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Anxious Kabul residents ask ‘Who is Next?’

Published

5 years ago

December 23, 2020

The latest assassination of a public figure, Yousuf Rashid, the CEO of Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA), has not only drawn widespread condemnation but also continues to increase the levels of concern among Kabul residents in particular.

Rashid was killed in a targeted attack early Wednesday morning. He was gunned down by unknown gunmen outside his house. His driver survived the attack but later died from his wounds in hospital.

A clear increase in targeted assassinations, either through the use of magnetic IEDs against vehicles or by shooting, has emerged over the past few months and public figures, including civil society members, media workers and government officials appear to be the targets.

However, these occurrences are now happening on an almost daily basis and Kabul residents are questioning “Who is next?”

In reaction to Rashid’s death, one social media user said simply on Wednesday: “Who is next? Me or you?”

Another social media user said on Facebook: “Where are the commanders? Where are the leaders? Those who were claiming to save Afghanistan. Today, if our brother is assassinated, tomorrow is my turn and yours.

“One day, come down from these palaces that you have built from the sale of Afghanistan and conducted the rescue Jihad. These governments and puppet regimes cannot stop terrorism,” the post read.

Scores of Kabul residents are pointing the finger at the Taliban and have said the group wants a “silent society” – hence media and civil society members being targeted.

But the Taliban has not claimed responsibility for the attacks and has in fact publicly distanced itself from some incidents.

On the other hand, some people said on social media that Rashid was an outspoken critic of corruption and electoral fraud.

US Chargé d’Affaires to Kabul, Ross Wilson, said in response to Rashid’s assassination that he was “appalled by his murder, another in a cacophony of senseless & endless violence.”

Wilson said that his death is a loss to his family, friends and the nation.

“Yousuf Rasheed was a dedicated and steadfast advocate for representative democracy in Afghanistan. He worked tirelessly for years to ensure free and transparent elections that engaged all Afghans,” Wilson stated.

Mohammad Mirza Katawazai First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly tweeted he was deeply saddened by the killing of Rashid “who was a forward looking progressive young Afghan who wanted a truly functioning democracy in the country.”

By Wednesday, Kabul city had witnessed an explosion every day for four days.

The latest explosion on Wednesday morning left one policeman dead and two others wounded.

A spokesman for the Kabul Police HQ, Ferdows Faramarz, said that an IED on a Ranger had exploded in the PD12 district at around 6:55 a.m.

“One policeman was killed and two others were injured,” Faramarz said.

Soon afterwards, Rashid was gunned down in PD while leaving home.

On Tuesday, a Toyota Corolla belonging to Pul-e-Charkhi doctors was targeted. This also happened in PD 7.

Five people were killed in the explosion, including at least four doctors.

On Monday, one soldier and one civilian were wounded in yet another explosion – this time in PD12. On the same day, at least one civilian was killed in Paghman district in Kabul when a suicide bomber targeted a mosque.

Sunday was another day of chaos when the convoy of vehicles belonging to MP Mohammad Wardak was targeted in PD5.

A car bomb targeted the convoy, killing at least 10 people and wounded more than 50.

Wardak survived the explosion, but extensive damage was also caused to buildings and shops in the area.

So far no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Related Topics:#ArianaNews #ATNNews #AfghanNews #AryanaNews #ATN #News #Afghanistan #Siyawash featured FEFA MP Wardak

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Ariana News

Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) officially introduced Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Haq Hamkar as its new Chief Executive Officer, following a special decree by the Islamic Emirate’s Supreme Leader Amir al-Mu’minin Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada.

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Speakers highlighted recent progress at DABS, efforts to improve transparency and services, and the company’s move from losses toward profitability. In his remarks, Hamkar emphasized the importance of orderly transfer of responsibilities, obedience to leadership, and expanding electricity services, noting the central role of power supply in daily life and economic development.

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Afghan FM Muttaqi holds talks with UNAMA’s officer-in-change Georgette Gagnon

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January 13, 2026

Ariana News

Amir Khan Mutaqi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, met on Tuesday in Kabul with Georgette Gagnon, Officer-in-Charge of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting covered the upcoming visit of Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, to Kabul, as well as the progress and upcoming meetings of the Doha Process working groups on counter-narcotics and private sector support, and other related issues.

The statement added that Muttaqi said the Islamic Emirate has made satisfactory progress in the Doha Process working groups, but opposing parties have yet to achieve significant results regarding alternative livelihoods and banking issues.

He emphasized that it is necessary for the relevant parties to take effective steps in these areas to enable progress in other sectors as well.

Gagnon referred to DiCarlo’s visit at the end of this month and called for cooperation in this regard.

She also evaluated the outcomes of previous sessions of the two Doha Process working groups positively and noted that further attention would be given to these matters.

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Pakistan approves re-export of stranded Afghan transit trade cargo

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January 13, 2026

Ariana News

The federal government has approved the re-export of all Afghan transit trade consignments stranded at Karachi and Gwadar ports, offering relief to traders affected by prolonged border closures.

According to Pakistani media, traders will be allowed to re-export their Afghan transit shipments through any Pakistani seaport of their choice.

Sources said the commerce minister has formally conveyed the decision to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

The measure aims to ease congestion and address disruptions caused by the suspension of trade routes.

Pakistan had earlier closed the Torkham and Chaman crossings for commercial activity due to security concerns, halting transit trade between the two countries from October 12.