Visa (SIV) issuance for Afghans
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Afghanistan: Judge hunted by Taliban wins court case against UK government

By Sean Seddon

BBC News
7 March 2024
An Afghan judge who has been forced to go into hiding from the Taliban was wrongly refused relocation to the UK, the High Court has ruled.

The anonymous claimant prosecuted Taliban and Islamic State group members, and has since avoided an assassination attempt, the court heard.

The UK government argued he had not worked closely enough with the UK in Afghanistan to qualify for relocation.

A UK government spokesperson says officials are “considering” the ruling.

The Afghan judge is currently in hiding in an unspecified third country with his wife and children, two of whom are in poor health, it emerged in court.

He lives with the constant “risk that they may be forcibly returned to Afghanistan”, according to a ruling in his favour.

Zoe Cooley, the claimant’s solicitor, said the government had a “moral, as well as a legal, responsibility to bring our client and his family to safety”.

The ruling does not automatically qualify him for relocation but does mean the government must now reassess his application in light of the court’s findings.

Ms Cooley called on the UK government to act “very swiftly” to bring the judge and his family to the UK before it was “too late”.

‘Plainly faulty’

The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme was set up to offer people who worked for or with the UK government in Afghanistan a path to move to the UK.

The Afghan judge who brought the High Court case first applied to ARAP in August 2021 but was rejected in March 2022 – a decision upheld by an appeals panel in May 2023.

The government officials responsible for reviewing the application effectively ruled that he did not directly work for or with the UK government and was therefore not eligible.

Now High Court judge Mr Justice Julian Knowles has ruled that decision was “irrational” and based on “plainly faulty” reasoning as the Afghan judge’s activities “personally and directly” had helped to further the UK’s goals in Afghanistan.

‘Assassinations and terror’

The High Court heard the judge asked for help to leave Afghanistan during the August 2021 evacuation but “did not receive a reply” and was left in the country.

He served as a senior judge for six years in an area which saw some of the heaviest fighting and counter-insurgency during the Afghanistan war.

The court heard he oversaw cases involving murder, violence against women, terrorism, kidnapping, drug smuggling and corruption.

The perpetrators were often members of the Taliban and the Islamic State group.

When the Taliban had surrounded his home city in 2021 during its rapid campaign to seize control of Afghanistan, the judge had to be “air-lifted out of the region by military aircraft” for his safety, the High Court was told.

Mr Justice Knowles accepted the claimant’s evidence that the Taliban had had informants on the court’s staff during his time as a judge – some of whom now hold high-ranking positions in the government.

Some of the people the judge sentenced in Afghanistan have since “obtained high positions in the present Taliban regime”.

The judge was involved in cases where suspects were apprehended after operations based on intelligence provided by “international forces” operating in Afghanistan.

Taliban operatives have “visited family members seeking [the] whereabouts” of the judge, the court heard.

A partial statement from the judge was published by the court on Monday as part of the ruling. It read: “I am struggling a lot and my wife and children now have a very hard life. What we are going through is very difficult.

“The situation here is much worse than the Taliban are admitting to publicly. We are aware of constant killings and assassinations and terror.

“The media and the journalists have no access to this and so it is not being properly reported… As a Chief Judge I know I will be killed and my family too.”

‘Semantic hair-splitting’

The judge’s solicitor told the BBC his work had come at “immense personal risk” and he “was the subject of repeated threats, including a documented assassination attempt upon him in March 2020”.

In his written judgement, Mr Justice Knowles said the grounds on which the panel had rejected the judge’s application for relocation amounted to “semantic hair-splitting”.

He said the MoD had failed to explain why working to uphold the rule of law in Afghanistan was “not sufficient to count as working ‘alongside’ and in ‘support'” of the UK government.

He continued: “[The judge] performed significant activities which were closely aligned with the democracy-building and rule of law building activities of the UK government… He made significant contributions to the building of a properly functioning criminal justice system in the fields of terrorism, anti-narcotics, and anti-corruption, among others.”

It is unclear how long it will take for the judge’s application to be reassessed.

Responding to the ruling, a government spokesperson said: “We note the outcome of the court proceedings in relation to an ARAP-related case, which we are considering. It is inappropriate to comment further at this time.

“We continue to honour our commitment to those brave Afghans that supported the UK mission in Afghanistan.

“So far, we have brought around 27,900 people to safety from Afghanistan, including over 15,800 people from the ARAP scheme, including over 3,000 since October 2023.”

