US Urges Formation of Inclusive Govt in Afghanistan

November 15, 2022
Imran Danish 

Tolo News

15 Nov 2022

The political analysts give various opinions on the matter.

The US State Department said that Washington’s “commitment to the people of Afghanistan is enduring,” in a recently released statement.

“We will continue to press for an orderly transition of power to an inclusive government with broad support, especially women and minorities,” the US State Department said.

“We will use every diplomatic, economic, political, and assistance tool at our disposal to uphold the basic rights of all Afghans; support continued humanitarian access to the country; and ensure the Taliban honors its commitments.”

The Islamic Emirate’s spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, in reaction to the State Department’s statement, said that the countries should avoid interfering in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

“The Islamic Emirate has considered the issue of inclusivity and it is still paying attention to this issue. This is an internal issue. Pressure from outside is not logical in this regard,” he said.

The political analysts give various opinions on the matter.

“It is important for the Islamic Emirate to collect experienced and professional people in its government,” said Abdul Matin Mohammad Khail, a political analyst.

“The work should be given to those who deserve it. And this should be done via a dynamic which is fair and within the law,” said Abdul Shokor, a political analyst.

US Urges Formation of Inclusive Govt in Afghanistan
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EU to Provide €75 Million in Aid to Afghanistan

November 15, 2022
Bibi Amina Amina Hakimi
Tolo News
15 Nov 2022

According to the statement, the EU commission announced a new humanitarian aid package of €210 million ahead of the G-20 summit in Bali.  

The European Commission has allocated €75 million in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan to address the food security situation, adding in a statement that an estimated 24 million people are in need, and that winter and natural disasters have recently affected the country.

According to the statement, the EU Commission announced a new humanitarian aid package of €210 million ahead of the G-20 summit in Bali.

The aid is to be provided in 15 countries to meet their growing needs, the statement said.

“In 2022, food insecurity reached unprecedented levels, both in scale and severity with at least 205 million people currently acutely food insecure and requiring urgent assistance,” the report said.

“This is the highest level on record. Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen remain at risk of famine.”

Afghanistan has recently plunged into an economic crisis that has triggered a severe humanitarian situation.

“The aid was not distributed as well as the people expected it to be. We request the government to pay further attention to it,” said Ajmal Bahavi, a resident of Kabul.

“The aid should be given to poor and vulnerable people, not to those who have one or two cars, or have a luxury residence,” said Mohammad Qassim, a resident of Kabul.

The Ministry of Economy welcomed the aid provided by the European Union but stressed that if the aid is provided in coordination with the Islamic Emirate, it will improve the livelihood of the Afghan people.

“Considering the economic problems, and the start of winter, if this aid is distributed in coordination with the ministries and based on plans, it will improve the livelihood of our citizens,” he said.

Earlier, the EU announced a package of €50 million.

According to Da Afghanistan Bank (Central Bank), more than $1.5 billion of humanitarian cash aid has arrived since the Islamic Emirate came to power in the country.

According to the statement, a total of €75 million will be provided to Afghanistan.

The rest of the €210 million package will go to East and Southern Africa, Middle East and Latin America.

EU to Provide €75 Million in Aid to Afghanistan
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Islamic Emirate Leader Orders Full Implementation of Sharia Law

November 14, 2022
Imran Danesh
Tolo News
14 Nov 2022

Meanwhile, Yousef Ahmadi, the PM’s spokesperson, told TOLOnews that the order of the leader of the Islamic Emirate will be implemented throughout the country.

The leader of the Islamic Emirate, Mawlawi Hebatullah Akhundzada, has ordered judges to fully implement Islamic law on criminals.

The Islamic Emirate’s spokesperson said on his Twitter page that Mawlawi Hebatullah Akhundzada had ordered the judges to carefully investigate the cases of kidnappers, thieves, and seditionists.

“Mawlawi Hebatullah in meeting with the judges, told them to investigate the cases of thieves, kidnappers and seditionists properly. Those cases that have reached all the requirements of the Sharia retribution, you (judges) are obliged to implement retribution,” said Enayatullah, deputy spokesman of the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Yousef Ahmadi, the PM’s spokesperson, told TOLOnews that the order of the leader of the Islamic Emirate will be implemented throughout the country.

