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Parliament concerned over mounting insecurity, ask govt for action AT News Report KABUL: Members of the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) of Parliament on Sunday expressed deep concern over mounting insecurity through- out the country. The lawmakers called on the government to take measures and rebuff the threats. Ramp up insecurity in differ- ent parts of the country and high threats particularly against parlia- ment is the matter of concern and needs to be focused, said Abdul 75 armed Raouf Ibrahimi, Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament. han, Zabul, Kunduz and Uruzgan, representatives, he said that par- He said that only in the past he said that “we will face more liamentarians must force the gov- militants two weeks three members of the security challenges in the next year, ernment to put an end before prob- parliament were attacked. if pre-measures are not taken.” lems. Another Member of Wolesi “Today, crisis reaches at its “Government must use current Jirga Saleh Mohammad Saleh a killed high level, so the government must winter as an opportunity and run number of officials are fueling trib- AT News Report take a clear step to prevent ramp operation to prevent threats in the alism and sectarianism in order to up insecurity in the country,” he country,” he insisted. Lawmaker safe his own position and this is- KABUL: At least 75 Taliban in- added. Neighboring countries hold Ahmad Shirzad expressed concern sue is the main factor behind weak surgents were killed and nine oth- sessions regarding Afghanistan’s over security challenges across the security and economic across the ers wounded during joint opera- situation, but the government ne- country, saying that parliament country. He emphasized that till tions conducted by Afghan forces glects it, he claimed. Ibrahimi asked must call on the government lead- date Afghan people are not united in different provinces within past the government to take action to ers to prevent the worsening situ- as a nation, so, they won’t reach 24 hours. clarify how the neighboring coun- ation. Criticizing rifts in the gov- peace and stability. All those fig- A press statement issued the tries use Taliban as instruments. ernment, breaching of law, insecu- ures that fuel tribalism must be Ministry of Interior said that Af- Pointing to presence of terrorists rity and holding of meeting in Mos- fired and trust should be built ghan National Police in collabora- and al-Qaeda fighters in different cow over Afghanistan situation among nation in order to reach to tion with the National Afghan provinces particularly in Badakhs- without the presence of Afghan peace and stability in the country. Army and National Intelligence Operatives has launched nine Counter-Terrorism joint opera- FORMER JIHADI tions to clear some of the areas Telcom minister suspended from terrorists and enemies of LEADER peace and stability of Afghanistan. over graft charges AT Monitoring Desk so,” he said while addressing local trict. Meanwhile, Provincial Police The operations were conduct- WARNS AGAINST residents. He also assured to put Chief, Brig. Gen. Aminullah Ama- ed in Logar, Faryab, Herat, Khost KABUL : President Ashraf Ghani KABUL: The Islamic State (IS), in place the threat posed by the rkhel, said that Daesh affiliates also and Nangarhar provinces, which as has suspended Telecommunica- RUSSIA, which is also known as Daesh Daesh militants with authorities in traveled to Nawa, Jaghato and a result 75 armed militants were tions and Information Technology militant group has emerged in the neighboring Zabul province. Andar districts. “Daesh are sta- killed, nine wounded and six oth- Minister Abdul Razaq Wahidi over TALIBAN THAW Gilan district of southern Ghaz- “Daesh group had settled on the tioned in Khak-i-Afghan and An- ers were arrested by Afghan na- corruption allegations, a well- ni province, provincial officials border between the two districts. goor Ada districts of Zabul. The placed source said on Monday. Former politician and Jihadi fig- tional defense and security forces, Wahidi was suspended on ure Mohammad Ismail Khan on said on Monday, assuring that Some Daesh members lived with militants only travel to Ghazni and added the statement. they were ready to “deal with families there,” the governor said. don’t have any specific centers.” Monday to investigate corruption Monday warned that Afghanistan Statement said that also, dur- allegations against his ministry, is likely to enter a new era of con- Daesh militants”. Governor Ab- Ghazni’s Gilan district shares bor- We are ready to deal with Daesh, ing these operations, Afghan forc- dul Karim Matin, who visited der with Khak-i-Afghan district of he said, adding that we don’t let Shah Hussain Murtazawi, a pres- flict unless government reviews es discovered and confiscated light idential spokesman, told Pajhwok its regional policies, referring to Jaghori district, told Pajhowk Zabul. Jaghori residents are con- the militants to reach their goals in and heavy ammunition and 12 dif- Afghan News that security forc- cerned about Daesh presence in Ghazni. Afghan News. He didn’t provide corruption. The charges against the recent trilateral meeting be- ferent types of IEDs. details about the accusations. tween China, Pakistan and Rus- es had put in place elaborate se- Gilan. “We have no problem here It is worth mentioning that Ghaz- The Afghan security forces him included awarding projects to curity measures to prevent Daesh but the Gilan-based Daesh mili- ni is the third most insure prov- He said Wahidi’s suspension people on approach, introducing sia on Afghanistan. will continue to operations in or- was aimed at ensuring transparen- If action is not taken, Af- attacks and not let the group tants want to attack our district,” ince of the country after Kunduz der to eliminate the terrorists’ sanc- provincial directors without legal a tribal elder in Jaghori, Ali Hus- and Helmand provinces. Nawa cy in the investigation against him. ghanistan could change into a sec- achieve its goals. “I have heard tuaries and lead the country to- process and committing double- that the IS wants to storm Jag- sain said. The tribal elder called on district of the province has been The Wolesi Jirga summoned standards in national plans. How- ond Syria, he said. hori and kill innocent people but the government to adopt serious under Taliban control over the past ward improved security and sta- Wahidi on January 04, 2016 after Talking on the Taliban-Rus- bility. ever, the minister survived the no- I would never allow them to do steps against Daesh in Gilan dis- 14 years. he was accused of administrative confidence vote. (Pajhwok) sia thaw, he said that the warm- ing relations between the two in- dicates a new era of war and dev- astation in Afghanistan, calling the Pakistan bars citizens Noor-Ghani talks to yield results soon: Jamiat leader recent trilateral meeting in Mos- cow a new crisis on the way for MAZAR-I-SHARIF : The ongo- talks come to a logical conclusion,” the Afghan government. from entering ing talks between President Ashraf wrote Naqibi on his Facebook He said that leaders of the Ghani and Balkh governor Atta page. Behind the scenes talks be- National Unity Government Afghanistan without visa Mohammad Noor were going in tween Ghani and Noor have been (NUG) have failed to tackle the right direction and would yield re- ongoing over the past few days problems in the country, adding Shamim Shahid Pakistani authorities started issu- sults soon, the Jamiat-i-Islami Af- amid speculation that Noor would that government’s ineffective PESHAWAR: In according to Paki- ing of special Rahdari Passes to ghanistan party said on Monday. resign as Balkh governor and would policies have led to the creation stan government’s decision of man- tribesmen living on both sides of The party’s deputy head, be given a key post in Kabul. of a new front between Russia, agement on the Durand Line, no one the Durand Line in September Zabihullah Firat, said Noor had On the other hand, differences Iran and China against Afghani- is allowed to enter Afghanistan with- 2015 last. But couple of months entered talks with the president have emerged in the Jamiat party stan. out passport at Torkham from Sun- of back, the process was suspend- with full consent of the party and over the ongoing talks between “While uncertainties contin- day (January 1st 2017). ed when government decided of the talks would soon come to a Ghani and Noor. ue to prevail in the country, those However, tribesmen from Shin- making compulsory crossing over logical conclusion. The Balkh governor had pre- who are within the government wari and Afridi tribes are exempted the Durand Line with passport and He said Noor was holding talks viously criticized Abdullah for his also do not have the right policy, of passport and visa restrictions and visa. So far the officials in Khyber with Ghani to achieve objectives failure to work for development therefore we see that the region they are allowed to travel between Agency issued passes to around which Chief Executive Officer of the party and its workers. starts staging against us. We also the two countries on showing of 3800 tribesmen who are frequent- (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah failed to Dr. Mohammad Afzal Hadid, face weaknesses on the warfront National Identity Cards or Special ly crossing over the Durand Line. get. Noor has thanked Naqibi for a member of the provincial council and this takes Afghanistan to- Rahdari passes, issued to them by Akhlaq Khan Shinwari while talk- supporting his talks with President of Balkh province, and a senior ward a crisis; therefore my rec- local political administration of Khy- ing to this correspondent has con- Ghani. “The Jamiat’s executive Jaimiat member, said Abdullah ommendation to government is to ber Agency. In the light of govern- firmed exemption of Afridi and council has decided to fully sup- failed to serve the party the way call for a national mobilization ment’s decisions, border officials at Shinwari tribesmen of visa restric- port Balkh Governor Atta Moham- he was expected. under the leadership of national Torkham confirmed denying entry tions whereas no other Pakistani mad Noor talks with President He said Noor entered direct personalities so that we can safe- to around 200 persons who were nationals are allowed to do so. He, Ghani. In this process, Noor has talks with President Ghani after guard Afghanistan from entering lacking passports. The first day de- however, confirmed that from Jan- full support of the party and this Abdullah failed to achieve the par- a crisis next (fighting season),” he cision, yielded positive results when uary 1, 2017 the new system is in backing would continue until the ty’s objectives. (Pajhwok) said. He said relations between no one reached on the Durand Line operation which has affected cen- the Taliban and the Russians are at Torkham without any visa. Eye turies old trade and social relations however nothing less than a new witnesses informed that border of- in the area. So far the special Rah- crisis and devastating for Afghan- ficials are stamping with EXIT pass- dari system is implemented in istan. port of those countrymen who in- Khyber Agency but officials are He said western and eastern tends to enter Afghanistan at hopeful about its extension to other PESHAWAR : Security in Afghan- their country, the UNHCR offi- powers are engaged in battles on Torkham even without any visa. The tribal agencies. In this respect, istan is essential for the smooth cial told Voice of America (VOA). Afghan soil. Afghan government has already ex- tribesmen have made appeals be- repatriation of refugees to their Around 620,179 individuals “Recently we heard rumors empted all Pakistanis, especially fore Interior Minister Chaudhry homeland, the United Nations came from Afghanistan to Pakistan about the confrontation between tribesmen of entering Afghanistan Nisar Ali Khan on the eve of his says. Dinesh Shrestha, UNHCR from March to May 2016. How- the east and the west, we fear that without passport and visa. Purpos- visit to Khyber Agency couple of head for Balochistan province, said ever, after the enforcement of bor- our oppressed and painful coun- es of stamping or screening of pass- days back. Government’s decision in an interview more than 37,000 der regulations, only 167 Afghans try is changing into Syria’s Alep- ports aimed at discouraging cross- of restricting crossing over the Afghan refugees had left for Af- entered through Torkham till the po; this needs the wisdom and ing over of Pak Afghan border with Durand Line posing bad impacts ghanistan last year. end of October. KP is hosting 62 understanding of government and fake National Identity Cards, issued on trade, communal and social re- At least 15,000 registered Af- percent of the Afghans living in puts the number of registered refugees at 0.650 million and unregistered the nation,” Khan said. or made on both sides of the border. lations between the two countries. ghan migrants had already left for Pakistan, but SAFRON Ministry refugees at 0.6 million. (Pajhwok) (Tolo News) TUESDAY . JANUARY 03, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES The Afghanistan agenda

DUBAI: In early December Af- States and the European Union crossroads of Asia. In addition to ghan fashion found a place in the committed to fund Afghanistan the traditional trade in agricultural Middle Eastern edition of Vogue through 2020, hoping to buy four products, wool and skins, trade in magazine, lithe models posed in more years of stability and stem new sectors like data and informa- colorful, high-end gowns and ac- the record migration of despondent tion technology services also has cessories made by craftsmen from Afghans to Europe. potential. Afghanistan. Afghanistan sits on oil, gas and In the recent years, the con- The couture in Vogue’s pages mineral reserves amounting to over struction of intercity highways was also featured in a United $1 trillion. Mining was expected and investment in agriculture have States-sponsored exhibition I vis- to generate $1.5 billion for Afghan- helped increase agricultural exports ited here in Dubai focusing on Af- istan in 2015, but that figure significantly. Agriculture now rep- ghan exports, including carpets, reached only $30 million. The resents 25 percent of the Afghan fruits and nuts, and marble and problem lies in both corruption and economy and employs 70 percent precious stones. It was a small control of areas where the mines of the population. The agricultur- sample of the riches that the coun- are situated and the roads leading al processing sector including bev- try of my birth could sell to the to those areas. erage companies such as Coca- world. There has been a surge in ex- Cola and local juicing enterprises Carpet exports from Afghani- ports of precious and semiprecious makes up 90 percent of the entire stan have reached around $200 stones — deep-blue lapis lazuli, manufacturing activity, according million annually. The relatively emeralds and rubies — to China to the World Bank estimates. meager sum, in terms of national for jewelry. Most of these stones Afghanistan has made some exports, makes up about one-third are extracted from around 3,000 progress by opening up the infor- of all legal Afghan exports of $600 illegal mines in the country. Glo- mation technology sector, once a million; since imports total $8 bil- bal Witness, a London-based government monopoly, to private lion, the result is a huge trade def- watchdog, has estimated that the investment. The country has icit. The humble Dubai exhibition Taliban and other armed groups around 20 million cellphone users gram that needs to be expanded. stan. Instead of absolute revenue These initiatives are often over- collection, international aid pro- looked by the bureaucratic efforts grams need to be contingent on re- to promote the development of the forms that increase G.D.P. and get private sector. the economic engines going. The Afghan private sector is An air cargo terminal at the facing a bleaker future than at any main airport in Kabul would allow time since United States forces ar- for modern facilities and security rived in 2001. International donors checks to make it easier to consol- rely on limited measures of idate exports. Cold storage units progress, such as legal reforms and could house food products before the amount of tax collection. Laws takeoff. The new railroad lines against corruption are often writ- from Turkmenistan and Uzbeki- ten but rarely enforced. Tax col- stan can be connected to a dry port lection in Afghanistan has increased that takes advantage of the road THE symbolic weight and the must do what it takes to safeguard 22 percent in 2015 from the previ- networks already built. cultural residue of the cult of re- its national security interests. That ous year, but the methods of tax Such investments, along with membrance of things past are em- is the crux of the matter regarding collection — increasing the tax legal extraction of natural resourc- bedded in the Russian national Russia’s ‘return’ to Afghanistan. percentage and freezing accounts es, emphasis on training and in- psyche. They combined to make Russia has no option but to be of large investors — are shortsight- vestment in I.T. and other modern it meaningful that Moscow sched- proactive, because the enemy who ed. Companies with falling reve- industries, and loosening the uled the trilateral meeting of Rus- is being driven out of Syria and nues are squeezed to pay more tax- chokehold of bureaucratic ineffi- sia, China and Pakistan on Afghan- Iraq might regroup any day at the es to meet targets set by interna- ciency and corruption on the ex- istan on December 27, which is a gates to Central Asia and a new tional donors and the Internation- isting private enterprise will make significant anniversary date of its hybrid war may begin, tapping into al Monetary Fund, a situation that it possible for Afghanistan to one national history that cannot easily the contradictions thrown up by is prompting major businesses to day provide for its own people. be decontextualised or despatia- the Taliban insurgency. Unsurpris- consider pulling out of Afghani- (NY Times) lised. The Indian commentators, ingly, Russia began networking with their very limited vocabulary, with China and Pakistan (and Iran), repertoire and portfolio of text, rit- who would have similar worries ual and symbol in Russia’s tumul- regarding the US’ hidden intentions, was a reminder that Afghanistan earn up to $20 million a year from and three million internet users, tuous history altogether miss the with a view to somehow bring the needs to look within to build an illegal mining of lapis from Bada- according to the Central Intelli- plot when they impulsively view Afghan conflict to a settlement by economic future after foreign aid khshan Province in northeastern gence Agency. An existing fiber the ‘trilateral’ as an unmeditated integrating the Taliban. runs out. It needs to judiciously Afghanistan. optic cable network could be con- Russian dalliance with our arch Fundamentally, therefore, the harness its natural resources, mod- The largest potential foreign nected to Pakistan and to Tajiki- enemy, Pakistan. Indian policymakers need to re- ernize its economy beyond tradi- investment in the country — a $3 stan and Uzbekistan in the north, It was on December 27, 1979, think on three core areas. First tional goods, and alleviate the bu- billion Chinese copper mining giving Afghanistan potential data that the first column of the Red and foremost, who are the Taliban? reaucratic inefficiency and corrup- project not far from Kabul — has fees of $200 million a year, accord- Army under the command of Mar- There must be great clarity here. tion that has hobbled its private been stalled for years because of ing to American development ex- shal Sergei Sokolov crossed the The Taliban began in the nineties sector. the government’s inability to se- perts. It would also greatly reduce Amu Darya and entered Afghani- as a Pakistani-US-Saudi proxy, Afghanistan’s budget is still cure the area. Last month, the Tali- what Afghan consumers pay for stan from the north even as the which eventually accepted fund- mostly funded by international ban said it was giving China the internet access, which is now 20 103rd Guards ‘Vitebsk’ airborne ing from the Al-Qaeda for want of donors, which means 70 percent green light by agreeing to protect times the average in the region. division began landing at the air- UN aid. It has phenomenally trans- of the government’s overall spend- the project. The security of such I was working with Etisalat, a port at Bagram to the north of formed since 2001. Today, it is a ing and its entire security budget, sites should be guaranteed by the telecommunications investor, in Kabul, and the momentous deploy- fragmented movement with an un- which covers an army and police Afghan government and not by the 2007, when it expressed interest ment of Soviet troops to Afghani- inspiring leadership, largely based force of 350,000. Security remains Taliban. in building an information technol- stan got under way. Thirty-seven on Afghan soil. The constant has a major problem given the Taliban Sign Up for the Opinion To- ogy park with other telecom and years later, Moscow is preparing been Taliban’s substantial support controls 10 percent of the country day Newsletter Every weekday, technology companies. After ini- for another intervention in Afghan- base among Afghan people, which and is contesting 20 percent more. get thought-provoking commen- tial expressions of support from istan — as peacemaker. makes it imperative to reconcile The Islamic State is a worrisome tary from Op-Ed columnists, the the Afghan government, there were The question that is missing with it. presence in eastern Afghanistan. Times editorial board and contrib- no commitments to provide secu- in the Indian strategic discourses India should have dealt with Continue reading the main sto- uting writers from around the rity or access to electricity. The is: What is it that India can do to Taliban as an indigenous movement ry However, countries such as Iraq world. project, which could have provid- join forces with Russia to bring the and established contacts, with the and several African nations have By making security for min- ed jobs to thousands of young Af- Afghan conflict to an end? foresight that its eventual integra- managed to extract resources de- ing and other projects a priority, ghans, never took off. Almost a This has been the third round tion into Afghan politics would spite insecurity. Afghan soldiers both the Afghans and the United decade later, the country is still of the ‘trilateral’ format of Russia, someday become inevitable. Most trained by the Americans can be States will reduce their burden af- plagued by a lack of security, bu- China and Pakistan, but there is foreign players with interest in used to ensure that large-scale in- ter 2020, helping the country reaucratic failure and weak infra- heightened interest in the outsid- Afghanistan saw the writing on the vestment is protected. The Unit- move toward a point where it can structure. ers’ perception. Why so? For a wall — the UN, US, UK, Germa- ed States has committed 8,400 fund its own national budget and Code to Inspire, a coding start, Afghan war turns out to be ny, France, Norway, Turkey, Iran, troops, and the incoming Trump security forces. school for girls in the western city inconclusive and an inflection Qatar, Central Asian states, Chi- administration should maintain While improving security, the of Herat founded by Fereshteh point arises insofar as the war may na, Russia, etc. But India kept KABUL : NATO forces on Mon- as well as expanding the coun- breed new hybrid wars, which can viewing Taliban through the jehad that commitment until Afghanistan Afghan government needs to har- Furough, who fled Afghanistan and day handed over the meteorology try’s airports. can protect itself. ness its natural resources and in- returned after the fall of the Tali- infinitely complicate matters. The prism of the nineties as a mere section at the Hamid Karzai Inter- “Our main focus is on train- backdrop too is intriguing. The US Pakistani proxy. This puts India In Brussels this year, interna- vest in other sectors that will make ban, recently graduated its first national Airport to Afghan securi- ing and building capacity of our tional donors led by the United use of Afghanistan’s site at the class of 40. It is the kind of pro- President-elect Donald Trump’s seriously at odds with the regional ty forces, the Afghanistan Civil forces as a large number of youth interest in following the footfalls and world opinion about the Tali- Aviation Authority (ACAA) said. are busy in studying different of Barack Obama in the Hindu ban. A statement from ACAA said areas of meteorology inside and Kush is in serious doubt. He may Second, the Taliban is not an Afghans received professional outside of the country,” he said, cut loose early enough. There is India-Russia or India-Iran issue, FAMILIES OF SHOOTING training in areas of air traffic, fire- adding the youth after complet- general acceptance in American but an issue of inept intelligence fighting, engineering, protection ing higher education in the field opinion that the Taliban does not work. Simply put, our intelligence and meteorology and they could had returned to the country and threaten US interests. operatives found it far more agree- now handle the tasks independent- were working in their profession. Trump hasn’t bothered to have able (and safer) to confine them- VICTIMS CALLFOR JUSTICE ly in consultation with NATO ad- NATO commander at Hamid a phone conversation with Afghan selves to dealings with Afghan visors. Karzai International Airport, President Ashraf Ghani. Yet, with- counterparts, with an eye on Pa- ACAA’s deputy operations who participated in the ceremo- The families of two young men year-old Abdul Mansour is now Omarkhil said local government is out US backing (and generous kistan, instead of stepping out to head, Mahmaod Shah Habibi, told ny, said, “We are standing beside funding), Ghani faces uncertain the arduous field work needed to killed in Qanjigha village in Imam the oldest male in the family. concerned about the increase of a ceremony on the occasion of Afghans and we would continue Sahib district of Kunduz province, “They shot my son with many armed men in the province and future. He is on shaky ground, search out for Taliban who are handing over the meteorology sec- our support until they need us.” since Afghan state structures lack omnipresent — including proba- on Monday called on government bullets,” said Safora, mother of promised that security forces will tion to Afghan forces, on Sunday, NATO and ISAF forces have to bring the culprits to justice. Shir Agha. “Anywhere that we go, arrest the perpetrators. legitimacy. The parliamentary elec- bly at the very doorstep of the called the transition a good move been controlling the Kabul airport tions are long overdue and cannot Indian consulates in Jalalabad, According to the families, 21- no one has helped us. We want the A number of MPs meanwhile and said meteorology was an im- for over the past 13 years. But year-old Amanullah and 25-year- president to help us,” said Mama urged government to stop such be held and there are no elected Kandahar or Herat but not visible portant part of airports. responsibility of the airport was provincial councils. Corruption to the naked eye. Policy cannot be old Shir Agha, were killed during a Gul, mother of Amanullah. They armed groups. “The presence of Habibi hailed foreign forces’ gradually handed over to Afghans dispute over water division. said the two men were killed two such armed groups creates prob- and infighting tear apart Ghani’s twisted as cover-up for shoddy cooperation in providing equip- after the ACAA started function- US-sponsored government. Trump intelligence work. Policy stands The families said they have months ago but nothing has been lems and government should stop ment and training to Afghan forces ing. (Pajhwok) both lost their breadwinner and done to bring the culprits to book. them,” said Nazir Ahmad Ah- would know all this. He is unlike- exposed as stagnant when it fails that for the Shir Afgha family, five- Kunduz governor Assadullah madzai, an MP. (Tolo News) ly to throw money into black holes. to take into account the vicissitudes Nor is he in the business of ‘na- of time. TAEKWONDOSELECTION tion-building’. Trump doesn’t Finally, stemming from the fight wars unless American inter- above, India’s policy to use Af- ests are directly threatened. There ghanistan as a ‘second front’ TOURNAMENT is a concerted attempt to hype up against Pakistan negatively im- the threat from the IS, which is pacts the regional security and sta- KICKS OFFINKABUL gaining presence in Afghanistan in bility, where regional states — be a hybrid war, as happened in Iraq it China, Central Asian States, and Syria. None other than the Russia or Iran — also happen to former head of US Defence Intelli- be stakeholders. Alas, India has not gence Agency (and Trump’s Na- cared to harmonise its policies with tional Security Advisor-designate) the regional stakeholders and in- Gen Michael Flynn is on record stead bucked the regional trend by that the IS’ rise in Syria stemmed consorting with the Obama admin- from a ‘wilful decision’ by the istration, whereas regional states Obama administration to promote view with varying degrees of dis- the agenda to overthrow President quiet the US agenda to keep the Bashar Al-Assad. Turkey’s Presi- pot simmering in Afghanistan to dent Recep Erdogan also claimed create a raison d’etre for its open- last week that Ankara is in pos- ended military presence in a stra- session of ‘confirmed evidence, tegic hub of regional politics. The seventh annual taekwondo tournament kicked off on Monday in with pictures, photos and videos’ The spectre that is facing In- Kabul with 330 athletes from 30 provinces expected to take part. The regarding covert US support to IS dia is of the Trump administration tournament will be carried out over six days and of the 330 athletes, in Syria. Enter Russia. Moscow’s reversing the Obama-era ‘great the top 40 will be selected for the national team. “We hope to see the best hope lies in Trump moving game’ and instead pool efforts with athletes make their way to the national team (to take part) in interna- away from Obama’s ambivalence Russia (and China) to influence tional matches. Also we expect them to bring home medals for the and doublespeak on terrorism and Pakistan and accelerate a peace country,” said Najibullah Sikandari, head of the Taekwondo associa- put a full stop to using extremist process to integrate the Taliban. tion. “We hope that these athletes make a better future for Afghans Islamist groups as geopolitical No one wants the futile war and make the country proud in international matches,” said Khairi, tools. The security and stability against the Taliban to continue, Humayun, head of the Directorate of Physical Education and Sport of of Central Asia and North Cauca- except apparently India. Afghanistan. (Tolo News) sus is at stake. Therefore, Russia (Tribune India) TUESDAY . JANUARY 03, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES ASCHIANA HELPING CHILDREN BUILD BETTER FUTURE

