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AT News Report

MoD authorizes AT News Report : The Hezb-i-Islami Af- troops to ramp up ghanistan (HIA), led by Gulbud- din Hekmatyar, had nodded to night raids participate in the four-nation bro- Defense Minister Masoom Stani- kered Afghan peace talks, likely to kzai has issued an order authoriz- ing Afghan security forces to in- be held in , the group said crease the number of night raids in a media statement on Sunday. against homes of suspected Tali- The Quadrilateral Coordina- ban insurgents and other militants. tion Group (QCG), comprising of Stanikzai also asked Afghan KABUL: Scores of Afghan sena- the ‘treacherous policy’ of Paki- , Pakistan, the United forces to take firm action against tors on Sunday alleged Pakistan of stan, he said that Pakistani flags States and China, had held its fourth border violations and to defend the playing double game with Afghan- were hosted in some parts of Hel- meeting in Kabul on February 23, nation against threats without hes- istan, and urged to stop mand. itation. interfering into internal affairs of Gulalay Akbari, a senator from where the four countries called on The minister's remarks come the and other insurgent the country. Badakhshan, said that the Taliban just days after reports surfaced Criticizing Pakistan for the insurgents extorting money from groups to join the Afghan-owned that Afghanistan's eastern border and Afghan-led peace and recon- regions have once again come un- cross Durand-Line attacks in Ku- the people. Expressing deep con- ciliation process. Although the der rocket attack from outside the nar and Nangarhar, the senators cern over growing insecurity in the Taliban rejected to participate in country. said that due to its insincerity and province, Akbari said that the Tal- The move also comes as Tali- dual policy, Pakistan had lost its iban insurgents asked people to the peace talks, but HIA showed ban forces continue to pose major its readiness to become part of rec- reputation before Afghanistan and join them. “If anyone rejects to join challenges to embattled Afghan the international community. them (Taliban), they demand Afs onciliation process. “By joining National Security Forces (ANSF) the peace talks we want to show in various regions of the country, In ’s session (Sunday) 50,000 on monthly basis from that to the nation that we believe in in their bid to gain territory and they said that Pakistan was mak- person,” Akbari added. peace,” HIA said in the statement, Following peace talks, Presi- United States of America added or posed serious risks of commit- strategic towns. ing promises to help Afghanistan The former minister of interi- however, it added that the United dent also called on two members of the Hezb-i-Isla- ting, acts of terrorism that threat- Following the end of the U.S in its peace and reconciliation pro- or on combat mission in Afghanistan, the cess, but at the same time it re- Saturday blamed Pakistan for sab- States and its allies wanted to con- the HIA to join peace talks and mi Afghanistan, Abdullah Nowba- en the security of the U.S. nation- security situation has sharply de- tinue the war. “The US see its in- showed government’s readiness to har and Abdul Saboor, in the list of als or the national security, foreign cruits, trains and equips the mili- otaging the Afghan peace process teriorated on the back of intensi- tants. and said that Islamabad never terests in war in Afghanistan,” it hold talks with all militant outfits global terrorists. “We criticize the policy, or economy of the United fied attacks by the Taliban against added According to the statement including HIA. Despite the fact decision of the United States for States,” the US State Department Afghan forces. The sharp increase The senators also expressed wanted to stop interference into the US is still keen on fighting and that the Taliban rejected to partic- adding two members of this group said in a statement. The statement has shown no signs of abating. concerns over fragile security sit- Afghanistan’s internal affairs. But wants to see more bloodshed. ipate in peace talks brokered by to the list of global terrorists,” HIA added that as a result of “these "Presently the question is why uation in the country. They said this is what Pakistan always de- are these wars fought in Zabul and that the Taliban insurgents were nied, he said, referring to Pakistan’s Moreover, the statement added four-nation talks, the government said in the statement. The State designations”, all properties sub- Shindand and Badghis where only that some circles within the gov- is still looking how to bring the Department has designated Abdul- jected to the US jurisdiction in controlling most areas of the Hel- interference. “Pakistan making Afghan civilians are killed. What mand province. efforts to pursue its strategic ob- ernment see the peace initiative as group to the table of talks as some lah Nowbahar and Abdul Saboor which Abdullah Nowbahar and are the intentions behind these a threat to their privileges that they Afghan officials believe that Tali- as Special Designated Global Ter- Abdul Saboor had any interest was wars? If these wars are aimed at Senator Hashem Alkozai said jectives by interfering into the in- are receiving from foreign states. ban’s peace talks rejection was a rorists (SDGTs) under second 1(b) blocked and the US nationals were seizing power or fighting for the that Taliban were controlling 75 ternal affairs of Afghanistan and After the Taliban, the HIA is tactical step. The group’s call to of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, prohibited from engaging in any slavery of others, then it must be percent of Helmand province while sabotaging the peace drive,” said the second largest militant group kept in mind that the people of the rest is controlled by the gov- Daudzai, who is also a member of participate in the peace talks is which imposes sanctions on for- transactions with Nowbahar and Afghanistan are fully aware of in the country. taking place at a time when the eign persons that have committed, Saboor. ernment. Criticizing the govern- the Council for Protection and Sta- these conspiracies," said Stanikzai. ment for not paying much heed to bility in Afghanistan. Alleged fraud in deputy speaker’s election being probed 26 MILITANTS KILLED IN AFGHAN FORCES KABUL: The Wolesi Jirga (WJ) on Sunday tasked a delegation 1st polio case of AIR AND GROUND OPERATIONS: MOD with probing lawmaker Hamidzai An Afghan Air Force aerial gunner communicates with the pilot of an Mi-17, owned and operated by the Lalai’s claim regarding fraud in the 2016 detected in Air Wing, before an engine run-up at Kandahar Airfield, March 2, 2016. Members of the AAF election of first deputy speaker. work closely with Train Advise Assist Command – Air, a U.S.-run functional command, that assists our Zahir Qadir, former first dep- Kunar’s Shegal Afghan partners to develop a professional, capable and sustainable force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. uty speaker of Wolesi Jirga (lower district Robert Cloys) At least 26 anti-gov- house of parliament), was re-elect- ernment armed militants were ed to the position on Saturday. ASADABAD: A new polio case killed in the air and ground opera- Earlier, Abdul Rauf Inami, a has surfaced in the Shegal dis- tions of the Afghan national secu- lawmaker from Badakhshan prov- trict of eastern Kunar province, rity forces in the past 24 hours. ince, was elected as secretary to the public health director said The Ministry of Defense (MoD) Wolesi Jirga and Erfanullah Erfan on Sunday. said the operations were conduct- as deputy secretary. Dr. Ihsanullah Fazli told Pa- ed in the various parts of the coun- In three rounds of voting, Qa- jhwok Afghan News an 18- try, involving securit personnel dir, Mirwais Yasini, Abdul Hafiz month-old baby had caught the from different security institutions, Mansoor and Abdul Qadir Zazai, poliovirus in the Shultan valley including the Afghan Air Force. Humayoon Humayoon and Zakria of the district. According to an operational update Zakriaran for the first deputy He said anti-polio cam- by MoD, at least 12 of the mili- speaker, but none could reach the paigns faced hurdles in the eight tants were killed in air and ground 50+1 threshold. districts of the province, where offensive in Shindand district of On Saturday, Hamidzai Lalai some 8,500 children were de- Herat province and 7 others were and Saleh Mohammad Saljuqi ran prived of being administered polio drops. wounded. MoD further added that for the position. But