Eye on the News [email protected] Truthful, Factual and Unbiased Vol:IX Issue No:266 Price: Afs.15

SATURDAY . MAY 02 . 2015 -Sawr 12, 1394 HS www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes

Modi may visit Kabul to attend the new Afghan parliament inauguration

he Indian Prime Minister Department (CPWD), which is Narendra Modi may visit carrying out the work on India s TKabul later this year to at- behalf, has assured Afghan offi- KABUL: An Afghan delegation is Pakistan s army chief told 20-member Afghan delegation will fighting Afghanistan s U.S.- well as some from Pakistan and tend the inauguration of the new cials that all work will be wound heading to Qatar for open dis- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in attend preliminary talks in Qatar backed government that also has other countries. Afghan Parliament. up by September 30, and the Par- cussions with representatives of February that senior figures in the on Sunday and Monday, Attaul- a political wing. Few other details The Taliban official also said According to reports, Modi liament building will be function- Taliban insurgents over the next Taliban were open to direct talks lah Ludin, deputy chief of Afghan- were immediately available. Pre- that Hizb-i-Islami figures would was invited by the Afghan Presi- al by October for their last ses- few days aimed at ending Afghan- with Kabul to end the war, but istan s High Peace Council, told vious efforts to open channels of participate. He spoke on condi- dent Mohammad Ashraf Ghani sion. The only work left is car- istan s long war, an official said until now there had been little sign Reuters. The open discussions communication, including the es- tion of anonymity because he was during his 3-day state visit to In- peting and sound system, the rest on Friday. The meeting is intend- of progress. are based on peace in Afghanistan. tablishment of a political office in not authorised to reveal the talks. dia this week. The Indian news- has been completed, the source ed as a step toward opening for- The Taliban and their militant There will be representatives from Qatar in 2013 as part of a U.S.- It s top secret so far, he papers quoting informed sources told The Hindu. The new parlia- mal talks to ending the war, but it allies have if anything shown Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Taliban sponsored push to promote talks, said. reported that the Indian side was ment building is being built with was not clear on Friday whether more desire to fight than to talk. and some other organizations, have led nowhere. A senior Tali- He added that the aim of the recently informed that as elections the financial support of India in it had been approved by the Tali- Last week, Taliban fighters entered Ludin said. He said there would ban official in Qatar confirmed meeting was to sit in front of each are drawing near, the outgoing Par- western part of capital Kabul. ban s supreme leader, who has not the outer districts of a northerly be two representatives of Hizb-i- that a meeting was set for the com- other and listen to each other s liamentarians have expressed a The construction of the new been seen in public for years. provincial capital, Kunduz. The Islami, another militant group ing days with Afghan figures, as point of view . (Reuters) wish to mark the end of their term Afghan parliament started in 2009 from the new Parliament building. and was initially scheduled for a The Central Public Works December 2012 completion. (KP) Farkhunda murder Kabul laborers rally on May Day to HUGE LOSSES TRIAL TO START TODAY demand jobs KABUL: On Labor Day, hun- Three days back, the Attorney General s Office said it dreds of labourers on Friday CLAIMED AS KABUL had completed its investigation into the case and sent staged a protest demonstration in it to the primary court for proceeding. the capital Kabul, demanding KABUL: The trial in Farkhunda ecutors at the Attorney General s work opportunities. The rally market blaze put out murder case would commence on Office had dropped names of some was organized by the National Saturday, said the Kabul primary individuals involved in the mur- Labour Union aimed at pressing court chief on Thursday. der. Three days back, the Attor- the government to increase wages Farkhunda, 27, was lynched ney General s Office said it had of labourers. Mohammad Maroof by a mob in front of a well-known completed its investigation into Qadari, the NLU leader, asked the mosque Shah-i-Doshamshera, in the case and sent it to the primary government to implement labour the heart of Kabul after she was court for proceeding. Abdul laws, increase salaries of govern- falsely accused of burning pages Baseer Azizi, the AGO spokes- ment officials and facilitate work- from the holy Quran. Kabul pri- man said the case had thoroughly ers. mary court head Safiullah Mujad- been investigated from their side. The protestors carried placards dedi told Pajhwok Afghan individ- He said 49 people including 19 that read we need jobs and we uals accused of killing Farkhunda police officers had been arrested need bread . Ahmed Shah, one of would face trial expected to com- in connection with the murder. mence on Saturday. The judge had Furkhunda s murder caused a na- the protestors, told Pajhwok Af- previously said justice would be tional outcry, with civil society ghan News: It is hard for labour- served in the Farkhunda murder activists holding gatherings to call ers to provide their families three or, said most of the labourers are celebrated as Labour Day, May case and those whose names had for the perpetrators to be award- times meal since they cannot find forced to beg in the evening after Day or international workers day been omitted would also be ex- ed an exemplary punishment. (Pa- work every day. failing to find work the entire day . to appreciate efforts of labourers posed. He had also claimed pros- jhwok) Habibiullah, another protest- May first is internationally for their rights. (Pajhwok) 13 militants Pillion riding, tinted Afghanistan fighting season could kill car glasses banned lay down arms in Kandahar in Kunar: Jalala record number of civilians: Aid agencies TEHRAN: Fighting in Afghani- ghan forces in 2001. The Interna- percent of the UN s $405 appeal KANDAHAR CITY: Police on ASADABAD: A 13-member mil- stan this year could kill and injure tional Committee of the Red Cross for 2015. Conflict has already up- Thursday announced banning pil- itant group has joined the peace a record number of civilians and (ICRC) said it was concerned by rooted more than 800,000 people lion riding and tinted car glasses process in eastern Kunar province, force a growing number of people the increased number of attacks in within the country and this figure the acting governor said on Thurs- from their homes, aid agencies said recent weeks and the heavy toll is likely to rise as the fighting in- day. Shujaul Mulk Jalala told Pa- the other day. Taliban insurgents this had taken on the Afghan pop- tensifies, the Norwegian Refugee jhwok Afghan News the group, last week announced the start of ulation. The indiscriminate nature Council (NRC) said. The Taliban KABUL: A massive fire that en- been estimated as yet but they led by Arab Khan, had been ac- their annual spring offensive, of a suicide bomb attack in Jalala- have launched an offensive in the gulfed a dried fruit market in the must be in millions of afghanis. tive against the government in the warning of increased attacks on bad earlier this month, which northern province of Kunduz, central capital Kabul was extin- Another shopkeeper, Ahmad Chapa Dara district. foreign embassies and government killed 33 people and injured more where the Afghan army and police guished after two hours on Fri- Javed, said the cause of the fire They reconciled and turned in officials, as well as military tar- than 100, including many civilians, have less presence compared with day, but the blaze caused huge fi- remained unknown, but the mar- their weapons as a result of ef- gets. Last year was the worst for represents an alarming trend , the country s south and east which nancial losses to some shop own- ket had no fire extinguishing forts by the High Peace Council, civilians since the United Nations said ICRC director of operations are home to Taliban strongholds. ers. The fire broke out shortly af- equipment. intelligence and police officials, he began keeping records in 2009, Dominik Stillhart. Afghanistan s Heightened attacks have made it ter 10:30am in Durab Market in The fire has caused huge fi- said, adding that the government with more than 10,000 killed or President Ashraf Ghani blamed the difficult to deliver aid in Kunduz in southern Kandahar province. the limits of the first police dis- nancial losses to shopkeepers. I would provide the reconciling in- injured in the conflict in 2014. We attack on Islamic State in Iraq and ... we are seeing a steady deterio- Deputy provincial police chief dividuals vocational training in predict an increase in civilian ca- the Levant (ISIL) militants. Hu- ration of the humanitarian situa- Maj. Gen Rahmatullah Atrafi told trict and was put out around appeal to the government to as- sualties this year, the UN depu- manitarian needs in Afghanistan are tion in Afghanistan, NRC advo- 12:30pm. Haji Mohammad Fa- sist us because if the affected shop different skills. in a press conference in Kandahar Since the launch of the peace ty special representative for Af- not diminishing. They are grow- cacy manager Danielle Moylan told City that terrorists targeted gov- rooq, who owns a shop in the owners are not assisted, they process, Jalala said, around 378 ghanistan, Mark Bowden, told the ing. We see the fighting is increas- the Thomson Reuters Foundation ernment officials and other target market, told Pajhwok Afghan would be unable to continue their militants, who had been fighting Thomson Reuters Foundation by ing in intensity, Stillhart said. It by phone. This is the first year using motorbikes. That was why News that there were a total of 30 businesses. against the government over the phone. Hospitals have already is vital, at this time, that donors Afghan forces are facing the Tali- police banned pillion riding in the shops in the market and the fire Deputy Kabul police chief, past 13 years, had joined the peace noted twice the number of casual- maintain their commitment to the ban with very limited internation- city, he said, hoping the ban would erupted in eight shops. He said crime investigation department process in Kunar. ties coming in this year compared most vulnerable in Afghanistan, al support on the ground, after help to avoid such accidents. most of the shops were used as chief and the first district police Arab Khan, the group leader, to the same period last year, he he said. According to the UN Fi- NATO forces ended their 13-year Atrafi also briefed journalists warehouses for keeping dried deputy chief and Kabul fire bri- said they had been fighting against added. The Taliban has been fight- nancial Tracking Service, nearly combat mission in December. In- on progress police had achieved fruits, ghee, sugar bags and other gade officials, who were present American forces and decided to ing the Afghan government and its $130 million in humanitarian fund- ternational help with intelligence against militants and casualties food items. About financial loss- at the scene, shied away from talk- shun violence after the Americans foreign backers since it was oust- ing for Afghanistan has been re- and special operations will contin- suffered by insurgents during the es, Farooq said the losses had not ing to the media. (Pajhwok) had left. (Pajhwok) ed from power by US-backed Af- ceived so far this year, worth 32 ue through 2016. outgoing week. (Pajhwok) Afghan kids to learn mother tongue in Netherlands KABUL: A language centre has centre, calling it a major step in Afghan languages. Nangyalai Ba- been luanched in the western Eu- teaching Afghan children their sirak, head of the association, said ropean country of the Nether- mother tongue. The centre was such centres have been inaugruat- lands, aimed at teaching Afghan initiated by Ahmad Shah Baba ed across Denmark, Sweden, Can- diaspora Dari and Pashto; the two Academic and Cultural Associa- ada and the U.S., teaching hun- formal languages of Afghanistan. tion in the Netherlands. Apart from dreds of Afghan children their Dr. Obaidullah Obaid, Afghan Afghan students, the officials said, mother tongue. He added more Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dutch and Turkish students have than 43,000 Afghan families lived welcomed the inauguration of the also enrolled in the centre to learn in Netherlands. (Pajhwok) Nangarhar teachers strike enters 10th day JALALABAD: Striking school- ing some 22,000 students as their spokesman, confirmed some plots teachers in the Surkhrud district schools have been closed. Ihsan- in the Syah Sang locality had been of eastern Nangarhar province on ullah Naizi, the head of Teachers grabbed by powerful individuals. Thursday said they would con- Union, said the plots had been al- (Pajhwok) tinue boycotting classes until au- lotted to them by former presi- thorities accepted their demands. dent Hamid Karzai, but some About 25 schoolteachers have powerful individuals had occupied Two policemen been on strike over the past 10 them. Provincial Council member days in protest against what they Javed Zaman said the demands of dead in Uruzgan say powerful individuals have teachers were legitimate and the clashes grabbed land plots allotted to them government should meet them. in the Syah Sang locality. Their Meanwhile, Mohammad Asif Shin- TRINKOT: At least two police- continued strike has been affect- wari, the education department men were killed on Friday morn- ing in insurgents ambush in the Deh Rawud district of central Uruzgan province, a security of- ficial said. 1st Lieutenant Noorzai, district police chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News police initiated search operation against the mili- tants in the Deh Rawud district. Two policemen were killed in an ambush, he added. Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesperson, confirmed the on- going battle, saying two police- Nepalese police personnel carry earthquake survivor Pemba Tamang (C) on a stretcher after his rescue from a men were killed and as many were destroyed hotel building in Kathmandu. Rescuers pulled the 15-year-old boy alive from the rubble, bringing a rare wounded. (Pajhwok) moment of joy to the ruined capital city, five days after the disaster which killed nearly 6,000 people. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY . MAY 02, 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Baltimore or Afghanistan? The No one knows how many 2 schoolteachers gunned down in Kunar militarization of ASADABAD: Suspected Taliban Afghan News security forces Bidad area, two kilometres from Afghan security forces the US is insurgents gunned down two killed one of the assailants. the district centre, and took away Charm City schoolteachers in the Dangam dis- He said it was not immediate- the two teachers and killed them trict of eastern Kunar province on ly known why the two teachers around 500 meters away from the The show of force in Baltimore has funding with billions of dollars Thursday noon, police said. were killed by a group of armed school. The Taliban have not yet been strong since Monday's riots Police chief Brig. Gen. Abdul militants. The militants forced commented on the incident. (Pa- in areas of the city still rocked by Habib Syedkhel told Pajhwok their way inside the school in jhwok) protests and torn by that first wave of destructive unrest. But perhaps the most jarring scenes of just how much Charm City has changed are 1 injured as 2 rockets hit Farah City in its highly trafficked tourist ar- eas, such as Inner Harbor. KABUL: A 45-year-old man was told Pajhwok Afghan News. caught fire when the rockets were Gone are the tourists, and in seriously wounded after two rock- The remotely-controlled rock- fired, injuring one person. The civil their place are scores, if not hun- ets struck near the governor of- ets had been placed in an auto rick- hospital director, Dr Abdul Hakim dreds, of heavily-armed, fully fice in western Farah on Thurs- shaw parked in an area between Rassouli, said a man with burn equipped National Guard. And day noon, a health official said. the civil hospital and Abu Nasar injuries had been brought to the there are no signs that the heavy The rockets landed in front of Farahi Middle School. hospital. Separately, Afghan said, police and National Guard pres- the provincial civil hospital in One of the rockets landed in security forces defused a bomb- ence all over Baltimore is going Farah City about 100 metres from Regi area of the city and the sec- rigged motorcycle in front of the away anytime soon. the governor s office, Jawad Af- ond in unknown place, Afghan provincial education department. In fact, city police officials ghan, the governor s spokesman, said, adding the rickshaw also (Pajhwok) announced Thursday night that they are preparing for an uncer- tain weekend ahead. This, as the police report on Freddie Gray's 5-day book festival begins in Ghazni spinal cord injury and subsequent death in police custody is now in the heads of the State Attorney for possible prosecution of the city cops involved. The report was not released to the public, but details of what happened to Gray, including high- Afghan policemen stand guard during a protest demanding justice for a woman who was lights of the autopsy results, have beaten to death by a mob after being falsely accused of burning a Quran more than one been leaking in the media. And more month ago, in downtown Kabul, Afghanistan, protests are planned, perhaps some of the largest yet. A government watchdog says the U.S. forces by the end of next year. said. As for the opium produc- No wonder the National Obama administration has no idea Congress has appropriated at tion, much of the money from the Guard presence all over Balti- how many Afghan soldiers and least $60.7 billion to train, equip U.S. has been spent to help troops more's Inner Harbor on Thursday police are available to fight the and pay salaries for the Afghan eradicate drugs and to provide was the biggest and most active of Taliban, after nearly a decade of army and police force over the past farmers with alternative cash the week, thus far. the U.S. paying for training and decade. NATO said this year that crops. National Guard troops out- equipping those security forces. the Afghan army had 167,024 But about 560,000 acres are number tourists at Baltimore's In- John Sopko, the special inspec- members and the Afghan police involved in opium cultivation that ner Harbor on Thursday as the city tor general for Afghanistan recon- had 154,685 members, but the produces over 13 million tons of prepares for an uncertain weekend struction (SIGAR), also told SIGAR report said those numbers the drug, the report said. Produc- of more protests and the possibil- Congress Thursday that Afghani- are not reliable, mainly because tion of opium rose 14.5 percent ity of more unrest. stan is still the global leader in they were provided by the Afghan last year. Minutes before, a convoy of illicit opium cultivation and pro- government. The U.S. govern- The report also found: National Guard armored vehicles duction, despite $8.4 billion from ment cannot verify how the Af- U.S. appropriations was rolling out on busy Pratt the U.S. for counternarcotics ef- ghan government is spending the for Afghanistan reconstruction Street in front of one of the Inner forts. In his latest audit of the hundreds of millions of dollars in grew by $2.3 billion, to nearly Harbor malls. $110 billion U.S. rebuilding direct assistance it is given annu- $109.8 billion. Of that amount, The long line of bulky military effort, Mr. Sopko said theft and ally to pay for [Afghan army] $14.9 billion remains in the pipe- vehicles rumbled into mid-after- the waste of billions of dollars in personnel salaries, the report line to be spent. noon city traffic as white collar U.S. aid is rampant. The misman- said. That is a major concern: Domestic revenue business people waited at cross- agement has led to uncertainty from 2009 through the end of in Afghanistan last year paid for walks, even as a few gawkers about how many troops and 2014, the United States has con- only 33 percent, or $1.7 billion, GHAZNI CITY: Thousands of reading habit and friendship with culture not just an exhibition. quickly raised their camera phones police Afghanistan will be able to tributed $2.3 billion to pay [Af- of the country s total budget ex- books have been put on display books culture. Ali Reza, a university student to capture it. provide when the U.S. pulls out ghan military] salaries and incen- penditures of $5.2 billion, with at a five-day book festival that Fida Kar said Abu Nasar in Ghazni, said such exhibitions All in all, it was as if this un- completely next year. Neither the tives. Congress has appropriat- donor contributions making up commenced in southern Ghazni Mushkan Library and Association should be organised several times usual urban scene had already be- United States nor its Afghan al- ed nearly $110 billion to recon- the difference. on Thursday, an organiser said. planned to organise such book fes- a year. come commonplace. lies truly know how many Afghan struction in Afghanistan, the The U.S. government has lost Fida Kar told Pajhwok Afghan tivals in future so that people There was a library at the In- Amazing video of the Nation- soldiers and police are available most expensive nation-building the ability to assess Afghanistan s News that books written about could get benefit from the events. formation and Culture department al Guard mobilizing in front of for duty or, by extension, the true effort in U.S. history. In Mr. Sop- customs-collections processes literature, culture, research, poli- Asaddullah Jalalzai, a writer in Ghazni, but a suicide attack Baltimore's Inner Harbor nature of their operational capa- ko s report, released Wednesday, because of reductions in U.S. ci- tics, society, religion, history and and journalist, said the festival destroyed hundreds of books And at the center of Inner Har- bilities, his 40-page report said. he also found that the U.S. Em- vilian and military personnel. different other topics were on dis- would inspire the youth to study there. The library was yet to be bor, itself, where street perform- As fighting season begins bassy in Kabul is reducing its staff The total annual cost for the play at the festival. He added the books. reconstructed, he lamented. ers usually delight crowds of tour- in Afghanistan, most of the re- by 40 percent, a figure he called Defense and Interior ministries festival was aimed at promoting Book festivals should be a (Pajhwok) ists, scores of armed troops were maining U.S. soldiers are serving arbitrary and without explana- and Afghan security forces, at the lining up as if ready to move out. as military advisers. The admin- tion. SIGAR was told that this current authorized force strength Still more troops were arrayed istration plans to withdraw all cut is non-negotiable, the report of 352,000, is $5.5 billion a year. in front of the mall, which seems to have become a base of opera- tions along Pratt Street. Each troop Woman survives beheading in Ghazni toted a machine gun and was clad in helmet and body armor. Some A woman in Andar district of to the crime, local police have ap- husband has been arrested and we had transparent shields at the Ghazni province has been hospi- prehended the woman s husband want a divorce, Bahadur said. ready, as if to defend against angry and launched a full investigation. According to doctors at Kabul s crowds. The victim, Gul Sima, who Ibn-e-Sina Hospital, Gul Sima ar- However, there were no could not speak clearly when she rived in critical condition and al- crowds in Inner Harbor, aside spoke with TOLOnews in result most didn t make it. She has been from the guard presence. of her wounds, had been married beheaded because of family vio- Rather, there were a smatter- just five months. Over those lence and brought here in a very ing of well-dressed business peo- months, however, she said her critical condition, Dr. Abdul Gha- ple walking to and from lunch, husband s family tortured her far Sakha said. Doctors noted that along with some joggers and casu- several times, including forcing her Gul Sima s X-rays confirmed that ally dressed visitors. And instead to swallow nails. It was night- she had swallowed nails. In a sim- of focusing their camera phones on time when my father-in-law came ilar - yet separate - case this week, the myriad Baltimore waterfront in and tried to behead me, I shout- a man who survived an attempted attractions, most were training their ed and escaped, Gul Sima said beheading by his father-in-law is lenses on the many troops there. on Friday. Her brother, Bahadur, now recovering from his wounds Some even asked to pose for pic- talized after reportedly surviving corroborated her story and de- with treatment in the Wazir Ak- tures and selfies with the troops. an attempted beheading by her manded justice. Her father-in- bar Khan Mosque. Beyond the curiosity of hav- husband s family. In connection law attacked her with a knife, her (TOLONews) ing so many soldiers amassed in Baltimore's prime tourist area, some residents called out their ap- preciation to the