Latest News
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan welcomes Israel-Hamas ceasefire accord
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) on Thursday welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and said the accord was the result of “the historic struggle and sacrifices of the Palestinian people.”
The IEA’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement it is grateful for the efforts of the mediator countries, especially the governments of Qatar and Egypt.
The complex ceasefire accord between Israel and Hamas, which controls Gaza, emerged on Wednesday after months of mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the US and 15 months of bloodshed that devastated the coastal territory and inflamed the Middle East.
The deal outlines a six-week initial ceasefire with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, where tens of thousands have been killed.
Hostages taken by Hamas would be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
According to a statement issued by the IEA, the “cease-fire agreement is the result of the historic struggle and sacrifices of the Palestinian people's legendary tolerance and brave resistance in the Gaza Strip.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan congratulates the leadership of Islamic resistance and the patient people of Palestine for this great achievement.”
The IEA stated that it is now necessary that all phases of the agreement are fully implemented so that the cease-fire is permanent and humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza urgently.
“Considering the results of the previous agreements, the parties involved and the international community should ensure that the Israeli regime fulfills its commitments responsibly,” the IEA stated.
“Permanent peace and tranquility in the Middle East can only be achieved through a legitimate solution to the Palestinian issue and the independence of the Palestinian people,” the Islamic Emirate added.
In conclusion the IEA said it will continue to support an independent Palestinian state and the Palestinian people.
Wednesday’s ceasefire agreement calls for a surge in humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Both the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross said they were preparing to scale up their aid operations.
"A ceasefire is the start - not the end. We have food lined up at the borders to Gaza - and need to be able to bring it in at scale," said Cindy McCain, World Food Program executive director, on X.
Global reaction to the ceasefire was enthusiastic. Leaders and officials of Egypt, Turkey, Britain, the United Nations, the European Union, Jordan, Germany and the United Arab Emirates, among others, celebrated the news.
At a news conference in Doha, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the ceasefire would take effect on Sunday. Negotiators are working with Israel and Hamas on steps to implement the agreement, he said.
"This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much-needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity," US President Joe Biden said in Washington.
However, Israel's acceptance of the deal will not be official until it is approved by the country's security cabinet and government, with votes slated for Thursday, an Israeli official said.
The accord was expected to win approval despite opposition from some hardliners in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government.
While people celebrated the pact in Gaza and Israel, Israel's military escalated attacks after the announcement, the civil emergency service and residents said.
Heavy Israeli bombardment, especially in Gaza City, killed 32 people late on Wednesday, medics said. The strikes continued early on Thursday and destroyed houses in Rafah in southern Gaza, Nuseirat in central Gaza and in northern Gaza, residents said.
Israel's military made no immediate comment and there were no reports of Hamas attacks on Israel after the ceasefire announcement.
Latest News
Afghanistan’s economy is ‘normal’, says finance ministry
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Finance said Wednesday that after a comprehensive assessment of various sectors, the country’s economic situation is in “its normal state”.
According to a statement issued by the ministry, a meeting was convened to assess financial trade, foreign humanitarian aid, the value of the afghani (AFN), and the impact of changes in foreign policies on the economy.
It was found that the import and export process is functioning smoothly, the banking sector remains stable, national revenues are being collected transparently, and essential government expenditures are being made regularly without any delays.
The ministry attributed the decrease in the value of the AFN against foreign currencies, particularly the US dollar, to widespread negative propaganda.
"Overall, all domestic economic factors are maintaining the value of the Afghan currency in a normal state,” the statement read.
Modest recovery
The Afghan economy is showing signs of moderate growth, but still faces significant headwinds, including fiscal constraints, trade imbalances, and a limited capacity for public investment, according to the World Bank’s latest Afghanistan Development Update.
The World Bank stated that Afghanistan has seen a modest GDP growth of 2.7% over the past two years - growth driven by private consumption. The update stated the economy had recouped only about 10% of past economic losses, indicative of the slow and fragile nature of the recovery.
“Afghanistan's long-term growth prospects depend on tapping into the substantial potential of the domestic private sector and improving the overall business environment,” said Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Afghanistan in the update, which was issued last month.