“Those who are involved in murder, kidnapping and theft must be punished for their actions,” Ahmadi said.

However, some political experts said that it will be difficult to implement all aspects of Islamic law in the current situation.

“The Islamic Emirate should make its decision on this matter, whether it stresses the internal dimension or on the foreign dimension, it should move accordingly,” said Janat Fahim Chakari, a political expert.

“The Islamic system is complete when all of its aspects are observed; if all aspects are not implemented, the system is not called an Islamic system. In my opinion, it is a good thing that all aspects should be implemented,” said Sayed Akbar Agha, another political expert.

But some Kabul citizens ask that criminals be punished fairly.

“Justice must be done, and cases must be handled by having documents, proof, in all cases,” said Nazir Ahmadzai, a resident of Kabul.

“Each order has certain principles and regulations. This kind of work shouldn’t be done without guidelines and principles,” said, another resident of Kabul.

This is the first time that the leader of the Islamic Emirate has issued a formal order to fully implement all aspect of Islamic law throughout the country since the Islamic Emirate came to power.

Islamic Emirate Leader Orders Full Implementation of Sharia Law
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University Instructors Abroad Encouraged to Return

November 14, 2022
Banafsha Binesh
Tolo News
14 Nov 2022

The acting minister of Higher Education made his remarks in a consultative meeting with Islamic scholars.

Acting Minister of Higher Education Neda Mohammad Nadim called on university instructors abroad to return to the country and take part in the country’s development. 

“Those instructors, to whom God gave the talents of teaching and are now overseas– I urge them to return to provide education to children of this land,” he said.

This comes as UN special envoy for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, met with the acting minister of Mines and Petroleum, Shuhabuddin Delawar, who is also head of the commission to facilitate the return of Afghans abroad.

“UN (special envoy for Afghanistan) Roz Otunbayeva met de facto authorities’ Mines & Petroleum Min. Shahabuddin Delawar discussing mining sector & the ‘Repatriation Commission’ which he chairs,” UNAMA said on Twitter, calling for the protection of “rights of all Afghans that return so they may contribute to Afghanistan’s development.”

“The instructors should be provided with some facilities including safety, jobs, and a proper salary,” said Khateer, a university instructor.

The acting minister of Higher Education made his remarks in a consultative meeting with Islamic scholars. He said that they are trying to bring the seminaries and universities closer together.

“Our aim is to remove the space between universities and seminaries,” he said.

“If it means creating educational cooperation between the seminaries and universities, then it is a positive step,” said Musavi Mubligh, a university instructor.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Higher Education said that it has made efforts to increase the salaries of university instructors and to deal with the shortage of instructors in the universities.

University Instructors Abroad Encouraged to Return
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Central Bank: Over $1.5 Billion in Cash Aid Received Since Political Change

November 14, 2022
Bibi Amina Amina Hakimi
Tolo News
14 Nov 2022

Da Afghanistan Bank (Central Bank) called on the international community to provide their assistance through Afghan banks.

The international community has provided more than $1.5 billion in cash to Afghanistan since the Islamic Emirate swept into power, a spokesman for the country’s central bank said.

Da Afghanistan Bank (Central Bank) called on the international community to provide their assistance through Afghan banks.

“As part of the humanitarian aid, more than $1.5 billion in cash assistance has arrived in Afghanistan but has been handed over to the commercial bank,” said Haseebullah Noori, a spokesman for Da Afghanistan Bank.

The economists believe that the international aid has not been spent properly and aid has not been effective in reducing poverty in the country.

“Unfortunately, the international humanitarian aid over the past 16 months has not been effective in eliminating poverty and just solved a part of the people’s problems of access to food,” said Mir Shikib, an economist.

This comes as the Ministry of Economy (MoE) said that there is need to invest in development projects in order to alleviate poverty in the country.

“Three issues are important for us. Attracting domestic and foreign investment, launching big economic projects and work on infrastructure, and to begin development projects,” said Abdul Latif Nazari, a spokesman for the MoE.

Earlier, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan’s Reconstruction (SIGAR) said that Washington remains the largest donor to Afghanistan after the Islamic Emirate came to power in the country.

