Eye on the News [email protected] Truthful, Factual and Unbiased Vol:XI Issue No:240 Price: Afs.20

www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimes www.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes TUESDAY . APRIL 02. 2019 -Hamal 13, 1398 HS

AT News Report

KABUL: The government of Afghanistan has shut down Pakistan’s largest lender Habib Bank’s operation in Kabul after violating the laws. The Central Bank of Afghanistan has revoked the operation license of Habib Bank Limted citing non- compliance of the bank with the banking laws of Afghanistan. The Governor of Central Bank of Afghanistan Khalil Sediq told Khaama Press that the audits of AT News Report provinces of Afghanistan have Central Bank of... killed at least 41, while more... KABUL: Flash floods in several

AT News Report Zalmay Khalilzad arrived Monday Qatar which the two sides who would directly come from in Kabul, in a nearly one-month claimed ended with progresses to Doha to Kabul to report about his KABUL: The US special envoy delay after his fifth negotiation get close peace in the war- talks with Taliban, called... for Afghanistan reconciliation, with Taliban representatives in devastated country. Khalilzad

Bakhtar Aminzai, a former year to elect the speaker of the member of Meshrano Jirga, the house. Aminzai, who was “Billions of dollars” worth Upper House of the Parliament in appointed as the member of the equipment at an abandoned US Afghanistan, claimed that he was Senate by Ghani six months ago, AT Monitoring Desk base in Paktika province in the fired from his post after President said the president fired him after east of Afghanistan have been Ashraf Ghani asked him not to run he resisted his order. “When I against the Senate Speaker Fazl decided to nominate myself in the KABUL: A British Asian gang of “stolen” by local officials and fraudsters may have been involved some lawmakers after the camp Hadi Muslimyar in an internal next round of elections for ... election at the Afghan Senate last in misusing billions of pounds of was handed to Afghan forces in British tax-payers money to fund 2014, the provincial governor... terrorist networks in Pakistan and Afghanistan, claims a UK media investigation based on police...

AT Monitoring Desk Taliban asked to help vaccinators in their KABUL: NATO foreign anti-polio house-to-house mission AT News Report ministers, who are due to meet in Washington DC this week, will KABUL: The government rejects also discuss the alliance’s role in a report released by the Special the fight against terrorism and US Inspector General for Afghanistan efforts to reach a political Reconstruction (SIGAR) that has settlement in Afghanistan. The expressed concerns over women’s allies are meeting in the US to rights in the peace process, mark the seventieth anniversary assuring that achievements gained of the military alliance. In a press in this regard would be preserved. conference on Monday, NATO’s The chief executive office Secretary General Jens... emphasizes that “Afghanistan ... By Farhad Naibkhail TUESDAY .APRIL 02, 2019 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

Khalilzad visits Kabul amid tensions....

...P1 “an important meeting in be at the table during all the US” as an excuse for the delay. negotiations about peace and He tweeted that he was Afghanistan’s future.” happy to be back to Kabul, Khalilzad’s visit to Kabul where he met a delegation takes place after he was accused appointed by the government to by Hamdullah Mohib, Ghani’s run the peace talks with Taliban national security advisor that he including Salam Rahimi head of was “seeking his personal the team and Umer Daudzai, head interests in negotiations with of the High Peace Council’s Taliban”. Mohib said at a United secretariat who is also involved Nations session in New York that in negotiations. Khalilzad was trying to get power The US veteran diplomat in Afghanistan, an accusation also said that he discussed intra- followed by strong reactions from KABUL: Presidential hopeful vicc-president and Noor-ul-Habib name of the game. Inter-state system representing all ethnic presidential election, he would Afghan talks with the the US state department in Mohammad Shahab Hakimi has Haseer his second deputy. The relations, education, health, groups of Afghanistan. I will also pursue real and lasting peace in government team, adding that he support of Khalilzad. called for the implementation of presidential election is scheduled military, politics, culture and civil consider public views that can help the country. He argued there was plans to meet President Ashraf Khalilzad himself denied the Ghani. He also met with Chief accusation. The US diplomats the rule of law and efforts for for September 20. society reliant on the economy,” the peace process,” he said, a cogent reason for every war and Executive Abdullah Abdullah and were reported to refuse working peace. If elected, he will create a In an exclusive interview with he said in response to the supporting negotiation between the conflict in Afghanistan had Foreign Minister. “We discussed with Mohib anymore, and even rule-based economy. Pajhwok Afghan News, Hakimi question why his focus was on the Taliban and the US. “We have its roots in the Bonn how the international some of these diplomats left a Hakimi worked as MDC said, if elected, he would establish the economic system. Peace He learnt from the 18-year conflict Conference, where the Taliban community can best support meeting held at Ghani’s office head for many years, headed the a just economy. To achieve this believed by reinforcing the that peace is impossible to achieve had no representative. Then them in an Afghan-led and because Mohib was there. Afghans campaign against mines goal, he would consider people’s economy, real peace would return militarily. All parties are tired of actions by ISAF and Afghan Afghan-owned Afghan peace Khalilzad now gets prepared and served as teacher at the Kabul suggestions and views on to the country. “Peace, stability war and peace should be restored forces led to the Taliban’s process,” he tweeted. for the sixth round of negotiations University. His presidential team formulating his economic policies. and national unity were the at all costs,” he stressed. Hakimi regrouping and re-emergence. He also met with Kabul and with Taliban in Doha. includes Abdul Ali Surabi as first “In today’s world, economy is the desire of all Afghans. “I want a explained if his team won the (Pajhwok) provincial represetnatives of the While Taliban have not yet Afghan Women’s Network, accepted to sit with Ghani where he discussed may issues. administration for peace talks, the Closely “While Afghans alone will decide government makes effort to hold I w as fired after resistin g Ghan i’s o rder, claim s sen ato r the composition of their sessions with the group to manage coordinating delegation for talks, women must the peace process. ...P1 the post of Senate speaker, conference in Kabul on Monday. of government and they do meanwhile, rejected the the minister of parliamentary Aminzai says he was also asked whatever government dictates allegations. The Presidential with Khalilzad: affairs Farooq Wardak warned me by Muslimyar not to run for the them,” Jawed Ghafoor, head of Palace said the state ministry of Floods death toll jump to 41 to reverse my decision as per the seat. “The Meshrano Jirga does Meshrano Jirga’s International parliamentary affairs Farooq guidance of the president (Ashraf not work as the representative of Relations Commission, said t the Wardak will respond to the NATO ...P1 than 30 people wounded, a by heavy rains. Ghani),” Aminzai said at a press the nation; they work as the slaves press conference. Muslimyar, allegations. (TOLONews) number of people still missing He put another eight people ...P1 Stoltenberg previewed the and several houses partially and in missing list due to 28-29 of meeting, announcing that completely damaged in the March’s floods. “Despite 'Billions worth equipment' missing from Paktika base: Governor NATO’s relations with Russia, disaster triggered by torrential searching operations, our rescue NATO’s role in the fight against rains, official said Monday. team have so far failed to find the terrorism and burden sharing will “According to latest reports, missing people.” ...P1 Mujib Rahman Samkanai “There was equipment worth and looted it. Based on my the provincial administration be high on the agenda. In response number of killed people have According to report, over claimed. The Provincial seven billion dollars at the PRT information, they even looted session and was also discussed in to an email from Pajhwok, the jumped to 41,while 39 more 5,000 houses were completely or Reconstruction Team’s (PRT) base and all of them were looted,” locked containers full of the coordination council that old NATO Resolute Support wounded from recent floods partially destroyed in seven base named Camp Kearney is the governor said. “Former computers, weapons, and even equipment is on the verge of Mission media office in Kabul in across the country,” Spokesman western and northwestern located a five-minute drive east governors, commanders, mayors, Humvees and Pickup vehicles destruction, so let’s use the a statement said US special for State Ministry for National provinces of the country, he of the governor’s compound on directors, parliament members all had existed at the base,” equipment for strengthening our envoy for reconciliation in Disaster Management,Hashmat mentioned. the way to Urgun district which are involved in this act.” Samkanai said. Paktika Police strongholds instead of being Afghanistan, Ambassador Khan Bahaduri said. He said those poor villagers, is another major city of Paktika. Samkanai, who took his office Chief Gen. Ghulam Sakhi Rogh destroyed by dust,” said Lewanai. ZalmayKhalilzad held According to him, eight who had already lost thousands The governor said each and every as governor of Paktika four months Lewanai, meanwhile, admitted One Paktika resident, who is consultations with the allies in people were killed inHerat, eight of their livestock during last year’s official have taken their part from ago, did not name any specific that military equipment is familiar with the base, said there Brussels just last week for the inBadghis, 12 in Faryab, five in severe drought, now have been the remains of the base after the official who according to him were missing. “I have shared the issue is a need for clarification on the fourth time. It said NATO Balkh, fourin Sar-e-Pul, two in scrambling with another tragedy US forces handed the installation involved in the case. with the Ministry of Interior and issue by local officials. Resolute Support Mission Jawzjan and two more inGhor as they havelost 7,780 animals in to the local forces. “They entered the PRT base the issue was also discussed in (TOLONews) commander and NATO’s Senior provinces due to floods caused the recent flash floods. Civilian Representative in Kabul were closely coordinating with Afghanistan shuts down Pakistan’s Habib Bank Govt.rejects SIGAR concerns over women’s rights in peace process Ambassador Khalilzad. “We are in Afghanistan together and we will take any decisions on our ...P1 Afghanistan revealed licenses to foreign banks so that ...P1 will never goes back”. “No said on Monday. The SIGAR and First Lady Rula Ghani had schools during their fiver-year long numerous violations committed they can promote good banking right would be violated in the report mentions “Afghan security already urged that women’s rights government in Afghanistan (1996- future presence together,” the statement read. Earlier in the day, by Habib Bank were observed in the country and contribute in peace process and achievements forces and their counter-terrorism, and freedom would not be dealt 2001). Women activists say that during the past ten years. economic development of that were gained in the recent human rights particularly women’s in the peace agreements. The US they would not remain silent Khalilzad arrived in Kabul and met with Afghan officials as part Sediq further added that the Afghanistan. However, he said the years, will not face challenge or rights, rule of law and democracy, and European Union also against those who curb their bank has also paid fines for the Habib Bank Limited has not only annihilation. These achievements persistent counter-corruption, emphasize on the maintaining of freedom. “We won’t accept any of his multinational trip to facilitate intra-Afghan peace violations it had committed in failed to contribute to economic and women’s rights are important counter-narcotics, economic Afghan women’s rights in the situation as in the past. We won’t the past ten years. development of Afghanistan but to us, so the people and women growth and sustainable peace negotiations. Taliban sit silent, we will resist and are talks. The RS statement said the allies also stood together in the According to Sediq, one of the bank has no given no loans to of Afghanistan should be sure that development as” as key points oppose women’s education and ready to defend women’s rights the violations committed by Afghan entrepreneurs. The nobody gets the chance to deal that would likely come in danger social activities. They banned who make up the half of society,” fight against ISIS and had made major progress, freeing millions Habib Bank Limited was the Central Bank Governor said it their rights,” chief executive of the peace agreement. Afghan women from working outside said Roya Dadras, spokeswoman non-compliance of the bank to was decided to cancel the spokesman Feraidoon Khozon officials including President Ghani home and closed the doors of girl for ministry of women’s affairs. from oppression. “This terrorist group (Daesh) no longer holds change its capital in Afghanis operating license of Habib Bank any territory. But we are not despite the Central Bank of Limited considering the violations Chin ese art gro ups to atten d Afghan istan ’s culture w eek complacent. We are now doing Afghanistan repeatedly issued of the bank. Habib was among more training inin Iraq to help warnings in the past five years. several foreign banks which was ensure that ISIS can never He said the Central Bank of operating in Afghanistan after the ...P12 the Ministry of art groups to attend it. the “Belt and Road” framework the Chinese People’s Association Afghanistan issues operating fall of Taliban regime. Information and Culture. Safi Ministry Safi stressed how and deepen the brotherhood for Friendship with Foreign return.” welcomed the team and recalled important culture is to peace and between the two countries, Safi Countries and has been touring in her attendance at the Silk Road stability in Afghanistan and how said. Safi invited China to attend China since 2017. The exhibition UK tax fraudsters funded al-Qaeda in Pakistan, Afghanistan: Report (Dunhuang) International Cultural culture can enhance the Afghan Afghanistan’s culture week has been a great success and had a Expo last September. people’s national identification. during its independence total of 1.2 million visitors. ...P1 and intelligence files. The named due to court orders, Customs (HMRC) inquiries During meeting, Ambassador She thanked China for inviting centenary, while Zhou invited Zhou believes the Afghan gang, based in London, reportedly infiltrated multiple found the gang used “hijacked or Liu said that this year, the Afghanistan to attend the cultural Afghanistan to attend the exhibition, different from ordinary Buckinghamshire, Birmingham, UK government agencies and altered National Insurance centenary of Afghan expo and tour its national treasures exhibition of Asian civilizations foreign exhibitions, has become a north-west England and even corrupted local politicians. numbers to create false records” independence and the 70th in Chinese cities. to be held in Beijing soon so that bridge connecting the cultural Scotland, is alleged to have sent Mid-ranking gang members have and exploited “illegal immigrant anniversary of People’s Republic Afghanistan, the “heart of more Chinese and Asian people departments of both countries. 1 per cent of its gains from their been sentenced to more than 100 labour” before laundering the cash of China, is worth celebrating for Asia”, is obligated to promoting can better understand Afghan Afghanistan was a midpoint of the elaborate tax fraud to Al-Qaeda years in prison for fraud and “through bogus offshore both countries. Liu voiced regional culture; it is also willing culture. Zhou mentioned the ancient Silk Road and could in Pakistan and Afghanistan, money laundering in a series of companies”. “Those involved in support for Afghanistan’s culture to have more cultural exchanges exhibition of Afghan national contribute more to the Belt and where it funded madrasas, linked trials. Their crimes have the investigation say the gang was week and promised to ask Chinese and cooperation with China under treasures, which was launched by Road Initiative, Zhou said. training camps and other terrorist reportedly cost the UK taxpayer extremely difficult to penetrate. activities, according to the leaked an estimated 100 million pounds. Undercover agents eventually files seen by ‘The Sunday Reporting restrictions imposed resorted to attaching a camera to Govt. assures safeguarding journalists from violence Kunar, Nuristan... Times’. An estimated 80 million at the start of the first trial a dog and encouraging it to run ...P12 HamdullahMohib on pounds is believed to have been prevent the identification of any around inside one of the network’s ...P12 before journalists. The to information and the fund of spoke on behalf of others, sharing Monday visited eastern Kunar and funnelled out by the fraudsters of the gang because several factories to find out how many president emphasized that journalist support as big problems and challenges they are Nuristan provinces, where he met as part of an elaborate VAT and kingpins fled the UK before they people worked there,” the bullying culture should end and achievements, saying that the facing with the president and provincial officials, security benefits fraud against the UK’s could be arrested and are now newspaper reports. problems need to be solved ministry works with the called for government’s help in leaders and assessed security revenue department over the thought to be based in the Middle “A large proportion of these through understanding, not cooperation of media companies resolve. situation in the district. He also past two decades, with further East. The UK’s Crown frauds originated from just a few through threats. on a common policy for better President Ghani conferred visited troops in Parun city. gains made through mortgage and Prosecution Service (CPS) insists families (covering several Hasina Safi, acting coordination between government government medals to a number Governors assured that people of credit card fraud targeting banks that details cannot be reported generations) perpetrating serious, information and culture minister and media. of journalists to appreciate their Nuristan and Kunar provinces and individuals. “Secret until the masterminds have been organised and sustained attacks called the signing of law of access Then a number of journalists services in reporting. support the Afghan National intelligence held by MI5 states returned to the UK to face trial. against any agency with Defense and Security Forces. NSA that some of the money reached According to evidence pieced apparently weak systems,” the Mohib honored the soldiers in the Pakistani compound that together so far, the gang was report said, adding that the money N ea r ly 13 a cr es of la n d clea r ed of op iu m both provinces for fighting the housed the Al-Qaeda mastermind using a network of factories and was sent mainly to Pakistan but terrorists in frontline to protect Osama bin Laden before US companies and exploiting their also Hong Kong and Dubai and families, defend national and forces stormed it in 2011,” the workers for identity and benefit “is most likely to be linked to ...P12 but some farmerssecretly planted it again. He appreciated the farmers for obeying the law and territorial integrity, the Office of newspaper reports as part of a frauds, the sale of counterfeit terrorism”. The files reportedly planting the “Halal” harvest in their forms, saying that he would try best to provide agriculture facilitation National Security Council said in two-year investigation. The goods, car crash scams and also show that the gang enjoyed forthem. This comes as according to some officials the cooperation between Taliban and drug dealers have a statement. In Parun city, ANDSF gang, made up of British men of mortgage and credit card frauds. links with a top politician in recently been increased in Afghanistan. The officials of southern Helmand province say that drug dealers officers were honored with civilian Asian-origin who cannot be Her Majesty’s Revenue and Pakistan. support the insurgents in a bid to protect drug factories because it counts as their sole source of income for awards and recognized by Mohib their subversive activities. for courageous actions. Fresh polio campaign to target around 9.3m children Mohibwas also briefed by DM Gen. Sadaatand local security ...P1 KABUL:Ministry of the campaign site to site in the “We should not forget that leaders, he ordered to assess Public Health (MoPH) in villages and this effort caused to progress have been made to security situation in Chapa Dara cooperation with partners has cover 700,000 children out of eradicate polio in Afghanistan, district and to eliminate the kicked off the first round of around 900,000 missed children which as result majority of this threats. Local people welcomed National Immunization Days in the past four months,” he country become free of this virus NSA’s trip to mountainous (NIDS) for polio eradication that added. He highlighted that and only the polio is circulating Nuristan, Kunar provinces and will take five daysto target around besides running national in south and east part of the showed strong support from ANDSF and government of 9.3 million children under five campaign, MoPH will exert country.” As the polio virus Afghanistan, the statement years of age across the country. utmost efforts to cover the limited to a small area of the furthered. During the campaign, around 8.4 remained 200,000 children country, with most in Kandahar million children aged between six missed polio last year. Last year and its neighboring provinces, so months to five years old will also 21 positive polio cases have been if boost up attempts to this area 15 Daesh be given vitamin A capsules that reported and while currently and be sure that each child helps to build a child’s immunity three cases reported—onein received anti-polio drop, then we fighters killed and reduces the risk of diarrhea, Urzgan and two in Kandahar wouldhave succeeded to eradicate respiratory infections and provinces, he mentioned. He said this virus, he noted. He in Nangarhar measles. “Today MoPH started 60,000 children facing shortage emphasized that the success keys the anti-polio vaccination of healthcare as well as missed to eradicate polio virus are ...P12 raids conducted by campaign, which will target polio campaign, so the MoPHhas campaign house-to-house access intelligence operatives on Sunday around 9.3 million children in all been struggling provide them in southern areas, accepting of night in Khogyani district of provinces, except Daykundi, health facilities. Minister said vaccination by people, filling eastern Nangarhar province, Bamyan and Ghor provinces due that without house-to-house theblanks in the nature of official said Monday. In a to the cold weather,” said campaign it is impossible to campaign, and covering all statement National Security Minister of Public Health eradicate this crippling virus in movable populations, who are at Directorate (NDS) said its FerozudinFeroz. Speaking at the Afghanistan, thus it is required high risk of the virus. “We have operatives have conducted military ceremony, he called on Taliban armed opponents to help the to push for house-to-house operation in Sangani village of group and all governmental, vaccination teams to reach each campaign and need to regain all Khogyani district, in which more nongovernmental organizations, children behind the door. Pointing risky areas in order to have further than 15 Daesh fighters were killed people and parents to cooperate over lack of health centers in success.” The Holy religion of and tens of their hideouts with the vaccinatorsin a bid to Kandahar and Helmand, he said Islam has emphasized more over destroyed. During operation some cover all children across the MoPHwould establish 20 health, siadMawlawiRaihan, weapons and ammunitions were country. He saidthe ministry has additional health center in addingpolio is a disease that also destroyed. Military faced some challengers in the Kandahar and 30 additional paralysis children, thus it is personnel, and civilians have not aspect of house-to-house polio health centers in Helmand required of parents to help their suffered any casualty in the campaign by armed opponents provinces in order to help the children to receive the anti-polio operation, the statement added. Daesh extremist group have last year. “In such circumstance residents with further healthcare drops. He said “according to emerged nearly four years ago in our vaccination teams have in the mentioned provinces. Islam the children’s parentis Afghanistan and the group missed around 900,000 children Representative of World Health guilty if they did not pay conducted several terrorist attacks in 22 districts in Kandahar, Organization (WHO) for attention during polio campaign.” on military institutions and Helmand, Urzgan and Zabul Afghanistan Peeper Korn said He said the Afghan masses should civilian’sgatherings, even did not provinces.” “After discussions, “we are committed to work not have seduced by political spare attacking holy places like finally we reached to an agreement harder in order to stop “Fatwa”—a declaration given Mosques and Shrines. with the armed opponents to run circulation of polio virus.” against polio, he added. TUESDAY .APRIL 02, 2019 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

