Karzai: Hope schools and universities will reopen for girls in Afghanistan

January 25, 2024
Khaama Press

On the occasion of World Education Day, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai called for the reopening of schools and universities for girls beyond the sixth grade in Afghanistan.

Hamid Karzai reiterated this demand on Wednesday and urged the Taliban administration to create favourable conditions for girls’ education as soon as possible.

Karzai emphasized the fundamental role of education in a country’s progress, coinciding with World Education Day celebrated globally on January 24th.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International launched a campaign in support of girls’ education in Afghanistan on January 24th, World Education Day.

It has been over two years since girls above the sixth grade were prohibited from attending schools and educational institutions in Afghanistan.

The Taliban has not made any new decisions regarding the education of girls beyond the sixth grade in the country.

Karzai’s call highlights the urgent need to address the educational rights of Afghan girls.

The international community continues to advocate for the restoration of girls’ access to education in Afghanistan.

Karzai: Hope schools and universities will reopen for girls in Afghanistan
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Kabul to host regional conference next week: Iranian official

January 25, 2024
Khaama Press

The Director-General of South Asian Affairs at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Kabul will host a regional conference called “Worthy of Attention” next week.

Rasoul Mousavi stated that representatives from Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and China will participate in this conference, followed by a Doha meeting on the 17th of February 2024.

This Iranian diplomat wrote in a post on the social media platform X, that this conference “reflects the special attention of Afghanistan’s neighbours to peace, stability, and the welfare of the Afghan people, as well as security in the region.”

Previously, Kabulov, Russia’s representative for Afghanistan, had also mentioned that a meeting involving China, Iran, and Pakistan about Afghanistan would be held at the end of January.

Russian news agency TASS reported on Tuesday, citing Kabulov as saying, “Engaging with the current authorities in Afghanistan to establish an inclusive government, combat terrorism, and narcotics” will be on the agenda of this conference.

Earlier, Kabulov had announced the organization of a UN-sponsored conference on Afghanistan and had also mentioned that the Moscow format for Afghanistan would continue in 2024.

Since the Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan, no countries or international organizations have officially recognized their government. This lack of recognition stems from concerns regarding the Taliban’s disregard for human rights and their violations of women’s rights.

Kabulov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, on Wednesday stated that Russia would not recognize the Taliban regime. This decision is based on the Taliban’s track record of human rights violations and their failure to adhere to their international obligations.

Kabul to host regional conference next week: Iranian official
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US warned Iran that ISIS-K was preparing attack ahead of deadly Kerman blasts, a US official says

January 25, 2024
BY AAMER MADHANI

Associated Press

January 25, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government privately warned Iran that the Islamic State group’s affiliate in Afghanistan was preparing to carry out a terrorist attack before bombings in Kerman earlier this month that killed 95 people, a U.S. official said Thursday.

The official, who was not authorized to comment and insisted on anonymity to discuss the intelligence, said the U.S. was following its longstanding policy of a “duty to warn” other governments against potential lethal threats.

The official did not detail how the U.S., which does not have diplomatic relations with Iran, conveyed the warning about its intelligence on ISIS-Khorasan, known as ISIS-K, but noted that government officials “provide these warnings in part because we do not want to see innocent lives lost in terror attacks.”

Iranian state media did not acknowledge the U.S. giving Tehran the information, and Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the Jan. 3 attack on Kerman, about 820 kilometers (510 miles) southeast of Iran’s capital, Tehran. The dual suicide bombing killed at least 95 people and wounded dozens of others attending a commemoration for the late Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the leader of the Revolutionary Guard’s expeditionary Quds Force, who had been killed in a 2020 U.S. drone strike in Baghdad.

In the time since, Iran has been trying to blame the U.S. and Israel for the attack amid Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It has launched missile attacks on Iraq and Syria. It then launched strikes on nuclear-armed Pakistan, which responded with its own strikes on Iran, further raising tensions in a region inflamed by the Israel-Hamas war.

The Wall Street Journal was first to report that the U.S. had provided the warning to Iran.ISIS-K was behind the August 2021 suicide bombing at the Kabul airport that left 13 U.S. troops and about 170 Afghans dead during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

ISIS-K has thousands of members and is the Taliban’s most bitter enemy and top military threat. The group has continued to carry out attacks in Afghanistan and beyond since the Taliban takeover.

