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US appeals for information on kidnapped American
Marking the one year anniversary of the kidnapping of American national Mark Frerichs, the US ambassador to Kabul Ross Wilson called on Afghans who might know of his whereabouts to contact the embassy.
In a statement issued by the embassy, Wilson said he was calling on Afghans “who might have information about the disappearance of Mr Frerichs to immediately step forward.”
Frerichs was kidnapped in early February 2020. At the time he had been living in Kabul.
According to the statement, the US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, through its Rewards for Justice office, is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the location, recovery and return of Frerichs.
The embassy stated that anyone with information on Frerichs kidnapping should send a text message via Whatsapp, Telegram or Signal to +1 202 702 7843 or cal +93 070 010 8600.
“All information will be kept strictly confidential,” the statement read.
Frerichs has worked in Afghanistan as a commercial contractor since 2010.
Previous reports indicate he is believed to be held now by the Haqqani Network,
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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