Mujahid: Lack of Intl Recognition a Cause of Delay in Formalizing Cabinet

March 13, 2024
Sodaba Nazhand
Tolo News
13 March 2024

Mujahid added that despite this, work in government institutions is proceeding normally.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, told TOLOnews that the lack of recognition of the Islamic Emirate and the absence of a constitution have prevented the announcement of an official cabinet.

“We will reach the stage where the current government, which is an acting one, becomes permanent. Some shortcomings remain in the legal area,” the spokesman said.

Three weeks after the Islamic Emirate took control of the country, it announced a caretaker cabinet at a press conference. Nearly three years have passed since that day, but there has still been no official cabinet announcement. Currently 21 ministries are managed by acting ministers.

Some experts say a constitution is crucial for stability in the country and said that drafting a constitution is an important task for the caretaker cabinet.

“Without the existence of law, [the government] is neither accountable to the people nor can it prosecute the people. This means that without a law, on what basis do you prosecute a criminal?” said Abdul Shukor Dadras, a legal affairs expert.

“In my opinion, the government should consult the nation and discuss the constitution, which is an important matter, and on this basis announce the official cabinet,” said Moeen Gol Smakani, a political affairs expert.

Abdul Latif Mansur, Acting Minister of Energy and Water, emphasized the need for a constitution in the country a few days ago at a meeting in Paktia province, saying it was a serious necessity.

Mujahid: Lack of Intl Recognition a Cause of Delay in Formalizing Cabinet
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US: Detention of Americans ‘Significant Obstacle’ to Relations With Kabul

March 13, 2024
Nazir Shinwari
Tolo News
13 March 2024

Political experts said that Kabul and Washington should resolve the existing challenges through diplomatic means.

The US Department of State has repeatedly stated that the detention of American citizens in Afghanistan is an obstacle to Washington’s engagement with Kabul.

Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesperson, said in a press briefing to reporters that US officials have consistently called for the unconditional release of American citizens in meetings with “Taliban” representatives.

“We continue to press, including in meetings with Taliban representatives, for the immediate and unconditional release of Americans detained in Afghanistan. Those detentions have been and continue to be a significant obstacle to positive engagement with the country.”

The head of the general department of prisons in the country, Mohammad Yousuf Mestari, said that a number of foreign nationals are currently in prisons of the Islamic Emirate.

“These prisoners are with us for legal crimes from some neighboring countries but we do not have political prisoners. Of course, there are [political prisoners] at the level of Afghanistan with the Islamic Emirate and in other places,” Mestari added.

Political experts said that Kabul and Washington should resolve the existing challenges through diplomatic means.

“If the American side wants to engage with the Islamic Emirate, they should do so diplomatically and within the framework of mutual respect with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and accept that Afghanistan is an independent country and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan interacts with them in the light of its values and laws,” said Abdul Haq Hamad, a political expert.

“These problems can be resolved through a comprehensive discourse that should take place between Afghanistan and America,” Fazlur Rahman Orya, a political expert, said.

Earlier, the deputy head of the Office of the Prison Administration, Habibullah Badr, in an interview with TOLOnews said that nearly 25 foreign nationals with cases are in the prisons of the Islamic Emirate. Badr did not provide details on whether there were American citizens among them or not.

US: Detention of Americans ‘Significant Obstacle’ to Relations With Kabul
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Afghan Child Labor Increases By 38%: Save the Children

March 13, 2024
TOLOnews
13 March 2024

An official of this organization told TOLOnews that more than two million people, of which 50% are children, are in need of immediate humanitarian aid.

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

An official of this organization told TOLOnews that more than two million people, of which 50% are children, are in need of immediate humanitarian aid.

Arshad Malik, the country director of Save the Children in Afghanistan, said: “As I said before, there (is an) approximately 38% increase in the number of children who are now involved in child labor, and we (with our) work on street children program which we are implementing in Kabul and in Nangarhar we are supporting these children. When it comes to the actual growth causes, as I said, the economic situation, reduction of funding, the crises Afghanistan is facing, the climate change and also the impact of lack of banking sector operations like international trade, all that has impact in the overall economy in Afghanistan and that impacts the children, and families are forcing children to work outside of the household which deprives them.”

The country director said that after the Islamic Emirate came to power, the organization provided $200 million dollars in aid to the people of Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate is asking aid agencies to coordinate their assistance with the caretaker government to reach the people of Afghanistan.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said: “The people of Afghanistan are in need of help in various sectors, their (aid agencies) cooperation is commendable in the medical sectors, helping the poor, and creating jobs for the people.”