Despite security challenges and political uncertainty, digital market niches like food and grocery delivery are growing in major cities such as Kabul, Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif. KABUL: Allegations of sexual abuse of members of Afghanistan’s security challenges Afghanistan's national women's and political uncertainty soccer team by sport officials continue to impede the growth have resulted in missed of e-commerce, but its dynamic paychecks after sponsors pulled youth-driven IT sector could out, taunts and entreaties from help make the difference, a just- parents to their daughters to quit released UNCTAD assessment playing. FIFA, global soccer's of the country’s readiness to governing body, suspended the engage in eTrade says. head of the Afghan Football The government and donors Federation and several other are waking up to the value of a officials in December. The Afghan digital dimension to economic federation has called the development in the landlocked allegations against its president, nation, which in 2018 ranked 136 Keramuddin Keram, out of 151 economies in "groundless". Afghan President UNCTAD’s B2C (business-to- Ashraf Ghani ordered an consumer) E-commerce Index. investigation after Britain's Mohammad Q. Haqjo, Guardian newspaper reported in Afghanistan’s ambassador to the November that senior figures World Trade Organization, linked to the women's team received the Rapid eTrade alleged that some players had Assessment of his country on the saw GDP growth fall from 2.7% competitive environment. been molested by federation opening day of UNCTAD’s in 2017 to 2.4% in 2018 – a drop It also says that for e-business officials. eCommerce Week 2019. expected to hurt job creation. to truly take off, upgrading existing The treatment of the female eTrade_Afganistan Early wave of e-commerce skills, building consumer trust players, even those who have not “What makes the eTrade “If implemented online and improving access to alleged sexual abuse, illustrate the Readiness Assessment for effectively, the financing for micro, small and Afghan culture's complicated Afghanistan important?” Mr. recommendations contained in medium enterprises in the digital approach to handling matters Haqjo asked. the Rapid eTrade Readiness economy need to be prioritized involving both women's sexuality “It is an excellent product Assessment could help propel through a concerted effort by the and participation in sports. that creates a roadmap for us as a Afghanistan on to a higher government as well as the private The national women's team state. My government can use it growth trajectory,” said Shamika sector. was only formed in 2010. Some as a tool to address the challenges N. Sirimanne, director of Given the cross-cutting nature conservative-minded Afghans that we have in e-commerce.” UNCTAD’s division on of e-commerce, the assessment oppose women playing sports. He added: “Because of its technology and logistics. recommends streamlining the Since the investigation was credibility it creates a strong basis “Our report finds that an policy development process by launched, so many players have to ask support from development ‘early wave’ of e-commerce creating synergies across stopped training that friendly partners.” driven by a dynamic IT sector government institutions and matches scheduled for outside From digitalization to is emerging in the country,” she reinforcing public-private Afghanistan have been cancelled, development added. dialogue. said the federation's Arzu Rahimi, The fifth edition of the high- New market niches have This could be done through the who is responsible for women's profile global gathering is taking appeared and are growing in National Trade Facilitation football. At least seven players place from 1 to 5 April at the major cities such as Kabul, Herat Committee that UNCTAD helped 3A new study by the Central the urban population was among the families which have over have made allegations, although Palais des Nations, the UN’s and Mazar-e-Sharif. These the country set up. As the Statistics Organization shows recorded around 18.1 percent, 10 members,” the Minister of they have not been identified European headquarters in include food and grocery committee comprises key that more than 18 million Afghans 61.1 among villagers and 89 Economy Mustafa Mastoor told publicly. Five of the players who Geneva, Switzerland. The theme delivery, transportation and ministries and agencies dealing which makes 51.7 percent of the percent among the Kochi reporters at the launch of the have made allegations did not of this year’s week, which news alert services. with trade, it could also serve as a overall population are faced with (Nomads). The study shows survey. In around 39 percent of respond to requests for comment comprises dozens of sessions, is But major infrastructure valuable platform for commerce multidimensional poverty. The that 58 percent of all the families, one child has been from Reuters. Parents, alarmed by "From Digitalization to constraints must be addressed. and private sector-based issues. Afghanistan Multidimensional multidimensional poor people in deprived of education, the study public treatment of female Development". Ambassador With 67% mobile-penetration Afghanistan’s Rapid eTrade Poverty Index (A-MPI) which is Afghanistan are children under shows. “Deprivation of children players since the allegations, have Haqjo underscored how e- and less than 12% of the Readiness Assessment was funded jointly conducted by the Oxford the age of 18 years old. At least from school is the mother of all urged their daughters to give up commerce can help a nation like population using the internet, by Germany’s Federal Ministry University covers the scale of six out of 10 children live in problems including premature soccer. "My mother told me not Afghanistan achieve its trade and ICT affordability and access of Economic Cooperation and poverty in various areas such as multidimensional poverty, and employment, malnutrition, to go to federation, university or development aims. He said: "A remain key challenges. Development (BMZ). education, health, security, children under the age of 10 years unequal mental and psychological even outside the house anymore," gradual movement towards More reforms are further 17 eTrade assessments so far employment and living standards old are the worst affected by growth of children,” said Faizullah said Samea Hamasi, 25, a member international trade openness in needed to develop an efficient Since the launch of the Rapid of Afghans. poverty, the study shows. One Zaki, Minister of Labor, Social of the team for seven years. Afghanistan requires an enabling trade facilitation regime, the eTrade Readiness programme in Based on the study, 32 of the most crucial factors Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled. Players who were in Uzbekistan environment that is conducive to assessment says, even though 2016, UNCTAD has undertaken percent of six-member families had determining the level of poverty “We do not measure poverty only for a series of matches in investment, production and new Afghanistan undertook assessments for 17 countries: only one working person. of children is the education level in order to launch a new official November faced taunts from technology.” “important steps” in that Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, The study shows that 48 of their parents, the study shows. statistics as important is that is Afghans living there. Players “E-commerce can facilitate direction by joining the World Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Lao percent of families have no “It helps us to invest in areas nor the journalists much give a sobbed in the dressing room in the economic integration of Trade Organization and People’s Democratic Republic, educated woman. The level of that we specifically need them,” headline describing the level of Tashkent's stadium and had to be landlocked Afghanistan and ratifying its Trade Facilitation Liberia, Madagascar, Myanmar, multidimensional poverty, said Ahmad Jawed Rasuli, the poverty as necessary that also is. coaxed to take the field, many empower micro, small and Agreement. Unlock the gender Nepal, Samoa, Senegal, Solomon according to the study, ranges head of the Central Statistics The main motivation is to link data with tears in their eyes. "After medium enterprises, and women potential The assessment also Islands, Togo, Uganda, Vanuatu, from a low of 12 percent in Kabul Organization. and policy. So the measurement is what people have put us through, entrepreneurs, to grow their underscores the potential role of and Zambia. Thanks to the to a high of 81 percent in Badghis “They said that 33 percent a necessary precursor for action,” I say to myself that I wish I were businesses domestically and e-commerce in unlocking the support of key donors – Germany, province in the west of of poor people are among the said Sabina Alkire, Director, not an Afghan at all," Samea said. internationally." According to the gender potential of the Afghan the Enhanced Integrated Afghanistan According to the families who have four children Oxford Poverty and Human Fereshta Shaikh Miri, 23, has assessment, Afghanistan’s economy. For example, e- Framework and the International study, the level of or less than four children while Development Initiative. played for the team for five years. government has initiated a series commerce could facilitate the Islamic Trade Finance multidimensional poverty among 61 percent of poor people are (TOLONews) "Before I was proud to be a of important policy reforms to visibility of women producers Corporation – another eight member of the team, but now it improve the country’s overall in a way that is comfortable for countries will benefit from the is a stigma to be part of the team business and investment the entrepreneurs themselves programme in 2019. The eTrade Bid to smuggle and I feel ashamed to mention environment, promote private and aligned with the social for all initiative, a multi- that I am part of the national sector development, increase context of the country. stakeholder partnership that helps heroin to India football team," she said. The economic productivity and trade UNCTAD flags the need for developing countries find foiled at men's soccer team, receiving openness, and strengthen regional regulators to encourage more information and resources on e- government support, has begun integration. investments in the ICT sector commerce and the digital economy, Kandahar spring training, but training has Despite these efforts, to facilitate the growth of supports the preparation of the been cancelled for the women. security challenges continue to services delivery in 3G/4G by Rapid eTrade Readiness airport (THEPENINSULAQATAR) affect the Afghan economy, which mobile network operators in a Assessments. (UNCTAD) KANDAHAR: Intelligence forces have arrested four persons over allegedly attempting to smuggle narcotics in their Nabi dismissed Parthiv Patel, Shimron Hetmyer, stomachs to India at the airport AB de Villiers and Shivam Dube to pick up his in southern Kandahar province. seventh four-wicket haul in T20 cricket. KABUL: Afghan-Canadian artist 26 Gold Award. industry.” He thanked all In a statement, the governor’s Abdullah Taraky has won the At least 300 art works from founders of the Spectrum and house said the four persons, who Spectrum 26 Gold Award in artists of different countries were judges for providing the platform wanted to smuggle heroin to India, concept art category by gaining nominated for this award but top for artists to dream and aspire. were arrested by intelligence first position among other artists five artists received it. Abdullah “Thanks to my family in operatives. It said the four in the United States. Taraky was declared as winner Canada, who cheer for me and persons, who had in total The award, which is equal to of Spectrum 26 Gold Award. root for me through all my ups swallowed 180 capsules of the Oscar Award in Hollywood Artists from France, the US and downs. They are always at heroin, were being interrogated by films, is given to best artwork, and China also received gold my core, and the people who intelligence officials. cartoon and video makers each awards in 3D and book designing inspire me.” (Pajwhok) year. Abdullah Taraky, a leading respectively. Taraky wrote on his He also thanked his wife, painter, three-dimensional Facebook page: “This weekend, Rachelle and said her support cartoonist and 3D games maker, I had the opportunity to attend has been endless even through Suicide attack was nominated for one of his the Spectrum 26 Artist Award late nights painting, or long creative works, the Submerged and sit among some of the most tedious trips for workshops and planners among Statue of Tyr, for the Spectrum talented men and women in the classes. (Pajwhok) 12 killed in Helmand KABUL: At least 12 Taliban insurgents, including seven organisers of suicide attacks, have been killed and several others wounded in southern Helmand province. In a statement, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said the special forces raided a Taliban hideout in the Showrki area of Afghanistan’s all-rounder Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in an Nahr-i-Saraj district on Sunday Mohammad Nabi, who is IPL match against Bhuvneshwar night. Seven planners of suicide playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad Kumar-led Sunrisers Hyderabad. attacks were killed and an in the Indian Premier League Sunrisers’ Jonny Bairstow and explosives-laden vehicle (IPL), bowled a dream spell of David Warner slammed quickfire destroyed, the statement said. four for 11 to fashion a thumping centuries to dent the visitors before Elsewhere, five militants were 118-run win for the Orange Army the wily off-spinner from killed and seven others wounded at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on Afghanistan. Nabi dismissed as a result of a clash with the Sunday. Sunday's match was Parthiv Patel, Shimron Hetmyer, security forces in the Trekh Zaber Nabi's first match of this season AB de Villiers and Shivam Dube to area of Nawa district, the ministry for Sunrisers. It was a no-show pick up his seventh four-wicket claimed. (Pajhwok) from Virat Kohli’s Royal haul in T20 cricket. (TOLONews) 5 security personnel killed, 6 Panic as 2 ‘rabid’dog captured by bite 20 people in Parwan Taliban CHARIKAR: Two suspected Sarwari, technical and sectorial KABUL: Five security personnel rabid dogs bit 20 people, sector head of the district. He told have been killed in a fierce including 13 school children, Pajhwok Afghan News the gunbattle with the Taliban in within 24 hours in Jabal Saraj suspected rabid dogs attacked 20 northern Sari Pul province, an district of central Parwan people, including 13 students who official said in Monday. The province, spreading a great panic, were on their way to school. The firefight -- sparked off by Taliban an official said Monday. The victims were residents of Qala attacks on two security victims included children, Sorkh, Qala Sahra, Mayan Gozar. checkpoints in Suzma. women and men, said Abdul Rauf (Pajhwok) TUESDAY .APRIL 02, 2019 AFGHANISTANTIMES L ok S a bh a election s 2 0 19 : P M M odi Bangladesh E ffect ive la ws a ccu ses An dh r a CM Ch a n dr a ba bu N a idu police arrest building u r ged a ga in st of stea lin g da ta , dr ops in B a h u ba li r efer en ce owners over While the BJP was striving to protect the cultural heritage of Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu is destroying the state’s heritage for his own “Heritage” (a group of deadly fire ‘d egr a d in g’ companies being run by Naidu’s family), PM Modi said. Bangladeshi police say they have arrested two owners of m ed ia con t en t a high-rise building that caught fire last week, killing Federal Information Minister es in every city and district of the 26 people. The disaster Fawad Chaudhry has written a country, suggesting that four judg- highlights the often lax letter to the registrar of the Su- es be appointed in districts which enforcement of fire safety preme Court of Pakistan in had a population of five million regulations in the country. which he has said that the media or more, two in districts with a had obtained deep access into and population of at least 2.5 million affected all classes of society but and one judge in districts with a the law against humiliating and population of less than 2.5 mil- dishonouring content was not as lion people. He has also urged in effective as it needed to be. He the letter that the processes of also stated that the purpose of provision of evidence, the record- the letter was to urge the atten- ing of statements by witnesses tion of the chief justice of Paki- and the filing of requests be made stan towards a topic of extreme easy and simple for which he has public importance and request- sought permission from the apex ed that the matter be examined in court to file a request to make the the next meeting of the judicial appropriate amendments in the Police in the Bangladeshi capi- committee. He has written in the applicable laws. Additionally, the tal, Dhaka, say they have arrest- letter that, although the country’s information minister has recom- ed two of the owners of a high- print, electronic and digital me- mended in the letter that the pro- rise commercial building where a dia had increased in size in the cess of video recording of testi- fire last week killed 26 people past few years, the lack of effec- mony be completely implement- and injured some 70 others. tive laws dealing with degrading ed. To that end, he has asked the A police official told report- content was obstructing the pro- court to instruct the chief justices ers that the two owners were vision of justice and the account- of the country’s high courts to arrested for negligence and vio- ably of culprits. Pakistan to as- implement the procedure in their lations of a national building code sist Saudi Arabia in cultural ac- jurisdictions, explaining that the that resulted in casualties. He tivities: Fawad step would be effective in halting said the two could end up facing To address the issue, the in- allegations based on fake news and charges of culpable homicide, as formation minister said, he was mala fide intent. is usual in Bangladesh when neg- recommending appointing judg- (Tribune) ligence causes death. The disas- Prime Minister Narendra Modi do any “seva” (service) to the peo- major irrigation project on Go- the tax. “It was only because of ter has raised fresh questions on Monday alleged that Telugu ple,” Modi said, addressing an elec- davari river only for the sake of the taxpayers that I could take up about fire safety standards and Desam Party president and tion rally in Andhra Pradesh’s Ra- taking kickbacks and said Naidu several welfare and development their enforcement in Bangladesh Andhra Pradesh chief minister N jahmundry. He said there was no had no sincerity in completing programmes, which transformed after authorities discovered that J a iled B a n gla d esh Chandrababu Naidu had indulged wonder such a person who had the project. “In the very first the entire economy of the coun- the 22-story building had no fire- in stealing of personal data of the stolen the personal data of the cabinet meeting of the NDA gov- try,” he said. Modi pointed out protected staircases or other ad- people of the Telugu states for people would have looted the peo- ernment, we declared Polavaram that his government had not in- equate safety measures, and had op p osit ion lea d er his political gains. The attack ple’s money as well. PM Modi as a national project, which had troduced any new taxes in the last been illegally extended upward. came a day after Chandrababu compared Naidu with Bhallala been hanging in balance for the five years and instead it reduced The fire was the latest in a Naidu, along with Delhi CM chief Deva, the villain character in the last 40 years. And in the last five and also simplified the tax struc- series of deadly blazes in facto- sh ift ed t o h ospit a l Arvind Kejriwal and West Ben- magnum opus film Bahubali. “Like years, the Centre had released Rs ture. “Starting today, we are giv- ries and other structures in Bang- gal CM Mamata Banerjee in Visa- Bhallala Deva, Naidu’s only aim 7,500 crore. But Naidu had no ing great relief to the middle class ladesh in which hundreds of peo- khapatnam, launched a blistering is to grab power by hook or crook. sincerity in completing the people by giving Income Tax re- ple have died over the past years. Khaleda Zia under medical examination counter attack on the Prime Min- He will stoop down to any level project. For him, Polavaram bate to the people whose income In 2012, a fire at a garment upon suggestion of jail authority ister accusing him of being a to realise his aim,” he said. While project was like an ATM. He does not exceed Rs 5 lakh,” he said. factory shocked the world when “chowkidar of criminals and cor- the BJP was striving to protect went on escalating the project He appealed to the people not to 112 workers were killed because rupt”. “I have been told that his the cultural heritage of Andhra cost without any rhyme or rea- entertain the grand alliance of op- they were locked in the building party had stolen the confidential Pradesh, Naidu is destroying the son, only for the sake of kick- position parties which had no and could not escape the flames. personal data of the people of the state’s heritage for his own “Her- backs. Who does he want to ben- concern for the people, for the na- Just months later another gar- state through his Seva Mitra mo- itage” (a group of companies be- efit with such cost escalation?” tion’s security and the develop- ment factory collapsed, killing bile application for using the same ing run by Naidu’s family), Modi he asked. The PM thanked the ment of the country. “When our more than 1,100 people. A 2010 to make political gains. The fact said. The Prime Minister further taxpayers of the country for con- government destroyed the terror- blaze at an illegal chemical stor- is that Naidu is neither a “mitra” accused the TDP president of es- tribution to the development of ist camps in the enemy territory, age facility killed at least 123 (friend) of anybody nor does he calating the cost of Polavaram the nation by sincerely paying these leaders caught singing. people. S L n eed s d iscip lin ed p eop le t h r ou gh After months of opposition out- eral Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir m ilit a r y t r a in in g: P M cry, three-time prime minister of told reporters in Dhaka that they Bangladesh and imprisoned op- don’t have confidence in the gov- position leader Khaleda Zia has ernment for providing proper Sri Lanka needs discipline which from development,” he said. been shifted to hospital on Mon- treatment for Zia. Despite Zia’s is instilled in people through mil- “ We have got the economic day. Zia was referred to Banga- preference, the government is rig- itary training in addition to eco- development going with the inau- bandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical id not to take her to a private hos- nomic development and social guration of oil refinery and the University upon the suggestion pital, and kept her in jail without justice, Prime Minister Ranil Cement factory in Hambantota, of jail authority. According to treatment for months, a move her Wickremesinghe said over the plans are afoot to begin large scale ABM Mahbubul Alam, the di- party called inhumane, he added. weekend. transshipment of vehicles through rector of the university hospital, Zia, 73, widow of assassinated Prime Minister Wickremes- the Hambantota Port. There will Zia suffers from diabetes. former President Ziaur Rahman, inghe said this at the Yovun Pura be an LNG power plant here in She also has pains in knee had been taken to the same hos- closing ceremony in Weerawila on Hambantota. Three more LNG joints and have difficulty in pital on Oct. 8 last year and later Saturday evening. power plants will be set up in sleeping, Alam said, adding weak re-shifted to jail after a month of “A country needs disciplined Kerawalapitiya. Smart shirts is health condition of her and need treatment. The opposition leader people, economic development planning to set up a factory soon. for someone while walking. is serving 17 years of jail term and social justice if it is to be prop- I was asked by some youth who The opposition Bangladesh since Feb. 8 last year in an old erly developed. A nation will not participated in Yovun Pura as to Nationalist Party (BNP) repeat- abandoned jail in Dhaka after con- be successful if something goes why the government waited for edly demanded the government victed in numbers of cases related wrong in one of these three com- four years to start up mega devel- to provide proper treatment to to violence and corruption that ponents. A county such has Sin- opment projects. I told them that Zia in Dhaka. In an immediate her lawyers insist are politically gapore had developed today as a projects were delayed because we response, BNP’s Secretary Gen- motivated. result of military training. “Sri had to settle our debts. We will Lanka has got the last chance to have the biggest debt services this develop today. We will lose if we year. We will be able to resolve the don’t maintain discipline, fail to debt issue to some extent this year,” achieve economic development the Prime Minister added.(Yohan Sri Lankan President and if society does not benefit Perera) to implement the death ‘Send me to jail’: Union penalty soon on death minister Ashwini Choubey Injured Nepalese rest at a National Medical college and hospital in Birgunj, 136 row drug traffickers kilometers (85 miles) south of Kathmandu on March 31, 2019. (Photo by AFP) taunts officer in Bihar, At least 27 people have been istry. "The winds took away ev- is a desperate need for food and killed and hundreds injured after erything, my home and my fami- relief." Local and district hospi- a freak storm hit southern Ne- ly," Ram Babu Patel, 45, who lost tals were inundated with injured administration files case pal, destroying houses, uproot- his wife in the storm in a village in victims coming in from the af- ing trees and toppling electricity Bara, told AFP over the phone. fected areas. Prime Minister KP The district administration in Bi- had been filed against the minister poles, officials said. The thun- Prakash Tharu, a volunteer on the Sharma Oli expressed his con- har’s Buxar lodged a case against under various sections including derstorm swept through the dis- ground, described a scene of dev- dolences in a tweet and said that Union minister of state and BJP’s stopping a government officer trict of Bara and adjoining areas astation in the villages. "The storm the government would do its nominee from Buxar parliamen- from doing his duty. “We have late Sunday killing at least 27 destroyed everything in its path. best for treatment of the injured. tary seat Ashwini Choubey on taken cognizance of the incident people and injuring more than Houses have no roofs and trees Storms causing such high casu- Sunday for violating the model concerning the minister. A case has 600, according to the home min- are all down," Tharu said. "There alties in spring are rare in Nepal. code of conduct and stopping a been lodged against him,” he said. government officer from doing his A few sections have also been in- duty Choubey had allegedly mis- cluded in the case against the min- behaved with the sub divisional ister pertaining to violation of magistrate Krishna Kumar Up- model code of conduct, sources Musharraf treason case: SC instructs to Sri Lankan President Maithripa- reverse it. I will implement the adhayay Saturday night after the said. Sources said the FIR was filed la Sirisena says he has received death penalty soon," he said. officer stopped his convoy for after the SDM gave a detailed re- conclude trial in Musharraf's absence the list of drug traffickers that President Sirisena made these having more cars than permitted port of Saturday night’s incident. should be sentenced to death. All remarks addressing an illegal drug according to election rules. In a, The Election Commission has also laws and regulations against ille- prevention program held at Wit- widely circulated video, Choubey taken cognizance of the matter and The Supreme Court of Pakistan arraf treason trial delays The treason case against on Monday instructed to con- “What will happen if he does Musharraf started in November gal drugs has been strengthened zwaiyk Garden, Modara under is heard having an altercation with sought a report from the DM. “We and he has decided the dates to the guidance of Malcolm Cardi- Upadhayay for the latter’s bid to are waiting for a report from DM, clude the ongoing trial of the high not return even after assurance?” 2013 months after the PML-N treason case in the absence of the the CJP asked cautioning that government came to power. Even impose death penalty to the drug nal Ranjith Sunday (March 31). stop his convoy during the elec- Buxar and further action would be smugglers, he said. Accordingly, The President emphasized tioneering in the constituency. taken,” said Bihar’s chief electoral former President Pervaiz Mush- something should be done if one the Supreme Court, led by in- arraf, Express News reported. does not show up even after com- cumbent CJP Khosa, had direct- the punishment will be carried that he made his operations “Who has given the orders? officer, H R Srinivasa. The minis- out in the near future, the Presi- against illegal drugs since he was Send me to jail but you cannot ter, who is seeking re-election from Hearing Pervez Musharraf’s mitment. The counsel of the ed to conclude the trial expedi- high treason case the Chief Jus- former president, Salman Safdar, tiously. However, the trial could dent said. The President said drug a Member of Parliament, and add- seize my vehicles like that,” the Buxar, did not make any official traffickers can form or topple ed that after he became the Presi- minister was heard in the video comment on the spat with the tice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Kho- said that he cannot give a personal not be concluded in the last six sa asked whether the former mil- guarantee that Musharraf will re- years due to several reasons. governments but he took the bat- dent it was carried on with much while sitting on the front seat of SDM and could not be reached for tle against illegal drugs on his strength and vigor. his car. The SDM tried to pacify comments. itary ruler had provided assur- turn, but he has directed him to First, the special court initially ance of his appearance in the appear in person. CJP remarked directed the federal government shoulders without considering He said the people of the en- the minister explaining he was Meanwhile, opposition lead- the risk it has over his own life tire country have joined hands only implementing election com- er Tejashwi Prasad Yadav in a court To this, Musharraf’s coun- that a trial in the absence of a sus- to include three more individu- sel replied that the former presi- pect is unconstitutional. “We can- als for initiating treason charges because he is determined to build together with the program for the mission orders. Later, speaking tweet took potshots at the minis- an ethical country for the future sake of the country said that the to newsmen, the SDM said there ter, saying the senior BJP leader dent himself wants to record the not let the suspect avail the bene- against them. Due to that order, statement after his return to the fit of not appearing before the the proceedings remained sus- generation. "Drug traffickers can day is not so far that this concept were 35-40 cars in the convoy of had probably started panicking at make or break governments. I towards a drug free country will the minister without permission. the prospect of losing the polls country. Musharraf has given court deliberately. High-treason is pended for a couple of years. May 13 as his return date. not an ordinary crime,” he added. Later, the SC set aside the spe- knew this when I started the fight become a reality. District Magistrate of Buxar from Buxar seat. against illegal drugs, I will never (BBC) Raghvendra Singh said that a case (Hindustan times) CJP seeks report on Mush- Case history cial court order and directed. TUESDAY .APRIL 02, 2019 AFGHANISTANTIMES News-in-Brief Trump team overruled 25 Peru: 20 dead as bus goes up in security clearance denials, flames in Lima

