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Muttaqi hopeful that US will release frozen assets as ‘talks continue’
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said Thursday talks with the United States over the frozen assets are ongoing and that he is hopeful the White House will release the country’s foreign reserves in the near future.
He said both Washington and Kabul remained in contact with each other over the issue and over issues relating to the banking and financial sectors.
According to Muttaqi, talks have focused on the facilitation of improving the banking sector, on lifting sanctions and on improving political relations.
He said talks also focused on the need to lift banking restrictions in order to ease processes for Afghan businesses.
He also said the US might consider releasing $3.5 billion of Afghanistan’s foreign reserves but with conditions attached.
However, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Washington continues to call for Afghanistan’s new rulers to respect human rights and basic freedoms of Afghan citizens, including women and girls.
“We will continue to pressure the Taliban (IEA) for the safe release of Mark Frerichs and respect for human rights. We prioritize the basic freedoms of all Afghans, including women and girls, in access to work and education, and this is our commitment to the people of Afghanistan,” said Jean-Pierre.
After the takeover of the Islamic Emirate in August 2021, the US froze $7 billion of Afghanistan’s assets.
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.
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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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