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Make girls’ education ‘red line’ in talks with IEA, Amnesty tells int’l community
Amnesty International on Monday called on the international community to make girls’ right to education a “red line” during negotiations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA).
Amnesty International’s South Asia Director Yamini Mishra said in a statement that IEA’s “devastating” backtrack on reopening schools for female students above sixth grade is “a blatant violation of the right to education and casts a shadow over the futures of millions of Afghan girls.”
“Amnesty International is calling on the international community to make women’s and girls’ rights to education a red line during negotiations with the Taliban (IEA) de-facto authorities,” Yamini said. “The Taliban (IEA) must, without further delay, allow girls of all ages to attend school and stop using cynical pretexts to further its discriminatory agenda.”
Last week, IEA reversed its decision to open secondary and high schools for girls, saying they would remain closed until a plan was drawn up in accordance with Islamic law for them to reopen.
The move was widely condemned by international organizations and foreign governments, with the United States abruptly cancelling meetings with IEA in Doha that were set to address key economic issues.
IEA said on Tuesday that pressuring the government on the issue of schools is an interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.
“Schools remaining closed is an internal issue, and external pressures for their reopening is an interference in domestic affairs. Schools would open following the order of the IEA leadership,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for IEA.
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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