WFPline in: Dec Real GDP of Afghanistan Has Slowed

June 14, 2024
Bibi Amina Hakimi
TOLOnews’ Reporter
14 June 2024

The Ministry of Economy says the reason for the decline in Afghanistan’s GDP is the global economic restrictions imposed on Afghanistan.

According to a World Food Programme report, the decline of Afghanistan’s GDP was 20.7% in 2022, whereas this figure has dropped to 6.2% in 2023.

WFP said: “The economy of Afghanistan has experienced a significant contraction since the political changes in August 2021. However, the decline in real GDP has slowed, easing from 20.7% in 2022 to 6.2% in 2023, with sustained humanitarian assistance and support for basic needs.”

“I hope that this aid will be spent on work projects so that people achieve self-sufficiency,” said Khan Jan Alokozay, a member of the ACCI’s board of directors.

The Ministry of Economy says the reason for the decline in Afghanistan’s GDP is the global economic restrictions imposed on Afghanistan.

Abdul Rahman Habib, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy, said: “The imposition of banking restrictions, currency freeze, the cessation of the international community’s development aid, and climate changes have negatively impacted the country’s economic growth, affecting major economic indicators such as poverty, unemployment, trade, national revenue, and GDP.”

A number of economic analysts said that if the aid from various countries and international organizations is directed towards infrastructure projects, it will have a lasting impact on reducing poverty.

“If aid is provided within a framework that includes oversight, quality, and accountability, it can be more effective in reducing poverty,” said Shaker Yaqubi, an economic analyst.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme has announced that it needs a budget of $510 million to assist the people of Afghanistan in the next six months.

WFPline in: Dec Real GDP of Afghanistan Has Slowed
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In Eid Message, Islamic Emirate Leader Stresses Sharia, Security, Unity

June 14, 2024
 Ebadullah Ebadi
Journalist
Tolo News
14 June 2024

The leader of the Islamic Emirate urged all citizens to “protect and serve” the Islamic system.

On the eve of Eid al-Adha, Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Islamic Emirate, said in an Eid message that the interim government seeks to establish political and economic relations with all countries within the framework of Islamic Sharia.

The leader of the Islamic Emirate urged all citizens to “protect and serve” the Islamic system.

In part of his message, he mentioned that since the Islamic Emirate came to power, the security and rights of all Afghan citizens have been ensured, Islamic Sharia is being implemented, and the country’s territories are secure.

Although Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada did not mention the reopening of schools and universities for girls, he added that necessary actions have been taken to expand religious schools.

This message, published by Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, called on the people to be grateful for the security and the Sharia system in Afghanistan.

The leader of the Islamic Emirate emphasized: “In our country, Islamic brotherhood and unity have been strengthened, and public assets such as mines, land, forests, and other properties are safeguarded as public wealth.”

In part of his message, he mentioned that unity in Afghanistan is ensured, and he also invited people to stand together in solidarity.

The leader of the Islamic Emirate said: “Let’s stand together with unity and sincerity to protect these achievements, stand by each other like brothers, thwart the enemy’s conspiracies, appreciate the security, prosperity, development, and the ruling Sharia system, and work for its further strengthening and consolidation.”

He also referred to the issue of Gaza and called on other countries to fulfill their responsibilities to prevent this great crime.

In Eid Message, Islamic Emirate Leader Stresses Sharia, Security, Unity
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US Targeting ISIS-K in Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Area

June 13, 2024
TOLOnews
TV Network
13 June 2024

The US Department of Defense said that Washington is pursuing militants and senior commanders of ISIS-Khorasan in the border areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, said: “Ongoing efforts to go after ISIS militants or ISIS senior leaders, of course that is something that we continue to work on in the region.”

Although the Islamic Emirate has not commented on the statements of this Pentagon official, it had previously said that the US is trying to create distrust between Afghanistan and regional countries by using the name of ISIS.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, said: “The Americans or American circles who make these statements are doing so in order to create misunderstanding and mistrust among regional countries.”

The day before, some American media outlets reported the arrest of eight people, six of whom are Tajikistan’s citizens, on suspicion of being linked to the ISIS group.

However, some experts call America’s concerns about ISIS activities in the region “theatrical.”

“They have always tried to disturb Afghanistan; they have their own statements, but we must assure regional and world countries that Afghanistan is no longer a threat to them,” said Emal Dostyar, a political analyst.

The caretaker government has always pledged that Afghanistan’s soil will not be used against any country.

