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Abdullah calls for dialogue and decisions, not speeches, at Istanbul summit

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Abdullah Abdullah, the chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), said this week he hopes “tangible progress” will be made towards a peace settlement at the Istanbul meeting scheduled for April.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview, Abdullah said the presence of decision-makers expected to attend the meeting needs to be utilized to push accelerate the settlement of issues in Afghanistan.

“There have been a lot of discussions between both sides in the past few months in Doha. The Doha process will continue and then we have the Istanbul meeting. The Istanbul meeting will be held at a high level.

“There will be top leaders of Afghanistan and Taliban — that’s how it is anticipated,” Abdullah said.

He also urged that the Istanbul opportunity should not be used to give speeches; instead, it should focus on working for “tangible progress.”

“The final, final, final agreement, of course, it takes time, but we should at least agree on few principles. And an agreement on a cease-fire will be very, very important,” Abdullah added.

Anadolu reported that Abdullah emphasized that it was time to go beyond the US – Taliban agreement signed in Doha in February last year that stipulates the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan by May 1. He sought to cut a deal directly between the Afghan government and the Taliban, reported Anadolu.

He said the Taliban’s readiness to move ahead would be tested in the coming days, underlining that Afghan government is ready to have direct agreements.

“Eventually, it has to be a comprehensive agreement between us, there is something between the US and the Taliban, but eventually, we need to agree. The readiness of the Taliban remains to be seen. It will be tested before the meeting in Turkey,” said Abdullah.

Asked about a possible offensive the Taliban might launch if the US fails to fulfill its obligations, Abdullah said the Afghan sides should not be dependent on the US and should work together to end the presence of foreign troops in the country.

“That [Taliban’s threat to resume hostilities] is unfortunate because eventually, we should sort out this among ourselves. We should find a solution, which will work for both sides. And if there is peace, then there is no need for the presence of the international troops,” he told Andadolu.

“In a peaceful Afghanistan, why do we need international troops? If this is the aim of the Taliban, that there shouldn’t be foreign troops in Afghanistan, the way to achieve it is to work together as Afghans and prepare the ground for that. That is my message,” Abdullah said.

He said that the US would maintain its course regarding Afghanistan’s peace process under the new Biden administration.

“On the support of the peace process, the US policy is the same. They support the peace process. And also, they want to see military arrangements, if not tomorrow, then someday in the near future. They also need to respond to the urgency of the need for peace. It’s more urgent for the people of Afghanistan to achieve peace because of the suffering of the people. Should this be the case, they will continue their efforts, enhance their activities with the countries in the region. They want the UN to be involved in it, and we will continue to work together with them,” said Abdullah.

He admitted that the Afghan government has a different view on some points, including the idea of an interim government, which has been made clear to Washington.

He told Andadolu that the Afghan government favors the signing of an agreement with the Taliban ahead of conducting elections. He described this as a “principled position.”

“It is very premature to talk about it [interim government]. These issues have been raised and are also part of that paper that was shared with us by the Americans. We responded to that,” he said.

Abdullah said the Taliban has not yet responded to the US State Department’s letter on the issue of an interim government but said Afghanistan had pointed out weaknesses and raised concerns about various aspects of the letter.

“We said it helps if we could agree on some arrangements before going to the election with the Taliban. If the Taliban wants to go directly to election, get to an agreement and then have elections, that is also not impossible. As long as we can get an agreement,” he said.

About the meeting conducted in Moscow on March 18 and 19, Abdullah said the parties used the opportunity to exchange views on different points informally to better understand each other’s positions and concerns, Anadolu reported.

He stated the Taliban entered Russia using the Afghan passports issued by the Afghan embassy in Qatar for the members of the negotiating team.

“The Taliban talked about their own views, and we talked about ours. And we had an opportunity to get together. It was not a negotiation but, in a sense, that both sides are at the same place, so why not get together, to express a few things in the sort of informal way,” he said.

Abdullah said the statement adopted at the end of the meeting could be assessed as “good”, saying it meets the Afghan people’s expectations.

“The parties should have used the opportunity, which was there. Especially when the whole world, the people of Afghanistan are demanding us to get to a cease-fire and a comprehensive peace settlement,” he told Anadolu.

He noted that the countries that participated in the extended “Troika” comprising Russia, China, the US, and Pakistan asked what the people of Afghanistan are demanding.

“The message for both sides was very clear. I think it will help. But that depends again on both sides,” Abdullah said.

Turkey Summit

In a separate report by Anadolu, Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said this week that the Istabul summit next month is not meant to replace the Doha talks..

This comes after he met with Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, in Brussels on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting this week.

Cavusoglu said on Wednesday that he and his US counterpart will discuss the date for the summit with all parties concerned.

Earlier this week, President Ashraf Ghani said he would attend the summit if the Taliban’s leader Hibatullah Akhundzada also attends the event.

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UN warns of ‘deeper humanitarian crisis’ as thousands return to Afghanistan 

UNHCR spokesperson says the agency urgently needs $71 million to assist refugees returning to Afghanistan

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The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has warned that an even deeper humanitarian crisis is looming in Afghanistan as tens of thousands of Afghan refugees are being forced to return from neighbouring countries.

UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch said at a press conference in Geneva on Tuesday  that the agency urgently needs $71 million to assist those arriving home. Baloch said these refugees face desperate conditions once in the country.

In April, more than 251,000 Afghans returned in adverse circumstances from Iran and Pakistan, including over 96,000 who were deported, Baloch said. 

He said the UNHCR continues to advocate with the governments of Iran and Pakistan that returns to Afghanistan must be voluntary, safe and dignified. “Forcing or putting pressure on Afghans to return is unsustainable and could destabilize the region,” he said.

“While UNHCR recognizes the many challenges – including economic pressures – facing these countries that have hosted millions of Afghans for decades, we have also consistently shared our concerns that regardless of their legal status, people forced to return to Afghanistan may encounter serious protection risks,” Baloch said.

“This is especially true for Afghan women and girls who face increasing restrictions in terms of access to employment, education and freedom of movement in Afghanistan. 

“Among other profiles, ethnic and religious minority groups, human rights activists, and journalists could also be at risk upon their return. 

“These concerns are compounded by acute humanitarian needs inside Afghanistan, rising unemployment rates, as well as natural disasters and extreme weather incidents,” he said.

Since 2023, more than 3.4 million Afghans have returned or been deported from Iran and Pakistan, including over 1.5 million in 2024 alone. 

The UNHCR said such mass returns have strained the capacity of many provinces in Afghanistan and exacerbated the risk of further internal displacement. 

The organization also warned that there has also been new displacement into Iran and Pakistan, and heightened risks of onward movements towards Europe. 

In 2024, Afghans became the largest group (41 percent) of irregular arrivals from the Asia-Pacific region into Europe.

 

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China donates tents for Afghan refugees returning through Kandahar border

China has provided a variety of assistance, including medicine, winter clothes, blankets and foodstuffs to the people of Afghanistan

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China has provided 100 tents for returning refugees coming into Afghanistan through Kandahar’s border amid Pakistan’s ongoing campaign to expel hundreds of thousands of Afghans living in the country. 

Xinhua reported on Wednesday that according to the Kandahar provincial director of the Afghan Red Crescent Society, Mohammad Shuaib Haqqani, the tents were erected in Takhtapul district for returnees. 

Around 100,000 Afghan refugees returned to their homeland in April, many of them with only the clothes they were wearing. 

China has provided a variety of assistance, including medicine, winter clothes, blankets and foodstuffs to the people of Afghanistan over the past few years.

 

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IPL 2025: Cricket world reacts to Suryavanshi century

The 14-year-old on Monday became the youngest to hit a senior T20 century as he powered Rajasthan Royals’ successful chase against Gujarat Titans in IPL

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The cricket world is still in awe of 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi who scored a stunning century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match for Rajasthan Royals on Monday.

India legend Sachin Tendulkar was full of praise for the rising star and said: “Vaibhav’s fearless approach, bat speed, picking the length early, and transferring the energy behind the ball was the recipe behind a fabulous innings.” 

The former batter went on to say: “Well played!”

England’s former captain Jos Buttler, who was playing in the match for Rajasthan Royals’ opponents Gujarat Titans, said: “Fair play youngster. That was incredible.”

Yuvraj Singh, one of India’s 2011 World Cup winners, said he was “proud to see the next generation shine”.

“What were you doing at 14?!!” the all-rounder asked.

“This kid is taking on the best bowlers in the world without blinking an eyelid! Vaibhav Suryavanshi – remember the name!”

India’s Test and 50-over captain Rohit Sharma posted on Instagram to simply say “class”, while T20 skipper Suryakumar Yadav said “witnessed this carnage of an innings by this youngster. Absolutely insane!”

Suryavanshi on Monday became the youngest to hit a senior T20 century at 14 years and 32 days as he powered Rajasthan Royals’ successful chase against Gujarat Titans in the IPL.

Suryavanshi, a left-hand batsman who became the youngest IPL debutant on April 19, smashed 100 off 35 balls to pummel the opposition attack with seven fours and 11 sixes.

He went past the previous record, set by Vijay Zol of Maharashtra at 18 years and 118 days against Mumbai in an Indian domestic match in 2013.

Suryavanshi’s ton meanwhile is the second fastest in the IPL, after Chris Gayle’s century in 30 balls for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2013.

The teenager however, finally fell to fast bowler Prasidh Krishna for 101 off 38 balls and walked off to a standing ovation from the home crowd and the team dugout.

“It is like a dream, to score a century in the IPL,” Suyavanshi, who had started his IPL journey nine days ago with a six, said after being named player of the match.

Suryavanshi, who has been nicknamed “Boss Baby” by TV commentators, said there is “no fear” facing the world’s top bowlers.

He earned a deal in the lucrative T20 tournament after Rajasthan bought him for $130,500 in the November auction when he was still just 13.

Suryavanshi then made his debut against Lucknow Super Giants when he came in as an impact substitute and smacked his first ball for a six – a flat-batted hit over the extra-cover boundary – off pace bowler Shardul Thakur.

 Wednesday’s match

Afghanistan’s cricket fans can tune in to watch all the action live and exclusively on Ariana Television. Today’s match (Wednesday April 30) will get underway at 5.30pm and will see Chennai Super Kings take on Punjab Kings at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, commonly known as the Chepauk Stadium, in Chepauk, Chennai.

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