Central Bank: Over $1.5 Billion in Cash Aid Received Since Political Change

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

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

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

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

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

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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Uzbek President Seeks ‘Common Approaches’ to Situation in Afghanistan

The former President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, also called for efforts to improve the situation in Afghanistan.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the meeting of the Council of Heads of States of the Organization of Turkic States voiced concern over the deteriorating security situation in the world, pointing out that Uzbekistan is neighbors to one of the most conflict-torn countries in the world, referring to Afghanistan.
“Of course, we are all seriously concerned about the situation in neighboring Afghanistan today. … We advocate for a regular dialogue between the foreign ministers of the organization’s member countries in order to develop common approaches to the Afghan issue,” he stressed.
In the meeting, the former President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, also called for efforts to improve the situation in Afghanistan.

“Countries that speak Turkic have a lot in common with Afghanistan, and it’s important to us that Afghanistan has historic sites. The developments in Afghanistan are important to us, and it is our duty to work together and take steps to build peace and stability,” Berdimuhamedow said.

Meanwhile, political experts consider the role of Uzbekistan to be important for solving the current challenges in Afghanistan.

“This issue has two sides, one of which is to make efforts inside Afghanistan and the other is for the international community to make efforts from outside, to build a rapport that would improve the economic situation of Afghanistan,” said Tariq Farhadi, political expert.

“Our country is in a serious economic, political, and cultural crisis, and we need the cooperation with the region’s countries and the international community,” said Hassan Haqyar, a political expert.

The OTS is an interstate bloc, established with the aim of expanding cooperation between Turkish-speaking countries in the fields of politics, economics, science, education, transport, and tourism.

The members of the organization are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan. Hungary and Turkmenistan have observer status in the organization.

Uzbek President Seeks ‘Common Approaches’ to Situation in Afghanistan
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Amnesty Intl Says Decision to Ban Women From Public Parks Must Reversed

Tolo News

12 Nov 2022

The Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Virtue and Vice stopped Afghan women from attending parks in Kabul two days ago.

Amnesty International called on the Islamic Emirate to reverse its recent decision to stop women from visiting public parks in Kabul.

“Any such decision by the Taliban must be reversed immediately as women’s rights under the Taliban have been systematically under attack. The Taliban banning women from public parks in Kabul according to media reports is yet another blow to women`s rights in the country.

“In particular, Amnesty International calls on the International Community to not turn a blind eye on the systematic suffering of women and rights under the Taliban rule. Amnesty International continues to document, report and expose women`s and girls` violations under the Taliban,” Amnesty International South Asia tweeted.

The Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Virtue and Vice stopped Afghan women from attending parks in Kabul two days ago.

According to ministry representatives, this restriction has been placed on women as a result of non-hijab observance.

“Sisters and owners of parks, general bathrooms, and clubs did not work with us and did not abide by the regulations and the hijab, therefore this decision was taken. We hope they have accepted this and embraced it after understanding our fifteen-month work. We’ll leave the question of what will happen next and the resulting decision for another time,” said Akef Mahajir, a spokesman of the ministry.

“People are dealing with many issues. The Taliban should work to address the economic problems of the people rather than becoming engaged in petty issues like closing the parks,” said Javad Ahmad, a resident of Kabul.

Amnesty Intl Says Decision to Ban Women From Public Parks Must Reversed
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UN: Taliban has plunged Afghanistan into `dire’ conditions

By EDITH M. LEDERER

Asociated Press/AP
November 10, 2022

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution Thursday accusing the Taliban of violating the human rights of Afghan women and girls, failing to establish a representative government, and plunging the country into “dire economic, humanitarian and social conditions.”

The resolution also pointed to persistent violence in the country since the Taliban takeover 15 months ago and the presence of terrorist groups such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State and their affiliates as well as the presence of “foreign terrorist fighters.”

Germany’s U.N. ambassador, Antje Leendertse, had hoped the 193-member General Assembly would approve the German-facilitated resolution by consensus.

But a vote was requested and it was adopted 116-0, with 10 countries abstaining — Russia, China, Belarus, Burundi, North Korea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Nicaragua, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Sixty-seven countries did not vote.

General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, unlike Security Council resolutions, but they do reflect world opinion.