River" that marks the border be- tween Afghanistan and Tajikistan. "[The Taliban] usually drives EMERGENCY small vehicles, such as pickup trucks with heavy weapons CALLS mounted on them, but they do not have heavy vehicles, such as Police tanks," he said. Last month, a former gover- nor of northern Afghanistan's 100 - 119 Kunduz Province was quoted by Afghan media as saying that mili- tary vehicles and other weapons Hospitals seized by Taliban militants from the Afghan Army were being sent FMIC Hospital to Tajikistan for repairs. Behind Kabul Medical Muhammad Omar Safi report- University: edly alleged that the vehicles and weapons had been repaired by 0202500200-+93793275595 Russian military engineers based in Tajikistan before being returned Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital to the Taliban. Kabul : Established in 1995, As- Safi claimed that such cooper- chiana (nest) is a charity founda- Pule Bagh-e- Umomi ation between the Afghan Taliban tion strives to provide a safe ha- 070263672 and the Russian military has been ven for orphan and street children going on for nearly two years. to learn basic and vocational skills, Some 7,000 Russian troops are as well as nourish and keep them Khairkhana Hospital stationed in Tajikistan. off the streets. 0799-321007 In recent months, Afghan offi- Operated uninterrupted for cials have voiced concern over what more than twenty years, Aschiana 2401352 they described as Russian aid to has trained, nourished and men- the Taliban. tored more than 80,000 children In early December, Afghan and young adults so far. Nazar Indira Gandhi Children Tajik authorities are looking into a spokesman for Tajikistan’s bor- guard agency “has been looking into mad Radmanish, was also skepti- lawmakers said they planned to Mohammad, Aschiana General claims by an Afghan official that der guard agency, said on January the claim,” will study the Afghan cal of such reports. investigate reports about alleged Program Manager told Times that Hospital, Wazir Akbar Taliban tanks and other heavy 2 that the allegations are "baseless." media reports, and will report on Radmanish said on January 2 seizures of Russian-made weap- the main aim of the foundation is Khan, Kabul 2301372 weapons are being repaired by But he added he is unaware of the results of their investigation. that he doesn't think it is possible ons destined for the Taliban. Rus- to help and cooperate with desti- Russian engineers in Tajikistan. all details of the allegations. The Afghan Defense Minis- "to transport heavy weaponry to sia denies providing aid to the Sunni tute, disabled and street children Muhammadjon Ulughkhojaev, Ulughkhojaev said the border try's deputy spokesman, Moham- the other side of the Amu-Darya extemist militant group. ( RFERL) to build their future. Ibn-e- Seena Annually,Aschiana introduces around 2000 children to govern- Pul-e-Artan, Kabul ment schools, he further said. To- 2100359 tally, we have covered 5000 street working children age 15 to 18, he said, adding those children who are Wazir Akbar Khan not eligible to attend schools, will Hospital be trained for two years and then will be introduced to schools. The 2301741, 2301743 charity provides courses in basic numeracy and literacy, together with training in things like wood- Ali Abad work, calligraphy, electronics and Shahrara, Kabul tailoring, he went on to say. In fact, the number of children 2100439 working the streets of Kabul has almost doubled in the past five Malalai Maternity KUNDUZ CITY : Residents of them,” she said. years, and an influx of returning northern Kunduz province say il- A civil society activist in Kun- refugees means the number will Hospital legal armed groups pose a serious duz also said illegal armed men likely increase in the future. 2201377/ 2301743 security threat and some armed were a threat to the province’s se- Though working on dusty and groups run own jails in the prov- curity. He also believed the armed grimy streets may bring immedi- ince. groups had personal jails. ate relief to starving families, aid Banks Rassoul, a resident of Khana- A resident of Kunduz city, workers fear it will cost the chil- bad district, told Pajhwok Afghan Sayed Alam, said, “In the past, il- dren key opportunities—such as Da Afghanistan Bank childrenwho could improve their News that hundreds of illegal legal armed men would operate in 2100302, 2100303 armed men operated in the district, districts only, but they have re- long-term future. Aschiana works posing a major threat to people’s cently appeared in Kunduz city together with ministries of educa- tion, social affairs and the Afghan security. amid increasing armed robberies Several women have raised arms attempting to expand foothold in the female militia commander to stop Bakhtar Bank “These armed men demand and murder cases.” National Police (ANP) to help chil- against Taliban militants and Islam- northern parts of the country, Khaa- the Taliban militants from seizing dren on the streets receive a basic 0776777000 share in everything from people Governor Asadullah Omra- ic State (IS) loyalists in northern ma Press reported on Monday. The control of the strategic areas in this and they harass residents and even khel, during a meeting with Kha- education in Dari, Pashto, English, Azizi Bank Jawzjan province of Afghanistan, “uprising” by women first took shape province, including Darzab dis- mathematics, Islamic Education, run personal prisons. Whenever nabad elders, said that anyone car- officials said. Photographs of the earlier in November last year in Darz- trict. The group led by a 53-year- they want to imprison or kill a rying illegal weapon was the ene- health education, mine awareness, 0799 700900 women armed with assault rifles ab district. old woman, Zarmina, has risen to drug awareness and children’s person, they can, but the local gov- my of Afghanistan. emerged on the social media web- Watch What Else Is Making News 45 fighters. Earlier in 2014, an Af- Pashtany Bank ernment is unable to control them,” He said illegal armed men rights—and integrate into the for- sites as the majority of people en- Controversial Statement By Karna- ghan woman killed at least 25 Tal- mal school system. Aschiana stu- he said. should register their weapons or dorse the courage of the women to taka Home Minister On Mass Mo- iban militants to avenge the mur- 2102908, 2103868 Khalid, another resident of they face a decisive action from dents also enjoy recreational ac- form an uprising to resist against lestation In Bengaluru The revolt was der of her son in western Farah tivities through sports, music and Khanabad district, said: “All irre- the government. the militants who are desperately launched under the leadership of a province. (Indian Express) Air Services sponsible armed commanders in Omarkhel rejected claims that art, and receive training in skills Khanabad are robbers, they should the illegal armed groups ran pri- such as carpentry, cosmetology, Safi Airways be disarmed as soon as possible.” vate prisons but confirmed they tailoring, painting, instrument mak- He said the illegal armed men kept prisoners in hidden rooms. ing, electrical engineering and 020 22 22 222 were involved in looting, threaten- “A worker of an international plumbing. The charity also pro- ing, beating and murdering inno- organization was kidnapped by vides health, financial and social Ariana cent people. one of these armed groups in Kun- support for students and their fam- Khanabad district chief, Hayat- duz city few days ago, he is still in ilies. Mirwais, a painting student 020-2100270 ullah Amiri, also expressed concern the armed men’s captivity,” he of Aschiana said, ‘I have studied Members of the Afghan National At a press briefing earlier this Units, Afghan Air Force, and Af- painting in Aschiana for six years. over the presence of irresponsible said. Defense and Security Forces par- month, Gen. John Nicholson, ghan National Army Special Op- armed men and said the central Concerns about illegal armed I have traveled to Sri Lanka once Kam Air ticipated in air-to-ground integra- NATO Resolute Support mission erations Command during the live- and got the first position in paint- government should take collect men rose after a fact-finding com- tion training at a firing range here commander, emphasized that dur- fire exercise. 0799974422 weapons from them. “These gun- mission, tasked to investigate the ing competition held among 32 Dec. 27. The day-long training ex- ing the winter campaign, the re- Together, the units employed countries. Now, I study minatory men do not come from other areas, Kunduz city collapse last year, ercise was part of the ANDSF win- generation effort focuses on Afghan aerial fire from Afghan MD-530 Hotels they residents of Khanabad. Their said presence of irresponsible in Aschiana and hope I could serve ter campaign, which focuses on en- special forces. helicopters and ground fire from the poor and orphan children in presence has harmed reputation of armed groups was one of the rea- abling Afghan forces to regenerate Coalition members advised mortars to hone skills in close air Safi Landmark the district, we want provincial sons behind the city’s fall to Tali- the future.’ Therefore, it is hoped capability and capacity, and is sup- special forces units from the Ktah support, targeting, intelligence, that Aschiana could further help officials to help us take these ille- ban. The commission had said ir- ported by the NATO train, advise, Khas, Special Mission Wing, Gen- surveillance and reconnaissance, 020-2203131 gal armed groups to justice,” he responsible armed groups had a the street working and poor chil- and assist mission. eral Command of Police Special and special operations. (KP) dren build their future. (BNA) said. Shazia, a 45-years-old wom- wide influence among people and SERENA an in Khanabad, claimed that irre- run a parallel government. sponsible armed men broke into Local officials said there were 0799654000 her house few days ago and took hundreds of illegal armed men with her son and then killed him. “I most of them in Khanabad, Qala want the government to find the Zal and Imam Sahib districts and New Rumi Restaurant murderers of my son and punish in Kunduz city. (Pajhwok) 0776351347 Internet Services UA Telecom 0796701701 / 0796702702 Exchange Rate Purchase:

One US$ = 66.91Afs One Pound Sterling= 82.41Afs One Euro = 69.46Afs 1000 Pak Rs = 614Afs Sale: One US$ = 67.11 Afs One Pound Sterling= 83.21Afs One Euro= 70.06 Afs 1000 Pak Rs= 622 TUESDAY . JANUARY 03, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peo- Khan to firmly stand by his pub- ples Party welcomed Imran Khan’s lic pronouncement and not go back decision to field PTI candidates on it. He said that if Imran took against former president Asif Ali back his words then he would ex- Zardari in Nawabshah and PPP pose himself to the charge of mak- Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari ing U-turns, which has been la- in Larkana. belled on him. He said it was an The PPP had announced on opportunity for the PTI chief to December 27 of last year that Zar- prove that he has jettisoned his past dari will contest by-elections from label of making U-turns. The sen- NA-213 Nawabshah, which is the ator said that the PPP is more than seat of his sister Azra Pechuho, happy to provide him with this while Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will opportunity. The spokesperson contest elections on NA-204 Lar- referred to Imran Khan’s recent call kana, the seat of Ayaz Soomro. to lock down Islamabad, saying Imran amenable to alliance with that Imran refused to leave his Bani PPP “The PPP upholds and wel- Gala residence for fear of arrest. comes the democratic right of Im- For PTI, joining a PPP-led alliance ran Khan to contest elections is ‘pointless’ Senator Babar as- against its leaders anywhere and sured him that the provincial gov- at any time in the country and the ernment will not arrest Imran or Party looks forward to a healthy stop him from contesting elections democratic electoral contest,” said against the PPP leaders. He added PPP spokesperson Senator Far- that the Sindh government firmly hatullah Babar in a statement on believes in upholding democratic Sunday. principles and traditions. Senator dent that he will be able to freely contest elections in Sindh without the fear or threat of being arrested.” This should serve as an incentive for Imran Senator Babar urged Imran Babar said “Imran can be confi- not to make a U-turn and contest the elections, either in person or through his candidates against the PPP leaders, he said. (Tribune) BALASORE: India today suc- cessfully test-fired its nuclear-ca- pable strategic ballistic missile Agni-IV with a strike range of 4000 km as part of a user trial from a test range off Odisha coast. Supported by a mobile launch- er, the surface-to-surface missile was flight tested from launch com- plex-4 of the Integrated Test Range The Indian Supreme Court has (ITR) at Dr Abdul Kalam Island, ruled that politicians cannot use formerly known as Wheeler Island, religion or caste to seek votes. "Re- at about 11.55 hours, Defence Re- ligion has no role in electoral pro- search and Development Organi- cess, which is a secular activity," sation (DRDO) sources said. the judges said in their ruling. The Describing the trial as success- court said using religion or caste to ful, they said this was the 6th trial seek votes amounted to corrupt of the indigenously developed practices under electoral laws. The Agni-IV missile which met the landmark ruling comes just weeks mission objectives. The last trial ahead of the crucial election in Ut- conducted by the specially formed tar Pradesh state where the two strategic force command (SFC) of issues generally dominate polls. Indian Army on November 9, 2015 Assembly elections are also due in was also successful. the states of Punjab, Uttarakhand, The sleek missile having 4000 Goa and Manipur. km strike range is a two stage mis- Monday's ruling said the rela- sile. It is 20 meter-long weighing tionship between man and God 17 tonnes. was an individual choice and the "The sophisticated surface-to- state was forbidden from interfer- surface missile is equipped with ing in such an activity. modern and compact avionics to The ruling was passed by a provide high level of reliability," seven-judge bench headed by Chief DRDO sources said. Justice TS Thakur, although there Agni-IV missile is equipped was a difference of opinion among with state-of-the-art Avionics, 5th the judges - four supported the ed within and outside elections and central to Indian elections - most The court was hearing a ques- generation on board computer and order while three differed with it. this cannot be restricted" and that parties select candidates based on tion first raised in 1990 in a court distributed architecture. It has the The three dissenting judges the issue should be left to parlia- their religion or caste and cam- in the western state of Maharash- latest features to correct and guide said "discussion on caste, creed and ment to decide. paigning often involves appealing tra, which asked whether this was itself for in-flight disturbances. Even as a meeting is scheduled to sources Development Mahinda religion is constitutionally protect- Caste and religion are often to voters on these issues. legitimate in elections. (BBC) The most accurate Ring Laser take place Indian and Sri Lankan Amaraweera and its Northern Gyro based Inertial Navigation governments in Colombo on Mon- Province Minister for Fisheries and System (RINS) and supported by day over the fishermen issue, Rural Development Balasubrama- highly reliable redundant Micro Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. niam Deniswaran and further al- Navigation System (MINGS), en- Panneerselvam on Monday took leged they were "very unfortunate sures the vehicle reaches the target objection to the reported state- and needlessly provocative re- NEPAL AND CHINA TO HOLD within two digit accuracy, they ments of Sri Lankan Ministers that marks". said. The re-entry heat shield can boats belonging to fishermen from Mr. Panneerselvam said it was withstand temperatures in the Tamil Nadu, presently in the cus- an “unfortunate development” range of 4000 degree centigrade and tody of the Island Nation, would coming at a time when the India- FIRST EVER MILITARYDRILL makes sure the avionics function be taken over by the Lankan gov- Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on In a signal of strengthening ties with pal Army. India will watch closely last year when former Nepalese and signed agreements to supply normally with inside temperature ernment. Fisheries recently met in New Beijing, Nepal will hold its first- A China expert in New Delhi, Jay- Prime Minister, K.P. Oli, pursued energy over difficult mountain remaining less than 50 degree cen- “Such statements appear to Delhi on Saturday last and was due ever military exercise with China adeva Ranade, says that India closer relations with Beijing in a routes. “Moreover China is also tigrade. Ballistic missiles like Agni- mock the diplomatic efforts being to meet again on the sidelines of next month. The development is would be evaluating carefully to bid to ease Nepal’s critical depen- aggressively coming. I must admit I, II and III and Prithvi are already undertaken by the Government of the Ministerial meeting at Colom- being closely watched in India, see what the exercise signifies. “Is dence on India following a border that, aggressively coming to invest, in the arsenal of armed forces, giv- India to sort out the sensitive is- bo on Monday. He also recalled which is wary of Beijing’s grow- it a trend for introducing military blockade by ethnic protestors that have more interactions, to open ing India an effective deterrence sue. I strongly urge the Govern- the efforts taken by the Tamil Nadu ing influence in the tiny Himalay- to military relations on an expand- created massive hardship in the new dialogue with different sec- capability. ment of India to register its disap- government in securing the release an country that is sandwiched be- ing scale or is it a one-off?” Nepal country. Since Prime Minister tors of society,” says Lok Raj Baral, Radars and electro-optical sys- proval of such remarks in the of 114 fishing boats of Tamil Nadu tween the two Asian giants. Ne- is brushing aside such concerns Pushpa Kamal Dahal took power the head of Nepal’s Center for tems had been positioned along the strongest possible terms at the fishermen presently in Lankan pal’s army says the focus of the calling it a small scale exercise with five months ago, India and Nepal Contemporary Studies in Kath- coast of Odisha for tracking and appropriate level. Such statements custody. The Chief Minister fur- military exercise will be on train- no strategic implications. Kath- have reset ties, raising hopes of mandu. But Baral feels that the monitoring all the parameters of just before the Inter Ministerial ther reiterated the State government ing Nepali forces in dealing with mandu’s envoy to India, Deep restoring the traditional bonhomie upcoming military exercise does the missile, the sources said, add- level talks of the two countries will request to the Centre to ensure that hostage scenarios involving inter- Upadhyay, told the Times of In- in relations. China expands influ- not signal growing defense coop- ing two Indian naval ships an- certainly vitiate the atmosphere the boats were returned in a refur- national terror groups and on di- dia newspaper that "there's really ence But political analysts point eration between Nepal and Beijing. chored near the target area to wit- before the talks," Mr. Panneersel- bished condition at the earliest. “I saster management. “Nepal and not much in it. Whichever way out that China’s influence is in “I don’t think we are going to have ness the final event. The success- vam wrote in his letter to Prime also request you to ensure that China have been exchanging mili- you look at it, Nepal has a special Nepal to stay as Beijing expands much more closer relations with ful trial of Agni IV came close on Minister Narendra Modi. immediate action is taken to se- tary delegations, visits and cours- relationship with India and that's its presence in a bid to gain a foot- Chinese military in the future in the heels of a similar test on De- The Chief Minister referred cure the release of the 51 Indian es but such kind of drill is taking not going to change because of any hold in South Asia. In recent years, other respects,” he says. Howev- cember 26, 2016 of long range mis- media reports on the reported fishermen who continue to lan- place for the first time,” according such exercise.'' The joint military Beijing has wooed Nepal with mil- er Indian analysts say the drill will sile Agni 5 which was successful- statements by Sri Lankan Minis- guish in Sri Lankan custody,” he to Brigadier General Tara Bahadur drill will be held as New Delhi tries lions of dollars to help build roads, cause unease in New Delhi because ly carried out from the same launch ter of Fisheries and Aquatic Re- added. (The Hindu) Karki, a spokesperson for the Ne- to regain ground it lost to China hospitals and other infrastructure, India has open borders . (AP) site. (Economic Times)

Authorities in Dhaka have de- hingya Muslims, turning the coun- of fewer than 2,500 Rohingya from Refugee tide swelled recently rived refugees have increased dra- gum told VOA. "Moghs looted my told VOA, "I had eight members manded that Myanmar repatriate try into a hell for them." Bangladesh — less than 1 percent A military crackdown in My- matically since October. The Ro- house before burning it. … Unable in my family. I lost three of them, tens of thousands of Rohingya An Amnesty International re- of the total refugee population, anmar that followed the border at- hingya say they have been the vic- to bear this torture I have fled to including my young daughter, to Muslims who crossed the border port last month accused Myanmar which is estimated to be at least tack has been blamed for human tims of violence by Buddhists in Bangladesh," she continued. "If the violence there. To save our lives to escape what they say is perse- security forces of being responsi- 350,000 people. rights abuses including extrajudi- Rakhine, also known as Moghs, Bangladesh says we must go back, five of us have fled to Bangladesh. cution, and are now living illegally ble for unlawful killings, multiple Authorities in Yangon contend cial killings, rapes and arson in as well as government soldiers. we shall kill ourselves. But we will ... In Burma they say, 'You belong in Bangladesh. rapes and the burning down of most of the impoverished Ro- Rohingya villages. In those recent Habiba, 32, and her three chil- not return to Myanmar," the Ro- to Bangladesh.' In Bangladesh they Myanmar says it will accept a houses and entire villages in a "cam- hingya now seeking shelter in Bang- weeks up to 50,000 Rohingya men, dren at a Rohingya village in Bang- hingya woman added. Nuruzza- are saying, 'you belong to Burma.'" small fraction of the refugee pop- paign of violence against Rohingya ladesh are not citizens of Myan- women and children have crossed ladesh. According to the Rohingya man, a 55-year-old Rohingya man, (VOANEWS) ulation now in Bangladesh, but the people that may amount to crimes mar, because they are descended into Bangladesh seeking safety. woman, she was raped by a Bur- Rohingya themselves say they are against humanity." from illegal immigrants who arrived Bangladeshi officials' esti- mese soldiers and a Mogh, after unwilling to go back to Myanmar's The Foreign Ministry of Bang- years ago. The Rohingya, howev- mates of the Rohingya population her husband was beaten up and Rakhine state. Refugee communi- ladesh called in Myanmar's ambas- er, claim their community has vary, but most contend there are taken away from her village in Ra- ty leaders are appealing to "Ro- sador Thursday to complain about lived where Myanmar is located 350,000 to 500,000 Rohingyas liv- khine in December. hingya-friendly" countries to take the refugees and to demand an ear- for several centuries. ing in Bangladesh, over 90 percent Habiba, 32, and her three chil- them in. ly return of all Rohingya migrants Separately, Bangladesh's for- of whom are illegal refugees. dren at a Rohingya village in Bang- Ko Ko Linn, a Rohingya com- to Myanmar. eign secretary, Shahidul Haque, said Bangladesh, one of the world's ladesh. According to the Rohingya munity leader in Bangladesh, told Kamrul Ahsan, Bangladesh's Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi is most densely populated countries, woman, she was raped by a Bur- VOA that conditions in Myanmar Bilateral and Consular Secretary, expected to send a special envoy has long complained that its con- mese soldiers and a Mogh, after had become unlivable, particular- told Ambassador Myo Myint to Bangladesh soon, to take stock gested urban areas and villages can- her husband was beaten up and ly in recent weeks, and "they do Than there is "deep concern at the of the Rohingya refugee situation. not cope with the burden of Ro- taken away from her village in Ra- not want to return to this anti- continued influx of Muslims" from Violence directed at Rohingya hingya refugees pouring into the khine in December. Hasina Begum, Rohingya Myanmar." Myanmar. Muslims has broken out in My- country. About 10 years ago, Bang- who has been staying in the illegal Rohingyas who fled Myanmar A Foreign Ministry statement anmar sporadically in recent years, ladesh quietly adopted a policy to Rohingya settlement of Kutupal- over the past decades live in this in Dhaka said Ahsan asked "the and members of the Muslim mi- push the refugees back to Myan- ong in Bangladesh since Novem- decrepit Kutupalong illegal Ro- Myanmar government to urgently nority fleeing persecution kept mar, yet the Rohingyas have con- ber, said that under no circum- hingya refugee colony in Cox’s address the root cause of the prob- crossing over to southeastern sistently managed to return, slip- stances would she agree to return Bazar district, Bangladesh. lem," so that the Rakhine Mus- Bangladesh, which lies adjacent to ping through the porous border, to Myanmar. "Soldiers and Moghs Linn, an executive member of lims are not forced to flee Myan- their home villages in Rakhine state. usually by river crossings. were raping and torturing the peo- the Arakan Rohingya National mar and seek shelter in Bangladesh. The situation worsened consider- Authorities in Myanmar, for- ple around us. My children were Organization, said, "The Myanmar Less than 1 percent can return ably 11 weeks ago, however, after merly known as Burma, claim that murdered. I was beaten and they government and the country's Bud- One day after that tense meet- nine Myanmar border guards were all the allegations of abuse, killings broke my waist. My husband was dhist-majority society have turned ing in Dhaka, Myanmar said it killed in an armed attack blamed and rapes by soldiers are fictitious, taken away by the soldiers and he extremely hostile against the Ro- would agree to accept the return on Rohingya militants. but such complaints by newly ar- has disappeared since then," Be- TUESDAY . JANUARY 03, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES News-in-Brief Massive blast rocks Mogadishu near airport

At least 12 people have been killed after a suicide bomber rammed a car packed with ex- plosives into a security check- 2003 US-led invasion that toppled point near Mogadishu's inter- Saddam Hussein As clashes con- national airport, police in the tinued in and around Mosul, ISIL capital said. also targeted on Monday military Captain Mohamed Hussein positions away from the main bat- told Associated Press news tlefield. Fighters attacked an army agency on Monday that the barracks near Baiji, 180km north blast took place as security forc- of Baghdad, killing four soldiers and es were searching cars at the wounding 12 people, including checkpoint, a few hundred me- Sunni tribal fighters, army and tres from the main base of the police sources said. They seized African Union peacekeeping weapons there and launched mor- mission. The checkpoint is tars at nearby Shirqat, forcing se- close to United Nations offices curity forces to impose a curfew and the Peace Hotel, which is and close schools and offices in the often frequented by foreigners town, according to local officials and officials. The blast blew and security sources. Shirqat may- roofs off nearby buildings. or Ali Dodah said ISIL seized three Abdur Razak Tuurare, a checkpoints on the main road link- Mogadishu-based journalist, ing Baiji to Shirqat following the said the blast had destroyed attacks. Shelling in Shirqat had most of the hotel. killed at least two children, he told Witnesses said a second Reuters news agency by phone. explosion and heavy gunfire In a separate incident, gunmen could be heard at the checkpoint broke into a village near Udhaim, after the attack. Mogadishu's 90km north of Baghdad, where Mustaqbal Radio tweeted that they executed nine Sunni tribal the armed group al-Shabab had fighters with shots to the head, claimed responsibility for the police and medical sources said. At bombing. Somalia's capital has least three pro-government Shia A suicide car bomb driven by ISIL The Islamic State of Iraq and the es are currently fighting to push seen frequent bomb attacks at Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) ISIL fighters from the northern city militia were also killed and seven hotels and military checkpoints, fighters killed at least 39 people wounded when fighters attacked and wounded 57 in an attack on a took responsibility for the blast of Mosul, the armed group's last with al-Shabab often claiming via its Amaq website, claiming the major stronghold in the country, their position near Udhaim with responsibility. The attacks have busy square in Baghdad's sprawl- ISIL has claimed responsibility for state of emergency. "martyrdom operation" had killed but are facing fierce resistance. mortar rounds and machine guns, the attack on a nightclub in Istan- "People are very scared. This threatened this Horn of Africa ing Sadr City district. The bomber police sources said. Prime Minis- driving a pickup truck attacked an around 40 people. ISIL also Since the offensive began on Oc- bul that killed 39 people on New is the fourth attack to hit Turkey nation's attempts to rebuild claimed an attack in central Bagh- tober 17, Iraqi forces have retaken ter Haider al-Abadi has said the from at least two decades of outdoor fruit and vegetable mar- Year's Eve. The Islamic State of in less than a month ... There is a dad that killed at least 27 people a quarter of the city in the biggest group would be driven out of the Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also sense here in Istanbul of astonish- conflict. Aljazeera) ket, daily labourers and a police country by April. (Aljazeera) checkpoint, a police officer said. on Saturday. US-backed Iraqi forc- ground operation in Iraq since the known as ISIS) group released on ment as to how this could have Monday a statement claiming re- happened at a time when there Hollande in Iraq sponsibility for the raid. were tens of thousands of officers "In continuation of the blessed on the streets to prevent an attack to review Netanyahu to face questioning operations that Islamic State is on New Year's Eve." conducting against the protector of As well as the 39 dead, about France’s war the cross, Turkey, a heroic soldier 70 others were wounded and three over corruption charges of the caliphate struck one of the of those people remain in critical on ISIS most famous nightclubs where the condition, Binali Yildirim, Turkey's French President Francois Hol- Israeli police are expected to ques- Christians celebrate their apostate prime minister, said on Sunday. lande on Monday told French tion Prime Minister Benjamin Net- holiday," the statement said. Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu soldiers training Iraqi special anyahu on a pair of corruption al- The announcement came as a described the attack as a "massa- forces that involvement on the legations, local media have report- manhunt was under way in Tur- cre, a truly inhumane savagery". ground against ISIS was key to ed. Israel's Channel 2 TV reported key for at least one assailant who Foreigners including many na- preventing terror attacks at on Monday that the questioning attacked those celebrating New tionals of Arab countries were home. will take place at the prime minis- Year at the Reina nightclub. among the dead, officials said. "Taking action against ter- ter's residence. Shortly after the ISIL claim, Eleven of the dead were Turk- rorism here in Iraq is also pre- No details were given on the AFP news agency citing local me- ish nationals and one was a Turk- venting acts of terrorism on our nature of the preliminary exami- dia said that police have detained ish-Belgium dual-national. Seven own soil," he said at a base of nation. Haaretz newspaper report- eight suspects over the attack. victims were from Saudi Arabia and Iraq's elite Counter-Terrorism ed that the questioning will focus The Dogan news agency said had travelled to Istanbul for New Service near Baghdad. Hollande on suspicions that he and his fam- police were pressing on with op- Year's Eve celebrations. Three of had already visited in 2014 and ily received gifts and "favours" erations after making the first ar- the dead were from Lebanon and remains the most prominent from businessmen in Israel and rests over the attack. Iraq each. Two nationals from Tu- head of state to come to Iraq abroad. Netanyahu is also the cen- The Reina lies on the shore of nisia, India, Morocco and Jordan since the launch two and half tral suspect in a second investiga- the Bosphorus Strait and is one of were killed, and Kuwait, Canada, years ago of a US-led coalition tion that is said to be more seri- Istanbul's best-known nightclubs, Israel, Syria and Russia lost one against militants. The French ous. It said a criminal probe is ex- popular with locals and tourists citizen in the attack.One victim president, who is travelling with pected next week. alike. During the attack, some par- remains unidentified. Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le A black screen has been report- tygoers who managed to flee Security measures had been Drian, will also stop in the au- edly place in front of Netanyahu's jumped into the freezing cold Bos- heightened in major Turkish cit- tonomous northern region of official residence in apparent an- phorus strait to escape harm. ies, with police barring traffic lead- Kurdistan during his one-day ticipation of the police investiga- Al Jazeera's Mohammed Jam- ing up to key squares in Istanbul visit. France is the second con- tors' arrival and to obstruct the joom, reporting from Istanbul, said: and Ankara. In Istanbul, 17,000 tributor to the US-led coalition view of journalists seeking to film "The ISIL statement doesn't say police officers were put on duty, that has carried out thousands them. whether the attacker was trained some disguised as Santa Claus and of air strikes against ISIS in Iraq Netanyahu has denied what he who was sentenced to eight years He has also come under scru- by ISIL or simply pledged alle- others as street vendors, Turkey's and Syria and provided military calls the "baseless" reports that he in prison over a scam amounting tiny over an alleged conflict of in- giance to the group and carried out Anadolu news agency reported. equipment, training and advice received gifts from two business- to 283 million euros involving the terest in the purchase of subma- the attack alone. Turkey, part of the US-led coali- to Iraqi forces. Since it joined men. "All these scandals have trade of carbon emissions permits rines from a German firm. "There had been consensus tion against ISIL, faces multiple the United States in the coali- turned out to be baseless and so and the taxes on them. Media reports have alleged a emerging behind the scenes, and security threats including fallout tion in September 2014, French will the allegations being published Netanyahu's office said he had conflict of interest over the role reports in Turkish media, indicat- from the war in neighbouring Syr- aircraft have conducted 5,700 in the media now," he said in a received $40,000 in contributions played by the Netanyahu family ing officials believed ISIL was be- ia. It has seen repeated attacks and sorties, around 1,000 strikes and statement. from Mimran in 2001, when he was lawyer, David Shimron, who also hind the attack." bombings blamed on ISIL as well destroyed more than 1,700 tar- The Israeli leader has acknowl- not in office, as part of a fund for acts for the Israeli agent of Germa- He added that the mood in the as fighters from the Kurdistan gets, according to defense min- edged receiving money from public activities, including appear- ny's ThyssenKrupp, which builds busy Turkish city was "sombre Workers' Party (PKK) in recent French tycoon Arnaud Mimran, and sad". Turkey is currently in a months. (AP) istry figures. France has 14 Ra- The daughter of the close friend of ances abroad to promote Israel. the Dolphin submarines. (AP) fale fighter jets that are stationed South Korean President Park in Jordan and the United Arab Geun-hye who is a key figure in Emirates and taking part in coa- the scandal which lead to the pres- lition operations. (Alarabiya) ident's impeachment, has been ar- rested in Denmark. Chung Yoo Ra - the daughter Yemen’s of Choi Soon Sil, who is accused of meddling in state affairs and gain- ousted Saleh ing access to official documents with the help of Park - was arrest- voices anger at ed in the Danish city of Aalborg on Sunday on charges of illegal peace efforts stay, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. More than 1,000 migrants tried to Morocco's interior ministry said Separately, coastguards said they had rescued 52 people who were packed onto a small boat at sea south of Ousted Yemeni President Ali Chung - a former member of jump a high double fence between in a statement. Malaga on Spain's southern coast. 2016 was the deadliest year ever for migrants in the Mediterranean, with Abdullah Saleh responded to the national equestrian team - is Morocco and the Spanish enclave Ceuta and Melilla, another almost 5,000 deaths, according to the International Organization for Migration. (Aljazeera) UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh suspected of receiving favours of Ceuta on Sunday in a violent Spanish territory in North Africa, Ahmed's preparations for a from a Seoul-based university by assault that saw one officer lose have the European Union's only draft resolution on the conflict taking advantages of her mother's an eye. land borders with Africa. by making statements that re- connection to the president, Yon- A group of 1,100 people from They are one of the entry ject the agreement’s basic hap said. sub-Saharan Africa trying to reach points for African migrants seek- points. Danish authorities said they Europe stormed the border fence ing a better life in Europe, who get Saleh said he rejects the were waiting for an extradition re- just after 4am (0300 GMT) on there by either climbing over the Gulf initiative, the outcome of quest from South Korea for Chung New Year's Day in an "extremely border fence, swimming along the national dialogue, the proposed Yoo-ra Three other adults and a violent and organised" way, said coast, or hiding in vehicles. federal system and UN Securi- child were with Chung Yoo-ra the central government's represen- On Monday, a French nation- ty Council Resolution 2216 when she was arrested in the Dan- tative office in Ceuta. al was arrested for trying to board which are the basic references ish city of Aalborg after a tip-off None however managed to get a ferry out of Ceuta with a camper for any settlement to the Ye- from a South Korean journalist. through but two who were badly van where 12 Algerians were found meni crisis. Special prosecutors had re- injured and taken to hospital in hiding, "car sick and sweating", He added that he rejects quested that Chung be placed on Ceuta, the office said in a state- police said. these references because they an Interpol wanted list after she ment. A similar assault on Decem- Separately on Sunday, Span- serve what he described as “for- did not respond to summons from ber 9 saw more than 400 migrants ish police said a Moroccan wom- eign agendas that are no longer the investigation into the scandal, enter the tiny enclave. an was arrested in Ceuta last week acceptable.” according to Yonhap. Hundreds of African refugees for trying to smuggle a 19-year- Meanwhile, sources famil- In an interview published by storm Spain's killer fence old migrant from Gabon across the iar to the matter said the inter- Yonhap yesterday, Park said she They tried "to force open some border with Spain curled up inside national envoy will this week was the victim of "distorted" re- of the doors in the external fence, a suitcase. resume efforts to prepare for a porting and false suspicions. using iron bars, wire cutters and According to local authorities, new round of talks. Park has also denied charges large stones with which they as- of the 1,100 migrants who stormed The sources said that it's of complicity in relation to Choi saulted Moroccan forces and the border Sunday, about 100 man- likely for Ould Cheikh to hand and said she had no influence on [Spanish] Guardia Civil [police] aged to climb up the external fence the Yemeni government the government business. agents," it added. and stayed on top for hours. amended roadmap and specify Park Geun-hye: I have never Al Jazeera World - Ceuta: Safety for refugees in Spain - but the date when committees that conspired with anyone Multicultural city at a cost Footage shot by the local monitor the ceasefire return to Choi, who is being held on re- Five Spanish policemen and 50 Faro TV shows one man perched South Dhahran to supervise an mand, is also accused of using her members of the Moroccan forces at the top of the six-metre high upcoming truce. relationship with Park to gain do- were injured, including one who fence, sitting uncomfortably near The roadmap which Ould nations for her two foundations lost an eye, it said. rolls of barbed wire, his head hang- Cheikh had proposed was met and to enrich herself. "From now on those making ing down onto his chest. Eventu- by criticism by the Yemeni gov- The Constitutional Court such attempts will be presented ally as darkness turns to light, he ernment as it claimed it aban- must decide in the coming months before the competent judicial au- slowly climbs down to a space doned the basic requirements whether to remove Park perma- thorities who will decree their ex- between both fences and lies down for a solution and legitimized nently from office. Prime Minis- pulsion from the kingdom [of as a Spanish policeman fetches him the Houthi coup. (Alarabiya) ter Hwang Kyo Ahn is acting pres- Morocco] or heavier penalties, ac- a bottle of water before taking him ident. (Aljazeera) cording the gravity of the act," to an entry back into Morocco. TUESDAY . JANUARY 03, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