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

 

US warned Iran that ISIS-K was preparing attack ahead of deadly Kerman blasts, a US official says
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Pakistan’s Munir Accuses Afghanistan of Supporting Balochistan Insurgents

January 25, 2024
TOLOnews
TV Network
25 Jan 2024

He also stated: “The life of a single Pakistani is more important than the entire Afghanistan.”

Pakistani media quoted the country’s chief of army staff, Syed Asim Munir, saying that the insurgency in Balochistan has long been supported by Afghanistan, and the western neighbor has never shown friendship towards Pakistan.

He also stated: “The life of a single Pakistani is more important than the entire Afghanistan.”

According to the Express Tribune, Munir made the remarks during a session with students from public and private universities on Wednesday. Munir said “when it comes to the safety and security of every single Pakistani, the whole of Afghanistan can be damned.”

Afghanistan was the only country that opposed Pakistan’s admission to the United Nations after independence, Munir said, and added that the problem is that “our people do not read history.”

He also claimed that Pakistan provided food for five million Afghan nationals for 50 years, but “when it comes to our children, we will pursue those who attack them.”

The Islamic Emirate has not yet commented on Munir’s remarks but earlier said that Pakistani officials should not blame Afghanistan for their failure and for being unable to provide security on their own soil.

The political analysts meanwhile said that the Pakistani officials are attempting to hide their security weakness by making allegations about Afghanistan.

“The Islamic Emirate has a clear stance. They have repeatedly said that we don’t want to interfere in anyone’s affairs and we don’t want others to interfere in our internal affairs. The Islamic Emirate’s spokesman has denied the presence of TTP (Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan) repeatedly,” said Gul Mohammaddin Mohammadi, a political analyst. “Pakistan is more like Afghanistan of 2018. It attempts to hide its security weakness through accusing Afghanistan,” said Ahmad Munib Rasa, a political analyst.

Earlier, Balochistan’s caretaker minister for information, Jan Achakzai, said that Afghan soil is a threat to Pakistani security forces. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Jan Achakzai also said that terrorists have networks in Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s Munir Accuses Afghanistan of Supporting Balochistan Insurgents
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UN Chief to Hold Meeting on Afghanistan in Doha February 18-19

January 25, 2024
Fatema Adeeb
Tolo News
25 Jan 2024

This comes as Moscow is set to host a quadrilateral meeting of Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan in the near future about Afghanistan.

The UN Secretary General’s Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said that the Secretary General will convene a meeting of member-states and regional-organization special envoys on Afghanistan in Doha on February 18 and 19.

Addressing a press briefing, Dujarric said the objective of the meeting is to discuss how to approach increasing international engagement in a more coherent, coordinated and structured manner on Afghanistan.

“The Secretary-General will convene a follow-up meeting of Member-State and regional-organization special envoys on Afghanistan.  That meeting will take place in Doha on 18 and 19 February. The objective of the meeting is to discuss how to approach increasing international engagement in a more coherent, coordinated and structured manner, including through consideration of the recommendations of the independent assessment on Afghanistan,” he said.

Although the Islamic Emirate did not say anything about this meeting, it had previously requested that a representative of the Islamic Emirate be invited to such meetings.

“International meetings on Afghanistan can succeed if they are organised in a consensual manner, with a purpose and roadmap,” said Sayed Javad Sajadi, a political analyst.

“Whenever the real Afghans take part in these meetings, it will be a powerful meeting that will result in the benefit of the Afghan people,” Salim Paigir, a political analyst, told TOLOnews.

This comes as Moscow is set to host a quadrilateral meeting of Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan in the near future about Afghanistan. The agenda items include the creation of an inclusive government, fighting terrorist organizations, and drug cultivation and trafficking.

UN Chief to Hold Meeting on Afghanistan in Doha February 18-19
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Moscow Reiterates Call for Inclusive Govt, Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

January 25, 2024
Fatema Adeeb
Tolo News
25 Jan 2024

Sergey Lavrov asked the Islamic Emirate to fulfill their commitments to the international community.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, said that Moscow, along with the rest of the members of the UN, will not recognize the Taliban until human rights, especially women’s rights, are respected and an inclusive government is formed.

