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Intra-Afghan talks inch closer, total 3,895 Taliban prisoners released to date
The government has announced that it has released nearly 4,000 Taliban prisoners from Afghan jails, a step closer to start the long-waited intra-Afghan negotiations.
The move is taken following the international community’s demand to boost the prisoner releases process by both the Afghan government and the Taliban to begin the Intra-Afghan Talks.
“So far, 3,895 Taliban prisoners have been released from prison, but no positive steps have been taken by the Taliban to pave the way for Intra-Afghan talks,” said presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi.
The Taliban also said that they had released more than 600 prisoners. But sources say the Afghan government opposes the release of Taliban prisoners involved in plotting deadly attacks in the country, which has slowed the process.
“The international community is trying to convince the government and the Taliban on the issue,” said Sayed Akbar Agha, a former Taliban commander.
Meanwhile, statistics from the National Security Council’s office show that 21 civilians have been killed and 30 others wounded in Taliban attacks in 14 provinces in the past week. The Taliban have not yet commented on this yet.
“Our forces are responding to the Taliban’s attacks with high morals,” said an army officer in Ghazni as the clashes between the two sides have been intensified in the past few days.
“Unfortunately, the escalation of violence by the Taliban has damaged the current peace environment,” Sediq added.
The first round of Intra-Afghan talks is expected to take place in Doha next month. But the main condition for these talks is the release of all prisoners by both sides.
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan has signed a 30-year agreement with a private company to extract marble in Daikundi province.
Under the contract, the company will invest AFN 283 million in exploring and mining marble at the “Mesh-Uliya” site, spanning 16.74 square kilometers in central Daikundi.
Hedayatullah Badri, Minister of Mines and Petroleum, stated that the marble will be processed domestically before being exported abroad. He added that the Mesh-Uliya project is expected to create around 200 jobs, and the company is committed to supporting local communities through social initiatives.
Economic experts highlight that such investments, especially those focusing on domestic processing, are crucial for job creation, boosting exports, and strengthening the national economy. Analysts further note that the project will improve local infrastructure, expand social services, and enhance the economic and social well-being of Daikundi residents.
Since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, efforts to develop Afghanistan’s mining sector have intensified, with multiple contracts signed in areas including cement, copper, iron, and lapis lazuli, involving both domestic and international companies.
A passenger bus veered off the Salang Highway before dawn on Sunday, leaving five people dead and 44 others injured, the Ministry of Public Works said.
According to the ministry, the incident occurred at around 2:00 a.m. in the Shawol area of North Salang when a passenger bus deviated from the main road due to the driver’s negligence.
Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, said five passengers were killed and 44 others sustained injuries. He added that personnel from the Salang Maintenance and Protection Directorate promptly arrived at the scene and transferred the injured to the Khunjān clinic for medical treatment.
The Ministry of Public Works has urged drivers and passengers traveling on the Salang Highway to strictly follow the instructions of on-duty teams, observe traffic regulations, and carry warm clothing, food supplies, and snow chains to prevent similar incidents.
The ministry also noted that heavy snowfall and stormy weather have led to the temporary closure of the highway, while road maintenance teams are continuing snow-clearing operations.
Latest News
Major fire in Mandawi Kabul market contained, extensive losses prevented
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
The Ministry of Interior reported that personnel from the General Directorate of Firefighting and Emergency Response successfully prevented the further spread of a fire at Mandawi market on Kabul early Sunday morning.
Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for the ministry, said that the fire destroyed 10 storage facilities and 8 shops. He added that initial losses are estimated at around $700,000, but timely action by firefighting personnel saved property worth approximately $2.2 million.
Qani explained that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. He praised the rapid and effective containment operations, which prevented more extensive damage.
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
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