Private University Enrollment Down 50% Since Govt Change: Union

October 26, 2022
Fatima Adib 
Tolo News
22 Oct 2022

Students confirmed that because of economic challenges they are not able to pay fees for their education.

The Union of Private Universities in Afghanistan said that the number of students attending private universities has dropped by 50 percent since the political change in 2021.

The union said that the political change and the economic crisis are the main reasons for the decrease.

“Younger generations are hopeless about their future and their education and students have economic challenges and cannot pay their fees,” said Gul Rahman Qazi, head of Qalm University.

“The first reason is that economic challenges have affected our society and today nobody has a perfect job,” said Sara, a lecturer.

Students confirmed that because of economic challenges they are not able to pay fees for their education.

“There is no work, incomes have decreased, and this has caused most students who are not able to pay fees to become distanced from education,” said Manizha, a student.

Officials of the Union of Private Universities in Afghanistan said that due to economic problems and political changes, there has been a fifty percent decrease of students.

“Numbers of students have decreased by 50 percent due to the political changes and economic challenges,” said Mohammad Karim Naseeri, head of the media of the Union of Private University in Afghanistan.

“After the Islamic Emirate takeover, educational opportunities have been facilitated in private and governmental universities and students can continue their studies with full confidence,” said Khaleddad Ahmad Taqi, a spokesman for the Ministry of Higher Education.

140 private and governmental universities are active across the country and now the number of the students has decreased.

Private University Enrollment Down 50% Since Govt Change: Union
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380M Banknotes of Afghan Currency to Arrive Within 1 Month: Mehrabi

October 26, 2022
 Imran Danish 
Tolo News
22 Oct 2022

Mehrabi said another contract 390 million banknotes of various denominations with a face value of 10 billion Afghanis was signed with the French company.

A member of the Afghanistan Trust Fund, Shah Mohammad Mehrabi, said that the Polish Security Printing Works (PWPW) is due to deliver new Afghani banknotes to Afghanistan within one month.

“DA Afghanistan Bank signed one contract with PWPW, a Polish printing company, for 380 million banknotes of various denominations with a face value of 10 billion Afghanis,” Mehrabi told TOLOnews. “PWPW should deliver these notes in a month, possibly earlier. These banknotes should inject adequate liquidity into the market.”

According to Mehrabi, these banknotes have already been printed.

This comes as a spokesman for the US Department of State, Ned Price, said at a press conference that the US and its partners have been working hard with the international banks to facilitate a payment transfer from Afghanistan’s Central Bank to European printing companies where new banknotes will be produced.

“This is about the welfare and the well-being of the Afghan people. They have suffered from the deterioration of these banknotes,” Price said.

Mehrabi said another contract 390 million banknotes of various denominations with a face value of 10 billion Afghanis was signed with the French company.

“There are other banknotes coming from a French company and the delivery dates will be determined later,” Mehrabisaid.

Economists said that the transfer of banknotes to Afghanistan is vitally needed.

“The sanctions, which are imposed for any reason and through any method, and which affect the economy and deterioration of banknotes, should be stopped,” said Mohammad Asif Nang, an economist.

Since the Islamic Emirate came to power, this is the first time that new Afghani banknotes are due to enter Afghanistan.

380M Banknotes of Afghan Currency to Arrive Within 1 Month: Mehrabi
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SIGAR: Closed Girls’ Schools Has Had ‘Averse Effect’

October 26, 2022
Asma Saayin
Tolo News
26 Oct 2022

Earlier Islamic Emirate said that efforts are underway for opening schools for girls above grade six but still unknow when the will open schools’ door for girls.

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction in a recent report expressed concern about the closure of schools for girls above grade six in Afghanistan.

“Afghan activists and education sector representatives told us that the Taliban’s restrictive and varied guidance toward girls’ education, including prohibiting girls from attending school after sixth grade, has had an adverse effect and resulted in an overall reduction in school attendance,” said SIGAR.

“Schools above grade six for girls have to open immediately,” said Najibullah Jami, a political analyst.

Meanwhile, the Associate Director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch said that Afghanistan is the only country where girls are deprived from going to school.

