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Doha meeting underway amid escalating violence across Afghanistan
A three-day meeting between the representatives of the Afghan government, the Taliban, the US, and a number of foreign countries kicked off in Doha, Qatar, amid intensified clashes between the Afghan forces and the militants across Afghanistan.
Participants will discuss the Afghan peace process, sources said.
The Afghan delegation includes Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), Syed Sadat Mansoor Naderi, State Minister for Peace Affairs, and Chief Negotiator Masoom Stanekzai.
Special Representatives of the UN, Qatar, US, UK, EU, China, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan are participating in the meeting.
Meanwhile, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad left Washington for Doha over the weekend, where he is expected to push the Taliban to stop their military offensive and engage in peace talks with the Afghan government.
“The increased tempo of Taliban military engagement, resulting in civilian casualties in armed conflict between the sides, and alleged human rights atrocities are of grave concern,” the State Department noted.
“A negotiated peace is the only path to ending the war, and the United States will continue to work with all parties and with regional and international stakeholders to advance a consensus on a political settlement.”
Feraidoon Khozon, a spokesman for the HCNR, stated: “Afghan delegation will convey its message of reduction in violence and accelerating peace negotiations in this meeting.”
Former President Hamid Karzai has also called on the Taliban to stop violence, warning the group could face a national uprising by the people.
“If they do not stop attacking Afghan homes and villages and attack the dignity of the Afghans, there will be an uprising against them, as has happened before, and I, as an Afghan citizen, will support that uprising,” Karzai said.
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Higher Education Minister says obedience to legitimate Islamic leader required in all matters
Afghanistan’s Minister of Higher Education, Neda Mohammad Nadeem, has said that the presence of a legitimate Islamic leader is necessary and that obedience to him is required in all matters.
Nadeem made the remarks during a one-day religious and academic seminar organized by the Paktia Education Directorate for school teachers during his official visit to the province.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Higher Education, Nadeem discussed Islamic politics, the appointment of a legitimate Islamic leader, his rights, rulings, and decrees, as well as the implementation of the law on enjoining good and forbidding evil at the individual and societal levels.
“The existence of a legitimate Islamic leader is necessary and a divine blessing. Obedience to him is required in all matters, and the responsibilities of a legitimate Islamic leader are very heavy,” Nadeem said.
He also called on officials in the Islamic system to uphold sincerity and honesty, urging seminar participants to learn religious rulings and decrees, understand them, implement them, and encourage others to follow them.
Nadeem further said that success in this world and the hereafter depends on the proper implementation of Islamic and Sharia-based policies, describing the current system and Islamic governance as the foundation for progress in the country.
Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding railway cooperation, with officials from both countries holding talks on key cross-border infrastructure projects, including the proposed Trans-Afghan railway.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works said a technical delegation led by Deputy Minister for Railways Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada visited Uzbekistan to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and accelerate the implementation of strategic railway projects.
During the visit, the Afghan delegation met with Zafar Nazarov, Director General of Uzbekistan Railways, to review ongoing cooperation and explore measures to improve regional rail connectivity and freight transport between the neighboring countries.
According to the ministry, technical teams focused on several priority projects, including the launch of feasibility studies for the Trans-Afghan railway, a proposed corridor that would connect Uzbekistan with Pakistan through Afghanistan, creating a shorter trade route between Central and South Asia.
The two sides also discussed the handover of feasibility study and survey documents for the planned Herat–Mazar-e-Sharif railway to the Afghan authorities, as well as plans to construct additional logistics facilities and warehouses and develop branch lines at the fourth port of the Hairatan–Mazar-e-Sharif railway.
Another key topic was increasing freight capacity along the Hairatan railway corridor, Afghanistan’s main rail gateway to Uzbekistan, with both sides examining ways to facilitate the movement of commercial goods and improve services for traders and investors.
The Ministry of Public Works said the discussions underscored the importance of strengthening railway cooperation to boost trade, transit and regional economic integration.
Officials said closer collaboration between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan would not only deepen bilateral economic ties but also reinforce Afghanistan’s role as a regional transit hub linking the markets of Central and South Asia.
The ministry added that continued investment in railway infrastructure and cross-border transport networks has the potential to expand regional connectivity, reduce transportation costs and support long-term economic development for both countries and the wider region.
The supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada, has emphasized the responsibility of religious scholars and government officials in guiding society, saying that the proper fulfillment of their duties would contribute to the reform of the entire population.
According to a statement shared by IEA deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat, Akhundzada made the remarks during a gathering with religious scholars from Kandahar province’s districts and urban areas. The meeting focused on strengthening the Islamic system and reinforcing the responsibilities of religious leaders and officials.
Akhundzada said religious scholars and officials each have distinct but complementary roles in leading society within the framework of Islamic law. He described religious scholars as ulul amr (those with authority) in matters of religion, while officials hold responsibility for governance, reform and other state affairs in accordance with Sharia.
He said that people look to both groups for guidance and that their conduct has a direct impact on society.
“If religious scholars and officials properly fulfill their responsibilities, the entire society will be reformed,” Akhundzada said.
The IEA leader also highlighted what he described as the historical role of religious scholars in preserving Islam and Sharia, saying they have continued to teach and uphold Islamic principles through both peaceful and challenging periods.
“Allah has entrusted religion and Islam to religious scholars and officials and made them responsible for protecting it,” he said.
According to Akhundzada, government officials are responsible for safeguarding religion through the authority entrusted to them, while religious scholars are tasked with explaining and conveying Islamic teachings and rulings to the public.
His remarks come as the Islamic Emirate continues to stress the role of religious leadership and governance in implementing its interpretation of Islamic law across Afghanistan.
Higher Education Minister says obedience to legitimate Islamic leader required in all matters
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