Afghanistan: Judge hunted by Taliban wins court case against UK government
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Violence in the Mideast, rising threats from Islamic State group in Afghanistan pressure US, allies

BY LOLITA C. BALDOR

Associated Press

Updated 1:03 PM EST, March 7, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Exploding violence in the Middle East, fueled by Iran, presents the most likely threat to the U.S. homeland, and the risk of an attack by violent extremists in Afghanistan on American and Western interests abroad is increasing, the top U.S. commander for the region told a Senate committee Thursday.

Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, said the Islamic State group’s Khorasan affiliates in Afghanistan and Syria “retain the capability and the will” to attack and could strike “in as little as six months and with little to no warning.” Such an attack would be more likely against the U.S. and its allies in Europe, and it will take “substantially more resources” to hit the U.S. homeland.

Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Kurilla painted a dire picture of violence in the Middle East region in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage. That assault and Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, has fueled attacks by Iran-backed militant groups in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, threatening maritime traffic in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and targeting U.S. bases and troops across the region.

In response, the U.S. has retaliated with a handful of strikes in Iraq and Syria, and a persistent campaign of attacks against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

This is a locator map for Afghanistan with its capital, Kabul. (AP Photo)

Asked by Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., about U.S. military surveillance over Afghanistan, Kurilla acknowledged that the U.S. has had to divert intelligence and reconnaissance assets from that region to Iraq, Syria and Yemen to better protect troops and ships under attack.

Kurilla said Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have been launching nearly daily attacks against ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, have not been deterred by American and allied retaliation. But he said the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria have been deterred and that it’s been a month since they last launched an attack.

Iran, however, has continued to fund and equip the groups in Iraq and Syria, even though their attacks have stopped, at least temporarily, he said.

“The events of seven October not only permanently changed Israel and Gaza — it created the conditions for malign actors to sow instability throughout the region and beyond,” said Kurilla. “Iran exploited what they saw as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the Middle East to their advantage.”

Senators quizzed Kurilla on why the U.S. hasn’t taken stronger action against Iran, including against Iranian ships that are delivering weapons, intelligence and supplies to militias.

“Why are we not sinking those Iranian ships if there’s an Iranian spy ship providing targeting information,” asked Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska.

Kurilla said deterring Iran requires more than a military solution but said he could provide more details in a closed session.

In other comments, he said the U.S. has been using directed energy weapons to shoot down drones but could use more of those so the Navy doesn’t have to use large, expensive missiles to take out the smaller threats.

 

Violence in the Mideast, rising threats from Islamic State group in Afghanistan pressure US, allies
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Corruption Ended in Government, Private in Institutions: Anwar

He also said that since the power regain by the coming of the Islamic Emirate, national unity in the country has been ensured.

The head of the general directorate of the Islamic Emirate in Administrative Affairs, said that corruption has ended in all government administrations.

Speaking at the results announcement program of the Qur’an memorization and recitation competitions today (Thursday), Noor-ul-haq called on officials of private and government institutions to pay attention to the demands of the country’s citizens.

He also said that since the power regain by the coming of the Islamic Emirate, national unity in the country has been ensured.

Anwar said, “We see that corruption has been eliminated in every sector, and a healthy competitive environment has emerged.”

The organizers of this competitive program said that it was held by the Deputy Ministry of Islamic Education of the Education ministry in six provinces of the country.

“I expect the Ministry of Education, the directorate of administrative affairs, and the Arg to pay deep attention to Quran studies,” Mobin Shah Ramzi, the organizer of this competition, said.

Meanwhile, some students who participated in this program have asked the Islamic Emirate to also pay attention to modern sciences beside the religious studies.

“Just as programs have been created for religious sciences, we ask the Islamic Emirate to implement competitive and motivational programs, as has been done; but it should be increased,” Aref, a student said.

This competitive program was held among more than 2,000 Qur’an memorizers in six provinces of the country, where the top three positions were honored in today’s program.

Corruption Ended in Government, Private in Institutions: Anwar
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Afghanistan Recognition, Role of Special Envoy on UN Agenda: Otunbayeva

Roza Otunbayeva stated that they expect to maintain the issue of recognition and the role of the special envoy for Afghanistan in the third Doha meeting.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan says that the issue of recognition and the role of the special envoy to Afghanistan are on their agenda.

After the conclusion of the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva stated in a press conference that they expect to maintain the issue of recognition and the role of the special envoy for Afghanistan in the third Doha meeting.

Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan, believes that the third Doha meeting on Afghanistan is scheduled to be held in June.

“We are approaching another Doha meeting in the future, and I hope to maintain the issue of recognition and the role of the special envoy, which is now on the agenda. This is exactly to work on this unity,” said Roza Otunbayeva.

However, at last night’s (Wednesday) UN Security Council meeting, some members emphasized positive international engagement with the Islamic Emirate. The representatives of Russia and China at this meeting consider constructive engagement with the interim government authorities as the only solution to the current problems in Afghanistan.

“We have consistently emphasized that there is no alternative to a comprehensive approach to Afghanistan. This approach, based on an objective analysis and accurate assessment of the situation and prospects for resolving the issue of Afghanistan, includes constructive engagement within the international community itself,” said Anna Evstigneeva, Deputy Representative of Russia to the UN.

“The international community should gradually, through patient communication with Afghan authorities, increase their understanding and trust in the outside world, and Afghan authorities, in response to international expectations, should adopt more effective initiatives, create favorable conditions for dialogue and interaction, and also avoid assumptions and imposing programs on Afghanistan,” said Geng Shuang, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the UN.

Human rights issues, one of the main agendas of this meeting, were also emphasized by some members of the Security Council and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for the full observance of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.

“Many women are currently afraid to move in public places. I take this opportunity to call again on the de facto authorities to reverse these restrictions. The longer these restrictions on women and girls continue, the more damage will be done,” stated Roza Otunbayeva.

“The Taliban are also detaining women who are not legally required to wear a hijab. The United States is working with Afghan women to be ready for the day when they can fully participate in society,” said Robert Wood, Deputy Permanent Representative of the USA to the UN.

“We emphasize that any future international action or engagement with the Taliban must maintain Afghanistan’s international obligations regarding combating terrorism, human rights, especially the rights of women and girls, as a conditional component,” said Naseer Ahmad Faiq, Acting Head of the Afghan seat at the UN.

However, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN claims that terrorist organizations in Afghanistan pose a security threat to its neighbors. Munir Akram says that combating terrorism must be a condition for engagement with the interim Afghan government.

“Terrorism from within Afghanistan poses the most serious impediment to normalization in Afghanistan. The terrorist organizations present there, pose security threat to each of Afghanistan’s immediate neighbors. Counter terrorism must be the highest priority in any future roadmap for engagement with the interim Afghan government,” stated Munir Akram.

Previously, the UN Security Council had held several meetings on the situation in Afghanistan, but according to experts, these meetings have not yet resulted in a positive outcome in resolving Afghanistan’s fundamental issues.

Afghanistan Recognition, Role of Special Envoy on UN Agenda: Otunbayeva
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US Calls on Kabul to Lift Ban on Girls’ Education

“We ask the Islamic Emirate to reopen schools for us so that we can get educated and serve our country,” Hadia told TOLOnews.

As the new academic year approaches, the US State Department has reiterated its call for the Islamic Emirate to lift the ban on girls’ education.

At a press briefing, Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the department, highlighted the impending “sad anniversary” for Afghan schoolgirls, and advocated for their right to return to school.

“We’re of course aware that this sad anniversary is coming up, and we have made it clear that girls should never have been blocked from going to school in the first place. Advancing respect for the rights of Afghan women and girls is critical to our efforts in Afghanistan. At every opportunity we urge the Taliban to allow girls to return to school, respect the rights of all Afghans, and reverse their discriminatory decrees on women and girls,” Miller noted.

Amid these calls for change, several female students have once again voiced their plea to the Islamic Emirate, seeking the restoration of their right to education.

Among them is 16-year-old Hadia, who has been deprived of her education for three years. Living with the fear of what her future holds, Hadia asked the government to restore their basic rights and allow them to return to school.

“We ask the Islamic Emirate to reopen schools for us so that we can get educated and serve our country,” Hadia told TOLOnews.

“We have fallen far behind our neighboring countries, and the reason for that is the low level of literacy,” Roita, another student told TOLOnews reporter.

The Islamic Emirate has yet to react to these remarks by the US State Department’s spokesperson; however, it has previously said that the right to education for girls is not being denied, noting that efforts are underway to address the issue.

This situation unfolds as it marks 900 days since the closure of schools for girls beyond the sixth grade in Afghanistan.

US Calls on Kabul to Lift Ban on Girls’ Education
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