Pakistan's total debt

Taliban Bans Use Of Pak Currency In Afghanistan

In a significant escalation of ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Taliban has banned the use of Pakistani rupees in Afghanistan.

The ban on the Pakistani currency came into effect on Saturday, October 1, Afghan news agency Khaama Press reported.
It said the Taliban Intelligence Agency declared that the use of Pakistani rupees in financial transactions in Afghanistan has been “completely banned.”

This order was conveyed by the Taliban agency’s anti-money laundering branch to the money exchange association. According to this order, all financial transactions, including but not limited to transfers, trade, and currency exchange, are disallowed.

The report said money exchange dealers are banned from conducting transactions totaling more than 500,000 rupees. If more than the specified amount is discovered, the dealers could face legal action.

The Khaama report said this move comes at a time when some locals and traders in Afghanistan use Pakistani Rupees for everyday spending and food purchases.

Since the Taliban seized power in August last year, the relationship between the two sides has soured for several reasons, including increasing border clashes and the re-emergence of outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Pakistan.

Recently, the Taliban had accused Pakistan of permitting its air space to be used by US drones to strike targets in the landlocked country.

Taliban claimed that Pakistan has received a whopping sum of money for allowing the US airstrikes in Afghanistan and added that they have substantial evidence to back their claims.

On July 31, the United States conducted a precision counterterrorism strike in Afghanistan that killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s deputy and successor as leader of Al-Qaeda.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has blamed the Taliban regime for the resumption of attacks by the TTP, which has aggravated the security situation in the country. Media reports said that the highest number of terror incidents in Pakistan in a single month this year was recorded in September. (ANI)

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Foreign Envoys Joined India's Culture At Gujarat's Navratri Festival |Lokmarg

Foreign Envoys Joined India’s Culture At Gujarat’s Navratri Festival

Several foreign envoys to India, including from Denmark and Afghanistan, joined External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in celebrating the massive Navratri festival underway in Vadodara in Gujarat and praised India’s rich culture and heritage.

They shared their excitement after participating in the festivities, which saw thousands of people perform Garba, a popular dance form held during the Navaratri. With the presence of foreign delegates, the well-organized event likely bolstered India’s soft-power image across the globe.
“I am so full of joy and happiness. “I wish all Indians across the world a happy Navratri and may the light break the darkness,” Danish Ambassador Freddy Svane said.

“It’s so fantastic, so amazing, it is just awesome. This is incredible India indeed, I just love it,” said the High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to India, Gilbert Shimane Mangole.

At the event on Saturday, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar also performed an ‘aarti’ of Maa Durga.

“It is a matter of pride that we have come here with officials of different countries. As the Navratri festival is on, they will spend the day enjoying festivities. They are excited to see the development here,” Jaishankar said after meeting the delegates and ambassadors.

Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov also attended the festivities and called himself “Russie Rajdoot”. “Bohot shaandar Mahotsav hai (It’s an incredible festival),” he added.

The High Commissioner of the Republic of Fiji, Kamlesh Prakash, was amazed to participate in Garba. He said, “Garba shows why people in Gujarat are happy, Modi magic is of course there to galvanize people like a magnet.”

“India and Tanzania have a special connection as most Indians living in Tanzania come from Gujarat, so this is a special moment for me,” said Tanzanian High Commissioner Anisa K Mbega.

“I thank all Gujaratis from the people of Afghanistan for giving us such love and respect,” said Afghanistan’s Ambassador Farid Mamundzay.

The Navratri festival celebrates the victory of good over evil as Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura. The 10th day of Sharad Navratri is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami.

During the nine-day festival, devotees worship Maa Durga’s nine incarnations to seek her blessings for a prosperous and joyous life. During these nine days, people observe fast, recite shlokas, wear new clothes, and offer ‘bhog’ to the goddess.