At least 20 people were killed and whistleblower says eight injured when the double- decker bus they were traveling on Washington: A career official in cials to grant Kushner a clearance conduct," the memo says. Donald caught fire in the Peruvian capi- the White House security office over the objections of national se- Trump gave his son-in-law Jared tal of Lima Sunday, a spokesman says dozens of people in Presi- curity officials and after Newbold Kushner security clearance de- for the country's firefighters said. dent Donald Trump's adminis- spoke out to NBC News and oth- spite authorities advising other- Witnesses said the fire started in tration were granted security er news outlets about her concerns. wise. Newbold said she raised her the bus engine at the rear of the clearances despite "disqualifying It also sets the stage for another concerns up the chain of com- vehicle and quickly spread to its issues" in their backgrounds in- fight between the White House and mand in the White House to no interior, according to spokesman cluding concerns about foreign the Democrat-controlled House. avail. Instead, she said, the White Lewis Mejia, in broadcast com- influence, drug use and criminal Cummings said he will move this House retaliated, suspending her At least 30 firefighters sent to tackle a forest blaze in ments on local TV channel Canal conduct. Tricia Newbold, an 18- week to issue his first subpoena in in January for 14 days without N.The cause of the fire is under remote mountains of southwest province killed. investigation, he added. The fire year government employee who the probe. pay for not following a new pol- started at the Fiori terminal in oversees the issuance of clearanc- Cummings said the subpoena icy requiring that documents be Lima’s northern San Martin de es for some senior White House will be for the deposition of Carl scanned as separate .pdf files rath- Porres district. Lima's Mayor aides, says she compiled a list of Kline, who served as the White er than one single .pdf file. New- Jorge Muñoz said the bus burst at least 25 officials who were ini- House personnel security director bold said that when she returned into flames at a bus stop that au- tially denied security clearances and supervised Newbold. He has to work in February, she was cut thorities had banned just weeks last year because of their back- since left the White House for the out of the security clearance pro- ago because it was located next grounds. But she says senior Defence Department. President cess and removed from a super- to an illegal shop that sells fuel. Trump aides overturned those Donald Trump's team has over- visory role. Cummings' memo "It appears that on the second decisions, moves that she said ruled security clearances for at least doesn't name the officials on floor of bus, where most of the weren't made "in the best inter- 25 denied individuals, a whistle- Newbold's list. The committee victims were found, they were est of national security". Presi- blower says. has previously singled out Flynn, transporting fuel. That's a very dent Donald Trump's senior ad- The White House did not im- Porter and Kushner as it sought serious matter," Muñoz told jour- viser and son-in-law is now mediately respond to a request for records from the White House nalists in broadcast comments be- working with a downgraded se- comment. Newbold laid out her ex- about how their clearances were fore visiting survivors at a local curity clearance, causing specu- perience in the White House dur- handled. Flynn maintained his hospital. Eight units of firefight- lation that Kushner's days in the ing a March 23 interview with bi- clearance even after the White ers were deployed to put out the White House might be numbered. partisan committee staff. Portions House learned he lied to the FBI fire on the bus, which had been Newbold's allegations were of that interview were included in about his conversations with headed to the northern coastal detailed in a letter and memo re- the memo released by Cummings. Russia's ambassador and that he city of Chiclayo, according to lo- leased on Monday by Congress- According to the memo, New- was under federal investigation cal media. TV images showed the man Elijah Cummings of Mary- bold's list of overturned security by the Justice Department for his scorched remains of the vehicle surrounded by crowds of people land, the chairman of the House clearance denials included "two previous foreign work. Kushner in the district of San Martin de Oversight and Reform commit- current senior White House offi- failed to initially disclose numer- Porres on the outskirts of the tee. That panel has been investi- cials, as well as contractors and in- ous foreign meetings on security capital. Tragedia en Perú: Al gating security clearances issued dividuals throughout different clearance forms, and according to At least 27 firefighters have died ed to help fight the blaze also winds across many northern ar- menos 20 muertos deja incendio to senior officials including components of the Executive Of- the Times, career officials recom- after they were sent to tackle a died. Nearly 700 people were eas. The death toll among the fire- de un bus en Lima. La mayoría de Trump son-in-law Jared Kush- fice of the President". "According mended against granting him one forest blaze in remote mountains battling the fire in Sichuan's Muli fighters appeared to be the worst las víctimas fallecieron en el prim- ner, former national security ad- to Ms Newbold, these individuals before Trump personally over- in southwest China's Sichuan county that erupted on Satur- since 2015, when an explosion at er piso del vehículo cuando in- viser Michael Flynn, and former had a wide range of serious dis- ruled them. Porter had high-level province at the weekend, author- day, but contact was lost on a chemical warehouse in the port tentaban escapar del fuego, pero White House aide Rob Porter. qualifying issues involving foreign access with an interim security ities said on Monday. The deaths Sunday with the 30. Two heli- city of Tianjin killed 173 people, solo algunos pasajeros pudieron The letter comes about a month influence, conflicts of interest, con- clearance even though the FBI occurred after a change of wind copters carrying medical staff most of them firefighters and oth- salir por las ventanas. after The New York Times re- cerning personal conduct, financial repeatedly told the White House on Sunday as the firefighters and military personnel were dis- er first responders. That blast was ported that Trump ordered offi- problems, drug use, and criminal of past allegations. were battling the blaze in a rug- patched to help in the search. blamed on illegal construction and ged area at an altitude of 3,800 China has been battling forest unsafe storage of volatile materi- FACEBOOKTAKES metres, according to the Minis- fires in recent weeks in various als. Scores of workers have also try of Emergency Management parts of the vast country, includ- died in recent industrial accidents, DOWNTHOUSANDSOF Argentina sends and the military. The ministry ing on the outskirts of Beijing, including 85 in a pair of explosions NATO warns ISIS will said three local residents recruit- fed by dry weather and high last month. ACCOUNTSAHEADOF donations to INDIA'SELECTIONS Cuba for continue to mobilize Facebook on Monday removed Erdogansuffersmajor setbacksin 1,126 pages and accounts con- Tornado victims support for its nected to India's opposition par- ty ahead of elections for violat- A cargo with donations of med- localelectionsinTurkey’sbigcities ing its misinformation policies. icines, clothes and food provid- ed by Cuban residents in Argen- ‘twisted ideology’ Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook's Turkish President Recep Tayy- chosen democracy,” said oppo- had won a clear victory, but the head of cybersecurity policy, tina and the solidarity group of this country with the island left Despite its military defeat, the so- the US-backed Syrian Democrat- ip Erdogan suffered stunning set- sition leader Kemal Kilicdaro- AKP said it would appeal in dis- said in a company blog post that Buenos Aires on Monday for called Islamic State remains a threat ic Forces (SDF) in the Syrian backs in local elections as his rul- glu, whose secularist CHP also tricts across the city and expected it removed the content and ac- Havana. The 50-package cargo province of Deir al-Zor. Else- ing AK Party lost control of the held its Aegean coastal strong- to shift the outcome in its favor. counts for violating the social and is possibly reorganizing its transported by a Cubana airlin- ranks again, the Secretary-General where in the province, another capital Ankara for the first time hold of Izmir, Turkey’s third Erdogan’s ruling alliance, includ- media platform's policies on co- er, comes from contribution of the North Atlantic Treaty Or- SDF fighter died from his inju- since the party’s founding in largest city. The AKP and its ing the nationalist MHP, captured ordinated inauthentic behavior or made by the members of the Ar- ganization (NATO), Jens Stolten- ries after unknown gunmen be- 2001, possibly complicating his Islamist predecessor have con- 51.7 percent of the nationwide spam. Gleicher said Facebook gentine Solidarity Movement lieved to be Islamic State mem- plans to fight back recession. trolled Istanbul and Ankara for vote with nearly all votes count- made four separate "take- berg, said on Monday. “ISIS does (MasCuba) and the Union of not control any territory anymore, bers shot him. Both the AKP and the main op- 25 years. The results, which ed, according to state-owned An- downs" in removing the content Cuban Residents in Argentina and that is, of course, very much On March 25, seven fighters position Republican People’s were still being tallied and faced adolu news agency. The turnout because each appeared to be dis- (URCA). This is a small contri- because of the efforts of the global were killed in the city of Man- Party (CHP) claimed victory in appeals, would likely bring per- was a very high 84.52 percent. tinct and unconnected. Face- bution to help families recover coalition and that’s a huge achieve- bij—an attack the Islamic State Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city sonnel changes at the highest Despite eking out majority sup- book removed 103 pages, groups from the damage caused by the ment, a significant achievement,” later claimed. In Iraq, the extrem- and economic hub. The AKP said ranks of government, according port across the country, defeat for and accounts that originated tornado that devastated areas of Stoltenberg said during a press ist group continues to launch in- it had “plenty of” evidence of to sources inside and close to Erdogan’s Islamist-rooted party in from Pakistan and 687 Facebook Havana on January 27, Alberto conference in the Belgian capital surgency-style assaults including voting irregularities in Istanbul. the AKP. Ankara was a significant blow for pages and accounts connected Mas, a member of MasCuba and Erdogan, who has dominated Irregularities the president. The possibility of with an IT cell of the Indian secretary of the Argentine Club of Brussels in response to a ques- bombings, assassinations, and of Journalists Friends of Cuba, tion from Kurdistan 24. “But that kidnappings in previously liber- Turkish politics since coming to In Istanbul, the county’s losing Istanbul, where he launched National Congress. It removed power 16 years ago and ruled his largest city, the CHP mayoral his political career and served as another 15 Facebook pages, told Prensa Latina. Mas stressed doesn’t mean that the fight against ated areas like Mosul and even in that this is a militant obligation terrorism is over or that we can be areas it never controlled like the country with an ever tighter grip, candidate was more than 25,000 mayor in the 1990s, was an even groups and accounts associated to be along with a nation and a complacent,” he added. “We know Iraqi capital of Baghdad. “We campaigned relentlessly for two votes ahead of his AKP oppo- greater shock. The Turkish lira, with the Indian IT firm Silver Revolution that not only did and have to make sure ISIS doesn’t months ahead of Sunday’s vote, nent as the last votes were be- which swung wildly in the week Touch. The last 321 pages and that they still try to mobilize sup- does for America, but also for Ar- port for their twisted ideology.” return in the way it was in Iraq which he described as a “matter ing counted, according to the ahead of the elections echoing last accounts removed did not appear gentina. Oscar Veron, a member Indeed, although the Islamic State and Syria where they controlled of survival” for Turkey. country’s electoral board and year’s currency crisis, weakened to represent a single or coordi- of MasCuba, highlighted how has suffered a military defeat in territory,” Stoltenberg told Kur- But his daily rallies and over- CHP data. But AKP Istanbul on Monday as much as 2.5 per- nated operation, but were "mul- Argentines from provinces as both Iraq and Syria where it once distan 24, adding that is the rea- whelmingly supportive media provincial head, Bayram Seno- cent against the dollar before re- tiple sets of pages and accounts distant as Comodoro Rivadavia controlled a considerable amount son NATO is currently training coverage failed to win over vot- cak, said voting irregularities had covering early losses. An AKP of- that behaved similarly and vio- joined the call, while underlining of territory, the terror organization Iraqi forces. ers in the two main cities, as last had an impact on the outcome ficial and a source close to the par- lated our policies." that Cuba will always be capa- continues to launch sporadic at- “The best way to prevent year’s punishing currency crisis and insisted that Erdogan’s par- ty predicted a cabinet shuffle or ble of counting on them. On be- weighed heavily on Turks. ty had won. other changes among those around half of URCA, its president Ado- tacks via its sleeper cells in both Iraq from once again being threat- countries. Last week, an Islamic ened by ISIS is to train and build “The people have voted in In Ankara, Turkish broad- Erdogan, especially given the loss nis Torres thanked those who favor of democracy, they have casters said the CHP candidate in Istanbul. Hunger stalks supported this campaign. State car bomb killed a member of local capacity.” Mozambique after deadly Venezuelans plan protests over UStocontinuemaximum Iran braces cyclone for more destroys power and water as rationing looms pressure on Iran until Tehran heavy rain farmland Venezuelans on Monday pre- who has been recognised by most On Monday morning, the power changesbehavior:Bolton following Fulai Joaquim has enough food pared to hold protests over con- Western nations as the country’s was on in some blocks but not in to feed his 10 children for an- tinued shortages of power and legitimate leader, was scheduled to adjacent ones. deadly flash other week, maybe two. Then, water following angry demon- speak at Central University in Ca- Venezuelans scramble for wa- he says, it is in the hands of God. strations as the government of racas on Monday morning. “We’ll ter floods A cyclone ripped his cassava President Nicolas Maduro ap- see each other in the streets to- Blackouts and water short- crop from the ground, leaving the peared prepared to begin a ra- morrow,” Guaido, who invoked the ages have long been common in New emergency alerts have been roots to rot in the field, and the tioning programme. Police fired country’s constitution to assume Venezuela, especially in the inte- issued by Iranian authorities as floods that followed washed gunshots in parts of Caracas on an interim presidency in January rior. But the outages in March heavy rain on Monday continues away his maize. "There have Sunday night, according to Reu- after arguing Maduro’s May 2018 were more frequent, more wide- to cause extreme and deadly flood- been a lot of tears," said Joaquim, ters witnesses, after residents set re-election was illegitimate, tweet- spread, and longer-lasting than ing across Iran, state-run broad- 45, as he trudged past the small up burning barricades to demand ed on Sunday night. “We will not previous incidents, particularly in caster PressTV reported. Floods plots of land that hug the mud a return of electricity and run- hide from the dictator.” Maduro the capital. Maduro, a socialist, and torrential rain have affected and stick homes of Nham- ning water. Demonstrators in on Sunday night said the country has blamed the outages on “at- 23 of the Iran's 31 provinces since puepua, also destroyed by the several neighbourhoods of east- would begin a programme of “load tacks” on the Guri hydroelectric heavy rain began on 19 March. storm. "Everyone is hungry." ern Caracas were calling for street administration,” which Venezue- plant in southeastern Venezuela, Flooding is expected to hit nine Hundreds of rural communities protests to demand a return of lans on social media interpreted as which supplies electricity to provinces on Monday. The Islam- were plunged into food crisis basic services, which have crip- a programme of power rationing, most of the country, by the Unit- ic Republic has been struggling to after Cyclone Idai tore through pled commerce and led to con- without providing details on when ed States and the domestic op- deal with the extreme flooding with central Mozambique on March stant cancellation of school ac- it would start. Electricity supplies position. His critics and local elec- heavy rainfall has at times equaled 14, humanitarian workers say. tivities since the start of March. have been intermittent in the capi- trical engineers consulted by Re- half of the average annual levels The government estimates that Opposition leader Juan Guaido, tal city Caracas for several days. uters said. within 24 hours. The official death more than 700,000 hectares of The United States will maintain against companies and financial toll reached 44 on Thursday and agricultural land was flooded, its campaign of maximum pres- institutions of countries that do more than 25,000 had to be put leaving many farmers with noth- sure on Iran until Tehran changes business that country. up in emergency accommodation, ing to harvest. From the air, the Mexico won't have confrontation its behavior with respect to ex- China, France, Germany, according to the Iranian Red Cres- kilometres (miles) of flattened panding its influence and threat- Iran, Russia, the United King- crops look like thinning, slicked- cent Society. The World Health ening neighbors, US National Se- dom and the European Union Organisation (WHO) is releasing back hair. More than 750 peo- with US over border: President curity Advisor John Bolton said — the other signatories of the ple died in the storm and heavy emergency funds to Iran for life- in a statement on Monday. nuclear agreement with Iran — saving medicines and supplies, the rains before it hit Mozambique "For too long the Iranian re- have criticized the US move to and two other southern African Late March, US President Donald regular morning news conference. 25, 2018 In an attempt to tackle body's representative to Iran an- Trump said he might close the The Mexican leader's remarks illegal migration, Trump declared gime fomented conflict [and] in- withdraw from the accord. In nounced on Twitter on Monday. countries, Zimbabwe and stability to expand its influence addition, the European Union Malawi. Two weeks later, as US-Mexico border, claiming that follow Trump's announcement a national emergency in Febru- As a new storm moves into west- the neighbouring country was made on 29 March that he will like- ary after his demands to Congress [and] threaten its neighbors with has attempted to set up a spe- ern Iran, strong rain and powerful search and rescue operations little cost for its actions. No cial mechanism to bypass US wind down, the focus is shifting doing nothing to stop the flow ly close the southern border the for $8 billion in federal funding wind are expected on Monday and of migrants. Mexican president upcoming week if Mexico does not to construct a wall on the US more," Bolton said via Twitter. sanctions. Tuesday. A video on Twitter to feeding the survivors. Maize "We will continue to apply max- The EU initiative to create imports to Mozambique could Andrés Manuel López Obrador introduce any measures to stop the southern border. According to the shows extreme flooding destroy- double this year from the usual said on Monday that his state flow of illegal migrants into the US president, the wall is needed imum pressure until Tehran aban- the special mechanism has pro- ing houses in Pol-e Dokhtar, a city 100,000 tonnes, said Wandile must be prudent and be a good United States. Border Patrol agents to prevent criminals and terror- dons its unacceptable behavior." voked harsh criticism from in western Lorestan province. Sihlobo, an economist with the neighbour of the United States patrol the San Ysidro border cross- ists from pouring into the US. The In May 2018, the United Washington, which continues to Residents woke to flood alarms South African agribusiness asso- adding that it was important to ing after the border between Mex- Congress, for its part, opposed States withdrew from the Iran call for a wind-down of Iranian urging them to evacuate the city ciation, Agbiz. How that might regulate the flow of illegal mi- ico and the U.S. was closed in the the plan. Meanwhile, thousands nuclear agreement and reinstated oil imports and any business as raised water levels in the cities impact prices is uncertain. grants. "I prefer love and peace," San Ysidro neighborhood of San of asylum seekers crossed the wide-ranging sanctions on Iran, with Tehran. three rivers led to flash floods. Lopez Obrador said during his Diego, California, U.S. November US-Mexican border. including secondary sanctions (BBC) (BBC) TUESDAY .APRIL 02, 2019 AFGHANISTANTIMES

