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IEA leader says General Amnesty helped bring security and stability to Afghanistan
The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada, has said that the general amnesty announced following the Islamic Emirate’s return to power in 2021 was aimed at preventing revenge and helping restore security and stability across the country.
According to IEA deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat, Akhundzada made the remarks during a meeting in Kandahar with governors, heads of Ulema councils, appellate court chiefs, tribal elders, and religious scholars from nine provinces in northeastern and northwestern Afghanistan.
Addressing the gathering, Akhundzada said the Islamic Emirate had instructed its fighters not to seek retribution against former government officials, security personnel, or others associated with the previous administration.
“We prevented the Mujahideen from taking revenge and prohibited them from doing so,” he said. “We told them to lay down their weapons; we would not kill them and would not hold them accountable. They laid down their weapons, and we granted them amnesty.”
The general amnesty was announced shortly after the Islamic Emirate took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, ending two decades of conflict between the former Western-backed government and the IEA. The move was widely presented by the authorities as an effort to encourage reconciliation and prevent further bloodshed during the transition of power.
Akhundzada said that after years of war and suffering, Afghans should be encouraged to forgive one another and move beyond longstanding grievances. He urged religious leaders and community elders to promote reconciliation and help prevent old disputes from being passed on to future generations.
He added that lasting peace requires communities to reject cycles of revenge and hostility, warning that unresolved conflicts could continue to fuel divisions if left unaddressed.
The meeting was also attended by officials from the Kandahar Ulema Council, the Supreme Court, the Central Darul Ifta, the Religious Publications Evaluation Department, and a number of teachers and madrasa administrators.
The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights has reported that Iran’s judiciary has executed Gol Mohammad Mohammadi, a 23-year-old Afghan citizen, for his alleged involvement in anti-government protests that took place in January.
According to the group, Mohammadi was executed on Sunday alongside another prisoner, Erfan Esfandiari.
Iran’s judiciary-affiliated Mizan News Agency said the two men had been convicted of participating in deadly attacks against security forces during the protests in Isfahan last year.
Hengaw has criticized the judicial process, alleging that the defendants were denied access to independent legal counsel during their trial.
International Sports
Spain sweep FIFA World Cup player awards after historic triumph
France captain Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot after finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with 10 goals. The award marked the second time Mbappé has claimed the World Cup’s top scorer prize, further cementing his status as one of the game’s leading forwards.
Newly crowned FIFA World Cup champions Spain capped off a remarkable tournament by collecting four of the competition’s five major individual awards following their 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday’s final.
Spain midfielder Rodri was named the winner of the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player after leading his side to a second World Cup title. The experienced midfielder produced a series of commanding performances throughout the tournament, controlling matches with his vision, passing and leadership.
France captain Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot after finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with 10 goals. The award marked the second time Mbappé has claimed the World Cup’s top scorer prize, further cementing his status as one of the game’s leading forwards.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón received the Golden Glove after an outstanding tournament in which Spain conceded just one goal. His consistent performances and crucial saves played a key role in his country’s title-winning campaign.
Nineteen-year-old Spain defender Pau Cubarsí was named Best Young Player after emerging as one of the stars of the tournament. The young centre-back impressed with his composure and maturity, helping Spain record one of the best defensive records in the competition.
Spain’s dominance in the individual honours reflected the team’s outstanding performances throughout the month-long tournament, with four of the five major awards going to members of the world champions.
2026 FIFA World Cup major award winners
- Golden Ball (Best Player): Rodri (Spain)
- Golden Boot (Top Scorer): Kylian Mbappé (France) – 10 goals
- Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): Unai Simón (Spain)
- Best Young Player: Pau Cubarsí (Spain)
Sediqullah Khalid, First Deputy Governor of Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB), has met with Dirk Joseph Thyssen, Deputy CEO of the Afghanistan Credit Guarantee Foundation (ACGF), and his accompanying delegation.
In a statement, Da Afghanistan Bank said the meeting focused on expanding support for small credit guarantees, grant assistance, and technical cooperation with financial institutions in Afghanistan.
According to the bank, Khalid reaffirmed DAB’s commitment to strengthening the country’s financial and banking sector, saying the central bank is working to create a transparent, standardized and enabling environment to improve access to micro, small and medium-sized financing.
He also urged the Afghanistan Credit Guarantee Foundation to provide its financial services fairly and without discrimination across all regions of the country and to all relevant institutions.
For his part, Dirk Joseph Thyssen presented an overview of ACGF’s activities, achievements and future plans, and called for expanded technical cooperation with banks and financial institutions, implementation of joint programs, and the signing of cooperation agreements between the two sides.
The Afghanistan Credit Guarantee Foundation is an international development organization that supports micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through credit guarantee schemes for banks and financial institutions, technical assistance and capacity-building programs.
At the end of the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to expand financial inclusion, support the private sector and further strengthen Afghanistan’s financial and banking sector.
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