This year, Navratri started on September 26 and will conclude on October 5. (ANI)

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Afghanistan Taliban

Taliban Sign Deal For Russian Oil, Gas, And Wheat At Discounted Rate

Taliban have inked an agreement to purchase and import Russian wheat, gas, and oil, the officials of the Islamic group said.

A Taliban spokesperson said products including gasoline, diesel, gas, and wheat would be purchased at a “special discount” in Russian currency, Khaama Press news agency reported.
Although Russia had agreed to the discounted trade deal, the Taliban official did not provide any details on the pricing and payment methods.

This deal comes as Russia has been hit hard by sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine. The punitive measures from the Western countries have forced Moscow to shift its exports from Europe to Asia.

Meanwhile, economic development, trade, and transit remained a high priority for the Taliban, since its accent to power in August last year.

The Islamic group has continued diplomatic and economic engagement with regional countries, whose representatives stated publicly that formal recognition of the de facto authorities as a government was not imminent.

This deal comes after high-level Taliban delegations visited Russia earlier this year. Aside from Moscow, several companies from regional countries have shown interest in investing in the extractive industries sector in Afghanistan.

The Taliban leadership have consistently said that they are looking for trade deals with the international community.

This latest agreement with Russia move could help to ease the isolation that has effectively cut it off from the world following their takeover of Afghanistan last year.

A UN report released on Tuesday said the Afghan economy remained greatly weakened by the severe economic contraction and the banking and financial crisis that followed the Taliban takeover.

“Available data suggest that six-month revenue collection through June, driven by customs and non-tax sources, is on par with the level recorded for the same period last year, and exports, driven by coal and fruits, surpassed past performance,” said the latest quarterly report of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to the Security Council.

The sudden stop of aid inflows, however, accompanied by political uncertainty, inadequate access to services and women’s exclusion from economic participation, continued to lead to slow growth, the report added.

According to the UN report, Humanitarian needs were compounded by the sharp economic decline and the devastating combination of decades of conflict, recent earthquakes, recurring natural hazards, and protracted vulnerability. (ANI)

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Afghanistan Taliban

Taliban Denies Threat Of Terrorism Still Exists In Afghanistan

Responding to concerns expressed by countries at the 77th UNGA session over the terrorism threat still emanating from Afghanistan, the Taliban said that the allegations were baseless.

“These concerns, based on incorrect information and sources, are being brought up as the relevant parties are yet to hand over the seat of Afghanistan at the United Nations to its rightful legal and political owners, the Afghan government,” read a statement from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Some countries, including the United States and Pakistan, expressed concerns at the 77th session of UNGA that the threat of terrorism still exists in Afghanistan.

The Taliban further stated that if the group will be considered the legal and political owners of the Afghan government, it will open an opportunity to share ground realities of Afghanistan with the region directly and world countries and address any concerns.

“The Islamic Emirate once again rejects such assertions and reiterates its position to the world: the territory of Afghanistan will not be used against any other country, nor does any armed group currently have a presence in Afghanistan. Rather than raising unsubstantiated concerns and allegations, the world should engage positively with the Islamic Emirate by sharing their views and concerns directly, and not through the media or public statements,” added the statement.

The Taliban launched an offensive against the democratically elected Afghan government last year after the Biden administration announced the end of its military presence in Afghanistan.

On August 15, 2021, the Taliban swept into Kabul without encountering any resistance and gained complete control over the Afghan capital. Later in September, the Taliban declared a complete victory in Afghanistan and formed an interim government, which hasn’t yet been officially recognized by any country.

Since its ascent to power in Kabul, the Islamic group imposed policies severely restricting basic rights–particularly those of women and girls.

According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the Taliban dismissed all women from leadership posts in the civil service and prohibited girls in most provinces from attending secondary school.

Taliban decrees prohibit women from travelling unless accompanied by a male relative and require women’s faces to be covered in public–including women TV newscasters.

The Taliban have also censored, limited critical reporting, and beaten journalists. Taliban forces have carried out revenge killings and enforced disappearances of former government officials and security force personnel. They have summarily executed people deemed affiliated with the Islamic State.

