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Ghani launches new independent anti-graft commission
President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday signed a decree approving the formation of an independent anti-corruption commission.
The President’s Spokesman Sediq Sediqqi stated in a tweet that Humayoon Hamid, Maryam Zurmati, Abdul Qayum Nezami, Sayed Mohammad Hashemi, and Farokh Laqaa were appointed as the commission’s five members.
Sediqqi, however, did not provide details about who would lead this newly established organization.
President Ghani in a decree approved the formation of an independent Anti-Corruption Commission, and appointing its five members; Humayoon Hamid, Maryam Zurmati, Abdul Qayum Nezami, Sayed Mohammad Hashemi, Farokh Laqaa.
— Sediq Sediqqi (@SediqSediqqi) November 12, 2020
Meanwhile, Roland Kobia, EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan in a tweet welcomed the move stating:” Good news that the Republic continues efforts to address corruption ahead of Geneva Conference.”
“It is needed and a key contribution to the Afghan Peace Process to increase adherence of Afghans to good governance,” Kobia tweeted.
Good news that the Republic continues efforts to address corruption ahead of #Geneva Conference. It is needed and a key contribution to the #AfghanPeaceProcess to increase adherence of Afghans to good governance. #Afghanistan #EU @europeaid https://t.co/OzFQ7519to
— Roland Kobia (@RolandKobia) November 12, 2020
The announcement of the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission was made by Ghani while addressing the sixth annual anti-corruption conference on Thursday morning.
The summit was held by the EU Delegation to Afghanistan at the Presidential Palace where around 150 participants from civil society, private sector, official institutions, media, and the international community gathered.
“In the ongoing Afghan Peace Negotiations, it is all about trust. A minimum of trust between the sides. But also trust in the superiority of a pluralistic, democratic Afghanistan. About trust in the Republic,” the EU Ambassador Andreas Von Brandt said.
He also welcomed the announcement by the President on the formation of the Anti-Corruption Commission.
“While progress has been made, Ambassador Von Brandt stressed that further efforts are still needed to implement anti-corruption rules and policies,” the EU said in a statement.
According to the statement, he emphasized the need to deliver effective investigations and prosecutions, in particular of high-level suspects, to demonstrate that corrupt actions have consequences.
“Everyone must be equal before the law if Afghanistan wants to build a strong culture of accountability and integrity,” Von Brandt stressed.
Brandt concluded by assuring that the EU will continue to stand by all Afghans making courageous efforts to prevent and combat corruption.
“Effectively countering corruption requires a whole-of-society approach with broad political unity and efforts, not only by the public sector but by all who want to see change,” EU Envoy stated.
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Pakistan bans stay of Afghans without NOC in Islamabad from 2025
Pakistani authorities arrested nearly 1,000 supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan who stormed the capital this week to demand his release, the city’s police chief said on Wednesday. Those arrested reportedly include Afghans.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced that from December 31, no Afghan nationals will be allowed to stay in Islamabad without a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Speaking to the media, Naqvi reaffirmed the government’s stance on regulating foreign nationals in the capital, the Express Tribune reported.
"After December 31, anyone from Afghanistan without an NOC will be required to leave Islamabad," Naqvi said, highlighting the government's increased vigilance over foreign residents in the city.
Pakistani authorities arrested nearly 1,000 supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan who stormed the capital this week to demand his release, the city's police chief said on Wednesday. Those arrested reportedly include Afghans.
Addressing the aftermath of the recent protests, Naqvi dismissed claims about numerous fatalities circulating on social media.
“There is a lot of noise about bodies in hospitals, but no one is giving specifics. I asked the protesters to provide the name of even one person who died. Their embarrassment is evident as they struggle to name anyone," he said.
The Interior Minister emphasized that a comprehensive report on the protests would soon be submitted to the High Court.
On 3 October 2023, Pakistan endorsed a plan to repatriate over a million foreigners without valid documents, largely Afghans, requiring them to leave the country by 1 November.
Since 15 September, over 722,000 Afghans have returned to Afghanistan.
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Moscow says it can’t develop ties with Kabul until IEA taken off terrorist list
Moscow views developing ties with the Afghan authorities as crucial, but it cannot do that until the Islamic Emirate is removed from the list of terrorist organizations, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.
"We have repeatedly stated on previous occasions that Russia, like other world powers, intends to develop practical cooperation with Kabul on issues of mutual interest, including with the aim of fighting terrorist threats and drug trafficking that stem from the territory of Afghanistan," Zakharova stated, TASS news agency reported.
"However, it is obviously impossible to reach this aim without removing the terrorist tag from the Taliban movement (IEA)," she noted.
Zakharova also mentioned a draft law that was submitted to the Russian Parliament’s lower house, the State Duma on November 25 that cancels previous bans on terrorist organizations, provided they ceased their illegal activities.
Russian daily Vedomosti reported earlier in the day that the initiative might mark a step toward removing the IEA from the list of banned organizations and recognizing its power in Afghanistan.
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G7 commits to providing humanitarian aid and support to Afghanistan
G7 Foreign Ministers said in a joint statement issued at the end of the annual summit in Italy that their countries are committed to continue providing humanitarian aid and support to Afghanistan.
The statement noted that the integration of Afghanistan into the international community and establishing peaceful relations with neighboring countries is only possible when an inclusive political process is established.
Afghan women should participate fully, equally and safely in political processes based on the independent assessment of the United Nations, the statement read.
The G7 members added that violations of human rights, restrictions on women and violations of international laws in Afghanistan have raised concern among the group.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly said that the rights of the people of Afghanistan are secured according to Islamic Sharia and has emphasized that countries should not interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights issues.
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