both Lalai (89 6 militants were killed during the votes) and Saljuqi (68) fell short Fazli said it was the first polio case discovered in Afghan- clearance operations in Nad-e-Ali of the target. As many as 193 MPs district of southern Helmand prov- took part in voting. istan in 2016. Governor Wahidullah Kal- ince. At least 7 militants were killed during a seprate operation in Charchino district of Uruzgan province, After the MoD said, adding that several villages were cleared of the militants during the ongoing operations in Dand- KABUL: First Lady Rula Ghani continued to persist. She said 705 imzai said they had held meet- candidates’consecutive failures to ings with religious scholars and e-Ghori and Dand-e-Shahabuddin in Baghlan province. MoD also added that various types of weapons, win, re-election takes place be- on Sunday expressed her concern cases of violence against women ammunition and explosives were seized after an explosives cache was seized from the residence of a over the increasing violence against took place during the past one year tribal elders on voluntary admin- tween the two top vote-getters in istration of polio drops. Taliban commander in Dand-e-Ghori and Dand-e-Shabauddin where 7 safe havens of the militants were accordance with the house’s inter- women and said street harassment across in the country and 536 of destroyed. A Taliban commander identified as Rohani was also killed during an operation in Nejrab district of women was unacceptable and the cases had been referred to at- He pledged to eradicate the nal procedures. poliovirus from the province of Kapisa province and two of his companions were wounded, MoD added. Humayoon, who had obtained people should change their minds. torney and the rest of others un- While talking about the Inter- der police investigation. soon. The anti-government armed militant groups have not commented regarding the operations so far. 99 votes and Qadir 93 in the pre- national Women’s Day at the Min- vious round, vied for the first dep- istry of Interior, Rula Ghani said uty speaker’s position which went women in uniform particularly in projects. Chief Executive Officer boost the agriculture sector of the gime. The Indian cabinet last year to Qadir, who bagged 138 votes the police force, had played a spe- said the country which is largely dependent approved the reconstruction and against his rival. cial role in stability of the country. projects should be started with- on foreign exports. completion of Salma dam at a re- But Hamidzai Lalai, during She said policewomen should out any delay, noting the prioriti- The International Community vised cost of INR 1,775.69 crore Sunday’s session, claimed fraud in also play their role in preventing zation of the projects in consider- has played a vital role in the re- which is equivalent to around the race between his and Saljuqi. violence against women. ation with the available resources. construction of key infrastructure $268,050,296. Erfanullah Erfan, deputy secretary, Calling violence against the This comes President Ghani projects in the country in the last Built on Harirod river, the dam counted blank ballots in favour of gender a matter of great concern, said last month that the govern- one decade, with the United States is expected to produce 42 mega- Saljuqi, he alleged. she said women were always ha- ment is expected to start work on and India, playing a key role in re- watt of electricity and will irrigate He said the number of Wolesi rassed by men on the streets. Af- the construction of 21 water dams construction of dams in the coun- around 75,000 hectares of agricul- Jirga members present on Satur- ghan forces should maintain secu- in the near future amid efforts to try since the fall of the Taliban re- tural land. day was put at 209. But in fact, he rity on streets and prevent such harassment, she said. “Women’s President Mohammad Ashraf President Ghani said neces- added, 210 lawmakers were harassment should be stopped, it Ghani has said work on key infra- sary measures will be put in place present. Lalai maintained he was is unacceptable to us, people structure projects including con- for the start of key infrastructure one of the top two candidates to should change their mind about struction of water dams will start projects, considering a balance and run for the fourth round of elec- women because women are not in accordance with the available the available resources. tions for the first deputy speaker. enemies of men, they are your resources. The Ministry of Finance was He asked the administrative board spouses, mothers, sisters and During a meeting of the Na- given the task to take necessary to investigate the issue. daughters,” she said. MoI gender tional Procurement Commission steps for the arrangement of funds On the other hand, Erfan de- and human rights director Brig. (NPC), President Ghani reviewed for the said projects while the nied any fraud, saying if the charge Gen. Hekmat Shahi said despite a report by the Ministry of Ener- Ministry of Energy and Water was was proved, he would resign from the women’s day being celebrated gy and Water regarding the con- instructed to seek ways in attract- his position besides quitting his every year and government’s prom- struction of 29 large, medium and ing private sector investments as Wolesi Jirga membership. ise to improve women’s living con- small water dams. well for the implementation of the ditions, violence against females This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. MONDAY. MARCH 14, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

A murky security operation on reports from the Afghan govern- Afghanistan. there. However, the Russian mili- trict of [Tajikistan's] Khatlon re- sion to reduce troops in Tajikistan, [as large a] force as it was previ- Tajikistan's border with Afghani- ment, the [Tajik] national security "After the fall of Kunduz, the tary declared at the end of January gion." The article said that Afghan Abdullo put forward the idea that ously in Tajikistan." Instead of stan on March 5 brought attention [committee] for the border said it Afghan government now has a cen- that it would reduce the number of government forces could not retake the move has more to do with Rus- keeping substantial troop numbers briefly back to an area that for near- was a group of Taliban." tral command for what they call troops in Tajikistan. This news the Darqad district from the Tali- sia's experience in Syria. "It was there, Abdullo suggested that Rus- ly 25 years has rarely seen an en- Mudaqiq spoke with a jour- the northeastern zone -- both the came after the 201st withdrew last ban because "it is guarded with possible for them in a very limited sia might simply maintain bases tire week pass without some sort nalist in Kunduz on March 9 who police of the Pamir command and year from Kulob -- one of its three Russian weapons, and this prov- time to bring a lot of forces from and that men and materiel could be of incident taking place. said the border incident on March the Afghan military's 20th Divi- bases in Tajikistan and the base ince will remain the point of Rus- Russia to the main [Syrian] air- quickly transported to these loca- The reported firefight between 5 started "when [Tajik] govern- sion [are] now based in Kunduz," closest to the Afghan border. sia's link with the Taliban." base," Abdullo said, adding that tions if required -- at "the request Tajikistan's security forces and an ment forces pushed the Taliban to he said. "Both of these military The announcement about Speaking about Russia's deci- "maybe they will not need to keep of Tajikistan." rferl armed group from Afghanistan that the bank of the Amu River (Amu- entities are in charge of the whole troop reductions also came after left a Tajik border guard and one of Darya) [where] there are some area from Badakhshan to Kun- Russia's ambassador to Afghani- the Afghan combatants dead comes small islands which are disputed… duz." Russian Troop Reductions stan confirmed late last year that as the situation on both sides of Some Taliban, fearing the govern- At the same time, Russia, Russian officials met several times the frontier is changing -- and as ment's heavy artillery and tank fire, which has in recent years frequent- during the summer of 2015 at the warmer spring weather heralds the fled to [a] small island, and the Tajik ly voiced concern about security Kulob base with Taliban represen- likely start of increased hostilities border guards from the other side along Tajikistan's border with Af- tatives from northern Afghanistan. in