The adoption came the same day that the Taliban, which already banned girls from middle school and high school, prohibited women from using gyms and parks.

Before the vote, Leendertse told the assembly that since the Taliban came to power in August 2021 Afghanistan has seen “a massive economic contraction and humanitarian crisis” which has left half the population facing “critical levels of food insecurity.”

“We expect a harsh winter and levels of needs that we have not seen in the last decades with little prospect for economic recovery and reduction of poverty,” she warned.

Introducing the resolution, Leendertse told the assembly that the Taliban control the country but aren’t living up to their responsibility toward meeting the needs of the Afghan people.

“The resolution is a clear call to respect, protect and fulfill human rights, develop inclusive governance and fight terrorism,” she said. “It contains a clear message that without that, there cannot be business as usual and no pathway toward recognition.”

The resolution pledges continued U.N. support for the Afghan people “in order to rebuild a stable, secure and economically self-sufficient state, free of terrorism, narcotics, transnational organized crime, including trafficking in persons, and corruption, and to strengthen the foundations of a constitutional democracy as a responsible member of the international community.”

It calls for improved access for aid workers and recognizes the need to help address Afghanistan’s economic challenges, including efforts to restore the banking and financial systems and enabling Central Bank assets — held mainly in the United States — to be used to help the Afghan people.

The resolution expresses deep concern at human rights abuses against women and girls, including sexual violence, and calls on the Taliban to promote “full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women in all aspects of Afghan society.”

It condemns all attacks, reprisals and violence against journalists and media workers and calls for their perpetrators to be brought to justice.

The resolution reaffirms the assembly’s expectation that the Taliban will live up to its commitments to allow the safe departure of all Afghans and foreign nationals that want to leave the country.

UN: Taliban has plunged Afghanistan into `dire’ conditions
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Taliban ban women from parks and funfairs in Afghan capital

Agence France-Presse in Kabul

The Taliban have banned Afghan women from entering the capital’s public parks and funfairs, just months after ordering access to be segregated by gender.

The new rule, introduced this week, further squeezes women out of an ever-shrinking public space. They are already banned from travelling without a male escort and forced to wear a hijab or burqa whenever out of the home. Secondary schools for girls have also been shut for over a year across most of the country.

“For the past 15 months, we tried our best to arrange and sort it out – and even specified the days,” said Mohammad Akif Sadeq Mohajir, spokesperson for the Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and Promotion of Virtue. “But still, in some places – in fact, we must say in many places – the rules were violated,” he told AFP.

“There was mixing [of men and women], hijab was not observed, that’s why the decision has been taken for now.”

The news was met with dismay by women and park operators – who have invested heavily in developing the facilities.

“There are no schools, no work … we should at least have a place to have fun,” said one ewoman, who asked to be identified only as Wahida, as she watched her children play in a park through the window of an adjoining restaurant. “We are just bored and fed-up with being at home all day, our minds are tired,” she told AFP.

At the next table, Raihana, 21, who is studying Islamic law at university, shared her disappointment after arriving at the park to spend the day with her sisters. “We were very excited … we are tired of staying at home,” she said. “Obviously, in Islam, it is allowed to go out and visit parks. When you have no freedom in your own country, then what does it mean to live here?”

A few miles away, the ferris wheel and most of the other rides in Zazai Park, which offers a spectacular view of Kabul, have ground to a sudden halt because of a lack of business.

Before this week’s ban, it could accommodate hundreds of visitors on days when women brought their children for family gatherings. On Fridays and public holidays, even more people would flock to the park – one of the few attractions in the city.

On Wednesday, only a handful of men wandered nonchalantly through the complex.

Habib Jan Zazai, co-developer of the complex, fears he may have to close down a business into which he has poured $11m, and which employs more than 250 people. “Without women, the children will not come alone,” he said.

He feared such edicts would discourage investment by foreigners or Afghans living abroad, as well as effect revenue collection. “A government is run by taxes. If an investor is not paying tax, then how can they run?”

Mohammad Tamim, 20, sipping tea in the park during a visit from Kandahar, where he teaches at a madrassa, called the ban “bad news”.

“Every human psychologically needs to be entertained,” he said. “Muslims need to be entertained – especially after 20 years of war.”

Taliban ban women from parks and funfairs in Afghan capital
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