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IEA claims no journalist killed in past year
The Ministry of Information and Culture of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), says that no journalist has been killed in the country since the establishment of the IEA.
Reporting on their accomplishments in the past year, officials said on Tuesday that currently 219 media outlets are operating across the country.
According to officials they are trying to help solve some of the problems facing the media in covering incidents.
The reactivation of the Media Violation Commission, the creation of free higher education for youths, the prevention of anti-Islamic topics in books, and the revival of Bakhtar News Agency have been important achievements of this institution in the past year.
“In the last year, there has been no murder of any journalist. It is true that sometimes a problem has arisen, but any kind of incident happens at home,” said Khairullah Khairkhah, Minister of Information and Culture.
The officials of this ministry still say that in the past year they have been able to activate the Media Violation Commission; they revived the Bakhtar News Agency and still managed to examine 80 books, in which 150 topics were against the principles of Islam.
“80 books and 150 book titles that were in conflict with the religion of Islam were examined, 44 licenses were renewed and extended, the legislative documents of the Ministry were revised and the video media monitoring department was also created in the structure of this ministry,” said Hayatulla Mahjer, Deputy Minister of Publications of the Ministry of Information and Culture.
The officials of this institution still say that in the past year, much had been done to preserve or restore historical monuments.
The deputy of this ministry said that in the last twenty years, despite the influx of billions of dollars, basic work was not done to preserve historical monuments.
Introducing hundreds of young people to private universities to get free higher education and signing contracts with more than 30 universities are considered as other achievements of the Ministry of Information and Culture.
Expanding the activity of Bakhtar News Agency, which is one of the oldest state media outlets in the country, is a big step for this ministry, officials said.
Currently, Bakhtar Agency has publications in several domestic and foreign languages.
Matiul Haq Khalis, Director General of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), left for Baku on Friday at the head of an official delegation to participate in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), a major international gathering focused on sustainable urban development and environmental challenges.
The forum, organized by UN-Habitat, is scheduled to take place from May 17 to 22 in the Azerbaijani capital under the theme “Housing for All: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.”
According to Afghan officials, the delegation will participate in a series of technical meetings and discussions on climate change, environmental protection in urban areas, sustainable development, waste management, green cities, air pollution control and strengthening urban resilience.
The World Urban Forum is regarded as one of the world’s leading platforms on urbanization and environmental policy, bringing together government officials, mayors, international organizations, climate experts and development institutions from across the globe.
On the sidelines of the event, Khalis and accompanying officials are also expected to meet with representatives of international organizations, donor agencies and foreign governments to discuss environmental cooperation, technical support and future joint initiatives.
Afghanistan’s environmental authority described participation in the forum as an important opportunity to expand international engagement, exchange experiences and seek practical solutions to the country’s growing environmental and urban challenges.
The visit comes as Afghanistan faces increasing concerns over climate-related risks, rapid urbanization, air pollution and environmental degradation, issues that officials say require broader regional and international cooperation.
Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), told a U.S. Senate committee on Thursday that Afghanistan remains a major focus for Washington in terms of terrorist activity and regional security threats.
Speaking during a hearing before lawmakers, Cooper said Afghanistan continues to be “on the forefront” of U.S. monitoring efforts regarding militant groups.
“Afghanistan remains on the forefront of what we are watching in terms of terrorist activity,” he told the committee.
The CENTCOM commander added that the United States is working closely with regional partners to contain and suppress potential threats emerging from Afghanistan.
The remarks come as U.S. officials continue to express concerns over the presence of militant groups in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of American forces from the country in 2021.
The Islamic Emirate, however, has denied presence of militant groups in Afghanistan, emphasizing that it will not allow Afghan soil to be used against any other country.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), met on Thursday with Johannes Bruwer, the newly appointed head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and received a copy of his credentials.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that during the meeting, Muttaqi described relations between Afghanistan and the ICRC as historic, congratulated Bruwer on the start of his mission in Afghanistan, wished him success, and assured him of full cooperation in advancing humanitarian efforts.
Muttaqi also praised the services of Katharina Ritz, the outgoing head of the organization, and commended the activities carried out during her mission in Afghanistan. He also wished her success in her future responsibilities.
For his part, Bruwer expressed pleasure over the beginning of his mission in Afghanistan and pledged to continue providing humanitarian services in close coordination with the relevant institutions of the Islamic Emirate during his tenure.
Meanwhile, Ritz thanked the institutions of the Islamic Emirate for their cooperation and support throughout her mission and described her tenure as full of achievements and positive memories.
At the end of the meeting, both sides emphasized the expansion of bilateral cooperation in humanitarian affairs and the strengthening of mutual engagement.
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