Sergey Lavrov asked the Islamic Emirate to fulfill their commitments to the international community.

“We, as the rest of the members of the UN, do not officially recognize Taliban as they have taken upon themselves obligations on several matters, such as respect for human rights, first and foremost those of women and girls, and also creating an inclusive government in terms of ethnic background, there are Uzbeks, Tajiks, Pashtuns and Hazaras but politically they are all Taliban, we are not talking about the ethnic composition, we would like to have ethnic, religious and political inclusivity,” he added.

Although the Islamic Emirate has not reacted to the Russian foreign minister’s remarks, earlier, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate had said that the acting government is inclusive and asked the countries to not interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

On the other hand, some political analysts said that the Islamic Emirate, for the satisfaction of the people, should respect their basic rights and for recognition, should also accept the world’s requests.

“Legally there is no excuse for the world to give recognition, but from a political view, based on international laws, there is a series of criteria that should be focused on,” said Sayed Muqadam Amin, a political analyst.

“Recognition of the government at the international level requires the observing of a series of international laws and covenants, for which all the countries are obliged to comply with,” said Najib Rahman Shamal, another political analyst.

This comes as, the Deputy PM for political affairs, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, has recently said that the Islamic Emirate by its balanced and economy-centered policy seeks positive interaction with the neighboring, regional, and world countries and the activity of embassies of the Islamic Emirate in some countries and presence of some countries’ embassies in Kabul indicate recognition of the Islamic Emirate.

Moscow Reiterates Call for Inclusive Govt, Women’s Rights in Afghanistan
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Japan’s Chargé d’Affaires Vows to Help Afghans

January 24, 2024
TOLOnews
TV Network
24 Jan 2024

In an interview, Tanimoto said Tokyo wants to strengthen its ties with Kabul in a bid to have enduring relations with the people of Afghanistan.

The chargé d’affaires of the Japan embassy, Takuya Tanimoto, said that considering the long historic relations between Afghanistan and Japan, Tokyo seeks to support and help the people of Afghanistan.

In an interview, Tanimoto said Tokyo wants to strengthen its ties with Kabul in a bid to have enduring relations with the people of Afghanistan.

“Japanese people are standing with Afghanistan people. We do … enjoy the historical relation between Japan and Afghanistan. I hope that it’s going to be more sustainable and more productable,” he said

Tanimoto also stressed the importance of education, calling it the fundamental right of Afghan citizens and added that for the good progress of a country, its citizens need to be educated.

“Japan has committed to support Afghanistan especially in … women’s activity, private sectors, and we are going to stand with Afghans,” he said.

This comes as the Islamic Emirate welcomed the prospect of the extension of relations with Japan.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, said: “We also want to have good relations with Japan. These relations are not only for the benefit of one country, but also for the benefit of others, and nations benefit from these relations.”

In December, last year, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution co-penned by the UAE and Japan that focuses on a path for Afghanistan’s reintegration into the international community referencing the recently completed independent assessment on Afghanistan.

Japan’s Chargé d’Affaires Vows to Help Afghans
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On Education Day, Calls Mount to Reopen Schools for Females

January 24, 2024
TOLOnews
TV Network
24 Jan 2024

She also urged the Islamic Emirate to recognize that education is not just a moral imperative but critical for prosperity and peace.

The 24th of January is the International Day of Education. This day arrives as girls above the sixth grade are not allowed to go to school in Afghanistan.

The UN special envoy for Afghanistan Roza Otunbayeva, Amnesty International, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Food Program, and other international groups asked the Islamic Emirate to lift the ban on girls’ education as soon as possible.

Roza Otunbayeva, in a video released by UNAMA News on X said: “In Afghanistan, education for all, for girls and boys, women and men, is more than just a fundamental right. It is the foundation for Afghanistan’s future.”

Remarking on the international day of education, Otunbayeva added that opening of schools is not just a demand of western nations but also of the Muslim world.

She also urged the Islamic Emirate to recognize that education is not just a moral imperative but critical for prosperity and peace.

Roza Otunbayeva noted that the continued deprivation of Afghan girls from education will not only affect all Afghans, but will isolate Afghanistan globally.

