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Afghanistan conference opens, hopes for peace talks slim
A conference aimed at shoring up support for war-ravaged Afghanistan opened in the Pakistani capital on Tuesday, with a top Afghan official calling for an urgent, united response to the menace of militancy threatening the world.
The “Heart of Asia” meeting, an annual gathering of Asian and other countries, comes months after the first, inconclusive talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
“The wave of terrorist activities, including those of Daesh in various parts of the region and the world, once again reminds us of the gravity of this menace confronting today’s humanity and the urgency for a united position against this evil phenomenon,” Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hikmat Khalil Karzai told the conference.
The Islamic State militant group is also known as Daesh.
The two-day meeting is expected to focus on energy, infrastructure and investment deals to shore up commitment to Afghanistan but the threat of an intensifying Taliban insurgency will hang over proceedings with hopes dim for a resumption of peace talks soon.
The Afghan Taliban and the government held inaugural talks in Pakistan in July, but the effort to end the 14-year insurgency stalled when after news leaked that Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar had been dead for two years.
News of Omar’s death triggered a violent split in the Taliban, further undermining hopes for the negotiations.
Last week, the new leader of the main Afghan Taliban faction, Omar’s deputy, Mullah Akhtar Mansour, was reported killed or wounded by rivals.
A weekend audio message claiming to be from Mansour refuted the reports, but some Taliban have questioned its authenticity.
“UNDECLARED WAR”
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will attend the second day of the conference on Wednesday.
Hope for better ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan after Ghani was inaugurated were quickly dashed, largely because of a series of bomb attacks in Kabul in August.
Many Afghans, including Ghani’s political opponents, accuse Pakistan of backing the Taliban, restricting Ghani’s efforts to improve relations with Pakistan after years of acrimony.
Pakistan denies supporting militants fighting the Afghan government and says it wants a peaceful neighbour over its western border.
On Monday, Ghani said Afghanistan and Pakistan had been fighting a 14-year-long “undeclared war”.
Each nation accuses the other of supporting insurgents across their border as proxy forces.
On a more positive note, Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj will attend the Islamabad gathering.
The first visit by India’s top diplomat to Pakistan in three years raises hopes that relations between the nuclear-armed rivals might improve.
Their national security advisers met on the weekend in Bangkok, three months after cancelling talks.
The two countries have fought three wars since independence from British colonial rule in 1947.
Their rivalry has spilled into Afghanistan, where Pakistan is deeply suspicious of increasing Indian influence.
India and many Afghans say Pakistan supports the Afghan insurgency to maintain influence there
Written by: Reuters
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Around 15,000 cases of vulnerable Afghan children addressed over past year
The Directorate of Child Protection at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs announced on Saturday that in the solar year 1404, through the implementation of extensive support programs and the handling of thousands of protective cases, it has achieved significant accomplishments in securing rights, raising awareness, and improving the situation of children across Afghanistan.
According to the directorate, the registered cases have been organized into 23 different categories, allowing for targeted and specialized handling of each type of case. In the area of awareness-raising, extensive programs have also been implemented to improve the general knowledge of children and their families, resulting in 404,207 children and family members being informed about child rights, explosive hazards, environmental protection, and other important topics.
To strengthen local structures and accelerate case management, the Directorate of Child Protection, within the framework of its 1404 work plan, established 20 new committees at the district level in provincial centers. These committees play a key role in coordinating between government offices, rapidly identifying cases, and providing support services. Currently, child protection committees are active in 204 districts and regularly review and resolve children’s issues.
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Severe rainfall and natural disasters cause heavy casualties across Afghanistan
At least 61 people have been confirmed dead, with 116 others injured. Four individuals remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations are underway.
The Spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, has confirmed widespread devastation across the country following a series of natural disasters and heavy rainfall. The toll continues to rise as authorities assess the damage.
At least 61 people have been confirmed dead, with 116 others injured. Four individuals remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations are underway. The disaster has also led to the destruction of 2,448 homes, leaving thousands displaced, while 26,841 acres of agricultural land have been severely damaged. In addition, the storm claimed the lives of 1,045 livestock animals, further exacerbating the already dire situation for rural communities.
In a statement, Mujahid emphasized the ongoing relief efforts. The Islamic Emirate is mobilizing all available resources to assist the hardest-hit regions and ensure the swift recovery of affected communities. The focus remains on providing immediate aid, including shelter, medical supplies, and food, while also beginning the long-term process of reconstruction and recovery.
Authorities have urged citizens in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant as more rain is forecast, adding to the urgency of the ongoing relief operations.
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Afghan citizens reported among casualties in US, Israeli attacks, Iran says
As of now, authorities of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have not issued an official response to the claims.
Iran’s Embassy in Kabul, citing Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, has stated that a number of Afghan citizens were killed or injured during what Tehran described as a 35-day military campaign carried out by the United States and Israel.
According to the statement, the Afghan nationals were living in Iran at the time of the attacks. Baghaei referred to them as “honored guests” of the country, adding that some lost their lives while others sustained injuries during the reported strikes.
He did not provide specific figures regarding the number of Afghan casualties or further details about the incidents.
As of now, authorities of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have not issued an official response to the claims.
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