US Targeting ISIS-K in Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Area
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Afghanistan among top five refugee-origin countries; 6.4 million displaced: UNHCR

June 13, 2024
Khaama Press

At least 117.3 million people, or one in 69 individuals worldwide, remain forcibly displaced, including a significant number from Afghanistan, according to a report released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today.

Wars in Afghanistan during the 1980s doubled refugee numbers to 20 million by 1990. The 2001 US invasion further escalated the crisis, increasing global displacement, UNHCR global trend report said on Thursday, June 13.

Forced displacement has continued to increase in the first four months of 2024 and is expected to surpass 120 million by the end of April. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for international action to address the underlying causes of displacement.

According to the report, today, Afghanistan is one of the top five countries of origin for refugees, with 6.4 million Afghans forcibly displaced. This number reflects the ongoing instability and conflict in the region, which has persisted for decades.

Almost 70 percent of refugees live in countries neighboring their countries of origin. Iran and Pakistan, for instance, host nearly all Afghan refugees, with Iran accommodating 3.8 million and Pakistan 2 million Afghan refugees.

Germany hosts a significant number of Afghan refugees despite not bordering Afghanistan. At the end of the year, Germany had 255,100 Afghan refugees, highlighting its role in providing international protection to those fleeing conflict.

The continuous rise in forced displacement, particularly among Afghan refugees, underscores the need for global solidarity and comprehensive solutions. Addressing the root causes of displacement and providing adequate support to host countries are crucial steps toward mitigating this humanitarian crisis.

According to the latest UNHCR Global Trends report for 2024, almost three-quarters (72 percent) of all refugees come from just five countries: Afghanistan (6.4 million), Syria (6.4 million), Venezuela (6.1 million), Ukraine (6 million), and Palestine (6 million).

Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, called for urgent international efforts to address the root causes of forced displacement, highlighting the immense suffering and human tragedies behind the staggering displacement numbers.

Of the 117.3 million forcibly displaced people, 68.3 million are internally displaced. In Gaza, ongoing conflict has displaced over 1.7 million people, accounting for 75 percent of its population.

Afghanistan among top five refugee-origin countries; 6.4 million displaced: UNHCR
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Afghan girls endure 1,000 days without school under Taliban rule

June 13, 2024
By Ayaz Gul

Voice of America

June 12, 8:46 PM

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — The Taliban’s ban on educating girls over the age of 12 in Afghanistan reached 1,000 days Thursday amid global outrage and demands for the immediate resumption of children’s learning.

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, denounced it as a “sad and sobering milestone” and noted that “1,000 days out-of-school amounts to 3 billion learning hours lost.”

The statement quoted Catherine Russell, UNICEF executive director, as warning the male-only Taliban government that no country can progress if half of its population is left behind.

“For 1.5 million girls, this systematic exclusion is not only a blatant violation of their right to education but also results in dwindling opportunities and deteriorating mental health,” Russell said.

“As we mark this grim milestone, I urge the de facto authorities to allow all children to resume learning immediately,” she added.

Women banned from many public places

The fundamentalist Taliban have prohibited girls from attending school beyond sixth grade since retaking control of Afghanistan in August 2021. The ban was later extended to universities, blocking female students from finishing their advanced education.

Women also are not allowed to show their faces on television or visit public places such as parks, beauty parlors, or gyms, and they are barred from undertaking road trips unless accompanied by a male relative.

“Afghanistan will never fully recover from these 1,000 days,” said Heather Barr, women’s rights associate director at Human Rights Watch.

“The potential loss in this time — the artists, doctors, poets, and engineers who will never get to lend their country their skills — cannot be replaced,” said Barr. “Every additional day, more dreams die.”

UN officials calls for accountability

Meanwhile, in his latest report issued this week, the U.N. special rapporteur on Afghan human rights has called for the Taliban to be held accountable for their crimes against women and girls.

Richard Bennett alleged that de facto Afghan leaders have established and enforced “an institutionalized system of discrimination, segregation, disrespect for human dignity and exclusion of women and girls.”

He will present and discuss the report at the U.N. Human Rights Council meeting scheduled for June 18.

The Taliban reject criticism of their government and policies, saying they are aligned with local culture and Islam. Their reclusive supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has denounced calls to reform his policies as interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

The impoverished country is reeling from years of war and repeated natural disasters. U.N. agencies estimate that more than half of the population in Afghanistan — 23.7 million people, including 9.2 million children — need relief assistance.