areas of northeastern Afghani- saw [them] and then a helicopter ghanistan, seems to be taking less A December 29 article from the stan that border Tajikistan. gunship came and bombarded the of an interest in events there. independent Tajik news agency There is a lot in play at the area." The Russian 201st Division Asia-Plus identified one of the moment along Tajikistan's frontier Whether this armed group con- has remained stationed in Tajiki- Taliban officials at the Kulob meet- with Afghanistan's border provinc- sisted of drug traffickers or mili- stan since the 1991 collapse of the ings as Qari Dinmuhammad Hanif, es of Badakhshan, Takhar, and tants remains unclear. It was sug- U.S.S.R. and, as recently as late a commander who controls the Kunduz. gested that they could be both and 2015, Russian military officials Darqad district in Takhar Province, Some of the processes under- Mudaqiq said that, at the very spoke about augmenting its forces "which borders on the Farkhor dis- way might lead to a further deteri- least, "drug traffickers are always oration in the security situation escorted by the Taliban; they pre- along this almost perpetually un- pare the security and the drug traf- quiet border. However, the Afghan fickers move on in this area." Dispatches: Afghanistan torture video highlights impunity government's renewed attention The topic of cooperation be- might help government forces gain tween Tajik and Afghan security The Afghan government has strug- “no progress on accountability for hind a police vehicle. In Afghani- ues to rely almost entirely on con- har police in 2011, brutality by better control over the area. forces came up and --while it was gled to explain an incident of po- alleged torture and ill-treatment” stan, torture is widely seen as the fessions to obtain a conviction. police has spiked. Over the past This week, RFE/RL's Turkmen agreed that collaboration is better lice torture documented in a video security forces. most effective way to get a con- The fact that the incident took two years, dozens of Kandahari Service, known locally as Azatlyk, it than it was five or 10 years ago - circulated this week on social me- According to one report, Kan- fession. Although the Afghan Pe- place in Kandahar is no surprise. residents have been tortured to assembled a Majlis, or discussion - it was also agreed that there is dia. dahar police involved in the tor- nal Code criminalizes torture, and A UN report released in February death by the province’s police. panel, to assess what happened much which can still be done. Screenshot of a video appar- ture appear to be trying to coerce prohibits the use of coerced con- 2015 noted that 58 percent of de- In a January 7, 2015 letter to along the Tajik-Afghan frontier on Abdullo mentioned that the ently showing Afghan police in Human Rights Watch, President March 5 and, more importantly, Tajik side has difficulties knowing Kandahar abusing a detainee. Ashraf Ghani pledged “the Afghan to talk about what is changing along whom to contact on the Afghan The two-minute video, filmed government will not tolerate tor- either side of the border. side of the border when a problem on a smart phone, shows police ture.” Ghani added that his gov- Azatlyk director Muhammad erupts. "There are a lot of field dragging a suspect behind a truck, ernment’s “commitment to human Tahir moderated the panel. Partic- commanders," he said. "When ev- and then beating and biting him. rights and rule of law is strong and ipating from Dushanbe was Rash- erybody who can gather around As it went viral this week, Afghan we are serious in addressing the id Ghani Adbullo, an independent himself 10, 20, or 50 persons con- officials have tried to contain the allegations of torture in our securi- political analyst, while Amin siders himself a source of law, it's damage, while vowing those re- ty sector.” Although Ghani fol- Mudaqiq, the director of RFE/RL's very difficult for [information] to sponsible would be punished. lowed up on that pledge in Janu- Pakistani service, known locally as be exchanged." A Kandahar police spokesman ary 2016 by launching a national Mashaal, joined in from a studio According to Mudaqiq, during said that two of its personnel were action plan to eliminate torture, in Prague where I was also in at- this recent occurrence along the prosecuted and are currently be- progress on finalizing both anti- tendance. Although I wanted to border, "Afghan forces were com- hind bars for their role in the inci- torture policy and legislation has By Mansoor Faizy hear what our guests said, I threw plaining in Takhar that, in this par- dent. The Ministry subsequently stalled. In the absence of any mean- in a few comments of my own as ticular incident, they had already issued a statement concurring with ingful deterrent, Afghan security well. informed the Tajik side but they that account. No further details forces continue to engage in the Traffickers Or Militants? [the Tajik authorities] didn't take have been forthcoming. Prosecu- systematic use of torture. The discussion started with it seriously." tion and imprisonment of Afghan Ghani should launch a thor- the recent incident along the bor- Afghan forces now seem to be security forces personnel implicat- ough probe into the Kandahar tor- der. There have been several ver- genuinely paying more attention ed in torture would be a first. Ac- ture incident to ensure that those sions of what happened. Accord- to the situation in the northeast- cording to the As- responsible are actually punished. ing to Abdullo, "the first report ern part of the country. sistance Mission in Afghanistan, The Kandahar torture video gives was done by Tajik border guards. Mudaqiq noted that, after the while there is increased awareness Ghani the chance to show wheth- They say that there was a group Taliban briefly captured Kunduz of human rights standards among er his stated commitment to end- of traffickers and the border guards city in late September last year, Afghan National Police (ANP) and a confession from the suspect, fessions in court, judges almost tainees interviewed in Kandahar ing impunity for torture is govern- clashed with them." Nonetheless, the Afghan government restruc- National Directorate of Security shouting “Now do you admit it?” never reject such evidence. Indeed, had been tortured. Since Gen. ment policy—or just more rheto- Abdullo later added that "based on tured its forces in northeastern (NDS) personnel, there has been as they prepare to drag him be- the criminal justice system contin- Raziq took charge of the Kanda- ric. HRW World T20: Let's root for more upsets from Afghanistan, the romance that cricket needs but doesn’t deserve Stories of Afghanistan’s rise from the lowest rung of the internation- al cricket have been told time and time again. And it is a story is good enough to be retold a thousand times. The fact that these men learnt the game in refugee camps on the Pakistan-Afghanistan bor- der has been much discussed. It is a great story, but no longer the only story. This is a very good cricket team, plain and simple. Afghani- stan are currently ranked ninth in the ICC T20 rankings, above Test nations Bangladesh and Zimbabwe and it isn’t an exaggeration to say that they would be placed higher had they had more fixtures against higher-ranked teams. The Afghans have made it to the main draw of the World T20 and they deserve their berth. They beat Zimbabwe to qual- ify for the tournament proper and it wasn’t a surprise. This was the fifth time that the two teams met in T20 Internationals and fifth time that Afghanistan have emerged vic- his bowling prowess, his batting World T20: Oman's stunning The fast bowler torious. Afghan players have be- is also a calming influence and he win over Ireland is a real demon- Hamid Hassan, come world class performers, al- can dig his side out of trouble if stration of their self-belief whose knees have beit with varying levels of consis- the top order fails. Nabi’s 52 Sri Lanka have been struggling been repaired more tency. against Zimbabwe in Saturday’s of late and are ripe for the picking; times than he would Asghar Stanikzai celebrates final qualifying match in Nagpur England’s brilliant but inconsistent care to remember, Afghanistan's victory against Zim- did just that. batting could struggle against the sunk to the ground babwe in the World T20 qualifier The Afghanistan top order is Afghan spin; the West Indies are overwhelmed by in Nagpur on Saturday. PTI-AP- brilliantly exciting and excitingly missing many of their best play- joy. After Afghani- Captain Asghar