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Afghanistan central bank raises limit on bank withdrawals to $400 a week
Afghanistan’s central bank has eased restrictions on bank withdrawals, lifting the maximum to $400 from dollar-denominated accounts or 30,000 Afghanis a week from the previous limit of $200 or 20,000 Afghanis, the central bank said on Wednesday.
The change, which sets a monthly limit on withdrawals of $1,200 or 100,000 Afghani, came amid growing economic hardship that has left millions in Afghanistan without work and facing hunger.
Even those with savings have struggled to pay for food and household necessities because of the strict limits on withdrawals that were brought in to prevent a run on banks.
Afghanistan’s foreign exchange reserves have been restricted following the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) take over in August, severely limiting the new administration’s room for financial manoeuvre.
Some $9.5 billion in central bank reserves remain blocked outside the country and international support given to the previous government has dried up.
This week, the IEA banned the use of foreign currencies for transactions like buying a car or a house, saying all contracts must be denominated in the Afghani currency.
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An Afghan child’s cry from Behsud, Nangarhar: “Take Me to My Mother”
Local sources say that two nights earlier, members of the child’s family were killed in an airstrike carried out by the military of Pakistan in the Behsud district.
A heartbreaking video from the Behsud district of Nangarhar has deeply moved viewers across social media, showing a young child desperately calling for his mother, sister, and brothers after surviving a Pakistani airstrike.
In the footage, the child—who narrowly escaped death—can be seen crying uncontrollably and begging to be taken to his family. Local residents try to comfort him, telling the child that his relatives are in hospital, but he continues to insist on seeing them, repeatedly calling their names and hoping to reunite with them.
Local sources say that two nights earlier, members of the child’s family were killed in an airstrike carried out by the military of Pakistan in the Behsud district.
The disturbing images once again highlight the severe toll of recent airstrikes on civilians—particularly children—raising serious questions about the protection of non-combatants and the human cost of ongoing military actions.
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Turkey reaffirms support for Afghanistan’s health sector
Noor Jalal Jalali, the Minister of Public Health of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has met with the Turkish Chargé d’Affaires to Kabul, Sadin Ay Yildiz, to discuss expanding cooperation in the health sector.
During the meeting, Noor Jalal Jalali thanked Turkey for its continued assistance and outlined key priorities, including the training of Afghan healthcare workers, expansion of medical services for children with congenital heart diseases, construction and equipping of district-level hospitals, and the launch and strengthening of pediatric neurosurgery services in Kabul.
The minister also emphasized the importance of Turkish medicines in Afghanistan’s healthcare system, stressing that quality standards and affordable pricing must be ensured.
For his part, Yildiz reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s health sector and said Ankara would work to provide equipment and facilities in line with the needs of the Ministry of Public Health. He also requested a detailed list of required medical equipment and resources to facilitate further cooperation.
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Bennett expresses concern over civilian casualties in Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan
In a post on X, Bennett said he was “deeply concerned by reports of numerous children and other civilians being killed following renewed conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has expressed grave concern over reports of civilian casualties following recent Pakistani military airstrikes inside Afghanistan.
In a post on X, Bennett said he was “deeply concerned by reports of numerous children and other civilians being killed following renewed conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.” He called on both sides to exercise maximum restraint, ensure the protection of civilians, and comply fully with international law.
Pakistani forces carried out airstrikes late Saturday night and early Sunday morning targeting a religious seminary in Paktika province as well as residential areas in the Behsud district of Nangarhar province.
In Behsud, at least 13 members of a single family — including women and children — were reportedly killed, while nine others were injured. Five individuals are still said to be missing.
The comments come after the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed it had received credible reports of civilian harm resulting from Pakistani air operations conducted inside Afghanistan on 21–22 February.
Airstrikes in the Behsud and Khogyani districts of Nangarhar province, carried out between approximately 23:45 on 21 February and 00:15 on 22 February, reportedly left at least 13 civilians dead and seven others injured, including women and children.
Pakistani forces also struck Barmal and Urgun districts in Paktika province. In the Marghai area of Barmal district, an airstrike around 23:15 on 21 February reportedly hit a madrassa and partially damaged a nearby mosque.
UNAMA urged all parties to immediately halt hostilities, prioritize civilian protection, and uphold international humanitarian law — particularly the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution — to prevent further civilian casualties.
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