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Karzai urges IEA to immediately overturn ‘ban’ on medical education for girls
Afghanistan’s former president Hamid Karzai on Wednesday called on the Islamic Emirate to immediately overturn a reported ban on girls getting a medical education.
According to a statement issued by Karzai, “Afghanistan will be saved from needing outsiders and overcome internal problems when it has specialized and trained human resources, and this is possible if the field of education and learning of sciences is available for all young people, both boys and girls.”
“Hearing the news that the doors of medical science institutions are closed to girls, at a time when women and mothers in all parts of the country are facing many health problems, is a cause of great regret,” Karzai stated.
His statement comes amid reports that emerged Tuesday night and Wednesday of the issuing of a decree by the IEA’s Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada reportedly ordering the closure of medical education institutions for girls.
According to Human Rights Watch, the issuing of the decree was announced at a meeting at the Ministry of Public Health on Monday.
However, the Islamic Emirate has not confirmed this move to the media.
Despite the absence of confirmation by the IEA on the reports, media outlets around the world published stories on Wednesday.
Even the European Union issued a statement expressing its “strong concerns” over the ban.
Afghanistan’s cricket star Rashid Khan also commented on the reports. He however pointed out that education holds a central place in the teachings of Islam.
He said in a statement: “The [Holy] Quran highlights the importance of learning and acknowledges the equal spiritual worth of both genders.”
Rashid said it was “with deep sadness and disappointment that I reflect on the recent closures of educational and medical institutions for the sisters and mothers of Afghanistan.
“This decision has profoundly affected not only their future but also the broader fabric of our society,” he said.
Rashid was one of many who also pointed out that such a decision would directly “impact the healthcare and dignity of women”.
“It is essential for our sisters and mothers to have access to care provided by medical professionals who truly understand their needs,” he said.
In conclusion he stated: “I sincerely appeal for the reconsideration of this decision so that Afghan girls may reclaim their right to education and contribute to the nation's development. Providing education to all is not just a societal responsibility but a moral obligation deeply rooted in our faith and values.”
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IEA ‘disappointed’ with Norway’s decision to reduce level of ties with Afghanistan
The Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi on Friday expressed disappointment regarding decision by the Kingdom of Norway to downgrade diplomatic relations with Afghanistan.
Balkhi said in a post on X that The Islamic Emirate hopes such decisions should not be linked with internal affairs of other countries.
“Diplomatic engagement is most effective when it fosters mutual understanding and respect, even amidst differing viewpoints,” he stated.
“Access to consular services is a fundamental right of all nationals. We strongly urge all parties to prioritize this principle in the spirit of international cooperation,” he added.
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Qatari and British officials discuss situation in Afghanistan
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday that Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation, has met with British Special Representative for Afghanistan Andrew McCoubrey for talks on Afghanistan.
According to the statement, the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of health, education and humanitarian and development projects in Afghanistan were discussed.
Qatari and British officials stressed that the meeting was testimony to the strategic commitment of the two countries in support of the people of Afghanistan.
Currently, most countries cooperate only in the humanitarian sector. Some regional countries have also forged diplomatic ties with Afghanistan.
Western countries however continue to keep their diplomatic distance.
Qatar in turn is considered as a diplomatic, economic and humanitarian supporter of Afghanistan and has hosted the Doha meeting three times.
But according to experts, these meetings have not delivered tangible results so far because the sanctions have not been lifted nor have officials of the Islamic Emirate been removed from the blacklist.
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Afghanistan’s economy shows modest growth but recovery remains fragile
The Afghan economy is showing signs of moderate growth, but still faces significant challenges, including fiscal constraints, trade imbalances, and a limited capacity for public investment, the World Bank (WB) said Wednesday.
According to the organization’s latest Afghanistan Development Update, issued on Wednesday, “Afghanistan’s economic recovery remains uncertain”.
Modest GDP growth of 2.7%, driven by private consumption, has recouped only about 10% of past economic losses, indicative of the slow and fragile nature of the recovery, the WB said.
According to the organization, this level of growth has done little to address deeper structural issues and significant vulnerabilities within Afghanistan’s economy.
“Enabling women’s participation in the economy, strengthening domestic resource mobilization, maintaining price stability, and addressing critical deficits in human capital - particularly in education and healthcare, and especially for women - will be essential for long-term recovery and reducing vulnerability to future shocks,” the WB said in a statement.
Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Afghanistan said: “Afghanistan's long-term growth prospects depend on tapping into the substantial potential of the domestic private sector and improving the overall business environment.
“Key to this is increased investment, providing access to finance to small businesses, and supporting educated and skilled women entrepreneurs so their businesses can thrive. Without this, the country risks prolonged stagnation with limited prospects for sustainable development,” he said.
Meanwhile, the partial recovery, coupled with falling food prices, has contributed to a gradual improvement in household welfare.
But most Afghan households continue to struggle to meet basic needs and poverty remains widespread.
“Vulnerable groups, including women, children, and displaced populations, continue to bear the brunt of the economic hardship, due to the lack of social protection mechanisms,” the WB stated.
In addition, Afghanistan’s trade dynamics remain a significant challenge.
In 2023-24, the country’s exports remained stable, but imports surged, leading to a widening trade deficit, the WB reported.
The appreciation of the afghani (AFN) made imports cheaper, fueling demand for foreign goods, while domestic industrial activity revived, increasing the need for imported inputs.
However, the trade deficit, exacerbated by Afghanistan’s reliance on imports for essential goods like fuel, food, and machinery, might pose a risk to the country’s economic stability, the organization stated.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Economy Abdul Latif Nazari said that Afghanistan's economy has a clear outlook and the current problems are caused by sanctions and the freezing of the country's foreign exchange reserves.
“Afghanistan's economic outlook is bright and hopeful. Some of the economic problems that exist are due to sanctions, banking restrictions and the freezing of assets of the Afghan people,” Nazari added.
“Our effort is to free the property of the people of Afghanistan as soon as possible and use it in line with the economic growth and development of the country.”
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