“Taliban violation the right of women and girls in Afghanistan and today is the 400 hundred days since the Taliban banned secondary education for girls there is no other country in the world that systematically deny girls education based on the gender and denying women the right to work,” said Heather Barr.

“Opening schools is a religious order and its demand of people and international community and it’s an urgent need,” said Hassan Haqyar, political analyst.

Some students above grade six asked the government to allow them to go to schools.

“They closed schools’ door against us, we urged government to opening schools’ for girls,” said Sahar, a student.

“We asked the government to open schools’ door for us so we can learn and progress,”said Parwen, a student.

Earlier Islamic Emirate said that efforts are underway for opening schools for girls above grade six but still unknow when the will open schools’ door for girls.

SIGAR: Closed Girls’ Schools Has Had ‘Averse Effect’
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400 Days Have Passed Since Afghan Girls Attended Secondary School

October 25, 2022
TOLOnews
TV Network
25 Oct 2022

Meanwhile, some female students above grade six asked the government to allow them to go to schools.

Rina Amiri, United States special envoy for Afghan Women, Girls and Human Rights, expressed concern about the closure of secondary schools for girls and said it has been 400 days that girls have been banned from going to school. She said the current government cannot deny education to half the population.

In addition, she said that girl’s education is the key to lifting Afghanistan from poverty.

“The Taliban can’t deny half the population education & work opportunities & claim to move Afghanistan towards economic independence. Education of all Afghans, including women & girls, is key to lifting Afghanistan out of poverty & restoring hope,” said Rina Amiri.

Analysts believe that the opening of schools for girls is important to improve relations between the Islamic Emirate and the world.

“The current situation of education for females is not acceptable and it is not in the interest of our country, our people, and our religion,” said Hassan Haqyar, political analyst.

Meanwhile, some female students above grade six asked the government to allow them to go to schools.

“Closing schools means creating problems for the entire nation of Afghanistan,” said Huma, a student.

“Opening schools means achieving goals and nobody can stop us from obtaining our rights,” said liala, a student.
Islamic Emirate emphasis that they are not against girls’ education and the reopening of girls’ schools beyond grade six is being considered.

400 Days Have Passed Since Afghan Girls Attended Secondary School
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Norway to Host Closed Meeting on Afghanistan

October 25, 2022
Imran Danish
Tolo News
25 Oct 2022

The Islamic Emirate said that all types of meetings including the Norwegian summit should consider the situation of the Afghans.

The Norwegian Permanent Mission to the UN said that it will be hosting a closed Arria-formula meeting titled “Engaging Afghanistan.”

The Norwegian Permanent Mission to the UN said in a statement that the UN special envoy Roza Otunbayeva, deputy special envoy Ramiz Alakbarov, and a female civil society representative would be among the briefers.

“We are very concerned about the situation for the people of Afghanistan as they are facing a multitude of crises,” said the Norwegian Permanent Ambassador to the UN, Mona Juul. “The reason we are bringing members together in this way is to have an informal, critical, discussion on the political situation and how the Security Council best can support the political aspects of the mandate of the UN Mission in the way ahead.”

The Islamic Emirate said that all types of meetings including the Norwegian summit should consider the situation of the Afghans.

“The expectations of the people of Afghanistan from any meeting being held in any country in which Afghan issues are being discussed– is to provide them with help. The problems which exist can be solved via negotiations,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.

The political analysts believe that such summits could benefit the situation in Afghanistan.

“Norway is a country which has a positive and important role in relations with current and former government,” said Abdul Jamil Shirani, a political analyst.

“The meeting of the UN Security Council which is being called in by the Norway is a positive step and should be welcomed by the Afghans. But the representatives of the people of Afghanistan should be present in such meetings,” said Wahid Faqiri, a political analyst.

The statement of the Norwegian Permanent Mission in Afghanistan said that the five incoming members to the Security Council were also invited to the meeting.

Norway to Host Closed Meeting on Afghanistan
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Commission Will Investigate Citizens’ Complaints About Ex-Govt Officials

October 24, 2022
TOLOnews
TV Network
Tolo News
23 Oct 2022

According to the commission’s recent figures, so far more than 370 political figures from the previous administration have returned to the nation.