Armed groups linked to the Afghan branch of the Islamic State have carried out bombings targeting ethnic Hazaras, Afghan Shias, Sufis, and others, killing and injuring hundreds. (ANI)

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Taliban Sikhs

Taliban Prevents 60 Sikhs From Leaving Afghanistan; SGPC Asks Centre’s Help

Sixty Afghan Sikhs who were scheduled to arrive in India on September 11 were stopped by the Taliban regime from leaving the country as they were carrying holy scriptures with them.

Following the incident, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Thursday condemned the Taliban move and asked the Centre to intervene and ensure that the community’s sentiments were not hurt or disrespected in the landlocked Afghanistan.
SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami strongly condemned the ban on taking the “holy body of Sri Guru Granth Sahib” out of Afghanistan by the Taliban regime, according to a statement issued by the committee.

He said that according to the information received by the committee, a group of 60 Afghani Sikhs were supposed to come to India on September 11, but they could not arrive because they were prevented from bringing the “holy image of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji”.

The Shiromani Committee President termed it a “direct interference” in the religious affairs of the Sikhs by the Taliban regime, according to the statement.

Advocate Dhami said that on the one hand, attacks were being carried out against Sikhs and holy Gurudwaras inside Afghanistan while on the other hand they were being prevented from bringing the holy scripture with them to India.

Advocate Dhami said that the Sikhs in Afghanistan were leaving the country because “they are not safe and when the Sikhs do not stay in the country, then who will take care of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji?”

“That is why Sikhs bring the holy Guru Granth Sahib with them when they come to India,” he explained. Dhami said the Taliban regime should not take decisions against the sentiments of Sikhs.

The SGPC chief also made an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the matter and stop the actions being taken by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan against the religious sentiments of the Sikhs.

Religious minorities in Afghanistan, including the Sikhs, have been victims of repeated targeted attacks after the Taliban took control of the country.

There was a spate of attacks on Sikhs in Afghanistan recently. On June 18 this year, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) attacked the Karte-Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul which claimed the lives of about 50 people. There have been other attacks as well.

In March 2020, a deadly attack took place at Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Gurudwara in Kabul’s Short Bazaar area in which 27 Sikhs were killed and several were injured. Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for the attack.

There were just about 700 Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan in 2020, but a large number of them left the country following the Taliban’s takeover on August 15, 2021. (ANI)

China Promoting Taliban 2.0 For Better Business Deals In Afghanistan

China is currently engaged in pampering the Taliban, which finds itself in a state of diplomatic isolation. Its focus is on business with hopes of a better deal.

It is towards this end that China is walking the extra mile to offer a helping hand to the Taliban regime firstly in the matter of travel ban exemptions, and secondly, in grappling with its economic and humanitarian crisis, reported Al Arabiya Post.
China’s recent efforts to promote and support the Taliban 2.0 regime indicate that it is getting ready to recognize the government currently in place in Afghanistan.

On the one hand, it is building a case for international recognition of the Taliban and for the continuance of the waiver of the travel ban on Taliban leaders.

On the other hand, it is engaged in what is much more than business and cultural diplomacy to broaden its footprint in Afghanistan.

The state-run Communist Party of China (CPC) media has, in recent months, run a concerted campaign to show how the Taliban 2.0 have fairly handled the security situation and taken steps to improve the economy in Afghanistan, reported Al Arabiya Post.

These media report also highlight the contribution of China and its companies in bringing prosperity to the country. Business activity combined with cultural diplomacy suggests that China is getting ready to recognise Taliban 2.0.

At the forefront of this “Taliban is good” campaign is the CPC mouthpiece, Global Times (GT), which under editor in Chief Hu Xijin launched the “wolf warrior” communication strategy.

GT spread the ‘word’ that people across Afghanistan are saying that the security situation has improved and, violence had declined since the Taliban seized power. It, however, conceded that “tribal culture” still holds great sway in the Taliban’s governing style while hastening to add that their administrative capabilities are “comparatively more advanced.”

