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Abdullah claims govt’s shortcomings affecting Republic’s position in Doha
Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation said Sunday that the republic’s shortcomings have weakened the government’s position with regards to the peace talks with the Taliban.
Speaking at an event to mark International Women’s Day Abdullah said that the fragmentation that exists within the Afghan political structure will not help propel the peace process in terms of the people’s demands.
“The fragmentation at the Afghan political level does not help to show the strength of the Afghan people in representing the will and aspirations,” Abdullah said.
Abdullah, referring to the new US plan, stressed that one should not be afraid to come up with ideas, but these ideas should be used to accelerate the peace process.
“Presenting plans should not be feared, instead they should be discussed, what should be lacking should be corrected, and if there are any problems, the problems should be highlighted,” Abdullah added.
On the other hand, Afghan women have criticized their lack of involvement in the Afghan peace process, saying the Taliban’s view towards them has not changed.
“We are unhappy with the peace process and a post-peace government in the peace process and their presence has been marginalized,” said Habiba Sarabi, a member of the Afghan negotiating team.
This comes amid concerns that have been raised about the undermining of women’s achievements in a future political system.
Meanwhile, Rula Ghani the First Lady emphasized the need to preserve women’s achievements in the peace process.
In a video message on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Rula Ghani said that Afghan women have made good progress in the last ten years, and at the same time, they want to ensure peace in which their achievements are preserved.
Officials at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs said the country’s women will not go back. They emphasized that the international community must guarantee the preservation of the achievements of Afghan women.
Ghani and the First Lady were meanwhile supposed to attend the event at the Loya Jirga tent but were not present. This sparked a reaction from women at the event.
However, many raised concerns about the current situation in the country, saying that the money donated for the development and empowerment of women in cities and villages has not been used properly and that women in parts of the country are still not aware of their basic rights.
At least two civilians have been killed and eight others wounded following fresh shelling by Pakistan across the disputed Durand Line in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, local authorities said Wednesday.
Officials reported that over the past 24 hours, Pakistani forces fired approximately 85 rockets targeting residential areas across several districts, causing damage to civilian homes and heightening fears among local communities.
According to Zia-ur-Rahman Spin Ghar, head of information at the provincial Directorate of Information and Culture, the heaviest casualties were recorded in Nari district, where one civilian was killed and six others injured. In Sarkano district, another civilian lost their life, while two more people were wounded.
Additional rockets struck areas including Shultan, Marawara, and the outskirts of Asadabad. While no casualties were reported in those strikes, residents described widespread panic and property damage.
Escalating tensions
The latest incident comes amid a broader escalation in cross-Durand Line violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent weeks. Residents in frontier provinces have repeatedly reported shelling, displacement, and disruption to daily life.
Spin Ghar also confirmed that Afghan forces responded with retaliatory strikes, claiming to have destroyed three Pakistani military outposts and killed one Pakistani soldier. There has been no immediate confirmation from Pakistani authorities.
Growing humanitarian concerns
The ongoing hostilities have raised concerns about civilian safety in these areas where communities often find themselves caught in the crossfire. Aid groups warn that continued shelling could lead to further displacement and strain already limited local resources.
With no clear signs of de-escalation, observers say urgent dialogue is needed to prevent further civilian casualties and stabilize the volatile region.
At the 95th Standing Committee of UNHCR, the European Union and its Member States called for urgent de-escalation of tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the need for dialogue and respect for international law.
In a statement, the EU urged all sides to avoid further escalation, ensure the protection of civilians, and uphold territorial integrity. It also reiterated that Afghan soil should not be used to threaten or attack other countries, calling on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to take effective action against militant groups operating within or from the country.
The bloc further expressed concern over the broader humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, highlighting restrictions that continue to affect the work of international organizations and humanitarian partners.
A key issue raised was the return of more than four million Afghans from Iran and Pakistan over the past two years, which the EU said has placed additional strain on Afghanistan’s already fragile economy and public services. It voiced particular concern over forced deportations and emphasized the importance of respecting the right to seek asylum and the principle of non-refoulement.
A group of religious scholars from Afghanistan and Pakistan have called on authorities in both countries to extend the pause in hostilities, initially announced for Eid ul-Fitr, until Eid ul-Adha.
The appeal comes after Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan’s Information Minister, announced a temporary ceasefire from March 18–19 midnight until March 23–24 midnight.
In a joint statement signed by 11 Pakistani clerics and as many Afghan clerics, the scholars emphasized that their initiative aims to promote a sustainable and dignified resolution to tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, Dawn newspaper reported.
The clerics urged both Pakistani authorities and the Afghan side to extend the ceasefire to allow pilgrims to perform Hajj in a peaceful environment. They added that this “peace movement” goes beyond the ceasefire appeal and includes broader diplomatic and social efforts to resolve longstanding issues between the two countries.
The scholars expressed hope that their efforts would lead to a mutually acceptable solution and help lay the foundation for lasting stability and regional harmony.
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