Some child laborers said that due to economic challenges, they are forced to do hazardous work.

“My sisters at home are hungry, and we have nothing to eat, so I am busy with street vending,” said Maryam, a child laborer.

“We would like to study like other children,” said Ajmal, a child laborer.

Earlier, UNICEF called 2023 a disastrous year for children in Afghanistan, stating that more than a third of children in Afghanistan are engaged in hazardous work.

Afghan Child Labor Increases By 38%: Save the Children
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Headline Inflation Has ‘Significant Downturn’ in Afghanistan: World Bank

March 12, 2024
Bibi Amina Hakimi
TOLOnews’ Reporter
12 March 2024

officials in the Ministry of Economy said that the Ministry has short-term and long-term plans for economic growth and reducing the rate of economic inflation.

In its latest report, the World Bank said that inflation experienced a significant downturn in January 2024, reaching -10.2% on a year-on-year basis. 

The Afghanistan Economic Monitor report also said that the inflation rate in January 2024 has decreased in Afghanistan due to the delayed consumer purchases, reduced business investment, and stalled economic growth in Afghanistan.

According to the report, this inflation was due to the “sharp decline” in the price of food items by -15.1% and non-food items by -4.8%.

However, officials in the Ministry of Economy said that the Ministry has short-term and long-term plans for economic growth and reducing the rate of economic inflation.

“Climate changes and droughts have affected the agriculture sector and social security to some extent. We prioritize dealing with climate change and livelihood transformation through creating work opportunities in different sectors,” said Abdul Rahmad Habib, the spokesman of the Ministry of Economy.

”Afghanistan’s exports contracted by 5 percent YoY to $140.5 million in January 2024, down from $148 million,” the report said.

According to the report, Afghanistan’s imports increased by 37% this month, reaching $830 million from $600 million in January 2023.

“In the current year, one of the reasons for the decrease in exports is due to the blocking of the country’s ports, such as Torkham and Spin Boldak … the decrease in the export of mineral items also caused problems,” said Mirwais Hotak, head of the Executive Board of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment.

The World Bank has also said that the value of the Afghani has been stable in the last eighteen months due to global aid amounting to nearly $2 billion, but in January 2024, the value of the Afghani has also decreased against major world currencies.

“Over the eleven-month span of FY2024, from March 22, 2023, to February 21, 2024, Afghanistan’s revenue collection reached AFN 189 billion, narrowly missing the target by 2 percent but marking a 5.6 percent increase from the previous fiscal year,” the report reads.

Headline Inflation Has ‘Significant Downturn’ in Afghanistan: World Bank
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Afghan CSO launches education TV channel to support schoolgirls in Afghanistan

March 12, 2024
Khaama Press

On March 8, 2024, the Begum Organization for Women (BOW) announced the official launch of Begum TV, an educational television channel aimed at providing learning opportunities to Afghan schoolgirls and students who have been deprived of education under the Taliban regime. The launch coincides with Women’s International Day and underscores BOW’s commitment to empowering women through education.

Begum TV will broadcast 24/7 in Afghanistan via satellite, offering video courses covering the entire Afghan school curriculum from 7th to 12th Grade in both Dari and Pashto languages. The programming includes fixed-time daily sessions tailored for different grade levels, allowing students to attend classes from home and engage with their favourite teachers for thirty minutes of intensive courses.

To accommodate students who may miss the morning sessions, all video courses are rebroadcast in the afternoon and late evening. This ensures widespread accessibility to educational content, particularly for those facing logistical challenges or time constraints.

The initiative builds upon the foundation laid by Begum Academy, a free digital platform launched in November 2023, which hosts over 8500 video courses covering the same curriculum. By combining television and internet broadcasts, Begum aims to provide almost all Afghan schoolgirls and students with access to free education, significantly impacting educational equity in the region.

In addition to academic content, Begum TV features a three-hour daily prime-time slot targeting a family audience. This segment aims to raise awareness of crucial issues such as health problems, psychological traumas, gender issues, domestic violence, and women’s rights. Through a blend of education and entertainment, the channel seeks to engage both children and parents, fostering a supportive environment for girls’ education.

