Mohammad Khalid Sadiq made the remarks in a graduation ceremony of 350 students from a high school in Kabul.
The deputy Minister of Education (MoE) said that 100,000 posts are expected to be created for school teachers in the near future in various provinces.
Mohammad Khalid Sadiq made the remarks in a graduation ceremony of 350 students from a high school in Kabul.
“240,000 people are working in the Education Ministry. All of them are serving the schools,” he said.
Speaking at the same ceremony, the principal of a high school named Zabihullah Esmatt urged the people to be cooperative with the Educational Ministry.
“The parents are not asking about their children’s status,” he said.
The graduates meanwhile called on the Islamic Emirate to provide the means for female education in the country.
“We call on Islamic Emirate officials to reopen the schools for our girls within the Islamic structure,” said Mansour, a high school graduate.
“We call on the government to reopen the schools for our sisters within a legal or Islamic structure, so they can study and have a bright future,” said Mohammad, a high school graduate.
Since the Islamic Emirate came to power, girl students beyond grade six have been banned from going to their schools.
100,000 Posts to Be Created for School Teachers: Deputy Minister
Some businessmen said that in recent years, the cultivation and trade of heng plants has increased in various parts of the country.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce said that in the past 6 months, $70 million dollars worth of heng has been exported.
Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, the spokesman of the ministry, told TOLOnews that India, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates and the United States are among the countries that have purchased the Afghan product.
The spokesman of the ministry said: “In the first 6 months of 1402 (solar year), Afghanistan has exported 70 million US dollars worth of heng and its seeds to India, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Khan Jan Alokozay, a member of the ACCI’s Board of Directors, said: “The Chamber of Commerce and Investment has solved the problems of the traders of heng and other sectors and has also talked to India. The heng is regularly exported from Wagah, Pakistan as well as by air.”
Some businessmen said that in recent years, the cultivation and trade of heng plants has increased in various parts of the country.
“One kilo of Tajik seed seedlings of the heng plant is bought and sold in the market for up to 15 afghani, and it grows within three years. One kilo of heng sap has become cheaper than it was before, it is sold for up to 10,000 afghani,” said Khairudddin, a trader.
“Heng is a very good source of income for farmers, traders and the government. Our request to the government is to cooperate with private companies for the growth and development of heng cultivation and trade so that heng cultivation expands further,” said Zabihullah Parsa, a trader.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) also emphasized that the cultivation of heng plants has expanded significantly in the country compared to recent years.
Mesbahuddin Mostaeen, spokesperson for MAIL, said: “The efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture are to cooperate with those farmers who do not have the ability to invest in the cultivation of the heng plant, and to cooperate with them to find seedlings of this plant.”
Heng is one of the plants that is mostly used in the pharmaceutical and food industry.
Based on the information of the MAIL, the cultivation of Tajik and Uzbek white heng, including the Kazakh red heng, has been expanded by farmers in various parts of the country, especially in the northern part of Afghanistan.
Increase of Heng Production Brings New Hope for Farmers
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The U.N. refugee agency has warned that Afghans could die in harsh winter conditions if they don’t get adequate shelter once they cross the border from Pakistan.
Almost half a million Afghans have left Pakistan since early October, when the Islamabad government announced it would arrest and deport foreigners it said were in the country illegally. The overwhelming majority of them are from neighboring Afghanistan, though Islamabad insists the policy doesn’t target a specific nationality.
The forced returns are piling pressure on Afghanistan and aid agencies, which are providing the bulk of essential services like health care. Freezing temperatures are setting in and conditions at the border remain dire.
“Many Afghan returnees are vulnerable, including women and children, who could lose their lives in a harsh winter if left without adequate shelter,” the U.N. refugee agency said in a report published Friday. “People arriving at the border are exhausted and require urgent assistance as well as psychosocial support.”
Families told the agency they were worried that colder winter temperatures in certain areas, particularly mountainous regions, may prevent them from returning home right away.
“Many are arriving with illness, for example bronchitis, as a result of the cold weather and the difficult journey from Pakistan,” the agency said in a message to The Associated Press on Sunday. “They may not have all their belongings, including clothing, and therefore be unable to protect themselves from the elements.”
