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Report: Pervasive Sexual Abuse of Children in Pakistan Seminaries

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(Last Updated On: October 24, 2022)

A new report suggests pervasive sexual abuse of children in Pakistan Islamic Schools or seminaries in which young students are being abundantly raped and abused by the clerics or Mavlavis.

The issue has been covered recently by a report of The Associated Press (AP) in which Kausar Parvin, mother of a victim says that her 9 year old child was raped by a religious cleric in the Kehrore Pakka.

The report also says that “sexual abuse is a pervasive and longstanding problem at madrassas in Pakistan, from the sunbaked mud villages deep in its rural areas to the heart of its teeming cities”. It further states “but in a culture where clerics are powerful, it is seldom discussed or even acknowledged in public”.

Based on interviews with the victims, their families, officials, aid agencies and documents of Pakistan Police, the issue is rarely prosecuted in the country.

According to two Pakistani officials who are cited on condition of anonymity due to fear from the powerful clerics, there are always sexual abuse inside madrassas and even the officials compared the situation of children sexual abuse to that of priests in Catholic Church.

 The Pakistan Interior Ministry which is in charge of overseeing the seminaries has avoided to comment regarding the issue, despite repeated requests, the report notes.

At least 2 million student mostly from the poorest families who receive food and education for free are enrolled in more than 22,000 registered madrasas.

However, as stated in the report, there are thousands of unregistered madrasas like the one Parvin’s son was raped in, are operating in the country.

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Iranian FM warns US interventions in Afghanistan ‘complicating situation’

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(Last Updated On: May 14, 2024)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Monday that continued interventions by the US into the internal affairs of Afghanistan will complicate the country’s situation.

In a meeting in Tehran with the head of the UN in Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran closely follows the developments in Afghanistan and supports stability, security, and sustainable development in the neighboring country.

He also said Iran supports the role of the United Nations in helping the people of Afghanistan.

According to Iran’s Mehr News, Amir-Abdollahian raised the issue of Afghan nationals in Iran and urged the UN to address the situation.

He also reportedly criticized the US for its “destructive role in Afghanistan during its presence in the country”, noting that the continuation of targeted interventions by the US in the internal affairs of Afghanistan will complicate the situation further.

Amir-Abdollahian emphasized the need for diverse and multi-layered solutions to Afghanistan’s complex problems, Mehr News reported.

Otunbayeva in turn explained the latest developments and issues in Afghanistan and the upcoming Doha meeting in Qatar.

She also stressed the need to coordinate the diverse positions of regional players to help with the development and stability of the country.

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Afghanistan loses UN voting rights over unpaid dues

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(Last Updated On: May 14, 2024)

Afghanistan is facing another set back at the United Nations after its General Assembly voting rights were suspended due to unpaid fees.

Nasir Faiq, who has acted as Afghanistan’s representative at the UN says that failure to settle outstanding dues since the Islamic Emirate’s takeover in August 2021 led to the organization’s decision.

As a result, Afghanistan was unable to exercise its right to vote at the recent General Assembly vote concerning the recognition of the State of Palestine.

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200 booths at Kabul expo showcase women’s products

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(Last Updated On: May 13, 2024)

In the national and international expo of Industry Week, which opened in Kabul on Sunday, 200 booths are dedicated to women’s products.

The seven-day expo in Chaman Huzuri area has 800 booths in total.

Women have also put their products, handicrafts and paintings on display.

“This exhibition is very good,” said Mahnaz, a participant of the expo. “People encourage us a lot which makes us proud. But so far, we could not sell because the people’s economy has become very weak.”

Like Mahnaz, there are many women who play their role in the economic growth of individuals and the country, and through commercial activities, they want to convey the message that Afghan women have the capabilities in various sectors, especially business, although they do not seem satisfied enough with their sales.

“They (authorities) should provide us with the ground for growth; allow us to grow in different fields; Afghanistan has many talents in every field,” said Noreen, a participant of the expo.

The visitors also emphasize on supporting women in business and on the use of women’s products.

“This exhibition has a very positive effect on Afghan girls. They can showcase their products and promote their businesses,” said Zakira, a visitor.

Organizers say that women have showcased mostly handicrafts, hand-made dresses, food and non-food items.

According to the statistics of the Afghanistan International Expo Center, in the past year, nearly 10 joint expos of Afghan products with countries such as Qatar, Oman, Iran, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan were held in Kabul.

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