“Education doesn’t just provide opportunities. It protects girls from early marriage, malnutrition, and other health problems and bolsters their resilience to disasters like the floods, drought, and earthquakes that frequently plague Afghanistan,” UNICEF executive director Russell said.

Afghan girls endure 1,000 days without school under Taliban rule
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OCHA Reports 19% of Afghan Children in Child Labor, Urges Action

June 13, 2024
Ebadullah Ebadi
Journalist
Tolo News
12 June 2024

 

According to OCHA, worldwide, 160 million children are engaged in child labor, which is almost one in ten children.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labor said that 19% of children are engaged in child labour in Afghanistan. 

OCHA in its report called the number a grave concern for the future of Afghan children, emphasizing joint work to ensure the learning opportunity and a safe environment for them.

OCHA said: “In Afghanistan, 19% of children are engaged in child labour. This is a grave concern for their well-being and future. We must work together to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment.”

According to OCHA, worldwide, 160 million children are engaged in child labor, which is almost one in ten children.

On this day, child laborers also asked the Islamic Emirate to support their families in addition to providing suitable job opportunities.

Earlier, Save the Children also reported that child labor in Afghanistan has increased by 38% compared to last year.

OCHA Reports 19% of Afghan Children in Child Labor, Urges Action
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Countries Pledge $842M in Aid for Afghanistan at Brussels Meeting

June 13, 2024
TOLOnews
TV Network

12 June 2024

It has been said that this meeting also discussed progress in Afghanistan’s social and economic sectors.

Senior officials from various countries have pledged nearly $842 million to address the humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan during a meeting in Brussels.

At this meeting, hosted by the European Union to discuss engagement with Afghanistan, senior officials from several countries also announced that addressing Afghanistan’s situation is one of their priorities.

It has been said that this meeting also discussed progress in Afghanistan’s social and economic sectors.

Andreas Papaconstantinou, Director for Neighbourhood and Middle East for the European Commission, said that the Commission had very good discussions about delivering humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and the regional Afghan refugee crisis. It maintains support for Afghans, and donors have announced an amount of $841.9 million dollars to address humanitarian emergencies in this country.

The Ministry of Economy of the Islamic Emirate praised the countries’ commitment to helping the people of Afghanistan.

Abdul Rahman Habib, spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy, told TOLOnews: “In addition to humanitarian aid, supporting development projects can provide permanent employment opportunities for people and prevent poverty.”

“The main goal of humanitarian aid is to stand up, strengthen the economy, and reduce and eliminate poverty,” said Asif Nang, an economic analyst.

Meanwhile, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar said that Faisal bin Abdullah Al Hanzab, special envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a meeting of senior officials from various countries on Afghanistan, emphasized that Doha continues its efforts in various fields in Afghanistan through hosting meetings of special representatives for Afghanistan.

But how beneficial is the presence of an Islamic Emirate representative at these meetings?

“Members of Afghanistan [representatives from Afghanistan] should participate in these meetings and convey the realities to them; otherwise, we have a long experience with special representatives, and what happens in Afghanistan does not reach the ears of the people,” Mohammad Mateen Mohammadi, a political and military analyst, told TOLOnews.

Meanwhile, the European Union has recently announced the allocation of $150 million euros to Afghans inside and outside Afghanistan. In a statement, the European Union said that this aid will continue to provide food, shelter, and health services to the most vulnerable citizens of Afghanistan.

Countries Pledge $842M in Aid for Afghanistan at Brussels Meeting
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Ex-US official demands Taliban accountability for women’s rights at Doha meeting

June 11, 2024
Khaama Press

A former senior White House official stated that the Taliban should be held accountable for human rights violations, especially women’s rights, at the upcoming Doha meeting.

Lisa Curtis wrote on the “Just Security” website that the United Nations should expedite its efforts to criminalize “gender apartheid.”

Curtis expressed hope that the UN’s efforts in Afghanistan would initiate a process leading to Taliban accountability for human rights abuses.

The former White House official noted that in December 2023, the Security Council passed a resolution calling for Afghan women’s participation in the political process and appointing a special UN representative for Afghanistan.

However, she pointed out that six months after the resolution, its provisions have not been implemented.

Curtis emphasized the need for the UN to accelerate its actions regarding Afghanistan, including recognizing gender apartheid as a crime against humanity, which she claims is happening in Afghanistan.

She mentioned that continued UN human rights initiatives in Afghanistan give the global community a valuable opportunity to align the country’s conditions with international human rights standards.