It said that among those returning to Afghanistan are families who have never lived in the country. They have been living in Pakistan for one or more generations and may not have homes or extended family to return to.
Cash to pay rent is needed, while families with some existing social networks could stay with family or friends. Others may return to homes needing repair. The agency said it will provide tents to such households.
“For those who have nowhere to go, with limited means, they may stay in camps, established near the border,” the refugee agency said.
A Taliban committee said it is distributing food, water, SIM cards, clothing and cash at two key border crossings: Torkham and Spin Boldak. Families are also learning about Afghanistan, the Islamic system, temporary living arrangements, registration and relocation, the committee said Sunday.
But extreme temperatures and limited access to clean water and sanitation have led to a surge in infectious diseases and malnutrition.
U.N. Women said there are additional challenges for Afghan women and girls leaving Pakistan as they have to deal with Taliban restrictions that could affect their mobility and access to information and services if they don’t have a male relative. It expressed similar concerns after October’s deadly earthquakes in Afghanistan’s west.
The agency said around 80% of Afghans returning through Torkham and Spin Boldak are women and children.
In its latest report, also published Friday, it said many women have lived through “distressing experiences” in Pakistan including being the victims of illegal detention, witnessing their spouse or family members be arrested, or being separated from relatives and returning to Afghanistan alone.
Women told U.N. agencies they were “compelled” to hand their possessions over in exchange for transportation, leave all their belongings behind or saw their income taken by Pakistani authorities.
The crackdown is hugely controversial and has drawn condemnation from rights groups, the Taliban, aid agencies and the U.N.
UN agency warns of Afghans dying in harsh winter if there’s no proper shelter after leaving Pakistan
West said that the US stands with Pakistan against terrorism in the region.
The US special envoy for Afghanistan Thomas West on X provided details of his meetings with Pakistani officials during a visit to the country, saying that important conversations happened about grave security challenges posed by “TTP” as well as the “imperative to protect Afghan refugees.”
West said that the US stands with Pakistan against terrorism in the region.
“Departing Islamabad after a productive two-day visit. Important conversations with Jail Abbas Jilani, [Pakistan Foreign Minister], Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, Asif Durrani, Pakistan special envoy for Afghanistan … about grave security challenges posed by TTP as well as imperative to protect Afghan refugees,” he said.
West wrote that close communication with Islamabad regarding the “refugee protection issues, including collaboration with IOs and humane and dignified treatment” took place.
Spent valuable time with the leadership of UNHCR and IOM in Islamabad, discussing their support for the most vulnerable and at-risk Afghans. Proud that the US has contributed $77M to UNHCR this year for these efforts, and $9M to IOM to respond to recent earthquakes.
Also met courageous Afghan refugees to hear about their lives first-hand. Admire their courage under wrenching circumstances. We call for their protection and thank UNHCR, IOM, and other partners for their efforts.
But the Islamic Emirate said that the negotiations between the US and Pakistani officials are not helpful for the improvement of the situation in Afghanistan.
“The deportation of the refugees was illegal as it happened suddenly. But we are prepared if they are deported to serve them. Whatever the US can do or not do, I don’t think it can do anything. They will come and talk and return. We don’t hope for any practical change,” said Zabiullah Mujahid, the Islamic Emirate’s spokesman.
Some political analysts also believe that the meetings of the US special envoy for Afghanistan with Pakistani officials is not in the interest of Afghanistan.
“The meetings between Thomas West and the Pakistan Foreign Minister and other officials, focused on the refugees particularly the refugees who have asylum cases in the US. But of course the issue of TTP [Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan], was also discussed between them,” said Saleem Paigeer, a political analyst.
“This visit of Thomas West is based on his duty line. It will not bring any change regarding Afghanistan,” said Asadullah Nadim, political analyst.
The US special envoy earlier said that he had kicked off traveling to Pakistan, the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia on December 5-15.
US’s West Shares Details of Meetings with Pakistani Officials
This conference of the United Nations on “Accountability for Crimes Committed in Afghanistan” was held on Friday.
