Latest News
Ghani declares “defeat” of Taliban as claims victory
President Ashraf Ghani warned Taliban that with continuation of war they should not expect gifts from Afghan government but they will face strong defeat from Afghan forces.
Afghan president is said to consider Taliban’s war aim giving privilege, emphasizing Afghan security forces will gain victory in the current war and no one should think of the collapse of the current system of parts of the country.
More than a decade of war and billions in funds to build up an Afghan military force have now Afghan government claims of Taliban insurgency defeat in the season.
Following the end of the U.S. military’s combat mission last year, the Taliban insurgents have overrun dozens of checkpoints throughout the country and threatened entire districts.
The army has rushed forces to take back terrain, but it doesn’t have enough troops to defend every place under assault.
The drawdown of U.S. forces has left the Afghan military largely without U.S. airstrikes for protection and helicopters for quick medical evacuation off the battlefield, vital support in the past.
The result: Afghan casualties have jumped 70% in the first 15 weeks of this year to record levels: 4,950 police and soldiers killed or wounded, up from 2,900 during the same period last year, according to the U.S.-led coalition command.
Beside President Ghani, representatives of 50 countries and international organizations are also raise concerns of increasing terrorism threats in the region and the world.
“Daesh (Islamic State) is already sending advance guards to southern and western Afghanistan to test for vulnerabilities,” Ghani said.
He said Afghanistan, whose Taliban government sheltered al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, would never again host terrorists. He urged all Muslims to speak out against extremism.
“In fact, we want a bilateral peace, peace between Afghanistan-Pakistan and peace with oppositions. Pakistan also admired that a war situation announced between the two countries in the past,” Ghani added.
“The problem, fundamentally, is not about peace with the Taliban [but] about peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” noting that Pakistani officials have “accepted this definition of the problem. That’s the breakthrough.”
Fighting between Afghan forces and militants has intensified since the Taliban launched its annual spring offensive against Afghan forces and foreign embassies on April 24.
Afghanistan faces a security challenge years after the United States and its allies invaded the country in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed Taliban from power, but many areas in the country are still witnessing violence, which threatens stability.
Ghani also warned that a “new ecology of terrorism” poses a threat to South and Central Asia as well as China.
In the meantime, President Ghani also announced Masoom Istanikzai, chairman of the High Peace Council Secretariat as the defense minister nominee.
“I announce Mr. Istanikzai as our future defense minister and I hope success for him,” Ghani announced.
Looking ahead to a scenario in which Afghanistan achieves peace with the Taliban, Ghani said the Afghan government would then have to cope with the problem of refugees created by years of conflict. Many Afghan refugees live in camps across the border in Pakistan.
Reported by Fawad Naseri
Latest News
Dual-citizen Afghans don’t need a visa to enter the country: Foreign Ministry
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate has denied reports claiming that Afghan dual citizens living abroad are now required to obtain an Afghan visa when returning to their home country.
Zia Ahmad Takal, the ministry’s head of public relations, said in a statement that no new decision has been made in this regard.
According to him, Afghans who travel to Afghanistan with a foreign passport, as before, do not need to obtain a visa if they present proof of their Afghan identity, and they may enter the country without a visa.
Latest News
Panjshir authorities report major youth recruitment drive over two years
The Panjshir Media Office announced on Thursday that nearly 20,000 young people from the province have been employed across government and security institutions over the past two years, as part of efforts to expand job opportunities.
According to the statement, youths from Panjshir have joined the Islamic Emirate Army, the National Police, civilian departments within and outside the emirate’s structures, as well as the province’s rapidly growing mining sector.
The recruitment drive follows instructions from the leader of the Islamic Emirate, who—after a request from Panjshir officials during a governors’ conference in Kandahar—ordered the provincial governor to compile a list of eligible youths for placement in other provinces.
The media office said that in the current year alone, more than 1,000 Panjshir youths have been recruited into the National Police, while another 600 have joined the Islamic Army. Additionally, over 1,000 others have secured positions in civilian institutions, including domestic and international organizations, due to efforts by Governor Mohammad Agha Hakim.
Panjshir’s mining industry has also become a major source of employment. With new extraction and processing operations launched under Islamic Emirate directives, nearly 15,000 youths have been hired in areas ranging from mining to the trade of precious and semi-precious stones—marking the first time such large-scale opportunities have been available in the sector.
Officials added that thousands more young people are working on construction and development projects across the province.
Residents of Panjshir expressed appreciation for the increased attention from the Islamic Emirate’s leadership, saying many of their sons are now employed in security and civilian roles, particularly at checkpoints—something they believe has strengthened trust between the community and the government.
Latest News
Tahawol: UNSC’s periodic meeting on Afghanistan discussed
-
Sport5 days agoILT20: Nissanka fires Gulf Giants to four-wicket win over Dubai Capitals
-
Business5 days agoAfghanistan signs agreement with DP World to bolster ports infrastructure
-
Latest News5 days agoSyria’s President challenges West’s counter-terrorism claims in Afghanistan and Iraq
-
Latest News5 days agoDoha Forum spotlights Afghanistan’s emerging role in regional connectivity
-
Sport3 days agoILT20: Desert Vipers edge Gulf Giants in historic super over thriller
-
4 days agoIran seeks broad expansion of cooperation with Afghanistan
-
Business4 days agoPakistan’s citrus export crisis deepens amid ongoing Afghanistan trade route closure
-
Latest News4 days agoDoha Forum: Dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan key to regional connectivity