Moreover, some media reports indicate that some progress has been made on Chinese investments and reconstruction projects. Chinese businessmen like Yu Minghui, who have stayed put after the US-led NATO’s withdrawal, have reaped benefits. He has four steel processing lines, reported Al Arabiya Post.

The China Town, a 10- storey building is the hub of Chinese business activity. An industrial estate is coming up in Kabul suburbs as the first Sino-Afghan joint venture at a cost of USD 216 million.

Also, there is talk of extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor into Afghanistan and beyond. China has exempted 98 per cent of its Afghan buys from import duties. China Metallurgical Group will soon start exploration and extraction at the Aynak copper mine. It is the biggest copper mining project in the country. As of now, China’s economic footprint is steadily expanding across Afghanistan, reported Al Arabiya Post.

To ensure that it is business as usual in Kabul, China has chosen to keep quiet on the rights of ordinary women and distanced itself from the campaign of global human rights activists against the raw deal Afghan women and school-going girls have been getting.

China is also pushing its cultural diplomacy befitting its position as the third largest trading partner of Afghanistan after Pakistan and Iran. It has deputed scholars to help protect Afghanistan’s cultural heritage.

The current focus is on the historical relics at the Mes Aynak copper mine (Logar Province) and the UNESCO heritage site, Bamyan Valley. (ANI)

Economic Turmoil

Afghan Fresh, Dry Fruits Return From Torkham Border As Pak Hikes Duty

After Pakistan imposed additional regulatory duty on imported foodstuff, hundreds of trucks and containers loaded with fresh and dry fruits have begun returning to Kabul from the Torkham border.

The importers feared those items would vanish from local markets if the regulatory duty were not withdrawn or reduced.
Importers at the Torkham border told Dawn that the arrival of fresh and dry fruits from Afghanistan had declined by almost 70 per cent since the imposition of 49 per cent regulatory duty on them.

They also said additional taxes had pushed the prices of Afghan grapes and apples up in the local market.

Shah Jahan, a local importer, said the import duty of one-ton grapes had gone up from Rs 14,000 to Rs 56,811 and on apples from Rs 56,000 to Rs 114,959 after the move, reported Dawn.

He said over 200 trucks and containers of fresh fruits and dry fruits would arrive in Pakistan via the Torkham border daily prior to the imposition of regulatory duty but the number fell to less than 50 with most truckers preferring to go back to Kabul to prevent fresh fruits from decaying and fearing a sudden hike in custom-related taxes.

Fruit importer Shah Jahan said Pakistan would eventually lose its biggest market for fresh fruits if Afghanistan reciprocates by imposing additional duties on Pakistani fruits.

“The export of kinno, oranges and guava will commence in early November and we fear that if the regulatory duty on the import of Afghan fruits was not withdrawn by then, we will face a similar response from Afghanistan which will confront will huge financial losses and possibly the Afghan market for our winter season fruits”, he lamented.

Resenting the ‘unilateral’ imposition of regulatory duty on dry and fresh fruits, Zahidullah Shinwari, a former president of Sarhad Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said the move was very surprising in the current situation when the country faced food shortages due to devastating floods, reported Dawn.

“Afghanistan was the first country to have started sending us duty-free onion and tomatoes after the recent floods destroyed large swaths of our agricultural lands while we slapped them with additional duties,” he said according to the leading Pakistani publication.

Shinwari said it was time to bring down custom duties on food items imported from Afghanistan to the minimum possible level both as a goodwill gesture and owing to the growing demand for all types of edibles at the domestic level following flooding.

He also feared that if the regulatory duty was not withdrawn forthwith, Afghanistan, too, would impose additional and inflated duties on a number of Pakistani export items, especially fresh fruits, in the coming winter, reported Dawn.