Two daily educational talk shows, “Tabassoom” (Healing) and “Matab” (The Clinic), serve as flagship programs during prime time. “Tabassoom” focuses on mental health and well-being, offering insights from psychotherapists based in Paris and Kabul who address viewers’ questions and concerns. Meanwhile, “Matab” aims to popularize medical information and provide health counselling and tele-consultations, addressing gaps in the Afghan health system.

Meanwhile, the launch of Begum TV represents a significant step towards promoting education and empowerment for Afghan women and girls. Through innovative programming and deliberate partnerships, BOW continues to champion gender equality and access to education in Afghanistan.

Afghan CSO launches education TV channel to support schoolgirls in Afghanistan
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UNESCO: 75% of Afghan Girls Denied Education, Facing Bleak Future

March 12, 2024
 Hadia Ziaei
Tolo News
12 March 2024

UNESCO in a report said that girls in Afghanistan and some African countries are facing significant educational setbacks.

UNESCO, in its report, has stated that Afghanistan is among the ten countries where the majority of girls are deprived of going to schools and 75% of them are deprived of education.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has published a report stating that girls in Afghanistan and some African countries are facing significant educational setbacks.

“Among these ten countries, nine from Africa and Afghanistan have the highest rate of girls’ lack of access to schools. Afghanistan ranks tenth in this list. At least 50% of girls cannot go to school, and in Afghanistan, 75% of girls do not have the opportunity to attend school.” Reads part of the report.

“If the Islamic Emirate does not allow our sisters to go to school this year as well, we will face a very difficult year ahead and the future of Afghanistan will be dark and in ignorance,” said Zakiullah Muhammadi, a university professor.

Zahra and Maryam, who are eighth-grade students, have turned to painting since the schools’ doors have been closed to girls from the sixth grade onwards.

They say that art can never replace education and the doors of schools must be reopened for girls.

“Education has its value, I want our school to start again so we can return to our lessons,” said Zahra

“I should have been in the eleventh grade by now, but since the schools were closed, I am still in the eighth grade,” said Maryam.

Meanwhile, several other students also request the caretaker government to facilitate their return to schools in the educational year 1403.

“My request from the Islamic Emirate is to open the doors of schools for girls above sixth grade in the solar year 1403, so we can enjoy our rights,” said Rabia, student.

“The schools for girls should be opened as soon as possible so we can continue our education like boys,” said Sana, another student.

Despite it being more than nine hundred days since the closure of schools for girls above the sixth grade and less than ten days left until the start of the new educational year, the caretaker government has not said anything about reopening the schools for these girls.

UNESCO: 75% of Afghan Girls Denied Education, Facing Bleak Future
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Muttaqi: Foreign Ministry Has 38 Offices Abroad

March 12, 2024
By Nazir Shinwari
Tolo News
12 March 2024

Speaking about the opposition, Muttaqi said that the world does not support the opponents of the Islamic Emirate. 

The acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, at a gathering said that currently around 38 embassies and political agencies of the Islamic Emirate are active in various countries.

Emphasizing the importance of good relations with the world, Amir Khan Muttaqi asked countries to interact with the Islamic Emirate.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has 38 political agencies and embassies in various countries of the world, and there are no complaints about corruption or delay in providing services from them,” Muttaqi said.

Muttaqi said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has 38 representative offices and embassies in various countries of the world, and there are no complaints about corruption or delays with them.

Speaking about the opposition, Muttaqi said that the world does not support the opponents of the Islamic Emirate.

“I am happy today that no power in the world wants to strengthen the opponents, and this is good news for Afghanistan. I am happy that none of the opponents are expelled from Afghanistan and everyone can come and live in the country,” he said.

This senior official of the Islamic Emirate also mentioned the importance of education in the country and that the current caretaker government has a serious need for religious and modern education and currently young people are educated in both sectors.

“The current Afghan government is Islamic and not a secular system, and modern and religious education is needed in the Islamic system,” the acting Foreign Minister stated.

Two years since their return, no country of the world has recognized the Islamic Emirate.

Muttaqi: Foreign Ministry Has 38 Offices Abroad
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Iran expels over two thousand Afghan migrants

March 11, 2024
Khaama Press

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations has recently announced that over two thousand Afghan migrants returned to the country after being expelled from Iran.

On Monday, the ministry stated in a newsletter that approximately 2,103 Afghan migrants residing in Iran returned to the country after being expelled again.

The ministry’s newsletter mentioned that these migrants entered the country through the Islam Qala border in Herat province after being expelled.

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations has clarified that the return of migrants was both voluntary and forced.