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

AFGHANISTAN TIMES Editor: Mansoor Ahmad Faizy Phone No: +93-797070563 E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.afghanistantimes.af Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi Advisory editorial board Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal, Saboor Sarir Graphic-Designers: Bilal Yusufi and Basir Qazizada Mar ket i ng & Adver t i si ng: Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0782344728, 0778894038 Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press The constitution says Article 119: Members of the Supreme Court shall take the following oath of office in the presence of the President: “In the of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, I swear in the name of God Almighty to attain justice and righteousness in accordance with tenets of the Holy religion of Islam, provisions of this Constitution as well as other laws of Afghanistan, and to execute the judicial duty with utmost honesty, righteousness and impartiality.”

Afghan National Army (ANA) officers take part in a training exercise at the Kabul Military Training Centre (KMTC) in Kabul, Afghanistan October 17, 2017. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani/File Photo

By Rod Nickel, defend the city of Medina in tenant-Colonel Kone top priority would be minimiz- Islam’s early days. Faulkner said in an email that ing civilian losses.” Some Tal- Hamid Shalizi This year, Afghan forces beat there has been “no change” iban leaders had suggested the Taliban to naming their in U.S. policies and in its part- simply continuing ongoing Fighting in Afghanistan has offensive, launching a spring nered fighting with Afghan operations and awaiting the escalated ahead of the usual operation dubbed “Khaled”, forces. The latest round of outcome of peace talks, he spring season, as both sides an Arabic word for “endless”, recurring peace talks ended said. But the group decided seek to increase leverage in said the Afghan security in early March with both U.S. against further delay once Af- talks on a peace settlement - a source. and Taliban officials citing ghan forces launched its gamble that analysts warn “The objective of the opera- progress. The start of the next Khaled offensive, he said. could also risk hardening po- tions this year will be to im- round has not been an- Taliban spokesman Zabihullah sitions. prove intelligence gathering nounced, but is expected this Mujahid said the group would In March, hundreds of Afghan and targeted strikes against month. The negotiations launch its spring offensive in forces were killed or wounded the enemy,” he said. came amid fierce fighting in about a month when the in heavy clashes in southern, The “fight and talk” strategy several corners of Afghani- weather warms. One diplomat, western and northern Afghan- has been used to describe stan, from Kunduz province whose country supplies sol- istan, according to unofficial the Afghan war as far back as in the north to Helmand in the diers to the Resolute Support reports. the Obama U.S. presidency. south and Badghis in the mission, said he doubted the henever peace efforts expediting, violent and terror acts in Two U.S. special forces were One diplomat said Afghani- northwest. Taliban wanted to stop fight- killed near Kunduz, and attacks stan’s escalation follows a Some 100 members of Afghan ing, because it would be diffi- parts and parcels of already war stricken motherland are by both sides caused civilian similar path of greater fight- forces were killed in two at- cult to quickly regain the in- also get intensified which make hopeless the countrymen casualties. U.S. air strikes also ing in South Sudan and Co- tacks in Badghis and Hel- surgency’s fighting capabili- accidentally killed Afghan sol- lombia ahead of peace settle- mand. Thirteen civilians, in- ty if its forces dispersed. who are attaching great hopes regarding better future. Now when diers, in a case of friendly fire. ments for those conflicts. cluding 10 children, died in a “The Taliban’s leverage is their almost leaders whether they are part of unity government or opposi- “Government forces are on the But for a country 17 years U.S. air strike in Kunduz and military activities,” a second tion making arrangements to make fruitful the schedule conference offensive this year. into its latest war, the escala- more civilians died in a Hel- diplomat said. We expect a lot of fighting and tion only adds to a sense of mand stadium attack by the Both spoke on condition of an- in Doha Qatar, the war mongers and enemies of the country are obviously casualties,” said a discouragement. Taliban. onymity because of the sensi- indulging themselves in violent and terror acts. Couple of days vio- senior Afghan security source. Rising violence also comes Ninety-four members of the tivity of talks. Seasonal trends to fighting with the risk that positions Taliban died in a single battle Increased fighting also lent acts occurred in Helmand, Kabul, Balkh and several other plac- have become less defined over will harden, deferring a set- near Kunduz city, according heightens concerns about ci- es. Even attempt on the life of sitting Vice President also reported in the years, as most Taliban now tlement, rather than creating to NATO’s Resolute Support vilian casualties, after a record fight near their homes and so urgency that could bring the Mission, which is supported 3,804 civilians were killed last Balkh province. All these acts confirm that certain elements are re- do not need to wait for snow sides together, said the ICG’s by troops from 39 countries year, said Anthony Neal, ad- luctant to let return of peace and end to hostilities in Afghanistan. to melt in the mountain passes Smith. to train, advise and assist Af- vocacy manager for the Nor- And in this respect responsibility rests with peace loving patriotic to travel to battlefields, said Afghanistan Chief Executive ghan forces. Fighting in the wegian Refugee Council in Graeme Smith, a consultant for Abdullah Abdullah, asked province killed two U.S. sol- Afghanistan. countrymen to focus all attentions for making fruitful and peaceful the International Crisis Group about the more aggressive diers a day earlier. More conflict has also forced the peace efforts. Unfortunately, certain elements from regional and (ICG). strategy, said it simply reflect- The Taliban, meanwhile, met nearly 4,000 people from their Even so, the Taliban annually ed a need to be ready for ev- recently to discuss the tim- homes in the last three months neighbouring world, who now are being exposed before rest of the announces the start of a spring ery possibility. ing and name of its spring alone, he said. world are always fuelling hostilities and rifts in Afghanistan. For the offensive with fanfare and a “If the government and the campaign, said a Taliban lead- Reporting by Rod Nickel and purpose, they making huge investment on these acts and actions, name evoking epic importance, Taliban agreed on a ceasefire, er, speaking on condition of Hamid Shalizi in Kabul; Addi- such as last year’s “Al Khan- then the security defense forc- anonymity. tional reporting by Jibran Ah- which are being denounced throughout the world. No one can deny daq” campaign - named after es will act accordingly,” he “Our focus would be more mad in Peshawar, Pakistan; the fact that trends of extremism and terrorism have been imposed the Battle of the Trench, fought told reporters in Kabul. specifically on targeted oper- Editing by Alex Richardson on Afghans from abroad. Now when the United States is showing by the Prophet Mohammad to Pentagon spokesman Lieu- ations,” the leader said. “Our (Reuters) extra ordinary interests in peace and reconciliation, therefore, its leaders need to help in early declaration of ceasefire. Declaration of ceasefire would pave the ways not only for cementing of peace efforts but in making united the war-divided Afghans on ideological, ethnic, religious faiths and communal grounds. Afghanistan is not only in dire need of peace but it needs a broad based national recon- ciliation as it could block ways for every sort of interference in internal affairs of Afghanistan and carrying out of terror and violent acts from abroad. Credit goes to Qatar based Taliban leadership for showing a shift in their policies and extending extra ordinary support to peace efforts. Through such steps, these Taliban Movement lead- ers have earned hearts of the countrymen. But by ending violence and terror, these Taliban leaders could become hero’s, therefore, they need to help in ensuring complete end to violence and hostili- ties. Now on end of prolonged winter and snow fall, the countrymen are going to resume their routine economic activities but they fearing threats to their lives. At this stage, opposition parties especially Tali- ban Tehrik needs to play a role, which could also be helpful in building up a consensus about future destiny of Afghanistan and its people. Subscription Rates Note: The following rates will apply from January 01, 2017. Fee Categories Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 5400 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 2700 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $240 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. TUESDAY .APRIL 02, 2019 AFGHANISTANTIMES U.S. watchdog highlights C on cer n s over I r a n S ecr et Ar m y S p r ea d in g risk areasfor Afghanistan in I n flu en ce in Afgh a n ist a n wake of peace agreement Too poor to even buy pens and notebooks for school, Mehdi left By DAVID PUGLIESE, his home in Afghanistan soon af- OTTAWA CITIZEN ter his 17th birthday and headed to Iran, hoping to make his way John F. Sopko, the U.S. Special to Europe and find work. Instead, Inspector General for Afghani- Mehdi ended up fighting in Syr- stan Reconstruction, has high- ia's civil war, a conflict he had lighted the launch of his watch- nothing to do with, 2,000 kilo- dog agency’s 2019 High-Risk metres from home. He was one List. The list identifies eight risks of tens of thousands of Afghans to the reconstruction effort that recruited, paid and trained by Iran might persist or arise in the wake to fight in support of Tehran's of any peace agreement. Those ally, the head of the Syrian re- include – Widespread Insecurity, gime, Bashar Assad. There, he Underdeveloped Civil Policing found himself thrown into one Capability, Endemic Corruption, of the war's bloodiest front lines, Sluggish Economic Growth, Illicit surrounded by the bodies of his Narcotics Trade, Threats to comrades, under fire from ISIS Women’s Rights, Reintegration of militants so close he could hear Ex-Combatants, and Restricted their shouts of "Allahu akbar" Oversight. Sopko’s remarks dur- before each mortar blast, The ing a recent speech noted: Associated Press said in a report. Iran ran an extensive drive to — Policymakers should be plan- bring Shiites from across the re- ning for what may come in the gion and create a network of mi- days, weeks, months, and years In This Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019, photo, Afghans return to Af- litias to help save Assad from the after any peace agreement is ghanistan at the Islam Qala border with Iran, in the western Herat uprising against his rule — not reached. The report highlights Province. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) only Afghans but also Pakistanis, areas of the reconstruction effort Iraqis and Lebanese. Now with Hazara minority, who are among sniper. When it was over, Mehdi that are currently at serious risk the 8-year war in Syria winding the country's poorest. was flown to Damascus with and points out grounds for rea- An Afghan policeman holds a rocket-propelled grenade launcher at the site of a complex down, the question is what will Roughly 10,000 veterans of around 1,600 other new recruits. sonable concern regarding risks Taliban attack on the campus of the American University in the Afghan capital Kabul on Tehran do with those well- the brigade have returned to Af- that may persist, be magnified, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016. trained, well-armed forces. ghanistan, says a senior official In Damascus, the recruits or emerge despite – or even be- Mehdi and other soldiers- in Afghanistan's Interior Minis- opened bank accounts where their cause of – a peace deal. try who is familiar with govern- salary would be deposited. They good it will do. will continue to be subverted and, to which those rights guaranteed for-hire from Afghanistan's im- — Without financial support ment intelligence. The official were taken to the shrine of Saye- Here are some other key points at worst, will fail. in the Afghan constitution will be poverished Shiite communities from international donors, the was not authorized to brief re- da Zeinab, a site outside Damascus from the Special Inspector Gen- — The Afghan government prior- protected in an Afghanistan in are returning to their homeland, government of Afghanistan can- where they are met with suspi- porters and so spoke on condi- revered by Shiites, for final bless- not survive. Should peace come, eral for Afghanistan Reconstruc- itizes its anticorruption commit- which the Taliban plays a politi- tion of anonymity. ings before battle. The next day, tion: ments when pressured by interna- cal role. — Some experts believe cion. Afghan security officials if that peace is to be sustainable, believe Iran is still organizing The Afghan government and they were taken by bus to the it will come at an additional price Widespread Insecurity tional observers. If donors do not that a precipitous withdrawal of many experts believe Iran could northern city of Aleppo and sent — The latest strength figure maintain this focus on anticorrup- U.S. forces could lead to the de- them, this time as a secret army that only external donors can af- to spread Tehran's influence amid mobilize these ex-fighters once immediately to the front. ford. shows that the ANDSF’s ranks tion, it is unlikely that the Afghan terioration of political and eco- more to assert its influence in have decreased by 9,016 person- government will follow through on nomic freedoms currently en- Afghanistan's unending conflicts. — There are over 300,000 Af- "Here in Afghanistan we are Afghanistan, particularly as the There, Mehdi was thrown ghans currently serving in the se- nel since the January 2017 High- its commitments. joyed by Afghan women. Offi- United States accelerates its ef- into one of the fiercest battles of Risk List. High ANDSF casual- Sluggish Economic Growth cial Taliban statements involved afraid. They say we are all ter- curity forces, most of whom are rorists," said Mehdi, now 21 and forts to end its nearly 18-year the war — a campaign that began ty and AWOL rates contribute — Slowing growth raises broad in the peace negotiations confirm armed. If, because of a loss of back in his home city of Herat. military intervention. in the spring of 2016 against mili- to high attrition, which erode the concerns regarding the sustainabil- such risks. financial support, their pay- He spoke on condition he not be "Expect the Iranians to re- tant factions, including the al-Qae- force’s capability gains and cre- ity of Afghanistan’s recovery and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants checks were to stop coming, this fully identified for fear of retalia- constitute their militias inside da-linked Nusra Front, over the ate a continual need to recruit and thus its long-run economic pros- — Successfully reintegrating an could pose a serious threat to tion. He wouldn't meet AP at Afghanistan at some point," town of Khan Toman and nearby train new security-force mem- pects, whether or not there is a estimated 60,000 active Taliban Afghanistan’s stability. home or in public — only in a car warned Bill Roggio, editor of the villages on Aleppo's edge. bers. peace agreement. According to the — A failure to peacefully reinte- fighters into society and transi- parked in a remote, mostly Shi- Long War Journal, a site devot- It was a fight that showed the grate as many as 60,000 heavily — The most enduring threat to DOD, full self-sufficiency by tioning them into a sustainable ite neighborhood. Even there, ed to coverage of the US war on international nature of the war. armed Taliban long-term would the Afghan reconstruction effort, 2024 does not appear realistic, livelihood will be a complex and Mehdi kept his face obscured terror. "Iran does not discard Among the militants were Syri- threaten any peace agreement as and to U.S. taxpayer investment even if security or economic con- long-term process with social, with a scarf, glancing suspicious- assets in which it invests time, ans, Iraqis, Chechens, Turkmens, disaffected former Taliban who in that effort, has been an ongo- ditions change dramatically. economic, political, security, and ly at every passing car. Afghan treasure and expertise." Uzbeks and other foreign militants; may have been expecting a peace ing and resilient insurgency and — A peace agreement is unlikely humanitarian dimensions. veterans returning from Syria are Most of those who joined on the other side were Syrian dividend may return to violent the presence in Afghanistan of to immediately overcome the — A weak economy will likely threatened from multiple sides. the Fatimiyoun Brigade were regimetroops, Iranian soldiers, and predatory behavior. terrorist groups such as Islamic many enduring barriers to econom- offer few sustainable livelihood They face arrest by security driven by hopelessness and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, Ira- — The U.S. and other donors State-Khorasan (IS-K). The Tal- ic growth – including limited options for reintegrating Taliban agencies that view them as trai- poverty, not loyalty to Iran. qi Shiites and Afghans, backed by have prioritized improving the iban insurgency is not monolith- skilled labor, the lingering effects fighters. Ongoing insecurity, po- tors. And they face violence from When Mehdi went to Iran Russian warplanes — all battling situation of Afghan women. A ic, and the postwar intentions of of near-continuous conflict over litical uncertainty, poor social the brutal ISIS affiliate in Afghan- in 2015, he worked, mostly on for a piece of Syrian land. return to systematic repression the various terrorist and narco- multiple decades, deficits in phys- cohesion within a population istan, which views Shiites as her- construction sites, to earn The fighting went on for of Afghan women would quickly criminal networks that also op- ical and institutional infrastructure, traumatized by decades of war, etics and vows to kill them. Last enough money to make a run for months and it is estimated hun- diminish Congressional and pub- erate in Afghanistan present an- heavy reliance on foreign donor and weak governance and rule of May, ISIS gunmen burst into Europe. But by the time he did, dreds on both sides were killed or lic support for continued assis- other set of variables to be con- support, and widespread corrup- law will probably pose serious Herat's Jawadia Shiite mosque, Europe's borders had closed. wounded. Mehdi said in one bat- tance to Afghanistan and, in the sidered. tion. challenges to reintegration efforts. opening fire and setting off their "I was very disappointed. I tle, 800 Afghans were sent to the process, threaten any government Underdeveloped Civil Policing Illicit Narcotics Trade Restricted Oversight — Donor suicide belt explosives among had come to Iran to go to Eu- front line and only 200 returned reliant on that support. The via- Capability — The lack of sustained institu- countries are expected to finance worshippers, killing 38 people. rope, to study, to have a better alive and unwounded. "Often in bility of a post-agreement Afghan — Effective policing will require tional capacity at all levels of gov- approximately 51% of Afghani- Tehran sent hundreds of life, but I was still there, with the morning I saw seven, eight dead state may well depend upon a force that gives citizens the pre- ernment undermines the country’s stan’s FY 2019 national govern- Revolutionary Guard troops and nothing," Mehdi said. An Af- bodies." he said. "For the first cou- whether women’s rights are pro- sumption of innocence, rather development and ability to address ment spending of $5 billion. Yet, began bringing in allied militias. ghan friend suggested they en- ple of days I was very scared. The tected in both word and practice. than anticipating and taking pre- the production and sale of illegal the Afghan central government’s The most well-known and most list for Syria. As a fighter for explosions were so loud." — If the U.S. reduces its pres- emptive offensive operations drugs. — The opium trade plays a capabilities are generally weak powerful was Lebanon's Hezbol- Iran, they could earn the equiv- Mehdi returned to Afghanistan ence in Afghanistan but feels against perceived threats. significant role in the Afghan econ- and it often lacks the capacity to lah. But the largest was the force alent of $900 a month. At the a year ago, and his life has changed compelled to provide significant — In the event of a peace agree- omy and it is difficult to see how a manage and account for donor made up of Afghans, known as time Mehdi was making barely little from when he left. He re- financial support for reconstruc- ment, there is no comprehensive peace accord between the Afghan funds. — Given continuing recon- the Fatimiyoun Brigade, which $150 a month. He and other mains poor and unable to find a tion, there may be little choice strategy for a competent civil po- government and the insurgency struction needs-and the possibil- experts have estimated numbered Afghan recruits were flown the job. The brigade is still operating but to provide a greater propor- lice force backed by the rule of would translate into the collapse ity that on-budget funds could up to 15,000 fighters at any one next day to Iran's southern Yazd there, and some Afghan veterans tion of funding as on-budget as- law. or contraction of the illicit drug benefit the Taliban directly time. province, where they under- stayed in Syria to find jobs. sistance. But if that road is taken Endemic Corruption trade. should the group be incorporat- Over the years, tens of thou- went 27 days of training under "I don't know what my future and conditions are lacking, we — Failure to effectively address Threats to Women’s Rights ed into the Afghan government- sands of Afghans likely trained the Revolutionary Guard. Me- brings," he said. "Maybe I become may as well set the cash ablaze systemic corruption means U.S. — A potential peace agreement risks to providing monies on- and fought in it. Most of them hdi's marksmanship impressed a thief or maybe I go back to Syr- on the streets of Kabul for all the reconstruction programs, at best, raises questions about the extent budget remain particularly high. are from Afghanistan's ethnic the trainers, and he was made a ia."

