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Establishing ‘Interim Gov’t’ in Afghanistan is ‘Best Option’ – Mohaqiq
Mohammad Mohaqiq, the leader of Wahdat-e-Islami party who was among the Afghan politicians recently held two-day talks with the Taliban representatives in Moscow, says the proposal for establishing an interim government in Afghanistan is the best possible option in the current situation.
Mohaqiq’s remarks come as President Ghani had called the idea of interim government “ridiculous” and said that those who insist on the plan should wait for hundreds of years.
The proposal of interim government apparently has been one of the agenda of Moscow talks being backed by the Afghan oppositions led by former President Hamid Karzai.
“Karzai is not fool, he is a very smart person,” Mohaqiq told Ariana News during an exclusive interview on Sunday. “Karzai is not like what the president and Mr. Khalilzad [the U.S. special envoy] said about him because these two [Karzai and Khalilzad] are the smartest human beings in the region.”
Mohaqiq was referring to President Ashraf Ghani who has reaffirmed his stand on elections and said that the government is committed to carrying the torch of democracy, rebuking any prospects of an interim government under his leadership.
The leader of Wahdat-e-Islami party also said that the Taliban has not insisted on an Islamic Emirate but suggested an Islamic system and government in Afghanistan at the Moscow meeting.
“We also did not suggest having Islamic Republic government, but we hope to reach into an agreement in the future in this regard,” he said.
Mohaqiq who was recently dismissed as the second deputy to Chief Executive of the National Unity Government by President Ghani asserted that according to the political agreement – which led into a formation of the government in 2014, following a rigged presidential election– he will remain in his position and will continue to his job.
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan has signed a 30-year agreement with a private company to extract marble in Daikundi province.
Under the contract, the company will invest AFN 283 million in exploring and mining marble at the “Mesh-Uliya” site, spanning 16.74 square kilometers in central Daikundi.
Hedayatullah Badri, Minister of Mines and Petroleum, stated that the marble will be processed domestically before being exported abroad. He added that the Mesh-Uliya project is expected to create around 200 jobs, and the company is committed to supporting local communities through social initiatives.
Economic experts highlight that such investments, especially those focusing on domestic processing, are crucial for job creation, boosting exports, and strengthening the national economy. Analysts further note that the project will improve local infrastructure, expand social services, and enhance the economic and social well-being of Daikundi residents.
Since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, efforts to develop Afghanistan’s mining sector have intensified, with multiple contracts signed in areas including cement, copper, iron, and lapis lazuli, involving both domestic and international companies.
A passenger bus veered off the Salang Highway before dawn on Sunday, leaving five people dead and 44 others injured, the Ministry of Public Works said.
According to the ministry, the incident occurred at around 2:00 a.m. in the Shawol area of North Salang when a passenger bus deviated from the main road due to the driver’s negligence.
Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, said five passengers were killed and 44 others sustained injuries. He added that personnel from the Salang Maintenance and Protection Directorate promptly arrived at the scene and transferred the injured to the Khunjān clinic for medical treatment.
The Ministry of Public Works has urged drivers and passengers traveling on the Salang Highway to strictly follow the instructions of on-duty teams, observe traffic regulations, and carry warm clothing, food supplies, and snow chains to prevent similar incidents.
The ministry also noted that heavy snowfall and stormy weather have led to the temporary closure of the highway, while road maintenance teams are continuing snow-clearing operations.
Latest News
Major fire in Mandawi Kabul market contained, extensive losses prevented
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
The Ministry of Interior reported that personnel from the General Directorate of Firefighting and Emergency Response successfully prevented the further spread of a fire at Mandawi market on Kabul early Sunday morning.
Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for the ministry, said that the fire destroyed 10 storage facilities and 8 shops. He added that initial losses are estimated at around $700,000, but timely action by firefighting personnel saved property worth approximately $2.2 million.
Qani explained that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. He praised the rapid and effective containment operations, which prevented more extensive damage.
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
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