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Afghan Taliban to Seek Release of Anas Haqqani for Peace Talks with U.S.
The Taliban group is demanding the release of Anas Haqqani, the youngest son of the feared Haqqani terror network’s founder as part of an upcoming round of talks with the United States, it has been reported.
“This meeting with the U.S. authorities would either help pave the way for more meaningful talks or stop them forever,” a Taliban commander in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province said on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the news media. “If they are sincere in talks in the future, they would accept our proposal for a prisoners’ exchange.”
According to NBC News, the four Taliban officials, speaking from Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates and Qatar, said that the next round of discussions will be held very soon and deal with a possible prisoner exchange.
In Washington, the State Department said no talks were scheduled and declined to comment on whether a potential prisoner swap was on the table. On Tuesday, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters, “We’re ready to work with the people of Afghanistan, the government of Afghanistan, and to talk to the Taliban all together to bring an end to the conflict.”
The Afghan government did not respond to requests for comment.
Anas Haqqani has been in Afghan custody since October 2014 when U.S. security forces nabbed him while en route to Qatar from Bahrain.
The network’s founder was reported to have died last week after a lengthy illness.
Source: NBC News
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Baradar visits Pashdan Dam, as work on project resumes
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, deputy prime minister for economic affairs, has said the Pashdan Dam in Herat province is a key national project that the Islamic Emirate is committed to completing as soon as possible.
Speaking at an event marking the resumption of construction on this hydroelectric dam, which was started more than 10 years ago, Baradar said building dams was a priority for the Islamic Emirate.
Once complete the Pashdam Dam will not only generate electricity but also irrigate about 65,000 hectares of agricultural land, in turn providing work to thousands of people.
The dam will cost an estimated $117 million once finished and according to officials, at least 85% of work has been completed.
Officials expect the dam to be operational by the end of this solar year.
The construction of Pashdan Dam is being carried out by a domestic company in cooperation with an Azerbaijani company.
Engineers said the dam will mostly be used for agriculture purposes and for potable water. They also said about 73 kms of canals will be built to irrigate land.
This dam will store 54 million cubic meters of water. Currently, about 400 people are employed to work on the project.
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Eight dead in rain across Afghanistan over past four days
Mullah Janan Saiq, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Natural Disasters, says that eight people have died, three people have been injured and 20 hectares of agricultural land have been destroyed as a result of the rains and floods in the past four days.
Saiq also said that as a result of the recent rains in the country, 140 houses were damaged or destroyed and 20 kilometers of roads were also destroyed across the country.
According to him, 30 cows were also lost.
“Fortunately, as a result of the recent rains, the water level in the country has increased, the underground water has been strengthened and the farmers are happy,”
he said.
According to him, the Ministry of Natural Disasters has directed its directorates in the provinces to use all their facilities to help the victims.
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Ghori State Cement in Baghlan increases production
Officials at Ghori State Cement in Baghlan province say the amount of cement produced at this plant has increased compared to the past.
According to company officials, 150,000 tons of cement was produced in 1402 [solar year] and they are trying to increase the amount to 180,000 tons this year.
“Last year, we successfully produced 150,000 tons of cement and sold it to the market. Fortunately, in 1402, we had more than 200 million afghanis in revenue,” said Abdul Wakil Qayumi, financial and administrative deputy of the company.
The plant officials stated that efforts are underway to increase the production capacity, and with the increase of the production capacity, they will produce 1000 bags of cement per day.
“Currently, our four ovens are active, and we produce approximately 1,000 to 1,200 tons of cement in twenty-four hours,” said Mohammad Tahir, packaging manager for the company.
In this company, jobs are created for 750 individuals, and some workers have asked the traders to invest in the country and provide work for young people.
“Some more factories should be built in our country so that less foreign cement is imported into the country and we use our own products,” said one of the company workers.
Ghori Baghlan Cement Company was established about 40 years ago and is considered one of the largest cement production companies in Afghanistan.
The management of this company is carried out by the National Development Corporation (NDC).
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