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US reviewing possibility to reopen its consulate in Afghanistan
The United States is reviewing the possibility of reopening its consulate in Afghanistan under the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) rule without formally recognizing the acting government, according to a report.
According to a newly released strategy document from the State Department, the US is “cautiously” and without officially recognizing the Islamic Emirate, reviewing the possibility of reopening its consulate in Afghanistan under the IEA’s control, as reported by the Voice of America on Thursday.
This move indicates a possible change in U.S. policy, moving towards limited engagement with the isolated IEA government to achieve various security, political, and economic objectives.
According to Voice of America, the State Department’s guidance in this report states: “We support transparency and accountability, along with access for American citizens to consular services, in coordination with the Taliban [Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan].”
In this State Department report, it is stated: “Even as the United States does not officially recognize the Taliban [Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan] as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, we must establish effective working relationships with them to advance our goals and increase our understanding of the Taliban’s readiness and ability to fulfil their commitments to [Washington].”
According to the report, the US’s new strategy encompasses four areas, including counterterrorism efforts, economic assistance, local engagement, and the provision of consular services to American citizens, as well as aiding Afghan migration to the United States.
The document also emphasizes support for the work of the U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs in securing the release of American hostages detained in Afghanistan.
Voice of America also reports that the document underscores the United States’ commitment to discussing the fundamental rights of the Afghan people, particularly the rights of women and girls.
Following the fall of the Republic and the IEA’s takeover, the United States closed its embassy in Afghanistan, and this institution currently operates under its staff in Doha.
At the same time, the spokesperson of the US Foreign Secretary said in a press conference in Washington that whenever the rulers of Afghanistan want to achieve global legitimacy, they must stop the violence and fulfill their international obligations.
“As we have said on behalf of the United States to the Taliban [Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan] in public and in private, their relationship with the international community depends entirely on their actions, and we will be looking to see them take a different course of action than they have to date,” said Matthew Miller, spokesman for the US State Department.
Meanwhile, IEA’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that any country, including America, who wants to resume its diplomatic activities in Afghanistan, welcomes it and is ready to cooperate in this direction.
“If we are contacted, we will take our measures, security is ensured, every country that activates its embassy and consulate in Afghanistan has a favorable environment for it, and we do not have any problems, and it is still getting better that both countries have a close understanding and contact through diplomatic channels, and it will end in the benefit of both countries,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.
This strategic document of the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs reveals the reopening of that country’s consulate in Afghanistan, while no country has recognized the current government of Afghanistan.
However, the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly emphasized that it has completed all the conditions for recognition, but countries and the international community are looking for excuses.
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Ariana Airlines brings $2.3 million Boeing 737 engine from US to Kabul
The airline said the delivery represents an important step in strengthening its technical and operational capacity and supporting the continued operation of its fleet.
Ariana Afghan Airlines has brought a Boeing 737 aircraft engine from the United States to Kabul following continued efforts by the airline’s leadership to complete the shipment.
According to Ariana Afghan Airlines’ media office, the engine had been held up in the United States due to customs procedures. Following completion of the required process, the engine was cleared and transported to Kabul.
The engine was purchased from US-based Global Engine for $2.3 million. Ariana’s technical team is expected to install the engine on one of the airline’s Boeing 737 aircraft following its arrival.
The airline said the delivery represents an important step in strengthening its technical and operational capacity and supporting the continued operation of its fleet.
Ariana Afghan Airlines’ leadership said it is also working to accelerate the procurement of additional spare parts and technical equipment required to maintain and support the airline’s aircraft and operations.
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Afghanistan issues more than 650,000 passports in one year
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, says more than 650,000 ordinary passports were issued across Afghanistan over the past Hijri year, while the visas of more than 16,000 foreign nationals were extended.
Mujahid made the remarks during the “Government in the Media Mirror” program, held under the theme “Public Services Week.”
According to him, the General Directorate of Statistics and Information also distributed nearly 2 million electronic national ID cards and around 1 million paper ID cards during the 1447 Hijri year.
Mujahid added that the agency provided hundreds of thousands of in-person and online services related to corrections and amendments to national ID cards over the past year.
The Islamic Emirate spokesperson said the General Directorate of Passports has sought to make services faster and easier by reducing the passport application form from nine pages to one page.
He also announced an expansion of services by the state-owned Afghan Post, saying the company delivered more than 5 million domestic mail items over the past year.
According to Mujahid, other measures to expand postal services included verifying and certifying hundreds of thousands of documents, launching express services, establishing a customer service center, and delivering documents directly to people’s homes.
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Construction begins on major cement production plant in Herat
Construction of a major cement production plant has officially begun in Afghanistan’s western Herat province, with the project expected to receive $143 million in investment and create thousands of jobs.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held on Sunday in the presence of senior officials of the Islamic Emirate, including the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, the Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs and several cabinet ministers.
Homayoun Afghan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, said the project has been contracted to a local company and that construction is expected to be completed within two years.
Once operational, the plant is expected to produce around 3,000 tonnes of cement per day, according to the ministry.
Officials say the project will provide direct and indirect employment for approximately 5,000 people, creating jobs and supporting economic activity in the province.
The Herat cement project is considered one of Afghanistan’s major industrial projects. Its development has been anticipated for decades, with residents and officials repeatedly calling for the province’s cement resources to be developed locally.
The plant is located about 30 kilometers west of Herat city in Zinda Jan district.
The project is expected to increase domestic cement production and reduce reliance on imported cement once it becomes operational.
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