The Commission for “Return and Communications with Former Afghan Officials and Political Figures” said that the commission will look into any claims made by citizens against political figures.

Ahmadullah Wasiq, the communication committee spokesperson, said that the political figures who have returned to the country have complete immunity, and that this commission will look into their cases.

“They (people) come to the commission and file a petition, registering their lawsuit … The commission then reviews their claim and takes appropriate action,” Wasiq said.

Wasiq further stated that the Islamic Emirate might have some considerations over the former president Hamid Karzai’s trips.

“The government might have its own views in this regard,” Wasiq added.

According to the commission’s recent figures, so far more than 370 political figures from the previous administration have returned to the nation.

However, reports indicate that some former government officials who have come to the country have since left Afghanistan.

“There are some of my friends and former colleagues who are keen to work with me under a specific and regular plan, therefore I came back to consult with them,” said Amanullah Ghalib, former head of Breshna company.

“More trust-building is required in Afghanistan because there are many Afghans who have significant wealth abroad. If they come and invest in the nation from the Gulf, Pakistan, Turkey, and Europe they can end the nation’s poverty,” said political expert Tariq Farhadi.

On the leader of the Islamic Emirate’s order, the Commission for “Return and Communications with Former Afghan Officials and Political Figures” was formed in the month of Sawr 1401 (solar year).

This commission is tasked with creating the conditions for the return of figures from political, military and cultural areas, and civilians who left the country following the collapse of the republican government.

Commission Will Investigate Citizens’ Complaints About Ex-Govt Officials
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Islamic Emirate’s Leader Meets With MoD Officials

October 24, 2022
Nazeer Shinwari 
Tolo News
24 October 2022

Sayed Bilal Ahmad Fatimi, a political analyst, said that the international and Islamic laws in this regard match each other.

The leader of the Islamic Emirate, Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, met with the officials of the department of strategy and intelligence of the Defense Ministry, and commanders of the corps.  

In a statement released by the Islamic Emirate’s Spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada instructed that innocent people should not be detained and investigated.

The deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, Bilal Karimi, said that in the meeting the need to exclude inappropriate individuals from the command of the Islamic Emirate was stressed.

“In accordance with the Islamic regulation, they (detainees) should not be harassed and they should be treated based on Islamic rules and Sharia,” he said.

The Islamic Emirate leader ordered the officials to treat detainees based on Sharia law and to avoid illegal torture.

“The officials have been provided with recommendations to form their forces with honest and committed people to serve the country and their religion and pave the way for development of the country,” Karimi said.

Sayed Bilal Ahmad Fatimi, a political analyst, said that the international and Islamic laws in this regard match each other.

“This is similar to the Islamic sharia as well as international laws–the Islamic law in this regard matches international regulation,” he said.

The Islamic Emirate’s leader said that intelligence’s role is important for the current government and the elimination of corruption.

Islamic Emirate’s Leader Meets With MoD Officials
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New Printed Afghani Will Replace Banknotes: West

October 22, 2022
Mujeeb Rahman Awrang Stanikzai
Head of TOLOnews’ Online Department
22 Oct 2022

According to West, there will be an additional advisory body of Afghan professionals and experienced people.

The US special envoy for Afghanistan, Thomas West, said that the “new printed Afghani will replace bank notes” in Afghan markets.

He made the remarks while speaking about the Afghan frozen funds in a Zoom conference.

“So I am very pleased to say that in the past 24 hours, we finally have seen the conclusion of currency transaction… this will mean that new printed Afghani will replace banknotes that … are virtually disintegrating in the system.”

“I don’t have a great sense of exactly when those banknotes are going to show up in Afghanistan, but we are going to continue supporting the priority transaction,” West said.

However, the time when the new banknotes will enter the Afghan markets has not been determined.

In the conference West said that in August 2021 it was not the executive branch that told the banks to suspend access, it was the banks.

He said the first meeting of the board of trustees is expected to take place next month in Switzerland.