troops, telling Bodies from Badakhshan them in passing they are doing a good job and uttering their thanks. landslide not retrieved after a week Already, there were some signs that Baltimore residents were get- Families of Badakhshan landslide Roads to Khowahan districts have Adeeb admitted the assistance ting used to this unprecedented victims strongly criticize the gov- reportedly remained close, putting provided to affected families was level off militarization, as some of ernment for what they call inac- the aid agencies to trouble. "No not sufficient. He acknowledged those business people strolled by tion to retrieve bodies of 52 peo- one has come to listen to their the slow delivery of assistance to the tan-clad, beret-wearing, gun ple still remained under debris. plight," a villager Mawlavi Saiful- the area. "Roads between the cen- toting troops without seeming to Based on initial reports, 55 peo- lah said who has come with doz- ter and the affected village are give them a second glance. ple were killed last week as a re- ens of other villagers to help the blocked." "Three million worth of This scene outside of Balti- sult of a landslide in Jiro Bala vil- affected families. The villagers assistances have been dispatched more's Inner Harbor mall shows lage, Khowahan district of Bada- strongly criticized the government to the area but still they are not the militarization of Charm City khshan. But the acting governor for what they said failure to send sufficient," Adeeb said, asking the has become almost routine even in Shah Waliullah Adeeb confirmed 52 assistance to the area. "They [af- domestic and foreign aid agencies highly trafficked tourist areas. dead in the incident. A week pass- fected families] need to be trans- to dispatch its assistance. But res- Thus, the militarization of Bal- es but the bodies are yet to be ferred to a safe place. They need idents and geologists criticize the timore appears complete, it would pulled out, and assistances have shelter," Hamidullah, a local said. government for not taking preemp- seem. And the stark juxtaposition not reached yet the affected areas. Female MP from Badakhshan, tive measures to prevent such fa- of the armed encampment and oc- "Where are my children?" a man Fawzia Kofi, who visited the af- tal incidents. Located high above cupation of Inner Harbor causes one to wonder: Is this Baltimore or Afghanistan? As for the task of luring tour- ists back to Baltimore, the city's tourist promotion office, Visit Bal- timore, did not return repeated calls seeking comment on the business impact of the riots and resulting police and troop presence in Charm City. However, there have been re- ports of massive trip cancellations. The Baltimore Orioles home stand has been scuttled, and hotel occu- pancy rates have plunged. Amid all this, Visit Baltimore is reportedly scrapping its sum- mer marketing campaign. But as to what message will replace it in order to reassure prospective Bal- timore visitors into giving Charm City a second chance, there is no news. Perhaps, this is because that marketing job might demand some- thing of a miracle in order to save said breaking into tears. "We have fected families, said the aid pro- sea level, Badakhshan is a moun- the coming summer tourist season. lost everything." According to lo- vided to the families was inade- tainous province where landslides Meanwhile, the Visit Balti- cal officials, 25 women and 22 chil- quate. She asked the aid agencies caused by melting snow have been Afghanistan s young skater girls showing off their skills in more has been posting daily up- dren were among those killed in to provide shelter to landslide-hit regular occurrences over the past dates on the protests and police the landslide caused by melting families. "The village is totally de- few years. More than 2,000 peo- headscarves and dresses in a Kabul skate park presence on its tourism website. snow. The landslide engulfed more stroyed," Kofi said, explaining two ple were killed last year in a land- Tough girls: Photographer Jessica Fulford-Dobson took pictures of young girls skateboarding in Here is today's update from 200 houses, locals said, adding that to three families were living in a slide in Argo district of the prov- dresses and skirts in Kabul, Afghanistan Charm City's tourism agency: they had received only 15 tents. single small house. Meanwhile, ince. (TOLONews) This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY . MAY 02, 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES NEED TO TAKE A MORE Analysts criticize Ghani CONFIDENT VIEW OF KABUL for lack of progress in By Vishal Chandra ticism among a section of India s ance of power within Pakistan. strategic affairs community on the But at the same time, he also even months into his presi future trajectory of India-Afghan- pointed to the imperative of iden- dency, Ashraf Ghani is final istan relations. Abdullah s private tifying areas where the two coun- economic ties with India Sly visiting New Delhi. His visit was probably meant to pre- tries can cooperate. Both Abdul- perceived tilt towards Rawalpin- pare the ground for Ghani s visit, lah and Ghani have indicated that Commentators have criticized India and Afghanistan.Analysts the lack of government plans in di and Beijing in an effort to find a which was earlier expected to take Pakistan s resolve to fight terror- President Ashraf Ghani in the have chided Ghani for not focus- this regard." Mowhed went on to negotiated settlement to the con- place at the end of March. Genius ism will be tested in the coming wake of his state visit to India, ing on getting the Chabahar port emphasize that the national unity flict with Pakistan s proxy the thrust on engaging Pakistan and months. Therefore, should Raw- where they have said he failed to deal finalized while on his trip to government leaders must stop their Afghan Taliban, including some China as part of his effort to carve alpindi fail to seize the opportu- secure any tangible gains in trade India. In particular, commentators disputes over the distribution of unilateral confidence building mea- out a political space for the Tali- nity, it might not take long for and economic development, de- have criticized the president for not power between them and focus on sures to fundamentally transform ban within the existing political Kabul to decide on its next course Afghanistan s traditionally and, to some extent, the constitu- of action for the very reason it spite the litany of opportunities bringing the Minister of Mines and developing the national economy, strained ties with Pakistan, has tional framework, should not have chose to prioritize its ties with currently within reach of Kabul Petroleum with him on the trip. which went through a recession last probably been blown out of pro- come as a surprise. One could cer- Pakistan. and New Delhi. Allegedly the president went to year. portion. That it has taken so long tainly question the viability of Abdullah had also asserted Economic analysts have start- India without much of an agenda. "Afghanistan has multiple re- for the new Afghan president to Ghani s diplomatic initiatives or during his visit that the Islamic ing the Indian consortium work for "The president should have sources and opportunities for in- EMERGENCY put India on his travel itinerary - have an opinion on its likely ulti- Republic of Afghanistan is a arranging extraction from the Haji- gone to India with a comprehen- vestment, but on the condition that a country which was the first to mate outcome in the light of past much bigger reality than Mullah gak Metal Mine is a critical first sive plan, in order to attract In- government must have a specific CALLS commit itself to a long-term stra- experience with Pakistan, but not Omar being Amir-ul Momineen step that needs to be taken in or- dia's investment interest in differ- plan for using the resources," eco- tegic partnership with Afghani- its relevance from Kabul s view- or the Islamic Emirate of Afghan- der to pave the way for India's in- ent areas, but it did not happen," nomic analyst Azrakhsh Hafezi Police stan, immediately following the point given the sheer magnitude istan as espoused by the Taliban. vestment in the Chabahar port of Kabul Economics Professor Ha- said. "The president must work for US/NATO decision to draw down of the challenge that Pakistan pos- The Afghan people have endorsed Iran. That port, in turn, is expect- seebullah Mowhed told TOLOne- attracting investments during this troops, and one which has been es for Afghanistan. a Republican as opposed to Tal- ed to be a major alternative to trade ws. "The government has so far trips abroad, which would be the 100 - 119 the largest bilateral donors from Perhaps, what would have ibanised Afghanistan and this is through Pakistan, allowing greater not been able to draft its economic only way toward development in the region has led many to spec- been more worrisome was if something that is non-negotiable. commercial connectivity between structure, and the main reason is Afghanistan." (TOLONews) ulate about the possible outcome Ghani was not engaging Pakistan Need to Take a More Con- Hospitals of Ghani s visit to New Delhi. and China. The whole thing makes fident View Where exactly does India figure in sense if one cares to look at the When President Ghani visits, FMIC Hospital Ghani s vision of Afghanistan and evolving scenario in the post-ISAF New Delhi should be very keen what steps India needs to take to context. It is just not about Ghani on further enhancing its own un- Security forces launch Behind Kabul Medical secure its interests? being pro- or anti-Pakistan or Tal- derstanding of the evolving nuanc- University: After being sworn-in as pres- iban. For Kabul, it is more a mat- es of his foreign and regional pol- ident in September 2014, Ghani s ter of political expediency borne icies including his idea of political 0202500200-+93793275595 first official visit was to Beijing out of the growing desperation reconciliation with the Afghan operation Alborz Yak in Balkh in October and immediately there- over the Western drawdown. De- Taliban. Ghani on his part is like- Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital after to Pakistan in November. In spite more than a decade of US/ ly to emphasize the need for In- alkh's acting police chief Ab an unprecedented move, Ghani NATO-led military intervention, dia s sustained assistance and in- dul Raziq Qaderi on Thurs Pule Bagh-e- Umomi had straightaway dashed to the the Haqqani-Taliban network and vestment in his country s social Bday said that security forces 070263672 Pakistan Army s General Head their various foreign allies operat- and economic sectors. There are in the province have launched a Quarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi ing from Pakistan are nowhere already reports of possible under- counter-insurgent operation called before meeting the civilian leader- close to losing this war. standing on a motor vehicle agree- Alborz Yak - in the Alborz moun- Khairkhana Hospital ship in Islamabad. Ghani has since Ghani s regional diplomacy, ment (which could not be signed tain region. He said the intention was visited several other countries, thus, has to be seen within the during the last SAARC Summit 0799-321007 including the US, the UK and Sau- following context. Firstly, his is a in November 2014), mutual legal to flush out insurgents operating and di Arabia twice, as well as Azer- post-ISAF government, which no assistance treaty and providing a hiding in the area. He said local po- 2401352 baijan, Belgium, Turkmenistan, longer would have the assured home ground for the Afghan crick- lice along with Afghan National UAE, Germany and, very recent- support of 100,000 plus Western et team. Army (ANA) members and Nation- ly, Iran. troops. Secondly, the US-led war It would be interesting to see al Directorate of Security (NDS) Indira Gandhi Children Perhaps, developments taking on terror may have receded, but how Ghani seeks to connect him- members are involved in the opera- place to the west than to the east not the terror of war from Af- self and his newly appointed cab- tion. He said in one area about 100 Hospital, Wazir Akbar of Afghanistan hold far greater ghanistan. A continuing threat inet with the Indian establishment. Taliban fighters had grouped at the Khan, Kabul 2301372 prospects of altering the from across the Durand Line Ghani is aware that his ongoing base of the Alborz Mountains in regional geopolitics. The evolving would further weaken Kabul and effort to redefine relations with Chamtal district. détente between Tehran and the divert the scarce resources avail- Rawalpindi, with Beijing mediat- "Definitely, the enemy could Ibn-e- Seena US/West could have wider impli- able. And, thirdly, unlike Karzai, ing between the two, is being not defeat our forces and retreated cations for the region than the Ghani is heading a national unity closely watched in New Delhi. from the area," Qaderi said. How- Pul-e-Artan, Kabul Kabul-Beijing-Rawalpindi trapeze government which has introduced The issue of supply of arms for ever, there were other, insecure ar- 2100359 act. Washington, which has been a new element, a rather more com- the Afghan army by India, which eas that still had to be tackled in- further said. Meanwhile, deputy itants threaten northeastern prov- more than keen to minimize its plex one, in the fragmented polity Ghani is said to have put on hold, cluding Sheeram. "We also intend to acting governor of Balkh Moham- inces of Kunduz, Badakhshan, military footprint in Afghanistan of the country. The unity govern- is not likely to be high on his agen- mad Zahir Wahdat has called on Baghlan and northern provinces of and has far more serious concerns launch a major operation in Sar-e Wazir Akbar Khan ment which was put in place by da, though New Delhi might ex- Pul in the future. In future, when the people in the province to co- Faryab, Sar-e Pul and Jawozjan. over developments taking place in American and UN mediation in pect greater clarity on the issue. operate with security forces to en- Well planned and strategic military Hospital West Asia, would be glad to let September 2014 is operating in a Meanwhile, three Cheetal Heli- we launch operations in Alborz re- Kabul play up the Beijing-Raw- different environment and per- copters have already been deliv- gions, a Sar-e-Pul operation should sure a complete elimination of mil- operations are however now being 2301741, 2301743 alpindi axis. Ghani s regional ven- haps needed to (re-) prioritize its ered to Kabul earlier this month. be started at the same time so that itants. "We should try to foil the launched to combat the threat and tures probably have the full back- foreign policy based on its own Discussion at some level on fur- the insurgents do not find a way to plots of the enemy in the face of escalation of incidents in the coun- ing of the US. In any event, Kabul assessment of immediate and long- ther assistance to the Afghan escape toward Sar-e Pul," Qaderi Daesh," Zahir said. Currently mil- try. (TOLONews) Ali Abad does not really have much to lose term challenges and how best to armed forces cannot be altogether Shahrara, Kabul by way of reaching out to Beijing deal with them. To regard this as a ruled out even though it does not and Rawalpindi. Thus, Ghani s major shift in Kabul s strategic seem to fit into Ghani s scheme 2100439 visits to China and Pakistan are thinking would be premature at of things, as of now. Ghani is like- Analysts support continued part of a well thought out move this stage. Meanwhile, the Tali- ly to be more interested in getting and should be seen in the context ban has opened up several fronts, a sense of New Delhi s approach Malalai Maternity of several immediate and long-term including in relatively stable and towards Pakistan. The two coun- US STRIKES AGAINST TALIBAN Hospital challenges confronting the post- remote areas in the north and have tries are also likely to exchange ISAF Afghanistan. just announced the beginning of views on broader issues such as 2201377/ 2301743 Fears about the Beijing-Raw- their annual spring offensive. The the crises in Yemen and Iraq, in- U.S. forces stationed in Afghani- threats to the Afghan forces and parts of the country in recent alpindi axis scripting Kabul poli- growing appeal of the ISIS among cluding the potential threat from stan have continued to conduct the remaining U.S. troops heading months. A number of Afghan po- tics and thereby causing the com- possibly marginalized elements the ISIS to regional security. strategic missions targeting Taliban up training and advising in Afghan- litical commentators have said that, Banks plete marginalisation of New Delhi within various Islamist militant While reiterating its continu- commanders in addition to rem- istan. based on the BSA, the U.S. forces in the region appear far-fetched groups active in the region could ing commitment to Afghan recon- nants of al-Qaeda in the months General Campbell suggested are actually obligated to conduct Da Afghanistan Bank given the political dynamics of further complicate the security struction and expressing support following the end of the NATO that the strikes, while clearly a form such strikes, given the mounting Afghanistan. Ghani is not a polit- environment. for Kabul s ongoing diplomatic combat mission. According to U.S. of combat, are part of a kind of threat insurgents have posed to the 2100302, 2100303 ical novice and is playing his cards Questioning skepticism initiatives, including the push for country's stability. well. He has watched Kabul poli- It is pertinent here to ques- reconciliation with the Taliban, "Based on the agreement, the Kabul Bank tics from very close quarters since tion the very value and merit of New Delhi must emphasize the U.S. is obliged to contribute in the 2001, while serving as finance looking at India-Afghanistan rela- need to preserve the fundamental battles alongside providing equip- 222666, 070285285 minister in former President Ha- tions through the narrow prism character and democratic spirit of ment and training for the security Azizi Bank mid Karzai s cabinet and later as a of Kabul s evolving yet uncertain the Afghan Constitution. New forces, and based on needs, they presidential candidate in the 2009 relations with Pakistan, or mere- Delhi must also try to gauge must support the security forces 0799 700900 elections and thereafter as Chair- ly in terms of the frequency and Ghani s commitment towards im- man of the Afghan Transition order of high-level visits from proving connectivity by pushing of the country," military expert Pashtany Bank Commission. Perhaps, New Del- Kabul to New Delhi. Though the Pakistan to further expand the Atiqullah Amarkhail said. hi needs to more seriously assess priority accorded to another coun- scope of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Some western officials have 2102908, 2103868 Ghani s personality, his thinking try in a country s foreign policy Transit and Trade Agreement to maintained that the ongoing strikes and his vision of Afghanistan and is certainly reflected in the fre- include India, and his ideas on are necessary for keeping the thou- Air Services regional cooperation than be quency and the level at which the strengthening wider regional trans- sands of NATO advisors still on bogged down by the specter of a exchange of visits is taking place, portation networks particularly the ground in Afghanistan safe. Yet potential nexus between Kabul at the same time one also needs to the India-Afghanistan-Iran trilat- Afghan MP Iqbal Kohistani also Safi Airways and Rawalpindi, with Beijing is be cautious about drawing infer- eral transit agreement which would pointed out on Thursday that, as 020 22 22 222 playing the big brother in the ences or rushing to conclusions provide Afghanistan access to the has been the case over the past game. There is no point debating when it comes to bilateral ties that Chabahar Port as an alternative to decade, western countries see se- whether New Delhi was too slow are as multi-faceted as between Pakistani ports. India has to take curity in Afghanistan as being in- Ariana to anticipate Ghani or Ghani has India and Afghanistan. The inher- a long-term view of several devel- terrelated with security in the re- 020-2100270 moved too fast. It is clear that ent resilience in India-Afghanistan opments taking place beyond its gion and abroad. Thus, the strikes Ghani is not averse to taking risks relations, perhaps calls for exer- northwestern frontier and accord- are seen as an obvious extension and has already raised his stakes cising patience and providing ingly weigh options available to officials and independent analysts, grey-area in the BSA signed be- of the U.S. continued War on Ter- Kam Air in the regional geopolitics. It is for space to the new government in it. Afghanistan, meanwhile will the strikes are allowed within the tween the Afghan government and rorism, regardless of the status of New Delhi to decide whether it is Kabul as it struggles to adjust or continue to change in response to 0799974422 worth being part of the new dis- adapt itself to specific local and various shifts taking place both framework of the Bilateral Securi- Washington. "Combat and war and its troops in Afghanistan. order in the Af-Pak region. A more external challenges. Kabul and within and around it. Perhaps, a ty Agreement (BSA), which allows transition, as you know, are very "Global security is interrelat- Hotels nuanced view of Afghan dynam- New Delhi have, to an extent, in- more confident view of bilateral for flexibility in adapting to condi- complex things," General Camp- ed with stability in Afghanistan," ics would be more helpful than stitutionalized their multi-track ties would be far more helpful tions on the ground. bell said on Thursday. "For me, MP Kohistani said. "If the terror Safi Landmark simply being pessimistic and sus- diplomacy, and consultations and when President Ghani visits New According to officials, over the it's not black and white," he add- hideouts aren't eliminated in Af- picious of Ghani s Kabul. interactions are on at different lev- Delhi. Kabul too could come clear past three months, U.S. forces have ed. ghanistan, international security 020-2203131 Factoring in the Afghan els. on its expectations from New conducted nearly 128 air strikes The U.S. suppressive attacks will still be at risk, and based on Context During his March 2015 visit Delhi as it struggles to enter a de- on middle-ranking Taliban com- have reportedly increased as Tali- the agreement, these forces are re- SERENA Recently, in March 2015, Af- to New Delhi, Abdullah had ac- cade of transformation . manders. The Commander of the ban and other militant group vio- sponsible to support the Afghan ghanistan s Chief Executive Ab- knowledged Afghanistan s limita- The Author is an Associate U.S.' Resolute Mission, General lence has picked up in various troops in battle." (TOLONews) dullah in his interactions in New tions vis-à-vis Pakistan in terms Fellow at Delhi-based Institute for John Campbell, said this week that 0799654000 Delhi, had expressed surprise, rath- of not being able to change the Defense Studies and Analysis the attacks have targeted Taliban er disappointment, at rising skep- nature of politics or alter the bal- (IDSA) leaders who pose the biggest NEW ORCHARDS HELP New Rumi Restaurant Ghor families eke out living 0776351347 Internet Services Socio-economic blow: FEROZKOH: Enabling 520 the programame would be extend- A kiln worker boy preparing mud for bricks in women to earn a living, 920 small ed to Dolina, Lal-aw-Sarjangal and UA Telecom a kiln in Jalalabad, the capital of eastern fruit and vegetable gardens and other districts. One of the benefi- 0796701701 / 0796702702 Nangarhar province. Afghanistan has become a orchards have been established in ciaries, Ghulam Yahya, who place where underage boys are being exploited western Ghor province, an offi- owned a garden under the pro- Exchange Rate and forced to work because of extreme poverty cial said on Thursday. Juma Khan, gramme, told Pajhwok Afghan and inequitable distribution of wealth. the acting Agriculture and Live- News: Agriculture officials es- stock Department head, told Pa- tablished these orchards in two Purchase: jhwok Afghan News 400 gardens years. I hope to start earning in a One US$ = 57.83Afs One Pound Sterling= 85.35Afs One Euro = 62.04Afs 1000 Pak Rs = 560Afs Sale: for men and 520 gardens for wom- few years. Maryam, a 35-year- One US$ = en had been set up in Dawlatyar old resident, said: The agricul- district and Ferozkoh, the provin- ture department established a gar- 58.03 Afs cial capital, with financial support den for me this year and planted One Pound Sterling= from the World Bank.Each grow- eight types of vegetables, which 86.15Afs er received 66 apple saplings, 20 we now use at home. kg of fertiliser and seeds weighing She said now she was able to One Euro= three kilograms, he said, adding support her family, which had 62.64 Afs the beneficiaries would be assist- been until recently in economic 1000 Pak Rs= 568Afs ed for the next five years. He said constrains. (Pajhwok) This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY . MAY 02 , 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES India, China troops hold meet along border UDHAMPUR : Weeks ahead of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on against terrorists in the area. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Friday stated that the Karachi op- Further, he said that once the visit to China, Indian and Chinese eration currently underway is ex- TDPs return back home, the gov- troops held the third meeting in a tremely successful. ernment and army together will fortnight, in Ladakh sector of Jam- “Target killings and extortion protect them. Screengrab. mu & Kashmir and batted for main- in Karachi have declined to a great He added that they will be giv- taining peace and tranquility along extent,” he said while addressing en a cash grant, that will aid them the border. rain victims in Peshawar. in the reconstruction of their homes "A ceremonial Border Person- Further, the premier stated in North Waziristan. nel Meeting (BPM) was held on that the citizens of Karachi have Just last month, about 203 Friday at the Chinese side in become “happier” ever since the IDPs returned to their homes un- Chushul sector in eastern Ladakh operation started. der the watchful eye of law en- (in Jammu & Kashmir)," public He also added that the coun- forcement agencies. relation officer (PRO), Jammu, Col try is cooperating with Afghani- A new phase of repatriation SD Goswami said. stan to eliminate terrorism com- to return IDPs to their homes com- The delegations were led by pletely from the country. menced on March 16 and accord- Brigadier JKS Virk from the Indi- Before heading to Peshawar, ing to the political administration, an side and senior Colonel Fanjun the premier told Temporarily Dis- at least 1,300 families have so far from the Chinese side. placed People (TDP) that peace settled into their homes. This is the third meeting of has been restored in Waziristan, However, for some of the neighbouring troops on the two assuring that schools, colleges and IDPs, the only thing standing in sides of Line of Actual Control hospitals will be built in the area. their way home is signing off on (LAC) in Ladakh sector in the past “Peace has been established in Samaji Mohada NWA 2015, the fortnight. The earlier meetings took Waziristan and conditions in the eight-page ‘social agreement’ that place on April 14 and 24. area have become stable,” the some feel not only questions their Prime Minister Modi is ex- prime minister said at a briefing on loyalty, but effectively further en- pected to visit China on May 14- Zarb-e-Azb addressing TDPs in forces the oppressive Frontier 16. The meeting was composed Mir Ali, North Waziristan. Crimes Regulation (FCR). of exchange of greetings, and re- Accompanied by Chief of According to the social agree- flected the mutual desire of main- Army Staff (COAS) General Ra- ment, the natives of the region are taining and improving relations of heel Sharif, the prime minister re- required to remain loyal to the functional levels on the border. A viewed the process of return of the country in accordance with the cultural programme showcasing vi- displaced persons of North FCR and Constitution of Pakistan, brant Chinese culture and tradi- Waziristan. Appreciating the tire- however they will have religious tional grandeur was organised, fol- less work of the army and the lives and social freedom without any lowed by sumptuous lunch. lost during the operation, Nawaz restrictions over political and eco- Goswami said that both sides said it is because of their sacrifices nomic activity. also expressed commitment to that peace is being restored. For all intents and purposes, build on the mutual feeling of up- He said the tribal people had signing the eight-page document holding the treaties and agreement to leave their homes for a limited would make locals responsible for signed between the governments period to help the security forces maintaining peace in the tribal agen- of the two sides, to maintain peace carry out an effective operation cy. and tranquility along the LAC. John Kerry heads to Sri Lanka US working on extradition on historic visit to mend ties treaty with Bangladesh The US department of justice is best practices in this field”. leadership attaches to the friendly WASHINGTON: Top US diplo- working on the process of signing She also appreciated the im- relations with Bangladesh. mat John Kerry left early Friday the extradition treaty with Bang- pressive socio-economic develop- The issues surrounding My- on a landmark trip to Sri Lanka, ladesh, the country’s under secre- ment of the country and renewed anmar refugees and the illegal stay the first such visit in a decade to tary of state for political affairs her government’s commitment to of its nationals in Bangladesh also the Indian Ocean island as it re- has said. remain engaged in Bangladesh’s came up in the discussion. turns to the diplomatic fold. Wendy Sherman said this development strides in the days The minister noted that al- Kerry is due to arrive around while meeting Foreign Minister ahead. though Bangladesh is continuous- dawn Saturday in Colombo, be- Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali in The foreign minister said since ly putting its efforts to strengthen coming the first US secretary of Dhaka on Friday after the fourth his meeting with Kerry, “there its relations with Myanmar, this state to set foot in the South Asian US-Bangladesh partnership dia- appears to be a boost in confidence issue appears to be a hindrance in nation since Colin Powell, who logue. in the relations”. achieving expected level of devel- visited in 2005 in the wake of the During the meeting, the foreign Referring to Kerry’s interests opments. He appreciated the US devastating Asian tsunami. ministry said, the minister urged to visit Bangladesh, the minister position in this regard particularly Kerry will meet with new Pres- the under secretary to extend nec- expressed his keenness to receive president Obama’s clear statement ident Maithripala Sirisena, who essary support to repatriate the him in Dhaka “at a mutually con- during his last visit to Myanmar was elected on January 8 as he convicted killer of Bangabandhu venient time”. that the solution to this problem unseated long-time strongman Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who has The foreign minister noted that lies within Myanmar. Mahinda Rajapakse at the ballot made the US “a safe haven”. regional perspectives have added Obama also asked Burmese box. He also requested the under “a momentous effect” in cement- leadership to resolve the national- The US diplomat will also secretary to expedite signing the ing Bangladesh-US relationship. ity issues of the Rohingyas. meet Prime Minister Ranil Wick- extradition treaty with Bangladesh. In this connection, Sherman Sherman acknowledged Bang- remesinghe and Foreign Minister Sherman took note of the min- said, coming straight from Delhi, ladesh’s contribution to provide Mangala Samaraweera, a senior the decades-long war which regime and cooperate with a UN ruary however, the UN postponed ister’s request and informed that she had a “good impression” about shelters and generous hospitality State Department official said, claimed at least 100,000 lives. inquiry into any human rights its report at Colombo's request to the US Department of Justice is the warmth of Bangladesh-India to Myanmar refugees, the foreign adding Kerry would also hold talks There were allegations that at least abuses carried out in the civil war. allow more time for Sri Lanka to working on it. relationship and the value Indian ministry said. with political leaders from the 40,000 Tamil civilians were killed. "The visit is intended to show complete its own investigation. Recently Rashed Chowdhury, Tamil minority. His government has pledged that the US government supports "We've always said that we one of the fugitive killers of Bang- The United States and Europe to investigate war crimes allegedly and applauds this vision, this ef- support a domestic-driven process abandhu, has been spotted at a have hailed Sri Lanka's stunning committed during the conflict in fort," the State Department offi- that is credible and viewed as cred- social gathering in California. He democratic transition hoping to sharp contrast to former strong- cial said. ible by the Sri Lankan people," the fled amid protests by expatriate turn the page on years of discord man Rajapakse who insisted no It also aims to show there is a US official said. Bangladeshis at the event. Ali and caused by the former regime's bru- civilians were killed by his troops. "future where we have a very good From Sri Lanka, Kerry is due Sherman also discussed issues of tal crackdown on separatist Tamil Colombo has sought "to indi- and mutually helpful relationship to travel to Nairobi and then on to bilateral and regional interests. Tiger rebels. Rajapakse won a land- cate their desire to sort of reset Sri with a country that can be... a real Djibouti before returning to Wash- Sherman thanked him for his visit slide re-election victory in 2010, Lanka's relations with the world beacon of democracy, of human ington around May 8. to the US in February to partici- but critics say he failed to bring community," the State Department rights, of reconciliation, where civil He will become the first ever pate in the White House Counter- about reconciliation in the years official said, welcoming the new society and religious minorities can secretary of state to visit Djibou- ing Violent Extremism Summit and that followed his crushing victory government's new 100-day reform live freely." ti, a Horn of Africa country which meeting Secretary of State John over the Tamil Tiger separatist program. The UN, backed by the Unit- has been thrust into the spotlight Kerry. She stressed the importance group in 2009. Sirisena has taken Under the plan, the govern- ed States, has been investigating as thousands flee the chaos in Ye- of Bangladesh’s continued engage- steps towards reconciliation with ment pledged to carry out a cor- possible war crimes during the civil men, lying just across the narrow ments in the follow-up events of ethnic minority Tamils following ruption probe into the Rajapakse war for more than a year. In Feb- Red Sea Straits. the Summit worldwide “to share India rejects US ‘freedoms’ India’s swift response in earthquake-hit Nepal stumps report China, officials fear death toll may cross 15,000 India has criticised a US congres- sional panel claim that minorities in the country have been subject- KATHMANDU: Even as Nepal to the ravaged nation. #india #chi- swelled. Earlier, the Chinese for- nate positively with India in our tion. While rescue efforts are on, math - including the risk of disease ed to "violent attacks" after Prime struggles to come to terms with its na #nepal #nepal earthquake In a eign ministry played down reports assistance efforts in Nepal to help Nepal's Army Chief General and growing public anger at the Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP worst earthquake disaster in over rare comparison of India's military of competition with India to as- it to overcome the difficulties and Gaurav Rana fears that the death pace of the rescue effort. "There is came to power. The foreign minis- eight decades, rescuers from with the PLA, the world's largest, sist quake-hit Nepal and offered rebuild its homeland," Chinese for- toll in the quake could be as high unrest, and we are watching it. Yes, try said the panel report "appears around the world are scrambling Chinese defence spokesman Geng to work with New Delhi "posi- eign ministry spokesman Hong Lei as 15,000. "Our estimates are not there is the threat of an epidemic, to be based on limited understand- to locate survivors and bring suc- Yansheng was confronted with the tively" in the relief efforts to help had said on Tuesday. A 7.9 Rich- looking good. We are thinking that and we are watching it," he said ing of India". Critics say Mr cour to the needy. Humanitarian question at a briefing as to why the Himalayan nation overcome ter scale earthquake and succeed- 10,000 to 15,000 may be killed," stressing that the army was work- Modi's government is not doing efforts have poured in from all the military did not use planes to the crisis. "China and India are ing aftershocks tore through Ne- he said. Rana acknowledged that ing with the police to "identify lo- enough to stop Hindu zealots tar- parts of the world, from the day airlift stranded Chinese when In- neighbours to Nepal. We would pal on April 25, leaving a trail of the massive temblor left officials cal hot spots and control things geting minorities. Mr Modi has the disaster struck the Himalayan dia had done so to ferry its nation- like to work together and coordi- deaths and unimaginable devasta- struggling to cope with the after- politically." vowed to protect all religious nation, killing over 6,200 people. als. There is considerable annoy- groups. The latest US Commission The rescue operations have also ance in China over the slow pro- on International Religious Free- pitted two arch-rivals India and cess of airlifting of Chinese tour- dom report says that "since the China who have sent their teams ists as well as workers employed [last year's] election, religious mi- to the ravaged nation. in various Beijing-funded projects nority communities have been Although Chinese military in Nepal as the task was given to a subject to derogatory comments by apparatus is considered to be number of civilian airlines. There politicians linked to the ruling much more advanced, it is the In- were also reports of some of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and dian armed forces which are being airline companies demanding heavy numerous violent attacks and lauded for their commendable ef- fare which was subsequently de- forced conversions by Hindu na- forts in carrying out relief and res- nied. Besides airlifting thousands tionalist groups, such as Rashtriya cue work in a nation that is strug- of its citizens, the Indian Air Force Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and gling to come to terms with the also transported about 170 foreign Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP)". massive devastation. nationals from 15 countries to In- The report said Hindu groups had India's swift action and its mil- dia. Several others were also trans- announced plans in December to itary's massive operation to evac- ported through special buses from forcibly "reconvert" at least 4,000 uate thousands of Indians and for- across the border to Bihar. Defend- Christian families and 1,000 Mus- eign nationals from quake-hit Ne- ing the move to use civilian air- lim families to Hinduism in Uttar pal has put China's People's Lib- craft, Geng said "Whether to use Pradesh as part of a so-called 'ghar eration Army (PLA) on the defen- military aircraft to transport peo- wapsi' (homecoming) programme. sive with questions being raised as ple from a disaster area this is to "Despite the country's status as a to why its efforts to rescue strand- be decided by various factors". He pluralistic, secular democracy, In- ed Chinese nationals did not match said after the earthquake, the Chi- dia has long struggled to protect that of India. The Chinese media nese government had organised a minority religious communities or has raised questioned why air force number of civilian commercial provide justice when crimes occur, planes were not deployed to air- flights to evacuate Chinese citizens which perpetuates a climate of lift over 8,000 Chinese many of stranded in Nepal. India's quick impunity," the report added. "The who are still stranded in Nepal. response to send search and res- report appears to be based on lim- ited understanding of India, its India's swift response in earth- cue teams besides relief supplies Constitution and its society," In- quake-hit Nepal stumps China, has been reported by sections of dia's foreign ministry spokesper- officials fear death toll may cross the Chinese media while China too son Vikas Swarup was quoted as 15,000 The rescue operations have dispatched rescue teams and planes saying by the Press Trust of India pitted two arch-rivals India and with supplies by which time the news agency. China who have sent their teams Indian presence on the ground had This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY. MAY 02 , 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Islamist rebels battle Syrian army near Assad heartland Iran’s Foreign Minister Moham- mad Javad Zarif congratulated his newly-installed Saudi counterpart on his appointment, Iranian media reported Friday, even as tensions flare between the rival regional powers over Yemen. Zarif said he hoped that “rela- tions between the Islamic Repub- lic of Iran and the Saudi monarchy will develop” following the nomi- nation of Adel Al Jubeir as Riy- adh’s top diplomat. Tensions between Saudi Ara- bia and Iran have soared following the launch in March of a Riyadh- led aerial campaign against Shiite Houthi militias in Yemen. The regional adversaries have long vied for influence in the Mid- AMMAN/BEIRUT Islamist mortar shells at the dle East, including in the conflicts rebels and the Syrian army fought frontline … in Syria and Iraq and in countries fierce battles in Latakia province Rebel fighters fire mortar shells such as Lebanon and Bahrain. overnight close to President at the frontline in the Jabal al- Iran denies providing arms to Bashar al-Assad's ancestral home, Akrad area in Syria's northwe … Houthi militants in Yemen and is the army and rebels said, after Two rebel sources said the insisting on a complete end to Sau- weeks of insurgent gains in the fighting in Latakia was near the di-led strikes as a condition for country's northwest. mountains of Jabal al-Akrad, close peace talks in the impoverished Rebels seeking to topple As- to some of the highest peaks in Gulf nation. sad have in the past sought to bring Syria including Nabi Younis that A former envoy to Washing- their four-year-long insurgency overlook Alawite villages and close ton, Jubeir was appointed foreign close to coastal areas in govern- to Qardaha, hometown of the As- minister in a major government ment-held Latakia, heartland of sad family. shake-up in the oil-rich kingdom Assad's minority Alawite commu- "The capture of the peaks earlier this week, replacing the nity. would make the Alawite villages world’s longest-serving chief dip- An army source told state in our firing range," said an Ahrar lomat, Prince Saud Al Faisal. news agency SANA fighter jets hit al-Sham commander based in Idlib insurgent hideouts in the northern on Skype. In August 2013, Islam- Latakia countryside with "tens ist rebels and foreign fighters brief- ICC says killed and wounded." Latakia is the ly captured Alawite villages. Russia may be readying for new main port in Syria and along with The Observatory's Abdulrah- Palestinians too the capital Damascus is one of the man said the army wanted to se- most important government-held cure the valley and peaks in order could face war Ukraine offensive: NATO commander areas in the country. to advance on Jisr al-Shughour, a The violence follows advanc- town in Idlib province captured by crimes probes es in neighboring Idlib province by insurgents a week ago. the hardline Ahrar al-Sham group Battles raged around a hospi- The International Criminal and Syria's al Qaeda wing Nusra tal on the southwestern outskirts Court’s chief prosecutor has said Front as well as other allied fight- of the town on Friday where army she is weighing opening war ers. forces and allied fighters have been crimes investigations into Pales- Rami Abdulrahman, who runs holed up since the insurgent of- tinians as well as Israelis after the Syrian Observatory for Human fensive began, the Observatory Palestine joined the tribunal’s Rights monitoring group, said the said, adding that a blast had target- jurisdiction last month. Latakia battles started with an ed the army earlier in the day. Fatou Bensouda rejected Is- army offensive on Thursday, On Friday Syrian television raeli fears of bias by the court, backed by local militias, aimed at said army units targeted "groups promising to consider the evi- pushing the insurgents out of the of terrorists" in the eastern and dence “independently and im- province in order to advance on southern Idlib countryside and partially without fear or favour,” captured areas of neighboring Idlib. "eliminated a great number of them in an interview published by Is- The Observatory, which col- and destroyed their weapons and rael’s liberal Haaretz newspaper lects information from a network munitions." on Friday. of sources on the ground, said at Diplomats say rebels are try- “We will of course look into least five insurgents were killed and ing to pressure the overstretched the alleged crimes committed by an unidentified number from the army on as many fronts as possi- all sides to the conflict. I have pro-government side. ble to spread its resources ever made this clear to both Israeli View galleryRebel fighters fire more thinly. and Palestinian officials,” she said. Bensouda said that so far her Air strikes kill civilians deliberations were still at a pre- liminary stage and no investiga- tion had been opened into any- in Yemen’s capital one from either side. “At this stage we are not in- vestigating, as a decision on whether to open an investigation in the situation of Palestine has not been made,” she said. Bensouda began a prelimi- nary examination in January of whether there was sufficient ev- idence to warrant opening war crimes investigations into last summer’s conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Pales- WASHINGTON: Russia's mili- tions as "preparing, training and aratist fighters, bolstering its com- of military might needed to defeat tinian Islamist movement Ha- tary may be taking advantage of a equipping to have the capacity to mand and control "because there Russia. "What we do believe is that mas. recent lull in fighting in eastern again take an offensive." was disunity in some of the earlier we should consider changing the Israel branded her decision Ukraine to lay the groundwork for "In the past they have not attacks." "We do see a very dis- decision calculus of (Russian Pres- “absurd.” a new military offensive, NATO's wasted their effort," Breedlove tinct Russian set of command and ident Vladimir) Putin. That's what A U.N. report released on top commander told the U.S. Con- told the Senate Armed Services control in the eastern part of we look at," he said. CAIRO : Warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition struck a residential dis- Monday found Israel responsi- gress . U.S. Air Force General Phil- Committee. Ukraine," he said. "Command- Still, Washington is keen to trict of the Yemeni capital Sanaa overnight, killing eight to 10 civilians, ble for seven deadly strikes on ip Breedlove, the NATO supreme The Organization for Security and-control, air defense, support maintain solidarity with Europe, residents said on Friday. The Saba state news agency, controlled by the UN schools used as shelters dur- allied commander, said Russian and Co-operation in Europe to artillery, all of these things in- some of whose leaders, including Houthi movement in charge of Sanaa, put the death toll in the Sawan ing the conflict, but also found forces had been seeking to "reset (OSCE), which is monitoring the creased ... making a more coher- German Chancellor Angela Mer- district at 20 and said more than 50 people had been wounded. It said that Palestinian militants had and reposition" while protecting ceasefire, says the violence is down ent, organized force out of the sep- kel, strongly oppose arming casualties included woman and children. Warplanes also struck a mili- battlefield gains, despite a fragile markedly since the accord was aratists." The United States has so Ukraine. Breedlove said Putin was used vacant schools as weapons tary airbase near the capital. Saba said medics rushed to Sawan to try to ceasefire agreed in February. signed in Minsk, Belarus, in Feb- far declined to provide weapons concerned about Western sanc- rescue residents trapped under the rubble of homes. The strikes came stores and possibly also as fir- "Many of their actions are ruary. But the United States says to Ukraine, a move which advo- tions imposed against Russia over days after jets bombed the runway to stop an Iranian aid plane landing. ing positions. consistent with preparations for Russia now has its largest force on cates say could help end the con- the Ukraine crisis "and that may Damage to the airport has stopped aid deliveries, officials said. Saudi Palestine formally joined the another offensive," Breedlove said. the border since October and has flict but opponents warn might be affecting how he currently does Arabia believes the Houthi group is a proxy its regional rival Iran, and ICC on April 1, extending its ju- Pressed during the hearing, deployed additional air defense escalate the war. Breedlove said no things in eastern Ukraine." "But Saudi backing for the resistance in Yemen's mostly Sunni Muslim south risdiction to the West Bank, in- Breedlove acknowledged he could systems, the biggest number since options should be taken off the we really have no way of knowing has raised fears that Yemen could descend into all-out sectarian war. The cluding annexed east Jerusalem, not predict Moscow's next move August. Breedlove said Russia was table but that there was no consid- one way or another," Breedlove Houthis hail from Yemen's far north and belong to the Zaydi sect of as well as Gaza. but characterized its ongoing ac- seeking to tighten its grip over sep- eration of giving Ukraine the kind said. Shi'ite Islam.

