Latest News
Khalilzad Briefs US Congress Behind Closed Doors
The U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Peace Zalmay Khalilzad on Wednesday briefed U.S. Congress about the latest direct talks between the U.S. and Taliban negotiators in Doha, the capital of Qatar, aimed at ending the 17-year war.
The talks were held behind closed doors, but U.S. Senator Jim Risch has told that he believes Khalilzad is making progress. However, he added that it is a difficult situation to get to the finish line.
Bob Menendez, another U.S. Senator has told that there is a deep conflict between the intelligence community’s views and Khalilzad’s optimism regarding the Afghanistan reconciliation process.
Meanwhile, Michael Rubin, an American scholar who has assessed the U.S. President peace plan for Afghanistan suggests that the Trump administration’s Afghanistan strategy repeats mistakes made by the Clinton and Obama administrations.
According to Mr. Rubin, the Taliban has repeatedly failed to keep diplomatic commitments and treating the Taliban as independent from Pakistani command-and-control will undercut the utility of any peace deal struck with the Taliban.
Speaking at an event at the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS) on Thursday, Waheed Muzhda, an Afghan political analyst said that Taliban engaged in direct talks with the U.S. as the winner of the war while the U.S. team entered into the talks as the loser.
At the same event, Humaira Rahbin, Women’s Rights Activist said there is no guarantee that the Taliban will stay committed to their commitments if the U.S. troops leave Afghanistan.
Ambassador Khalilzad has held six round of direct talks with the Taliban so far. The two sides have agreed on the withdrawal of American troops in exchange for guarantees that Afghanistan will not be used again as a shelter for terrorists to threaten the U.S. and its allies.
The insurgent group has so far refused to set with the Afghan government, calling it a puppet regime of American invaders.
However, Khalilzad has said that all talks would take place in accordance with the principle that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.”
By: Hesamuddin Hesam
Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy prime minister, said Wednesday in a meeting with a number of elders, scholars and youths of the Hazara ethnic group in Kabul that justice in light of Islamic Sharia is applied equally to everyone.
The deputy PM’s office said in a statement that Kabir stressed that discrimination and prejudice have no place in the Islamic system, but the main goal is to serve the people.
“There is no place for ethnic, sectarian and linguistic prejudices and hypocrisy in Afghanistan. All Afghans should work together for the construction, development and prosperity of Afghanistan,” the statement read.
At the gathering, elders and scholars of the Hazara community demanded resolutions regarding their legal cases and other problems and assured the IEA of comprehensive cooperation with the Islamic system, the statement added.
Eight security force members were killed and wounded in an IED explosion in Badakhshan province on Wednesday morning, officials confirmed.
The Ministry of Interior said three policemen died and five others were wounded in the explosion.
Abdul Mateen Qani, the spokesman of the Ministry of Interior Affairs, said: “Unfortunately, at around 11:00 AM today, a sticky mine (magnetic IED) that was already embedded in a motorcycle exploded in the Jawozon area of Faizabad city, Badakhshan province.”
According to Qani the device detonated while a convoy of police was traveling through the area. Police had been carrying out a poppy clearing operation.
Police are investigating the incident, Qani said.
So far, no group or individual has claimed responsibility for the explosion.
Khurasan Faryab defeated Istiqlal Kabul 1-0 in the 35th match of Afghanistan Champions League (ACL) in Kabul on Tuesday, while Sorkh Poshan Khafi thrashed Sarsabz Yashlar 4-1 in the 36th match of the tournament on the same day.
Khurasan’s only goal against Istiqlal Kabul was scored by Farid Ahmad – who was declared man of the match.
In the second match of the day, Sorkh Poshan Khafi’s four goals were scored by Habibullah Hotak and Omid Rajabi.
Khurasan’s Habibullah Hotak received the man of the match award.
Wednesday’s matches will see Abu Muslim Farah FC take on Adalat Farah FC at 1 PM, while Maiwand FC will play Jawanan Wahedi FC at 3:30 PM.
The matches are broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Tahawol: Pakistan Army claim refusal discussed
Saar: UN delegation trip to Kabul discussed
Justice in light of Sharia applies equally to everyone: Deputy PM
IED explosion in Badakhshan leaves 8 dead and wounded
Tatarstan businessmen keen to invest in Afghanistan’s oil and gas sector
Indian foreign ministry advises against travel to Iran, Israel
Commerce ministry inks 10 MoUs to boost development of small and medium-sized businesses
Rashid Khan threatens BBL pullout after Australia postpones Afghanistan T20I series
Biden says Netanyahu’s approach to war in Gaza is a ‘mistake’
Rashid Khan named AWCC’s brand ambassador
Tahawol: Pakistan Army claim refusal discussed
Saar: UN delegation trip to Kabul discussed
Tahawol: Israeli attack on Rafah city discussed
Saar: Afghanistan’s caretaker govt criticizes world for creating challenges
Saar: Afghanistan calls for WHO to hand over its seat
-
Sport4 days agoDu Plessis, Kohli help Bengaluru stay in IPL play-off race
-
World4 days agoHamas, CIA director to hold talks in Cairo on Gaza truce
-
Latest News5 days agoTrans-Afghan railway project expected to be completed by end of 2027: Uzbek official
-
Sport4 days agoSarsabz Yashlar and Sorkh Poshan win Saturday’s ACL matches
-
Latest News4 days agoBan on opium cultivation in Afghanistan cost farmers $1.3 billion
-
Business3 days agoTurkmenistan business delegation visits Herat
-
Latest News5 days agoAfghan consul general in Mumbai Zakia Wardak resigns
-
World4 days agoHamas negotiators in Cairo for Gaza truce talks