By Hizbullah Khan fighting. The movement sees the leaders for leading them into an insurgent control are remote ru- United States as exhausted by aimless war for 18 years. ral regions where just 10 percent Afghanistan’s hard-line Taliban the war in Afghanistan and thus But such arguments will not of the Afghan population lives. Islamist movement has been talk- want to push for maximum ad- change the facts on the ground, and The Taliban do not control even ing to the United States since July. vantage. the Taliban cannot ignore the Af- one of the 34 provincial capitals. But its refusal to directly negoti- The Taliban have many ar- ghan government. They have two Most significantly, the Tali- ate with the Afghan government guments for not negotiating with choices: They can either become ban are unlikely to participate in has emerged as the main hurdle to the Afghan government. The part of the current Afghan politi- elections because they are against a comprehensive peace settlement movement, which formally calls cal system or push for a military participatory democracy. The to end more than four decades of itself the Islamic Emirate of Af- strategy aimed at eventually over- argument that representative de- war in Afghanistan. ghanistan, still views itself as the running Kabul after the withdraw- mocracy is against Islamic Shari’a It is strange that the Taliban legitimate government of Afghan- al of U.S. forces. law is echoed throughout Taliban are mainly fighting a war with istan. Its leaders have repeated- If they adopt the first choice, literature. Now that the Taliban are pushing for a route that will because they have historically ghan President Ashraf Ghani re- Afghan government forces but are ly argued that their government they are unlikely to win the Af- have enormous military power, guarantee a share or monopoly relied on Pashtun clerics. While cently consulted prominent Af- negotiating only with the United was overthrown by the U.S.-led ghan presidential elections sched- they are unlikely to embrace the over power without facing elec- they have made inroads into ghan political leaders “to reach a States. It is telling that, since Sep- military intervention in late 2001. uled for September because they path of democracy where they tions where they are unlikely to some Sunni Tajik and Uzbek unified stance on the peace pro- tember 2014, 45,000 Afghan po- The Taliban still see Afghanistan have limited popular appeal and will probably lose the power ac- attract popular support. communities, they are far from cess.” lice officers and soldiers have been as occupied by foreign forces. only represent a small fraction of cumulated through violence. It is important to discuss the claiming that they can represent Given that an intra-Afghan killed in fighting with the Taliban Thus they consider the gov- Afghanistan’s estimated 35 million Such complications appear to Taliban’s assurances that they these communities. The Taliban settlement could ultimately guar- and other insurgent groups. The ernment in Kabul a puppet re- people. Most Afghans oppose the have prompted the Taliban to will not attempt to recapture have no support among the pre- antee sustainable peace in Afghan- United States and the NATO-led gime with no real power, and in Taliban because of their atrocities only talk to Washington so they Kabul by force. For many Af- dominantly Shi’ite Hazara com- istan, both the Afghan government coalition it leads had less than 100 their view negotiations with the and conservative ideology. A na- can only discuss the withdrawal ghans, however, these ring hol- munity. Given their track record and the Taliban should avail of this fatalities in the same period. Afghan government would grant tionwide poll in 2015 found that of U.S. forces in return for some low because the Islamist muja- of meting out harsh punish- opportunity. In recent months, the Taliban it legitimacy. The Taliban are also 92 percent of Afghans supported guarantees that Afghanistan will hedin parties made similar nois- ments, the Taliban are unlikely The Taliban must talk with feel strengthened by indications worried that negotiations with the Kabul government and only 4 not revert to a terrorist haven. It es after the withdrawal of Soviet to appeal to Afghan women, the government while Kabul must that Washington is eager to with- the Afghan government will percent favored the Taliban. is possible the Taliban might de- forces in 1989. They ultimately whose lot has changed signifi- give space to the Taliban in the draw its forces from Afghanistan. weaken their organization be- While the Taliban control or mand complete control over the pushed for a military victory, cantly during the past 18 years. current political system on a scale They have read signs of a U.S. cause foot soldiers will inevita- contest nearly half of Afghanistan, Afghan government or over sev- which thrust Afghanistan deep Thus, any negotiations to replicating the national unity gov- military drawdown as evidence of bly question the motives of their the vast majority of the area under eral strategic eastern and south- into a brutal civil war. determine the future of Afghan- ernment in 2014. This is the only their victory after 18 years of ern provinces. Afghanistan’s status as an istan cannot happen in the ab- path to end the four-decades-long Kabul, on the other hand, ethnically mixed country with no sence of the country’s demo- war. appears willing to make key con- single group enjoying an absolute cratically elected and globally Hizbullah Khan is a Pakistan Disclaimer: cessions. The Afghan government numeric majority adds to the chal- recognized government, which based journalist and political ana- is ready to review the constitu- lenges for the Taliban. Durable enjoys the support of all eth- lyst. The views and opinions expressed in the articles are tion, recognize the Taliban as a peace in the country will require nicities. Ignoring this vital reali- These views are the author's legitimate political party, and ac- considering the interests and ad- ty will only create obstacles and alone and do not represent those those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views or cept insurgent demands within dressing concerns of all ethnic eventually lead to another con- of Radio Free Europe/Radio Lib- opinions of the Afghanistan Times. constitutional limitations. groups in Afghanistan. The Tali- flict. erty. It is obvious that the Taliban ban cannot do this on their own It is a good omen that Af- (RFERL) TUESDAY .APRIL 02, 2019 AFGHANISTANTIMES U.S. watchdog highlights C on cer n s over I r a n S ecr et Ar m y S p r ea d in g risk areasfor Afghanistan in I n flu en ce in Afgh a n ist a n wake of peace agreement Too poor to even buy pens and notebooks for school, Mehdi left By DAVID PUGLIESE, his home in Afghanistan soon af- OTTAWA CITIZEN ter his 17th birthday and headed to Iran, hoping to make his way John F. Sopko, the U.S. Special to Europe and find work. Instead, Inspector General for Afghani- Mehdi ended up fighting in Syr- stan Reconstruction, has high- ia's civil war, a conflict he had lighted the launch of his watch- nothing to do with, 2,000 kilo- dog agency’s 2019 High-Risk metres from home. He was one List. The list identifies eight risks of tens of thousands of Afghans to the reconstruction effort that recruited, paid and trained by Iran might persist or arise in the wake to fight in support of Tehran's of any peace agreement. Those ally, the head of the Syrian re- include – Widespread Insecurity, gime, Bashar Assad. There, he Underdeveloped Civil Policing found himself thrown into one Capability, Endemic Corruption, of the war's bloodiest front lines, Sluggish Economic Growth, Illicit surrounded by the bodies of his Narcotics Trade, Threats to comrades, under fire from ISIS Women’s Rights, Reintegration of militants so close he could hear Ex-Combatants, and Restricted their shouts of "Allahu akbar" Oversight. Sopko’s remarks dur- before each mortar blast, The ing a recent speech noted: Associated Press said in a report. Iran ran an extensive drive to — Policymakers should be plan- bring Shiites from across the re- ning for what may come in the gion and create a network of mi- days, weeks, months, and years In This Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019, photo, Afghans return to Af- litias to help save Assad from the after any peace agreement is ghanistan at the Islam Qala border with Iran, in the western Herat uprising against his rule — not reached. The report highlights Province. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) only Afghans but also Pakistanis, areas of the reconstruction effort Iraqis and Lebanese. Now with Hazara minority, who are among sniper. When it was over, Mehdi that are currently at serious risk the 8-year war in Syria winding the country's poorest. was flown to Damascus with and points out grounds for rea- An Afghan policeman holds a rocket-propelled grenade launcher at the site of a complex down, the question is what will Roughly 10,000 veterans of around 1,600 other new recruits. sonable concern regarding risks Taliban attack on the campus of the American University in the Afghan capital Kabul on Tehran do with those well- the brigade have returned to Af- that may persist, be magnified, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016. trained, well-armed forces. ghanistan, says a senior official In Damascus, the recruits or emerge despite – or even be- Mehdi and other soldiers- in Afghanistan's Interior Minis- opened bank accounts where their cause of – a peace deal. try who is familiar with govern- salary would be deposited. They good it will do. will continue to be subverted and, to which those rights guaranteed for-hire from Afghanistan's im- — Without financial support ment intelligence. The official were taken to the shrine of Saye- Here are some other key points at worst, will fail. in the Afghan constitution will be poverished Shiite communities from international donors, the was not authorized to brief re- da Zeinab, a site outside Damascus from the Special Inspector Gen- — The Afghan government prior- protected in an Afghanistan in are returning to their homeland, government of Afghanistan can- where they are met with suspi- porters and so spoke on condi- revered by Shiites, for final bless- not survive. Should peace come, eral for Afghanistan Reconstruc- itizes its anticorruption commit- which the Taliban plays a politi- tion of anonymity. ings before battle. The next day, tion: ments when pressured by interna- cal role. — Some experts believe cion. Afghan security officials if that peace is to be sustainable, believe Iran is still organizing The Afghan government and they were taken by bus to the it will come at an additional price Widespread Insecurity tional observers. If donors do not that a precipitous withdrawal of many experts believe Iran could northern city of Aleppo and sent — The latest strength figure maintain this focus on anticorrup- U.S. forces could lead to the de- them, this time as a secret army that only external donors can af- to spread Tehran's influence amid mobilize these ex-fighters once immediately to the front. ford. shows that the ANDSF’s ranks tion, it is unlikely that the Afghan terioration of political and eco- more to assert its influence in have decreased by 9,016 person- government will follow through on nomic freedoms currently en- Afghanistan's unending conflicts. — There are over 300,000 Af- "Here in Afghanistan we are Afghanistan, particularly as the There, Mehdi was thrown ghans currently serving in the se- nel since the January 2017 High- its commitments. joyed by Afghan women. Offi- United States accelerates its ef- into one of the fiercest battles of Risk List. High ANDSF casual- Sluggish Economic Growth cial Taliban statements involved afraid. They say we are all ter- curity forces, most of whom are rorists," said Mehdi, now 21 and forts to end its nearly 18-year the war — a campaign that began ty and AWOL rates contribute — Slowing growth raises broad in the peace negotiations confirm armed. If, because of a loss of back in his home city of Herat. military intervention. in the spring of 2016 against mili- to high attrition, which erode the concerns regarding the sustainabil- such risks. financial support, their pay- He spoke on condition he not be "Expect the Iranians to re- tant factions, including the al-Qae- force’s capability gains and cre- ity of Afghanistan’s recovery and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants checks were to stop coming, this fully identified for fear of retalia- constitute their militias inside da-linked Nusra Front, over the ate a continual need to recruit and thus its long-run economic pros- — Successfully reintegrating an could pose a serious threat to tion. He wouldn't meet AP at Afghanistan at some point," town of Khan Toman and nearby train new security-force mem- pects, whether or not there is a estimated 60,000 active Taliban Afghanistan’s stability. home or in public — only in a car warned Bill Roggio, editor of the villages on Aleppo's edge. bers. peace agreement. According to the — A failure to peacefully reinte- fighters into society and transi- parked in a remote, mostly Shi- Long War Journal, a site devot- It was a fight that showed the grate as many as 60,000 heavily — The most enduring threat to DOD, full self-sufficiency by tioning them into a sustainable ite neighborhood. Even there, ed to coverage of the US war on international nature of the war. armed Taliban long-term would the Afghan reconstruction effort, 2024 does not appear realistic, livelihood will be a complex and Mehdi kept his face obscured terror. "Iran does not discard Among the militants were Syri- threaten any peace agreement as and to U.S. taxpayer investment even if security or economic con- long-term process with social, with a scarf, glancing suspicious- assets in which it invests time, ans, Iraqis, Chechens, Turkmens, disaffected former Taliban who in that effort, has been an ongo- ditions change dramatically. economic, political, security, and ly at every passing car. Afghan treasure and expertise." Uzbeks and other foreign militants; may have been expecting a peace ing and resilient insurgency and — A peace agreement is unlikely humanitarian dimensions. veterans returning from Syria are Most of those who joined on the other side were Syrian dividend may return to violent the presence in Afghanistan of to immediately overcome the — A weak economy will likely threatened from multiple sides. the Fatimiyoun Brigade were regimetroops, Iranian soldiers, and predatory behavior. terrorist groups such as Islamic many enduring barriers to econom- offer few sustainable livelihood They face arrest by security driven by hopelessness and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, Ira- — The U.S. and other donors State-Khorasan (IS-K). The Tal- ic growth – including limited options for reintegrating Taliban agencies that view them as trai- poverty, not loyalty to Iran. qi Shiites and Afghans, backed by have prioritized improving the iban insurgency is not monolith- skilled labor, the lingering effects fighters. Ongoing insecurity, po- tors. And they face violence from When Mehdi went to Iran Russian warplanes — all battling situation of Afghan women. A ic, and the postwar intentions of of near-continuous conflict over litical uncertainty, poor social the brutal ISIS affiliate in Afghan- in 2015, he worked, mostly on for a piece of Syrian land. return to systematic repression the various terrorist and narco- multiple decades, deficits in phys- cohesion within a population istan, which views Shiites as her- construction sites, to earn The fighting went on for of Afghan women would quickly criminal networks that also op- ical and institutional infrastructure, traumatized by decades of war, etics and vows to kill them. Last enough money to make a run for months and it is estimated hun- diminish Congressional and pub- erate in Afghanistan present an- heavy reliance on foreign donor and weak governance and rule of May, ISIS gunmen burst into Europe. But by the time he did, dreds on both sides were killed or lic support for continued assis- other set of variables to be con- support, and widespread corrup- law will probably pose serious Herat's Jawadia Shiite mosque, Europe's borders had closed. wounded. Mehdi said in one bat- tance to Afghanistan and, in the sidered. tion. challenges to reintegration efforts. opening fire and setting off their "I was very disappointed. I tle, 800 Afghans were sent to the process, threaten any government Underdeveloped Civil Policing Illicit Narcotics Trade Restricted Oversight — Donor suicide belt explosives among had come to Iran to go to Eu- front line and only 200 returned reliant on that support. The via- Capability — The lack of sustained institu- countries are expected to finance worshippers, killing 38 people. rope, to study, to have a better alive and unwounded. "Often in bility of a post-agreement Afghan — Effective policing will require tional capacity at all levels of gov- approximately 51% of Afghani- Tehran sent hundreds of life, but I was still there, with the morning I saw seven, eight dead state may well depend upon a force that gives citizens the pre- ernment undermines the country’s stan’s FY 2019 national govern- Revolutionary Guard troops and nothing," Mehdi said. An Af- bodies." he said. "For the first cou- whether women’s rights are pro- sumption of innocence, rather development and ability to address ment spending of $5 billion. Yet, began bringing in allied militias. ghan friend suggested they en- ple of days I was very scared. The tected in both word and practice. than anticipating and taking pre- the production and sale of illegal the Afghan central government’s The most well-known and most list for Syria. As a fighter for explosions were so loud." — If the U.S. reduces its pres- emptive offensive operations drugs. — The opium trade plays a capabilities are generally weak powerful was Lebanon's Hezbol- Iran, they could earn the equiv- Mehdi returned to Afghanistan ence in Afghanistan but feels against perceived threats. significant role in the Afghan econ- and it often lacks the capacity to lah. But the largest was the force alent of $900 a month. At the a year ago, and his life has changed compelled to provide significant — In the event of a peace agree- omy and it is difficult to see how a manage and account for donor made up of Afghans, known as time Mehdi was making barely little from when he left. He re- financial support for reconstruc- ment, there is no comprehensive peace accord between the Afghan funds. — Given continuing recon- the Fatimiyoun Brigade, which $150 a month. He and other mains poor and unable to find a tion, there may be little choice strategy for a competent civil po- government and the insurgency struction needs-and the possibil- experts have estimated numbered Afghan recruits were flown the job. The brigade is still operating but to provide a greater propor- lice force backed by the rule of would translate into the collapse ity that on-budget funds could up to 15,000 fighters at any one next day to Iran's southern Yazd there, and some Afghan veterans tion of funding as on-budget as- law. or contraction of the illicit drug benefit the Taliban directly time. province, where they under- stayed in Syria to find jobs. sistance. But if that road is taken Endemic Corruption trade. should the group be incorporat- Over the years, tens of thou- went 27 days of training under "I don't know what my future and conditions are lacking, we — Failure to effectively address Threats to Women’s Rights ed into the Afghan government- sands of Afghans likely trained the Revolutionary Guard. Me- brings," he said. "Maybe I become may as well set the cash ablaze systemic corruption means U.S. — A potential peace agreement risks to providing monies on- and fought in it. Most of them hdi's marksmanship impressed a thief or maybe I go back to Syr- on the streets of Kabul for all the reconstruction programs, at best, raises questions about the extent budget remain particularly high. are from Afghanistan's ethnic the trainers, and he was made a ia."