Police and May Day demonstra- become more authoritarian ahead tors have clashed in Istanbul as of June elections. crowds determined to defy a gov- “This meeting is peaceful and ernment ban tried to march to the is not armed,” opposition politi- city's iconic Taksim Square. cian Mahmut Tanal, holding a Turkish police also used tear pocket-sized book of the Turkish gas and water cannon to disperse constitution, told Reuters in Istan- the protesters in the Besiktas dis- bul. trict of Istanbul, an AFP corre- “People want to express their spondent reported. problems but the government Police moved in on the pro- doesn't want those problems to be testers close to the shores of the heard ahead of elections.” Bosphorus as they tried to move The normally thronged Isitklal towards the Taksim Square pro- shopping avenue leading to Tak- test hub of Istanbul, using water sim was deserted, with shops shut- cannon trucks and spraying tear tered and metal barricades block- gas, the correspondent said. ing off sidestreets. Police helicop- Protesters retaliated by throw- ters circled overhead. ing stones and hurling firecrackers A usually bustling square lined at police. with cafes and hotels, Taksim was Authorities have blocked the filled with police buses, ambulanc- square that is symbolic as the cen- es and satellite broadcast trucks. A ter of protests in which 34 people pair of tourists emerged from a were killed in 1977. hotel to find the area sealed off and Turkish news wires say that nervously made their way around 10,000 police officers were sta- police lines. tioned around the square Friday The government had said Tak- with water cannons to block the sim would only be open to those protesters. who came peacefully and not for The demonstrations are the “illegal demonstrations.” first large-scale protests since the “I wish May 1 to be celebrat- government passed a security bill ed in a festive mood without prov- this year giving police expanded ocations,” Erdogan said in a state- powers to crack down on protest- ment. missed protesters as “riff-raff” and terrorists, outraged by the unrest in 2013 that brought unwanted international attention and posed the biggest challenge to his AK Party since it came ers. Opposition parties and unions to power in 2002. He is aiming for a massive victory for the party in June parliamentary polls, which would allow it to change the constitution and give him broad presidential powers. Critics say President Tayyip called on the government to lift the The 2013 Taksim protests began as a peaceful demonstration against plans to redevelop Gezi Park, a leafy corner of the square. After a police crackdown the demonstration spiraled into Erdogan and the government have ban. Erdogan has previously dis- weeks of nationwide protests against Erdogan’s rule. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY .MAY 02, 2015 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: Abdul Saboor Sarir Last week’s earthquake is a tragic reminder of the Phone No: +93-772364666 perils of outdated practices and failures of governance. E-mail: [email protected] By Asit K. Biswas erty losses and loss of life. Email: [email protected] and Kris Hartley 1 In some ways, Nepal was lucky. If this tragedy had occurred www.afghanistantimes.af Nepal is one of the world’s least at night when more people were Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi developed countries, with a per inside their homes, death tolls capita GDP of $694 that lags even would have been much higher. Advisory editorial board Mali and Burkina Faso. At 40 Also, it happened on a Saturday, percent unemployment, the coun- when children were not in school. Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, try is heavily reliant on citizens Indeed, schools are often ill- Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal working overseas, whose remit- suited to withstand earthquakes, tances constitute nearly a third of due to physical configuration Graphic-Designers: economic activity. In 2008, the (large classroom windows, for in- Mansoor Faizy and Edriss Akbari dysfunctional 240-year monarchy stance), budgetary constraints and was finally abolished, after a vio- corruption leading to shoddy con- Marketing & Advertising: lent decade of Maoist insurgence. struction, and scant awareness of Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 This political turmoil weakened the risks leading to inadequate Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan the effectiveness of Nepal’s na- preparation. Given these circum- tional and local governments, in- stances, the timing of the earth- Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 cluding institutions responsible quake spared the country signifi- Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press for earthquake preparedness and cant additional injuries and loss related issues like infrastructure of life. political sell. from the latest tragedy. Ideally, and urban planning. Following In Nepal, municipalities are Aside from basic infrastruc- donors and the Nepalese people The constitution says last Saturday’s devastating earth- responsible for land-use planning, ture and service provision, Ne- will insist that the country’s mu- quake, these institutions must construction permits, and the en- pal’s modest economy hangs in nicipalities not only ensure new now be the focus of reform in mit- forcement of compliance with na- the balance. Tourism, which ac- buildings are constructed to with- igating the impacts of future di- tional building codes. These codes counts for about 8 percent of the stand earthquakes, but also ad- sasters. have been applicable for at least economy and 7 percent of the dress violations with strict penal- Article 126: In a 2014 interview, French two decades, but urgently need workforce, is likely to suffer sig- ties (including the highly-publi- Supreme Court judges shall receive lifetime pensions at the end of their term of service provided they do not geologist Paul Tapponnier said updating to incorporate new nificantly over the next several cized demolition of non-compli- hold state and political offices. “the place I’m worried about now knowledge about earthquake-re- months, worsening socioeconomic ant structures). Essential public is central Nepal.” Nepal’s median sistant design and materials. Un- hardships for the sector’s million- buildings like hospitals, schools, age is a youthful 22.9, and more fortunately, this 20-year old build- plus employees and their families. and police stations should be con- Editorial than half the population is young- ing code has been incorporated in In the medium term, the earth- structed to the higher safety stan- er than 24. A majority of Nepalese the permitting processes of only quake will dampen Nepal’s eco- dards now used in other earth- were not alive for the 1988 earth- three municipalities out of 58 na- nomic development and social quake-prone countries like Japan quake, which before last week had tionwide. Even in these three, progress. Further, with Nepal’s and New Zealand. been the country’s most recent monitoring of code compliance is accelerated urbanization and clus- To achieve this vision, both Primary court chief major disaster. Nepalese residents lax. For all practical purposes, the tered commercial activities, the the government and donors should with earthquake experience are code is irrelevant and buildings are economic and human costs of di- demand a mix of hard options, like vastly more concerned about dam- constructed in any way conve- sasters will increase exponential- earthquake-resistant buildings, on Farkhunda’s case age than those without, according nient to developers. Thus, the vast ly in the longer-term. Thus, it is and soft options, such as enhanced to a recent study. Presumably, this majority of buildings have sub- essential that Nepal, and countries indigenous capacity for disaster Finally, after too much length, the trial of those who murdered difference applies to perceived standard quality, and are prone to like it, boost preparedness. management and improved insti- Farkhunda, will start Saturday. Farkhunda—a 27-year old woman needs for preparedness as well. collapse during moderate to severe Nepal’s lack of preparedness tutional functionality. Based on Good infrastructure enables disas- earthquakes. is no mystery, as the data clearly the post-disaster experiences of was beaten to death by an angry mob after she was accused of ter resilience, but informed per- The death toll from the recent show. Indeed, population and eco- other developing countries, there burning a copy of the Qur’an, last month. She has become a sym- ceptions and behaviors at both the earthquake has already exceeded nomic growth continue to occur is little reason to be optimistic bol of women’s rights now. The Kabul primary court head Safiullah individual and government levels 6200. Preliminary estimates by the in the high-risk disaster zones of that Nepal will turn over a new are also critically important. United States Geological Survey many developing and overcrowd- leaf. Some improvements are like- Mujadidi said Thursday that the trial would start Starday, however, Infrastructure indicate the physical and econom- ed countries. For infrastructure ly, but not all those that are need- what he adds is quite alarming. He alleged that the Attorney Gener- This earthquake is a tragic re- ic damage may exceed Nepal’s $20 quality, a crucial determinant of ed. al’s Office had omitted names of some individuals involved in her minder of the need to concurrent- billion annual GDP. With the cur- disaster resilience, Nepal ranks 55 This earthquake will remain in ly ensure good infrastructure, pol- rent lack of information, it is also out of 132 in the Notre Dame Glo- the global conscience only until it murder. With such a revelation, the judicial system of the country icy foresight, and functional in- unknown whether the hydropow- bal Adaptation Index’s measure of disappears from the broader news has exposed its weaknesses. Now it has become a must that Presi- stitutions for disaster prepared- er dams near the earthquake’s ep- disaster vulnerability, and 122 out agenda. Sooner rather than later, dent Ashraf Ghani or Abdullah Abdullah, the Chief Executive Offic- ness. In Kathmandu’s case, unsta- icenter have been affected. Nepal of 160 in the infrastructure sub- donor efforts will turn to the next er (CEO), personally follow up the case. And if what Mujadidi says ble geological conditions, togeth- already suffers from an electrici- indicator of the World Bank’s Lo- disaster. Once interest fades, Ne- er with high density and substan- ty crisis, and the problem may gistics Performance Index. Pre- pal will return to the grim realities comes out to be true, those who have attempted cover-up must dard building stock, create a dan- now worsen. The earthquake will dictably, the developing world of everyday life, facing unsafe and also be punished. The fundamental problem is that when someone gerous environment. According likely delay the construction of a fares poorly on these metrics. It underinvested infrastructure, po- from the judicial system, does an act of collusion, the system loses toDemographia, Kathmandu is the proposed $1.6 billion hydroelec- is evident that trends in urban litical stalemate, inefficient and world’s 33rd densest city out of tric dam funded by the Chinese. growth, disaster risk, and infra- dysfunctional institutions, cor- its credibility. And the system becomes completely publicized. In over 1,000 studied, unsurpassed There may even be reconsidera- structure quality paint a dire pic- ruption, and ineffective policy. such a situation, the judicial system becomes a selective repression by any Western city. Compound- tion about the viability of such a ture for countries like Nepal. Ideally, this time would be differ- as it is used against the poor and in favor of the influential ones. ing this challenge, structural code large dam in a seismically active Response Systems ent. The country should use the enforcement and urban planning region. The anti-dam lobby, which In addition to resilient infra- crisis to jettison outdated prac- Three days back, the AGO said it had wound up its probe into the are weak. In a 2012 interview, a vehemently opposes the develop- structure, good response systems tices and substantively address case and sent it to the primary court for proceedings. However, senior divisional engineer at Ne- ment of any such structure, will are a critical element of prepared- governance failures. Nepal has an Mujadidi allegations are shocking. Though, Abdul Basir Azizi, the pal’s Department of Urban De- very likely raise questions and ness. These systems must have opportunity to kick-start eco- AGO spokesman said the case had thoroughly been probed and 49 velopment and Building Con- perhaps even legal challenges. This capacity at both national and lo- nomic growth through the devel- struction noted that construction will also delay the construction cal levels to respond immediately opment of high-quality infrastruc- people, including 19 police officers had been arrested in connec- often proceeds without zoning of other dams in Nepal, which in in the event of a disaster, antici- ture, capacity building, and im- tion to the murder. But looking into the barbarity of those who approval, and that urban plans are turn will constrain the availabili- pated or otherwise. Countries like proved disaster preparedness. Is killed Farkhunda, and the powerful outcry against her murder, at rarely implemented. Shockingly, ty of electricity necessary for so- China, India, Indonesia, and Tur- this finally the time to expect fun- 95 percent of Nepal’s own gov- cioeconomic development. Also, key are finding preparedness and damental change? Many will be home and abroad, has made the case to pioneer change. However, ernment offices violate national the cost of such projects may in- response difficult due to numer- watching. (Courtesy: The Diplo- now it looks it will not happen. Justice looks to be under threat in construction codes. While such crease given new seismic concerns. ous challenges, including limited mat) this particular case. buildings may not be the most Fortunately, knowledge and tech- transportation access to moun- Asit K. Biswas is Distin- vulnerable, their lack of compli- nology have advanced significant- tainous regions where earthquakes guished Visiting Professor at the The outrage over Farkhunda’s killing is so much simmering that ance suggests a broader culture of ly in recent years, enabling the often occur. Local governments Lee Kuan Yew School of Public civil society members have been calling for the public execution of negligence in adhering to construc- construction of large infrastruc- and institutions are simply unable Policy, National University of Sin- those involved in her murder. Seeking of truth must not only be part tion regulations. Given poor build- ture in seismic zones. In the long- to cope with rare but extreme di- gapore. Kris Hartley is a doctor- of the judicial system rather its goal must be the proviso of justice. ing conditions and high urban den- term, such projects are likely to sasters. al candidate at the Lee Kuan Yew sity, Nepal’s future earthquakes be economically net-positive. Nepal and other developing School of Public Policy, National Only seeking of the truth could be done by media as well. If the are likely to cause significant prop- Currently, however, this is a tough countries can learn the lessons University of Singapore. justice system reduces itself only to locate problems and then hesi- tate from delivering justice, in such a case where does remain the difference between the judicial system and media as media’s job is to report and underline problems and crime-related stories. If the judicial system has some pressure from some big guns from the government or some influential civilians, it should name them so that the President of the CEO could deal with them on their own, but justice shouldn’t be compromised. But since our political set up is plagued by corruption and the word of a bigwig from the government, warlord, or private individuals with exceptional influ- List of ence, become a final say, excepting justice is perhaps a cry in the land wilderness and in countries where legal system functions poorly, grabbers the mob continues to exist and the mob continues to take laws in its hands whereas the problem is it is rarely called upon to mete out capital punishment. Subscription Rates Categories Fee Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 3600 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 1800 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $200 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF.