SIGAR said that US agencies denied its request to provide information about spending money in Afghanistan.

Central Bank: Over $1.5 Billion in Cash Aid Received Since Political Change
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Social Media Campaign “Let Girls Learn” Ends on Sunday

November 14, 2022
Asma Saayin
Tolo News
13 Nov 2022

This comes as female students expressed frustration about their closed schools and said that that they are facing an uncertain future. 

The campaign launched by activists on social media called “Let Girls Learn” ended on Sunday.

The organizers of the campaign said that the movement aimed at drawing  attention to the reopening of the girls’ schools above grade six.

“My concern is that Afghanistan is losing a lot of things economically and as the sanctions continue, an internal tension increases. If there is no education for women, and the women are not educated, all of it will have a bad affect,” said Abdullah Baheer, an organizer of the campaign.

Afghan girls above grade six have been banned from going to school.

The US envoy for Afghan women and human rights, Rina Amiri, expressed concerns over restrictions against women in Afghanistan.

“Those who fear a radicalized Afghanistan should be alarmed by the Taliban’s policies against women & girls, denying them education, work in most sectors, even small joys such as the right to go to a park,” she said on Twitter. ”This extremism will lead to instability, poverty & more population flight.”

“Unfortunately, the situation of women in Afghanistan has deteriorated. It is full of deprivation. If the ruling party really believes in ensuring human rights in Afghanistan, they must do something to provide women with their rights instead of excluding them and violating their rights,” said Marriam Marouf, a women’s rights activist.

This comes as female students expressed frustration about their closed schools and said that that they are facing an uncertain future.

“Our request is that they don’t take our education from us and reopen schools for girls,” said Najma, a student.

 “We call on the Ministry of Education to reopen our schools which have been closed for one year,” said Diana, a student.

Social Media Campaign “Let Girls Learn” Ends on Sunday
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UN Officials Meet With Ministry of Industry and Commerce

November 14, 2022
Bibi Amina Amina Hakimi
Tolo News
13 Nov 2022

Meanwhile, economists believe that supporting women entrepreneurs can help the economic growth of the country.

The UN General-Secretary’s special envoy discussed the ministry’s efforts to support private sector development and urged continued dialogue with women entrepreneurs, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on Twitter.

“UN envoy (Roza) Otunbayeva and Ramiz Alakbarov (OCHA humanitarian coordinator) discussed with de facto authorities’ Ministry of Industry & Commerce efforts to support private sector development, urging continued dialogue with women entrepreneurs in order to help their and Afghanistan’s advancement,” UNAMA said.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce said that the meeting covered women’s access to regional and world markets as well as support for women entrepreneurs.

“There were talks about the facilitation of trade licenses for women entrepreneurs, which we had already issued for women ourselves. We provided women with licenses to work and to do business and have companies. And there was discussion over women entrepreneurs’ access to free markets,” said Akhundzada Abdul Salam, a spokesman for the MoIC.

Some women entrepreneurs complained of the lack of proper markets for their products.

“The women entrepreneurs unfortunately do not have domestic sales and access to outside markets. One of the problems is a shortage of budgets and another problem is a lack of markets,” said Nafisa, an entrepreneur.

Meanwhile, economists believe that supporting women entrepreneurs can help the economic growth of the country.

“The economic growth of women can help in the alleviation of poverty in the society and the support of national revenue; the economic independence of women is a move toward the improvement of society,” said Seyar Qureshi, an economist.

“Unfortunately, restrictions on banks have affected economic activities and caused challenges in international trade both in imports and exports,” said Abdul Naseer Rishtia, an economist.

This comes as some traders expressed concerns that the private sector has been facing challenges in money transactions.

According to the statistics of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACIM), around 4,000 women has official licenses for business activities in the country.

UN Officials Meet With Ministry of Industry and Commerce
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Recent UN Resolution Important for Intl Relations: Faiq

November 14, 2022
Mohammad Farshad Daryosh
News Reporter
Tolo News
13 Nov 2022

The analysts urged the caretaker government to accept some of the international community’s wishes to reach recognition.

The Chargé d’Affaires of Afghanistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Naseer Ahmad Faiq, said that that improvement of relations between the Islamic Emirate and international community is linked to implementation of the recent resolution issued by the UN members in a plenary assembly.

