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Afghan-Pakistan talks to reopen Torkham border ‘end on positive note’

The meeting lasted for about two hours and was held at the Customs Offices on the Afghan side of the border

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The second round of talks between Afghan and Pakistani jirga members to reopen Torkham border crossing reportedly ended on a “positive note” on Monday when Afghanistan’s delegation asked for a recess in order to get approval from higher authorities on Pakistan’s conditions. 

Pakistan media reported that the meeting lasted for about two hours and was held at the Customs Offices on the Afghan side of the border. 

Sources among the Pakistani delegation told Dawn that a detailed discussion was held between the two sides over the issue of construction of a controversial post, very close to the border at Zero Point on the Afghan side.

The Afghan side, they said, was told that any work by them regarding any change in the existing structure, close to the Zero Point border crossing, would be met with a stern response from Pakistan, Dawn reported.

Afghanistan however reportedly insists that the border be reopened without any conditions. However, Pakistan also wants the ‘no work on checkpost’ clause linked to a six-month ceasefire.

“We expressed our desire for a halt to hostilities between the two neighbouring countries with the Afghan side giving a firm assurance about permanently abiding by the agreed border protocols,” the sources said.

Torkham crossing was closed almost a month ago when Pakistan border officials opposed the reconstruction and renovation of a security check post on the Afghan side. 

Torkham, a key border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the Khyber District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, remained closed for the 25th day on Tuesday amid rising concerns among traders of both countries who have suffered enormous losses due to the closure. 

The crossing was closed on February 21 after escalation of tensions between the border forces on both sides. During subsequent exchanges of fire, three Afghan soldiers died while eight Pakistani paramilitary troops also sustained injuries.

Customs sources have said trade suspension is causing an estimated daily loss of $3 million in bilateral trade adding that over the first 20 days, approximately $60 million in trade was lost.

Torkham Border Crossing facilitates the daily movement of around 10,000 people to Afghanistan and is a key trade route between the two countries. Over 5,000 trucks, including those carrying perishable goods, are currently stranded, causing heavy financial losses.

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Bayat Foundation delivers Ramadan aid to needy families in Bamyan

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Bayat Foundation has announced it has distributed Ramadan aid packages to dozens of needy families in Bamyan province.

These aid packages include flour, oil, and rice, intending to assist those in need during the holy month of Ramadan.

Officials from the foundation stated that these donations will be extended to needy families in other provinces of the country by the end of Ramadan.

“As part of the Bayat Foundation’s ongoing assistance, today we are distributing Ramadan aid packages in Bamyan province. These packages contain flour, rice, and oil,” said Sayed Hakim, a representative of the Bayat Foundation in Bamyan.

Meanwhile, recipients of the aid have called on other charitable organizations to also rush to assist those in need during this month.
One recipient expressed gratitude: “Thanks to the Bayat Foundation for considering help for people like us.”
Another recipient added: “Thank you to the Bayat Foundation for helping us, and we hope that in the future, more aid will be provided to the poor people of Bamyan.”

In addition to supporting public welfare projects, healthcare, and those affected by natural disasters, the Bayat Foundation has been providing food and non-food aid to thousands of needy families in the center and provinces of Afghanistan during each Ramadan for nearly two decades.

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Pakistan once again urges IEA to act against militants

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Pakistan’s foreign ministry on Thursday called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to take visible and verifiable action against militants who, it said, enjoy sanctuaries inside Afghanistan.

“Terrorist threat against Pakistan from terrorist entities including TTP, BLA and ISKP is our foremost concern,” Shafqat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson, said. “We continue to impress upon interim authorities to take visible and verifiable action against them, keeping in view their commitments given to the international community to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and groups from the Afghan soil.”

Regarding Afghan refugees, he confirmed that the deadline for their deportation remains unchanged. Pakistan had set March 31 as the deadline for Afghan Citizenship Card holders and illegal foreigners to leave Pakistan voluntarily. 

On border issues, Shafaqat Ali Khan informed that the Torkham border was reopened on Wednesday, with pedestrian travel allowed from Friday. The border will remain open until April 15, and a permanent solution is being sought. There won’t be any construction by Afghan side inside the Pakistani territory, he said.

On militancy, he said that Pakistan is taking robust actions, but it is impossible to completely seal off the border with Afghanistan.

IEA has previously rejected Pakistan’s claims that terrorists have sanctuaries in Afghanistan.

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We need contemporary sciences more than ever nowadays: Education Minister

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Acting Minister of Education Habibullah Agha says content contradicting religion and Afghan traditions will be removed from the curriculum, and that in addition to religious studies, the ministry is also focusing on modern sciences.

Marking the beginning of the 1404 academic year in Kabul, Habibullah Agha stressed that both religious and modern sciences are essential nowadays in Afghanistan.

He emphasized that the Islamic Emirate is committed to both fields of knowledge and urged people not to be deceived by negative propaganda.

“In this era, we have a great need to learn modern sciences. We must progress with these sciences and prepare ourselves to compete with the world,” said Agha.

He clarified that only through mastering modern sciences can the nation safeguard its people, government, health, and geography.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Abdul Salam Hanafi, who was also present at the event, reaffirmed the leadership’s commitment to fulfilling the Ministry of Education’s needs to establish a high-quality education system in Afghanistan.

Salam Hanafi stressed that the ministry must work to meet the country’s current educational demands.

He stated: “Enhancing teachers’ capabilities, addressing literacy issues, monitoring classroom activities, and improving the quality of both religious and public schools—these are the responsibilities of the Ministry of Education.”

Meanwhile, several government officials claimed that despite efforts by adversaries to tarnish the reputation of the IEA through a ‘cold war’, Afghanistan continues to make progress every day.

The 1404 academic year however began without reopening schools for girls above the sixth grade.

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