West said the board of trustees, which is comprised of representatives from the US and Switzerland, as well as Anwar ul-Haq Ahady, who formerly served as Afghan Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Shah Mohammad Mehrabi, will make major decisions about the $3.5 billion Afghan assets.

According to West, there will be an additional advisory body of Afghan professionals and experienced people.

The US envoy said al-Zawahiri’s presence in Kabul was a “flagrant” violation of the Doha deal. Referring to US cooperation with the Islamic Emirate over counter-terrorism, West said that fulfilling the commitments of the deal in this regard is “their job.” But there will be some cooperation.

New Printed Afghani Will Replace Banknotes: West
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Efforts Underway to Form New Constitution: Mujahid

October 22, 2022
Mohammad Farshad Daryosh
News ReporterTolo News
22 Oct 2022

After the fall of the former government, the fate of the constitution in Afghanistan remained tentative.

The Islamic Emirate’s Spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said that work on the formation of a constitution that will replace the previous constitution.

After the fall of the former government, the fate of the constitution in Afghanistan remained tentative.

“The work regarding the constitution is underway,” Mujahid said.

Politicians said the constitution was one the main needs of the country and urged the Islamic Emirate to make serious efforts in this regard.

The former head of the Independent Commission for Overseeing the Implementation of the Constitution, Gul Rahman Qazi, believes that the lack of a constitution will cause several problems.

“The constitution forms the basis of a government’s legislation, our laws are formed from the constitution,” he said.

“There is not a law that the Afghan nation can adapt itself to it. The government should be formed, the Loya Jirga (Great Assembly) should be called, the commission of constitution should begin operating to form the constitution and, eventually, the government should take some responsibility and should be accountable (to institutions), which is the parliament,” said Sayed Ishaq Gailani, leader of the National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan.

In accordance with a statement of the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada at a meeting with the provincial governors, the previous constitution was dissolved.

Mawlawi Akhundzada said that all decisions should be made based on Islamic Sharia.

“Sheikh Sahib said that it is incorrect to implement Zahir Shah’s constitution and that there is no difference between the constitutions of the republican administration and Zahir Shah’s period. We just want the Sharia system; neither Ashraf Ghani’s constitution nor Zahir Shah’s are acceptable,” Obaidullah Ameenzada, governor of Parwan province told a gathering in the province.

Legal analysts believe that there is a need for additional laws besides Shariah.

The constitution was formed under former Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Efforts Underway to Form New Constitution: Mujahid
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Japan Begins Limited Diplomatic Activities in Kabul

October 22, 2022
Imran Danish
Tolo News
22 Oct 2022

The Japanese embassy in Kabul has begun limited activity, the Japanese foreign minister said on Saturday.

Japan’s foreign minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said on Friday during a press conference in Tokyo that his country had resumed limited diplomatic relations with Afghanistan after a hiatus of more than a year.

According to Hayashi, the Japanese embassy in Kabul will limit their activities.

“At the moment, the Japanese Embassy in Kabul has begun its limited activity and is doing the minimum necessary work. For security reasons, I refrain from mentioning the details,” he continued.

Hayashi noted that other aspects will be taken into consideration before deciding to launch a complete diplomatic presence in Kabul.

Japan’s embassy in Kabul was closed after the fall of the previous administration, and its diplomats then temporarily continued activities form Qatar.

Meanwhile, experts consider the foreign diplomatic missions’ activity in Kabul as a positive development.

“Relations with the world are crucial for Afghanistan, and vice versa. Afghanistan cannot survive in isolation and given its current situation, the world should continue to have contacts with Afghanistan,” said political analyst Mohammad Hassan Haqyar.

“If we look at the United Nations Charter, it says that any time a country opens an embassy in another country and sends a diplomat, it must accept the embassy of the other country in its own country and accept its diplomats,” said Ahmad Khan Andar, a political expert.

Despite having been in power in Afghanistan for more than a year, the Islamic Emirate is still not recognized by any nation. even though a few nations, including China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Qatar, and Turkey, have opened embassies in Kabul.

Japan Begins Limited Diplomatic Activities in Kabul
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