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Taliban ‘Agrees’ to Talk with Afghan Political Parties
The Taliban have asked the Afghan political parties to come up with a team of negotiators amid escalated peace efforts to reach into a political settlement in Afghanistan, sources told Ariana News Tuesday.
Though, the Taliban repeatedly refuse to engage in direct talks with the Afghan government – including in their recent six days of talks with U.S. officials in Qatar – sources told Ariana News that the armed group has asked the Afghan political parties to introduce a negotiating team to begin face-to-face talks with their representatives.
“We respect the Taliban’s call. There should be a comprehensive intra-Afghan dialogue. No sides should be sidelined including the government,” said Hamayoun Jareer, a senior member of Hezb-e-Islami party led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.
The Taliban did not comment in this regard yet.
Many Afghan politicians believe that without initiating intra-Afghan dialogue, lasting peace cannot be ensured in the country.
“If the Taliban and the Afghan government don’t reach on a peace agreement, any kind of deal in this regard will lead into deepening the ongoing crisis in the country,” said Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal, the head of Hezb-e-Islami.
It comes as the U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad who has recently engaged in six days of talks with the Taliban in Qatar said that his meeting with the Taliban in Doha was much better than previous meetings.
He said there is a moment of opportunity and he hopes Afghans seize this opportunity to put political differences aside and deal with “this moment positively and urgently.”
“We have the opportunity to avoid future tragedies, to bring the 40 years of war to an end, to a good end, and I urge everyone to rise to the occasion. I am hopeful that they will,” Khalilzad said.
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan has signed a 30-year agreement with a private company to extract marble in Daikundi province.
Under the contract, the company will invest AFN 283 million in exploring and mining marble at the “Mesh-Uliya” site, spanning 16.74 square kilometers in central Daikundi.
Hedayatullah Badri, Minister of Mines and Petroleum, stated that the marble will be processed domestically before being exported abroad. He added that the Mesh-Uliya project is expected to create around 200 jobs, and the company is committed to supporting local communities through social initiatives.
Economic experts highlight that such investments, especially those focusing on domestic processing, are crucial for job creation, boosting exports, and strengthening the national economy. Analysts further note that the project will improve local infrastructure, expand social services, and enhance the economic and social well-being of Daikundi residents.
Since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, efforts to develop Afghanistan’s mining sector have intensified, with multiple contracts signed in areas including cement, copper, iron, and lapis lazuli, involving both domestic and international companies.
A passenger bus veered off the Salang Highway before dawn on Sunday, leaving five people dead and 44 others injured, the Ministry of Public Works said.
According to the ministry, the incident occurred at around 2:00 a.m. in the Shawol area of North Salang when a passenger bus deviated from the main road due to the driver’s negligence.
Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, said five passengers were killed and 44 others sustained injuries. He added that personnel from the Salang Maintenance and Protection Directorate promptly arrived at the scene and transferred the injured to the Khunjān clinic for medical treatment.
The Ministry of Public Works has urged drivers and passengers traveling on the Salang Highway to strictly follow the instructions of on-duty teams, observe traffic regulations, and carry warm clothing, food supplies, and snow chains to prevent similar incidents.
The ministry also noted that heavy snowfall and stormy weather have led to the temporary closure of the highway, while road maintenance teams are continuing snow-clearing operations.
Latest News
Major fire in Mandawi Kabul market contained, extensive losses prevented
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
The Ministry of Interior reported that personnel from the General Directorate of Firefighting and Emergency Response successfully prevented the further spread of a fire at Mandawi market on Kabul early Sunday morning.
Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for the ministry, said that the fire destroyed 10 storage facilities and 8 shops. He added that initial losses are estimated at around $700,000, but timely action by firefighting personnel saved property worth approximately $2.2 million.
Qani explained that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. He praised the rapid and effective containment operations, which prevented more extensive damage.
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
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