8 killed, as many wounded in Afghanistan last week

KABUL (Pajhwok): Last week, various sources stressed the need for interaction between Kabul and the international community and reopening of girls’ schools, while Japan and the UN pledged $45 million in aid to Afghanistan.

Key events of last week

• Intereaction between Kabul and global fraternity stressed.
• Haqqani to OIC: Girls’ education need of society
• Torkham closure creates difficulties for people
• Shahzada Massoud: Karzai not allowed to travel to 3 countries
• Mujahid: No major restrictions imposed on ex-president
• UN pledges $20m, Japan $25m in aid to Afghanistan

Casualities

Last week, eight people were killed and as many wounded in various incidents across the country.

Also last week, a clash took place between Afghan and Pakistani forces in Torkham, with one Afghan security officer killed and two others wounded.

Unidentified gunmen killed one person in Balkh province, while a father shot injured his daughter in the Syedkhel district of Parwan, where a man opened fire at his brother in Charikar.

Two people, including a man and woman, were killed due to domestic violence in central Logar province.

Similarly, a man was killed in a clash over land ownership in Parwan, With one person was killed in Logar, two individulas were killed and four others wounded in Baghlan as a result of a gunbattle between two brothers.

Note: These figures are based on reports reaching Pajhwok Afghan News. Some incidents may have gone unreported or sources could have provided incorrect numbers.

In the previous week, 10 people had been killed and three others injured in different incidents across the country.

Before the regime change in August 2021, hundreds of civilians, security forces and insurgents would get killed and wounded in violent incidents every week.

Need for interaction underlined

Qatari State Minister Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi and Chinese Special Representative for Afghanistan Yue Xiaoyong emphasised boosting interaction, coordination and cooperation for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.

Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Maulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi says the rights of all citizens are protected and the Islamic Emirate is committed to freedom of expression within the framework of Islamic principles.

Hanafi asked the countries involved in the past 20 years of war in Afghanistan not to impede the implementation of economic projects in the conflict-torn nation.

Sirajuddin Haqqani, acting minister of interior, said the Islamic Emirate s ready for interaction the world and has no intention of seeking revenge on anyone.

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, at a meeting with a senior OIC official, said there was a special value in strengthening relations with Islamic countries and the realisation of common interests and finding solutions to shared challenges.

Also, Muttaqi and the Japanese ambassador discussed an upcoming meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Ambassador Takashi Okada hailed the current security environment in Afghanistan, the fight against narcotics and economic development as good achievements of the caretaker government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

OIC team’s visit & girls’ education

Acting Minister of Interior Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani said in a meeting with the OIC team, the education of girls was the need of society and this issue would be solved according to a suitable draft.

The OIC team also said education was a common right of men and women. Modern education along with religious education led to the development of societu, the delegates added.

The visiting delegation also discussed important issues, including girls’ education and women’s work, during the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Maulvi Abdul Kabir.

Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, said restrictions on girls were not permanent and a solution would be found to the issue.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, on World Literacy Day, said it was helping displaced and vulnerable Afghan women with literacy skills.

Hazara leaders asked to return home

Sirajuddin Haqqani speaking to a gathering of influential figures and tribal elders in in central Bamyan province, called on Mohamamd Mohaqiq and former vice president Mohammad Karim Khalili to return to Afghanistan.

“To influential leaders living abroad, such as Mohammad Mohaqiq and Karim Khalili — I would say that it is bad. They have their tribes and should come back and live as leaders in their own country.

“If they consider their tribes and people, as the elders who are sitting here do if and they have respect and honour here, they will give a message of peace to the people and strengthen Afghan unity (by returning),” Haqqani remarked.

However, the head of the People’s Unity Party of Afghanistan, Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq, said in a message to the BBC: “Thanked Haqqani for his kind intention, but our return does not solve the problem until there are real negotiations with all political parties.”

Torkham clash

One Afghan security officer was killed and two others were wounded as a result of a clash with Pakistani forces at Torkham last week. The crossing has since been shut.

The Afghan ambassador in Islamabad asked Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan to reopen the Torkham crossing as soon as possible.

Ambassador Sardar Ahmad Shakib met Asif Durani, the special envoy of Pakistan, on the Torkham gate closure and relevant issues.

He said the problems of travelers, patients and traders resulting from the closure of the main crossing between the two countries were discussed at the meeting.

Karzai’s trips & meetings

Sources say former president Hamid Karzai has not been allowed to travel to three countries.

Shahzada Massoud, a close aide to the ex-president, said: “When Karzai returned to the country from the UK, three more countries officially invited him. But unfortunately, he was denied permission to travel there.”

“As far as family visits are concerned, Afghans come every day. Their documents are checked by security forces and they are allowed to enter after that,” he added.

But Mujahid told Pajhwok: “There is no accurate information about this. As much as we know, he has had several trips and there is no restriction on on Karzai. Two days ago, he met the ambassador of Japan.

“There are no such restrictions. But, of course, he should not represent the government and the system. He should live like a normal individual. He also enjoys his individual rights.”

Continuation of aid

The United Nations has approved $125 million to finance underfunded humanitarian responses in 14 countries across the world, including Afghanistan.

The United Nations has set aside $20 million for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, and Japan has promised donating $25 million for the reconstruction of 165 primary schools in Afghanistan.

The World Food Program (WFP) says it will stop providing food assistance to another two million Afghans this month due to a shortage of funds.

The International Committee of the Red Cross in Afghanistan says it is striving to convince and attract investors who recently reduced their aid.

sa/mud

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