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Interior ministry declares Afghanistan ‘secure for first time in 40 years’
Furthermore, 344 kilograms of narcotics and over one kilogram of gold were seized, leading to the arrest of 591 individuals.
Delivering their annual report for the last solar year, 1402 (April 2023 to March 2024), ministry of interior officials said Tuesday Afghanistan has, for the first time in 40 years, achieved nationwide security, allowing its citizens to live in a secure environment and travel to provinces without any safety concerns.
Officials emphasized that all activities within the ministry are managed in accordance with a comprehensive strategic plan.
They noted that the decrees issued by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate, along with court rulings and directives from the ministry’s leadership, have been swiftly and effectively implemented to ensure national security and public order.
Due to the persistent efforts of the country’s security forces, the national crime rate has decreased by 30%.
Over the past year, 38 kidnapping cases were reported, and security forces conducted a total of 250 operations against kidnappers, resulting in the arrest of 76 kidnappers and the death of 34 others during clashes with security forces.
Ministry officials also reported that due to the unwavering dedication of the national police, large religious, national, and ceremonial gatherings were held across the country without any security incidents, allowing citizens to participate in events with confidence and peace of mind.
The ministry highlighted the successful safeguarding of economic and developmental projects, the facilitation of investments, the assessment and registration of the country’s borders, the improvement of public services, and the promotion of balanced development as key achievements over the past year.
Notably, 70 infrastructure projects were successfully protected by the national police.
Significant steps have been taken to professionalize and strengthen the security forces, officials said.
National police training centers have been further equipped, and the police force is now fully capable of countering any malicious plans posed by adversaries, officials added.
Over the past year, 450 students graduated from the commission and in-service programs. In addition, 673 individuals, including 325 women, participated in capacity-building programs.
A total of 24,000 individuals received basic, specialized, and non-commissioned officer training, with 32,000 more currently enrolled in training programs.
During this period, 20,515 individuals were appointed to officer positions, 15,060 to non-commissioned officer roles, and 35,584 soldiers were recruited.
In alignment with a decree from the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate, the ministry has undertaken serious initiatives to eradicate the cultivation, production, trafficking, and use of narcotics.
As a result, these illicit activities have been nearly eradicated. Furthermore, poppy fields across the country have been destroyed, addicts have received treatment, and those involved in the drug trade have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The ministry reported that, over the past year, 3,643 tons of narcotics were seized, 790 drug production and processing facilities, as well as facilities producing alcohol and intoxicating pills, were dismantled.
In addition, 10,564 suspects were arrested, 27,891 addicts were referred to treatment centers, and 17,651 hectares of land were cleared of poppy cultivation.
Officials further noted that last year, the ministry successfully prevented the smuggling of US $1.95 million; €845,000; 4.83 million Saudi Riyals; and 100,000 Dirhams at the country’s airports.
Furthermore, 344 kilograms of narcotics and over one kilogram of gold were seized, leading to the arrest of 591 individuals.
The ministry also highlighted the provision of services such as the issuance of passports and traffic documents, assistance to victims of natural disasters, crime reduction, and the regulation of weapons and vehicles as critical initiatives taken over the past year.
In total, 1.745 million passports were issued to applicants, and 500,000 vehicles were registered in the system, with temporary license plates issued for 250,000 of them. The process of issuing temporary plates remains ongoing.
Officials also stated that last year, under the chairmanship of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate, a coordination meeting was held between central and provincial officials to address challenges, strengthen local governance, enhance service delivery, and ensure effective communication with the public.
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Afghanistan exported more than 2,500 tons of pine nuts in 1402
Afghan pine nut is mostly exported to China, India, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce says that in the past solar year (1402) more than 2,500 tons of pine nuts worth $27 million were exported to neighboring countries and beyond.
Afghan pine nut is mostly exported to China, India, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
“The total weight of black pine nut exports during 1402 was 2,523 tons and the value was $27 million, mostly to China, India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United States, Britain, Australia, the Netherlands, and other countries,” said Abdul Salam Javad Akhundzada, the spokesman of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Officials in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock say that since last year, pine nut production has increased in the country and they have also expanded artificial forests to harvest more pine nuts.
“In order to revive pine nut forests, according to last year's development budget, pine trees have been planted on approximately 1,500 hectares of land.
There used to be pine trees on these lands, but they were cut down or destroyed in a fire,” said Misbahuddin Mustain, the spokesperson of the Ministries of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock.
Experts say that currently China buys most of Afghanistan's pint nuts, but the government must find new markets so that it can be sold at a better price.
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IEA says deportation of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries has intensified
A committee of the High Commission for Addressing the Problems of Migrants said the process of forced expulsion of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries has intensified.
However, members of the committee emphasized, in their meeting with the Prime Minister's administrative deputy, that they have managed the resettlement of the returnees well in cooperation with relevant institutions.
In the meeting, Abdul Salam Hanafi, the administrative deputy prime minister, said that as winter approaches, committees should seek to ensure that the returnees will not face problems.
Experts say that the refugee hosting countries should treat Afghan migrants according to international laws, and take into account the current conditions of the country.
“To reduce immigration and increase economic stability, creating employment opportunities, increasing investment, giving various types of loans to people and issuing securities can be effective,” said Asifa Stanikzai, a migration expert.
Iranian officials have said that they deport 3,000 Afghan immigrants from the country every day and they plan to deport two million Afghan immigrants by the end of this year.
Forced deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan has been a serious challenge in the last three years, but according to experts, the Islamic Emirate has been able to manage the process to some extent.
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Iran executes 13 Afghans in October, 49 in total since January
Last month, Iran carried out at least 166 executions in October alone bringing the total in the first 10 months of 2024 to at least 651
Iran Human Rights reported this weekend that in the first 10 months of 2024, Iran has executed 49 Afghan nationals, 13 of whom were executed in October alone.
According to IHR, the number of executions of Afghan nationals has increased in the past three years.
In 2022, 16 Afghan nationals, including a juvenile offender and a woman, were executed.
In 2023, this number increased to 25.
This year, the trend has accelerated further.
IHR warned that Iran may take advantage of the rising conflict between Iran and Israel to escalate the number of executions in the coming months.
Last month, Iran carried out at least 166 executions in October alone bringing the total in the first 10 months of 2024 to at least 651.
This marks the highest number of executions recorded in a single month since Iran Human Rights began documenting executions in 2007.
Among those executed were the 13 Afghan nationals, six women, and an Iranian-German citizen.
The organization has called on the international community, media, and civil society to closely monitor and respond to what they say is an “alarming rise in executions”.
IHR also stated that since the presidential election and the recent escalation in Iran-Israel tensions, the number of executions has surged, with at least 353 people having been executed between August and October - since President Massoud Pezeshkian took office.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has not yet commented on the number of Afghan nationals executed.
The Iranian government does not disclose the number of Afghans it executes or the reasons behind most cases.
However, it is widely believed that a significant portion of these executions are related to drug charges.
Human rights organizations have criticized the Iranian government for conducting such executions, arguing that these actions violate international laws and the right to life.
Amnesty International says that the death penalty, without exception, constitutes a violation of the right to life as articulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
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