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Pakistan’s deputy FM discusses Afghanistan with UN envoy
Pakistan's Deputy Foreign Minister Amna Baloch met with Roza Otunbayeva, head of the United Nations Political Office in Afghanistan, on the sidelines of the International Conference of Islamic Countries on Girls' Education in Islamabad on Monday.
The two sides discussed developments in Afghanistan and the global community's efforts to address the humanitarian challenges in the country.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry stated: "Amna Baloch met with Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, on the sidelines of the Girls' Education Conference in Islamabad. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on the
developments in Afghanistan and the international community's efforts to address the country’s humanitarian challenges."
Meanwhile, the former Pakistani Ambassador to Kabul, Mansoor Ahmad Khan, said that in order to improve relations between the two countries, Islamabad must change its decades-old security-focused policy towards Afghanistan.
According to Ahmad Khan, Islamabad failed to convince the Islamic Emirate to confront terrorist groups, including Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
However, IEA’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated that Kabul is not responsible for ensuring Pakistan's security and will not allow Afghan soil to be used against any country.
"There is no threat to Pakistan from Afghan soil, nor do we want instability in Pakistan, and we do not support the TTP in any way. The problems that Pakistan faces should be resolved within its own territory. Afghanistan is committed to ensuring that Afghan soil is not used against any other country, especially Pakistan. The relations between the two countries are very important. Various aspects of the relationship should be pursued, and no actions should be taken that lead to tension and the deterioration of relations,” said Mujahid.
Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, met with tribal leaders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and said that Pakistan's security forces target and take action against armed opponents of the country outside its borders.
The relationship between Kabul and Islamabad has always had many ups and downs, but recently, due to Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghan soil, the ties between the two countries have become more tense and strained than ever.
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Abdul Kabir officially begins role as acting Minister of Refugees
The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation announced on Saturday that Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, former Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, officially started his role as acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriations.
In a statement, the Ministry said that the introduction ceremony for Abdul Kabir was held under the direction of the leader of the Islamic Emirate, with the presence of several government officials.
During the ceremony, Kabir emphasized that he would take effective steps to improve the situation of refugees and returnees.
Kabir was introduced last Thursday as the new acting minister, replacing Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani, the former Minister of Refugees, who was martyred in a suicide attack inside the Ministry of Refugees in Kabul last month.
Daesh claimed responsibility for that attack.
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Acting FM Muttaqi meets IFRC head, urges services for remote areas
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi on Saturday met with Alexander Matheou, IFRC's Asia Pacific Regional Director, and emphasized the importance of providing services to Afghanistan’s remote areas and expanding health services.
Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, the deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement that Muttaqi also requested special attention to treating children suffering from heart diseases.
Muttaqi further urged Matheou to strengthen their health and relief centers in the provinces to provide effective and timely assistance to those affected by natural disasters.
Matheou expressed satisfaction with the current situation in Afghanistan and thanked the Afghan government for its cooperation in providing services and activities in a fair manner. He also promised to continue his efforts to support the needy Afghan people.
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EU launches 36 million euros project to support displaced Afghans
The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) and the European Union (EU) have signed a new agreement euros to continue to support displaced Afghans and host communities in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and countries in Central Asia.
With substantial EU funding of EUR 36 million, hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) will benefit from essential protection, livelihood opportunities, and other basic services, EU said in a statement.
“The EU will continue our strong support to Afghans on the move. This new contribution to UNHCR is part of a bigger EU effort in the area of migration supporting opportunities and essential services to displaced women, men, children inside Afghanistan and the neighbouring countries. Our assistance will contribute to improve living conditions of individuals and broader communities,” Veronika Boskovic Pohar, Chargée d’affaires of Delegation of the European Union to Afghanistan, said.
UNHCR’s Representative in Afghanistan, Arafat Jamal said: “This longstanding partnership with the European Union marks a significant step forward in our efforts to support Afghan returnees and refugees in host countries. Through these initiatives, we aim to provide not only life-saving assistance but also the tools needed for displaced populations to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.”
Kicking off in January 2025, the three-year programme will run through December 2027, focusing on long-term recovery and resilience.
Afghans represent one of the world’s largest refugee populations, with 2.6 million registered globally. Of these some 2.2 million are in Iran and Pakistan. Additionally, some 3.2 million people remain internally displaced within Afghanistan and hundreds of thousands have returned from neighbouring countries since September 2023.
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