We a r e a n a t ion a l in st it u t ion a n d n ot t h e voice of a gov t or a p r iva t e or ga n iza t ion

AFGHANISTAN TIMES Editor: Mansoor Faizy Phone No: +93-797070563 E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] By Afrasiab Khattak against the godless Russians. fight their wars in Afghanistan nomic aspects of relations be- www.afghanistantimes.af Off course the pious Muslim in the late 1960s and early tween the two countries. Paki- Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi In the mid 1980s when the Cold clergy from Pakistan and Arab 1970s. The people of Pakistan stan promised to bring Taliban War was at its peak and things countries was readily available had to pay a very heavy price to the negotiating table and Advisory editorial board had heated up in Afghanistan, for vehemently supporting this for this insane policy as the ter- also pledged to fight a coordi- the former Soviet statesman “divine mission” that soon rorist sanctuaries in Pakistan nated war along side Afghani- Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Mikhail Gorbachev described turned out to be the biggest resulted in the cancerous stan against the irreconcilables. Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal, Saboor Sarir Afghanistan as a country that covert operation of US intelli- growth of terrorism in Pakistan, But when it came to implemen- had turned into a bleeding gence in another country. killing and maiming thousands tation it became evident that Graphic-Designer: wound. Unfortunately, apart After 9/11 Pakistan was of innocent people, particular- Pakistani mentors of Taliban Edriss Akbari, Bilal Yusufi from some brief intervals, the supposed to have taken a u- ly Pashtuns. Never approved just wanted to gain time for unlucky country hasn’t seen turn that subsequently proved by the parliament or the civil- Taliban to make inroads Marketing & Advertising: peace in the true sense of the to be a double u-turn as Paki- ian government this adventur- through war. At times it is Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 word throughout the last four stan supported the US war ist policy has remained the claimed that Pakistan doesn’t Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan decades. Almost all the so- against Taliban alongside sup- baby of the country’s security have enough influence on Tal- called players in the Afghan porting Taliban in regrouping agencies. Calling it a state pol- iban. Strangely enough, Paki- Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 situation have so shamelessly to fight against the US forces icy is a misnomer. stan has enough influence on Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press played double games at the in Afghanistan. It is unbeliev- In 2014 a historic opportu- Taliban to stop them from ne- cost of Afghan blood that it able that the US did not know nity for normalisation of rela- gotiating at their own but she isn’t easy for Afghans to dis- about this double game, but by tions between Pakistan and Af- pretends to be unable to bring tinguish friends from foes and shifting focus to Iraq from Af- ghanistan emerged during Dr. them to the negotiating table. The constitution says there is hardly any distinction ghanistan before the elimina- Ashraf Ghani’s Pakistan visit. Interests and policies of the in this regard among Muslims tion of extremism and terrorism The Afghan President offered big powers will keep changing Article 53: and non-Muslims. This hap- they themselves revealed their almost a blank slate to Pakistan. in the future as they have Articles Fifty-Three: The state shall adopt necessary measures to regulate medical services less country seems to have non-serious attitude towards According to him, except the changed in the past but Paki- as well as financial aid to survivors of martyrs and missing persons, and for reintegration been almost kissed to death by the so called War On Terror. sovereignty of Afghanistan, stan and Afghanistan have to of the disabled and handicapped and their active participation in society, s in accordance its so-called friends. Double games were permissi- every thing else was negotia- find ways and means for peace- with provisions of the law. The state shall guarantee the rights of retirees, and shall render Afghans also bear respon- ble for mutual convenience. ble. He was prepared to address ful coexistence as neighbors. necessary aid to the elderly, women without caretaker, disabled and handicapped as well as sibility for naively embracing Now the Russians have every genuine concern of Pa- The present escalation and im- poor orphans, in accordance with provisions of the law. the narrative of “Jihad” woven shown interest in the Taliban, kistan including the extent of passe is dangerous for both. by the big power rivalry for the hard core Jihadists, for Indian influence in Afghani- There is a dire need for a fresh dominating the heart of Eurasia. stopping the expansion of the stan. Led by PM Nawaz Sharif peace initiative. They have been, to a great ex- so-called Islamic State (IS). It Pakistani team couldn’t say no. The writer is a retired sena- tent, victims of their underde- is like banking on Mussolini to 48 MOUs were signed cover- tor and senior leader of the veloped socio-state formation stop Hitler. It’s particularly so ing strategic, political and eco- Awami National Party (ANP). and strategic location. But the when Taliban, IS and all other big powers and regional hege- terror outfits are fighting to monic adventurists have also decimate state structures in left no stone unturned to keep Afghanistan. It seems that no Welcoming Oman’s shedding Afghan blood. They lesson has been learnt from the seem to be determined to fight liquidation of the state in Af- participation in the it out until the last Afghan. One ghanistan in the 1990s and good example of this double subsequently in Iraq and Lib- Corruption has become a cancer for the society in general and speak was the Moscow con- ya. There is another aspect to Islamic coalition the country particularly as it is eating the social fabric and pre- sultation this week, where the the problem. If the experience By Turki Aldakhil prospects for Afghan peace of the 1990s is anything to go venting Afghanistan from development. Since fall of the Taliban Oman’s decision to join the coalition of Muslim countries is a signif- regime in 2001, the transition and elected governments did little were discussed in the complete by it is pretty evident that the icant one for the region. Oman has become the 41st country to join the absence of Afghans. Interest- terror syndicate is one big in- coalition. By doing so, it also joined the Gulf Cooperation Council to discourage corruption. That’s why graft has become an ac- ingly all the three participants divisible body. It was in Tali- countries’ (GCC) consensus in this field. This sets a precedence for in the consultation, Russia, ban’s dominated Afghanistan Oman to participate in military alliances – that is if we exclude the ceptable culture in the governmental organizations and private Peninsula Shield Force. However, there was more joy when Oman firms. Officials working at important positions demand high China and Pakistan have never that OBL and his Al Qaida, Is- announced that it will participate in the Islamic coalition as Oman’s been tired of speaking about the lamic Movement of Uzbekistan isolation from the Gulf’s common challenges may raise societies’ amount of money as bribe. In Afghanistan there is no concept of need for an Afghan-led and (IMU), East Turkistan Islamic worries. In the statement announcing its participation, Oman empha- under the table money because government servants have be- Afghan-owned peace process, Movement (ETIM), Chechens sized Saudi Arabia’s leading role in the region and which aims to fight but they had no qualms in ig- terrorism, protect countries’ independence and support sovereignty. come so daring that they demand bribes openly. It is not a secret and numerous Pakistani terror- It is normal for the people in the Gulf countries to rejoice over Oman’s noring Afghans in discussing ists networks were based. Even participation in the coalition as Oman is a brotherly country and the but an issue of which everyone has knowledge. the solution to the armed con- now, the Taliban have taken good Omani people are our brothers. It is normal for the people in the The former top officials claim that they were busy in resolv- flict imposed on Afghanistan. with them, from Pakistan, all the Gulf countries to rejoice over Oman’s participation in the coalition as It was like staging Shakes- Oman is a brotherly country and the good Omani people are our ing important issues such as conflict and security. Therefore, international terrorists into Af- brothers In solidarity Working together is better than working alone peare’s Hamlet without the ghanistan for fighting against and fighting terrorism must be a priority for Muslim countries consid- they could not launch a comprehensive nationwide anti-graft cam- Prince of Denmark. the Afghan republic. It is a ering the rising Islamophobia and hostility toward Islam. Muslims paign. Excuses are good weapon to turn face from responsibili- The penchant of Pakistani myth that Afghan Taliban do and terrorists are often considered synonymous despite the fact that security establishment for tak- not cooperate with internation- it is the miniscule number of Muslims who get swayed by biased ties and realities. If this evil was nipped in the bud, the country interpretations of faith and resort to violence spreading hatred among ing turns in teaming up with al terror outfits. The Russians people. The world is raging and terrorism is escalating all over the would have been in a good position now. Moreover, the public USA and Russia for “eliminat- are out to use the Taliban for globe. Unfortunately, all this is being done in the name of Islam. would have trust in the democratic government and state institu- ing terrorism” is an irony of inflicting a defeat on the US in However, Islam is innocent from all this violence. This article was Himalayan proportions. In the Afghanistan to take revenge of first published in Okaz on January 02, 2016. Turki Aldakhil is the tions. Now, there is a general perception that most of Afghans General Manager of Al Arabiya News Channel. He began his career as 1980s Pakistan fought a West- their own defeat at the hands a print journalist, covering politics and culture for the Saudi newspa- oppose democracy because they do not see the fruit of this sys- ern sponsored, full-fledged, of the US supported Afghan pers Okaz, Al-Riyadh and Al-Watan. He then moved to pan-Arab tem. undeclared war dubbed as Ji- mujahideen in the 1980s. It goes daily Al-Hayat and pan-Arab news magazine Al-Majalla. Turki later had to throw the “infidel Rus- without saying that the US had became a radio correspondent for the French-owned pan-Arab Radio Indeed, it is a great setback for the nascent democracy. Cor- Monte Carlo and MBC FM. He proceeded to Elaph, an online news sians” out of Afghanistan for decided to bleed the erstwhile magazine and Alarabiya.net, the news channel’s online platform. Over ruption is responsible for this widening trust deficit. The sooner stopping their purported march Soviet Union for teaching a les- a ten-year period, Dakhil’s weekly Al Arabiya talk show “Edaat” the top leaders deal with this evil force is better because elec- towards warm waters. Interest- son to her for helping Vietnam- (Spotlights) provided an opportunity for proponents of Arab and ingly Mr. Zbigniew Brzizinski, ese in their fight against the US. Islamic social reform to make their case to a mass audience. Turki also tions are not far away, especially the parliamentary polls. If the the National Security Advisor owns Al Mesbar Studies and Research Centre and Madarek Publish- The irony is that Pakistan, as ing House in Dubai. He has received several awards and honors, in- culture of graft was not discouraged, the government will be to the then US President, Jim- handler of former Afghan Mu- cluding the America Abroad Media annual award for his role in sup- unable to convince voters to give high turnout. Low turnout in my Carter, had to come all the jahideen and now Taliban, re- porting civil society, human rights and advancing women’s roles in the coming elections would mean failure of the democratic sys- way here for declaring “Jihad” mains available for all sides to Gulf societies. He tweets @TurkiAldakhil. (Alarabiya) tem in Afghanistan. The blame-game will not help to save this system because everyone knows about the factors and causes. In the past, the leaders claimed of fighting corruption but they failed to catch big fish in the net and restore public trust over the system. The nation was shocked when they heard on Monday about the government’s decision to suspend the minister of com- munication and information as part of the anti-corruption drive which most of Afghans thought is dying. Some officials have alleged the minister of hampering the anti-corruption fight by creating obstacles before the probe committee which is tasked to investigate graft cases and inject heavy dose of reforms. The decision has renewed the hopes of the public; though, it will take more efforts to restore full public trust over the system. The unity government has taken a good start. Accountability must always start from top to bottom. Suspension, arrest and sentence of a few top officials would help a lot to discourage corrupt people and restore public trust. Subscription Rates Note:The following rates will apply from January 01, 2017. Fee Categories Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 5400 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 2700 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $240 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. TUESDAY . JANUARY 03, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

