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Casualty toll from Balkh explosions rises to 11 dead and 17 wounded
The death toll following two explosions in Mazar-e-Sharif city on Thursday evening has risen to 11, security officials confirmed Friday adding that a further 17 were wounded.
In both instances, the explosions were caused by IEDs.
Daesh has meanwhile claimed responsible for both blasts.
The first of this week’s explosions happened at about 6.30 pm when a city mini bus hit an IED in PD3 of Mazar-e-Sharif.
Minutes later, a second explosion took place when a car, carrying passengers, was targeted in PD10 of the city.
"The first blast took place in the PD3 and the second in the PD10," Mohammad Asef Waziri, spokesman for the Balkh Police, said Thursday.
Victims of both explosions were reportedly all civilians.
"Of the two blasts yesterday, about 18 were injured and were transported by public health ambulances, along with ten martyrs, and the condition of seven injured was reported to be critical," said Najib Tawana, Balkh public health director.
The bodies of a number of these victims were buried on Friday. However, the deputy head of the Balkh Shiite Council, Sajad Alimi, said 13 people had been killed.
“The people we know were all poor people and they were working for 50 Afs a day. All of them were people of prayer and were fasting. What we know so far is we have 13 martyrs." said Alimi.
“All Afghans want the Islamic Emirate to ensure the security of the people in any way possible," said Seyed Mullah Imam, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif.
"We are five at home with no income. My father was a salesman. He was martyred. We call on the government to take care of the people so that no more become fatherless like me," said Yasin, the son of one of the victims.
This comes after last Thursday’s explosion at a mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif which left 31 worshipers dead and 87 others wounded.
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G7 envoys urge national dialogue for lasting stability in Afghanistan
Special Representatives of the Group of Seven (G7), including the European Union, have emphasized the importance of a national dialogue for achieving long-term stability in Afghanistan.
Following a meeting on Afghanistan in Geneva, Switzerland, G7 special envoys issued a joint statement calling for the restoration of women's rights and urging the Islamic Emirate to fight terrorism.
The statement reads: "Achieving sustainable peace and stability requires credible governance that represents all segments of Afghan society."
The representatives also expressed concern over the IEA’s decision to ban girls from attending medical institutes, warning that it will have devastating consequences for the citizens, particularly mothers and their infants.
The statement described this ban as unacceptable and called on the Afghan authorities to lift it immediately.
Earlier, countries and international organizations had called for the removal of restrictions on the education and employment of women and girls, emphasizing the need for a national dialogue.
In response to these concerns, IEA has repeatedly stated that it will not allow interference in the internal affairs of the country.
The G7 special envoys also expressed their concern about the recent terrorist attacks in Kabul and the surrounding region, warning that terrorism remains a serious threat to Afghanistan's security. They confirmed the actions of the IEA against Daesh but stressed the need for more decisive measures.
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Afghanistan’s bright future lies in educating girls: Karzai
Hamid Karzai, the former president of Afghanistan, says the demand of Afghan girls for the reopening of schools and universities is their fundamental right and adds that Afghanistan cannot have a bright future without ensuring access to education for girls.
In a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Karzai said: "The demand and voice of our country’s girls for education and knowledge is a rightful one and crucial for a prosperous Afghanistan."
He further emphasized, "Empowering the youth—both girls and boys—is the only way to achieve self-reliance, break the cycle of poverty, and drive the development and prosperity of society."
Karzai underscored that education is vital for Afghanistan’s growth and development, expressing hope that the doors of schools and universities for girls will be reopened as soon as possible.
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IEA to set up special courts to address pensions
Mawlawi Hebatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), has issued a decree to establish special courts to address pensions, Bakhtar news agency reported on Saturday.
According to the decree, the courts must confirm and process pensions in accordance with Sharia and law.
Pensioners have repeatedly voiced concern over delay in payment, saying that their financial challenges are growing.
Earlier this year, IEA's supreme leader banned money being deducted from salaries of government employees for pensions.
He also requested information on the tenure of employees and the total amount deducted from salaries for pensions.
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