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Disagreements Rise as Gov’t Prepares Negotiating Team for Talks with Taliban
A number of politicians claimed on Sunday that there are serious disagreements between the government and political parties over selecting members of peace negotiators.
Saleh Mohammad Raigistani, a senior member of Jamiat-e-Islami political party criticized President Ashraf Ghani for his individualism attitude and said Ghani is the main obstacle in way of peace talks with Taliban.
“Unfortunately, Ashraf Ghani is creating obstacles in way of peace negotiations. He want to enter into the process with force. He should let the process to be started. Then, the government will naturally enter into the negotiation because peace is impossible in the absence of the government,” Raigistani said.
However, presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said that the government has prepared a list of negotiators after many consultations. But he did not provide further details about the list.
“We have discussed with different political groups and people. The list is prepared which consists individuals who can represent the people of Afghanistan with dignity,” Ghani’s spokesman said while speaking at a press conference in Kabul.
Ahmadullah Alizai, the head of a political party rejected the statement of Ghani’s spokesman, saying they haven’t been consulted yet.
“There were no discussions so far but efforts are underway to form an inclusive delegation for the intra-Afghan dialogue,” Alizai said.
This comes after the European Union and United States called on Afghan leaders to focus immediately on preparing the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for formal Intra-Afghan Negotiations with the Taliban, including the naming of an inclusive national negotiating team.
In addition, the representatives have urged all sides to observe a ceasefire for the duration of Intra-Afghan Negotiations to enable participants to reach agreement on a political road-map of Afghanistan’s future.
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan has signed a 30-year agreement with a private company to extract marble in Daikundi province.
Under the contract, the company will invest AFN 283 million in exploring and mining marble at the “Mesh-Uliya” site, spanning 16.74 square kilometers in central Daikundi.
Hedayatullah Badri, Minister of Mines and Petroleum, stated that the marble will be processed domestically before being exported abroad. He added that the Mesh-Uliya project is expected to create around 200 jobs, and the company is committed to supporting local communities through social initiatives.
Economic experts highlight that such investments, especially those focusing on domestic processing, are crucial for job creation, boosting exports, and strengthening the national economy. Analysts further note that the project will improve local infrastructure, expand social services, and enhance the economic and social well-being of Daikundi residents.
Since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, efforts to develop Afghanistan’s mining sector have intensified, with multiple contracts signed in areas including cement, copper, iron, and lapis lazuli, involving both domestic and international companies.
A passenger bus veered off the Salang Highway before dawn on Sunday, leaving five people dead and 44 others injured, the Ministry of Public Works said.
According to the ministry, the incident occurred at around 2:00 a.m. in the Shawol area of North Salang when a passenger bus deviated from the main road due to the driver’s negligence.
Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, said five passengers were killed and 44 others sustained injuries. He added that personnel from the Salang Maintenance and Protection Directorate promptly arrived at the scene and transferred the injured to the Khunjān clinic for medical treatment.
The Ministry of Public Works has urged drivers and passengers traveling on the Salang Highway to strictly follow the instructions of on-duty teams, observe traffic regulations, and carry warm clothing, food supplies, and snow chains to prevent similar incidents.
The ministry also noted that heavy snowfall and stormy weather have led to the temporary closure of the highway, while road maintenance teams are continuing snow-clearing operations.
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Major fire in Mandawi Kabul market contained, extensive losses prevented
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
The Ministry of Interior reported that personnel from the General Directorate of Firefighting and Emergency Response successfully prevented the further spread of a fire at Mandawi market on Kabul early Sunday morning.
Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for the ministry, said that the fire destroyed 10 storage facilities and 8 shops. He added that initial losses are estimated at around $700,000, but timely action by firefighting personnel saved property worth approximately $2.2 million.
Qani explained that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. He praised the rapid and effective containment operations, which prevented more extensive damage.
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
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