“Key to this is increased investment, providing access to finance to small businesses, and supporting educated and skilled women entrepreneurs so their businesses can thrive. Without this, the country risks prolonged stagnation with limited prospects for sustainable development,” he added.
The World Bank also stated that the partial recovery, coupled with falling food prices, has contributed to a gradual improvement in household welfare.
But most Afghan households continue to struggle to meet basic needs and poverty remains widespread, the report read.
Latest News
IEA seeks dignified relations with all countries, including the US: Muttaqi
Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi says the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) seeks dignified relations with all countries, including the United States, where mutual respect is preserved.
Muttaqi, in an interview with BBC, said: "Currently, if the US wants to engage with Afghanistan politically and economically, we have no problem. We want dignified relations with the United States and with all countries—relations in which the dignity of both sides is preserved."
Muttaqi emphasized that IEA will not allow Afghanistan to become a battleground for negative competition between powerful countries again.
He added IEA aims to make Afghanistan a hub for connecting regional countries, and added the suspension of US aid to Afghanistan will also have an impact.
"The aid has not only been cut from Afghanistan, this relates to the US internal policy regarding how it engages and interacts with other countries; however, it certainly has an impact, and we hope that the negative effects will not be severe and perhaps these issues will not be permanent,” he added.
Muttaqi stated that the request for the arrest of the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate and the head of the Supreme Court by the International Criminal Court is "unjust and oppressive," but it will not affect Afghanistan's relations with the world.
Muttaqi also said the absence of an IEA representative at the recent International Conference on Girls' Education in Muslim Communities cast doubt over the gathering and that the conference had not been beneficial to Afghanistan.
The outcome of the conference, which was jointly hosted by the Muslim World League (MWL) and Pakistan government, was however welcomed by the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The OIC Secretary-General later commended the Declaration that was issued by delegates, especially the provisions calling for providing educational opportunities for girls in Muslim communities around the world, raising awareness about the importance of girls' education, and calling for the commitment of Islamic countries to develop supportive policies.
Latest News
Ancient Fort of Bost now boasts its own library
Also known as Qala-e-Bost, the Fort dates back more than 3,500 years. It is located near Lashkargah city in the southern province of Helmand.
In the hope of promoting the culture of reading books, Helmand’s department of information and culture has installed a public library at the site of Afghanistan’s historic Fort of Bost.
The library, which contains about 3,000 books, is housed in a shipping container that’s been placed next to the Fort’s famous 11th century decorative arch.
Visitors to the Fort can make use of the library and read the books on site. They have welcomed the initiative but say they would like to see a more permanent structure being built for the library.
They also said they hope the Fort complex is one day fully restored.
Helmand provincial officials have said an assessment has been carried out to determine the work that needs to be done to restore the Fort and its surrounding structures. They say restoration work could start next year.
Also known as Qala-e-Bost, the Fort dates back more than 3,500 years. It is located near Lashkargah city in the southern province of Helmand.
This historical landmark was once a thriving urban center and now stands as a testament to the region's rich cultural and architectural heritage.
The impressive ruins tell stories of a bygone era, featuring remnants of intricate carvings and ancient structures that showcase the artistry of the people who once inhabited this area.
The arch is part of the remains of an ancient mosque.
The structures meanwhile include remains from periods of ancient Iranian, Greco-Roman, and ancient Indian domination
From the ruins excavated it is believed that a strong fortress was constructed to protect the town, the irrigated farm land, and the trade route from invading armies.
It was constructed of mud and baked brick; its most notable feature was a deep well in the center of the mound, with seven galleries encircling its shaft.
As of April 2008, it has been possible to descend into this ancient shaft, which has a spiral staircase leading to the bottom.
-
World5 days ago
US issues broad freeze on foreign aid after Trump orders review
-
Business4 days ago
Afghanistan exports $518 million in dried fruit over past 10 months: ACCI
-
Latest News4 days ago
Polio-Free Afghanistan to roll out new campaign
-
Sport5 days ago
ILT20: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders beat MI Emirates by 42 runs
-
Sport5 days ago
Rashid Khan features in ICC T20I Team of the Year for 2024
-
Latest News5 days ago
Germany planning another deportation flight to Afghanistan
-
Business3 days ago
Afghani weakens by 7% against US dollar in one week
-
Latest News4 days ago
Flights halted for Afghans approved for special US visas