SATURDAY .MAY 02, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Why Obama is Baltimore: On the domestic frontlines By Belen Fernandez wrong on Iran On April 19, 25-year-old Baltimore resident Freddie Gray became the By Majid Rafizadeh litical, economic, and national in- latest casualty of police violence terests, the Islamic Republic’s for- in the United States. President Obama has put all of his eign policy, the supreme leader and Exactly one week earlier, he eggs in one basket, concentrating the IRGC cadres’ major objectives was apprehended for fleeing un- on Iran’s nuclear file and spending hold a fourth critical and indispens- provoked from cops in a "high- a considerable amount of political able landscape: ideological princi- crime area". A stint in the back of a capital on this issue in the past ples and ideals. police van left him with a fatal two years. Over the last three decades, the spinal injury, although the precise His main view of the Islamic Islamic Republic has cemented and details of the affair have thus far Republic can be primarily charac- ossified its complicated role in the been shrouded in secrecy. terized as one-dimensional- that is region through its main foreign According to the Gray family analyzing Iran from solely the policy pillar: the ideological, sec- lawyer, the young man was de- prism of its nuclear program. On tarian, and revolutionary ideals. tained for "running while black, and the other hand, Iranian leaders For example, Iran’s support that's not a crime". have a more multi-faceted, subtle, for the ruling Shiite coalition in But as I recently noted in a complicated multi-dimensional Iraq, its backing of Hezbollah, the blog post for The London Review view of their role in the Middle Syrian government, and the of Books, a handy US Supreme East and of their relationship with Houthis in Yemen, along with Te- Court ruling has made it possible the U.S. and the West. hran’s recruitment of foreign Shi- to conduct arrests without proba- Spending too much political ite fighters to fight in Syria or oth- ble cause in "high-crime areas". capital on Iran’s nuclear file and er countries, are not solely for geo- ignoring other threats imposed by political or strategic reasons. Baltimore: Is the US govern- Iran’s military will neither com- These intricate alliance are en- ment addressing social issues? pletely contain the Iranian nuclear trenched in Islamic revolutionary One of the many problems threat, nor moderate Iran’s expan- ideals and values, such as promot- with the arrangement is that the - which is that the ascendance of murderer - policeman Darren Wil- Of course, the government and forces across America continue to sionist foreign policies Majid ing Shiism (the fundamental core court has not managed to define such individuals to key leadership son - was soon cleared of rights complicit media unabashedly in- militarise and treat communities of Rafizadeh Obama’s key reasons of the Islamic Republic), oppos- what, precisely, these areas are - positions hasn't entailed a depar- violations. vert the roles of aggressor and vic- colour as the enemy, they will in- behind his one-sided perspective ing the Great Satan, and extending and the ambiguousness offers an ture from the status quo, but rath- On Tuesday, in typically con- tim so that the police occupy the creasingly be seen as an occupy- are obvious. First and foremost, the Persian influence in the Mid- excellent alibi for police crimes. er its reinforcement. spiratorial fashion, Fox News re- latter spot, while placing the onus ing army." he would like to leave a historic dle East. Double whammy In addition to 'running while leased an exclusive report citing the of nonviolence on the real victims This would no doubt be a fit- record and lifetime legacy of being As long as these ideological Given the prevailing condi- black', numerous other routine ac- findings of an anonymous data of brutality. ting outcome in light of the train- the first American president who ideals, principles, the concept of a tions of racist capitalism in the US, tivities appear to have joined law mining firm that does work for the As Baltimore native Ta-Nehi- ing US law enforcement personnel reached a nuclear deal with long- supreme leader, Velayat-e-Faqih, where the dehumanisation of enforcement's de facto list of pun- government: "An analysis of so- si Coates writes at The Atlantic: have received from everyone's time foe, the Islamic Republic. and the underlying political estab- blacks furthers the elite strangle- ishable offences. cial media traffic in downtown Bal- "When nonviolence is preached by favourite occupation experts: the This is similar to the historic Nix- lishment of the Islamic Republic hold on society, it's not far-fetched The Ferguson connection timore … has unearthed striking the representatives of the state, Israelis, who condemn Palestinian on China agreement and Nixon- exist, Tehran will not simply re- to presume that "high-crime areas" Obama, for one, has presided connections to the protests in Fer- while the state doles out heaps of rock-throwing as violent but not Mao handshake, which began a move the ideological principle from generally mean black areas. over a system of widespread po- guson." violence to its citizens, it reveals the mass slaughter of occupied ci- new period of Chinese-American its foreign policy objectives. But the double whammy of lice unaccountability. In addition According to Fox's summary, itself to be a con." vilians. relations. But, President Obama is President Obama, and many race- and class-based oppression - to "running while black", numer- "between 20 and 50 social media The repeated allegations by And while the US' cultivation wrong on Iran from various land- others who believe resolving Iran’s mutually reinforcing phenomena - ous other routine activities appear accounts in Baltimore … were also Mayor Rawlings-Blake and police of its own domestic battlefield - scapes. nuclear threat will alter the Islamic means a lot of non-black criminal to have joined law enforcement's tied to the peak period of violence officials that "outside agitators" and its own crop of folks with Crucial issues that Obama is Republic’s expansionist policies, behaviour slips under the radar. de facto list of punishable offenc- in Ferguson", possibly indicating are responsible for stirring up trou- nothing to lose - might yield a high ignoring view Iran through the prisms of Wall Street, for example, could es. These include having a toy gun "the presence of 'professional pro- ble in Baltimore have meanwhile payoff for the arms, surveillance, While the nuclear threat of Iran geopolitical, economic, and nation- very plausibly be designated a high- while black and breathing while testers' or anarchists taking advan- failed to withstand the test of real- and prison industries, the ethical is a serious matter for regional sta- al interests. As a result, they argue crime area, but you don't see bank- black. tage of Freddie Gray's death to in- ity - though the claims have given cost to society will be much high- bility, nevertheless, spending too that if Iran is offered economic in- ers getting thrown into police vans. When I attended the Saturday cite more violence". protesters some good material to er. much political capital on Iran’s centives (such as removal of the Meanwhile, proponents of the protests in Baltimore calling for 'Outside' agitation? work with. At the march on Satur- Belen Fernandez is the author nuclear file and ignoring other UNSC sanctions), Iranian leaders delusion that the US is a paragon justice for Gray, I was momentari- There is indeed a "striking con- day, attention was drawn time and of The Imperial Messenger: Tho- threats imposed by Iran’s military will moderate their regional poli- of racial equality and opportunity ly positioned next to a demonstra- nection" between Ferguson and again to the fact that the majority mas Friedman at Work, published will neither completely contain the cies and new venues will be found will cite the skin colour of Barack tor with a T-shirt reading: "UN- Baltimore, but it has gone over of the city's police officers aren't by Verso. She is a contributing ed- Iranian nuclear threat, nor moder- to make diplomatic headway with Obama or Baltimore mayor ARMED CIVILIAN". The shirt Fox's head: It's the countrywide from Baltimore, and don't even live itor at Jacobin Magazine. ate Iran’s expansionist foreign pol- Tehran. Stephanie Rawlings-Blake as con- was a holdover from last year's criminalisation of black people for there. The views expressed in this icies in the region. In other words, they believe clusive evidence. protests in Ferguson, Missouri, daring to exist, and their recrimi- A dangerous occupation article are the author's own and do On the contrary, as the latest an Iran without sanctions will def- This evidence, however, fails over the shooting of unarmed black nalisation for reacting logically to The American Civil Liberties not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's developments in the Middle East initely change its behavior for the to account for a certain critical fact teenager Michael Brown, whose state violence. Union has warned that: "If police editorial policy. have revealed, viewing Tehran only better and act more rationally. Nev- from the prism of nuclear prolifer- ertheless, the economic incentives ation will assist Iranian leaders and offered to the Islamic Republic will Ukraine: Volunteer battalions are a short term solution senior officials of Iran’s Revolu- most likely be utilized to extend tionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to Tehran’s regional hegemonic am- By Luke Coffey lons of the military to the supply Ministry of Interior, but this is ing for after Viktor Yanukovich the Russian-backed separatists. be more emboldened in extending bitions. sergeant, meaning that some sol- rarely the case on the ground. was ousted has not been realised. They are generally tolerated by the their geopolitical and military in- In closing, as long as one cru- These days you cannot walk diers go to the front in tennis shoes. Many volunteer battalions enjoy There is a real possibility that public (for now), because they have fluence in the Middle East. cial pillar of Iran’s foreign policy around the Maidan Nezalezhnost, Unsurprisingly, this dire situ- huge autonomy and serve, in some a third Maidan could be on the played such a big role in defending Currently, Iranian leaders are remains to be ideological, Iranian the location of the Euromaidan ation attracts young patriotic men cases, as the private militias of the horizon. the homeland. attempting to push for an agenda leaders will not change their re- protests last year in central Kiev, to the volunteer battalions. oligarch funding it. Another Maidan? It is also easy to understand that claims the world view of Te- gional ambitions, sectarian agenda, without being asked for a dona- Today, there is an estimated There have even been cases of This time, instead of young what motivates a young man to hran from the prism of nuclear ne- revolutionary principles, or be less tion. 10,000 volunteers serving in oligarchs using their volunteer bat- students throwing rocks and Mo- join one of these units. However, gotiations rather than of its regional assertive in extending their military Charitable organisations like around 50 volunteer battalions. talions to secure their private busi- lotov cocktails there is a concern the volunteer battalions are only a policies. This strategy falls right influence in the region. "Self-Defence of the Maidan" or Some of the more well-known ness interests. that a third Maidan would see the short term solution to a long-term into the interest of Supreme Lead- Majid Rafizadeh, an Iranian- "Army SOS" have their volunteers groups - such as the Donbas Bat- Last month, the Ukrainian oli- volunteer battalions (armed to the problem. er Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and American political scientist and asking for money to provide basic talion or the Donbas Battalion - garch and governor of Dnipro- teeth) playing a leading role. The Until they are brought under Iran’s army establishments. scholar at Harvard University, is supplies for the so-called Territo- are actively engaged in fighting and petrovsk Oblast, and the world's implications of this are obvious. the full control of the central gov- In order to achieve the afore- president of the International rial Defence Battalions - better have carried a heavy burden for the 377th wealthiest person, Ihor Ko- Until the cycle of corruption ernment they pose a clear threat mentioned primary objective, American Council. Rafizadeh known as volunteer battalions - nation's defence. Other volunteer lomoisky, sent his armed men to that orbits the upper echelons of to legitimate state security servic- while removing the pressure and serves on the board of Harvard In- fighting the Russian-backed sepa- battalions operate well away from occupy the headquarters of the the political elite and oligarchs is es and Ukraine's democratic trans- concerns from other countries and ternational Review at Harvard ratists in eastern Ukraine. the fighting and train to provide state-run oil company UkrTran- broken, Ukraine's future is bleak. formation. allies, President Obama’s second University. He is also a member of As fighting started to pick up territorial defence in the event of a sNafta in Kiev, after its director (a Even though there is legislation in Luke Coffey is a research fel- argument appears to be that a fo- the Gulf project at Columbia Uni- last summer in the Donbas, it was larger Russian invasion. protege of Kolomoisky), was fired. parliament to crack down on the low specialising in transatlantic cus on Iran’s nuclear file will open versity. Rafizadeh served as a se- clear that the regular Ukrainian While small donations received In a rare act of exercising au- political control enjoyed by oli- and Eurasian security at a Wash- avenues to address and negotiate nior fellow at Nonviolence Inter- Armed Forces could not mobilise at the Maidan provide basic sup- thority, President Petro Poroshen- garchs there is little appetite to ington DC based think-tank. He other crucial matters with the Ira- national Organization based in fast enough to deal with the threat. plies such as socks, T-shirts, and ko sacked Kolomoisky from his pass it. The decision to sack Ko- previously served as a special ad- nian leaders which are linked to Washington DC. He has been a re- Even worse, the soldiers that were toiletries to the volunteer battal- governorship of Dnipropetrovsk lomoisky might be the start of a viser to the British defence secre- Middle Eastern geopolitics, the cipient of several scholarships and sent to the east often lacked the ions, the vast majority of them are Oblast in response. change in attitude towards oli- tary and was a commissioned of- economy, American national inter- fellowship including from Oxford most basic military equipment. funded primarily by Ukraine's oli- Corruption and economic mis- garchs and their volunteer battal- ficer in the United States army. ests and strategic landscapes. Iran’s University, Annenberg University, Poles flock to paramilitaries to garchs. Therefore, it is no surprise management is a major threat to ions, but it is too early to tell. The views expressed in this foreign policy in the Middle East University of California Santa Bar- counter Russian threat that the volunteer battalions often Ukraine's long term survival. Slow- Make no mistake; the volun- article are the author's own and do is complex Notwithstanding, the bara, and Fulbright Teaching pro- This was not because the have better equipment and weap- ly, Ukrainians are getting tired of teer battalions have sacrificed great- not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's other issue that President Obama gram. He served as ambassador for Ukrainian military lacks supplies ons than the regular army. it all. The change many were hop- ly to defend their homeland from editorial policy. has failed to recognize is that even the National Iranian-American to provide for its troops. It is be- Instead of young students if a nuclear deal is reached, the Is- Council based in Washington DC, cause corruption is a serious prob- throwing rocks and Molotov cock- lamic Republic’s regional hege- conducted research at Woodrow lem in the armed forces in the same tails there is a concern that a third monic ambitions will not funda- Wilson International Center for way it is across most sectors of Maidan would see the volunteer mentally be altered partially due Scholars, and taught at University society. battalions [armed to the teeth] play- to the ideological tenet of Iran’s of California Santa Barbara through Corruption ing a leading role. foreign policy. While many nation- Fulbright Teaching Scholarship. In some cases a simple matter This has fostered a culture of states’ foreign policies operate on He can be reached at of providing boots to soldiers re- loyalty between the volunteer bat- the three crucial realms of geopo- [email protected]. quires bribes from the upper eche- talions and the oligarchs that in some cases supersedes loyalty to the state. This reliance on oligar- LETTER TO THE EDITOR chic funding for the volunteer bat- talions is bad for democracy and bad for Ukraine's future. This is Biggest exporter of copper, iron in 10-year? especially true for a country that is so mired in political and eco- President Ashraf Ghani the other day in Iran said that Afghanistan will become biggest exporter of copper nomic corruption. and iron in 10 years. His remarks come as Afghanistan has set on trillion dollars-worth untapped mineral Beginning of warlordism? resources. However, insecurity and illegal mining are main hurdles for the crucial sector that can lead the country towards self-reliance and developed economy. On one hand, President Ghani’s remarks seem to be There is a move to integrate hopeful and a green signal for stepping towards development and prosperity in upcoming years, while on volunteer battalions into Ukraine's the other the remarks seem miles away from becoming a reality. Looking at the deadly incidents took place National Guard but this has been a this week and delving into the government’s inefficiency in its first year, such plans will not be implement- very slow process. On paper all ed and Afghanistan will remain what it is now—or may be worst. Making Afghanistan biggest exporter of volunteer units are under the con- copper and iron needs efforts, honest struggles and commitment; it cannot happen with snail-paced activities and reluctance and it cannot happen with promises and slogans. The cabinet is almost complete trol of the Ministry of Defence or and all economy-related ministries have ministers. What they should do is to work hard, fill the gaps and shortcomings made by the previous government, and use the remaining opportunity of the international aid for bolstering economy of this war-weary and ill-fated country. Afghans are dreaming a prosperous future. Those in high slots of the state should make the dreams real—one of the dreams is making Afghanistan the biggest exporter of iron and copper. Disclaimer: Omid Paiman, 4th Macroryan, Kabul The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the author(s) Letter to editor will be edited for policy, content and clarity. All letters must have the writer’s name and address. You may send your letters to: and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Afghanistan Times. [email protected] This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY . MAY 02, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Vietnam, 40 years after the fall of Saigon Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Pham Quoc Hung felt calm when the end finally came. ISTANBUL: On an otherwise Miroglu does not think the law It was the morning of April 30, calm day in Istanbul's Gazi neigh- will enable police to use excessive 1975, and North Vietnamese tanks bourhood, TOMA riot control ve- force, and says that the presence were rumbling towards their final hicles engaged in a lopsided skir- of police brutality in Turkey is military objective: Saigon. mish with a throng of young exaggerated. "It's an evaluation that Those tanks were a sign that schoolchildren. is the result of false perceptions. the war in Vietnam was finally Smaller armoured police cars In instances where disproportion- over, said Hung, recounting the last whizzed by and were pelted with ate force is used by police, the hours, 40 years ago today, of the rocks by the children, who lit sev- same levels can be observed dur- country once known as the Repub- eral small fires in a vain attempt to ing protests in Germany and the lic of Vietnam, and the fall of its prevent the TOMA tank from United States," Miroglu told Al former capital, Saigon, to North crossing onto the main street. Jazeera. Vietnamese forces. Gazi is home to a large popu- Additionally, skirmishes in "I felt calm because I could lation of Alevis, a minority group Alevi neighbourhoods, often expect the result," said the 75-year- practising a distinct form of Islam, waged between police and out- old Hung, who was a battlefield who number an estimated 12.5 lawed leftist armed groups such as photographer with the defeated million in Turkey and share a cul- the Revolutionary People's Liber- South Vietnamese army at that ture and belief system that runs ation Front-Party (DHKP-C), time. heterodox to the Sunni identity of which constitute a formidable After years covering the war the Turkish state. presence in Istanbul's Alevi quar- that brought so much death and Alevis have suffered a long his- ters, contribute to the heavy po- destruction on his country, Hung tory of massacres and systematic lice presence in the area. said he wasn't filled with dread at discrimination, since as early as However, the new law has cre- the prospect of a Communist vic- 1937 when 13,000 Alevis were ated concerns that demonstrations tory. He was just relieved that killed after the Turkish military and street clashes could become peace would finally arrive. suppressed a rebellion in Dersim considerably more violent and one- "I wasn't afraid because I nev- province. And in 1993, extremists sided. "Things will become more er had a gun. I was a reporter," he set fire to a hotel hosting an Alevi problematic. [The police] were al- said. "I had nothing to regret." conference in Sivas province, kill- ready doing these things; now they When the last American heli- ing 35 of the participants. Police will able to do them much easier. It copter flew out of Saigon on the did not intervene. will be very harmful," Nevzat Al- morning of April 30, 1975, more Today, Istanbul neighbour- tun, who is in charge of Gazi's than 58,000 US military person- hoods with big Alevi populations neighbourhood affairs, told Al nel had been killed in the war. So such as Gazi are the sites of fre- Jazeera. many more Vietnamese had died quent protests that often descend But Gazi and similar neigh- that it is difficult to calculate. Es- into intense clashes between left- bourhoods are routinely exposed timates range from 1.5 million to wing groups and police. Follow- to the use of force by police, which more than 3.5 million Vietnamese ing Turkish President Recep Tayy- has been the de facto state policy killed in fighting from the mid- ip Erdogan's approval of a contro- in these areas, according to Deniz 1950s until the war's end in 1975. versial security bill on April 3, Yonucu, a social anthropologist Predictions of a bloodbath af- police are now able to open fire on and specialist on Istanbul's Alevi- ter the fall of Saigon proved en- protesters using Molotov cock- populated working-class neigh- tirely false. Hung and other low- tails, and arrest those brandishing bourhoods. ranking soldiers of the defeated slingshots and covering their faces "The law has unofficially been South Vietnam spent time under- - the latter of which will be pun- in charge in Turkey's working- going "hoc tap", or re-education. ishable by up to five years in pris- class Alevi neighbourhoods for Hung spent just a few days on. years, and I don't think that it will undergoing re-education. Senior RELATED: Turkey's Alevis heighten the already existing ten- with a tear gas canister in Okmey- year declared that Turkey must cialise under the shadow of mili- Çaglayan courthouse on March 31. officers and other officials of the beholden to politics sions. Arbitrary detentions, arbi- dani during the 2013 Gezi Park officially recognise the cemevis. tary tanks and witness their par- While the reasons why he was tak- defeated South would have to The government said that the trary house raids and arbitrary protests. Elvan was in a coma un- Local municipalities have since ents being beaten by police forces en hostage remain unclear, he was spend