Haji Jabir, an office-bearer of the Khyber Chamber of Commerce, contended that the imposition of regulatory duty was in contravention of the repeated official pledges about an increase in the country’s trade with Afghanistan.

He insisted that the local business community had always advocated ease in the country’s trade with Afghanistan in particular and other neighbours, in general, to boost exports and increase revenue.

“Our country direly needs a resolution of the current financial problems. A favourable environment is a prerequisite to increase exports,” he said.

Jabir said a delegation of local traders would soon visit Islamabad to convey their sentiments to the relevant authorities about the abrupt and unilateral imposition of the regulatory duty, which they believed was largely anti-traders, reported Dawn.

He said any delay in the withdrawal of the new regulatory duty would cause huge losses to the local importers but lead to a considerable decline in exports to Afghanistan.

The chamber leader said such ‘ill-conceived’ trade policies would only benefit Afghanistan’s neighbours, which didn’t waste any opportunity to capture the Afghan market. (ANI)

Asia Cup: Pakistan Beat Afghanistan In A Nail-biting Match

Team India is out of contention for final as Naseem Shah’s two back-to-back sixes in the first two balls off the final over undid brilliant bowling by Afghanistan throughout the innings, securing a one-wicket win for Pakistan in a thrilling Super Four clash at the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 on Wednesday.

Afghanistan has been shown the exit door but they would be extremely happy with brilliant bowling from Fazalhaq Farooqi (3/31) and Fareed Ahmad Malik (3/31) despite posting just 129/6 on the board. They almost took their side towards a win but Naseem’s two sixes in the last over sealed a win for Pakistan.

Iftikhar Ahmed (30) and Shadab Khan (36) posted valuable contributions for Pakistan. A final between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is set.

Chasing 130, Pakistan was off to a poor start as they lost their skipper Babar Azam for a golden duck. Azam’s horrific run in the tournament continued and he became the first skipper in Asia Cup history to have a golden duck registered to his name.

Another wicket fell soon for Pakistan as left-hander Fakhar Zaman was run out by Najibullah Zadran for 5, reducing Pakistan to 18/2.

After this Mohammed Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed rebuild the innings for Pakistan and kept the scoreboard moving with their good running between the wickets. At the end of six overs, Pakistan was at 35/2, with Iftikhar Ahmed (13) and Mohammad Rizwan (15).

Rashid Khan gave Afghanistan their third wicket of the match and his first, trapping Rizwan lbw for 20 off 26 balls. Pakistan was left reeling at 45/3.

Ifthikhar Ahmed carried on while Shadab Khan joined him on the crease. At the end of 10 overs, Pakistan was at 52/3, with Shadab (6) and Iftikhar (19).

Shadab and Iftikhar continued to bat, playing some sensible cricket and sending bad balls out of the fence. They brought Pakistan back into the contest.

At the end of 15 overs, Pakistan was at 85/3, with both batters at 29* each.

A 42-run stand developed between two, which ended after Iftikhar was dismissed for 30 off 32 balls. Fareed Ahmad got the wicket after Ibrahim Zadran caught him at deep-midwicket. Pakistan was now at 87/4 in 15.3 overs.

All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz was the next on the crease. Heading into the final four overs, Pakistan needed 39 runs.

Shadab started the next over bowled by Rashid with a huge six, only to be dismissed by him on the very next ball for 36 runs off 26 balls after he was caught by Azmatullah. Half of the Pakistan team was back in the hut at 97 runs.

Asif Ali was the next batter to join Nawaz and he started his innings with a six. Pakistan needed 25 off the final three overs at this point.

Afghanistan continued their brilliant fight back in the match, with Fazalhaq Farooqi trapping Nawaz leg before wicket for four off five balls. Pakistan was at 105/6. Farooqi continued to build pressure on Pakistan with his superb bowling, cleaning up new batter Khusdil Shah’s stumps in the final ball of the over. At the end of 18 overs, Pakistan needed 21 in the final two overs.