The UN special rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, criticized the lack of accountability for crimes against humanity in Afghanistan.
Richard Bennett in a conference for “Accountability for Crimes Committed in Afghanistan” said that Afghanistan has been experiencing impunity of war crimes for decades, the crimes against humanity, and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
But the Islamic Emirate said that the United States and its allies are perpetrators of war crimes in Afghanistan.
This conference of the United Nations on “Accountability for Crimes Committed in Afghanistan” was held on Friday.
The UN special rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett: “I really like to stress the importance of this event, as accountability is the bedrock of the human rights system and Afghanistan has been experiencing impunity for decades … for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of human rights or international humanitarian law.”
Anna Myriam Roccatello, the Deputy Executive Director and Director of Programs of the International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), said: “Member states should consider particularly those that are involved in the various phases of the conflict in Afghanistan to open cases for their own citizens.”
The representative of Norway in this conference emphasized the global support for women in Afghanistan and added that women should attend the meetings about Afghanistan.
Andreas Løvold, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said: “we have to create a kind of a joint platform with Afghan women and bring them to the table where its possible … and there is an opportunity for them to speak. We should as member states do whatever we can in providing that platform because its not only about talking and discussing about the current situation, it’s about the future of their country.”
But the Islamic Emirate said that the United States and its allies are the perpetrators of war crimes in Afghanistan.
“If there was a crime or violation of human rights during the 20 years of American occupation, they themselves were the main perpetrators of the crimes. If it is calculated, They must be calculated,” Zabihullah Mujahid said.
Amnesty International had previously called for an investigation of war crimes in Afghanistan before 2021.
This organization asked the International Criminal Court to review the cases of war crimes committed by the Taliban and other countries in Afghanistan.
Calls Mount for Scrutiny of War Crimes in Afghanistan
FILE – Afghan women wait to receive food distributed by a humanitarian aid group in Kabul, Afghanistan, on May 23, 2023. The United States on Dec. 8 imposed sanctions against two Taliban leaders for human rights abuses against women and girls.
ISLAMABAD —
Afghanistan’s Taliban government denounced the United States Saturday for imposing fresh sanctions against two of its leaders for human rights abuses, saying that pressure and restrictive measures do not help solve problems.
The response came a day after the U.S. Treasury Department placed sanctions against 20 people in nine countries, including China, Iran and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, to mark International Human Rights Day on December 10.
Friday’s Afghan-related designations listed Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, head of the Taliban’s vice and virtue ministry, and Fariduddin Mahmood, a member of the group’s male-only cabinet and the head of the Afghanistan Academy of Sciences.
The U.S. said the two Taliban men were responsible for “the repression of rights for women and girls based solely on their gender.”
The Taliban ban girls from receiving an education beyond the sixth grade in Afghanistan and women from most workplaces. The Islamist group reclaimed power from an American-backed government two years ago, declaring its male-only administration as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, or IEA.
“We condemn the restrictions imposed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury on IEA’s two officials,” Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief Taliban spokesman, said in an English-language statement on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
He urged Washington to desist from “imposing pressure and restrictions” on his government, alleging the United States “should not repeat its failed experiences” of the past.
“While America itself is among the biggest violators of human rights due to its support for Israel, it is unjustified and illogical to accuse other people of violating human rights and then ban them,” Mujahid said.
Education bans
The U.S. announcement Friday identified Mahmood as a supporter of the education-related bans on women and girls. It said that members of Hanafi’s ministry “have engaged in serious human rights abuse, including abductions, whippings and beatings.” They also have assaulted Afghans protesting the restrictions on women’s activity, including access to education, the statement noted.
“Khalid Hanafi and Fariduddin Mahmood are complicit in serious human rights abuses against women and girls in #Afghanistan. We hold them accountable for denying half the #Afghan population their rights,” Karen Decker, the chargé d’affaires of the U.S. diplomatic mission to Afghanistan, said Saturday on X.
The Taliban returned to power in August 2021 when the U.S.-led international forces withdrew from Afghanistan after two decades of involvement in the war with the then-insurgent Taliban.