By John Bell

It is safe to say that, until re- cently, the debate over Syria's political future came down to one thing: the fate of President Bashar al-Assad. With his vic- tory in Aleppo, and the firm support of Iran and Russia, it is also fairly safe to say that By Batoul Karbijha So, why are youth more like- the Syrian president's future is "We will take revenge from ev- ly to join extremist groups? And secure, for the time being. eryone who kept silent and ev- do they have another option for What is it about Assad that salvation? has made him such a key issue? eryone who applauded the If the revenge valve explod- Some argued that without his death of all innocent immacu- ed in Syria, the current death rule, radical Islamists (ISIL, Jab- late souls in Aleppo," Hosam hat Fateh al-Sham etc) would Al-Bakri, a teary-eyed youth toll would seem minor com- take over Syria. This has not refugee told me, referring to pared to what will happen next. only presented a threat to Syr- the recent recapture of Alep- Recent research done by ia and its minorities, but it was po, considered as a fateful vic- the Thomson Reuters Founda- a problem for Europe, Russia tory for the Syrian regime over tion revealed that the need to and beyond. As Russia, Iran the armed opposition. earn a basic living, a desire for and Assad have repeated: only "Assad is worse than ISIL, a sense of purpose and revenge Assad and his system can ef- believe me," he continued. are the key factors that push fectively keep them at bay. This judgement may raise a few young Syrians into joining ex- The counterargument has eyebrows, but it shouldn't, as tremist groups. been that it is Assad who is the this is an inevitable sentiment People can find a new mean- Alawite. and extremism. Many may feel maintaining the status quo for ascus, or the cultural plenitude very source of this terror. His of young people watching ing to their life in extremism. Ex- However, that deal is not ready today for a less brutal their own benefit lessen their of Aleppo, has little, if anything, rule had restricted political their fellow countrymen killed tremism opens a door to a new space and created enough an- yet done, and the contradic- society. However, it may well meddling. Others pining for in- to do with the mind that pro- life where they are wanted. tions between those three pow- be that their politics reflect their stant democracy may also need duces ISIL - or Assad for that in cold blood and evacuated ger that young men were driv- It is undeniable that these ers, and Assad's very role, sug- society more than the other way to sober up a bit. It's the deep- matter. John Bell is director of from their homes. en to extremes. Aleppo was a key battle- groups are very adept at the "be It was also Assad that had gest great challenges. around. Despite certain beliefs, er societal and cultural work, the Middle East programme at ground in the war between a part of something" rhetoric sent radical Islamists to fight The rarest of 21st-century their challenge may not only be not the Assad conundrum, the Toledo International Cen- forces loyal to the Syrian pres- that draws in young people who in Iraq against the American commodities We may be look- from aggravating outsiders. that's required to move Syria tre for Peace in Madrid. He is a ing in the wrong place. There If that is the case, the best slowly, but surely, towards former UN and Canadian dip- ident Bashar al-Assad and have lost a sense of purpose occupation, and more recently and belonging during the war. released them from his prisons, may be a more subtle question way forward would be to cre- health. And doing that requires lomat, and served as political rebels who want to overthrow Another study done by so they could feed the ranks of that steers the gaze away from ate a culture in Syria that is less the rarest of commodities in the adviser to the personal repre- him. Quantum Communications the extremists; that is to say, the man: How can Syria evolve primed for tyranny, whether of rapid-fire politics of the 21st sentative of the UN secretary- After the heavy air strikes he is both arsonist and fire- over time in a direction that is the ideological variety, such as century: time. Who has the pa- general for southern Lebanon carried out by the regime forc- provides some insight into the fighter. healthy and enriching for its ISIL, or the state-driven form, tience and outlook for such and adviser to the Canadian es and supported by Russian desire for youth to align them- Is he really indispensable? people? like Assad. In the longer run, work today? Some perspective, government. The views ex- troops, the rebels were forced selves with extremist groups For some, Assad is also Given the need for stability such a culture and society will and a little inspiration, may be pressed in this article are the to withdraw from the city. Tens and that motivation varies. favoured because he is the and a less radical positive evo- more firmly reject both. gained by knowing that the author's own and do not nec- of thousands of civilians - in A lot of current members are only option that can maintain lution, one can imagine the This work will be quickened Syrian culture that produced essarily reflect Al Jazeera's ed- the aftermath of an agreement revenge seekers who consider the territorial sovereignty and possibility of a "benevolent if countries concerned with the Umayyad Mosque of Dam- itorial policy. (Al Jazeera) - fled Aleppo, most of them themselves part of a group that integrity of Syria. His tough- dictator", someone who holds with the bitter taste of evacu- is being repressed by the West ness and strong centralised the fort, while permitting ation, after enduring years of or someone else (PDF). state are sine qua non to avoid enough space for a better sys- war. Pending a world full of centrifugal forces. From this tem to come about. Saudi privatization plans: Poverty, despair and hun- youth joining the Islamic State They address both sides of view, the opposition is not only ger for revenge will drive the of Iraq and the Levant, the the conundrum; a modern radicalised, but its moderate el- evacuated youth to restore question remains: would this Haroun Al Rashid or China's ements are fragmented and un- Golden opportunity awaits their honour and self-worth. revenge be unilateral? Deng Xiaoping come to mind, representative - most have no Blood feud in return as exemplars. However, there is The evidence of this intense local constituency. If integrity yearning is becoming more Revenge manifests itself in is the goal, then Assad is the little evidence that Assad or foreign partnerships visible, warning all of us about many ways, not just in anger, key. other tyrants are such figures - an even more complicated sit- but also pride, as crowds in The counterargument is it would seem they are in pow- By Dr. Mohamed A. Ramady tion (SAR 52 billion). A public-private-partnership, uation in Syria. west Aleppo were seen cele- that Assad has already de- er for their own benefit, period. The Saudi energy sector has with the private sector being paid While all eyes seem to be fixed on brating the massacre the regime stroyed the country while try- Indeed, such figures, effective- an integral role in the Vision 2030 to operate the hospitals on a per- Pledges of regain the forthcoming mega Saudi Aram- perpetrated. ing to keep it whole. Armies of ly "philosopher-kings" are rare plans, which aims to build up a patient agreement is also more like- "We will come back … our co IPO slated for 2018, but with renewable energy market to meet ly as well as supporting new spe- The schism in the fabric of extremists could not have done and societies risk much betting still few specific details yet re- love" is written on a wall in part of the anticipated increase in cialized private sector hospitals Aleppo. A photo of it went vi- Syrian society is very evident the damage that Assad and his on their arrival. leased, the Kingdom’s other priva- local energy consumption by 2030, and clinics. The government will It's the deeper societal and tization plans are more certain and despite planned subsidy reduction still continue to be the regulator, ral on social media, as it repre- and yet intricate at the same allies have done. offer some substantial opportuni- Millions are displaced, cultural work, not the Assad and energy efficiency programs. rather than an operator, in a so- sents the brutal heartbreak of time. One might have the feel- ties to both Saudi and internation- According to the Vision, an called “corporatized” health sec- wounded or dead, thousands conundrum, that's required to al investors. Among these are a couple whose love nest was ing that the two sides are total move Syria slowly, but surely, initial target of 9.5 gigawatt/hour tor as set out in the Vision 2030, strangers, as though they are of others languish in prison. If plans to privatize during the next (gw/h) of renewable energy should with the private sector also oper- besieged Aleppo. he had saved Syria from the towards health. two years the health sector, air- be achieved through the leveraging ating non-core areas such as medi- The war-torn love story not from the same country. On ports, grain silos, along with op- worse fate of a caliphate, his Both sides of the conun- of existing local expertize in the cal procurement, dispensing med- must have alleviated the bur- one side, mourners bewailing portunities in education and re- production of different forms of icines and subsidizing internation- actions have still created a drum may point to something newable energy. den of the six years of fighting their victims and on other, hap- else at the societal level itself. energy, including solar energy and al-local pharmaceutical manufac- mentality of violence. The recent Saudi budget an- the percentage of power plants turing plants in Saudi Arabia which in Aleppo, the one thing they py citizens praising the victo- This is the Assad conun- ISIL and Assad may be linked, nouncement for 2017 has placed a electricity generation through stra- are major elements of Saudi gov- could never forget. And this ry. significant emphasis on reducing drum: Can you have an integral not in the conspiratorial sense, tegic partners is projected to rise ernment spending. spark of brave love might very But are there any justifica- but in that they are both the “red tape” for the private sector from 27 percent in 2015 to 100 Food security is important not Syria without him? Can you whilst improving cooperation well veer into an ugly form of tions of this harebrained kind tragic representatives of a cul- percent by 2020. only to the Kingdom but to all the have a healthy Syria with him? with the public sector and has iden- combat to regain Aleppo, forc- of revenge? ture of violence and authoritar- A forthcoming launch of the GCC countries. The Saudi Grains It's difficult to believe that tified a range of sectors and eco- King Salman Renewable Energy Organization (SGO) was restruc- Some in the Alawite, Chris- ianism. The evolution away nomic activities for privatization ing the dire situation to go the future of a country would Initiative is also mentioned in the tured from the old Grain Silos and around in circles. tian, religious minorities and from that involves a change in through the National Centre for Vision 2030. This initiative will Flour Mills Organization and the so turn on the fate of one man. Privatization (NCP). The destruction of their other groups of Sunni have ral- There are recent reports that societal habits more than just review the legal framework that twelve mills and five animal feed Of the announced 2017 bud- allows the private sector to invest production units were distributed loved ones' lives is the driv- lied around the Assad regime, Russia, Turkey and Iran are in politics. get expenditures, the largest non- in renewable energy, allowing it to among the new SGO entities with ing force for many young Syr- which is preferable to ISIL. looking at a formula whereby Syrians who suffer from military and security items were establish a favorable ground for the aim to have either Saudi or for- ians to get revenge against the These groups see themselves Assad will leave after the end both these twin plagues may slated for health and social devel- investment in this increasingly vi- eign investors owning and operat- opment (SAR 120 billion), educa- as a target menaced by the bru- of his current term, possibly shudder; that they are damned tal source of energy over the com- ing these mills. regime for obliterating their tion and training (SAR 200 billion), ing decades. Under the restructuring, the tal power of extremist groups. replaced by a less problematic to a choice between tyranny and infrastructure and transporta- families, houses, lives and ev- Healthcare sector new millings entities will serve as erything else in its path. Pan- The sectarian chasms are Privatization of healthcare re- clients of the SGO to both pro- not the only reason of retalia- mains at the top of Saudi policy cess and/or distribute wheat flour icked shrieks surround the ca- reform to ease on government ex- both process and or distribute sualties in the hearts of the tion. The popular revolution penditure and introduce interna- wheat flour to government-ap- youth. turned into a ruthless and LETTER TO THE EDITOR tional best practice with the Saudi proved distributors at agreed upon The vengeful feelings are armed civil war that forced them private sector health contribution subsidized flour prices. At the to rise from 25 percent in 2015 to same time, these privately run mills not restricted to just millenni- to witness the demolition of 35 percent by 2020, taking the could import their own non-sub- als. "When we grow up, we will their country. number of licensed medical facili- sidized flour and sell at prevailing return to liberate Aleppo" is To twist the knife, thou- ties from 40 to 100. market price. sands died from random bombs The key elements are to en- According to SGO, the gov- another viral video showing hance the provision of healthcare ernment does not want to relin- two kids promising to return dropped by the opposition, kill- through the public sector with the quish total control of the wheat to their home city. It's chilling ing many regardless of their view of privatization in the longer silos, deeming this to be of a stra- Since the Taliban insurgents increased coordinate attacks in different parts of the coun- to see children make this vow. political affiliation, only be- run; develop private medical insur- tegic nature to ensure food securi- cause they lived in the regime- try, the related military officials should take a bold step in a bid to remove Taliban from ance further in order to improve ty objectives, but to privatize only What kind of revenge? Afghanistan. healthcare services and implement a small part of the grain silos stor- So, while the lust for re- controlled district. The Taliban militants don’t deserve any privileges after this, as they repeatedly showed so called “corporatization” of the age, but the mills are all open to be venge is unavoidable, the Salvation from perdition healthcare sector by transferring privatized. The government will question is what kind it will If the revenge valve explod- that don’t believe on peace process. The Taliban insurgent are still hell-bent on killing responsibility to a network of pub- still act as the key regulator con- innocent people, despite there is a chance of peace through Afghan-lead and Afghan- lic companies who would compete cerning flour quality and ensure be? The choices seem to be ed in Syria, the current death owned peace and reconciliation process. But they (Taliban) never nod to the process. against each other and the private that there are no monopolistic prac- either fighting alongside the toll would seem minor com- When it is apparent that Taliban are not renouncing violence, the government forces sector with the government main- tices amongst the privatized flour opposition to death, in an end- pared to what will happen next. taining a regulatory/supervisory milling companies. The only way out of this blood- with support of foreign troops should increase operations and kill Taliban in ever parts of role. Given the sedentary lifestyle The government will also re- less war, or joining extremist the country. of Saudis, the outpatient non-com- main the main agents for import of groups, as the evacuated head bath is the political compromise The time is ripe that security forces should carry ground and air operation across the municable disease outpatient mar- subsidized wheat. Private sector to Idlib, where Jabhat Fateh al- between the Syrians them- country to suppress them (Taliban). ket is expected to rise and is a key privatization interest will revolve Sham (formerly known as the selves and the international public awareness element of the around the asset valuation of the Tahir Ahamd, Kabul, Afghanistan new vision 2030 plans to reduce mills as well as agreeing to long al-Nusra Front) and others powers involved. health expenditure. While Saudi term milling fee charges, as this will control most of the territory. This option seems to be the government support through soft be the key revenue element. Young Syrians now have most ridiculous, least honour- Letter to editor will be edited for policy, content and clarity. All letters must loans and grants are available for Airports and ground service a disheartened view of the mil- able, solution for the youth have the writer’s name and address. You may send your letters to: those interested in entering the The Saudi airports privatiza- [email protected] health market as operators, alter- tion, and especially the National itary opposition, regardless of whose hearts are full of hard natively, private companies can try Carrier Saudia Airlines, has been how many battles they win, feelings, while unfortunately to access the Saudi stock market discussed well over the past 15 and joining this group be- being the only rational solu- through IPO to expand their busi- years, but with only small progress tion. ness. being made on the non-core sup- comes less worthwhile, as the Disclaimer: While Saudi government sup- port activities such as Saudi Ca- chasms between opposition The fake victory the regime port is available for those interest- tering and Ground Services opera- wings were one of many rea- achieved on the backs of the The views and opinions expressed in the articles are ed in entering the health market as tions being privatized and listed sons that led them to lose their dead in Aleppo will be repeat- operators, alternatively, private on the Saudi stock exchange in 2012 those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views or companies can try to access the and 2015, with marked operating city. Joining the ranks of the ed several times against the at- opinions of the Afghanistan Times. Saudi stock market through IPO efficiency and service turnaround rebels is fraught with danger tack and retreat of the army to expand their business noted by end users. (Alarabiya) for many Syrian youths. opposition. (Al Jazeera) TUESDAY . JANUARY 03, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES Israel urged to apologise for disappeared FREETOWN: Aminatta stands in of him", she says. "It was very a narrow mud alley outside her difficult. My husband died when I house and rocks her brother's new- was pregnant, and I had nobody born baby from side to side. Her to help me with the child. Even babies five-year-old son Thomas hovers my mother and sisters were telling NAZARETH: Some 200,000 lished the disturbing case of one nearby, trying to scribble on a mud me that Thomas was a devil. They documents concerning the myste- baby sold by a clinic in Haifa to wall with a broken pen. After a used to try and beat the evil spir- rious disappearance of thousands Holocaust survivors in 1956. while, he totters over and tugs at its out of him," Aminatta remem- of babies in Israel's early years Gil Grunbaum found out only his mother's skirt. He starts wig- bers. Succumbing to pressure were made public last week for the by accident - and nearly 40 years gling outstretched fingers while For a year Aminatta ignored first time. The Israeli government after the event - that he had been jerking his hips from side to side. the taunts, refusing to believe that declassified the files, publishing secretly adopted. He managed to His mother roars with laugh- Thomas was a "devil boy". But them in an online archive, after locate his biological mother, origi- ter. "He loves to bluff [show off]," eventually, worn down with ex- decades of accusations that offi- nally from Tunisia, after a three- she explains in Krio, the English- haustion, she started to question cials have been concealing evidence year search and over the opposi- based Creole spoken here. herself. that many of the babies were sto- tion of Israeli welfare authorities. As mother and son play, Am- "I had never seen a devil boy. len from their parents. He told Al Jazeera: "The re- inatta looks down, ashamed, as she How was I to know how one The families, most of them lease of these documents is an im- recalls how she had once taken looked?" she says. Jews from Arab countries recent- portant first step - not least be- Thomas to the countryside and "People were telling me every ly arrived in Israel, fear the infants cause they prove the families were left him to die under a giant cotton day that he was possessed and were handed over by hospitals and not hallucinating, as they have of- tree. Thomas has Down's syn- they said that it was because of clinics to wealthy Jewish families ten been told. But there is much drome, a condition that is rarely him my other two daughters had in Israel and abroad. more the government can and diagnosed in Sierra Leone and died. Even my mother wanted me Three official inquiries con- should do. Public pressure will widely perceived to be the result to do the ceremony. I was so tired, cluded instead that most of the continue to grow for more an- of demonic powers. Boys and girls and they had provoked me so much babies died during a time of chaos swers." He said it was vital that such as Thomas are commonly that when he was a year and two after the state was founded in the authorities urgently opened up denounced as "devil children" who months old, I finally agreed to do 1948, falling victim to disease or the state's adoption files from that bring bad luck on their families and the magic which would return him malnourishment. period, so that people who sus- should be made to disappear with to the devil." But many of the families were pected they had been put out for a ritual of black magic. Aminatta lives in Kroo Bay - never issued a death certificate or adoption could search for their bi- People & Power - Magic and a sprawling shantytown in the shown a grave. Other say healthy ological families. Murder (24:10) west of Freetown. As black magic babies were snatched out of their "Seventy years after the event, Aminatta says that as soon as tends to happen outside the city, hands by hospital staff and never arguments about privacy and sen- her community saw that Thomas she decided to travel back to the returned to them. sitivity no longer apply, especial- was not normal, they started urg- village where she was born to per- Suspicions of a cover-up were ly when we know that crimes were ing her to carry out the ritual. form the ritual. heightened by the decision of the committed," he said. "It should not "No one realised for a while," She packed a bag for herself Kedmi inquiry, which published its be possible still to hide behind a she says. "He seemed OK at the and Thomas and took a bumpy findings in 2001, to place many veil of secrecy." start. He was born a triplet, and four-hour bus ride to the northern Aminatta was expecting when the him, but my mother and sister re- pecially if they hold no promise case files and testimonies under The families of the children his two sisters died when they district of Kambia where her moth- sorcerer came to her mother's strained me." of economic return in the future. lock for 70 years. have long claimed that their mis- were one week old, but he was big- er and sister were still living. house, she explains. After two hours Aminatta Entrenched attitudes Inaugurating the digital archive treatment stemmed from the en- ger and stronger than them. It was Aminatta, ashamed, lowers Aminatta and Thomas outside heard a shriek from her sister, who It is not common to see chil- last week, Prime Minister Ben- demic racism of Israel's establish- as he grew that I saw that his body her voice and lets her eyes wander their house in Kroo Bay [ Olivia was sitting on the porch and ran dren with Down's syndrome in jamin Netanyahu said the release ment towards Jews arriving from was weak." to the floor. "I spoke to the sorcer- Acland/ Al Jazeera] outside to see what was happen- Sierra Leone. Nurse Unisa of the documents marked a new the Arab world, a group popularly At six months, he was unable er in the village, and he told me "We put Thomas on the floor, ing. Thomas, still dressed in white Tarawallie works at Princess era of transparency. referred to in Israel as the Mizra- to lift his head or sit up, and his that he could do the ritual. I just dressed in the gown, and with a satin, was crawling towards the Christian Maternity Hospital, the "Today, we correct a historic him. Most senior officials at that tongue would often loll from his had to prepare a white satin gown circle of eggs and flour around him. house laughing and gurgling. "I ran biggest paediatric health facility in injustice," he said. "With one touch time were of European origin, mouth. This frightened the com- made to fit Thomas and buy six "The man made some chants to pick him up and wiped my tears the country, and says few children of the keyboard", the public would known as the Ashkenazim. munity, who started giving him eggs and some flour." that I couldn't understand, and we on my sleeve. I started laughing, with Down's syndrome come in. be able to trace what happened to Records show Israel's founders names such as "jellyfish" and "devil A common myth in the area watched Thomas, waiting for him too. I hugged him, and we laughed "It seems that they prefer to each of the missing children. feared that the supposedly "back- boy". "When I wanted to go to the claims that during a black magic to turn into a snake and eat the together." Aminatta says that af- stay at home, though we might see However, campaigners for the wards" Arab culture of the Mirzra- market, I would ask a neighbour to ritual, so-called devil children will food we'd offered him. After two ter the two failed ceremonies, her around two of them a month for families told Al Jazeera that Net- him would harm their new state. watch Thomas, but everyone turn into snakes and slither away, hours, nothing had happened, and mother and sister finally conceded the physiotherapy sessions that anyahu's claims were misplaced. In 1997, the Israeli media cov- would refuse - they were all afraid never to be seen again. This is what the sorcerer said that it was be- that her son was not a devil child, we run. Their parents never know The most damning evidence ered the reunion of one of the dis- cause we hadn't done the ritual apologising to Thomas for what what Down's syndrome is and had been "destroyed many years appeared babies, Tzila Levine, correctly. We weren't supposed to they'd put him through. usually have a story about the child ago" by hospitals and welfare au- with her biological mother [Cour- do it in a house; we should have The two of them travelled back being affected by a demon." thorities before the Kedmi inquiry tesy of Amram] taken him out to the bush and left to Freetown and have been enrolled He adds that after being given could examine it, said Naama Yael Tzadok, an Israeli jour- him there. So we agreed to do it in a programme called Enable the a full scientific explanation of the Katiee, an activist with Amram, an nalist who investigated cases of again, this time in the proper way," Children, run by the charity World condition, the parents are relieved association that campaigns on be- missing children, has noted that the remembers Aminatta. Hope, which teaches parents to and often come back to the hospi- half of the families. officials involved may have be- Some days later, Aminatta nurture children with disabilities. tal for more help. Amram has noted that a pro- lieved they were doing the infants dressed Thomas again in the satin Abu Bangura, the pastoral It is a lack of information about portion of the files relating to miss- a favour. "By placing the children gown and headed out to the bush support worker at the charity, says Down's syndrome that puts chil- ing children requested by the in- with Ashkenazi families, they with a small party of people, in- that Thomas has been making dren with the condition at risk. quiry were never handed over, could be saved - unlike their par- cluding her mother and sister. progress which is very encourag- Black magic rituals such as the one with officials often claiming at the ents. They would be re-educated The same ritual took place, but ing for everyone. "He is practising which Thomas was subjected to last moment that the documents and made into suitable material for this time, Thomas was put in a the exercises we taught him and are alarmingly common in Sierra had been destroyed by fires or the new Zionist state," she told Al hole amid the giant roots of a cot- getting stronger. And most of the Leone. Executive secretary for the floods. Katiee added that the in- Jazeera. ton tree. Once the chanting was community seem to have finally National Disability Commission, quiry examined the fate of only Tzachi Hanegbi, the minister Uzbek president finished, Aminatta ran from the accepted him." Lamin Kortequee, says that his some 1,000 babies, a fraction of put in charge of making the archive ceremony, crying, she says. "It was His colleague, Jonathan Will- organisation tries to inform com- possibly as many as 8,000 chil- public, admitted that the Kedmi too painful to stand there, so I went iams, explains that the mistreat- munities about disabilities as well dren who disappeared in the first inquiry's definitive finding that al- back to my mother's house, sat in ment of children with Down's as prosecute those who discrimi- two decades after Israel's creation most all the children died was not invited to Tajikistan the kitchen and wept." syndrome and other disabilities in nate against disabled people. in 1948. Amram has created an supported by the available evi- Some time later, her mother Sierra Leone is not only a result of However, they have never put online database to identify new dence. "The fact is that 1,000 chil- and sister appeared saying that the superstition but also of poverty - a witch doctor on trial for conduct- cases. Grunbaum is pictured in dren disappeared without graves, ceremony was over and Thomas parents can simply not afford to ing a fatal ritual on a disabled per- the late 1950s with his adoptive a reason of death, a funeral or a had been left under the tree. The spend extra money on children son. "We cannot prosecute because parents [Courtesy of Gil Grun- body," he said. sorcerer had told them that after with extra needs. these things are not reported. They baum] Amram, however, believes some time, a strong wind would "They are seen as a waste of are seen as norms," Kortequee Nurit Koren, who heads a there are far more cases than those blow and the boy would surely energy and resources," he says. says. "These attitudes are en- group of legislators researching the cited by Hanegbi. Several of the turn into a snake. Indeed, in a country where most trenched in society, and I think we missing children, told Israel's Army newly released testimonies con- "I was extremely upset," says of the population survives on less can change them with advocacy, Radio that there were another firm evidence published by Al Aminatta, "I hated leaving him than $2 a day, many families can't but it's not going to happen over- 200,000 documents - from the two Jazeera in August suggesting that there. I tried to go back and take provide for disabled children, es- night." (Al Jazeera) investigative committees before the Mizrahi children were taken from Kedmi inquiry - that had yet to be absorption camps or hospitals and made public. She pointed out that put out for adoption. They don't the archive covered only the peri- have the courage to take responsi- od until 1954, even though the dis- bility for what happened. They are Will Trump preserve appearances continued until the afraid that the guilt will stick to mid-1960s. "We are obliged to give them, and that the state will be in- Tajik President Emomali Rahmon invited his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat these families answers," she said. undated with compensation Mirziyoyev to come to Tajikistan on an official visit at a time conve- As campaigners began the claims. Gil Grunbaum, secretly nient for him, the press service of the Uzbek government said in a Obama’s Iran policies? painstaking process of poring over adopted Yehudit Durani, who message. Emomali Rahmon made the invitation during a meeting with the massive archive, much of the served as a nursery assistant in a the Uzbek delegation, which took part in the fourth meeting of the Israeli media were quick to declare camp south of Haifa, told Kedmi Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation Since winning the greatest politi- culed candidate Obama’s campaign gitimate interests of Saudi Arabia, cal upset in modern American his- promises eight years ago to turn a no "smoking gun" had been found that children would regularly dis- held in the city of Dushanbe Dec. 27-28. The message said that Tajiki- Turkey, Iran and Russia, Trump implicating the government in the appear, often following visits by stan and Uzbekistan have big plans to further develop fruitful cooper- tory, Donald Trump has since tak- new page with Iran. could potentially reestablish from en on the US defense industry by Just as Obama rightfully chal- children's disappearances. American Jews. ation, implement joint projects of an economic nature, develop cultural the outset of his administration the Katiee dismissed such expec- She said the foreign visitors and interethnic dialogue. “A wide range of topical issues of bilateral publicly questioning whether Boe- lenged conventional wisdom on regional balance of power – ing was overcharging the Ameri- how to bring Tehran to the negoti- tations. "It is ridiculous to imagine would play with the children and cooperation, including the basic parameters of interaction in the fields through robust US-leadership – by that we would find an order in buy them dolls. The next day when of economy and trade, transport, industry, culture, education, sport can taxpayer for its government ation table over its dangerous nu- including the aforementioned contract to build the next version clear program, which at the time writing, telling hospitals to kidnap she arrived at the camp she would and health care was considered within the framework of the meeting,” states into an integrated regional babies," she told Al Jazeera. be told a child was sick and had the message said. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the Inter- of Air Force One, the presidential served as the key impediment to security framework that builds on jet. international peace and stability But she said the testimonies been hospitalised in Haifa. "Many governmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation be- the various military victories that had been unearthed already disappeared … every day, a child tween Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in Tashkent in 2017. Uzbekistan and Trump subsequently doubled until the historic nuclear agreement against ISIS by the US-led Inter- down by questioning the cost ef- was reached last year, Trump’s painted a disturbing picture of sys- was missing," she said. Referring Tajikistan have had no bilateral relations since the early 90’s. The two national coalition and Iraqi securi- tematic abuses, and a climate that to one infant, she added: "They countries had no air traffic, there were virtually no commercial, eco- fectiveness of Lockheed Martin’s unorthodox foreign policy ap- ty forces. Join Strike Fighter program, which proach – coupled with his unpre- permitted the taking of babies from sent him to Haifa. [But] he was nomic and political ties. The relations began to establish in the current This too, would help preserve poor immigrant families. Most of healthy and ate supper and there year: the first charter flight from Tashkent to Dushanbe since 1992 produces the most sophisticated dictability – could serve as an im- Obama’s legacy to help defeat the fighter jet in history – also known portant deterrence to ensure that the missing children were born to was nothing wrong with him when took place Nov. 30. The sides also agreed to restore regular flights since terrorist group once for all. While Jews who had recently arrived he was with me." In other testi- the beginning of 2017. It is also planned to establish railway and bus as the F-35 – and is bound to pre- Tehran lives up to its obligations opponents of Trump’s unortho- serve US air superiority for de- under the agreement. from Arab states and been placed mony, Miriam Adani recounted an links, as well as facilitate the visa regime, which has been in force since dox campaign have questioned his in temporary absorption camps. admission from a doctor that he 2000. (Trend) cades to come. During the campaign, Trump temperament, the combination of But interestingly enough, he never explicitly called for nullify- It is overdue for the parents to had transferred Mizrahi babies his unpredictability and Washing- receive an apology from the state. from the camps to wealthy fami- has so far not commented on Boe- ing the JCPA but instead criticized ton’s long-standing alliances, cou- ing’s agreement to sell 100 planes it as a “horrible deal.” His core crit- The authorities must take respon- lies. The doctor reportedly said: pled with his desire to turn a new sibility for the crimes that were "The Yemenites are ingrates. They to Iran Air, a contract valued at icism of the JCPA is based on a page with President Vladimir Pu- * * * more than $18 billion based on list false premise: that the agreement committed. Naama Katiee, Amram lack feeling and don't appreciate tin of Russia, could force the com- activist Yemeni families suffered what has been done for them." In a price, though such deals can include requires the US to pay Iran $150 peting parties to the Syrian con- big discounts. While it is possible billion. To the extent that Iran will the largest proportion of disap- letter from 1952 seen by the in- flict to make the necessary com- pearances, with possibly as many quiry, a government legal adviser that Trump’s decision not to com- reap a financial windfall from the promises to bring a permanent ment on Boeing’s Iran agreement JCPA, it will be from the return of as one in eight children under the admits there were frequent com- ceasefire to the war-torn country age of four going missing in the plaints of "unsuitable treatment" is tied to his apparent desire to Tehran’s own assets and proceeds while strengthening the various remain unpredictable on the world from oil sales that have been fro- state's first six years. by hospitals that gave up children mechanisms required for establish- Some 50,000 Yemeni Jews "to all kinds of people for the pur- stage, his tweets initially wiped out zen in international accounts ing an actual regional coalition de- hundreds of millions of dollars in abroad. This is not U.S. money, as were airlifted to Israel in the state's pose of adoption". Ruth Baruch, termined to defeat ISIS and other first 18 months alone. Significant who founded an adoption service, market cap. The Iran agreement he alleges. extremist groups in Iraq. In the meantime, the presi- Should Tehran comply, Trump numbers came from elsewhere in told the inquiry that a former nurse Uzbekistan’s priority is to continue strengthening the atmosphere The obvious price for Trump the region, including Iraq, Moroc- in northern Israel had spoken on of peace and calmness, interethnic and civil consent in the country, dent-elect – against all odds – is would not only preserve Obama’s to secure Moscow’s cooperation uniquely positioned to preserve Iran legacy, but could use the im- co, Tunisia and the Balkans. her deathbed about the abducted said the country’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his congratula- to defeat ISIS will be the survival Some of the testimonies sug- children. "Things were done, I tory message to Uzbek citizens. “We had a lot of bright, happy President Barack Obama’s frac- plementation of the JCPA as a test of the embattled Syrian regime of tious foreign policy legacy which to determine whether a broader gest that Israeli officials regularly know that things were done," days, great success and achievements in our country,” he noted. Bashar al-Assad, which for obvi- forced parents to hand over their Baruch says she confessed. "I have primarily rests on the success of strategic framework that rolls back ous reasons cannot be toppled as “We overcame all difficulties with dignity thanks to people.” The the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Tehran’s regional agenda coupled babies against their will, failed to to go to the next world clean." it enjoys robust Russian military record names properly or tell par- Some of the nurses' testimonies Uzbek president said also that the year 2016 leaves a bright trace in Action with Iran, or JCPA. with joining forces with Iran and support. the history of Uzbekistan as the year of the 25th anniversary of the The very same US foreign pol- Russia to fight ISIS could be ents where their children had been paint a very different picture: of A US-Russian détente could hospitalised, and put infants out Mizrahi parents who failed to country's independence, and noted the progress reached by icy establishment that now chides found. pave the way for the establishment representatives of various professions, as well as Uzbek athletes at Trump for seeking détente with A multilateral approach to de- for adoption when they were un- come to collect their children from of a humanitarian safe zone in Syria claimed. Other evidence hints the hospitals, or denied the chil- the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Mirziyoyev recalled that the Moscow so that common ground feat ISIS to help stem the massive wave of can be found on Syria to bring With a creative diplomatic ap- more openly at a trade in children. dren belonged to them when staff year 2017 has been declared as the year of dialogue with the people desperate refugees seeking a bet- In August, Al Jazeera pub- visited the camps. (Al Jazeera) and human interests in Uzbekistan. (Trend) about a long-term ceasefire, ridi- proach, one that recognizes the le- ter future in Europe. (AP) TUESDAY . JANUARY 03, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

French employees can legally ignore work emails outside of office hours European stock markets were high- But the big question for Europe in French workers rang in a new year er in thin holiday trading Monday 2017 is whether the continent’s at midnight - as well as a "right to after data showed the continent’s fragile economic recovery will be disconnect" law that grants em- economy ended last year on a high overtaken by populist politics. ployees in the country the legal note. The Stoxx Europe 600 was Anti-euro populist candidates right to ignore work emails out- up 0.5%, led by its banking and have gained traction last year and side of typical working hours, automobile sectors. In Germany, will face a test at the polls in this according to the Guardian. the DAX was up 0.7%, while the year’s elections in France, the The new employment law French CAC 40 gained 0.2%. Most Netherlands and Germany. “Polit- requires French companies with other global bourses, including the ical risks remain elevated this year,” more than 50 employees to be- New York Stock Exchange, are said Julian Howard, head of multi- gin drawing up policies with their closed for the New Year’s holiday. asset solutions at GAM. “Europe workers about limiting work-re- The eurozone’s manufacturing will grapple with the need for res- lated technology usage outside sector gained speed in December, olution of the Italian banking cri- the office, the newspaper report- posting its best reading since April sis and elections in key countries ed. The motivation behind the 2011, according to a survey of France and Germany, not to men- legislation is to stem work-relat- purchasing managers released tion a growing terrorist threat.” ed stress that increasingly leaks Monday. Data firm IHS Markit Last year, the Stoxx Europe into people's personal time - and said its Purchasing Managers In- 600 finished 1.2% lower, mostly hopefully prevent employee dex for the eurozone rose to 54.9 dragged down by troubles in ma- burnout, French officials said. in December from 53.7 in the pre- jor European banks. That contrast- "Employees physically leave vious month, in line with an earlier ed with a rally in U.S. markets, the office, but they do not leave flash estimate. A reading above 50.0 with the Dow Jones Industrial their work. They remain attached indicates an expansion in activity, Average logging its best perfor- by a kind of electronic leash, like and a reading below that level a mance since 2013 and flirting with a dog," Benoit Hamon, Socialist decline. Later in the week, infla- the 20,000 milestone, as investors In data released Sunday, Chi- “There is still some room for weakened 0.4% against the dollar South Korea’s Kospi was down member of Parliament and former tion data in the eurozone for De- banked on an improving economy. na’s official manufacturing pur- equities on the upside as the glo- to $1.0483, while the dollar was slightly by 0.01% at 2,026.16, French education minister, told cember is expected to rise to 1.1%, Investors will be also keeping chasing managers index fell to 51.4 bal economy improves but the up 0.4% against the yen at 117.30 while India’s S&P BSE Sensex was the BBC in May. "The texts, the a three-year high, according to an eye on developments in China, in December from 51.7 the previ- journey will be long and punctuat- yen. Major commodities markets, up 0.02% at 26626. Most other messages, the emails: They colo- economists at French bank Société where a stock market slide and the ous month, indicating the world’s ed by pauses and sometimes ugly including oil and copper, were markets in Asia, including China, nize the life of the individual to Générale, as rising oil prices have weakening yuan early last year second-largest economy continued reversals,” Mr. Howard said. closed Monday. Shares in Asian Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore, the point where he or she even- a more decisive impact on prices. sparked a sell-of around the globe. to expand, though at a slower rate. In currencies Monday, the euro markets were mixed Monday. were closed. (WSJ) tually breaks down." France has had a 35-hour workweek since 2000, but the policy came under scrutiny re- cently given France's near-record- high unemployment rate The "right to disconnect" provision was packaged with new and controversial reforms introduced last year that were designed to relax some of the country's strict labor regulations. The amendment regarding ignor- SEOUL: Chiefs of Samsung Elec- ism increases uncertainties in the comment on when it would share hicles this year. Hyundai Motor ing work emails was included by tronics and Hyundai Motor said economy and politics. Samsung is the findings with public. and its sister Kia Motors missed French Labor Minister Myriam Monday their businesses would expected to announce this month Hyundai Motor Chair Chung their sales target in 2016, selling El Khomri, who reportedly was face increased uncertainties due to the findings of its investigation into Mong-koo also warned about the 7.88 million cars as consumers inspired by similar policies at growing protectionism. the Galaxy Note 7, JoongAng Ilbo increased uncertainties this year, flocked to sports utility vehicles Orange, a French telecommuni- Samsung Vice Chair Kwon reported, citing an unnamed com- citing slow growth in the global rather than sedans, Hyundai's cations company. Oh-hyun urged employees in a pany official. The flagship smart- economy, the spread of protection- mainstay, and the popularity of "There are risks that need to new year's speech to reform the phone, released in August, caught ism and the increased competition imported vehicles grew in South be anticipated, and one of the big- company by strengthening quali- fire and overheated, prompting two in the auto industry. He said that Korea. Hyundai Motor workers' gest risks is the balance of a pri- ty control as growth slows in its global recalls and its discontinua- South Korea's largest automotive strike disrupted local car produc- vate life and professional life be- key markets and trade protection- tion last year. Samsung declined to group aims to sell 8.25 million ve- tion, hurting sales. (NY Times) hind this permanent connectivi- ty," Orange Director General Bruno Mettling told Europe1 ra- dio in February. "Professionals who find the right balance be- tween private and work life per- form far better in their job than those who arrive shattered." The legislation passed the French lower parliamentary The September visit of Prime drivers of global growth are losing owned production to the private mentary financial-sector renewal, house in May. It was not the first Minister Justin Trudeau to China steam. Among the causes are: ag- sector; from low-productivity time such a bill had been pro- are essential. Indeed, it is hard to was a success, on many levels, and ing demographics; slowing produc- production to more innovative see how progress on a number of posed, as The Washington Post's signalled renewed Canadian inter- tivity; increasing impediments production; and from excessive Karen Turner reported. Similar interconnected structural problems est in stronger commercial links. such as regulatory inefficiencies, corporate leverage to sustainable – excessive corporate debt; inef- legislation banning work-related The uncertainty about trade rela- lack of competition and congestion levels. None are easy, vested in- fective corporate restructuring; in- emails after work hours had been tionships as a result of the incom- in many emerging economies; ris- terests are many and adjustment introduced in France and Germa- ing Trump administration in the ing debt and debt leverage. All ap- programs for millions of displaced sufficient corporate competition; ny before but never made it to inadequate corporate innovation; United States only adds urgency ply to China, and the net result is workers will be needed. Euro-area manufacturing expand- “Euro-zone manufacturers are law. The move received criticism to the need to diversify Canadian lower potential growth. There is also income distribu- and inefficient energy usage – can from some who worried that ed last month at the fastest rate entering 2017 on a strong footing, trade toward Asia, particularly The growth risk from rising tion rebalancing, where high and be tackled without further reforms since April 2011, in a sign that the having ended 2016 with a surge in French workers would get left China. So, given this, where is the leverage is particularly worrisome: growing income inequality of the to the financial sector, and vice behind by competitors in other currency bloc’s recovery is intact production,” said Chris William- world’s second-largest economy corporate debt in China has sky- sort China is experiencing may af- versa. Strengthening the links be- heading into 2017. son, chief business economist at countries where such restrictions headed? Too much time is spent rocketed from 68 per cent of GDP fect confidence, entrepreneurship did not exist. Still others object- tween the financial system and the A Purchasing Managers’ Index IHS Markit. “Policy makers will parsing quarterly Chinese growth in 2007 to 145 per cent of GDP and the social contract. real economy is a concern for pol- climbed to 54.9 in December, IHS be doubly-pleased to see the man- ed to government interference. statistics and not enough on un- today. The IMF has flagged high And then there is environmen- "In France, we are champi- icy makers everywhere. China is Markit said on Monday. The read- ufacturing sector’s improved out- derstanding the massive economic and accelerating Chinese corporate tal rebalancing in a world con- no exception. Broader and deeper ing matches the initial estimate on look being accompanied by rising ons at passing laws, but they are restructuring that China has em- debt as a key risk to sustainable cerned about climate change and not always very helpful when capital markets, where market Dec. 15 and was up from 53.7 in price pressures.” PMI readings barked upon. While the quest for growth, and an impediment to re- the environment, and China needs November. Higher import costs rose in all seven of the countries in what we need is greater flexibili- more sustainable growth is not balancing reforms. A central aspect to worry seriously about both. forces play a greater role in the ef- ty in the workplace," Olivier ficient allocation of capital, are es- resulting from a weaker euro, com- the survey, with growth strongest unique to China, the scale and the of reform in China is the need for How is the Chinese rebalanc- bined with increased global com- in the Netherlands and Austria. Mathiot, chief executive of Pri- scope of its restructuring challenge rebalancing the economy – a sin- ing act progressing? The first ob- sential. More liquid corporate bond ceMinister, a Paris-based online modity prices, led to the sharpest Germany’s gauge was at the high- are unprecedented. gular objective, but with many servation is that much progress has markets, better-functioning equi- inflation for average purchasing est in three years, France’s in more marketplace, told BBC News in Many economies are experi- complex elements. What are they? been achieved, with reforms rang- ty markets and less reliance on May. Mathiot told the news site costs in more than five-and-a-half than five years, and Spain’s in 11 encing persistently lower growth, First, there is external rebal- ing from fiscal reforms, external bank financing of corporations are years. The European Central Bank months. Italy’s pace of growth its company had implemented including Canada. From high sin- ancing, which refers to shifting sector reforms, financial-sector re- "no-email Fridays" and felt the key elements. The opportunity for has extended its stimulus program improved and Greece’s contraction gle digits, Chinese annual growth from export-led growth, a pillar of forms to domestic reforms. The China from tightly integrated, clear- until at least the end of the year as eased. The euro fell after German problem should have been han- is trending toward 6 per cent, ac- China’s economic strategy for de- rebalancing to services is striking, dled through education, not leg- ly communicated and well-execut- it strives to return consumer-price data were published and extended cording to the International Mon- cades, to domestic-demand-led with China emerging as a world ed structural reforms, according to growth to its goal of just under 2 declines following the euro-area re- islation. However, supporters of etary Fund, and with a surprising growth. Second is domestic rebal- leader in e-commerce. the bill said it would be an im- the McKinsey Global Institute, percent. While inflation looks set port. The single currency traded degree of regional variation: Some ancing, which is fiendishly com- The second observation is to accelerate in coming months, at $1.0480 at 10:12 a.m. Frankfurt portant move toward minimiz- provinces are booming while oth- plex and requires large-scale struc- there is still lots more to do. could be in the order of $5-trillion. ing work-related stress among Not a bad return from a govern- officials are concerned that core time. The average euro-area PMI ers are in recession – a political tural shifts: from industry to ser- Specifically, integrated and prices -- excluding energy and food reading over 2016 was the highest French employees. problem anywhere. vices; from investment to con- mutually reinforcing structural re- ment investment in rebalancing. (Chicago Tribune) -- have so far shown no convinc- since 2010, IHS Markit said. What is going on? Structural sumption; from government- forms, combined with comple- (The Globe and mail) ing upward trend. (Bloomberg) Pakistan’s to-be thriving port suffering from crippling water scarcity

ISLAMABAD: Imagine a deep- demands of this port city. Today ing authorities last month after Central and South Asian region. The writer is a Cambridge graduate and is working as a management consultant. (Tribune) sea port where, while so-called Gwadar has a population of 0.12 newspapers were flooded with development experts enjoy a million compared to a mere 5,000 residential schemes. As tap water breath-taking view from their re- back in year 2000 and if the popu- is accessible to only 5% of the gal five star hotel rooms located lation of Gwadar surpasses the 2 population, urban planning in gen- on the grand Koh-e-Batil hill, in- million mark in the next five years, eral and water planning in particu- digenous fishermen are left with average water requirements would lar is extremely important to miti- little choice except migrating per- be around 200 million gallons per gate risks rising from a plethora of manently to far-flung harbours. day. Mirani dam, however, was such housing projects. The Gwa- Imagine a place where one of intended to manage a demand of dar master plan 2005 assumed an the most expensive commodities less than 10 million gallons per day. over simplistic view of these re- is a bottle of fresh water and Gwadar Development Author- source management problems – though every now and then one ity (GDA) has already commis- using a classic reductionist ap- finds a convoy of trucks escorted sioned a study to plan expropria- proach instead of a more inclusive by military vehicles, fresh water tion and resettlement of old Gwa- and systems perspective. Despite tankers are scarce and expensive. dar population. At present, there its rising status, Gwadar suffers Yes, this is the new boomtown – is no strategic plan to improve so- from water crunch Human traffick- Gwadar smart port city – a project cio-economic conditions of local ing woes For hundreds of years, that is expected to open new vis- population nor are any blue prints Gwadar has been a hub of smug- tas of bilateral cooperation be- of a larger capacity –building pro- gling and human trafficking but tween Pakistan and China. gramme to train them for future now Gwadar’s most trafficked ar- Gwadar’s development – expected jobs. Previously in the eas are being dominated by new misgivings must be addressed construction of coastal highway ‘development’ actors who tell a Water crisis Through sheer cour- link from Karachi to Gwadar, hard- totally different story. Thanks to age, native people of Gwadar have ly any local population was hired. the China-Pakistan Economic Cor- shown resilience as never exhib- The same episode might be repeat- ridor, Gwadar port development ited before. However unless the ed in future if appropriate steps project will benefit not only local water problem is tackled with a are not taken to enhance the skill people but masses at large living head-on approach, Gwadar might set of the local labour force. The in China, Pakistan, Iran and Af- end-up becoming a ghost town. first phase in the development of ghanistan. The venture might be The Ankara Kaur dam has dried Gwadar involves completion of an the biggest one in its 3,000 year up and the desalination plant has international airport and other port history but only a holistic ap- failed to work. facilities by the year 2017. How- proach to port planning will en- The Mirani dam built over ever, Gwadar smart port city mas- sure that the tale of Gwadar will river Dasht can help de-escalate ter plan has not yet been finalised have a happy ending – helping lo- the situation but it was never and recently GDA has stopped cals transform their lives and those planned to meet the future water issuing any more NOCs to hous- of other ordinary people living in TUESDAY . JANUARY 03, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Raees, our very own Mahira embrace and is captioned, Tu sha- Khan’s Bollywood debut vehicle ma hai toh yaad rakhna… Mainn with King Khan Shah Rukh is set bhi hoon parwana… to hit the screens soon. Last week, DNA reported that While the trailer of the movie Shah Rukh and Mahira were in featured the Humsafar actor in all Morocco to shoot two songs for her glory, the two lead actors have Raees. “It was only for a couple been teasing fans with some addi- of days, as the team didn’t want tional sneak peeks too. people in India to know that they Raees trailer is being celebrat- have shot the film there,” an insid- ed across India, but Pakistan has er revealed. something to celebrate too Shahrukh also shared another Recently, Shah Rukh gave us glimpse of Raees. Directed by yet another taste of Raees and its Rahul Dholakia, Raees is slated to leading lady in the form of a recent release on January 25, 2017. Have poster shared on his Instagram something to add in the story? page. The poster shows Shah Share it in the comments below. Rukh and Mahira in an intense (The Express Tribuen)

LAHORE : While most of us were this prestigious title plans to rep- credit,” Ali told The Express Tri- cially on the Miss World plat- Asia Pacific International 2016, Ali too preoccupied with slaughtering resent our country at the next Miss bune. “Beauty pageants are great form,” Diya said. is gearing up to takeover the big Miley Cyrus, goats at airports or wondering World competition. platforms for women,” she said. For the rising model, beauty is screen. when Imran Khan will finally be- She will also be making her big According to the model, there as beauty does. Education, confi- The film’s shooting commenc- come prime minister, Pakistan won screen debut in a film being pro- were 14 other contestants in the dence and planning are what make es in Canada next month. “I have Liam Hemsworth big at the recent Miss Asia Pacific duced by one Sonia Miss Asia Pacific competition but a model of today. “I believe these discussed the script with Sonia in International 2016 in the Philip- Ahmed.Lahore-resident Diya, an she was the only one sans govern- are qualities that make a model tru- great detail. Some other actors from pines. MBA in Finance, decided to try ment support. “I must say that ly beautiful. For me, the most crit- Pakistan in addition to different And by ‘big,’ we mean the her hand at modelling out of sheer I’ve learned a lot from this experi- ical moment is when interview countries are working on it as well. secretly married? much-coveted honour of Miss Per- passion. “Popularity and self-pro- ence. Even though I had no back- questions are thrown your way It’s great to have them in my first petual. motion is not what I’m here for. ing from my country, I went ahead, and you have to immediately re- film,” Diya revealed. She also aims If you don’t know what that That’s why I didn’t tell anyone represented Pakistan and clinched spond to them.”Evidently, Diya is to make a pit-stop at the Super- means, don’t worry. We don’t ei- when I won the Miss Perpetual a title,” she said. “The lessons I not just another pretty face. She model International Competition ther. What we do know is that Diya title, even though I am the first have learnt at Miss Asia Pacific seems well beyond her years. Now in Bulgaria soon. Ali – the ever popular recipient of Pakistani to do so and deserve the will remain with me forever, espe- that she has made a mark at Miss (The Express Tribune) AR Rahman With Rs 77600 crore in the bank, 2016 to compose was the most successful year for Hollywood music for Vijay’s next Tamil film