Curtis concluded that the current situation in Afghanistan demands a cohesive global approach to address the ISIS-K threat and to pressure the Taliban to improve women’s rights.

Ex-US official demands Taliban accountability for women’s rights at Doha meeting
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BRICS Ministers Advocate Peaceful Resolution in Afghanistan

June 11, 2024
Mitra Majeedy
Tolo Nws
11 June 2024

The Islamic Emirate has not yet commented on this matter but has consistently assured that Afghan soil will not be used against any country.

The BRICS foreign ministers emphasized the peaceful resolution of Afghanistan’s challenges in a joint statement.

The statement also stressed ensuring that terrorists do not use Afghan soil. They supported Afghanistan as an independent, peaceful country free from war, terrorism, and drugs.

“The Ministers emphasized the need for an urgent peaceful settlement in Afghanistan in order to strengthen regional security and stability. They advocated for Afghanistan as an independent, united and peaceful state free from terrorism, war and drugs,” the joint statement reads.

Immediate humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and the protection of the fundamental rights of the people, especially women and various ethnic groups, are other areas highlighted in this joint statement.

The joint statement of the foreign ministers of BRICS member countries states: “stressed the need to provide urgent and uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people and to safeguard the fundamental rights of all Afghans including women, girls and different ethnic groups.”

“Their thinking is that there are certain groups operating in Afghanistan, and they need to reassure them. We should maintain diplomatic relations with regional and global countries so that they can be assured,” said Mohammad Emal Dostyar, a university lecturer.

Political analyst Samiullah Ahmadzai said: “During this period, all politicians have asked the Islamic Emirate to take positive steps in this regard. We should not condition girls’ schools and universities on interaction with the international community; it is in our own best interest.”

The Islamic Emirate has not yet commented on this matter but has consistently assured that Afghan soil will not be used against any country.

Abdul Jamil Shirani, another political analyst, said: “The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly stated and clarified that there should be no concerns about Afghanistan’s territory. There will be no problems for neighboring countries, the region, and even beyond that, for the United States and its allies.”

The meeting of the foreign ministers of BRICS member countries was held in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, with the participation of foreign ministers from Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, India, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, South Africa, Laos, Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Thailand, Belarus, Venezuela, Mauritania, and Vietnam.

BRICS Ministers Advocate Peaceful Resolution in Afghanistan
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Moscow: Establishing Relations with Current Afghan Authorities Necessary

June 10, 2024
Mitra Majeedy
Tolo News
10 June 2024

According to TASS, Maria Zakharova said this is beneficial for Russia and added that the removal of “Taliban” officials from the blacklist is also in progress.

The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, in response to criticism from some journalists about Russia’s contacts with the Islamic Emirate, stated that to prevent drug trafficking and fight terrorism, it is necessary to establish contact with the current authorities in Afghanistan.

According to TASS, Maria Zakharova said this is beneficial for Russia and added that the removal of “Taliban” officials from the blacklist is also in progress.

Part of the TASS report quotes Maria Zakharova as saying: “Some bloggers and journalists are reacting nervously to the fact that Russia is in contact with the Taliban movement, the current government of Afghanistan. Those who write about these issues do not understand that solving problems such as fighting drug trafficking, terrorism, and organized crime actually requires contact, and this is in our interest.”

However, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, praised the remarks of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman and told TOLOnews that the Islamic Emirate wants to engage with all countries of the world. According to Mujahid, Afghanistan needs cooperation and positive contacts with countries.

The spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate said, “Afghanistan needs cooperation as well as positive contacts with countries, and the recent position of Russia is positive, and we appreciate it. In general, our request is that all countries establish good and trustworthy relations with Afghanistan, as this benefits countries, nations, and the region.”

Sayed Akbar Sial Wardak, a political analyst, told TOLOnews: “Russia is a major power in the world and a strong member of the Security Council. Removing the Islamic Emirate from the blacklist is a big advantage for the Islamic Emirate.”

Mohammad Zalmai Afghanyar, another political analyst, said: “If the Russians show closeness to Afghanistan on one hand and condemn it on the other, it means that they want to have Afghanistan with them and also want to have international minds against Afghanistan. I hope a unified political consensus around relations with Afghanistan is established so that Afghanistan can come out of isolation.”

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, also emphasized the importance of Russia’s interaction with the interim government of Afghanistan in a press conference in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.

Moscow: Establishing Relations with Current Afghan Authorities Necessary
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