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Experts: Government-Taliban should adopt flexibility to start Intra-Afghan talks
Experts are urging the Afghan government and the Taliban to step up their efforts to secure the release of prisoners in order to achieve a common goal so that the Intra-Afghan talks can begin as soon as possible.
After the government announced the release of 3,000 Taliban prisoners and the Taliban’s insistence on not initiating the Intra-Afghan talks until the release of 5,000 prisoners, experts are calling for flexibility and release of prisoners to a level that is acceptable to both sides.
It is also believed that the Taliban’s official stance – the release of 5,000 prisoners to start the Intra-Afghan Talks – will not change.
“The Taliban’s position is that under the Qatar agreement, 5,000 Taliban prisoners should be released so that they can enter into talks with the Afghan government,” said Khalil Safi, head of the Afghan Peace Center.
Meanwhile, a US senator says the United States, NATO, and the Afghan government should put pressure on the Taliban to subdue them.
Adam Kinzinger, a member of the US Congress, said that the only way that can work is for the Taliban to realize that they have no choice, and the United States, along with NATO and the Afghan government should pressurize them to comply.
It is worth noting that the Taliban has been underscoring that they will not negotiate unless all 5,000 prisoners are released by the government.
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.
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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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