longer in hoc tap, and in law is supported by the majority police violence have been part of til his death last year. begun to do so, and the govern- on [the] street. They grow up in making progress on Elvan's case. harsh conditions. Some never re- of the country and corresponds to the ordinary in these neighbour- "Such events make Alevis be- ment will - if reluctantly - have to an environment where violence is There were several demands, turned. EU standards, and Internal Affairs hoods since the 1990s," she told lieve that there is a state tradition follow suit as ECHR rulings are a part of everyday life," said Yo- among them a live confession from The war seems like a very dis- Minister Efkan Ala said in Febru- Al Jazeera. in Turkey that is against them and binding. nucu. RELATED: Turkey 'guilty the policeman responsible for El- tant memory among the gleaming ary that as much as 80 percent of In neighbourhoods such as that violence against the commu- "[The AKP] has been able to of religious discrimination' van's death. high-rise buildings in downtown the public is in favour of the legis- Gazi and Okmeydani, children so- nity is always a possibility," said make inroads with the Kurds by "Police pressure here got much Clashes then broke out be- Ho Chi Minh City, the new name lation and that its implementation cialise under the shadow of mili- Yonucu. relying on Islam as a key compo- worse after the Gezi Park pro- tween demonstrators and police in for the old Saigon. High-end stores would be in the best interests of tary tanks and witness their par- The AKP has long vowed to nent of national identity. The Alevi tests," said one young woman who Gazi on the evening of March 31. sell Hugo Boss, Chanel, and Cho- society. ents being beaten by police forces make headway on what it describes form a natural challenge to that vi- requested to remain anonymous And on April 1, Prime Minister pard to the city's nouveau riche, "It is not possible to discuss on [the] street. They grow up in as its "Alevi initiative", but critics sion precisely because they are for security reasons. "But I've nev- Ahmet Davutoglu referenced the and McDonald's caters to the as- this law without questioning why an environment where violence is say the pledges have been in vain. both Muslim and clearly distinct," er once seen a uniformed police bill in a harsh warning to protest- piring middle class. it came to the government's agen- a part of everyday life. "Even in the most liberal phase of Eissenstat told Al Jazeera. officer on the street," the lifetime ers, saying that any unauthorised Old symbols still have their da," said Orhan Miroglu, a Kurdi- Deniz Yonucu, social anthro- the AKP, seriously addressing But according to Miroglu, the Gazi resident added, explaining street demonstrations would be place in this one-party state sh politician and candidate running pologist Alevi concerns proved impossible. party is the only political actor in that police operations are usually granted zero tolerance. though. for parliament under the ruling Jus- For instance, in March 1995, There have been periodic efforts the republic's history to make any conducted at night, while plain- "I see the security package as In preparation for what is of- tice and Development Party demonstrations sparked by the to do so, but the AKP just hasn't progress with Alevis. "Whatever clothes cops roam the area during one element in a series of steps ficially called Reunification Day, (AKP). drive-by shooting of an elderly had the will," said Howard Eissen- steps have been taken regarding the the daytime. that the government has taken to the city's streets were awash in Turkish troops pass smoul- Alevi community leader in Gazi stat, a Turkey expert at St Alevi and Kurdish issues, we owe The Gazi police precinct de- prepare for what is likely to be newly made hammer and sickle dering Kobane to save shrine were brutally dispersed by the Lawrence University in New York. it to this government. The Madi- clined a request to comment, while one of the most tumultuous years flags and rousing billboards and Government officials and rul- police and gendarmerie. Twenty- Politicians including Erdogan mak Hotel where Alevis were no one from the Istanbul Police in Turkey's recent history," said posters, featuring tanks and sol- ing party pundits alike framed the three people were killed, and vid- have previously declared Alevism killed [in the 1993 Sivas massacre] Directorate was available to speak Eissenstat, noting that Turkey diers with AK-47 rifles, extolled law in conjunction with riots that eo footage shows police firing to not be a religion, while the gov- was turned into a museum. A me- with Al Jazeera. purchased 1.9 million teargas can- the military victory of four de- broke out in numerous southeast- rounds into the crowd. ernment has refused to officially morial museum is being built in The increased security pres- isters and gas grenades this year, cades ago and the glory of the Com- ern provinces last October, over And last year, 30-year-old recognise Alevis' house of wor- Dersim, and Erdogan apologised ence in Alevi areas is likely to con- an amount 10 times higher than munist Party. the government's indifference to- Ugur Kurt was killed by a stray ship, the cemevi. This prohibits for the Dersim massacres," Miro- tinue in light of the death of Meh- what it had purchased annually A picture of a photo of the wards the Islamic State of Iraq and bullet in Okmeydani, where many them from receiving funding for glu said. met Selim Kiraz - the prosecutor prior to 2013. North Vietnamese tank unit which the Levant's (ISIL) siege of the Alevis live. The bullet was fired electricity bills from the Director- Meanwhile, the reality in some in the Berkin Elvan case - follow- "Turkey is gearing up, both in barrelled thorough the gates of Syrian Kurdish town of Kobane. by police at protesters gathered in ate of Religious Affairs. However, of Istanbul's Alevi quarters remains ing a shoot-out between police and its arsenal of crowd control weap- Saigon's Presidential Palace on Clashes between rival Kurdish fac- honour of Berkan Elvan, a 14- a European Court of Human Rights bleak. "In neighbourhoods such as members of DHKP-C, who had ons and in its legal structure," he April 30, 1975, and raised the tions led to 52 deaths. year-old who was shot in the head (ECHR) ruling in December of last Gazi and Okmeydani, children so- taken Kiraz hostage at Istanbul's said. (AL JAZEERA) North Vietnamese flag over the building A huge digital screen on the front of the luxury, twin-towered Vincom shopping mall beamed the same propaganda messages across the city's skyline: Marxist slogans with capitalist spending power never looked so good. SABAH: Maslina Madsail dashes stant fear," said Flora Yohanes, a call home, an uncertain future fac- rebels from the southern Philip- Malaysian passport five years food to eat. By using glue, they Americana love across the rickety wooden planks teacher at a makeshift school run es the stateless children of Sabah pines. ago. can … sleep well." Embracing the free market, that link the floating huts of her by a Malaysian NGO in Sabah. [Chan Tau Chou/Al Jazeera] Malaysian forces fought them "This document is my life," he Vietnam's economy has gone from water village whenever she hears With public schools off-limits Sometimes, children's at- off and since then, they've been said. "If I don't have the document, Bajau Laut child in Kampung one of the worst to one of the hot- that authorities are near. to undocumented children, many tempts to evade authorities can be cracking down harder on people that is the end of my life." Halo, Semporna [Chan Tau Chou/ test in Southeast Asia in the past "We run when we see the po- attend rudimentary schools run by deadly. without documents. Becoming legal opened the Al Jazeera] 20 years. lice truck coming. We run into the NGOs. In March, three teenage broth- Locals often blame stateless door for him to teach at a make- The prospects for stateless Vietnam's foreign relations boats to hide," she said. About 80 students aged seven ers died while hiding from police children for a range of social ills. shift school run for Bajau children. children may seem dim but some, have taken the same 180-degree Quick-footed and nimble, to 12, whose parents are Indone- underneath a fish market in the "They're uneducated and He said undocumented chil- like Maslina Madsail, have high route. The United States is no longer Maslina looks smaller than her 11 sian, attend the school where Yo- town of Lahad Datu. many of them turn into drug ad- dren often grow up in poverty and hopes of clawing their way out of the enemy, and Americana culture years, but she has already learnt hanes works with three other The boys' parents came to Sa- dicts. Serious addicts. This is a big some resort to glue sniffing to stave poverty and into mainstream so- appears to be winning the "hearts how to outsmart police intent on teachers. bah in the 1970s to escape civil problem. And to feed their addic- off hunger. ciety. and minds" of a new generation of finding children like her. Indonesia and Malaysia have war in the Philippines' Mindanao tion, they steal and rob," said Lu, "They are sniffing gum, beg- Maslina, who attends Abbas' young Vietnamese peacefully. From floating fishing villages an informal agreement that the chil- province. All of their 10 children a fishmonger in the town of Tawau. ging on the streets, especially the school and lives in a small hut with "To say that Vietnamese love to palm oil plantations, tens of dren will not be detained while were born in Malaysia. An undocumented life young ones, and finding food in 26 relatives, already works to help American culture is an understate- thousands of children across Sa- they are in class, but they are at Their mother, Erma Manding, Jerry Abbas, 37, knows what the garbage. That is the life of the her family make ends meet, selling ment," the state-run Thanh Nien bah state on the Malaysian island risk of arrest outside the school is grief-stricken over the loss of it's like to grow up stateless. Bajau Laut," he said. Here, the in- plastic bags to shoppers at a fish newspaper declared in a recent ar- of Borneo are playing a dangerous compound. three of her sons. Undocumented children pick toxicative inhalant is often referred market. She said she wants to be ticle. game of cat and mouse with au- When the children hear that "It would be better if I died," through garbage at a jetty in Sem- to as gum. an immigration officer when she The article featured a Vietnam- thorities. police are conducting checks, Yo- she told Al Jazeera, sitting on the porna [Chan Tau Chou/Al Jazeera] In Semporna, on Sabah's east grows up so that she can give her ese author whose autobiography Their crime? They are state- hanes said they often stay away floor on their floating wooden His father is Bajau and his coast, children buy glue by the family passports. But in a coun- about marrying an American man less - citizens of no country. Offi- from school for a week. home, surrounded by relatives. mother Malaysian, but they never spoonful in plastic bags. Used bags try that does not even recognise and living the "American dream" cially, they do not exist 101 East - Makeshift school in Sempor- Authorities say the boys had registered his birth. He said he litter the ground. her existence, that goal is likely to has become a bestseller in Vietnam. Sabah's invisible children Estimat- na for undocumented children who already drowned by the time they found it impossible to find a se- "They are very poor," said remain far beyond her reach. Since publication, young Vietnam- ed to number at least 50,000, ac- are denied access to public educa- found them. But some locals told cure job before he finally got his Abbas. "They don't have enough (AL JAZEERA) ese women have contacted the au- cording to non-governmental or- tion [Chan Tau Chou/Al Jazeera] Al Jazeera that authorities sprayed thor seeking her advice on how to ganisations such as the Asia Foun- "Sometimes there will only be toxic gas and suffocated the boys. "land an American husband", dation, Sabah's hidden children are teachers in the school, none of the Police have denied this claim. Thanh Nien reported. among the country's most vulner- students will attend," she said. Crime prevention? "This is a country where young able. They are the offspring of mi- "When asked why, they say Commander Abdul Rashid people often queue in long lines grant workers from the Philip- they were asked to hide. When Harun, the head of the Eastern Sa- for a new Hollywood blockbust- pines, Indonesia, or the nomadic they feel it is calm, they will start bah Security Command, said au- er, or a new Starbucks store. On sea tribe known as the Bajau Laut. coming back to school. Sometimes, thorities conduct daily checks to busy streets in Ho Chi Minh City, By law, they are not allowed to even while in school, they feel re- track down undocumented mi- it is easy to find teenage girls wear- marry or have children. Many of ally scared ... that there are police grants and their children. ing American outfits, humming a these migrants work in Malaysia patrols." Yohanes said children of- Not allowed to step out of this Miley Cyrus song," Thanh Nien illegally. They form the backbone ten hide in the forest overnight to palm oil estate for fear of arrest, added. of Sabah's economy, working in avoid police. "When they are with undocumented children rely on On the foreign relations and industries such as palm oil planta- their parents, they are no longer discarded tyres and their imagina- defence fronts, the once bitter en- tions, construction, and fishing. A under the protection of the school. tion for a bit of fun [Chan Tau Chou/ emies, Washington and Hanoi, have Bajau Laut father teaches his chil- That's why they are told to run," Al Jazeera] found common cause in bolstering dren how to mend a net [Chan Tau she said. Dying to stay out of jail Authorities sent home more ties to counterbalance emerging Chou/Al Jazeera] In constant fear The children do not always escape. than 18,000 undocumented mi- China and its claims to territory in Some families have lived in Ma- "When the students get arrested, grants from Sabah last year. the South China Sea. laysia for generations, but parents as teachers we are saddened," Yo- "The illegal migrants are in- Winners and losers do not register births due to fear of hanes said. "Sometimes we can't volved in many crimes, and smug- Closer to home, post-war rec- arrest. Denied access to public sleep pondering the fate of the stu- gling is the number one problem. onciliation is still a fraught subject schools and healthcare, the chil- dents, and trying to figure out how If we can stop the smugglers, we'll among the Vietnamese themselves, dren and their parents can be to help free the students from jail." be able to stop related problems and not everyone will be celebrat- thrown into detention centres at In some cases, the teachers are like kidnapping and armed intru- ing today's anniversary. any time and deported, even able to help get their students re- sion," Commander Abdul Rashid "No one invited me," Hung, though Malaysia is often the only leased. But some students are de- said. the former combat photographer, home the children have ever known. tained for more than three months The command was set up in says jokingly of the April 30th fes- "Authorities often conduct before being deported. 2013 to beef up security in east- tivities, which he views as a cele- checks and the children live in con- Hunted down in a place they ern Sabah after an attack by Sulu bration dedicated to the winner. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY. MAY 02, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Final phase: Few kinks to iron out Turkey aims at before Pak govt imports LNG from Qatar luring foreign ISLAMABAD: A few kinks still investment from need to be ironed out before Paki- stan can import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar on a gov- ernment-to-government basis. Re- Gulf region fusal of the independent power producers (IPPs) to give stand-by The second International Invest- businesses compared to similar letter of credit, a scheduled port ment Summit held in Istanbul be- markets around Europe and Asia. study on May 6 and the payment tween April 29-30 gathered inter- Reidin has also a research and mechanism are some of the issues national investment funds and in- technology center based in Istan- that need to be resolved before vestors from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, bul. The company deals with in- LNG can be imported from Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emir- stitutional investors and banks, said Petroleum and Natural Re- ates, in total managing about 1.5 family offices and government en- sources Minister Shahid Khaqan trillion dollars of Gulf investment tities in the fields of real estate and Abbasi while addressing a press funds. residential and office markets. conference in Islamabad While the Making the inauguration “Unfortunately,” Kayhan private sector has imported LNG speech of the summit, Turkey’s says, “not only for the GCC funds from Qatar on its own expense, Science, Industry and Technology but also for any other foreign di- the arrival of the fuel is yet to be Minister Fikri Isik stated that Tur- rect investment funds there are not arranged on a government-to-gov- key is making huge efforts to facil- many investment products avail- ernment basis. Qatar officials are itate foreign investments over the able that would be attractive expected to carry out a port study last decade, both for encouraging enough to balance to risk and in- on May 6. A positive feedback them to make joint ventures with vest more.” “We lack hedging tools would sort out one of the three the domestic firms and also invest- against currency risk, asset backed issues Abbasi mentioned on ing jointly in third countries. securities with an open window Thursday. “Not a single foreign compa- to secondary markets and culture “Refusal of IPPs to give letter ny has lost money in making long- of dealing with foreign investors of credit, the port study and pay- term investments in Turkey,” Isik on constant basis. So far I think ment mechanism are three major said, asking Gulf investors to con- Turkey has not done well consid- issues that need to be resolved be- sider also manufacturing based on ering the opportunities exist but I fore importing LNG from Qatar,” R&D and innovation. believe it’s on the right track as Abbasi said. “There were 82 is- During the Summit, Saudi Ara- long as the politics don’t interfere,” sues of various kinds around the bia’s Al-Bassam Group and Saudi Kayhan told Al Arabiya News. import of LNG. Only three issues Sumou Holding announced their Kuveyt Türk, the Turkey-based are left now. Pakistan and Qatar plan to jointly set up a new fund Kuwaiti Bank, assists Kuwaitis in have signed a master sale agreement of about one billion dollars for buying property in Turkey, while but it is not a commitment for Turkey’s real estate market, in co- so far Kuwaiti investors have LNG supply. operation with Turkish state com- placed about two billion dollars in “We have imported it at $11.5 panies active in the construction Turkey, mainly in real estate. per million British thermal units sector. Besides that, in a move to However, Gulf capital does (mmbtu), a cost that includes trans- get in Turkey’s education sector, not restrict itself with the real es- portation charges, margins, 17% Saudi Economic and Development tate sector, but expands its invest- General Sales Tax (GST) and even Company (SEDCO) recently an- ment choices to a wide range of losses of gas utilities,” he said, add- nounced its decision to buy 50% sectors. ing that its price was linked at al- stake in a company running 63 On the sidelines of his official most 14% of Brent oil. This means private schools in Turkey under visit to Kuwait on April 28, Tur- that a unit change in the price of the name of Mektebim Koleji. key’s President Recep Tayyip Er- Brent oil will result in an effective Last year, Turkey has attract- dogan announced that Turkey and change of around 14% in the price ed about six billion U.S. dollars of Kuwait might take steps in joint of LNG. The Economic Coordina- LNG remained a cheaper source Abbasi said that Pakistan would country using diesel to run power page of LNG supply is a rare phe- foreign direct investment, while the investments in defense industry, tion Committee has already decid- of fuel. “On April 27, the deliv- save $1 billion every year by util- plants by importing it from Ku- nomenon,” he said. country aims to reach 80 billion while he also suggested that Tur- ed to regulate the price of LNG ered price of fuel to power plants ising LNG when compared to wait,” he said, stressing that even Responding to a question about U.S. dollars annually and to rank key cooperates with the Gulf na- every month – a pattern followed in northern Pakistan on an equiva- costs incurred through the use of Kuwait was not using diesel to run terming LNG as a petroleum prod- among the 10 biggest economies tion in the construction and bank- by other petroleum products in the lent basis was $11.5 per mmbtu furnace oil and diesel in running power plants. He maintained that uct, he said that gas had always by 2023, the centennial of the foun- ing sectors. country. for LNG, $12.6 for HSFO, $13.8 power plants. He said that work the 3,600MW LNG based power been a petroleum product. He said dation of the republic. The Abraaj Group, a leading Meanwhile, Abbasi said that for LSFO and $22 per for diesel,” on the second terminal was under plants in Punjab would not have that third-party access rules had Foreign investments from Gulf investor operating in global growth Port Qasim Authority (PQA) was he added.He said Pakistan had im- way and the Sui Southern Gas the option to use diesel. “The con- been amended to facilitate the pri- countries are reported to go be- markets, has been present in Tur- due to conduct a study that should ported two ships of LNG at a price Company’s (SSGC) board would sultant has recommended install- vate sector. “There is nothing bar- yond 30 billion dollars over the last key with an on the ground team be acceptable to the Qatar’s ship- less of than $8 per mmbtu. Stress- make a decision in this regard on ing dual-fuel plants but I have op- ring the private sector in LNG im- decade. since 2007. Over this time, Abraaj ping industry. The minister said ing the importance of the fuel, May 15. “Pakistan is the only posed this,” Abbasi said. “Stop- port,” he said. Experts interviewed by Al Ar- has made investments in Turkey abiya News underline the impor- across a range of sectors including tance of having a stable climate with in healthcare, fast-moving consum- Stock futures rise as construction, proper rule of law in attracting Gulf er goods, online retail and oil and Saudi to restructure investment in Turkey. gas services, and has deployed Having an average of 5% of more than $860 million in the coun- manufacturing data eyed economic growth between 2003- try. Considering Turkey’s high in- its oil giant Aramco 2014, Turkey improved its mac- ternet penetration as well as a U.S. stocks, led by the Nas- roeconomic stability under the growing consumer preference to daq, sold off on Thursday as Ap- AKP government over the last shift to online based retail, Abraaj ple (AAPL.O) declined, and tech twelve years, with structural re- recently announced an investment and biotech results disappointed. forms in banking sectors, health- in Hepsiburada.com, an online re- The S&P tech index (.SPLRCT) care system, public finances, as tail leader in Turkey which is the closed down 1.6 percent and was well as a legislation on foreign di- most visited retail website in the the day's worst-performing sector. rect investment harmonized with country with over 1.5 million cus- LinkedIn (LNKD.O) shares global standards. tomers per year. slumped 20.4 percent to $200.81 Kerem Gögüs, the founder of The investment will be used in premarket trading, a day after Gögüs Real Estate based in Istan- by Hepsiburada to accelerate the the professional social network bul, has been working with the cli- rapid expansion of its market lead- operator slashed its full-year profit ents from the Gulf countries for ing e-commerce operations in Tur- forecast. Dow component Visa seven years. “They are interested key, including a custom-built, state- (V.N) was down 2.2 percent at in residence projects in Istanbul and of-the-art fulfilment center. $64.60, after a weaker-than-ex- Ankara. There is an increased in- Speaking to Al Arabiya News, pected profit forecast for the cur- terest in recent years from Gulf Selcuk Yorgancioglu, Partner and rent quarter, hurt by the strong capital in the real estate sector in Regional Head for Turkey and