“Since August 2021, the Taliban has implemented expansive policies of targeted discrimination against women and girls that impede their enjoyment of a wide range of rights, including those related to education, employment, peaceful assembly and movement, among others,” said the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control in its Friday statement.
It added that the Taliban’s restrictions have turned Afghanistan into the world’s only nation where women and girls are prohibited from pursuing secondary education.
Friday’s sanctions freeze all property and interests of the designated people in the United States and prohibit them from conducting business with Americans.
De facto Taliban rulers defend their policies, saying they are aligned with Afghan culture and Islamic law. Scholars and governments across the rest of Muslim-majority countries, however, dispute their claims.
No foreign government has recognized the Taliban as legitimate rulers of the country, mainly over human rights concerns and their harsh treatment of Afghan women.
Taliban Criticize New US Human Rights Curbs Against Two Leaders
This comes as some of the Afghan refugees in Pakistan expressed concerns over their mistreatment by the country’s police.
Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, Pakistan Caretaker Interior Minister, said that over “482,000 illegal Afghan immigrants’ have been deported from the country since the policy of deportation of refugees has become into effect.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, he said that all foreigners, including Afghans, residing legally in the country would also be deported immediately if found to be engaged in political activities.
According to the Pakistan media, Bugti said that the Constitution does not allow any foreigner on a visa to take part in politics in Pakistan.
“The number of people who have returned so far is 482,000, who have been deported” through different crossings from Pakistan, he said.
Bugti also claimed that 90 percent of the Afghan refugees left Pakistan voluntarily. He said that nearly 10 Afghans involved in Pakistan political parties’ activities have been recognized.
“They have nothing to do with the politics of Pakistan. Nearly 10 people who have been identified initially who are involved in political activities will be deported,” he said.
This comes as some of the Afghan refugees in Pakistan expressed concerns over their mistreatment by the country’s police.
“The refugees who have recently returned to their countries, they were forced to leave because the Pakistani police were conducting crackdowns on their houses and were harassing them and beating them,” said Javid Ebrar, an Afghan refugee in Pakistan.
“Many refugees who have returned from Pakistan to Afghanistan were beaten by the police and taken by the police to Torkham,” said Malik Shinwari, an Afghan refugee in Pakistan.
But the Islamic Emirate’s spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said that the Afghans who are living in Pakistan don’t interfere in the country’s internal affairs.
“The Afghans who are in Pakistan do not interfere in Pakistan’s internal affairs and this is an incorrect concern… we deny it,” he said.
The deportation of Afghan refugees by Pakistan has caused serious concerns among the international community.
Over 482,000 ‘Illegal Afghan’ Refugees Deported: Bugti
Some women’s rights activists asked the international community to take action to remove restrictions against women in Afghanistan.
In a meeting in Brussels, Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, spoke about the existence of gender discrimination after the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan.
Borrell Fontelles said that discrimination in Afghanistan is not based on skin color but based on gender.
“Who remembers what is happening in Kabul? Afghanistan has disappeared from the media, in Afghanistan you have gender apartheid, I think it is a good way to call what is happening there gender apartheid, not by the color of the skin but by gender, women and girls are deprived from going to going to schools and an awful dictatorship is ruling the country,” said Josep Borrell Fontelles.
However, the Islamic Emirate has previously denied the existence of gender discrimination in the country and said that the rights of all citizens, especially women, are protected within the framework of Islamic Sharia.
Some women’s rights activists asked the international community to take action to remove restrictions against women in Afghanistan.
“If we look at the situation of Afghan women in the last forty years, Afghan women have become victims as a result of wars and failed policies,” said Dewa Patang, a women’s rights activist.
“Work and education are the rights of every human being. Taliban should give Afghan women and girls the right to work and study like in other Islamic countries. The restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women and girls are not even included in the Islam Law,” said Lemia Sherzai, a women’s rights activist.
Meanwhile, there have been many concerns about the situation of women in the country during the two years since the takeover of the Islamic Emirate, but in response to these concerns, the Islamic Emirate said that the rights of all citizens, especially women, have been given to them within the framework of Islamic Sharia.
EU’s Borrell: ‘Gender Apartheid’ Exists in Afghanistan
Sayed Jawad Sijadi, university lecturer, said that the imposition of sanctions will affect the relations between the US and Taliban.