By Hizbullah Khan fighting. The movement sees the leaders for leading them into an insurgent control are remote ru- United States as exhausted by aimless war for 18 years. ral regions where just 10 percent Afghanistan’s hard-line Taliban the war in Afghanistan and thus But such arguments will not of the Afghan population lives. Islamist movement has been talk- want to push for maximum ad- change the facts on the ground, and The Taliban do not control even ing to the United States since July. vantage. the Taliban cannot ignore the Af- one of the 34 provincial capitals. But its refusal to directly negoti- The Taliban have many ar- ghan government. They have two Most significantly, the Tali- ate with the Afghan government guments for not negotiating with choices: They can either become ban are unlikely to participate in has emerged as the main hurdle to the Afghan government. The part of the current Afghan politi- elections because they are against a comprehensive peace settlement movement, which formally calls cal system or push for a military participatory democracy. The to end more than four decades of itself the Islamic Emirate of Af- strategy aimed at eventually over- argument that representative de- war in Afghanistan. ghanistan, still views itself as the running Kabul after the withdraw- mocracy is against Islamic Shari’a It is strange that the Taliban legitimate government of Afghan- al of U.S. forces. law is echoed throughout Taliban are mainly fighting a war with istan. Its leaders have repeated- If they adopt the first choice, literature. Now that the Taliban are pushing for a route that will because they have historically ghan President Ashraf Ghani re- Afghan government forces but are ly argued that their government they are unlikely to win the Af- have enormous military power, guarantee a share or monopoly relied on Pashtun clerics. While cently consulted prominent Af- negotiating only with the United was overthrown by the U.S.-led ghan presidential elections sched- they are unlikely to embrace the over power without facing elec- they have made inroads into ghan political leaders “to reach a States. It is telling that, since Sep- military intervention in late 2001. uled for September because they path of democracy where they tions where they are unlikely to some Sunni Tajik and Uzbek unified stance on the peace pro- tember 2014, 45,000 Afghan po- The Taliban still see Afghanistan have limited popular appeal and will probably lose the power ac- attract popular support. communities, they are far from cess.” lice officers and soldiers have been as occupied by foreign forces. only represent a small fraction of cumulated through violence. It is important to discuss the claiming that they can represent Given that an intra-Afghan killed in fighting with the Taliban Thus they consider the gov- Afghanistan’s estimated 35 million Such complications appear to Taliban’s assurances that they these communities. The Taliban settlement could ultimately guar- and other insurgent groups. The ernment in Kabul a puppet re- people. Most Afghans oppose the have prompted the Taliban to will not attempt to recapture have no support among the pre- antee sustainable peace in Afghan- United States and the NATO-led gime with no real power, and in Taliban because of their atrocities only talk to Washington so they Kabul by force. For many Af- dominantly Shi’ite Hazara com- istan, both the Afghan government coalition it leads had less than 100 their view negotiations with the and conservative ideology. A na- can only discuss the withdrawal ghans, however, these ring hol- munity. Given their track record and the Taliban should avail of this fatalities in the same period. Afghan government would grant tionwide poll in 2015 found that of U.S. forces in return for some low because the Islamist muja- of meting out harsh punish- opportunity. In recent months, the Taliban it legitimacy. The Taliban are also 92 percent of Afghans supported guarantees that Afghanistan will hedin parties made similar nois- ments, the Taliban are unlikely The Taliban must talk with feel strengthened by indications worried that negotiations with the Kabul government and only 4 not revert to a terrorist haven. It es after the withdrawal of Soviet to appeal to Afghan women, the government while Kabul must that Washington is eager to with- the Afghan government will percent favored the Taliban. is possible the Taliban might de- forces in 1989. They ultimately whose lot has changed signifi- give space to the Taliban in the draw its forces from Afghanistan. weaken their organization be- While the Taliban control or mand complete control over the pushed for a military victory, cantly during the past 18 years. current political system on a scale They have read signs of a U.S. cause foot soldiers will inevita- contest nearly half of Afghanistan, Afghan government or over sev- which thrust Afghanistan deep Thus, any negotiations to replicating the national unity gov- military drawdown as evidence of bly question the motives of their the vast majority of the area under eral strategic eastern and south- into a brutal civil war. determine the future of Afghan- ernment in 2014. This is the only their victory after 18 years of ern provinces. Afghanistan’s status as an istan cannot happen in the ab- path to end the four-decades-long Kabul, on the other hand, ethnically mixed country with no sence of the country’s demo- war. appears willing to make key con- single group enjoying an absolute cratically elected and globally Hizbullah Khan is a Pakistan Disclaimer: cessions. The Afghan government numeric majority adds to the chal- recognized government, which based journalist and political ana- is ready to review the constitu- lenges for the Taliban. Durable enjoys the support of all eth- lyst. The views and opinions expressed in the articles are tion, recognize the Taliban as a peace in the country will require nicities. Ignoring this vital reali- These views are the author's legitimate political party, and ac- considering the interests and ad- ty will only create obstacles and alone and do not represent those those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views or cept insurgent demands within dressing concerns of all ethnic eventually lead to another con- of Radio Free Europe/Radio Lib- opinions of the Afghanistan Times. constitutional limitations. groups in Afghanistan. The Tali- flict. erty. It is obvious that the Taliban ban cannot do this on their own It is a good omen that Af- (RFERL) TUESDAY .APRIL 02, 2019 AFGHANISTANTIMES U.S. watchdog highlights C on cer n s over I r a n S ecr et Ar m y S p r ea d in g risk areasfor Afghanistan in I n flu en ce in Afgh a n ist a n wake of peace agreement Too poor to even buy pens and notebooks for school, Mehdi left By DAVID PUGLIESE, his home in Afghanistan soon af- OTTAWA CITIZEN ter his 17th birthday and headed to Iran, hoping to make his way John F. Sopko, the U.S. Special to Europe and find work. Instead, Inspector General for Afghani- Mehdi ended up fighting in Syr- stan Reconstruction, has high- ia's civil war, a conflict he had lighted the launch of his watch- nothing to do with, 2,000 kilo- dog agency’s 2019 High-Risk metres from home. He was one List. The list identifies eight risks of tens of thousands of Afghans to the reconstruction effort that recruited, paid and trained by Iran might persist or arise in the wake to fight in support of Tehran's of any peace agreement. Those ally, the head of the Syrian re- include – Widespread Insecurity, gime, Bashar Assad. There, he Underdeveloped Civil Policing found himself thrown into one Capability, Endemic Corruption, of the war's bloodiest front lines, Sluggish Economic Growth, Illicit surrounded by the bodies of his Narcotics Trade, Threats to comrades, under fire from ISIS Women’s Rights, Reintegration of militants so close he could hear Ex-Combatants, and Restricted their shouts of "Allahu akbar" Oversight. Sopko’s remarks dur- before each mortar blast, The ing a recent speech noted: Associated Press said in a report. Iran ran an extensive drive to — Policymakers should be plan- bring Shiites from across the re- ning for what may come in the gion and create a network of mi- days, weeks, months, and years In This Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019, photo, Afghans return to Af- litias to help save Assad from the after any peace agreement is ghanistan at the Islam Qala border with Iran, in the western Herat uprising against his rule — not reached. The report highlights Province. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) only Afghans but also Pakistanis, areas of the reconstruction effort Iraqis and Lebanese. Now with Hazara minority, who are among sniper. When it was over, Mehdi that are currently at serious risk the 8-year war in Syria winding the country's poorest. was flown to Damascus with and points out grounds for rea- An Afghan policeman holds a rocket-propelled grenade launcher at the site of a complex down, the question is what will Roughly 10,000 veterans of around 1,600 other new recruits. sonable concern regarding risks Taliban attack on the campus of the American University in the Afghan capital Kabul on Tehran do with those well- the brigade have returned to Af- that may persist, be magnified, Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016. trained, well-armed forces. ghanistan, says a senior official In Damascus, the recruits or emerge despite – or even be- Mehdi and other soldiers- in Afghanistan's Interior Minis- opened bank accounts where their cause of – a peace deal. try who is familiar with govern- salary would be deposited. They good it will do. will continue to be subverted and, to which those rights guaranteed for-hire from Afghanistan's im- — Without financial support ment intelligence. The official were taken to the shrine of Saye- Here are some other key points at worst, will fail. in the Afghan constitution will be poverished Shiite communities from international donors, the was not authorized to brief re- da Zeinab, a site outside Damascus from the Special Inspector Gen- — The Afghan government prior- protected in an Afghanistan in are returning to their homeland, government of Afghanistan can- where they are met with suspi- porters and so spoke on condi- revered by Shiites, for final bless- not survive. Should peace come, eral for Afghanistan Reconstruc- itizes its anticorruption commit- which the Taliban plays a politi- tion of anonymity. ings before battle. The next day, tion: ments when pressured by interna- cal role. — Some experts believe cion. Afghan security officials if that peace is to be sustainable, believe Iran is still organizing The Afghan government and they were taken by bus to the it will come at an additional price Widespread Insecurity tional observers. If donors do not that a precipitous withdrawal of many experts believe Iran could northern city of Aleppo and sent — The latest strength figure maintain this focus on anticorrup- U.S. forces could lead to the de- them, this time as a secret army that only external donors can af- to spread Tehran's influence amid mobilize these ex-fighters once immediately to the front. ford. shows that the ANDSF’s ranks tion, it is unlikely that the Afghan terioration of political and eco- more to assert its influence in have decreased by 9,016 person- government will follow through on nomic freedoms currently en- Afghanistan's unending conflicts. — There are over 300,000 Af- "Here in Afghanistan we are Afghanistan, particularly as the There, Mehdi was thrown ghans currently serving in the se- nel since the January 2017 High- its commitments. joyed by Afghan women. Offi- United States accelerates its ef- into one of the fiercest battles of Risk List. High ANDSF casual- Sluggish Economic Growth cial Taliban statements involved afraid. They say we are all ter- curity forces, most of whom are rorists," said Mehdi, now 21 and forts to end its nearly 18-year the war — a campaign that began ty and AWOL rates contribute — Slowing growth raises broad in the peace negotiations confirm armed. If, because of a loss of back in his home city of Herat. military intervention. in the spring of 2016 against mili- to high attrition, which erode the concerns regarding the sustainabil- such risks. financial support, their pay- He spoke on condition he not be "Expect the Iranians to re- tant factions, including the al-Qae- force’s capability gains and cre- ity of Afghanistan’s recovery and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants checks were to stop coming, this fully identified for fear of retalia- constitute their militias inside da-linked Nusra Front, over the ate a continual need to recruit and thus its long-run economic pros- — Successfully reintegrating an could pose a serious threat to tion. He wouldn't meet AP at Afghanistan at some point," town of Khan Toman and nearby train new security-force mem- pects, whether or not there is a estimated 60,000 active Taliban Afghanistan’s stability. home or in public — only in a car warned Bill Roggio, editor of the villages on Aleppo's edge. bers. peace agreement. According to the — A failure to peacefully reinte- fighters into society and transi- parked in a remote, mostly Shi- Long War Journal, a site devot- It was a fight that showed the grate as many as 60,000 heavily — The most enduring threat to DOD, full self-sufficiency by tioning them into a sustainable ite neighborhood. Even there, ed to coverage of the US war on international nature of the war. armed Taliban long-term would the Afghan reconstruction effort, 2024 does not appear realistic, livelihood will be a complex and Mehdi kept his face obscured terror. "Iran does not discard Among the militants were Syri- threaten any peace agreement as and to U.S. taxpayer investment even if security or economic con- long-term process with social, with a scarf, glancing suspicious- assets in which it invests time, ans, Iraqis, Chechens, Turkmens, disaffected former Taliban who in that effort, has been an ongo- ditions change dramatically. economic, political, security, and ly at every passing car. Afghan treasure and expertise." Uzbeks and other foreign militants; may have been expecting a peace ing and resilient insurgency and — A peace agreement is unlikely humanitarian dimensions. veterans returning from Syria are Most of those who joined on the other side were Syrian dividend may return to violent the presence in Afghanistan of to immediately overcome the — A weak economy will likely threatened from multiple sides. the Fatimiyoun Brigade were regimetroops, Iranian soldiers, and predatory behavior. terrorist groups such as Islamic many enduring barriers to econom- offer few sustainable livelihood They face arrest by security driven by hopelessness and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, Ira- — The U.S. and other donors State-Khorasan (IS-K). The Tal- ic growth – including limited options for reintegrating Taliban agencies that view them as trai- poverty, not loyalty to Iran. qi Shiites and Afghans, backed by have prioritized improving the iban insurgency is not monolith- skilled labor, the lingering effects fighters. Ongoing insecurity, po- tors. And they face violence from When Mehdi went to Iran Russian warplanes — all battling situation of Afghan women. A ic, and the postwar intentions of of near-continuous conflict over litical uncertainty, poor social the brutal ISIS affiliate in Afghan- in 2015, he worked, mostly on for a piece of Syrian land. return to systematic repression the various terrorist and narco- multiple decades, deficits in phys- cohesion within a population istan, which views Shiites as her- construction sites, to earn The fighting went on for of Afghan women would quickly criminal networks that also op- ical and institutional infrastructure, traumatized by decades of war, etics and vows to kill them. Last enough money to make a run for months and it is estimated hun- diminish Congressional and pub- erate in Afghanistan present an- heavy reliance on foreign donor and weak governance and rule of May, ISIS gunmen burst into Europe. But by the time he did, dreds on both sides were killed or lic support for continued assis- other set of variables to be con- support, and widespread corrup- law will probably pose serious Herat's Jawadia Shiite mosque, Europe's borders had closed. wounded. Mehdi said in one bat- tance to Afghanistan and, in the sidered. tion. challenges to reintegration efforts. opening fire and setting off their "I was very disappointed. I tle, 800 Afghans were sent to the process, threaten any government Underdeveloped Civil Policing Illicit Narcotics Trade Restricted Oversight — Donor suicide belt explosives among had come to Iran to go to Eu- front line and only 200 returned reliant on that support. The via- Capability — The lack of sustained institu- countries are expected to finance worshippers, killing 38 people. rope, to study, to have a better alive and unwounded. "Often in bility of a post-agreement Afghan — Effective policing will require tional capacity at all levels of gov- approximately 51% of Afghani- Tehran sent hundreds of life, but I was still there, with the morning I saw seven, eight dead state may well depend upon a force that gives citizens the pre- ernment undermines the country’s stan’s FY 2019 national govern- Revolutionary Guard troops and nothing," Mehdi said. An Af- bodies." he said. "For the first cou- whether women’s rights are pro- sumption of innocence, rather development and ability to address ment spending of $5 billion. Yet, began bringing in allied militias. ghan friend suggested they en- ple of days I was very scared. The tected in both word and practice. than anticipating and taking pre- the production and sale of illegal the Afghan central government’s The most well-known and most list for Syria. As a fighter for explosions were so loud." — If the U.S. reduces its pres- emptive offensive operations drugs. — The opium trade plays a capabilities are generally weak powerful was Lebanon's Hezbol- Iran, they could earn the equiv- Mehdi returned to Afghanistan ence in Afghanistan but feels against perceived threats. significant role in the Afghan econ- and it often lacks the capacity to lah. But the largest was the force alent of $900 a month. At the a year ago, and his life has changed compelled to provide significant — In the event of a peace agree- omy and it is difficult to see how a manage and account for donor made up of Afghans, known as time Mehdi was making barely little from when he left. He re- financial support for reconstruc- ment, there is no comprehensive peace accord between the Afghan funds. — Given continuing recon- the Fatimiyoun Brigade, which $150 a month. He and other mains poor and unable to find a tion, there may be little choice strategy for a competent civil po- government and the insurgency struction needs-and the possibil- experts have estimated numbered Afghan recruits were flown the job. The brigade is still operating but to provide a greater propor- lice force backed by the rule of would translate into the collapse ity that on-budget funds could up to 15,000 fighters at any one next day to Iran's southern Yazd there, and some Afghan veterans tion of funding as on-budget as- law. or contraction of the illicit drug benefit the Taliban directly time. province, where they under- stayed in Syria to find jobs. sistance. But if that road is taken Endemic Corruption trade. should the group be incorporat- Over the years, tens of thou- went 27 days of training under "I don't know what my future and conditions are lacking, we — Failure to effectively address Threats to Women’s Rights ed into the Afghan government- sands of Afghans likely trained the Revolutionary Guard. Me- brings," he said. "Maybe I become may as well set the cash ablaze systemic corruption means U.S. — A potential peace agreement risks to providing monies on- and fought in it. Most of them hdi's marksmanship impressed a thief or maybe I go back to Syr- on the streets of Kabul for all the reconstruction programs, at best, raises questions about the extent budget remain particularly high. are from Afghanistan's ethnic the trainers, and he was made a ia."