“To maintain the current path only inflicts further harm on all Afghans and risks isolating Afghanistan from both the Islamic world and the international community,” Otunbayeva further said.

“On this International Education Day, UNHCR continues to support the education of boys & girls. Despite challenges, education remains a beacon of hope for Afghans.

UNHCR works across Afg to empower displaced & returnees communities to shape a brighter future amidst adversity,” UNHCR Afghanistan said on X.

Amnesty international in a statement asked the Afghan government to “grant women and girls their full spectrum of rights including access to education for girls of all ages by immediately re-opening all schools and universities, ensuring access to healthcare, and allowing women to return to work.”

“In the holy religion of Islam, every day is the day of education, but unfortunately today in the International Day of Education schools and universities are closed. We hope that the government of the Islamic Emirate reopens the closed doors of education as soon as possible,” said Tafsir Seyaposh, a women’s rights activist.

Although the Islamic Emirate’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, did not comment on the education of girls above the sixth grade, he has said the provision of education is one of the priorities of the current government.

“Education is a necessity, and the Islamic Emirate has prioritized the education. We are trying to spend more of the budget on the education sector,” Mujahid said.

It has been over 850 days that girls above sixth grade have not been allowed from going to schools and nearly 400 days that universities have been closed to female students.

On Education Day, Calls Mount to Reopen Schools for Females
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On Intl Day of Education Girls Call for Reopening of Schools

January 24, 2024
TOLOnews
TV Network
24 Jan 2024

Meanwhile, some religious scholars asked the Islamic Emirate to provide education for girls in the country as soon as possible.

On the International Day of Education some girls who have been denied access to education in the country expressed concerns about their unclear future.

They once again asked the current government to reopen girls’ schools and universities as soon as possible.

16-year-old Marwa talked about her unfulfilled aspirations to study economics: “Today is the International Day of Education and in Afghanistan all schools and universities are closed to girls, while in other countries this day is properly celebrated. The two years that have passed, we cannot compensate for it. I want that in the coming year, schools reopen to girls, so they can study and go to work and reach their dreams.”

“We ask the Islamic Emirate and the international community to reopen schools for us. It has been over two years that we are denied access to education,” Nazira, a student, told TOLOnews.

Meanwhile, some religious scholars asked the Islamic Emirate to provide education for girls in the country as soon as possible.

“Education is the legal and Sharia right of men and women and these are sharia obligations. Looking at Allah’s order, Allah’s order is reading, then there is no difference between men and women,” said Abdul Qadir Qanit, a religious scholar.

Although it has been more than two years since the nation’s schools and universities were closed to female students, it is unclear when they will reopen.

On Intl Day of Education Girls Call for Reopening of Schools
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Islamic Emirate Wants Good Relations with World: Kabir

January 24, 2024
Nazir Shinwari
Tolo News
24 Jan 2024

Afghanistan is the common home of all tribes, and asked the citizens of the country to participate in the settlement of Afghanistan in an all-round way.

The Deputy PM for Political Affairs, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, at a conference today (Wednesday) in Kabul said that the Islamic Emirate wants positive interactions with neighboring countries, the region and the world, based on a balanced and economy-oriented policy.

The Deputy PM for Political affairs, speaking at the opening of the “National Conference on the Improvement of Educational and Higher Educational Institutions of Afghanistan” said that they are trying to make Afghanistan self-sufficient in wheat production in the near future.

Mawlawi Abdul Kabir said: “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has an economy-oriented policy and wants good relations with the whole world. Although the world has not recognized the Islamic Emirate, they have given us a hand, which means our official recognition, because our political representations, i.e. our embassies and consulates, are open in seventeen countries.”

He also emphasized that Afghanistan is the common home of all tribes, and asked the citizens of the country to participate in the settlement of Afghanistan in an all-round way.

He said: “We should all know that making Afghanistan prosperous is not the duty of scholars, Mullahs and Taliban, it is the duty of all Afghans within the framework of the Islamic Emirate. We will maintain the Islamic system that has come and the existing security in a common way, and we will settle this country, which belongs to all of us.”

This comes as two and a half years have passed since the Islamic Emirate took over Afghanistan and still no country has recognized the caretaker government of the Islamic Emirate.

Islamic Emirate Wants Good Relations with World: Kabir
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