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Muttaqi: Afghanistan is ready to work with the US, but sanctions must go
Amir Khan Muttaqi, foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), has once again asked the world to lift sanctions imposed on the country and expressed willingness to work with all nations, including the US.
In an article published in Al Jazeera, Muttaqi, said that not only has the war come to an end but Afghanistan is being administered by an independent, powerful, united, central and responsible government.
He said that a unique opportunity has emerged to embark on rapprochement between Afghanistan and the world.
“The conditions are ripe for Afghanistan to rise up as a responsible and independent member of the international community and to fulfil its responsibility in promoting global peace and security. The international community, on its part, should reciprocate by welcoming Afghanistan into its fold while paying respect to its independence and assisting it to stand on its feet. Our foreign policy will be based on a balanced and independent approach, that avoids entanglement in global and regional rivalries. We will pursue opportunities for shared interests and peaceful coexistence, based on the principle of equality and respect,” he wrote.
Muttaqi acknowledged the crisis in the country and blamed sanctions imposed by the US and other countries for it.
“The primary cause of the ongoing economic crisis is the imposition of sanctions and banking restrictions by the United States. This impedes and delays our efforts to address the humanitarian crisis,” Muttaqi wote.
“What moral and political justifications can the US have for imposing crippling sanctions on a war-torn nation?”
He added that over the past two decades, the Afghan economy “was made wholly dependent on foreign aid” and now with zero aid inflows, there was a need to “address the basic and fundamental needs of the Afghan people”.
He also reminded the US and other countries that sanctions and pressures do not resolve differences. “There is a need for the international community to establish political and economic relations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan while respecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Muttaqi warned that if sanctions result in another failed government in Afghanistan, it would result in grave consequences not only for the country but the whole world.
“Such a scenario will be accompanied by a great human tragedy that will not be limited to Afghanistan, but rather usher in new and unforeseen security, refugee, economic, health and other challenges for our neighbours, the region and the world.”
According to Muttaqi, the cultural sensibilities of Afghanistan require a “cautious approach.”
“As for our internal affairs, which have at times been misconceived or misconstrued, there remains the need to dispel misinformation and depict an accurate picture of the values and needs of Afghanistan. The religious and cultural sensibilities of our society require a cautious approach. Any government that has not maintained the proper equilibrium, pertaining to such sensibilities, has ultimately faced serious difficulties. This is a lesson that our recent history has emphasised over and over again,” Muttaqi wrote.
On the government’s achievements, the minister claimed that action has been taken to ensure that Afghanistan soil was not used against other countries while the cultivation of drugs has been banned.
“We celebrate, and take pride, in our diversity and rich history. We don’t believe in imposing the majority’s will on a minority. In our view, every citizen of the country is an inseparable part of the collective whole.”
Muttaqi acknowledged that there remain “challenges and shortcomings” and sought time, resources and cooperation to address those issues. “Virtually all countries of the world have problems of their own. Yet, we choose to assist and alleviate, rather than shun and exacerbate.”
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Clashes along Afghanistan-Pakistan boundary brought under control
Reports indicate two Pakistani security posts were destroyed in the clash,
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.
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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IEA sets up High Commission for Counter-Narcotics
Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, said in a meeting on the occasion of the High Commission for Counter-Narcotics opening that the Islamic Emirate has been successful in the fight against narcotics.
However, Kabir has considered providing alternative crops to farmers as one of the international community’s responsibilities.
“The Islamic Emirate does not allow anyone to use Afghanistan’s soil against anyone. It does not allow anyone to use Afghanistan for smuggling or international crimes,” said Kabir.
In this area, the cooperation of countries in the region and the world is important. We must focus on the way that the countries of the region and the world avoid the harm of drugs,” he added.
Acting Ministers of Interior Affairs Sirajuddin Haqqani and National Defense Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid also said in this meeting that the Islamic Emirate is committed to a serious fight against drugs.
They have emphasized that in the last three years, nearly 80,000 operations have been carried out in this area and more than 20,000 smugglers have been arrested.
“Today, the Islamic Emirate has progressed in countering narcotics, but the world is largely silent for this issue and does not fulfill its responsibility. We want them to fulfill their responsibility,” said Yaqoob Mujahid.
“The international community should help the Islamic Emirate in the field of alternative livelihoods,” said Haqqani.
Acting Foreign Minster Amir Khan Muttaqi also said that the creation of this commission and the serious fight against drugs can provide the basis for the expansion of world relations with the current system.
This commission has the task of coordinating the fight against drugs and providing facilities to farmers in the field of alternative cultivation, and about 27 government departments are members of this commission.
Meanwhile, a number of other participants stressed that this year’s rains and floods have damaged Afghanistan’s agriculture sector and asked the international community to cooperate with the people of Afghanistan in this sector.
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