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Media watchdog slams Ghor govt for failing to protect slain journalist

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In a series of tweets, the Afghanistan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC) slammed the Ghor provincial government for its lack of cooperation in helping to safeguard the life of slain journalist Bismillah Adil. 
 
This comes after Adil and the AJSC repeatedly requested support from Ghor provincial government regarding his safety. 
 
Adil was gunned down in a targeted attack on Friday in the province. 
 
AJSC said on Twitter: “AJSC condemns the indifference of the local government in Ghor towards repeated requests by AJSC's local representative and Bismillah Adil for his safety. 
 
“In the light of extensive threats against journalists and their serial killing, protection of journalists must be given priority,” the AJSC stated. 
 
This was the third attempt on Adil’s life in two years. In October 2019, gunmen shot at him in his vehicle in Firoz Koh city, the AJSC reported. 
 
“In November 2020, attackers shot and threw a grenade at his house; AJSC accuses officials of indifference over security of Bismillah Adel,” the organization stated. 
 
Adil was Editor in Chief of Sadai Ghor Radio in Ghor province. 
 
The US has meanwhile once again voiced its concern over the increase in attacks on journalists and as Ross Wilson, US Chargé d'Affaires in Afghanistan, said, this tactic to silence the media was “appalling”. 
 
On Friday Wilson tweeted: “Another Afghan journalist was killed today: Bismillah Adil Aimaq in Ghor province. Attacks on freedom of speech and those who seek to inform society are appalling and must end.” 
 
President Ashraf Ghani also condemned the attack on Adil Bismillah and ordered security institutions to investigate. 
 
However, Adil’s assassination is the latest in a string of targeted killings of media workers, civil society activists and civil servants who have been systematically killed over the past few months. 
 
In just two months, five journalists have been killed in the country in what is perceived as a ploy to silence the free media in the country. 
 
No group has claimed responsibility for any of the killings and while the Taliban reject claims of any involvement, many officials and organizations have blamed the group for this new “scare tactic.”

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IFRC reports over half of Afghanistan’s population needs urgent humanitarian aid

Afghanistan ranks among the most vulnerable countries globally to climate change and disaster risks

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The International Federation of Red Crescent (IFRC) has reported that Afghanistan continues to face prolonged and complex humanitarian crises.

IFRC said in a report published on Tuesday, that about 23.7 million people, more than half of Afghanistan’s population, are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

According to the IFRC, natural disasters, the growing impact of climate change, population displacement, economic challenges, and food insecurity are the main factors contributing to Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Afghanistan ranks among the most vulnerable countries globally to climate change and disaster risks. 

The country is also prone to earthquakes, with nearly 400 tremors recorded in the last three years, including significant quakes, such as the 6.3 magnitude in Herat Province in October last year.

The compounding effects of disasters in the country have exacerbated the already fragile situation in Afghanistan, the IFRC’s report read. 

These successive disasters have pushed more Afghans into poverty and heightened their vulnerability. 

In addition, Afghanistan’s economic crisis is widespread, with more than half of households experiencing an economic shock. 

The country’s economy is heavily dependent on foreign aid and remittances, which have declined significantly since the political change in 2021. 

This has resulted in high levels of unemployment, challenging people’s coping mechanisms and thwarting the already fragile economy’s ability to adapt to shocks, the report read.

The IFRC said more than 85 percent of the country’s population is now living below the poverty line.

 

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Maldives recalls envoy to Pakistan over meeting with Afghanistan envoy

The island nation’s foreign ministry said the much publicized meeting had not been sanctioned by the government

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The Maldives government has recalled its top diplomat in Pakistan after he had an unauthorized meeting with an Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan envoy in Islamabad. 

The island nation’s foreign ministry said the much publicized meeting between the Maldives High Commissioner Mohamed Thoha and IEA envoy Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb on Friday had not been sanctioned by the government.

Maldives media reported that the foreign ministry stated: “Consequently, appropriate action has been taken by the government of Maldives.” 

Thoha’s name has also been removed from the website of the Maldives mission in Islamabad, and an official source told AFP that he had been recalled.

Since regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, no country has yet officially recognized the government.

However, the IEA has been making inroads into the diplomatic arena and has official missions now stationed in a number of regional countries. 

 

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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.

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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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