Stanikzai cele- inconsistent. The undoubted star ers and South Africa have a histo- stan were reprieved brates Afghanistan's victory is Mohammad Shahzad who keeps ry of underperforming at ICC by rain in a crucial against Zimbabwe in the World the wicket and opens the batting. events. A win in the Super 10 game with the Cay- T20 qualifier in Nagpur on Satur- In the past he has swung so hard would be massive for Afghan crick- man Islands in day. PTI-AP that he has found it difficult to stay et and anyone with an ounce of 2009, Hassan gave You begin performing some- on his feet, and he would still rath- romanticism in their heart will be Afghan cricket's de- where close to your best when you er hit a six and play out five dots hoping for at least one. finitive quote. "I play regularly against the best than try and look for six singles, More than anything else, Af- have seen people teams. For Afghanistan there is but he has become better at rotat- ghanistan have done a fine job at die and I have not some hope that they will now get ing the strike. once again highlighting the ridicu- shed a tear," he said. more bilateral fixtures against Full Shahzad has the ability to re- lous way this tournament is struc- "But there is some- Member oppositions as they have ally embarrass the opening bowlers tured by winning all three of their thing about cricket been moved from the World Cricket of West Indies, England and Sri matches and beating the Full that gets me here League structure and placed on the Lanka in the Super 10s. The extra Member team in their group. This [pointing to his ODI rankings list but they still get pace of Dale Steyn when they face format is an Ersatz version of a heart]. Cricket is our nowhere near the number of fix- South Africa may present him with World Cup, and once again the chance." tures that the lower-ranked Full more difficulties though. Associate nations have proved Nabi is a rather Members get and a tiny fraction Afghanistan may not win an- that. In between global events, as- less demonstrative of the games the Big 3 of India, other game in this event but they sociate teams struggle for cover- sort. His joy Australia and England play. are more than capable of pulling age, often their tournaments have seemed relatively The team itself is an interest- off an upset if they can get every- just one journalist in attendance, understated, but it ing mix. The seam bowling is well one firing. sometimes none at all. Cricket re- was no less great for stocked with Hamid Hassan’s back ALSO SEE wards them by making it abundant- that. On Twitter he of length seamers at a decent pace World T20 qualifiers: Nabi is ly clear they are a side show. Hav- declared: "You can't and the more bustling quick stuff the hero as Afghanistan decimate ing qualified for this event playing measure how ecstat- Pak rupee use devaluating afghani in Nangarhar of Dawlat Zadran. But in India, Zimbabwe to storm into Super 10 each other, they must re-qualify ic we are!" For a few the spin bowling will prove to be round playing amongst themselves. It is weeks at least, Af- (Pajhwok): Shopkeepers and economic experts in eastern say using Pakistani currency more decisive, especially as pitch- World T20 qualifiers: Nabi is no surprise that a few days of de- ghanistan will now to do business has eroded people’s trust in the afghani. After Dr. Najibullah’s government was toppled, the Pakistani es get more worn as the tourna- the hero as Afghanistan decimate cent coverage and there is uproar be part of cricket's currency started circulating in a number of provinces including Nangarhar. Former president appointed ment progresses. Zimbabwe to storm into Super 10 about the way cricket behaves to- elite 10. Sri Lanka, round wards emerging teams. South Africa, En- regional commissions to counter the use of rupee and pave the ground for the afghani, but this strategy did not succeed. Afghanistan have the unusual Abdul Wakeel, a money-changer at the money market in Jalalabad, the provincial capital, told Pajhwok Afghan News round-arm leg-breaks of 17-year- ICC World T20: Bowling a Afghanistan are a team of ref- gland and the West old Rashid Khan and the more or- veritable weak spot but a rejuve- ugees that have risen quickly and Indies lie in wait in that 95 percent people in Nangarhar used the Pakistani currency. thodox leggies of Samiullah Shen- nated England have the license to now compete at the highest level. the Super 10s. “Many people and government officials come to us to convert their salaries in afghanis into rupees. But a few persons wari in the spin department. There dream In any other sport it would be a Each will disre- come to do the opposite.” Ahmad Shah, a resident of Batikot district, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “I just received my is also the ever-impressive former ICC World T20: Bowling a marketing dream and the rights gard Afghanistan at salary and want it to convert into rupees. Buying goods in afghanis has a great loss because shopkeepers sell them at double captain Mohammad Nabi. His veritable weak spot but a rejuve- sold for a Hollywood movie, in their peril. A jour- rate.” He said government servants were paid salaries in the afghanis which if used to buy goods had a great loss. He said wily off breaks often get batsmen nated England have the license to cricket they are treated like rowdy ney that begun in the government should take serious measures and set out a grace period after which no one should be allowed to sell or buy into trouble. dream children forced to sit at the kiddie the refugee camps of World T20: Oman's stunning table at a family event. Afghani- 31 years goods in the Pakistani currency. “The president should give a week-long grace period to the provincial administration and Nabi isn’t a big turner of the force it into banning the use of the Pakistani currency. Creating awareness in this regard will not work, a tough stance is ball but has the ability to get it to win over Ireland is a real demon- stan are the men cricket needs, but ago is not done just dip late on batsmen. Along with stration of their self-belief not ones that cricket deserves. yet. required.” This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. MONDAY. MARCH 14, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES National youth strategy drafted AT News Report KABUL: The government drafted jobs would be created in the next “We are working with minis- the ‘national strategy’ for the five years.” try of interior to identify and ar- youth, an effort apparently to pro- He claimed that the strategy rest those smugglers who smuggle vide life facilities and job oppor- would pave the ground for youth’s the youth to European countries,” tunities as well as to prevent the development, adding that the draft Sadat highlighted. youth’s escape from the country. would be presented to the cabi- Dr. Bannet, representative of Deputy culture minister Ka- net’s meeting next week for ap- the United Nations’ Population mal Sadat who is in charge of the proval. Fund (UNFPA) said that the UN- youth affairs hopes the strategy “The strategy will encourage FPA would continue supporting would change the youth’s person- donors to support the youth the action plan of the strategy. al and social lives. through the government,” he add- “The strategy will clarify the “Lack of a national strategy has ed. way for donors to provide sup- created many challenges for the Thousands of youth have left port youth and will pave the ground AT Feature Report youth,” Sadat said Sunday. the country since 2014 due to in- for investment over them.” “Government administrations security and lack of job. Currently “I have studied NYS, it is a KABUL: Afghan women are test- aware of the sort of challenges they one that can only be changed have no clear strategy for the youth thousands of them are seeking jobs comprehensive strategy which in- ing their mettle in every field. are dealing with on daily basis - through a collaborative effort be- and their efforts are not effective in the government. cludes employment, health, sport, Their participation in the govern- whether that’s to do with securi- tween the Afghan state, civil soci- in improvement of the youth af- Lack of a national youth strat- education and peace and security ment and public institutions is cru- ty, domestic and family restric- ety, non-state actors, internation- EMERGENCY fairs.” egy, existence of corruption and is the important key issue,” he cial for development of the coun- tions; or the attitudes of their fel- al community and women them- CALLS He said the