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US special envoy for Afghanistan Thomas West moves to different role

US commitment to Afghanistan will be led within the State Department by Chief of Mission of the U.S. Mission to Afghanistan Karen Decker, Special Envoy Rina Amiri, and Ambassador John Mark Pommersheim

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US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken confirmed late Tuesday that Thomas West has been moved from his role as Special Representative for Afghanistan and appointed Acting Head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination at the department. 

West was appointed in October 2021 as special envoy for Afghanistan and has with US allies and partners to help lead a humanitarian effort that “prevented a wider famine and met the urgent needs of millions of Afghans,” Blinken said. 

“Tom prioritized advocacy for the release of detained American citizens, as well as the continued relocation of Afghans to whom we owe a special debt,” the statement read. 

No one has been appoint to take over from West, however Blinken said: “The US commitment to Afghanistan remains an enduring priority and will be led within the State Department by Chief of Mission of the U.S. Mission to Afghanistan Karen Decker, Special Envoy Amiri, and Ambassador John Mark Pommersheim.”

According to him, Decker will lead diplomacy on Afghanistan from Doha, while Amiri will continue to lead diplomatic and policy efforts toward ensuring that human rights, and women’s rights, are prioritized. 

In Washington, Pommersheim, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Asia, will lead policy development and inter-agency coordination on Afghanistan.

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G7 envoys urge national dialogue for lasting stability in Afghanistan

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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.

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Afghanistan’s bright future lies in educating girls: Karzai

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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.

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IEA to set up special courts to address pensions

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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.

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