By Hizbullah Khan fighting. The movement sees the leaders for leading them into an insurgent control are remote ru- United States as exhausted by aimless war for 18 years. ral regions where just 10 percent Afghanistan’s hard-line Taliban the war in Afghanistan and thus But such arguments will not of the Afghan population lives. Islamist movement has been talk- want to push for maximum ad- change the facts on the ground, and The Taliban do not control even ing to the United States since July. vantage. the Taliban cannot ignore the Af- one of the 34 provincial capitals. But its refusal to directly negoti- The Taliban have many ar- ghan government. They have two Most significantly, the Tali- ate with the Afghan government guments for not negotiating with choices: They can either become ban are unlikely to participate in has emerged as the main hurdle to the Afghan government. The part of the current Afghan politi- elections because they are against a comprehensive peace settlement movement, which formally calls cal system or push for a military participatory democracy. The to end more than four decades of itself the Islamic Emirate of Af- strategy aimed at eventually over- argument that representative de- war in Afghanistan. ghanistan, still views itself as the running Kabul after the withdraw- mocracy is against Islamic Shari’a It is strange that the Taliban legitimate government of Afghan- al of U.S. forces. law is echoed throughout Taliban are mainly fighting a war with istan. Its leaders have repeated- If they adopt the first choice, literature. Now that the Taliban are pushing for a route that will because they have historically ghan President Ashraf Ghani re- Afghan government forces but are ly argued that their government they are unlikely to win the Af- have enormous military power, guarantee a share or monopoly relied on Pashtun clerics. While cently consulted prominent Af- negotiating only with the United was overthrown by the U.S.-led ghan presidential elections sched- they are unlikely to embrace the over power without facing elec- they have made inroads into ghan political leaders “to reach a States. It is telling that, since Sep- military intervention in late 2001. uled for September because they path of democracy where they tions where they are unlikely to some Sunni Tajik and Uzbek unified stance on the peace pro- tember 2014, 45,000 Afghan po- The Taliban still see Afghanistan have limited popular appeal and will probably lose the power ac- attract popular support. communities, they are far from cess.” lice officers and soldiers have been as occupied by foreign forces. only represent a small fraction of cumulated through violence. It is important to discuss the claiming that they can represent Given that an intra-Afghan killed in fighting with the Taliban Thus they consider the gov- Afghanistan’s estimated 35 million Such complications appear to Taliban’s assurances that they these communities. The Taliban settlement could ultimately guar- and other insurgent groups. The ernment in Kabul a puppet re- people. Most Afghans oppose the have prompted the Taliban to will not attempt to recapture have no support among the pre- antee sustainable peace in Afghan- United States and the NATO-led gime with no real power, and in Taliban because of their atrocities only talk to Washington so they Kabul by force. For many Af- dominantly Shi’ite Hazara com- istan, both the Afghan government coalition it leads had less than 100 their view negotiations with the and conservative ideology. A na- can only discuss the withdrawal ghans, however, these ring hol- munity. Given their track record and the Taliban should avail of this fatalities in the same period. Afghan government would grant tionwide poll in 2015 found that of U.S. forces in return for some low because the Islamist muja- of meting out harsh punish- opportunity. In recent months, the Taliban it legitimacy. The Taliban are also 92 percent of Afghans supported guarantees that Afghanistan will hedin parties made similar nois- ments, the Taliban are unlikely The Taliban must talk with feel strengthened by indications worried that negotiations with the Kabul government and only 4 not revert to a terrorist haven. It es after the withdrawal of Soviet to appeal to Afghan women, the government while Kabul must that Washington is eager to with- the Afghan government will percent favored the Taliban. is possible the Taliban might de- forces in 1989. They ultimately whose lot has changed signifi- give space to the Taliban in the draw its forces from Afghanistan. weaken their organization be- While the Taliban control or mand complete control over the pushed for a military victory, cantly during the past 18 years. current political system on a scale They have read signs of a U.S. cause foot soldiers will inevita- contest nearly half of Afghanistan, Afghan government or over sev- which thrust Afghanistan deep Thus, any negotiations to replicating the national unity gov- military drawdown as evidence of bly question the motives of their the vast majority of the area under eral strategic eastern and south- into a brutal civil war. determine the future of Afghan- ernment in 2014. This is the only their victory after 18 years of ern provinces. Afghanistan’s status as an istan cannot happen in the ab- path to end the four-decades-long Kabul, on the other hand, ethnically mixed country with no sence of the country’s demo- war. appears willing to make key con- single group enjoying an absolute cratically elected and globally Hizbullah Khan is a Pakistan Disclaimer: cessions. The Afghan government numeric majority adds to the chal- recognized government, which based journalist and political ana- is ready to review the constitu- lenges for the Taliban. Durable enjoys the support of all eth- lyst. The views and opinions expressed in the articles are tion, recognize the Taliban as a peace in the country will require nicities. Ignoring this vital reali- These views are the author's legitimate political party, and ac- considering the interests and ad- ty will only create obstacles and alone and do not represent those those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views or cept insurgent demands within dressing concerns of all ethnic eventually lead to another con- of Radio Free Europe/Radio Lib- opinions of the Afghanistan Times. constitutional limitations. groups in Afghanistan. The Tali- flict. erty. It is obvious that the Taliban ban cannot do this on their own It is a good omen that Af- (RFERL) TUESDAY .APRIL 02, 2019 AFGHANISTANTIMES ‘Dumbo’ falls short of box-office expectations but still comes in first

