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More high-ranking officials face prosecution over COVID-19 funding fraud

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Two provincial governors and two former governors were on Tuesday referred to the Attorney General’s Office on suspicion of embezzlement of COVID-19 funds, sources have confirmed.

The fraud suspects are Wardak Governor Abdul Yamin Muzaffaruddin, Badakhshan Governor Zakaria Sawda, former Nuristan governor Hafiz Abdul Qayum and former Herat Governor Abdul Qayum Rahimi.

This comes after former Public Health Minister, Ferozuddin Feroz, and a number of current and former health officials were referred to the AGO on suspicion of misuse of authority and embezzlement of COVID-19 funds on Monday.

The Inspector General’s Office of Afghanistan said in a statement that the body was tasked in late June to investigate the issue following a presidential decree to this effect.

“According to Inspector Office’s findings, the former Public Health Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, along with four of the ministry’s deputies, including one current deputy minister, is suspected of misuse of authority and embezzlement of resources related to the Coronavirus,” the statement said.

In July, the Inspector General’s Office accused officials of mismanagement and warned that they could be prosecuted.

The Inspector-General Ghezal Haris told media at the time that officials failed to ensure transparency in utilizing government resources.

The inspector general said the office’s initial findings indicate a lack of transparency in the COVID-19 budget expenditure, saying goods had been bought at a much higher price than the market value.

An example was that for a digital thermometer, in Badakhshan, the price had been 12,000 AFs, in Herat 24,000 AFs, and in Logar 91,000 AFs.
“Despite money having been allocated to fight the coronavirus, in some provinces, beds, mobile phones or 75-inch TVs have been purchased,” Haris said.

The Inspector General’s Office also found that although the government paid to purchase new medical equipment, the authorities, in some cases, bought used medical equipment and supplies.

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UNAMA marks World Literacy Day, emphasizes need to promote education

“Let’s use its power for a more inclusive world & join our mission to making literacy accessible for everyone everywhere!” the post read.

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Marking World Literacy Day on Sunday, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a post on X that literacy has the potential to promote mutual understanding, social cohesion and peace.

“Let’s use its power for a more inclusive world & join our mission to making literacy accessible for everyone everywhere!” the post read.

In a separate statement, UNAMA said: “Literacy is a fundamental human right for all. It opens the door to the enjoyment of other human rights, greater freedoms, and global citizenship.

“Literacy is a foundation for people to acquire broader knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, and behaviors to foster a culture of lasting peace based on respect for equality and non-discrimination, the rule of law, solidarity, justice, diversity, and tolerance and to build harmonious relations with oneself, other people and the planet.”

For high school girls in Afghanistan, this day was yet another sad one for them as they are barred from going to school or university.
Some experts have said denying education to 50% of the population will result in a greater degree of illiteracy in the country
On the other hand, some experts believe that taking away the right to education for girls will lead to a “backward” society and a higher degree of illiteracy.
Other experts have also suggested that the young generation should not be denied an education.

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Clashes along Afghanistan-Pakistan boundary brought under control

Reports indicate two Pakistani security posts were destroyed in the clash,

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A clash between Pakistani and Afghan border forces in Zazi Maidan district in Khost provinces was brought to an end after the Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs stepped in.

Reports indicate two Pakistani security posts were destroyed in the clash,

Multiple reports also indicated that at least five Pakistan soldiers, including an officer, and four Afghan border guards had been injured in the skirmish.

Meanwhile, officials from the ministry said Sunday that in the past year they marked a long section of the border with Pakistan.

They said the ministry resolved 304 major conflicts and 525 lesser cases of enmity in this time. Hundreds of people reportedly lost their lives in this time and huge financial losses were incurred.

Officials also said border protection is one of the priorities of this ministry and serious efforts have been made in this sector in the past year.

In order to maintain the official borders, officials said the ministry assessed the boundaries with Iran and Turkmenistan and the disputed Durand Line with Pakistan.

Also, in the past year, the ministry has shared 700 environmental problems with officials of the relevant departments and implemented 400 projects in this sector.

This ministry also conducted research in the fields of agriculture, population, area, livestock and development in eight provinces of the country.

In addition, more than 7,000 people are currently enrolled in the ministry’s colleges.

The ministry also provided cash assistance to a number of nomadic families and has built 100 mobile health teams, 11 clinics and 60 animal treatment centers across the country.

A clash between Afghan and Pakistani security forces has occurred in the Zazi Maidan district of southeastern Khost province, resulting in casualties on both sides.

 

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Norway donates $1.8 million to Afghanistan

Expressing gratitude for the Norwegian aid, OCHA said that Oslo has contributed 189 million Krone ($70 million) to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund in the last 10 years.

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The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid in Afghanistan (OCHA) announced Sunday that Norway has donated 1.8 million to the country for aid purposes.

OCHA posted a message on X on Sunday that the money was donated to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF).

Expressing gratitude for the Norwegian aid, OCHA said that Oslo has contributed 189 million Krone ($70 million) to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund in the last 10 years.

This institution announced last month that only 25% of the $3.06 billion dollars needed for Afghanistan in 2024 has been provided.

At that time, OCHA requested countries and donor organizations to provide more help from the international community in order to address the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

About two months ago, OCHA reported that 23.7 million people in Afghanistan need humanitarian aid.

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