3 killed in Afghanistan last week

KABUL (Pajhwok): Last week, Kabul and Tashkent signed a “Preferential Trade” agreement and aid organizations were urged to help provide shelter for returnees, and a Russian official claimed Daesh activity in Afghanistan has increased — a claim the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) rejected.

Key developments of last week:

• Afghanistan, Uzbekistan sign trade agreement
• Russian official: ISIS activity in Afghanistan surges; Fetrat: These concerns are baseless.
• Maulvi Abdul Kabir: Aid organizations should assist in building shelters for returning Afghans.

Casualties:
Last week, three people were killed in various incidents of violence in Afghanistan.

Zabihullah Mujahid, IEA chief spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News that two Daesh members were killed during an operation in the limits of 5^th police district of Kabul city last week.

In addition, local officials said that in Kandahar city, a drug addict killed his wife.

In the previous week, two people had been killed in Afghanistan.

Before the regime change in 2021, hundreds of civilians, insurgents and security personnel would get killed and maimed in clashes and bomb blasts every week.

Fourth International Investment Forum Held in Uzbekistan

Last week, the fourth international investment conference was held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, with representatives from 100 countries in attendance.

Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry of Afghanistan, Nooruddin Azizi, also participated in the conference.

According to reports, during the conference, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasised the need for constructive dialogue with Afghanistan’s caretaker government.

He stated that the continued isolation of the Islamic Emirate was not in the interest of the region, and that engagement and dialogue with Kabul were of great importance.

Additionally, on the sidelines of the conference, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan signed a “preferential trade” agreement and a joint work plan.

This agreement aims to reduce tariffs, eliminate trade barriers, facilitate access to each other’s markets, and increase bilateral trade between the two countries.

Preferential trade refers to a type of trade where two or more countries engage in commerce based on specific privileges or concessions. One country offers the other reductions in tariffs (taxes) or import restrictions to enhance trade and strengthen economic ties.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev said: “Another issue on the global agenda is supporting the peaceful and sustainable development of neighboring Afghanistan. Now more than ever, it is crucial to engage in constructive dialogue with the current government of this country on the international stage and to prevent its isolation.”

Russia’s concerns about Daesh, IEA response

Last week, the head of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Alexander Bortnikov, stated in Moscow that the activities of groups like Daesh (ISIS) had increased globally as a result of Western policies.

He also claimed that Daesh has expanded its operations in Afghanistan.

However, IEA Deputy Spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat dismissed these concerns as baseless.

He said that Afghan security forces have been able to neutralise Daesh’s activities within Afghanistan.

Afghan refugees

In his speech on the occasion of Eidul Adha, Acting Refugees and Repatriation Minister Maulvi Abdul Kabir said humanitarian aid should not be politicized and asked aid agencies to help and cooperate in building shelters for the returnees.

He called on host countries of Afghan refugees to exercise patience with the refugees and thanked the Pakistani authorities for reducing violence against Afghan refugees there and slowing down the process of forced deportations.

Since April 1st of this year, with the start of the second phase of the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, hundreds of families have been returning to the country daily through the Torkham and Spin Boldak crossings. The returning Afghans have been complaining about their mistreatment by Pakistani police.

sa/ma