Faiq said that the caretaker government has not yet completed the conditions for recognition.

“The relations of the international community and their engagement with the Taliban depends on the improvement and implementation of resolutions as well as the fulfilment of the Taliban’s commitments. This is a very important point because it shows that the international community has a clear message for the Taliban,” he said.

Faiq made the remarks during an online meeting.

“They are trying to act as a government but on the contrary, they have not fulfilled the wishes of the people of Afghanistan and conditions that are laid by the international community and regional countries,” he said.

But the head of the Islamic Emirate’s Political Office in Qatar, Suhail Shaheen, denied that the Islamic Emirate has not been recognized for not accepting some wishes of the international community.

“The condition for recognition is to have control over the capital—to rule the whole country and the borders. These are the conditions that the current government has now. Otherwise, there is no conditions but demands which are posing obstacles against recognition,” he said.

The analysts urged the caretaker government to accept some of the international community’s wishes to reach recognition.

“They may implement the conditions which are not against sharia, thus, the world can recognize it and the problems of the people will be solved,” said Mohammad Mateen Mohammad Khail, a political analyst.

“The demands of the international community for recognition are based on Afghanistan’s conflictive history and realities,” said Sayed Javad Sijadi, a political analyst.

Despite nearly 15 months after the fall, no country has yet recognized the Islamic Emirate. However, the diplomatic missions of some countries including Russia, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, China and others are present in capital Kabul.

Recent UN Resolution Important for Intl Relations: Faiq
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Reports: Gunfire at Afghan-Pakistan border leaves 1 dead

November 14, 2022

Associated Press

12 Nov 2022

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Gunfire and a deadly shooting have led to the closing of a main border crossing between Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan, officials from both countries said on Sunday.

Chaman in Pakistan’s southwestern Baluchistan province is the most important border point for trade between the two countries, after Torkham in the country’s mountainous northwest.

The shooting left dead a Pakistani border guard and wounded two others, a leading trader in Chaman said.

Imran Ahmed Khan, who has served as an official with the local chamber of commerce in recent years, said he attended the funeral of the soldier killed in the cross-border shooting.

Pakistani officials were not available immediately for comment.

Attaullah Zaid, spokesman for the governor of Afghanistan’s neighboring province of Kandahar, confirmed the incident but said there were no casualties on the Afghan side.

A security official in Kandahar said the problem started when Taliban soldiers on their side asked Pakistani border guards to stop mistreating Afghan nationals.

The unruly frontier between Pakistan and Afghanistan has seen similar shooting incidents before at Chaman, Torkham and other crossing points.

Officials did not immediately say when the border crossing at Chaman would reopen.

Reports: Gunfire at Afghan-Pakistan border leaves 1 dead
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Islamic Emirate Denies Terrorist Groups’ Presence in Afghanistan

November 13, 2022
Mohammad Farshad Daryosh
News Reporter
Tolo News
12 Nov 2022
The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly denied the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, saying that Afghan soil will not be used against any other country.

The Islamic Emirate once again denied the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, saying that there is no evidence to show that there is any threat to the world from Afghan soil.

This comes as representatives of India and Pakistan at the UNGA plenary meeting on Afghanistan expressed concerns over the existence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan.

“There is no evidence or documentation to show that there is any threat from Afghan soil to the national interest of other countries. So, we must say that the concerns which existed in this regard are based on inaccurate information. We hope the realities in our country are understood,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.

The representatives from India and Pakistan at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly expressed concerns over the presence of Jaish Mohamad and Lashkar-e-Taiba groups and Tahrik-e-Taliban in Afghanistan.

“We must develop a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy. To do so, engagement with the de facto government is essential. Pakistan will support counter-terrorism efforts while respecting Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Muhammad Aamir Khan, the acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN.

Some political and military analysts gave various opinions on the matter.

“If there are groups in Afghanistan, they are trained by these countries that are now accusing Afghanistan. It may be that they are now reaping what they have sowed,” said Mohammad Saleem Paigar, a political analyst.

The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly denied the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, saying that Afghan soil will not be used against any other country.

Islamic Emirate Denies Terrorist Groups’ Presence in Afghanistan
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