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World Bank appoints new country director for Afghanistan

Faris Hadad-Zervos emphasized the importance of supporting the private sector and micro, small, and medium enterprises, particularly those operated by women, to foster job creation and inclusive growth.

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The World Bank on Thursday announced the appointment of Faris Hadad-Zervos as the new Country Director for Afghanistan.

Previously, Hadad-Zervos served as the Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

“Mr. Faris Hadad-Zervos has been appointed the World Bank’s new Country Director for Afghanistan, effective today. He succeeds Ms. Melinda Good, who has taken on a new World Bank assignment. Mr. Hadad-Zervos’ most recent assignment was serving as the Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka,” the World Bank stated.

Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Hadad-Zervos stated, “I am excited to continue our support to the people of Afghanistan, together with our partners. My first priority is to ensure that the World Bank continues supporting basic services that are so essential to the welfare and future prospects of the Afghan people such as healthcare, education, food security, and livelihoods support, with a focus on ensuring that women and girls benefit.”

He also emphasized the importance of supporting the private sector and micro, small, and medium enterprises, particularly those operated by women, to foster job creation and inclusive growth.

“I am also keen to ensure that we increase our support to the private sector and micro, small and medium enterprises – including those run by women – so the private sector can create much-needed jobs and realize its potential as an engine of inclusive growth,” said Hadad-Zervos.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has welcomed the appointment of a new head of the World Bank office in Afghanistan and said that the bank should resume the work of its incomplete projects in Afghanistan.

According to experts, however, since the sanctions have had a negative impact on the country’s banking system, it is hoped that the expansion of the World Bank’s activities will lead to the improvement of Afghanistan’s economic situation.

Hadad-Zervos, a U.S. national, has been with the World Bank since 1996. His career includes positions as Country Manager in Nepal, Malaysia, and Bolivia, and roles such as Manager of the Technical Cooperation Program with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Head of Mission for Iraq, and Operations Manager for the West Bank and Gaza.

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Mujahid: Pakistan not willing to resolve tensions with Afghanistan through dialogue

He reiterated that Afghanistan was not responsible for the emergence of the current tensions, adding that the Islamic Emirate remains committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomatic engagement.

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Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate, says Kabul has made its final efforts to resolve tensions with Pakistan through dialogue, but these efforts have so far failed to produce tangible results.

Speaking to a local radio station, Mujahid confirmed that messages have been exchanged between Kabul and Islamabad. However, he said diplomatic initiatives by mediating countries and Islamic Emirate officials to ease tensions between the two neighbouring countries have also proved unsuccessful.

Mujahid attributed the lack of progress to what he described as Pakistan’s “wrong policies,” claiming that Islamabad has shown little willingness to resolve its differences with Kabul through peaceful negotiations.

He reiterated that Afghanistan was not responsible for the emergence of the current tensions, adding that the Islamic Emirate remains committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomatic engagement.

His remarks come amid continued tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, as diplomatic efforts to ease bilateral differences have yet to produce a lasting breakthrough.

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Badakhshan governor urges youth to reject opposition groups and calls for national unity

Najib concluded by describing the current system as a common home for all Afghans and called on citizens to maintain unity, preserve stability and prevent further conflict and bloodshed.

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Rahmatullah Najib, the governor of Badakhshan, has urged young Afghans to reject what he described as foreign propaganda and recruitment efforts by opposition groups, calling for national unity, stability and an end to violence.

Speaking at a meeting on the implementation of Sharia and public coordination within the framework of the Islamic Emirate’s administration in Badakhshan, Najib claimed that foreign countries were attempting to influence Afghan youth and encourage them to oppose the current administration.

He stressed that human life, particularly the lives of Muslims, should be protected and not sacrificed. He also said that armed activities carried out in the name of jihad without what he considers a legitimate religious objective should not be regarded as jihad.

Najib alleged that some Afghan youths had been influenced by propaganda originating from across the Durand Line and encouraged to fight against the Islamic Emirate. He questioned the motives of those opposing the current administration and challenging its system.

The governor further accused foreign powers of supporting opposition groups in an attempt to undermine Afghanistan’s values and stability. Referring to the former presence of US and Western forces in Afghanistan, he said their efforts to establish democracy had failed despite the resources and capabilities at their disposal.

He also accused Pakistan of supporting groups opposed to the Islamic Emirate rather than addressing its own domestic challenges. Najib claimed that some young Afghans were taken to border areas and left with limited opportunities to return, exposing them to serious risks.

He maintained that the Islamic Emirate’s administration was capable of confronting its opponents and addressing threats to public security.

Najib concluded by describing the current system as a common home for all Afghans and called on citizens to maintain unity, preserve stability and prevent further conflict and bloodshed.

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Afghan ambassador says several countries may follow Russia in recognizing IEA

Hassan also said official invitations had been extended to the Islamic Emirate’s leadership, with invitations for its officials to visit several countries.

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Gul Hassan Hassan, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Russia, has said that several countries are interested in expanding their relations with Afghanistan and that some are reportedly close to recognizing the Islamic Emirate.

Speaking at a meeting at the headquarters directorate in Ghazni province, Hassan said Central Asian countries, Russia, China and several other nations were seeking to strengthen cooperation with Afghanistan in economic, political, trade, education and healthcare sectors.

He added that some countries, which he did not identify, were close to following Russia’s move in recognizing the Islamic Emirate.

Hassan also said official invitations had been extended to the Islamic Emirate’s leadership, with invitations for its officials to visit several countries.

Meanwhile, he said a high-level Russian delegation is expected to visit Afghanistan in the near future to discuss economic issues and bilateral cooperation.

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