Latest News
Afghan gov’t weakened ahead of talks with Taliban: US watchdog
A US watchdog has warned that “systemic” corruption within the Afghan government is undermining its bargaining position in upcoming peace negotiations with the Taliban.
John Sopko, the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction says that the Taliban would use corruption within the government to strengthen their bargaining power and weaken the government’s position in peace talks.
Many #Afghan and international observers have asserted that #corruption in #Afghanistan, by at least 2009, had become systemic, or pervasive and entrenchedhttps://t.co/6d03aOtxdo
— SIGAR (@SIGARHQ) June 25, 2020
Meanwhile, the US Special Inspector General urged the Afghan government leaders not to rely too much on foreign aid in the future.
“Afghanistan’s leaders must come to realize that in the end, private sector investment will matter far more to their country’s future than international donors, because after 19 years of war, foreign governments, including the United States, are growing weary of paying Afghanistan’s bills,” John Sopko added.
Tackling systemic #corruption demands cooperation from political leaders whose dominance may rely on the very power structures anticorruption efforts seek to dismantlehttps://t.co/6d03aOtxdo
— SIGAR (@SIGARHQ) June 25, 2020
He described the corruption in Afghanistan as an “insidious threat” and said it would undermine public confidence in the government.
“It is the most insidious threat the Afghan government faces because it saps the support of citizens who are trying to go about their daily work, feed their families, and live free of fear and intimidation,” Sopko added.
On the other hand, Deborah Lyons the UN envoy to Afghanistan says that the government’s fight against corruption is not enough and that it has lost the trust of the donor countries and the people of this country.
Government officials did not comment on the allegations, but the head of the government’s media center denied Sopko’s remarks, saying the government was making every effort to eradicate corruption.
Iran executed four Afghan prisoners in Vakliabad Prison in Mashhad on Thursday morning, a human rights group reported.
Haalvsh said that the individuals had been arrested in 1398 over drug-related charges and then sentenced to death by the court.
This organization announced the names of the executed prisoners as Zaman Taheri, Salam Taheri, Gholam Qadir Samani and Ebrahim Noorzahi.
Zaman Taheri and Salam Taheri were brothers.
Iranian officials have not commented about the matter so far.
Two people were killed after roof of their house collapsed in southern Helmand province on Friday night, officials said.
Abdul Bari Rashid, head of information and culture in Helmand, told Ariana News that the incident occurred in Tajkan village of Gershak district due to heavy rain.
According to him, the dead include a woman and a child. A man was injured in the incident.
This comes as 10 people have died and six others have been injured as a result of the floods in Helmand province in the last one week.
Officials at the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) say 7,000 incomplete projects of the World Bank are at risk of destruction in Afghanistan. They call on the World Bank to resume the work of these projects.
According to them, discussions have been held with the World Bank about these projects, but there has been no result yet.
“7,000 incomplete projects are being destroyed, and if the work is not started, these projects will be destroyed. We ask the World Bank to resume the work of these projects as soon as possible,” said Noorul Hadi Adel, the spokesperson of MRRD.
Meanwhile, members of the private sector also ask international institutions to resume their work in Afghanistan.
According to the officials of this sector, with the start of these projects, job opportunities will be provided for thousands of people in the country.
“These projects create employment for our people and the country will grow a lot,” said Mirwais Hajizadeh, a member of the private sector.
However, economic experts stated if the work of these projects does not start soon, they will be destroyed and the investments made in them will be wasted.
Iran executes four Afghan prisoners
Roof collapse kills two in Helmand
Afghanistan’s economic prospects are bleak: World Bank
Iran’s foreign minister downplays drone attack, says Tehran investigating
IEA urges World Bank to resume work on 7,000 incomplete projects
ATN secures TV and digital rights to broadcast IPL 2024 in Afghanistan
Blinken meets with Saudi Crown Prince to discuss Gaza
Afghanistan and India play out goalless draw in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Dead body of Quran-burner found in Norway
ATN secures rights to produce, broadcast second season of KPL
Tahawol: China’s call for inclusive government in Afghanistan
Saar: UN’s report on poverty in Afghanistan discussed
Tahawol: Russia and Tajikistan hold joint military drills along Afghanistan border
Saar: Anti-corruption efforts & better public services discussed
Tahawol: Abdul Kabir’s recent remarks discussed
-
Sport5 days agoACL fever grows as fixtures finalized
-
Latest News5 days agoOver 50 people dead in traffic accidents over Eid
-
Latest News5 days agoUS identifies Kabul airport suicide bomber
-
Business5 days agoAfghanistan-Kazakhstan chamber of commerce opens in Herat
-
World4 days agoIsraeli military vows response to Iran attack as calls for restraint mount
-
Sport3 days agoATN secures exclusive rights to broadcast Paris 2024 Olympics
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistani police give Afghans in Balochistan one day to leave
-
Latest News4 days agoHekmatyar slams US for ‘occupying’ Afghanistan’s airspace