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations reports the return of migrants from Iran at a time when both Iran and Pakistan have imposed strict restrictions on Afghan citizens.

Meanwhile, Pakistan forcibly deported over 200 Afghan migrants from the country just yesterday.

Pakistan and Iran consistently cite a lack of residency documents as the primary reason for expelling migrants from their countries.

Amidst the ongoing dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran face severe challenges.

Many fled their homeland seeking safety and refuge but now find themselves living in precarious conditions, often without proper documentation or access to basic services. Discrimination and limited economic opportunities exacerbate their plight, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

The forced deportation of Afghan refugees back to Afghanistan amid harsh winter conditions further compounds their suffering. Returning to a country grappling with conflict, economic instability, and humanitarian crises, these individuals are thrust into a situation of heightened vulnerability.

The lack of adequate shelter, food, and healthcare resources exacerbates their already dire circumstances, raising concerns about their safety and well-being.

Iran expels over two thousand Afghan migrants
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Internal Disagreement Cause of UN’s Ineffectiveness in Afghanistan: Faiq

March 11, 2024
Mitra Majeedy
Tolo News
11 March 2024

Naseer Ahmad Faiq told TOLOnews if there is no coordination among the members of the UN, the functions of the organization will be in trouble.

Naseer Ahmad Faiq, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Afghanistan Permanent Mission to the UN said that disagreement among the members of the UN regarding Afghanistan and the lack of a coherent political view have caused the efforts of this organization to be unsuccessful.

“Until the member countries provide the necessary cooperation and support to the mission and activities of the UN, unfortunately, the functioning of the UN will face problems, the same is the case with the issue of Afghanistan,” he added.

The United Nations has held three meetings on Afghanistan in less than one month, the Doha meeting on Afghanistan on February 18 and 19 and two meetings of the UN Security Council on Afghanistan on February 26 and March 6.

“Russia and China also called for an inclusive government in Afghanistan; just on the human rights issue, Russia and China don’t want themselves to be asked, they consider human rights an internal issue,” said Tariq Farhadi, an international relations analyst.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate said that without the presence of the caretaker government, no international meeting on Afghanistan will be bear results.

“The fact that the meetings ended without result is because Afghanistan did not play a role in these meetings and is not present at the meetings to guide their main direction, these meetings will not have any practical result,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.

The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres invited civil society activists and the Islamic Emirate to the second meeting in Doha on Afghanistan, but the Islamic Emirate did not participate because its conditions were not met.

Internal Disagreement Cause of UN’s Ineffectiveness in Afghanistan: Faiq
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Islamic Emirate Rejects US Gen. Kurilla’s Remarks on TTP

March 11, 2024
Mitra Majeedy
Tolo News
11 March 2024

The deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, Hamdullah Fitrat, told TOLOnews that no one has permission to act against other countries from Afghanistan. 

The Islamic Emirate rejected the recent remarks of US Centcom commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla about the unwillingness of the “Taliban” to act against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, Hamdullah Fitrat, told TOLOnews that no one has permission to act against other countries from Afghanistan.

“The Islamic Emirate has full domination and control in Afghanistan and no group is allowed to have activities and threaten other countries from Afghanistan,” he said.

Earlier, the Express Tribune reported that Michael Erik Kurilla speaking to the US Senate Arms Services Committee voiced the unwillingness of the “Taliban” to curb the militant groups, including the TTP, in Afghanistan.

According to the report, the chief of Centcom claimed that the safe havens of the extremist groups in Afghanistan will increase the conflict in the region. The inability or unwillingness of the “Afghan Taliban” to contain them can destabilize Central and South Asia, the report reads.

“The Centcom chief said that the presence of safe havens in Afghanistan were increasing the risk of violent extremist organizations (VEOs) inciting regional conflict,” the report said.

The chief of Centcom was also quoted in the report as saying: “The Taliban’s inability, or unwillingness, to rein in VEOs could destabilize Central and South Asia.”

“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan must start working as soon as possible and hold meetings with the countries that are concerned about the presence of groups in Afghanistan,” said Sadiq Shinwari, a military analyst.

“Pakistan in this way wants to form a pretext for the interference of the world in Afghanistan,” said Sarwar Niazim, a political analyst.

The Pakistan Army yesterday in a statement expressed concerns over the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan which was again dismissed as unfounded by the Islamic Emirate.

Islamic Emirate Rejects US Gen. Kurilla’s Remarks on TTP
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