The Islamic Emirate condemned the recent sanctions imposed by the US Department of the Treasury on two of its officials and said that imposing sanctions is not the solution.
Zabiullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, wrote on X that “while the US is one of the biggest violators of human rights due to its support for Israel, accusing others of violating human rights and imposing sanctions on them is unjustifiable and irrational.”
“These sanctions have no results and if it continues, it will not have any negative impact on the Islamic Emirate and people of Afghanistan because we don’t have any financial or commercial engagement with the US,” he said.
The US Department of Treasury said in a statement on December 8 that the Office of Foreign Assets Control designated “Fariduddin Mahmood (Mahmood) and Khalid
Hanafi (Hanafi) for serious human rights abuse related to the repression of women and girls, including through the restriction of access to secondary education for women and girls in Afghanistan solely on the basis of gender.”
This gender-based restriction, the statement said, “reflects severe and pervasive discrimination against women and girls and interferes with their enjoyment of equal protection.”
The US special envoy for Afghan women and girls, Rina Amiri, also said on X that “the Taliban’s discriminatory edicts targeting women and girls are some of the most heinous human rights abuses in the world.”
“Today, the US has issued sanctions related to restricting access to secondary education on Khalid Hanafi and Fariduddin Mahmoud. We must continue to hold accountable those involved in repressing the women and girls of Afghanistan.”
Suraya Paikan, women’s rights activist, said that the sanctions will cause a global reflection but will not help with the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Sayed Mustafa Mortazavi, university lecturer, suggested that the Islamic Emirate should bring “immediate reforms in reopening girls schools and university.”
Sayed Jawad Sijadi, university lecturer, said that the imposition of sanctions will affect the relations between the US and Taliban.
“The condition will become difficult for the Taliban and the violation of human rights will not remain without response,” he said.
In July this year, The European Council said that it imposed restrictive measures against 18 individuals and 5 entities under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, because of their responsibility for serious human rights violations and abuses in Afghanistan, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Ukraine and Russia.
“Six individuals were listed over various forms of sexual and gender-based violence,” said the Council of the EU in a statement.
Islamic Emirate Reacts to Sanction of Its Officials by US
More than two years have passed, and there is still no news about the reopening of school for girls above the sixth grade.
At the end of the 1402 solar school year, a number of sixth grade girls have expressed concern about not being able to go to school next year.
They asked the caretaker government not to prevent girls from going to school in the next academic year.
More than two years have passed, and there is still no news about the reopening of school for girls above the sixth grade.
Zahra and Zainab, who have just finished the sixth grade, talk about their last day at school and meeting their classmates and teachers.
“The last day of our school was very sad. Me and all my classmates were crying because we cannot go to school anymore, the teachers were also crying because they couldn’t see their students anymore,” said said Zainab, a sixth grade student.
“We said goodbye to our classmates and teachers. It’s a very sad feeling that you can’t see your classmates anymore. I spent 6 good years in school and from now on I don’t want to sit in the corner of the house,” said Zahra, the sister and classmate of Zainab.
At the same time, Zahra and Zainab’s family, stressing the importance of their children’s education, have asked the caretaker government not to prevent girls from attending schools.
“I do not want us to remain in these problems and for our children to remain in poverty and illiteracy in the future. We request the elders of the Islamic Emirate to solve the problem of girl’s schools,” Mahboobullah, Zahra and Zainab’s father told TOLOnews.
The Islamic Emirate has already said that the caretaker government is trying to provide education to girls above the sixth grade.
“In today’s world where everyone is turning to technology, unfortunately, in Afghanistan as an Islamic country, girls above the sixth grade do not have the right to education and knowledge of humanities,” said Palwasha, a women’s rights activist.
More than 800 days have passed since the gates of schools were closed to girls above the sixth grade in the country.
Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in a program yesterday (Thursday) that blocking the gates of schools is one of the fundamental reasons for people and for some countries to distance themselves from the Islamic Emirate.
Girls Over 6th Grade Concerned About Their Educational Future
Afghanistan Peace Campaign