Haris Rauf was up next for Pakistan. But he was clean bowled by Fareed Ahmad for a duck, who got his second wicket in the match.

Naseem Shah was next to join Asif, who was running out of partners at the other end. Fareed Ahmad got his third wicket of the match after he dismissed the dangerman, Asif Ali for 16 off 8 balls after he was caught by Karim Janat.

Mohammad Hasnain was the last man to turn up for Pakistan on the crease, with his side needing 11 in the final over.

Naseem Shah started the next over with a huge six, reducing the deficit to five runs needed off five balls. He also hit the next ball, a full toss for a six, securing a one-wicket win for his country.

Farooqi was Afghanistan’s leading bowler with 3/25. Fareed Ahmad Malik also took a brilliant 3/31. Rashid Khan also took two wickets.

Earlier, brilliant bowling by the Pakistan unit restricted Afghanistan to a subpar 129/6 in their 20 overs in their Super Four clash at the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 in Sharjah on Wednesday.

Pakistan had a nice outing with the ball as they did not let any big partnerships develop. Afghanistan would not be happy at all with the show put on by their batters except Ibrahim Zadran (35) to an extent as none of them capitalised on the good starts they got.

Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan with 2/26.

Put to bat first by Pakistan, Afghanistan openers Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz put their team to a solid start. Both batters adopted an attacking approach suited for the powerplay. Gurbaz hit pacer Mohammad Hasnain for two consecutive sixes in the second over.

Pacer Haris Rauf gave Pakistan their first breakthrough. He dismissed the danger-man Gurbaz for 17 off 11 balls. Gurbaz attempted to slog the ball, but his off-stump was dislodged before he could.

Ibrahim Zadran was next up on the crease. Soon, Hazratullah Zazai was dismissed by Hasnain for 21 off 17 balls. He had struck four solid boundaries and looked really good, but Hasnain removed his leg-stump. Afghanistan lost their second wicket at 43-runs before powerplay.

Karim Janat was next up on the crease. At the end of the power-play in six overs, Afghanistan was at 48/2, with Zadran (5) and Janat (2). Two early wickets had lowered Afghanistan’s run flow and the challenge was to complete the first half of their innings with a solid score.

Janat and Zadran helped their side do just that as they kept the scoreboard running with some singles and boundaries. At the end of 10 overs, Afghanistan was at 72/2 in 10 overs, with Janat (15) and Zadran (16).

A promising stand ended prematurely at 35 runs when Janat tried to hit big over long-on but was caught by Fakhar Zaman. Janat was back in the hut for 15 off 19 balls and spinner Mohammad Nawaz got his first wicket. Afghanistan was 78/3 at this point.

Najibullah Zadran was next up, joining the other Zadran. Najibullah tried to dominate spinner Shadab Khan in the 14th over with a six, but the bowler got the best of him as the batter had to walk back for 10 off 11 balls after Fakhar took another catch.

Skipper Mohammad Nabi was also dismissed at the very next ball. Pacer Naseem Shah got his first wicket of the match. The ball touched the inside edge of his bat and went straight into his stumps. Half of Afghanistan was back in the pavilion by 91/5.

At the end of 15 overs, Afghanistan stood at 93/5, with Zadran (26) and Omarzai (1).

Azmatullah Omarzai joined Ibrahim on the crease. A six by Ibrahim helped Afghanistan cross the 100-run mark in 15.3 overs.

Zadran looked highly important for Afghanistan’s chances heading into death overs, but he was dismissed for 35 off 37 balls by Rauf after he was caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan.

Rashid Khan was next up to the crease. Pakistan continued to build pressure on Afghanistan batters and did not give them much opportunities to score runs. Rashid Khan did reduce some pressure with a four and six in the final over, but still, Afghanistan ended with a subpar score of 129/6 in their 20 overs. Rashid Khan played a solid cameo of 18* off 15 balls and Azmatullah Omarzai ended with 10*.

