Latest News
Abdullah blasts Ghani for sacking interior minister
Abdullah Abdullah, the High Council for National Reconciliation chair, on Saturday voiced his dissatisfaction over President Ashraf Ghani’s move Friday to dismiss Interior Minister Masoud Andarabi.
Abdullah stated the move was in violation of the power-sharing agreement he signed with Ghani in May last year – a deal that signaled the end of a months-long stalemate that plunged the country into a political crisis following disputed elections.
On Saturday, Abdullah said in a statement that “decisions about Afghanistan interior minister, Mohammad Massoud Andarabi’s removal and introducing new caretakers without consultation and justifiable reasons, is in violation of the political agreement that both sides signed.”
“The decision in the current circumstances is against national interests of the country and is not acceptable,” read the statement.
The National Security Council announced the move in a statement on Friday and said Ghani had appointed former Kandahar Governor Hayatullah Hayat as acting interior minister.
In addition, Ghani has appointed Chief of Army Staff General Yasin Zia as acting defense minister until the return of Defense Minister Assadullah Khalid, who is undergoing treatment for an illness.
The NSC said on Friday the changes in the two ministries are in line with Ghani’s efforts to bring reforms to security organizations, improve the general security situation in the country and accelerate a self-reliance plan.
The NSC did not give further details on Andarabi’s dismissal but sources have said it comes after his failure to arrest militia commander Abdul Ghani Alipour whose forces shot down an Afghan military helicopter in central Wardak province on Thursday killing nine security force members.
According to the source, a senior government official, Ghani had ordered Andarabi to arrest Alipour weeks ago for reportedly having attacked security forces.
Shahabuddin Delawar, president of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), met with Richard Lindsay, the UK’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, to discuss the country’s humanitarian situation and ways to expand assistance for vulnerable communities.
According to ARCS, the meeting focused on support for people affected by natural disasters, Afghan returnees and other vulnerable groups, particularly their urgent humanitarian and healthcare needs.
Delawar thanked the United Kingdom for its humanitarian assistance to people affected by natural disasters and briefed Lindsay on the ARCS’s humanitarian and healthcare activities.
He highlighted the society’s services for children with congenital heart defects at its cardiac hospital, vocational training and skills development programs for vulnerable women and children across seven regional zones, mental healthcare services, and assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.
Delawar said decades of hardship had left many Afghans facing mental health challenges, while vulnerable families continued to struggle with difficult living conditions. He stressed the need for expanded humanitarian assistance and healthcare support.
Referring to the return of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries, Delawar said many families urgently need shelter, food, non-food items and medical services. He called for greater UK cooperation to help meet returnees’ basic needs.
Lindsay praised the ARCS’s humanitarian work and pledged continued cooperation in supporting returnees and other humanitarian initiatives in the coming year. He also said he would seek to facilitate effective cooperation with the society in the healthcare sector.
Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation to expand humanitarian assistance, support vulnerable communities and improve healthcare services in Afghanistan.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with Yatin Patel, India’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul, on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Muttaqi emphasized that, in line with its balanced foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate attaches importance to relations with India.
Referring to the growing volume of trade between the two countries, he stressed the need to strengthen communication and cooperation between Afghanistan’s and India’s public and private sectors, adding that cooperation should be expanded to make better use of existing capacities.
Meanwhile, Yatin Patel said India seeks to expand its relations and engagement with Afghanistan in the economic, political and humanitarian fields.
Muttaqi also wished Patel success in his new assignment.
Mohammad Naeem, Deputy Minister for Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met on Wednesday with Richard Lindsay, the UK’s Special Representative for Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two sides discussed Afghanistan’s political, economic and security situation, regional stability, humanitarian assistance and consular services.
Naeem expressed appreciation for the UK’s humanitarian assistance and cooperation with Afghanistan and stressed the importance of continuing cooperation between the two sides.
Tahawol: Kyrgyzstan’s rejection of Afghan refugees discussed
Saar: Central Asia’s trade alternative to Pakistan discussed
ARCS, UK envoy discuss humanitarian needs of vulnerable Afghans
FM Muttaqi says IEA values ties with India under its balanced foreign policy
Afghanistan and UK stress expanding bilateral cooperation
Cricket Bonanza: Afghanistan set for packed international schedule
UN warns of mounting humanitarian and human rights pressures in Afghanistan
Afghanistan says 28 killed, 32 captured in Nuristan operation
CNN, MS NOW and Politico sue Trump, challenging White House ban
Silk Road highway in Wakhan corridor now reaches the China border
Tahawol: Kyrgyzstan’s rejection of Afghan refugees discussed
Saar: Central Asia’s trade alternative to Pakistan discussed
Tahawol: Warnings over worsening insecurity in Pakistan discussed
Saar: Concerns over potential return of US military bases to Afghanistan discussed
Tahawol: Kabul’s criticism of Islamabad’s policy toward Afghanistan
-
Latest News5 days agoPakistan issues new directives for Afghan medical students and doctors
-
Latest News5 days agoIranian lawmaker praises Afghanistan’s support, accuses Pakistan of ‘hypocrisy’
-
Regional4 days agoHouthis warn airlines to avoid Saudi airports after deadly Riyadh attack
-
World3 days agoOne dead in new attack on Saudi airport, a day after Houthi strike kills 13
-
Business5 days agoAfghan-Austrian partnership aims to boost carpet exports to European markets
-
Sport3 days agoAfghanistan Champions League second half to kick off on October 16
-
World4 days ago14 killed in two separate mass shootings across the United States
-
Business4 days agoAfghanistan signs nearly $400 million in regional trade and investment deals