dollar. Tesla (TSLA.O) rose 3.1 Turkey, especially with the ever- Central Asia said, “Domestic de- percent to $233 after it unveiled a growing publicity conducted by the mand in Turkey has been buoyed new battery pack for homes, com- government and its agencies,” by a middle class that is young, panies and utilities that will expand Gögüs told Al Arabiya News. aspirational and has high purchas- its business beyond electric vehi- Gögüs also noted that the po- ing power.” “With exports to Af- cles. Earnings expected on Friday Saudi Arabia approved on Friday the restructuring of the kingdom’s oil litical stability is a key factor for rica, Asia, and Latin America grow- U.S. stock index futures were high- report that sales moderated in April include Dow component Chevron giant Aramco, a move that will see it separated from the oil ministry, Turkey, the 18th largest economy ing twice as fast as exports to Eu- er on Friday ahead of the release after rising the previous month. (CVX.N), Warren Buffett's Berk- sources told Al Arabiya News Channel. The country’s Supreme Eco- in the world and the seventh in rope and North America over the of data that could support signs The data is due at 13:30 p.m. (1730 shire Hathaway (BRKa.N) and nomic Council approved the restructure plan that had been proposed Europe, to sustain these invest- last decade and many market lead- that the economy is regaining mo- GMT) Charter Communications by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. The restructuring ments. “I assume that at least half ers in Turkey expanding interna- mentum after stumbling in the first The latest batch of data comes (CHTR.O). comes soon after Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz announced a major of these investments will be with- tionally, there is an exciting oppor- quarter. a day after data showed that the Futures snapshot at 7:22 a.m. government reshuffle. Prince Mohammad bin Salman, also minister of drawn if foreign investors detect tunity to build not just national Construction spending is ex- number of Americans filing new EDT (1122 GMT): defense, was appointed as the deputy crown prince earlier this week. any sign of instability either in champions but also strong region- pected to have risen in March af- claims for jobless benefits fell to a S&P 500 e-minis (ESc1) were King Salman also appointed Saudi Aramco's chief executive Khaled Al- politics or economy,” he added. al businesses,” Yorgancioglu add- ter slipping in February, while the 15-year low last week and con- up 6.75 points, or 0.32 percent, Falih as chairman of the state oil firm and health minister. In a statement Ahmet Kayhan, CEO of Rei- ed “This has been our experience Institute for Supply Manage- sumer spending rose in March. with 50,658 contracts traded. on Wednesday, Aramco described Falih as the outgoing CEO and pres- din, a Dubai-based international in Turkey, but also across our glo- ment's manufacturing index is ex- The dollar (.DXY) bounced Nasdaq 100 e-minis (NQc1) ident, and also as chairman of its board of directors. The state-owned information and research compa- bal platform, which makes us ide- pected to have increased in April from a two-month low against a were up 11.25 points, or 0.26 per- giant is a world leader in crude exports. Aramco is involved in hydrocar- ny focusing on emerging markets, ally placed to partner with well from March. Both numbers are basket of currencies on Friday, cent, on volume of 9,298 contracts. bons exploration, production, refining, distribution, shipping and mar- says Turkey is still one of the most managed and entrepreneurial busi- expected at 10:00 a.m. EDT (1400 also drawing encouragement from Dow e-minis (1YMc1) were keting. According to the company’s website, Aramco has stewardship promising emerging markets, with nesses who are seeking growth GMT) the recent stronger-than-expected up 77 points, or 0.43 percent, with of natural gas reserves of 288.4 trillion standard cubic feet (scf) and as of its location, demographics, high capital for the next stage of their Automakers are expected to data. 10,037 contracts changing hands. 2014 operates 212 oil rigs. growth economy and undervalued trajectory,” he noted. Bahrain central bank puts Iran-linked Turkmen gas could reach Europe bank, insurer into administration through Iran: EU official was founded in 2004 as a joint ven- EU energy boss Maros Sefcovic ture between two Iranian banks - said late Thursday Europe could Bank Saderat and Bank Melli - and import natural gas from ex-Soviet Bahrain’s Ahli United Bank, ac- Turkmenistan via Iran as Brussels cording to its website. ramps up efforts to break its de- Its assets totaled 597.2 million pendence on Russian-sourced en- dinars ($1.58 billion) last year, ergy. when it made a profit of 17.9 mil- Speaking after a meeting with lion dinars, according to its latest Turkmen President Gurbanguly financial statement. Berdymukhamedov in the capital Iran Insurance Co is the Bahr- Ashgabat, Sefcovic, vice president ain branch of an Iranian govern- of the European Commission for ment-owned insurer, according to Energy Union, also said he expect- its website, which said the parent ed that imports of Turkmen gas company had a network of branch- via a pipeline built under the Cas- es in Iran and paid-up capital of pian sea could begin as soon as $236 million. 2019. said the Trans-Caspian pipeline is uneconomic and that building a land- In the last three years, Iranian Sefcovic said the two had dis- based pipeline transiting the sanctions-struck Gulf state would be a institutions have largely been fro- cussed the “possibility of build- better option. zen out of the global financial sys- ing a pipeline through the Caspian But with talks over Iran’s nuclear program involving the permanent tem by international sanctions im- as well as through Iran, since dip- five members of the UN Security Council plus Germany hanging in the posed over Iran’s disputed nucle- lomatic relations with Iran are de- balance ahead of a June 30 deadline, Sefcovic stressed the Caspian link. ar program. It was not immediate- veloping positively.” The pipeline could cost upwards of $5 billion and would funnel gas ly known whether the action “The EU hopes that negotia- under the disputed sea from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan before con- against the two companies in Bahr- tions between the big six and Iran necting with the existing South Caucasus pipeline and the planned Trans- Bahrain’s central bank said it had information about the two com- insurance sectors remain sound, ain was related to the sanctions. conclude successfully,” he added, Anatolian pipeline through Turkey. placed two Iran-linked companies, panies. It said it wished “to reas- well-capitalised, well-regulated and Bahrain has been caught up in speaking in comments aired on “The European Union expects natural gas supplies from the Caspi- Future Bank and Iran Insurance Co, sure both the local and internation- continue to develop and grow with a region-wide tussle for influence Turkmen state television late on an region to Europe to begin in 2019-2020,” Sefcovic said. into administration to protect the al financial community that this confidence.” Calls to the two com- between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Thursday night. He added that environmental risks connected to the proposed pipe- rights of depositors and policy- measure is an isolated incident and panies offices in Bahrain on Thurs- Bahraini authorities have blamed Officials in Iran, which shares line could be mitigated. holders. In a brief statement, the will not impact any other bank or day evening were not answered. Shiite groups for social unrest and the inland Caspian Sea with Azer- In addition to Iran, the Trans-Caspian pipeline would face opposi- central bank did not elaborate on insurance company in the kingdom. Future Bank, based in Mana- accused them of having links to baijan, Kazakhstan, Russia and tion from Russia, which met around a third of the EU’s gas needs in why it took the action or give any “Indeed Bahrain’s banking and ma, is a commercial bank which Iran. Turkmenistan, have repeatedly 2014. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY. MAY 02, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES There’s a little bit of Piku in all

LAHORE: Whether they plan of us: Deepika on joining hands with a textile giant or launch their own retail Actress Deepika Padukone, who is all set for her forthcoming store, the budding designers, family drama "Piku", believes there is a little bit of the character- who showcased their collec- istics of her titular character in everyone. The actress believes the tions in the Rising Talent sec- film is relatable not just for the Indian audience, but for the tion at this year’s PFDC Sun- international viewers as well. "As a character and a film, it's silk Fashion Week (PSFW), extremely relatable not just to an Indian audience, but globally as hold great promise. The Ex- well. 'Piku' is a beautiful, quirky take on a father-daughter press Tribune talks to the de- relationship and tells the tale of how we begin taking care of our signer novices to explore their parents as they get older. "The film is titled 'Piku' because it design mantra and what the focuses on her life and follows her journey -- trying to multi-task fashion-forward should expect at work, family and her social life. I believe there's a little bit of from them in times to come. Piku in all of us," Deepika said in a statement. Sharing her Hisham Malik Malik’s ensem- experience working with co-stars Amitabh Bachchan and Irrfan bles comprise his signature de- Khan, she said: "Amit ji and I have worked before as well but I sign aesthetics. “I have kept enjoyed working with him this time a lot more. I really value the consistent with my style and experience. "Irrfan is (also) an amazing talent, and I feel very designs ever since I began my fortunate to work with both of them." The 29-year-old actress journey in fashion,” he says. along with co-star Irrfan and director Shoojit Sircar unveiled the “I explore various themes with 'Piku Melange Collection' earlier this week. It is an ethnic fusion my collections but they retain collection from Melange by clothing brand Lifestyle. Talking my signature designs that ex- about the collection, she said: "The collection is inspired by ude femininity and tasteful Piku's look in the movie. I think every woman is going to drama,” he adds. He showcased identify with the look. There are a lot of palazzo pants, easy the collection he made for his stuff -- someone who wears this stuff will look stylish and stand Master’s thesis at the Univer- out while at the same time being absolutely comfortable." sity of Salford, Manchester, Deepika believes her character's style in the film will turn out to which garnered good reviews be iconic. "As women, we get to look different in our movies and for its structure and flow. Ma- leave these looks behind as a trend -- like the iconic Sadhana cut. lik’s first showcase was a hit So hopefully when people see the film, Piku's look will turn out and he is grateful to all those to be as iconic," she said. Produced by MSM Motion Pictures, who made it happen. “Hassan Saraswati Entertainment and Rising Sun Films and distributed Sheheryar Yasin guided me worldwide by YRF, "Piku" will release worldwide on May 8. with music and choreography for the show and actually fought to have my fashion film played at PSFW,” he shares. Jessica He said the Pakistan Fashion BACKLASH AFTER COMPANY Design Council (PFDC) pro- vided him with affirmation of Alba is a his talent, which he feels is advertises high heels for babies something newcomers need in A company selling a range of high heels for babies has been branded ‘sickening’, as parents claimed that it is tough boss the tough fashion industry. trying to sexualise children. The company boasts that owning a pair of the heels ‘will be your daughter’s first Malik’s prêt line ‘Zirah’ is fashion statement’ but parents are certainly not impressed, reported Mirror. The company behind the shoes, set to be made available at Pee Wee Pumps, which is based in the US, offers the heels for £20 a pair and has six ranges available, with three multi-label stores in Lahore and dubbed ‘Wild Child’, ‘Sassy’ and ‘Diva’. Islamabad. The line will feature semi-formals for the modern working woman. The designer also looks towards venturing into couture, where he feels lies his strength. Asrar Yaqoob His collection took inspi- ration from an art form, tradi- tionally done on camel skin by the nomads of Cholistan. Based on neutral tones, it had a high wearability quotient despite Actress Jessica Alba considers her- the unique form of art it drew self a tough boss when it comes to inspiration from. Hailing from her eco-friendly brand The Hon- a small town in Kharian, est Company. She says that while Yaqoob always had an eye for she has even made people cry with hues and silhouettes. her harsh ways, she is now trying Yaqoob was shortlisted by to be more gentle. PFDC on the basis of his the- "Sometimes, I'm a little more sis collection. “Upon arrival at iron fist than velvet glove. I'm PFDC, Kamiar Rokni was the straight to the point. I've made one who judged our collections people cry. I have to say, 'This isn't and told me to work on my ac- personal. This is what needs to get cessories in order to captivate done and it's just as simple as that. the audience. I took his advice,” And... we're not crying anymore.' he states. He further says, “My I'm learning to tone myself down," work will probably be on the she said. indigenous side due to my love The `Sin City` actress, who for Pakistan. My taste will al- has daughters Honor and Haven ways remain close to my ori- with husband Cash Warren, admit- gin along with adapting On its website the company ted that she doesn't know if her trends.” He says his aim is to boasts: “Pee Wee Pumps will be children would prefer her to be at cater to the “high-end of the your daughter’s first fashion state- home more, but she doesn't think consumer spectrum.” Nida ment.” But parents are not im- she could ever switch off entirely Waqar pressed. “High heels are designed from work, reports Waqar showcased a collec- for one purpose, the sexualisation femalefirst.co.uk. tion titled ‘Creatures and Cu- of women,” one parent said. “That "You don't really know how rious Minds’. Waqar designed is fine because women are mature (your career) is affecting (your bags and accessories to go with enough to make such choices but kids) until they're adults and they her line, displaying a cohesive, putting these on a child is just say, 'You ruined my life, Mom!' holistic show. Discussing her wrong.” Another added: “Let’s just Maybe they want me to be a stay- debut show, she says, “The start the sexualisation of girls in at-home mother who bakes choc- feeling of having my first illus- the crib.” The brand, which olate-chip muffins all day... Nah. tration was remarkable. It was launched in October last year, I'd probably want to start a choc- a breath-taking moment for me claims to have sold up to 1,000 olate-chip muffin company. Ya when supermodel Rabia Butt pairs in Britain and the US. Online know," she told More magazine. walked the ramp in my open- retailer Amazon sells the shoes on The 33-year-old actress is in a ing outfit.” Waqar is still dis- its US site, but they cannot be "content" place in her life and ad- covering her signature style but purchased on its UK site. mits that she feels much better than draws inspiration from pre- Michele Holbrook, founder of in her younger days. modern artists. the company, said, “This is not "Content is good because I Waqar feels it’s no easy intended to sexualise kids. It’s a wasn't always. I was kind of un- feat to penetrate the local fash- fashion accessory for a mother to satisfied and angsty. It's nice shed- ion industry, especially for an put on a baby. ding the angst," she said. emerging designer. “The Paki- stani industry has an interest- ing mix of new and old design- ers, all of whom have unique Pamela Best Moment !!! Shraddha Kapoor sensibilities,” she says. “With this kind of saturation in the GETS COMPLIMENT WITH HEMA market, it has become very dif- Anderson ficult to break into the market and set a niche for oneself.” Her next step is to make her divorced work available for retail and consistently have her ideas ctress Pamela Anderson and manifested into wearable cre- entrepreneur Rick Salomon ations. Najia Qazi Aare divorced. Having scored a distinction The duo, who filed court doc- at the Pakistan Institute of uments seeking to end their mar- Fashion Design (PIFD), Najia riage for the second time in Febru- Qazi put forward a laudable ary, insist they wish each other collection, titled ‘Sar Bakaf’. well and have also apologised for The line was inspired by the "any hurt and embarrassment" Mughals represented in Sade- they caused to their families, re- quain’s painting. Qazi shares ports femalefirst.co.uk. that the entire time she was a In a joint statement, the on and student at PIFD, it was her off couple said: "Public divorces dream to showcase at PFDC. can be harsh and cruel - we apolo- “The industry has become so gise to our families and friends for competitive and tightly-knit any hurt and embarrassment we that it’s hard for newbies to have caused. We have come to an make a mark in the fashion cir- amicable agreement and are mov- cle.” ing on. "There are private and per- She plans to introduce her sonal family sensitivities to con- PSFW collection to the market sider and we retract any hurtful after making it more rack-ap- comments made in haste and dis- propriate. She said she is thrilled to have received a pos- taste. We wish each other and our itive response from the media. families well." Anderson, 47, who She reiterates, “People have has sons Brandon, 18, and Dylan, posted my collection with cap- 17, with ex-husband Tommy Lee, Shraddha Kapoor recently met Hema Malini at an event in Mathura. They both bonded over several things. tions declaring me as the stron- secured a temporary restraining The duo infact had a lovely interaction where they discussed dance, films, and the industry at large. During gest contender.” A highlight for order against Salomon, 47, last the conversation Hema Malini told Shraddha how she is the new dream girl. Shraddha was absolutely her was being featured by En- month. She claimed he "engaged in speechless. The young actor got one of her best compliments in the most unexpected manner. It took Shraddha glish-language newspaper The repeated acts of harassment and a moment to register, accept and thank Hemaji for the compliment. Shraddha was absolutely elated to be called Times of India in their article abuse" that caused her "severe the new dream girl by Hema Malini herself. Later on, Shraddha could not contain it and called her mom Sunita on the Rising Talent. emotional distress". to tell her about the incident. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY. MAY 02, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Mayweather vs Pacquiao: Does Money have to

Andy Murray eased his way into Murray had more problems deal- important points "It wasn't too This was Murray's first sin- world, booked his last-eight berth entertain the fans? the quarter-finals of the BMW ing with 27-year-old left-hander easy, he had a different style to gles match since marrying Kim with a 7-5 6-2 win over Ukraine's Open in Munich with a straight Zverev in the second, but still de- most other players and it was Sears earlier this month. He has Sergiy Stakhovsky in their second- sets win over qualifier Mischa fended all six break points he faced tricky playing against a left-hand- already made the most of his time round match. Eighth seed Fabio Zverev. for a comfortable success as he er, but I got the important points," in Bavaria by watching Bayern Fognini crashed out, the Italian los- Britain's world No 3 needed starts his build-up to the French said the Scotsman, who is also play- Munich's German Cup semi-final ing 6-3 6-0 to Austria's Dominic just 74 minutes to complete a 6-2 Open. ing doubles in Munich. "He was defeat to Borussia Dortmund live Thiem in less than one hour. An- 6-2 victory over the Russian-born It wasn't too easy, he had a returning from a long way back. on Tuesday. Murray faces a tough- other Austrian, Gerald Melzer, also German, who is ranked 650 places different style to most other play- "My forehand went better than my er test in Friday's quarter-finals progressed when Spaniard Pablo below the top seed. ers and it was tricky playing backhand, but it was a good first when he plays Lukas Rosol after Andujar retired at 4-1 down in the Having dominated the first set, against a left-hander, but I got the match for me." the Czech, ranked 41st in the first set.

Floyd Mayweather has built a 47- wants to do is dominate the fight 0 record with a defensive, cautious and I can't see him wanting to im- base but is he obliged to entertain press - we already know know he's the fans in the Fight of the Centu- good. He has won all his fights and ry? The Panel discuss. he has dominated most of them and Mayweather doesn't feel pres- whether or not that has been en- sure from anybody except himself. tertaining, it is what he is there to If we see a really good fight, it will do. How he does that, we'll see. be because Pacquiao has pres- He's an intelligent guy and the way surised him to fight back. Other- he approaches and breaks down wise, he'll just sit back and box at his fights, shows he does things his own pace. with a thinking perspective, not I actually think we are going really an entertaining perspective. to see a different Mayweather and It is all about the win, nothing he will be there to make a point. else. I've seen it before when we He's seen Pacquiao flat on his face all thought he needed to impress and I think he wants to put him and show us how good he is, but there again. as soon as he gets in the ring, he Pacquiao is the one person that just does what he does. gets under his skin, because peo- He blanks everything else out ple like Pacquiao more than him. I and just gets on with the job. Even think that really upsets Floyd, if Mayweather stinks the place out, because he's done everything he’s he's not bothered: a win is a win. I done and yet people want Manny can't see him going for the big fin- to win. He will want to put this ish, no matter how many people out of sight. will be watching. He is not going I can't see him going for the big to get in there looking for a tear- finish, no matter how many peo- up, certainly not early on. I think ple will be watching. He is not go- it's Pacquiao that makes this fight. ing to get in there looking for a tear- Johnny Nelson It's very important up, certainly not early on. that he wins this fight, there is far He'll do what he always does. too much at stake here. We will be He is idolised and he's knocked out the last people that he cares about one person out in the last eight pleasing, he just needs to win Re- years. People don't expect drama member from Floyd, they pay money to when he put on Facebook: watch his skills. He's a tactical and Who do you want me to box? technical genius, there's no pres- Marcos Maidana or Amir Khan? sure to turn into a slugger. Paulie The fans spoke and he didn't lis- MalignaggiI imagine all Floyd ten. He wants to do what suits him. Jessica Ennis-Hill Sir Bradley Wiggins to UFC: Alexander Gustafsson is race amateur cycling out of PICK TV's event in Berlin ready for return club’s time trial Sir Bradley Wiggins will race an amateur cycling club's 10-mile time trial to action on open roads in East Yorkshire next month.City Road Club (Hull) have confirmed that they have received an entry from the reigning world and Olympic time-trial champion for the May 16 event. It will be held along the A63 dual carriageway between South Cave and North Ferriby, just outside Hull, with Wiggins taking on local amateur cyclists. Club chair- man Ken Bateman told the Hull Daily Mail: "We are over the moon. It will be a huge occasion to have Sir Bradley Wiggins doing what he does best in our time trial on the A63. "I will be marshalling for the event and it will be absolutely great to see Bradley go past. The road will not be closed for the event – it will still be open to traffic. It will be a sight not to be missed." Wiggins will be one of around 150 riders taking part in the race, which begins at 2.30pm. It will form part of his build-up to an attempt to break the world hour record in London on June 7. Event organiser Mark Philipson added: "There had been rumours he might enter, but it was still a surprise. He didn't enter until the very last closing date. "It's the most exciting post I have ever had. I was over the moon when I received it. It's a bit of a coup for the club to get a rider of Sir Bradley Wiggins' stature."