Christopher Nolan on 'Dark Knight' Oscar Snub and the 'Superman' Fib He Told the Studio The filmmaker also discussed au- ditioning Cillian Murphy to play Batman during a Q&A in between back-to-back IMAX screenings of his trilogy. Christopher Nolan rang in Batman's 80th birthday in style on Saturday. The filmmaker joined fans for a Dark Knight trilogy marathon at the Universal Cine- ma AMC at CityWalk in Holly- wood Saturday for a back-to-back “Dumbo” was no runt — but it park owner (Keaton), who intends mulative sales past the $100 mil- IMAX 70mm screenings. Nolan was no mammoth hit, to exploit the circus’s discovery lion mark: after two weekends, sat for a Q&A in between 2008's either.Nearly eight decades after of Dumbo, the flying elephant. the film has now made about The Dark Knight and 2012's The the 1941 original, Disney’s live- “Dumbo” is the latest in a string $128.2 million domestically. That Dark Knight Rises, sporting a blaz- action “Dumbo” arrived in the- of live-action, C.G.I.-buttressed puts “Us” slightly ahead of where er and holding a thermos of what We are nearing towards the end. officials read. “Much more than The five join previously an- aters this weekend to $45 million Disney remakes. Its slight under- 2018’s “Halloween” was after its was surely tea. By the time Nolan The much awaited finale a ‘making of’ documentary, this nounced cast members Josh in ticket sales, topping the do- performance may be due in part second weekend. “Halloween,” came out, the crowd was already season HBO fantasy show is a funny, heartbreaking story, Whitehouse, Naomi Ackie, Den- mestic box office. But that figure to the unenthusiastic reception it which carried both the name rec- amped up, having burst into ap- Game of Thrones will premiere told with wit and intimacy, about ise Gough, Jamie Campbell Bow- fell slightly below analysts’ ex- received from most critics — it ognition and baggage of a 40- plause multiple times during The on April 14. But it just might the bittersweet pleasures of what er, Sheila Atim, Ivanno Jeremiah, pectations of around $50 million, currently holds a 50 percent fresh year-old franchise, had a North Dark Knight. The director soon not end with its eighth season. it means to create a world — and Georgie Henley, Alex Sharp, Toby and overall made for a moderate- rating on Rotten Tomatoes. By American total of about $126.7 delivered a treat, sharing a never- Ahead of the release of the sea- then have to say goodbye to it.” Regbo and Miranda Richardson. ly disappointing opening for the comparison, last year’s Winnie- million by that point. But it also before-revealed trick he used for son eight of Game of Thrones, British film-maker Jeanie Taking place thousands of years Tim Burton film, which report- the-Pooh tale from Disney, had a significantly higher debut the film, for the intense car chase makers announced that they will Finlay will helm the project. before the events of Game of edly had a production budget of “Christopher Robin,” received 72 weekend ($77.5 million versus after Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) air a two-hour GoT documenta- Game of Thrones prequel Thrones, the new show chroni- $170 million. An additional $71 percent positive reviews, and the $70.3 million brought in by turns himself in as Batman. The ry titled Game of Thrones: The The Game of Thrones pre- cles the world’s descent from the million in overseas sales brings 2017’s live-action “Beauty and the “Us”). real Dark Knight (Christian Bale) Last Watch in May. The HBO quel was announced last year golden Age of Heroes into its dark- its global weekend total to $116 Beast” holds 71 percent. Remakes The other newcomer in the shows up in the Batmobile and documentary will chronicle be- with Naomi West starring as a est hour. And only one thing is million. Like the animated origi- of “Aladdin” and “The Lion King” top five was Pure Flix’s “Un- smashes into a garbage truck driv- hind-the-scenes of the finale sea- protagonist. The pilot is beefing for sure: from the horrifying se- nal, Burton’s “Dumbo” follows are slated for release later this year. planned,” an R-rated Christian en by a Joker henchman. “It’s a son, reported Deadline. “The up its cast Marquis Rodriquez, crets of Westeros’ history to the the trials and eventual triumph of There probably wasn’t much com- drama about a young woman who miniature,” Nolan said, sounding movie delves deep into the mud John Simm, Richard McCabe, true origin of the white walkers, an elephant outcast. Unlike the petition between “Dumbo” and founds an anti-abortion organi- amused. “I don’t think anyone’s and blood to reveal the tears and John Heffernan, and Dixie Eger- the mysteries of the East to the original, the new film is led by this weekend’s other big movie. zation. That movie opened to ever noticed it’s a miniature.” No- triumphs involved in the chal- ickx have all been cast in series Starks of legend-it’s not the story famous flesh-and-blood actors: Universal’s “Us,” Jordan’s Peele’s $6.1 million this weekend, land- lan spoke about casting Bale as lenge of bringing the fantasy regular roles, reported Variety. we think we know. Jane Gold- Danny DeVito, Colin Farrell, Eva family-unfriendly follow-up to his ing in fifth place. Neon’s “The Batman, and shared a tidbit about world of Westeros to life in the As with all things Game of man co-created the project with Green and Michael Keaton. It’s a landmark 2017 feature debut, “Get Beach Bum,” the latest comedy his now-frequent collaborator Cil- very real studios, fields and car- Thrones, the exact nature of the George RR Martin, whose A Song darker (if PG-rated) take on the Out,” easily landed in second from the director Harmony Ko- lian Murphy auditioning for the parks of Northern Ireland,” state- characters each will be playing is of Ice and Fire novel series serves story, with DeVito playing the place, selling $33.6 million in tick- rine which stars Matthew Mc- lead instead. "Christian was actu- ment issued on behalf of HBO being kept under tight wraps. as the basis for Game of Thrones. owner of a scrappy circus that ets according to Comscore, which Conaughey as a Florida pothead, ally the first actor I met for the gets bought by a powerful big- compiles box-office data. That’s flopped with just $1.8 million in role. city entrepreneur and amusement- more than enough to send its cu- domestic sales. (BBC) Janet Jackson, Radiohead, The Fatima Sana Cure enter Rock Hall of Fame Shaikh looks Disha like a dream in a sheer Patani white dress delighted as 'Baaghi 2' clocks 1 year "Wow, it already has been a year. I am very excited and Genre-bending acts Radiohead harmonists The Zombies round- superstar who spearheaded the I am very happy and The Cure led a British inva- ed out the five-strong class of creation of New Jack Swing. Her sion into Brooklyn on Friday British inductees. The inclusion synth-driven sound came to de- that the film re- night to take their spots in the of Jackson – whose socially con- fine the cutting edge of New ceived such a great Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, while scious, sexually provocative and York’s club scene in the late 1980s. response and love pop icon Janet Jackson entered eminently danceable tracks made Jackson noted her family’s “ex- the shrine in an induction many her a household name in the traordinary impact on popular from the audience". consider long overdue. American 1980s – comes as the Hall of culture,” saying that as the young- folk rock legend Stevie Nicks Fame increasingly expands its est, she was determined to make Fatima Sana Shaikh graced the became the first woman induct- definition of rock to include the it on my own. “Tonight, your red carpet of an award func- ed twice, having already earned likes of R&B. She joins The Jack- baby sister has made it,” she said, tion recently in the city and Disha Patani's Baaghi 2 smashed brand ambassador of two inter- insights to her routine. The ac- records to become a blockbuster national brands. By the virtue of tress has been soaring the temper- a spot in the rock pantheon as a son 5 and her brother Michael in telling the Hall, “2020, induct made heads turn in the sheer and emerge as one of the highest the actress' popularity, she is the ature on social media by posting member of Fleetwood Mac, dur- the Cleveland-based rock shrine, more women!” British sensation gown soaring the temperature. grossing films of 2018. Baaghi 2 face of varied brands be it in cos- her pictures and sending the fans ing a gala concert at New York’s which has refused to remove the Harry Styles inducted Stevie Fatima donned a sheer white marked Disha Patani's second metics, perfumes, beverages, foot- into a frenzy. After the back to Barclays Center to celebrate the late pop king from its honoured Nicks, whose poetic vocals and embellished white gown blockbuster after the humungous wear, and electronics. Disha Pa- back success of M.S. seven 2019 honorees. Heavy artist list despite pressure. Cit- bewitching stage presence have paired with a metallic silver success of M.S. Dhoni, and is tani is all set for her much antici- Dhoni -An Untold Story and metal group Def Leppard, pop ing Jackson’s “legendary black made her an intergenerational rock belt and accessorized with very special to the actress. About pated release this year with Bhar- Baaghi 2, which raked more than experimentalists Roxy Music girl magic,” pop futurist Janelle legend. She opened the show with rock diamond earring and her film clocking a year Disha said, at, hailing from a small town Ba- 100 crores at the box office, Disha and English psychedelic rock Monae inducted the 52-year-old a performance of Stand Back. pearl- diamond rings. The ac- "Wow, it already has been a year. reilly, actress Disha Patani has Patani will be seen next in Bharat tress amped up the red carpet I am very excited and I am very come a long way in such a short along with Salman Khan and the as she made a stylish entry happy that the film received such span of time. Disha has been recently announced Anees Ba- easily pulling off the look, dur- a great response and love from treating her fans with her boda- zmee's next and Mohit Suri's next ing the course of the event the the audience". Disha is the first cious dance moves and intense Malang. Salman Khan actress was questioned if she Indian celebrity to become the acrobatics and stunts from the (Santa Banta) could even sit in the outfit to starts shooting which Fatima replied " yes, very comfortably" proving to Vicky Kaushal’s Uri is among 10 highest be carrying varied looks with for 'Dabangg 3'! ease. Hindi grossers ever with Rs 244 cr. Here’s Recently, Fatima was seen Bollywood superstar Salman Khan who is attending other award func- gearing up for his next release 'Bharat' in June, tion and the actress looked how it ranks against Aamir, Salman films has now started shooting for his next film, 'Dabangg 3'. Sal- man took to social media and shared a picture from the sets pretty in pink making to the Actor Vicky Kaushal’s Uri: The list of the most stylish best with film's director Prabhdeva. While sharing the picture Surgical Strike, which opened the Salman captioned it as, "Day1.... #dabangg3 @arbaazSkhan dressed celebrities. Fatima box office this year, is now the @PDdancing @Nikhil_Dwivedi". Yesterday Salman shared Sana Shaikh made her big de- 10th highest grossing Hindi film a short video on social media where he can be seen with his but with the record-breaking in history. The film released on brother and producer of Dabangg 3, Arbaaz Khan, and an- film Dangal, in which she was January 11 and had a successful nounced the shooting of the film. Salman wrote, "Back in our essaying the role of wrestler run in theatres for over 10 weeks birthplace for #Dabangg3 shoot @arbaazSkhan". 'Dabangg 3' Geeta Phogat. With just her across India with collections near- is the third installment in 'Dabangg' series. first 2 films, Fatima Sana ing Rs 250 crore at the domestic Shaikh has the opportunity of box office. The film is now among the kind of reach that no other the highest Hindi grossers, a list Mohanlal’s Lucifer collects over Rs 25 crore in opening weekend newcomer got so early on in dominated by Aamir Khan and their career. Fatima Sana Salman Khan -- both have three Actor Mohanlal starrer Malay- day in Kerala. Lucifer, despite Shaikh will be seen sharing the three films each -- while Prabhas’ alam political drama Lucifer, mixed reviews from critics, man- Baahubali 2 is on the top slot with 5. #TigerZindaHai, 6. #Bajran- #Sanju, 4. #PK, 5. #TigerZinda- which released last week, is off aged to witness good growth on screen with Rajkummar Rao in over Rs 500 crore in box office giBhaijaan, 7. #Padmaavat, 8. Hai, 6. #BajrangiBhaijaan, 7. #Pad- Anurag Basu's next for which to a flying start at the box-office. the second and third day as well. collection. Film trade analyst Ta- #Sultan, 9. #Dhoom3, 10. maavat, 8. #Sultan, 9. #Dhoom3, According to reliable trade ex- It collected around Rs 7 crore on the actress finished the first ran Adarsh confirmed the news on #UriTheSurgicalStrike. Note: 10. #UriTheSurgicalStrike. Note: perts, the film has minted over the second day and Rs 6.9 crores schedule in Bhopal and the Twitter. He tweeted, “#Uri emerg- Nett BOC. India biz.” #Uri Nett BOC. India biz. Despite a Rs 25 crore in its opening week- on the third day at the ticket win- recently announced Bhoot es 10th highest grossing *Hindi* emerges 10th highest grossing reduced screen count, Uri contin- end worldwide. According to dows. On directing Mohanlal, Police teaming up with Saif Ali film ever... 1. #Baahubali2 [#Hin- *Hindi* film ever... 1. #Baahu- ued to hold fort amid several new trusted sources, the film collect- Prithviraj Sukumaran had said. Khan. di], 2. #Dangal, 3. #Sanju, 4. #PK, bali2 [#Hindi], 2. #Dangal, 3. releases. ed Rs 6.7 crores on its opening (Santa Banta ) TUESDAY .APRIL 02, 2019 AFGHANISTANTIMES AlfredoMorelosisaliability L awr en ce O k olie's wor ld toRangers,saysformer Celtic title h opes boosted a s D en is defender JackieMcNamara L ebedev is open to figh t Lawrence Okolie has been told that Denis Lebedev is eager for a world title showdown – but the champion hopes to fight in Rus- sia. Unbeaten Okolie has set his sights on challenging for the WBA cruiserweight title after the path was cleared by Oleksandr Usyk, the division's undisputed champion, moving to heavy- weight. Usyk had been ordered to defend his WBA 'super' title against 'regular' holder Lebedev but has instead vacated, leaving an opening for Okolie. "We have heard that Okolie's team are in- terested in fighting Lebedev," said Vadim Kornilov from World of Boxing, his promoters. "I dis- cussed this with Denis and the team and they said they are ready, make the fight happen!" Russia's Lebedev is 13 years older than Okolie, and has had 22 more pro fights. He has held IBF and WBA "With this possibly being be ready to fight Lebedev next," for that fight and if Lebedev ac- gold and holds notable victories Denis' last fight, it would be great Hearn told Sky Sports last week. cepts that fight it could be next. against Enzo Maccarinelli, Roy to put this fight together in Rus- "I've spoken to World of Box- "I think it's much too early for Jones Jr and James Toney. "De- sia as a possible farewell fight for ing, we've made them an offer. Okolie to step up. "But I do think nis is a big champion and has a Denis." Okolie's promoter Eddie Obviously, he's got to accept he can win that fight and I think lot of fans in Russia, he has Hearn is eyeing a summer date in that offer but from our side we when you get an opportunity to fought many big fights and main the UK. "I've got the green light are ready to go for that fight. fight for a world title in one that events in Russia," Kornilov said. from Lawrence who said he would "July is the date I've got in mind you may be a slight favourite.

Former Celtic defender Jackie "I think he has been a bit of a or as manager, or a player, to have McNamara says Alfredo More- liability for them," said Mc- someone like that in your team let Roger Federer England batsman Jason Roy wants los is a liability to Rangers, and Namara. "I know he has scored you down again and again is very that he cost them the Old Firm 29 goals and in certain matches, disappointing." collects fourth game. The striker was shown his he has won them the game - but Rangers boss Steven Gerrard Ashes opportunity this summer fifth red card of the season for these games are massive to keep claimed after the game that his play- Miami Open Jason Roy is determined to force catching Scott Brown with an el- your head. "Some lads don't get ers were antagonised by Brown, his way into England's Test side bow in the first half of Sunday's sent off five times in their career who was also caught up in a con- in time for the Ashes series game at Parkhead, with Celtic go- especially strikers when they frontation with Andy Halliday in crown with against Australia. England face a ing on to win 2-1 and move 13 face that week in week out. You the tunnel after the final whistle. potential selection headache points clear at the top of the Scot- have to handle it, no matter what Alex Rae, who played for Rangers victoryover ahead of the series, which begins tish Premiership. Speaking to Sky level you are at and yesterday he between 2004 and 2006, accused on August 1, with doubts linger- Sports News, McNamara said the cost his team. Brown of "goading" the Rangers ing over the form of current open- Colombia international has to "They galvanised a little bit fans in the lead-up to the incident. John Isner ers Rory Burns and Keaton Jen- handle the big occasion better. when he went off but for a fan, (Sky Sport) nings. Roy's fearless approach at the top of the order has been a key feature of England's recent success in one-day cricket and the Surrey batsman says he is ready to take his opportunity in Test cricket if called upon. "There are people that want me to play, the upcoming World Cup and have a good World Cup and if he people that don't want me to Surrey's director of cricket Alec does that, I reckon his name will play," Roy told Sky Sports Stewart believes Roy could earn be near enough at the top of the News. "I just want to play to himself a spot in the Test squad list to play in that Ashes series." prove it to myself really. To see if he has a strong tournament on England head into the World Cup Roger Federer landed his fourth where I'm at and to see if I can home soil. "He is someone who ranked as the No 1 side in one- Miami Open crown and 101st actually do it. "You never know wants to play Test cricket," said day cricket and Roy insists the career title with a 6-1 6-4 win what is going to happen but I just Stewart. "He is such a talent that hosts will thrive off the pressure against a wounded John Isner on want to put the right stepping I believe can play all forms of of being pre-tournament favou- Sunday. The 37-year-old, who stones in and make sure that I'm the game. "I said two years ago rites. "We're number one in the suffered disappointment losing to selected, that is the first process." that he is good enough to play world and we've got to make sure Dominic Thiem in the final at In- England's immediate focus is on Test match cricket. "He has to that we live.” dian Wells, made up for it at the Hard Rock Stadium venue against the big-serving American to be- come the first repeat champion in 20 ATP tournaments this year. Defending champion Isner Tiger Roll tops69Aintree suffered a heartbreaking end to the final as he struggled to move late in the second set, hampered by pain in his left foot. Miguel Angel hopefulsinGrandNational As it happened in the Miami Open final All the big guns stand their ground in the list of weights. A dozen bale Fly at 10/1 and 11/1 respec- Federer, who was playing in for Saturday's Randox Health horses have officially been taken tively. his 50th Masters 1000 final, Lopez wins Grand National at Aintree, includ- out at the final acceptance stage, Tiger Roll will be bidding to broke Isner three times in a blaz- ing last year's winner Tiger Roll. including Bristol De Mai, Blak- become the first back-to-back win- ing opening set in which he lost Anibale Fly, Tony Martin's lion, Ms Parfois, Abolitionist and ner of the great race since the great just three points on his own serve. Volta a Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up, Sub Lieutenant. Sky Bet, who are Red Rum in 1973 and 1974. But the American fought back in heads the weights for this week- paying five places and Non-Run- Ginger McCain's legendary the second, levelling the set at 3- end's showpiece with Nicky ner No Bet on the National, make chaser went on to regain his Ain- 3 and 4-4 before the pain made it Catalunya as Henderson's Valtor and the Gor- Tiger Roll their 7/2 market lead- tree crown three years later in 1977. difficult for him to continue and don Elliott-trained Tiger Roll next er ahead of Rathvinden and Ani- (Sky Sport) the Swiss maestro soon finished off the job in 63 minutes. "It was a dream start. Maybe I broke too crash mars many times in the first set, I felt like I used too many jokers. I'm M M A: B r a n d on so happy right now, it's great," final stage said Federer. "What a week its been for me. I'm just so happy Astana's stunning start to the G ir t z m a st er s right now. It's unbelievable. I season continued when Colom- played here in 1999 for the first bian Miguel Angel Lopez won the time and here I am in 2019. It Volta a Catalunya on Sunday. S a a d Awa d at means a lot to me." Federer - a Lopez, who snatched the lead by 20-time Grand Slam champion - winning an uphill finish at La Sky), recent winner of Paris- the 2016 Tour de France and third will have to win nine more titles Molina on the fourth stage on Nice, by 17 seconds. It was the a year later. AG2r-La Mondiale to beat Jimmy Connors' all-time Thursday, held off his rivals in Kazakh-funded outfit's 21st rider Bardet, along with fellow B ella t or 2 19 men's record of 109 career titles. the final stage which ended in victory of the season after stage Frenchman Romain Barguil, the Not only is Federer the first Barcelona. The 25-year-old beat wins on Paris-Nice and Tirreno 2017 Tour's best climber, aban- two-time winner on the ATP Tour Briton Adam Yates (Mitchelton- Adriatico as Lopez added to his doned the race. There were no de- this season, he also has the best Scott), who went on the attack Tour of Colombia title. The tails on Bardet's injuries while Bar- record after the first three months on Sunday, by 14 seconds in the stage was marred by a crash in a guil's team Arkea-Samsic said he Daryl Gurney in 2019. A look at his record after overall classification and fellow descent that took down Romain sustained cuts and bruises. triumphsin 20 matches the past three years. Colombian Egan Bernal (Team Bardet, who finished second in (Sky Sport) GermanDarts Loughborough Lightning defeat Saracens Championship Mavericks in Vitality Netball Superleague Daryl Gurney claimed his first European Tour title by defeating Loughborough Lightning contin- ing 67-35 triumph over London Ricky Evans in the final of the ued their winning momentum in Pulse at Ricoh Arena on Sunday. German Darts Championship on the Vitality Netball Superleague "It was a good win for us, this Sunday. Gurney defeated Rob with another comeback win game was all about getting some Cross, Stephen Bunting and Adri- against Saracens Mavericks on belief back in the team," said head an Lewis before edging out Evans Saturday. Mavs were leading 12- coach Mel Mansfield. The win in an exciting decider at Halle 39 in 11 and 25-22 by half-time be- sees Wasps move back to the top Hildesheim. The Northern Irish- fore the home side pulled it back of the table with Manchester man, who won the 2018 Players 40-40 by the end of the third Thunder playing their game in Championship Finals, opened up quarter, setting up a dramatic hand against Strathclyde Sirens on last 10 minutes. Locked at 43- Monday. Latest Vitality Super- Brandon Girtz turned back the pearance since a motorcycle ac- a 5-1 lead in the final but was pegged back by fast-throwing 43, Lightning stepped up a gear league table clock to pick up a thrilling deci- cident that threatened to end his with six minutes on the clock as Two fixtures remain on Mon- sion win over Saad Awad at Bel- career in December 2017. Evans - who won five of the fol- lowing six legs to level. Former Ugandan shooter Mary Chol- day, Team Bath are travelling to lator 219 on Friday. Girtz, who He found a way to defeat hok made Mavs pay with a se- meet Surrey Storm while Thun- returned to action after 12 months Shane Kruchten with an emo- World Grand Prix champion Gur- ney closed out the win, however, ries of vital goals to help Lough- der's clash with Sirens is live on out due to right shoulder recon- tional first-round submission borough to a 54-49 victory in Sky Sports Mix and Action from struction, went toe-to-toe with win. with finishes of 46 and 96 to add a European Tour triumph to his two the end. In the day's other game, 7.15pm and will be streamed on Awad for three full rounds before Is this really the end, Severn Stars staged an incredi- the Sky Sports YouTube channel. being given the unanimous deci- McGregor? televised titles and a Players Cham- pionship success. The win moves ble comeback of their own in the Thunder went into the week- sion at the Pechanga Resort Casi- Andrey Koreshkov picked final quarter to win 53-52 in a end at the top of the Superleague no, Temecula, California. Former up a decision win over Mike Jas- Gurney up to a career-high third on the PDC Order of Merit, and nail-biter against Celtic Dragons. table while Sirens are going in Bellator featherweight champion per, while Joe Schilling got the Wasps Netball returned to search of their third win of the Daniel Straus made his first ap- decision over Keith Berry. saw the emotional Northern Irish ace break down in tears. winning ways with a convinc- Superleague season. TUESDAY . APRIL 02.2019 -Hamal 13, 1398 H.S Vol:XI Issue No:240 Price: Afs.20

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AT News Report

KABUL: President Ashraf Ghani assured journalists that any government officials who treat them violently would be introduced to judiciary to punish them. “Information has now entered every sector of economy and society. Economy and society are unable to move on without the help of information,” the president said on Monday among a number of reporters gathered to celebrate the National Reporters’ Day. Ghani spoke about new relations “between government and media”, that he said indicates coordination and empowering of journalist support fund would be 2018 and 2019, instructing commission to clarify obstacles.... democracy. He added that the financed from the budgets of government and media joint

AT News Report AT News Report KABUL: Afghan National Security Advisor... KABUL: Nearly 13 acres of lands have wiped out of opium cultivation by the security forces in Koot district of eastern Nangarhar province. Koot’s chief district NajeebullahRahmani said production of opium have come AT News Report to zero level after these lands cleared from opium. He said the AT News Report Jinsongmet with Acting Minister KABUL: At least 15 Daesh security forces have destroyed Hasina Safi and Deputy Miniter these opium forms before, ... fighters have been killed in ... KABUL: A team of Chinses Mohammad RasuBawary at.... diplomats and Ambassador Liu