Latest News
UNSC divided over extending IEA travel ban exemptions
The United Nations ended the travel ban exemptions for 13 Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) officials after failing to reach an agreement on a possible extension. The exemptions were set to expire at midnight on Friday.
Under a 2011 UN Security Council resolution, 135 IEA officials are facing sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans. Of these, 13 were granted exemptions from the travel ban.
Russia and China want to allow all 13 to continue to travel. On the other hand, the US and Western nations want to reduce the number to protest IEA's record of women's rights and failure to form an inclusive government, Deutsche Welle reported citing UN diplomats.
Ireland had also objected to the extension, AFP said, citing diplomatic sources.
The latest proposal on the table, put forward by the US, would ban travel for seven of the IEA officials and keep the travel waivers for six others for 90 days with no geographic limits.
If no member of the Council objects by Monday afternoon, it would come into force for three months. In the meantime, the waiver for the 13 currently in place expired at the end of Friday, AP reported.
Latest News
G7 envoys urge national dialogue for lasting stability in Afghanistan
Special Representatives of the Group of Seven (G7), including the European Union, have emphasized the importance of a national dialogue for achieving long-term stability in Afghanistan.
Following a meeting on Afghanistan in Geneva, Switzerland, G7 special envoys issued a joint statement calling for the restoration of women's rights and urging the Islamic Emirate to fight terrorism.
The statement reads: "Achieving sustainable peace and stability requires credible governance that represents all segments of Afghan society."
The representatives also expressed concern over the IEA’s decision to ban girls from attending medical institutes, warning that it will have devastating consequences for the citizens, particularly mothers and their infants.
The statement described this ban as unacceptable and called on the Afghan authorities to lift it immediately.
Earlier, countries and international organizations had called for the removal of restrictions on the education and employment of women and girls, emphasizing the need for a national dialogue.
In response to these concerns, IEA has repeatedly stated that it will not allow interference in the internal affairs of the country.
The G7 special envoys also expressed their concern about the recent terrorist attacks in Kabul and the surrounding region, warning that terrorism remains a serious threat to Afghanistan's security. They confirmed the actions of the IEA against Daesh but stressed the need for more decisive measures.
Latest News
Afghanistan’s bright future lies in educating girls: Karzai
Hamid Karzai, the former president of Afghanistan, says the demand of Afghan girls for the reopening of schools and universities is their fundamental right and adds that Afghanistan cannot have a bright future without ensuring access to education for girls.
In a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Karzai said: "The demand and voice of our country’s girls for education and knowledge is a rightful one and crucial for a prosperous Afghanistan."
He further emphasized, "Empowering the youth—both girls and boys—is the only way to achieve self-reliance, break the cycle of poverty, and drive the development and prosperity of society."
Karzai underscored that education is vital for Afghanistan’s growth and development, expressing hope that the doors of schools and universities for girls will be reopened as soon as possible.
Latest News
IEA to set up special courts to address pensions
Mawlawi Hebatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), has issued a decree to establish special courts to address pensions, Bakhtar news agency reported on Saturday.
According to the decree, the courts must confirm and process pensions in accordance with Sharia and law.
Pensioners have repeatedly voiced concern over delay in payment, saying that their financial challenges are growing.
Earlier this year, IEA's supreme leader banned money being deducted from salaries of government employees for pensions.
He also requested information on the tenure of employees and the total amount deducted from salaries for pensions.
-
Regional5 days ago
Bomb kills chief of Russian nuclear protection forces in Moscow
-
Sport5 days ago
ATN once again seals deal to broadcast upcoming IPL across Afghanistan
-
Sport5 days ago
Lanka T10: All three matches abandoned due to rain
-
World5 days ago
At least 100,000 bodies in Syrian mass grave, US advocacy group head says
-
Latest News5 days ago
India hoping to import coal and marble from Afghanistan
-
Latest News5 days ago
Trump says he would have pulled out of Afghanistan with ‘dignity and strength’
-
Sport4 days ago
Zimbabwe’s opening ODI against Afghanistan abandoned
-
Latest News5 days ago
Fuel prices rise in Herat as winter approaches