Jessica Ennis-Hill cannot wait to hurdles in March, on the purpose- feel the buzz of competition again built track on Deansgate. as she gears up for her return to And three weeks later she athletics. competes in her first heptathlon The Olympic heptathlon since London 2012 when she goes Alexander Gustafsson has withdrawn from PICK TV's UFC event on June 20 due to injury. The No 2 ranked champion will make her long- head to head with multi-eventing's light-heavyweight was scheduled to fight Glover Teixeira in the headline slot in Berlin, Germany. Joanna awaited comeback in Manchester new leading lady, Katarina Jedrzejczyk, the newly crowned women's strawweight champion, will now defend her title in the main-event a week on Saturday, 22 months on Johnson-Thompson, in Gotzis. against Jessica Penne. Jedrzejczyk v Penne will be the first title fight to take place in Europe outside of the UK from her last race. "I'm not going to lie, I'm very and the first ever female title fight in Europe. Texeira, meanwhile, has been withdrawn from the event In that time the 29-year-old nervous and anxious because I altogether while there is no word when Gustafsson will be fit to return to the Octagon. has given birth to son Reggie, who haven't stepped into that environ- is now nine months old, and seen ment for a long time and it's going her life, and priorities, change com- to be a really quick race," she said pletely. of the Manchester line-up. "It's The Sheffield athlete admits going to be a big challenge for my there were times when she thought first race back, but I've got to start she must be "crazy" for trying to somewhere." reach the pinnacle of the sport Ennis-Hill admitted she was in again rather than bowing out at the a "no man's land" of not knowing top, but is relishing the return of what sort of time she might be ca- the thrill of the race. pable of in Manchester, having "The adrenaline of competing, been hampered by some Achilles that feeling of stepping on to the niggles. startline and getting in your blocks, "I have had a few little set- Minnesota Timberwolves forward that nervous energy and excite- backs, my Achilles has been play- Andrew Wiggins has been named ment, I've not had that for a long ing up a little bit, but I've been able NBA Rookie of the Year. Wiggins, time on the track," said Ennis-Hill, to get some good training done," who is the first player born in Can- who will race over the 100 metres she said. ada to win the award, led rookies hurdles at the Great CityGames in Ennis-Hill knows, though, that in scoring last season and received Manchester city centre. 2015 remains a journey of discov- 110 of the 130 first-place votes "I'm really looking forward to ery ahead of the real business of cast by a panel of sports writers being there and being back in my trying to retain her Olympic and broadcasters, scoring 604 competition kit and back on that crown in Rio in 2016. points. Chicago Bulls forward Ni- stage again." That has meant tempering ex- kola Mirotic finished second, tak- Reggie, accompanied by hus- pectations which previously had ing 14 of the remaining first-place band Andy, will be in Manchester always been as high as they come. votes for a total of 335 points. to watch his mother in action for A gold medal at a home Olym- Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia the first time, with Ennis-Hill de- pics, particularly for an athlete 76ers came home third in the bal- scribing the chance to compete and dubbed the 'face of the Games', lot with 141 points ahead of Or- have her son around as "a double would be tough to top, but Ennis- lando Magic point guard Elfrid bonus". "I just really want him to Hill knows the challenge that now Payton - they received three first- be part of this," she added. "He awaits her means a repeat in Rio place votes each Wiggins, who re- wasn't around for my Olympic would come mighty close. ceived a top-three vote from all success and previous years of She said: "I'm very aware that 130 panellists, averaged 16.9 competing, so I really want him to my last memories of competing points last season, appearing in all be a part of it now and to see me really are around London and the 82 Timberwolves games. He fin- compete." Ennis-Hill is certainly Olympics. I was at the height of ished ninth in the NBA in free- not easing herself in gently as she my career and in the peak shape of throws made and sixth in free- goes up against American world my life. throws attempted and also aver- champion Brianna Rollins, Great "Although I really want to be aged 4,6 rebounds. The 20-year- Britain team-mate and European back there, I'm not unfortunately old was drafted No 1 by the Cleve- champion Tiffany Porter and going to get back there straight land Cavaliers last summer but then compatriot Lucy Hatton, who won away, it is going to take a bit of traded to the Timberwolves as European indoor silver over 60m time." part of their deal for Kevin Love. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY . MAY 02 . 2015 -Sawr 12, 1394 H.S Vol:IX Issue No:266 Price: Afs.15

ISIS activity on Afghan religious scholars endorse Afghanistan, Pakistan border concern for MECCAS CONDEMNATION OF TALIBAN, DAESH A number religious scholars in that both Daesh and Taliban have truth, wherever they are, he add- es, the Mullahs gathered on Others expressed doubts that Kabul this week expressed sup- killed people in the name of Is- ed. Thursday focused their energy the militant groups would ever India s security: RAW port for recent statements made lam, but in fact have no connec- Another scholar, Mawlawi more on condemning and expos- agree to peace. Peace with who? by clerics in the holy city of Mec- tion to the true religion. Sahebudin, stressed that the mili- ing insurgents claims of religious As far I remember, we have been NEW DELHI: After capturing noted that Afghan President ca, condemning Daesh and the The Afghan scholars spoke tant groups in Afghanistan have piety and service as fraudulent. pleading and begging to anti-gov- Mosul, Iraq s second-largest city, Ashraf Ghani, during his first visit Taliban as deviants from Islam and while gathered in the Abdul Rah- proven themselves untrustworthy A true Islamic scholar would ernment armed groups since the the Islamic State of Iraq and the to India recently, had made it clear calling on all true Muslims to stand man mosque on Thursday in Kab- and dishonest. As soon as we never do this, people who take time of Ustad Rabbani and now Levant has expanded its reach by that Taliban is not his primary against them. ul. We have all gathered here to made peace, anti-government advantage of Islam and do not Ashraf Ghani, a participant gaining ground in other countries, security challenge. During a The Afghan religious scholars support our government and the armed groups beheaded us from have any understanding of the named Amanullah said. The anti- such as Libya. A suicide attack conversation with journalists said Mecca cleric Sheikh Khaled recent statements of Sheikh behind; today, our youth are work- foundations of Islam do it - those government armed groups must be in Afghanistan earlier this month earlier this week, Ghani cited global Al-Ghamedi s public condemna- Khaled Al-Ghamedi, Kabul Is- ing for peace, and they are being who just wear the clothes of a re- given a deadline of one day, one now raises fear that the war-torn terrorist networks like ISIS as one tion of the Taliban is a major blow lamic Scholars representative At- beheaded by these people, he ligious scholar, Islamic scholar week or two weeks, otherwise, country may be the next of the four drivers of Afghan to the militant group s claim to taullah Faizani said. Islamic said. While they expressed sup- Muhammad Yaqub said regarding they must be fought against. stronghold of the group. According insecurity. He had described ISIS legitimacy. Al-Ghamedi had said scholars must always speak the port for the Afghan security forc- the Taliban. (TOLONews) to reports, Research and Analysis as a man-eater Bengal tiger , Wing (R&AW) has reported to the which needs to be dealt Prime Minister s Office that an regionally . Ghani had earlier increase in ISIS activity on blamed ISIS for the suicide Afghanistan and Pakistan border bombing of Kabul bank branch in 12 REBELS KILLED IN Kabul residents vow to donate blood is a big concern for security of Jalalabad, which killed 35 people. India. India is already battling ISIS militants control vast terrorism emanating from territories in Iraq and Syria. countrywide security ops to Kunduz injured soldiers Pakistani soil. This is also to be Zee Media Bureau ine militants have been Brig. Gen. Faqir Mohammad Jaw- killed and four civilians zjani said the fighting erupted af- Nwounded during clashes ter around 500 armed militants led and a bomb blast northern Jaw- by Taliban s shadow governor for Aviano F-16s zjan and Kunduz province, offi- Jawazjan, stormed police posts in cials said on Thursday. Qarae, Jarqduq,Biksar,Chqma The civilians were wounded Chaqur and Turkman Qaduq ar- deploy to Afghanistan when a bomb-rigged bicycle went eas of the district. off in Kunduz City, the provin- He said the clashes lasted four cial capital, at around 10:30am, hours and the situation was re- police spokesman Syed Sarwar turning to normalcy and security Hussaini told Pajhwok Afghan forces had strengthened their po- News. The injured were rushed sitions. Separately, three insur- gents were killed when a landmine they were planting exploded in the Alingar locality of eastern Lagh- man province on Wednesday night. Noman Hatifi, the 201st Se- lab Military Corps spokesman, one civilian and one policeman were also wounded in the explo- sion. Meanwhile, the governor s spokesman, Sarhadi Zwak, said militant commander Jamshid was Hundreds of Kabul residents gath- We support our powerful ghanistan. among the three militants killed in ered in Kabul on Friday to renew- Army, Police and NDS [intelli- Analysts, meanwhile, accuse the blast. ing their promise to continue sup- gence] forces and we want them some foreign spy agencies of at- F-16s from Aviano Air Base, Ita- and our young guys are chomping He said Jamshid was involved porting Afghan National Security to eliminate the enemies of Af- tempting to break up the unity ly, have deployed to Afghanistan at the bit to get in there and see in a series of terrorist attacks in Forces (ANSF) and encourage the ghanistan, female participant among Afghan tribes. to provide close-air support for some action. The squadron is tak- the province. He said another po- citizens to donate blood to injured Farzana Farahmand said. The Kunduz battle started a Afghan and remaining U.S. units ing over for F-16s from the 4th liceman and a civilian were wound- soldiers. The gathering comes as The residents stated that all week ago when scores of militants, in the country. Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force ed in two separate incidents of vi- battle between the security forc- the groups fighting with the secu- who Kunduz officials said were The airmen and F-16s as- Base, Utah. to hospital and they were said to olence in Padish and Paravi local- es and militants is still ongoing in rity forces and targeting civilians comprised of Daesh and other signed to the 555th Fighter Squad- The unit arrives as U.S. air- be in stable condition. The target ities of Alingar district. northern Kunduz - a Taliban were the enemies of Islam. Central Asian militants, converged ron landed April 27 at Bagram Air craft have been flying fewer mis- was a police vehicle, he added. In eastern Nangarhar, five Pa- spring offensive that caused fears They called on all political on the province. Field, Afghanistan, to support sions in Afghanistan. In March, Shamsuddin, a shopkeeper in kistanis were detained by securi- of province s collapse into the parties to stand united against The fighting began last Friday operations Freedom s Sentinel and aircraft conducted 52 airstrikes for the area, said the explosion hap- ty forces during an operation in hands of insurgents. The partici- armed oppositions and prevent in Imam Sahib, Qalai Zal, Ali Abad Resolute Support. The unit will a total of 128 this year. Aircraft pened when an Afghan Local Po- Jalalabad, the provincial capital, a pants promised to donate blood progress of newly-emerged Daesh and some other districts. remain for six months, Aviano said conducted 2,363 airstrikes in all lice (ALP) vehicle passed by. In statement from the Selab Military to the soldiers injured in Kunduz and other militant groups in the Nearly 200 insurgents have in a news release. of 2014, down from a high of Jawzjan, nine rebels were killed corps said. fighting. The large crowd that country. been killed so far during the ground First and foremost, we re 5,411 in 2011. and eight others wounded during It said the Pakistanis had en- have gathered here belongs to all If it is a matter of Islam, then battle and air strikes by ANSF. here to protect the guys on the Meanwhile, other aircraft an hours-long clash with security tered Afghanistan without having tribes and sects of Afghanistan to what is Daesh doing? MP from The security forces are said ground, said Lt. Col. Byron Pom- have been increasing airstrikes in forces and rebels in the Qush Tapa legal travelling documents. support our security forces, and Kandahar Abdul Rahim Ayoubi to have been able to bring the bat- pa, commander of the 555th Iraq and Syria. In March, U.S. and district. Provincial police Chief (Pajhwok) this is a sign of unity, a partici- said. This group [Daesh] is just tle under control and clear the ar- Fighter Squadron. Our guys coalition aircraft conducted 1,600 pant Ibrahim Besharat said. created to increase cruelty in Af- eas of Taliban. (TOLONews) couldn t be happier to be here. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria as part We ve prepared for the last six of Operation Inherent Resolve. 3 WOUNDED AS TWIN months to a year for this moment, AirForcesTimes BLASTS ROCK KHOST CITY SAUDI BEHEADS ANOTHER Nepal rescue joy Pakistani for drug trafficking RIYADH: Saudi Arabia beheaded cutions of Pakistani drugs mules. Heyns, the UN special rapporteur brings new hope to a Pakistani convicted of drug smug- Rape, murder, apostasy, armed on extrajudicial, summary or arbi- gling on Friday, the 73rd execution robbery and drug trafficking are all trary executions, said in Septem- in the kingdom so far this year. punishable by death under Saudi ber last year that trials are by all quake survivor hunt Shirin Khan was put to death in Riyadh province after being The joyous rescue of two survi- found guilty of smuggling heroin vors of last weekend's Nepal earth- quake added new urgency Friday into the kingdom in swallowed KHOST CITY: Three people were blast targeted a passing traffic balloons, the interior ministry said. to the search for signs of life in the injured on Friday afternoon when police vehicle. The explosives had ruins of Kathmandu as the Red two back-to-back bomb blasts been planted in a flowerpot, Ghair- In the whole of 2014, Saudi Cross warned of "total devasta- rocked the provincial capital of at said, adding that the injured Arabia carried out 87 executions, tion" in remote areas. Six days on southeastern Khost province, persons were in stable condition. and Amnesty International has from the 7.8-magnitude quake, au- police said. Abdul Samad, an eyewitness, said spoken of a macabre spike in the thorities put the number of dead The injured included a traffic the first blast targeted a traffic kingdom's use of the death penal- in Nepal at more than 6,200 while official, a policeman and a civil- police vehicle and the second a ty this year. The Gulf has become around 100 more were killed in ian, said Brig Gen Faizullah Ghi- police vehicle. He had no infor- an increasingly important market neighbouring India and China. But arat, the provincial police chief. mation about casualties. No group, for illicit drugs in recent years, the the full extent of the destruction He told Pajhwok Afghan including the Taliban, has assert- United Nations Office on Drugs wrought by Nepal's deadliest News one of the blasts took place ed responsibility for the twin ex- and Crime says. Arabia's version of Islamic sharia accounts grossly unfair and de- earthquake in more than 80 years towns and villages in the worst- affected districts close to the in front of the municipality de- plosions that come after seven The Pakistani city of Karachi law. The cabinet has affirmed that fendants are often not allowed a was still only just emerging as re- partment after 3pm and the sec- people were killed and wounded is a key transit point for heroin the kingdom's legal system ensures lawyer. lief workers struggled to reach re- epicentre have suffered almost to- tal devastation," it said in a state- ond occurred when security forc- in two back-to-back explosions in from Afghanistan and Saudi Ara- justice for all , Saudi Press Agen- He said confessions were ob- mote regions of the vast Himalayan es rushed to the scene. The first Khost City last week. (Pajhwok) bia has carried out a spate of exe- cy (SPA) reported. But Christof tained under torture. nation. Rescuers from more than ment. 20 countries have been taking part in the search for survivors in the rubble-strewn capital Kathmandu Internet outage irks as well as far-flung rural areas near the epicentre. After hopes had be- gun to dwindle that anyone else KABUL RESIDENTS would be found alive, the rescue Kabul residents have voiced grow- serious issues, a resident of Kun- effort received a double shot in the ing complaint over lacking Inter- duz province named Mohammad arm on Thursday when a 15-year- net access and related inconve- Afzal said. old was pulled to safety from in- niences since a fiber optic cable Meanwhile, officials from the side a collapsed guesthouse before was cut in eastern Nangarhar prov- Telecom Regulatory Authority of a woman in her 30s was rescued nearby late at night. After spend- ince three days ago. Afghanistan (ATRA) have main- ing 10 hours trying to free Krishna The government office of tech- tained that only Kabul has been Devi Khadka, the multinational nicians used to fix downed lines affected by the outage, adding that team of rescuers greeted her emer- such as the one in Bati Kot dis- insecurity in Bati Kot district is gence from the rubble with tearful trict of Nangarhar has cited secu- what has presented them from whoops of joy. "She was injured rity concerns as the reason for the attending to the cable damages. but she was conscious and talk- delay in repair. With the downing of the Inter- ing," a Nepal army major told an Kabul resident Shafiq told net cable in Nangarhar province, AFP reporter at the scene. "It is as TOLOnews that decreased con- only the capital Kabul faces In- though she had been born again." nectivity in the capital has im- ternet issues, ATRA member The earlier rescue of 15-year-old pacted important parts of life. Khair Mohammad Faizi said. Pemba Tamang, who told AFP that Students mostly rely on seeking Therefore, we are trying to ren- he stayed alive by eating a jar of information from the internet, but ovate the cables as soon as possi- ghee (clarified butter), was hailed now the situation is quite diffi- ble, once the necessary arrange- as a miracle by medics who said he cult since the fiber optic cable fail- ments are made for our security. had suffered no more than cuts and ure, which terminated Internet However, local officials in bruises. The rescues in Kathmandu service for us, he said on Friday. Nangarhar have assured that se- offered a rare respite from the grim reports piling in from other parts Beyond Kabul, the damaged curity is not an issue, and that the of the country. The Red Cross 300 meter cable, which was re- technicians would be kept safe. warned that nearly all homes had portedly downed by a roadside Security threats aren t so bad as been wiped out in some towns and bomb explosion, has also left oth- to prevent the repair of the cable; villages near the epicentre and was er provinces with limited online we are prepared to ensure the safe- "extremely concerned" about the access. The Internet blackout has ty of the technicians whenever welfare of hundreds of thousands created major problems for us, they are ready to repair it, the of people in Nepal. Books about Pakistan s Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, who survived a Taliban attack, are displayed at a because fiber optics is the cheap- Nangarhar governor s spokesman "Six Red Cross assessment bookstore in Islamabad. A Pakistani court on Thursday sentenced 10 militants to life in prison for their involvement in est source of getting access to the Ahmadzia Abdulzai said. (TOLO- teams are reporting that some the 2012 attack on the teenage activist, a public prosecutor said. (AP) Internet, but now we are facing News) This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF.