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US special envoy notes a $2 billion shortfall in aid to Afghanistan this year

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Last Updated on: August 3, 2023

The US special representative for Afghanistan says this year, foreign aid to Afghanistan is considerably less – a “shortfall” of $2 billion. 

In an interview with BBC, Thomas West said: “Our judgment is that in this year, 2023, we face a roughly $2 billion hole, a shortfall in the assistance that needs to be delivered in order to meet the most urgent needs of Afghans, in order to keep the currency stable, in order to help to keep the economy relatively liquid.”

“Now that assistance, that $2 billion, it doesn’t just come from the United States.  It would need to come from some of our closest like-minded partners as well.  And collectively I think there is a deep concern that that assistance cannot and should not be delivered absent a significant change in the Taliban’s conduct,” he said.

West’s comments come amid talks between the IEA and the US in Doha.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the IEA’s spokesman, meanwhile said that the West, especially the US, should not politicize the humanitarian crisis and the aid needed by millions of people in the country.

“Yes, we also feel that there are economic problems all over the world. Some of the problems that have arisen in the world, but the people of Afghanistan need cooperation. The aid given to the people of Afghanistan should be done based on human spirit. And it should not be related to political issues, secondly, we are also trying to revive our resources inside and will not need the help of the world forever,” said Mujahid.

Meanwhile, Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi emphasized before the start of the talks with the American delegation in Doha that applying pressure and sanctions on the Islamic Emirate will not work and that Washington should rather engage with the IEA in the form of dialogue.

 

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IEA should respond to Pakistan’s security concerns with concrete actions: Andrabi

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Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi says both Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sadyr Japarov, the President of Kyrgyzstan, who visited Islamabad on Thursday, expressed their mutual commitment to a peaceful, stable Afghanistan with a sustainable future for the Afghan people.

Speaking in a press conference on Friday, Andrabi stated that both sides agreed that the Islamic Emirate must fulfill its obligations toward the international community and take concrete steps against terrorist groups to address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns.

This comes while the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has repeatedly emphasized that no terrorist groups operate from Afghan territory and that it will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against any country.

The Islamic Emirate has also stated that Pakistan’s security concerns are an internal issue of that country, and Pakistan itself must take measures to prevent any security incidents.

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Malaysia’s PM calls peaceful solution to Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions

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Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has voiced deep concern over escalating tensions between the Afghanistan–Pakistan during a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Anwar said he emphasized Malaysia’s concerns regarding regional stability and urged all parties to pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.

His remarks follow media reports indicating heightened tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan after a series of attacks in October.

During the call, the two leaders also exchanged views on several aspects of Malaysia–Pakistan bilateral relations.

Anwar also briefed Sharif on the ongoing flood situation in Malaysia and similar challenges facing neighboring countries, including Indonesia and Thailand.

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Afghanistan makes major strides in cutting drug trafficking, says Putin

Putin stated that Afghan authorities have “substantially reduced” opium cultivation and are “seriously confronting” drug-related threats from within their borders.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin says Afghanistan has taken “active and effective” steps to curb drug trafficking, noting a significant drop in opium production across the country. He made the remarks during an exclusive interview with India Today during his India trip, highlighting what he described as “visible progress” in Afghanistan’s internal security efforts.

Putin stated that Afghan authorities have “substantially reduced” opium cultivation and are “seriously confronting” drug-related threats from within their borders. He added that Afghanistan has also made important advancements in the fight against terrorism.

Responding to a question about why Russia officially recognized the Islamic Emirate, the Russian president said Afghanistan had been engulfed in civil conflict for many years, but the current authorities now hold control over the country. “This is the reality, and it must be acknowledged,” Putin emphasized.

He further noted that maintaining contact with Afghanistan’s leadership is crucial for shaping events inside the country. “If you want influence, you must engage with the people in charge — and that is exactly what we are doing,” he said.

Putin’s remarks come as several regional powers continue to recalibrate their diplomatic strategies toward Afghanistan, focusing on stability, counterterrorism, and economic cooperation.

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