Singer-actor Miley Cyrus has Happy New Year sign. She also sparked speculation that she is bragged about her “hot” fiance. married to her Last Song co-star Fans were quick to speculate Liam Hemsworth after she called that Miley and Liam secretly got his family her “in-laws” on social hitched after she posted a photo media.The couple celebrated New of their mothers hugging along with Year’s Eve with their families this caption, “Family! #inlaws (no time, including Miley and Liam’s law).” Miley Cyrus makes rela- Double Oscar-winning composer mothers Tish and Leonie respec- tionship with Liam Hemsworth AR Rahman has finally given his tivly. Liam’s brother – Thor star official Miley shared two photos consent to be part of Vijay’s yet- Chris Hemsworth and wife Elsa with her mother at the gold-themed untitled next Tamil outing, to be Pataky were also present. party. directed by Atlee. The project will Miley Cyrus flaunts ‘Hem- According to a source, Miley roll from March next year. Al- sworth’ T-shirt and Liam made sure to clear their though Rahman has agreed in prin- The couple got into the fes- family’s schedules just in time for cipal, he’s yet to sign on the dot- tive spirit as documented in pho- the lavish celebration. ted line. tos shared by Miley on Instagram. Have something to add int he “The makers are waiting to One photo showed them sharing a story? Share it in the comments make the official announcement passionate kiss in front of a giant below. (IANS) once he signs, which might take a few more days. However, Rah- man, verbally, has agreed to be part of the project,” said a source from Deepika nervous yet excited the film’s unit. While the genre of the film still about Hollywood debut remains a mystery, it has to be seen whether it will be shot in the US as speculated so far. 016 was the highest-earn of every size and scope from all 2. Rogue One: A Star Wars Sto- 7. Zootopia - Disney - $341.2 “The film won’t be complete- ing year in history for mov the studios” for the boost. ry - Disney - $408.2 M (Rs 2778 M (Rs 2322 crore) ly shot abroad. Atlee has plans to ies in the US and Canada, Disney scored the top three crore) 8. Batman V Superman: Dawn shoot a few scenes either in the according to new figures. movies of the year, delighting au- 3. Captain America: Civil War of Justice - Warner Bros. - $333 US or in Europe. He hasn’t decid- The North American box of- diences with new installments of - Disney - $408.1 M (Rs 2778 M (Rs 2267 crore) ed where to shoot yet, and this fice made a record-breaking $11.4 its Star Wars and Captain America crore) 9. Suicide Squad - Warner Bros. process could easily take a few billion (Rs 77600 crore) over the franchises, as well as the smash 4. The Secret Life of Pets - - $325.1 M (Rs 2213 crore) more weeks,” the source said, con- course of the year, reports box of- hit Finding Dory. Universal - $368.4 M (Rs 2506 10. Star Wars: The Force firming that the film’s shoot might fice analyst ComScore. The top 10 highest-grossing crore) Awakens - Disney - $284.7 M (Rs commence from February or The company’s Senior Media films at the North American box 5. The Jungle Book - Disney - 1934 crore) March next year. Analyst Paul Dergarabedian cred- office for the year 2016 are: $364 M (Rs 2478 crore) You can read their reviews by Sri Thenandal Films will be ited the “incredibly diverse selec- 1. Finding Dory - Disney - 6. Deadpool - 20th Century clicking on the hyperlinks bankrolling this project, which is tion of films from every genre and $486.2 M (Rs 3300 crore) Fox - $363 M (Rs 2472 crore) Follow @htshowbiz rumoured to also feature Vadivelu and Mottai Rajendran in support- ing roles. Kajal Aggarwal and Samantha are slugging it out for the role of Karan Johar knows exactly Actress Deepika Padukone says happening," she added. After her female protagonist. she is nervous and excited about Hollywood debut later this month, her Hollywood debut "xXx - Re- Deepika will be known for being turn of Xander Cage" that stars Vin more than a Bollywood actress. when Aryan Khan might make his debut Diesel. "I am really excited. This Talking about it, she said: "I think is my Hollywood debut. I am very I'd like to be known as a good per- Aryan Khan’s Bollywood debut of him. When he comes back, he is director or just as a guiding sup- him, ‘What are you doing, who is nervous, but I am also very excit- son and a good actor. But I also will have to wait for at least 4 years, going to decide if he wants to be in port. For me, Aryan being this person with you in the frame?’ ed. And today is the beginning to feel very proud that I get to repre- according to Karan Johar. the movies. And if he does, of launched is like my son being I feel like a possessive parent who that journey. Hopefully, we will sent my country, especially in this Johar cleared the air on the ru- course, I will be a big part of it as a launched. I will be this hyper rela- wants to know exactly what he is be coming to India soon," Deepika kind of action franchise of the film." mours surrounding Shah Rukh tive breathing down his neck,” he up to,” he continued. Karan Johar said on January 1 before leaving "I am really excited. I am also Khan’s eldest and his much-await- said. launched star kids Alia Bhatt and for abroad to kick-start the film's very sure we will enjoy this film ed debut in the Hindi film indus- “I have held Aryan in my arms Varun Dhawan in his film Student promotion. because of its content. There is a try. In an interview with Bombay when he was six months old, and of the Year, and it was rumoured "In terms of promotion, first lot of action, adventure in the film, Times, Johar said that Aryan will walked around the streets of Lon- that he would launch Aryan op- we will head to Mexico. As far as which we have not seen in Indian be away studying in Los Angeles don. Now he is a grownup, good posite Saif Ali Khan’s daughter the release is concerned, we will films before. So, I can't wait to bring Vijay is an actor, playback singer for the next 4 years, and to not looking boy with six packs and all Sara in a film. In a December 2015 first release the movie in India. this movie to India and show it to and producer who works expect him to make his film debut set to face the world. I feel so interview with HT, the director While shooting the film, I discussed everyone." "xXx: Return of Xander primarily in the Tamil film before he returns. proud. Of course, I track him all had said that “I am going to main- this with my unit... that it would Cage", helmed by D.J. Caruso, industry. He is known for hits “Aryan is my godchild. Cur- the time. When I see any images of tain my youth quotient only be- be great to first release it in India also stars Donnie Yen and Samuel such as Thuppakki and Pokkiri. rently, he is in Los Angeles and he him online, he gets messages from cause I want to launch Aryan. No and I am happy that it is finally L. Jackson. (Santabanta) (ActorVijay/Facebook) has four years of university ahead me in the middle of the night. I ask one else can launch Aryan but me.” TUESDAY . JANUARY 03, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES H BL get Afridi bo o st in On e-day Cup fin al as SSGC bid fo r first title KARACHI: Even before the first middle-order batting. ball in the National One-day Cup SSGC, on the other hand, will for Departments is delivered at the be heavily relying on the inspira- National Stadium on Monday, the tional Shoaib Malik to realize the talking point revolves on the char- dream in their maiden final. ismatic figure of Shahid Afridi who However, at the time of filing makes a very rare return to domes- this report, the team management tic cricket. waited anxiously to know wheth- In sporting terms, the presence er Malik would be available for the of Afridi in the Habib Bank Limit- title-decider since the former Pa- ed (HBL) ranks wouldn’t cause kistan skipper has been summoned any fears for Sui Southern Gas by the PCB in Lahore to appear Company (SSGC), who will be for the fitness test — a mandatory bidding to make history by sealing requirement before Malik is cleared a first major crown, while being for the One-day International se- aware of the characteristic unpre- ries in Australia later this month. dictability of Afridi’s game Malik, who was supposed to throughout his career, both at the lead SSGC at the start of the com- international and national levels. petition, has handed the reins to Since retiring from internation- Pakistan discard Fawad Alam since al cricket, the former Pakistan cap- returning from a private visit to tain has been mainly plying his India that forced him to miss two trade on T20 circuit with pinch of matches. one-day cricket during the last Awais Zia, a hard-hitting left- summer in England where he handed opener and another who turned for Hampshire. had been sidelined by the national In his last 50-over match on selectors after a handful of T20 In- June 14 at Bristol, The soon-to-be ternational appearances against 37-year-old Afridi returned figures England, has been the driving force of 0-44 in 10 overs as Gloucester- behind SSGC’s current campaign shire amassed 352-3, but was with 396 runs, including a bowled for a 10-ball 4 in Hamp- career0best effort of 134. shire’s tally of 342-8. It was also Adil Amin is also in fine form Afridi’s 500th List A appearance with 327 runs and with Malik and in a long career that began 21 sea- Fawad adding the experience fac- sons ago. tor, SSGC do possess a good bat- The return of Afridi for his first ting line-up to challenge HBL. competition fixture in four weeks Left-arm paceman Zia-ul-Haq undoubtedly bolsters, on paper at carries a heavy responsibility along least, an already confident-looking with slow left-armer Mohammad HBL side which rode on a magnif- Irfan while all-rounder Aamir icent Ahmed Shehzad century to Yamin is expected to play after demolish Sui Northern Gas Pipe- missing the semi-final win over lines Limited (SNGPL) by six Water and Power Development wickets in Saturday’s semi-final at Authority (Wapda) at the NBP the National Stadium. Sports Complex where conditions Shehzad, the HBL skipper, were deemed unsuitable for his smashed a boundary-laden 166 brisk medium-pacers. from just 124 balls to extend his Psychologically, SSGC do total in the tournament to a stag- hold a slight advantage over HBL gering 585 runs with his career-best coming into the final after having iego Costa has revealed had scored just three times before ments". supporters, with the people, so good with the players, every time effort on Saturday being his third handed their fancied rivals a re- he was keen to leave Jose Mourinho was sacked on "Could I have gone in the sum- I'm here very happy, I'm very con- making more jokes with the play- ton in this event and second on the sounding 70-run defeat in Hyder- Chelsea in the summer December 17, after which he went mer? Yes, yes. I was about to tent. ers, and that's good for us, to have trot. abad 10 days ago when both Awais and almost completed a on a goalscoring run which saw him leave," he said. "I was about to but, "People love me a lot. There a manager who is not just a boss Unsurprisingly, HBL will be and Adil hit hundreds in the cur- return to Atletico Madrid. finish the campaign with 16 to his well, I'm happy here as well and was one thing I wanted to change but like a person we can talk with, praying that Shehzad has enough rent tournament’s highest total of Costa has been in excellent name. that's that."Did I want to go? Yes, for family reasons but, well, it someone whose support we can energy left in the tank to inspire 349-7. form for the Premier League lead- Costa says he is happier at yes. I had the possibility to go to wasn't to be and I continue to be count on in difficult moments. them again as they seek their first But SSGC, who are coached ers this season, scoring 15 times Chelsea now and praised manager Atletico, because of a few things, happy here. It was important too "He is calm with the players limited-overs trophy since 2010- by ex-Pakistan wicket-keeper as the Blues have embarked on a Antonio Conte for being "some- the family, the life I have there but that the manager, from the very and you can see the people love 11 when they won the Division Atiq-uz-Zaman, know that despite 13-game winning streak. one whose support [the players] not because of Chelsea, because, first minute, said he counted on him more all the time." One title. Prior to that last suc- the result of their previous, it is Last term, the Spanish striker can count on in difficult mo- here, there's a lot of love with the me. "The truth is the manager is (SkySports cess, HBL lifted a one-day trophy the performance on the biggest as long as 1993-94 after making a stage that counts. hat-trick of final victories between HABIB BANK: Imam-ul- 1989-90 and 1991-92. Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed She- While Shehzad has been the hzad (captain), Aftab Khan, batsman of the competition, team- Rameez Aziz, Fahim Ashraf, Sha- mate Fahim Ashraf is the leading hid Afridi, Mohammad Waqas, Ja- bowler with 18 wickets thus far. mal Anwar, Zohaib Khan, Ammad Fahim, a 22-year-old who bowls Butt, Usman Khan Shinwari, Ali left-arm seamers at a decent pace Shafiq, Umar Gul. James DeGale is looking forward and also bats left-handed, has SSGC: Awais Zia, Umar Amin, to catching up with Floyd May- emerged as an all-rounder of some Adil Amin, Asif Zakir, Shoaib weather, who he says has a "soft merit this season. Malik, Fawad Alam (captain), spot" for him. HBL also expect their settled Saifullah Khan Bangash, Aamir The IBF world super-middle- opening pair of left-handers Imam- Yamin, Zafar Gohar, Mohammad weight champion is heading out to ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman to give Irfan, Ahmed Jamal, Zia-ul-Haq, Miami to finalise preparations for them a good start, while the expe- Zain Abbas, Adnan Ghaus, Tariq his unification fight with Badou rienced Aftab Khan anchors the Haroon. (DAWN) Jack in New York on January 14, live on Sky Sports. DeGale was handed a tiara la- belling him a diva in the press con- ference to confirm the Barclays Agrapart brin gs Center unification fight that will see the American-based fighter put his WBC title on the line. up Kelly do uble It came from Mayweather himself and his promotional team but 'Chunky' is expecting the former world No 1 to finally catch up with him in fight week out in America. "It's a bit weird because every time I meet Floyd Mayweather, it seems like he likes me," DeGale told Sky Sports. "After the last press confer- ence, it was a bit busy and a bit hectic, but my mum got a text from his PA and it said: Floyd didn't get the chance to catch-up with James, can Floyd have James's number, please. the Money Team, I'm telling you. telling you. "But skills pay the bills McDonnell and his close-nit team ish training in Miami, before mov- "He wants me to be part of He's got a soft spot for me, I'm and that's that." DeGale, trainer Jim are heading over to America to fin- ing to New York for fight week. So lid start Murray an d Lizzie Kelly was seen to great ef- "We'd like to think he might Farah kn ighted fect as Agrapart rallied to nail stay three miles, maybe the Stay- L'Ami Serge in the Dornan Engi- ers' Hurdle, you never know. fo r Ko n ta in Chin a Andy Murray and Mo Farah have never have imagined where I would neering Relkeel Hurdle at Chelten- "It's been a tough season and been awarded knighthoods in the be today - it's a dream come true. ham. I'm just glad we've come here to- New Year Honours after enjoying I'm so proud to have had the op- Winner of the Betfair Hurdle day and the hard work of every- further incredible success in 2016. portunity to race for my country last season, the six-year-old sat one has paid off." Farah and Murray are joined in and win gold medals for the Brit- just behind Cole Harden for much Williams said: "I don't know being knighted by Paralympics ish people, who have been my big- of the two-and-a-half-mile contest. where we go next, he's very much equestrian great Lee Pearson, gest supporters throughout my Kelly must have thought it was ground dependent as all his wins while Jessica Ennis-Hill and career. "My successes have only going to be easy as she cruised into have been on heavy. Katherine Grainger have been been possible because of their sup- the lead just into the home straight, "The reason we came here was made dames. Murray ended a sen- port and the commitment, sacri- but Daryl Jacob was going even to see if we could step him up for sational 12 months on top of the fices and love of my amazing fam- better on the 2/1 favourite L'Ami the World (Stayers') Hurdle. tennis world after claiming his sec- ily and the team around me now Serge. "I think he's a stayer on good ond Wimbledon title over the sum- and over the years." He went two lengths clear at to soft ground, we'll probably go mer. He also successfully defend- Pearson took his Paralympic one point, but the famous hill up in trip, he won't go backwards ed his Olympic Games title in Rio gold medal tally to 11 with further claimed yet another victim as in trip and we'll point towards the and his victory at the ATP World success in Rio, where he won the Kelly galvanised Agrapart (16/1) Stayers' Hurdle." Tour finals in London last month individual freestyle event after to give the only female to have re- He added: "It's fantastic, we meant Murray won the last five claiming silver in the team compe- corded a Grade One victory in Brit- haven't been winning many races tournaments he participated in to tition. ain another notable success. recently, so it's fantastic we've had take home more than £13.3m in He told Sky Sports News HQ: It has been a rather quiet spell two winners today. prize money. "I think it's been the biggest sur- for Kelly's step-father and trainer "It was a brilliant ride by Liz- Farah also played a massive prise of my life. You receive a let- Nick Williams, but the pair have zie, she's very, very strong in a fin- part in Team GB's success at the ter asking you to accept the ho- started 2017 in the best fashion ish. She's won a lot of photos Olympics, where he repeated his nour and ever since sending the with a double after Coo Star Sivo- against very strong jockeys and feat from London 2012 of win- envelope back to the Prime Min- la's success earlier on the card. any thoughts of her not being ning gold in the men's 5,000m and ister I've hardly slept." Kelly, riding just her third win- strong enough in a finish are rub- 10,000m. The 33-year-old now Ennis-Hill and Grainger have ner of the season, told ITV Rac- bish." has four Olympic gold medals to long been two of the country's lead- ing: "I made the decision to go back Nicky Henderson said of go with five at both the World and ing sportswomen and both brought home, we've got a lot of good horses L'Ami Serge: "I don't think he did Johanna Konta got her 2017 cam- Cagla Buyukakcay 6-2 6-0. again. Konta was ruthless through- European Championships. Farah down the curtain on their careers and we just needed a bit of luck - anything wrong, it looks like he paign off to a bright and confident Konta broke Buyukakcay on out the second set, and Buyukak- said: "I'm so happy to be awarded after Rio. today we've had it. enjoyed hurdling and I'm entitled start as she eased her way into the her opening serve and then again cay finished the match having this incredible honour from the Grainger won silver alongside "This horse is a legend, I knew to stay hurdling now. second round of the Shenzhen on her third to race into a 4-1 lead. saved only two of the eight break country that has been my home Vicky Thornley in the double sculls he had a great shout, we came in "He ran like the best horse and Open. Although the Turkish player points against her. since I moved here at the age of event at the age of 41 after return- quietly at 16/1 but the way he won didn't do anything wrong, he trav- The British No 1, who is seed- broke back to make it 4-2, Konta The 25-year-old will now face eight. "Looking back at the boy ing to rowing after London 2012, the Betfair I knew he'd stay fur- elled to me like a two-miler. He ed third in the tournament, looked immediately responded for a 5-2 American Vania King in the sec- who arrived here from Somalia, where she originally announced her ther and it's rained all day, which doesn't look like a stayer and I don't sharp from the start as she beat lead, and she was never troubled ond round. not speaking any English, I could retirement. was always going to suit him. imagine he'll be going any further." TUESDAY . JANUARY 03. 2017-Jadi 14, 1395 H.S Vol:XI Issue No: 154 Price: Afs.20

The Envoy:From Kabul to the White House, My Journey Through a Turbulent World A task team appointed by the Na- panies. Also there were contracts tional Unity Government (NUG) in violation of procurement law,” Afghans had strong sense of com- counterterrorism, de-radicaliza- to probe allegations of corruption said Ghulam Hussain Fakhri, head munity, but a far weaker sense of tion, and how to strengthen Mus- in the Ministry of Public Health of the investigative team. civic responsibility. My greatest lim moderates, but her favorite (MoPH) has reportedly stated the Meanwhile, Mohammad Na- frustration was an Afghan mind- project involved a partnership ministry is guilty of maladminis- sir Timori, a member of Integrity set that led them to shirk respon- with Sesame Workshop. The idea tration and corruption. Watch Afghanistan said: “Govern- sibility for bettering their commu- was to give Afghan children, who Documents seen by TOLOne- ment lacks a good strategy to clear nities and country. In general, Af- had been born into the grim era of ws cites that the team was appoint- government institutions of corrup- ghans lacked initiative and a sense the Taliban, a hopeful window into ed on July 25 last year to assess tion. Thus, a big number of inves- of urgency, and seemed to suffer learning by creating a mini-version contracts signed by the ministry tigation reports remain on file and from a culture of dependency. I was of Sesame Street for Afghanistan. in the three years prior to that. have not been assessed.” disheartened, for example, when I One evening, randomly listening to Two months ago, the team sent But the MoPH said the team tried to recruit high school classes Afghan radio, I was startled to hear its finding to President Ashraf had no evidence to prove its find- to water and care for seedlings as her voice giving an interview from Ghani but as yet no steps have ings. “They do not have any evi- part of the “greening of Kabul” Kandahar. The program was well been taken against the ministry. dence that could prove a number initiative. Many responded, “That received and set the stage for Tolo The 18-page report states that of contracts were given to specific is the responsibility of the gov- TV to launch its own version of a number of contracts were grant- NGOs. If they have proved that, ernment. Why should we do it?” Sesame Street in 2011. ed without the minister’s approv- government would have taken ac- I tried to encourage a culture To encourage the Afghan peo- ing, I was skeptical, knowing how al, that there appeared to be a pro- tion,” said Ferozuddin Feroz, the of civic responsibility by describ- ple and keep them informed, I held curement monopolization by some Minister of Public Health. tightly Dostum controlled his sub- ing the volunteerism I had ob- regular news conferences in Dari. ordinates. contracts and the administration Another issue the investigative in the relevant fields. ed to the ministry.” Fakhri said served as a teenager in United In interviews with the Afghan department, and that there was a team had was with the number of The minister said when he was however the team’s investigation When tensions flared in early States. I relayed the history of how press, I discussed the programs we April 2004, I saw an opportunity lack of transparent accountability advisors employed by the MoPH. appointed there were “400 to 450 has not been finalized and further Americans on the frontier came had under way and the approach along with other issues. However, the ministry has stated advisors at the MoPH. From the investigations are needed to uncov- to address the Dostum-Atta prob- together to raise schoolhouses and the Afghan government and its in- lem once and for all. After Dostum “A number of contracts were that the advisors work in different time I was appointed, no more than er details around the issue of cor- hire teaches. I also pointed to the ternational supporters were tak- given to specific NGOs and com- departments to resolve problems three advisors have been appoint- ruption. (Tolo News) deployed 600 fighters to invade great monuments at Bamiyan, ing to demobilize militias. Maimana, the capital of Faryab Ghazni, and Mazar and Afghan U N F O R T U N A T E L Y, Province, the governor, who had cities like Herat and Balkh. These THERE WAS also a formidable been appointed by Karzai, fled and Initial work had been built at time when the group of spoilers. Beside the Tali- went into hiding near the border United States didn’t even exist. Yet ban these inclided warlords, nar- with Turkmenistan. Barno and I on Nangarhar today, the Afghans were looking co-rraffickers and the Pakistani met with Karzai and supported his to the United States to build sim- military and intelligence services. decision to deploy 750 ANA civil airport to ple structures such as schools. No warlord irritated Karzai as troops to resote order in the city. Still, Afghans made remarkable much as Dostum. Karzai repeat- Dostum threatened to attack that progress. With support from the edly vowed to arrest him. I advised battalion and Jalali and Ghani ar- begin soon National Endowment for Democ- Karzai to consider the balance of gued that ANA forces should ar- racy, civil society blossomed. A power in the north and to move rest Dostums.It was bold but risky JALALABAD : Initial construc- wide variety of groups were enliv- with caution. tion work on a civil airport in east- proposition. We obviously could ening discussion on important is- Dostum was refusing to dis- not allow Dostum to attack the ern Nangarhar province would be- sues such as women’s rights, the arm his militia. He complained that gin in next two weeks, an official ANA. Plus with U.S. advisors rule of law, and economic reform. although he had done the bulk of embedded with the ANA battal- said on Monday. Civil society groups organized the fighting in the north against the Governor’s spokesman, At- ion, Dostum was de facto threat- themselves to clean the streets of Taliban, he had not received an of- ening to attack American soldiers. taullah Khogyani, told Pajhwok Kabul. Afghan media was flourish- ficial position in the new govern- Afghan News preliminary survey But a clash between the ANA and ing as well. I was particularly grat- ment. Dostum wanted be either the Dostum’s forces could end badly on construction of the airport was ified to see the success of Saad defense minister or the chief of and open a new fault line inside a begun about one and a half months Mohseni’s Tolo Television, an in- staff of the armed forces. He also coalition that was cooperating ago. He said a delegation from the dependent network that quickly made the case that if he demobi- against the Taliban. My first phone Afghanistan Civil Aviation Author- became the most-viewed station. lized, Tajik warlords would domi- call with Dostum didn’t go well. I ity (ACAA) visited Nangarhar Its program Afghan Star, a local nate the entire north, from Bda- tried to treat him with respect, province two days ago and pro- version of American Idol, is not khshan to Herat. communicating U.S. red lines while vided plan for the airport’s con- only entertaining, but also is teach- Atta was the strongest Tajik giving him a face-saving way out struction. ing participation and contributing rival to Dostum in the north. When of the conflict. But no matter that Khogyani said practical work to national unity as Afghans vote I asked Atta what I could do to I said, Dostum kept threatening to on initial construction of the civil by text message for the singers end his repeated clashes with Dos- send the Americans home “in body they like best, regardless of eth- tum, he proposed two choices: fa- airport would begin in two weeks. bags.” He was slurring his words. nicity. Tolo TV had also been a cilitate an agreement between them Perhaps he had a bit too much to ACAA acting head, Mahmod pioneer in public affairs broadcast- or move them both to Kabul. Shah Habibi, during a trip to Jala- KABUL: Former President Hamid Karzai on Monday met with drink, a habit for which he was well ing, airing town hall-style discus- I went to see Dostum in Maz- known. To give him time to reflect- labad, had said that budget for the sions of political issues as well as ar-i-Sharif. Laming the problems airport had been allocated and prac- members of the Afghanistan National Welfare Party, and to sober up-I said that I would call high-quality documentaries. on his deputies, he promised to him again in two hours. tical work on its construction exchanged views regarding current situation of the country. At RAND, Cheryl worked on work with Atta to stop the fight- would begin once location for the To be continued project was finalized. A provincial council member, District police chief among Ajmal Omar, welcomed the project and said all construction process should be performed carefully. 5 hurt in Logar blast He said mafia groups in Nan- PUL-I-ALAM : One policeman garhar were likely to conspire was killed and five others, includ- against the airport project. ing the district police chief, were Trader Haji Tor Malang told wounded as a result of bomb ex- Pajhwok construction of the air- plosion in the Mohammad Agha port was vital for local business- district of the central Logar prov- men and residents. ince on Monday, an official said. ed to hospital in capital Kabul with Traders traveling from Kabul District Administrative Chief, no update about the health condi- to Nangarhar or from Nangarhar Nasir Ahmad Amin, told Pajhwok tion available. to Pakistan often fell prey to high- Afghan News the explosion tar- Iqbal, the resident of the Kan- way robbers, he said. Haron Mo- geted police vehicle on its way dahrio locality, said the blast took mand, a resident of Jalalabad city, from Kandahario to Surkhab local- place in the afternoon in which said building the airport was good ity at around 12:30 pm. some policemen were wounded. He said one policeman was news for people as it would facil- Mohammad Agha district lo- killed and the Mohammad Agah cated 35km south of Kabul which itate traveling from and to Nangar- district police chief, Capt. Abdul har. A pre-existing airport in Nan- is one the unstable districts of the Rahimizai was among four others central Logar province. Militants garhar province is used only for policemen wounded in the blast. have not yet commented about the military flights. (Pajhwok) The wounded had been shift- incident. (Pajhwok)

SAR-I-PUL : Security forces have the police officers in Hoz Haji wounded during a clash with secu- freed six border police after being Mohammad Omar locality north rity forces who confiscated nine abducted by Taliban militants a of Sar-i-Pul city, the provincial motorbikes. The security forces week as a result of an operation in capital. He said the operation took suffered no casualties. northern Sar-i-Pul province, the place when militants wanted to Abdul Rahman, one of the re- governor said on Monday. shift the police personnel to Ko- leased policemen, said “Taliban Mohammad Zahir Wahdat told histanat district where they con- tortured and abused us and did not a press conference here that the trolled many areas. give as suitable food”. The Taliban operation was carried out on Sun- He said six Taliban militants have not yet commented about the day night to secure the release of were killed and nine others were incident. (Pajhowk)