five-year strategy engagement of persons based on mentioned. try. Unfortunately, wings of many low country men and women to selves. Having a low female litera- would focus on employment, nepotism are the main factors for Deputy of youth affairs said women and girls are clipped by their profession or the expecta- cy rate, low female work force, high sports, healthcare, education and immigrations of youth to the Eu- that for implementation of the NYS taboos and gender discrimination. tions the society places on them. rate of abuse and other discrimina- Police national solidarity. ropean countries. According to fig- it requires six million dollars and Sana Safi, a producer and lead I’m not comfortable with the idea tion is costing Afghanistan a great “We hope that by implemen- ures, youth make up 66 percent of asked international donors to sup- presenter for the new daily BBC of dividing professions on gender deal. Imagine if the literacy rate of 100 - 119 tation of the strategy, one million the population. port the strategy. TV news program “Naray bases. History, evidence, studies Afghan women was the same as Da Wakht” is among those Afghan and experiences – all have shown men, if women could take jobs and women who are present soft im- that women are equally capable to be financially independent, and Hospitals age of the country. be amazing journalists and to be were even more active and visible Sana joined BBC World Ser- successful in the media industry. in the public sphere… the effect vice – of which BBC Pashto is part How can we encourage Afghan on the whole modernization of Af- FMIC Hospital – in 2006 as a field reporter in the women to join media outlets and ghanistan would have been far Behind Kabul Medical eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad. highlight their problems? greater. University: As presenter of the BBC Pashto This process has to start from How women like you can TV news program, Sana was the families/fathers and mothers by show bright and modern image of 0202500200-+93793275595 first broadcast journalist to inter- not just sending their daughters/ Afghan women to the world? view Afghanistan’s First Lady, Rula female members of the family to On programs such as BBC Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital Ghani, after her husband, Ashraf school but helping them get the Naway da Wakht – and in fact Ghani, took office in 2014. necessary qualifications and skills across the BBC Pashto output – Pule Bagh-e- Umomi Following is a transcript of required in the media industry. In we aim to show the other sides of 070263672 Sana Safi’s interview with Afghan- fact, this support begins with [as Afghanistan that are not too visi- istan Times. well as] allowing them to have a ble or not too obvious. Some is- How it feels working as a jour- voice and a say in the family. In sues to do with women are among Khairkhana Hospital nalist? order to have the confidence to them. It feels absolutely fantastic to choose the right career for them- According to you what is the 0799-321007 be working in a constantly chang- selves, daughters need the encour- major problem that prevents wom- 2401352 ing and evolving sector, especially agement and support of families. en in Afghanistan from become in- now when the world is at every- The entire society has a role to play dependent, both economically and one’s fingertip with instant access- to encourage women to join a field politically. es to literally everything one that is still extremely challenging, I believe the number one issue Indira Gandhi Children needs. However, the responsibil- especially in a country such as is education: education for every- Hospital, Wazir Akbar ity is not to be underestimated. Afghanistan where traditional one but female education, in par- How you handle pressure norms are still very dominant. ticular, is vital to their financial and Khan, Kabul 2301372 Ghazni police chief warns when meeting tight deadlines? How media can empower social independence as well as their In my opinion, there is no such women when women do not want political inclusion. When it comes thing as a “tight deadline” if you to join media organizations? to reaching out to women and their Ibn-e- Seena have the necessary skills to plan I think media can and should role in the society, I believe, only Pul-e-Artan, Kabul to resign over cut in force and execute any given task. Pres- empower women – it doesn’t mat- mass education can bridge the gap sure can be an issue, and how you ter if she is a housewife or a pro- between rural and urban Afghani- 2100359 By Mansoor Faizy deal with it also affects the team fessional. This can be done by cre- stan. KABUL: Tired of the cold-shoul- of the province is controlled by manders, he said that he is serving around you to some extent. We at ating a more diverse content which What you will suggest to in- der response, the police chief of the Taliban from where they go to the country for past 15 years but BBC Naray Da Wakht work as a can equally appeal to women, high- crease participation of women in Wazir Akbar Khan restive Ghazni province, who Pakistan and get support. The au- his suggestions are ignored. team where every member has a lighting the issues that females deal private and public sectors? Hospital served the country for 15 years, thorities have failed to retake the He said that public had given task - but we also help each other with; or by having women as ex- Targeted state-led programs has decided to render resignation district from the militant group in mandate to the government to pro- out when one is under pressure. perts on programs rather than por- across the country not just for 2301741, 2301743 if the Ministry of Interior (MoI) the past decade. tect them, but the interior minis- The aim of our entire team is to traying them as “victims” who women but, very importantly, to failed to overcome the security Amarkhel told Afghanistan try is not taking its responsibility provide a great product for our need saving/protecting. men too, to change attitudes, in- Ali Abad vacuum by increasing numbers of Times that Andar district of the serious in this regard. Amarkher audience so when we find our- Being an Afghan, many peo- crease awareness and promote co- selves in a stressful situation, each ple will ask you about women’s hesion. policemen in insecure areas. province and some other areas stressed that if the government one of us would step in and con- rights violations back in your home How you represent Afghan Shahrara, Kabul Talking to Afghanistan Times, were likely to fall to the militants failed to address the problem he tribute as much as we can rather country (Afghanistan). How you women in international forums or 2100439 Brig. Gen. AminullahAmarkhel due to cut in the force size. Criti- would have no other option but to than allowing one person to deal answer such questions? gatherings? Afghan women are said that security threats were im- cizing the government and refer- resign as security threats have with it by his/herself - until the I’m asked this question quite some of the strongest, resource- mense but the central government ring to experience of field com- grown. job is done. a lot and it is understandable why. ful, creative, and bravest women I Malalai Maternity was not paying heed. He added We see a few female journal- As someone who was born in Af- know - and that is a side of them that the interior ministry had cut ists in Afghanistan. Some think this ghanistan, spent the first 18 years that I want the world to be aware Hospital the size of police force in volatile field is not for women. What is of my life there, including under of. They have NEVER been and 2201377/ 2301743 areas of the province and reduced Afghanistan your viewpoint in this regard? the civil war and the Taliban and are NOT passive individuals. battalions to small units. I’m constantly in touch with has sisters living there now, my They are really important mem- “The interior ministry brought people in Afghanistan, particular- response has always been that it bers of their families, communities Banks policemen numbers down to ly, female journalists, and I’m very is a bitter reality of our country, and society as a whole. shocking levels in these areas. I show aims to fix Da Afghanistan Bank have requested the central govern- ment times and again to plug the 2100302, 2100303 loopholes and strengthen the po- city problems lice force for sustainable security. Bakhtar Bank Unfortunately, I am not getting any positive response,” Amarkhel All around Afghanistan, morning cerns in Afghanistan, like security, 0776777000 said. drive time mean it's time for the like terrorism, like corruption? Azizi Bank Responding to a query, he said popular radio call-in show "Safay How much do you think that nepotism and favoritism has Shaher," or "Cleaning Your City." you can have? 0799 700900 taken deep roots in the country MASSOUD SANJER: In the SANJER: I'll tell you an ex- Pashtany Bank and voices of those who are using mornings, you could see that peo- ample of a bribe taken from some- backstairs influence are heard. Ac- ple put big speakers on there, for one. We got a call from a driver 2102908, 2103868 cording to the police chief such example, a hotel or a restaurant. that was driving from Kandahar to response from the concerned min- People listen in the car, people at Kabul. By chance, I just answered Air Services istry is not only hitting spirit of home, so we get called from every the phone and this guy was like, the commanders in the battlefield corner of Afghanistan. I'm a driver driving right now from but also of policemen at the check- BLOCK: That's the show's co- Kandahar to Kabul and these po- Safi Airways host, Massoud Sanjer. Listeners lice are taking money from us on posts. 