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26 Killed As Earthquake Hits Pakistan’s Kashmir
A powerful earthquake rocked several parts of Pakistan on Tuesday, leaving at least 26 people dead, and more than 300 others wounded.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers with its epicenter lying 1km southeast of Mirpur, Pakistan-administrated Jammu and Kashmir.
Tremors were also felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum, Charsadda, Swat, Khyber, Abbottabad, Bajaur, Nowshera, Mansehra, Battagram, Torghar and Kohistan.
Deputy Commissioner of Pakistan administered-Kashmir, Raja Qaiser told reporters that emergency has been imposed in hospitals.
He further said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) have been directed to carry out rescue operations and gather data on the damaged done.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Army Chief ordered army personnel to participate in the rescue activities.
The country was also hit by a magnitude-7.6 quake on October 8, 2005, that killed more than 73,000 people and left about 3.5 million homeless, mainly in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
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UK stands firm on its commitment to Afghan women and girls: Hamish Falconer
UK’s Deputy Foreign Secretary, Hamish Falconer, says Britain stands firm in its commitment to the people of Afghanistan, especially Afghan women and girls.
Falconer stated on X that he hosted a meeting on humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan with the participation of officials from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
"It was a pleasure to host the World Food Programme and the UN Population Fund in Afghanistan and discuss the lifesaving UK-funded assistance they are providing to the Afghan people. We stand firm in our commitment to the people of Afghanistan, especially women and girls,” he said.
Earlier, Falconer said that defending the rights of Afghan women and girls is one of the UK's main priorities.
However, some experts have pointed out that there is often a gap between the words and actions of countries supporting women.
"I emphasize to different countries the need for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, but such emphases and speeches are useless unless they are implemented and made practically binding. Until then, they will have no impact on the daily lives of people, especially women in Afghanistan,” said Adila Zamani, a women's rights activist.
Reports indicate that the UK has contributed 304 million pounds to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund since its establishment.
Meanwhile, some economic experts stated that continued humanitarian assistance from countries could be important in the short term.
Abdul Nasir Rashtiya, an economic expert, said: "The distribution or continuation of such aid helps prevent poverty in the country."
The protection of women's human rights remains an unresolved issue between the Islamic Emirate and the international community. As a result, despite more than three years of the IEA’s rule, countries are still unwilling to recognize the caretaker government of Afghanistan.
However, IEA has repeatedly stated that the rights of Afghan women are ensured within the framework of Islamic Sharia law.
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Talks are necessary to resolve problems between Iran and Afghanistan: Araghchi
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that talks are necessary to resolve the problems between his country and neighboring Afghanistan.
He said that the fight against terrorist groups, drugs, resolving the issue of migrants, water rights, border security, trade growth and economic issues require Kabul and Tehran to pursue diplomacy and resolve issues through dialogue.
The diplomat said that during his visit to Kabul, IEA officials emphasized Afghanistan's commitment to ensuring Iran’s water rights in accordance with the 1973 treaty.
Araghchi also said that Kabul and Tehran have agreed to work on a joint plan for the dignified return of Afghan migrants from Iran.
Araghchi visited Kabul on Sunday and met with senior officials of the Islamic Emirate, including the prime minister and acting ministers of foreign affairs and defense, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations.
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IEA assures govt employees that they will get paid this month
The Islamic Emirate said Thursday that US President Donald Trump’s cuts to aid will not affect salaries of Afghan government workers.
This comes in the wake of rumors that government employees would not be paid for the solar month of Dalwa due to Trump’s severe cuts to aid.
Since the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s return to power in August 2021, the salaries of all government employees have been covered by the domestic budget, unlike in the past when donor money helped fund salaries.
In a post on X, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, said that all 1.04 million government employees in Afghanistan will receive their salaries this month, as per usual.
He said the Ministry of Finance has assured the IEA that salaries will be paid.
“The country’s budget has a domestic foundation, it has nothing to do with the arrival or non-arrival of foreign aid,” he emphasized.
Mujahid’s statement comes after rumors began circulating that the IEA has suspended payment of salaries to government employees following Washington’s foreign aid freeze.
Trump’s move will however impact a wide range of humanitarian agencies and NGOs in the country.
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