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Khalilzad heads for Pakistan in bid to speed up peace process
US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad is expected to visit Pakistan on Monday for talks about his proposed plan to accelerate the Afghan peace process.
According to Pakistan’s Daily Times, Khalilzad will meet with both civilian and military leaders during his visit to Islamabad.
This comes after his meetings with Afghan leaders and politicians in Kabul last week, and at least one meeting with the Doha leadership of the Taliban in Qatar.
Khalilzad, who is currently on a regional trip to help push for a peace deal between the two warring parties has handed over Washington’s plan for the formation of a transitional government in Afghanistan to various stakeholders including Afghan government leaders and the Taliban.
In an interview with Ariana News on Sunday, Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem confirmed this and said the plan was being considered by the Taliban’s leadership in Doha and that “a final decision has yet to be made in this regard.”
The Afghan government also received US President Joe Biden’s proposed plan for the formation of a transitional government which would include the Taliban and the convening of an international summit – similar to the 2001 Bonn conference.
In a series of tweets last week, after his visit to Kabul, Khalilzad stated that Afghanistan and the Taliban “must find a path to a political settlement and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.
“With all parties, I outlined our focus on Afghanistan, diplomacy, and garnering wider international support in order to help Afghans make more rapid progress on the peace process.
“In Kabul, I discussed various options/alternatives to propel the process forward.
“I was encouraged by what I heard. There is widespread support for the need to move more quickly and deliver a just and durable peace that Afghans demand and deserve,” he said.
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India condemns Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has condemned recent airstrikes by Pakistan on Afghanistan’s territory.
In a statement, Ministry spokesperson Shri Randhir Jaiswal said the attacks resulted in the deaths of several civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.
He described the strikes as yet another act of aggression by Pakistan, which continues to oppose the idea of an independent Afghanistan.
India reiterated that Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be fully respected.
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14 Pakistani soldiers killed after military post falls along Durand line: MoD
The statement added that Afghan forces destroyed one armored tank and a military vehicle belonging to Pakistani troops during the fighting.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense announced Saturday that Afghan defensive forces captured a Pakistani military post along the Durand Line in eastern Afghanistan following clashes between the two sides.
In a statement, the ministry said the operation was launched in response to what it described as “crimes of the Pakistani military regime” in border areas of Kunar and Nangarhar provinces.
According to the ministry, 14 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 11 others wounded during the operation.
The statement added that Afghan forces destroyed one armored tank and a military vehicle belonging to Pakistani troops during the fighting.
Defense officials emphasized that Afghanistan’s forces remain prepared to respond to any threats along the Durand Line.
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UN Security Council to vote on extension of UNAMA mission in Afghanistan
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has previously criticized UNAMA’s activities, claiming that the mission’s reports misrepresent the situation in Afghanistan.
The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on Monday regarding the extension of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), with a draft resolution proposing a three-month extension until June 17.
The debate over the mission’s extension has divided key members of the Council. China initially called for a one-year extension, while the United States has advocated for a shorter duration. The U.S. position is based on the belief that a three-month extension would allow the Council to conduct a comprehensive review of UNAMA’s mandate before committing to a longer-term renewal.
A statement from the Security Council explained that Washington views this as an opportunity to reassess the mission’s appropriateness and effectiveness. “This mission is one of the most costly political special missions of the United Nations and operates in a highly complex environment. Therefore, the Council needs to assess whether the mission remains appropriate and effective,” the statement read.
The draft resolution also emphasizes growing concerns about human rights in Afghanistan, particularly the ongoing restrictions placed on women and girls. It calls on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to lift these limitations and stresses the need for continued support in areas such as development, counterterrorism, and mine clearance. UNAMA’s field presence is also considered vital for providing critical humanitarian support and monitoring developments on the ground.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has previously criticized UNAMA’s activities, claiming that the mission’s reports misrepresent the situation in Afghanistan, painting a negative and misleading image to the international community. As the vote approaches, the future of the mission—and its ability to effectively address Afghanistan’s ongoing challenges—hangs in the balance.
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