020 22 22 222 He told Afghanistan Times call in to report problems. It could the way. I said, OK, where are you that if the government did not pay be power outages, bad roads, cor- exactly? He says, I'm, like, a hun- attention to fill the gaps then the ruption, violence; the hosts field dred meters away from the police Culture promotion, national solidarity Ariana insurgents would take the decrease those calls. Then they call up peo- post. I said, don't cut the phone. 020-2100270 as a blessing and opportunity to ple in power and get them to re- Just leave the phone on. We'll broad- vital for Afghanistan’s progress increase attacks. spond live on the radio. They're cast it live. And then this police Ghazni is strategically very holding officials accountable, a rev- came to the guy and says, give me, AT News Report Kam Air important, both for the government olutionary idea in Afghanistan. like, 100 or 500 Afs or whatever 0799974422 forces and the militants. The Kab- Massoud Sanjer explains that each was it. And everyone was listen- ul-Kandahar Highway passes day is devoted to a particular prob- ing to this. through this province. When the lem. BLOCK: Oh, so you heard the Hotels Taliban had the upper hand, they SANJER: Saturday is, for ex- actual bribe transaction on the ra- Safi Landmark attacked vehicles and kidnapped ample, health and education. Sun- dio. people. The province is also stra- day is more of a traffic problem. SANJER: Yeah, yeah, yeah, tegically important because its Monday is more of electricity. this is, like, the conversation be- 020-2203131 Tuesday is municipality. Wednes- tween the police and their driver roads lead to Paktia, Paktika, SERENA Khost, Kunar and Laghman in the day is the more tougher things, like was broadcasted live on our show. east and connects with Uruzgan the security. So - and different And then we called the ministry and Wardak as well. Nawa district days we just collect people's prob- of interior. We said, did you listen 0799654000 lems and then we call different or- to the show? They said, yes, we ganization of the government. We were listening. And the police were New Rumi Restaurant Multibillion always follow up. For example, if arrested. And so we do, like, bring we tell them that this week that very big changes in terms of cor- 0776351347 dollars gas pipeline people have these problems, can ruption and all that. you please solve it? Next week we BLOCK: Afghanistan has been Internet Services call them with, hey, guys, how are such a dangerous place for jour- KABUL: The New Beginning Net- requires a holistic strategy, where searcher, who wrote several stra- to be completed by you? Did you solve that problem nalists to work. I know there was work launched its second discus- the cultural pillar of the country tegic plans and books in French UA Telecom that we reported last week? a suicide bombing this year and sion as part of the “Academic Dis- should play a central role, adding and Persian languages. 0796701701 / 0796702702 2019 BLOCK: Oh, yeah. seven employees at your sister TV course Series 2016” with scholars, that the current conflict has not He came to Kabul to evaluate The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan- SANJER: So it's not, like, just channel were killed - a Taliban sui- intellectuals and members of civil only its roots in foreign interfer- the possibility of cooperation with Exchange Rate Pakistan-India (TAPI)gas pipeline getting it done and then we say, cide bombing. How does that af- society in Kabul and urged the gov- ence and misfortune, but ignoring the Afghan government and pre- will be completed by 2019, Min- OK, it's gone. fect your work? ernment to include positive cultural the countries roots of cultural val- sented his approach to different Purchase: ister for Petroleum and Natural BLOCK: Well, why do you SANJER: Well, it definitely values in its national development ues have contributed to the cur- high officials of the NUG. Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi figure the government officials are affects the work because you know strategies for peace, national uni- rent situation of the country. Secretary General of New Be- says. “Work on TAPI projectwas taking your calls and responding that you are now the direct target. ty and sustainable economic de- “Afghan cultural values are ginning Network, Alias Wardak, One US$ = ongoing at a rapid pace. The pipe- in a public way and being held ac- For example, the morale and ev- velopment. admirable but should be respected said that unfortunately the place 68.78Afs line, a project of 20 to 25 billion countable that way? erything is - for all journalists that Dr Hassan Makaremi, a psy- at all great levels. of cultural aspects in strategies is dollars, will be completed by SANJER: Because we make are in Afghanistan - is not very choanalyst and strategy develop- While formulating the strate- “empty”, adding that all policy- One Pound Sterling= 2019,”the Associated Press of Pa- fun of them if they don't pick up good at the moment, I will say to ment expert from living in gic objectives of Afghanistan, the makers speak about strategy and 98.50Afs kistan quoted the minister as say- our phones. be really honest. But this is for the France, who presented an innova- government shall identify all policies and plans, but almost no One Euro = ing. Addressing the Multan Cham- BLOCK: (Laughter) You're freedom of speech of the country. tive approach of strategy devel- strengths and weaknesses and an- one considers the cultural pillars ber of Commerce and Industry on shaming them. This is what people want. There opment under consideration of alyze the benefits of them for na- within their concepts. “Consider- 76.78Afs Saturday, Abbasi said the four na- SANJER: (Laughter) Yeah. For are problems. Of course we can cultural aspects of a society, said tional solidarity,” he mentioned. ation of cultural aspects in strate- 1000 Pak Rs = tions had signed an initial invest- example, one day a spokesperson understand that, but we continue that if the Afghan government National solidarity will strength- gy development, leadership and 638Afs ment agreement, clearing the way didn't pick up, so we started mak- what we do. wants to overcome existing chal- en the country’s unity and will in- management are impartial and the for updating the feasibility study ing fun of them. I said maybe he's BLOCK: Massoud Sanjer, lenges then it has to emphasize on crease the self-confidence of the art in modern leadership and man- Sale: and finalising the pipeline route in sleeping because he's a government thanks so much for talking with cultural values and national soli- nation. agement,” he said. One US$ = Afghanistan. The agreement was official. The government doesn't us. darity in its strategic planning. He underlined that nation New Beginning is an Afghan 68.98 Afs work. So the next spokesperson SANJER: No problem, great signed between the four nations He said that nation building building, culture promotions and Network, established by Afghan One Pound Sterling= and the TAPI Pipeline Project we called, he, like, right away picks to talk to you. and culture promotion should be establishment of national solidari- experts in year 2013 as an inde- Company in Istanbul last up and this was, like, I'm always BLOCK: Massoud Sanjer is major elements in the strategic ob- ty is an effective solution for se- pendent body with the aim to cre- 99.30Afs month.Afghanistan, Pakistan and picking up your phone. We will co-host of the radio show "Safay jectives and can lead the country curity improvement. ate awareness among people and One Euro= India will have 5% shareholding always help people. Shaher," or "Cleaning Your City." towards a sustainable develop- Dr Hassan Makaremi is an Ira- strengthening national unity for a 77.38 Afs each and the remaining 85% will BLOCK: What about some of It broadcasts out of Kabul, Afghan- ment, peace and prosperity. nian psychoanalyst, strategy de- peaceful, developed and united 1000 Pak Rs= 646Afs be held by Turkmenistan. the really major intractable con- istan. NPR He stressed that Afghanistan velopment expert, writer and re- Afghanistan. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. MONDAY . MARCH 14, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES THE MAKING OF A HISTORICAL CONSTITUTION FOR SRI LANKA The process of receiving submis- sions from the public for the new constitution is currently under- way. The Public Representation Committee on Constitutional Re- Taking a swipe at China, Prime with happiness and fulfilment. form has already begun travelling Minister Narendra Modi said on India and the IMF also an- to all districts for this purpose, and Saturday that India’s growth rate nounced the signing of a Memo- submissions can be submitted ver- of over seven per cent was being randum of Understanding for es- bally or in writing. Unfortunately, achieved in a country that is also a tablishing the South Asia Regional the enthusiasm to foster any dis- vibrant democracy. Training and Technical Assistance cussion regarding this subject Speaking at the Advancing Asia Centre. It is expected to become seems to lie more with civil soci- conference here, he said India dis- the focal point for planning, coor- ety than with the government it- pelled the myth that democracy dinating, and implementing the self. More concerning is that the and rapid economic growth could IMF’s capacity-development ac- government does not seem to have not go together. tivities in the region. This will in- reached an agreement on many as- India’s rapid economic growth, clude macroeconomic and fiscal pects of the constitutional process, he said, was also very distinct in management, monetary opera- especially in terms of how the new Asia, as the country had never tried tions, financial sector regulation constitution must be made and to gain in trade at the expense of and supervision, and macroeco- what must be included in it. State- partners, never undervalued its nomic statistics. ments made by the President and exchange rate; it rather added to The centre will help to address the Prime Minister since January the world and Asian demand by the existing training needs and re- ninth have instilled a sense of faith running current account deficits. spond to the demand for IMF in the system amongst citizens, “We do not follow beggar-thy- training in India, Bangladesh, Bhu- and keeping with these promises neighbour macro-economic poli- tan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lan- of good governance, the govern- cies... We are good Asian and good ka, while bringing the region’s ment should show more enthusi- global economic citizens, and a training volume on a par with those asm in this process. Since the es- source of demand to our trading of other regions. tablishment of the Public Repre- partners,” he said, without nam- IMF Managing Director sentation Committee on Constitu- ing China, at the three-day confer- Christine Lagarde said: “I would tional Reform, many civil society ence organised by India and the like to thank Prime Minister Modi, representatives have already sub- International Monetary Fund Finance Minister [Arun] Jaitley mitted proposals on behalf of the (IMF). The IMF recently includ- and the Indian government for of- public, and many more hope to ed China’s yuan into its reserve fering to host the centre and for submit their proposals soon. currency basket. their substantial financial commit- However, as expected with Amid global problems, Mr. ment.” such monumental ventures, dis- Modi said, India was a haven of This will be the first centre senters and ‘spoilers’ are not far macro-economic stability. In a dif- that would fully integrate training behind in their efforts to disrupt ficult external environment and and technical assistance and would the process. Indeed, opposition despite a second successive year be a model for future capacity de- can be found in various pockets of of weak rainfall, “we have in- velopment work. society. At the forefront of this creased our growth rate to 7.6 per Mr. Modi congratulated Ms. campaign are the religious and ra- cent, the highest among major Lagarde on being appointed as cial extremist groups as well as economies in the world... We have Managing Director for a second defeated political candidates that improved our economic gover- term and complimented her on suc- highlight their political ideologies nance... Corruption and interfer- cessfully persuading all IMF mem- and narrow-minded thinking by ence in the decisions of banks and bers to ratify the long-pending their actions and speech. regulators are now behind us.” quota revisions (agreed in 2010) Religion is a deeply private and He said he laid his dream of a that have come into effect. “The sensitive topic. Yet, these spoilers ‘Transformed India’ alongside the quotas of emerging countries will sions at the IMF,” Mr. Modi said. Reforms an on-going process, says Modi Reform of global institutions should be an on-going process, he said, attempt to disassociate privacy common dream of an Advanced now better reflect their weight in which must reflect changes in the global economy, and the rising share of emerging economies. “Even now, IMF quotas do not reflect the global from religion and portray religion Asia, an Asia where more than half the world economy... This will give economic realities.” The change in quotas was not an issue of increasing the “power” of certain countries. It was an issue of fairness and legitimacy. to be at the centre of a democratic of the global population can live them more say in collective deci- He also welcomed the IMF's decision to finalise the next round of quota changes by October 2017. process such as constitution mak- ing. These groups prey on the sen- sitive nature of religion and there- by directly influence a large por- tion of society (especially the Sin- hala Buddhist population). It must be understood that such initiatives do little to protect the sanctity of religion and more to disrupt the harmony within society so that these extremist groups may pro- mote their own agendas. In order to counter such negative aspira- tions, Buddhist leaders must pub- Pamban and Tuticorin and they lish immediate statements against were taken to Kangesanthurai port, these initiatives. When queried Assistant Director of Fisheries about the Buddhism clause in the Department Gopinath said. This current constitution, the Prime is the fourth detention of Indian Minister has declared that it will fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy not change or be affected during this month on the charge of fishing the redrafting process. Those that in the island nation's waters. Eight believe such ideologies to be true fishermen were arrested on March should also consider the justifica- 3, while 29 others on March 6 and Nepal’s tourism industry hit hard when bookings started to pick up, tion behind capitalising on religion another batch four on March 10 within the process of discussing by the Sri Lankan Navy at differ- by the April 25 earthquake and but the Tarai strikes and trade em- India’s trade embargo is starting to bargo that resulted in a crippling the democratic, governance-relat- ent locations in mid sea. Tamil ed exercise that is constitution Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa recover. The streets of Thamel are fuel shortage dampened the reviv- bustling with tourist traffic again al hopes. making. had also written letters to Prime The 1978 Constitution cur- Minister Narendra Modi calling for as hordes of adventure seekers Hotels occupancy had from around the world have start- dropped below 20 percent in the rently in practice addresses reli- appropriate actions for a perma- gion in Chapter Two in the fol- nent solution to the recurring ar- ed to embark on trekking and moun- March-May period last year from taineering activities with the onset usual 80 percent occupancy re- lowing manner: rests. "India cannot