Latest News
Fayeq votes against Russia at UN, IEA says Afghanistan to remain impartial
Naseer Ahmad Fayeq, who is holding Afghanistan’s seat at the United Nations, on Wednesday voted in favor of a resolution that condemned Russia’s war on Ukraine. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), however, said that Kabul will remain impartial.
The resolution demanding that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally” withdraw its military forces from Ukraine was supported by 141 of the UN’s 193 members.
China, India and South Africa were among the 35 countries that abstained, while just five – Eritrea, North Korea, Syria, Belarus and of course Russia – voted against it.
Before the vote, Fayeq had said that Russia’s attack on Ukraine is “a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter, in which it respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and refrains from threatening or using force against political independence, sovereignty and the rule of law.”
IEA, however, suggested that the vote was not Afghanistan’s official stance.
“It is our policy that we will not take side in any issue around the world. We want to attract the world’s attention to Afghanistan’s reconstruction. We want to maintain relations with all countries and be impartial. We ask all to resolve their problems through talks not fighting,” said Suhail Shaheen, IEA’s nominee for Afghanistan’s UN envoy post.
Some diplomats believe Fayeq’s vote at UN will not affect Afghanistan’s ties with Russia.
“The person who is currently holding Afghanistan’s seat at UN cannot represent a state which he doesn’t recognize, therefore, only the IEA Foreign Ministry’s statements are legally and politically reliable,” said Ahmad Sarwar, a former Afghan ambassador to India.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has closed 12 media outlets – both public and private – in seven provinces this year, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has said.
Eleven television stations and one radio station have been forced to completely cease their activities, while three radio stations were closed temporarily before they were allowed to resume operations on the condition that they agreed to stop broadcasting music, RSF said in a statement.
"The ideological hardening of the Taliban (IEA) in recent months has accelerated repression and increased threats against media outlets in Afghanistan. The proliferation of bans on images of living beings in certain provinces, in particular, has led to a series of closures of television stations,” said Célia Mercier, head of RSF's South Asia Desk.
She called for the unconditional reopening of all silenced media outlets, so they can continue their mission of informing the people in complete freedom.
The Islamic Emirate says it has shut media outlets serving banned political parties, and some outlets have stopped operating due to economic problems.
Earlier, Political Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai also said that the Islamic Emirate should allow media to operate freely.
Fasihuddin Fitrat, the Chief of the Army Staff of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, said that studying medicine is necessary as people need both male and female doctors.
Fitrat said this in a conference at the Armed Forces Academy of Medical Sciences in Kabul.
The statement comes amid reports that the leader of the Islamic Emirate has decided to close medical institutes to girls across the country.
The Ministry of Transport and Aviation announced on Thursday that it suspended two transportation companies following deadly traffic accidents on Kabul-Kandahar highway.
Recently, two traffic accidents on the highway in Ghazni province left more than 50 people dead and scores injured.
The Ministry of Transport and Aviation said in a statement that the companies involved have been suspended and a joint technical team has been dispatched to the scene to investigate.
Twelve media outlets closed in Afghanistan in 2024: RSF
Trump-backed spending deal fails in House, shutdown approaches
Afghanistan needs both male and female doctors: army chief
Two transportation companies suspended following deadly accidents
Pakistan’s missile program is ’emerging threat’, top US official says
Afghanistan beat Pakistan to secure Youth Tri-Nation Series title
Champions Trophy arrives in Kabul as part of world tour
ATN to broadcast upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025 draw
Foreign ministry ready to work with new ambassador of Iran: Muttaqi
Acting Minister of Industry Azizi heads to Türkiye for Halal Expo
Tahawol: Comparison between Syria and Afghanistan
Saar: Impact of war in Ukraine on region and beyond
Tahawol: Efforts for IEA’s recognition discussed
Saar: International Migrants Day marked
Tahawol: Latest developments in Syria reviewed
-
Sport4 days agoATN to broadcast exciting 2025 ICC Champions Trophy live in Afghanistan
-
Latest News5 days agoBayat Foundation delivers aid to vulnerable families in Kabul west
-
Sport4 days agoRashid Khan returns to Afghanistan test squad for Zimbabwe series
-
Latest News4 days agoIslamabad now wants talks with Kabul, says KP chief minister
-
Sport4 days agoLanka T10: Jaffna Titans maintain unbeaten streak with 4th win
-
World4 days agoTrump and Netanyahu discuss Gaza hostages and Syria, Israeli PM says
-
International Sports4 days agoWinners of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024 to be revealed Dec. 17
-
Latest News4 days agoAfghanistan’s harsh winter intensifies struggles for vulnerable families: WFP