Pacer Haris Rauf was the leading bowler for Pakistan with a spell of 2/26 in four overs. Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan also took one wicket each for Pakistan. (ANI)

Afghan Delegation To Discuss Humanitarian Crisis In Vienna

At least thirty-one political and intellectual figures from Afghanistan will discuss the ongoing political as well as humanitarian crisis and put forward a critical perspective on the Taliban’s rule in a Vienna meeting which is scheduled to take place on September 15 at the UN office in Vienna.

The Vienna meeting on the current situation in Afghanistan and challenges will be convened on September 15 in the Austrian capital in the presence of political figures from Afghanistan, including women’s rights activists, former members of the parliament representing different provinces, journalists, and researchers, according to Khaama Press.
The Participating members of the Vienna meeting are the leader of the National Resistance Front (NRF) Ahmad Massoud, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta, women’s rights activist and former member of Afghan Delegation for Peace Negotiation, Fawzia Kofi, and former Afghan Ambassador to Norway, Shukria Barekzai, amongst many.

According to Khaama Press, the plight of Afghans, the economic system’s breakdown, the deprivation of education for girls, restrictions on the media’s activities, and the escalation of terrorist groups’ activities under Taliban rule will be discussed during the Vienna meeting at the UN office.

According to international assessments, Afghanistan now has the highest number of people in emergency food insecurity, with more than 23 million in need of assistance, and approximately 95 per cent of the population having insufficient food consumption.

Of particular concern is the vulnerability of more than four million internally displaced, including people belonging to minorities and over 3.5 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.

More than 24.4 million people need humanitarian aid in Afghanistan–an increase from 18.4 million in 2021, according to a report by the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR).

The report states that the Taliban takeover of the country and the resulting cut in international assistance has led to a worsening humanitarian crisis and approximately 70 per cent of the Afghans are unable to provide for their basic needs on a daily basis. (ANI)

MEA Pakistan India

India Condemns Terrorist Attack On Russian Embassy In Kabul

India on Tuesday strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Russian Embassy in Kabul.

The explosion that occurred on Monday near the Consular Department gate of the Russian Embassy, left at least two embassy staffers dead and several others wounded.
“India strongly condemns the terrorist attack on the Russian Embassy in Kabul yesterday. We convey our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and pray for early recovery of the injured,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet.

Monday’s explosion comes days after at least 20 people were killed in a blast that rocked a mosque in northwestern Afghanistan during Friday prayers. In recent months, a number of blasts have been reported in the capital city of Kabul, claiming dozens of innocent lives.

UN mission in Afghanistan on Monday condemned the blast outside the Russian Embassy and stressed the need for the Taliban to take steps to ensure the safety and security of the people as well as diplomatic missions.

“UNAMA condemns today’s explosion outside @RusEmbassyKabul. We express our condolences to the families of those killed and wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured,” the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a tweet.

A Taliban spokesperson said that a comprehensive investigation had been launched into the matter and further measures will be taken to safeguard the Embassy and prevent such probable incidents in future.

“Our security has launched a comprehensive investigation, & will take further measures to safeguard the Embassy & prevent such probable incidents from hindering the Embassy’s activities,” Taliban spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi wrote on Twitter.

Balkhi added that the Taliban-appointed government in Afghanistan has close relations with the Russian Federation and will not allow the enemies to sabotage relations between both countries with such negative actions.

After Monday’s explosion near Russian Embassy in Kabul, Taliban-appointed Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

In a phone call with Lavrov, Muttaqi assured that special attention will be given to blast in front of the Russian embassy. He ensured Lavrov the security of this embassy, TOLO news reported quoting the Taliban spokesperson.

This series of blasts comes on the heels of one year of the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan. Rights groups said the terror outfit had broken multiple pledges to respect human and women’s rights.

After capturing Kabul in August last year, the Islamic authorities have imposed severe restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights, suppressed the media, and arbitrarily detained, tortured, and summarily executed critics and perceived opponents. (ANI)