continue to be 9. “The Republic of Sri Lanka seen as a mute spectator as the of spring (March-May)—the sec- corded in the past years. Due to ond peak tourism season in Nepal the fuel shortages, international shall give to Buddhism the fore- rights of Indian fishermen are re- most place and accordingly it shall peatedly infringed upon," she said. after autumn. Hoteliers said room airlines had also halved their flight occupancy and bookings have frequency to Nepal. be the duty of the State to protect Fishermen threaten to boycott and foster the Buddha Sasana, 2016 Assembly polls Fishermen started to increase after a disap- However, with rising number pointing 2015, when the occupan- of volunteers and trekkers, hotels while assuring to all religions the belonging to the coastal hamlets in rights granted by Articles 10 and Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have cy had hit rock bottom as visitors have reported a gradual increase in left the country immediately after their occupancy rates since the 14(1)(e)” 10. “Every person is threatened to boycott the May 16 entitled to freedom of thought, Sri Lankan Navy personnel today al Maritime Boundary Line and belonging to fishermen were also Assembly polls if the Centre does the earthquake. beginning of March. “Hotel occu- arrested 28 Indian fishermen on fishing in their territory. One mech- seized by the navy personnel. The The industry was in a buoy- pancy and tour inquiry trends conscience and religion, including not initiate steps for the release of the freedom to have or to adopt a charges of crossing the Internation- anised boat and two country boats fishermen belonged to Pudukottai, fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka. ant mood after August last year have improved and we can expect a rebound in Nepal’s tourism this religion or belief of his choice.” 14. year,” said Binayak Shah, general (1) Every citizen is entitled to (e) secretary of Hotel Association of the freedom, either by himself or Nepal. in association with others, and ei- He said five-star hotels’ occu- ther in public or in private, to man- pancy has increased to above 50 ifest his religion or belief in wor- percent. “We estimate all hotels ship, observance, practice or teach- now have more than 40 percent ing. As the Constitution clearly occupancy on an average,” he said. indicates, the rights of all religions The occupancy is expected to in Sri Lanka are upheld as a Fun- rise further with the arrivals of damental Right. It is important to QUETTA: Over 2.3 million chil- ars, political parties and people will be deployed to guard teams mountaineers. Last week, the gov- note that the new constitution will dren below the age of five will be from all walks of life to support across the province. ernment decided to extend climb- not threaten this right in any way. administered anti-polio drops dur- the government’s efforts against “We are launching the cam- ing permits of hundreds of moun- Sri Lankans are riddled with a ing a three-day vaccination cam- the crippling virus. paign amid tight security,” the co- taineers who had been forced to myriad of issues that plague them paign set to begin in Balochistan “Enough is enough, we have ordinator said. abandon their expeditions last year on a daily basis. A new constitu- Monday (tomorrow) as provincial to eradicate this virus from Polio teams and volunteers due to avalanche on the Himalaya tion might not be the solution to authorities have taken strict secu- Balochistan,” he said. have been a repeated target of ter- triggered by the April 25 earth- all these issues, but as the Supreme rity measures. In-depth: Lost — The battle rorist attacks over the years – a quake. law of the land, it could be consid- Dr. Syed Saifur Rehman, co- against polio major hindrance in the govern- The permits will be extended ered a great step forward in terms ordinator of the Emergency Polio The provincial government ment’s efforts to wipe out the vi- for two years until 2017. Last year, of progress. Such an opportune Cell said over 6,000 mobile teams, has directed all deputy commis- rus. At least 15 people including 103 teams consisting of 801 indi- moment is clearly presented to us, 820 fixed and 334 transit points sioners and concerned police of- 12 policemen and a paramilitary viduals had received permits to and as civil society representatives have been established across the ficers to ensure protection of po- soldier were killed in a suicide climb various peaks. Among them, actively invested in the constitu- province to administer vaccines. lio officials – police, Balochistan bombing targeting polio workers 357 mountaineers, including 18 tional process, we urge society to Rehman urged religious schol- Constabulary and Frontier Corps in Quetta earlier this year. Nepalis, had obtained permits to recognise the sensitivity of topics climb Everest. such as religion and to not take “Though late, it was a posi- action to disrupt this process pure- tive move of the government and ly on the basis of such a sensitive it could boost the number of moun- topic. With this new constitution Bangladesh mission in London awards British- taineers, who are the high-spend- comes the very real possibility of ing visitors,” said Chandra Rijal, rearranging the structure of gover- president of Trekking Agencies nance in Sri Lanka, especially in Bangladeshi students for outstanding results Association of Nepal. terms of abolishing executive pow- Rijal said there has been a dra- er and devolving power in a more Commission says. Chowdhury were also present matic growth in the number of trek- meaningful manner that benefits the State Minister for DFID, UK among the guests. High Commis- kers. “At least 500 tourists are public. It is this process that ex- aid, Desmond Sawyne expressed sioner Abdul Hannan and the spe- obtaining Trekkers’ Information tremist groups are attempting to his great satisfaction at the “as- cial guests handed over the awards Management System (TIMS) card disrupt, and religious leaders, tounding” academic success of to the students. For the tenth year, daily,” he said. Foreigners should scholars, and politicians who tru- British-Bangladeshi students. the High Commission has award- obtain the TIMS card before em- ly care about the development of He hoped that future leaders ed British-Bangladeshi students barking on their journey in Nepal. Sri Lanka and its residents should of the UK would come from among for their academic feats. The High Annapurna is the most preferred take an active stand against such these students. Foreign and Com- Commissioner said this was “to trekking destinations after Everest initiatives. The process of draft- monwealth Office State Minister recognise the academic excellence and Manaslu. Kanchanjunga trek ing a new constitution reaches far Hugo Swire, who could not attend of the British-Bangladeshi stu- is also gaining popularity of late, beyond party-driven politics; it is the programme, sent a message to dents who have made Bangladesh according to Rijal. Tourist arrivals a document with a legitimacy that be read out on the occasion. Under proud and elevated the image of to Nepal fell to a six-year low of will not be questioned for a long Secretary of State Baroness Ver- the Bangladeshi community in the 538,970 in 2015, according to the period of time, and one that will ma, Lord Sheikh, MP Paul Scully, UK”. He hoped that these young statistics of the Department of truly serve the interests of the na- The Bangladesh High Commission tions. ters and MPs. Member of the European Parlia- boys and girls will lead in their re- Immigration. The inbound figure tion. To hinder such a process due in London has awarded some Brit- The ceremony at the Kensing- A total of 127 students who ment Jean Lambert, Speaker of spective fields in future and their includes rescue personnel and vol- to narrow-minded, party driven ish-Bangladeshi students who have ton Town Hall in Central London achieved at least 10 A/A* in GCSE Tower Hamlet Council Abdul success will inspire the succeed- unteers who converged on Nepal political ideologies is to tamper achieved outstanding results in the on Saturday drew high-profile and 3 A/A* were awarded with Mukit, and eminent Bangladeshi ing generations of the diaspora for to help the earthquake victims and with the lives of our children, our 2015 GCSE and A Level examina- guests that include British minis- crests and certificates, the High journalist Abdul Gaffar “even better achievements”. were counted as tourists. future generation. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. MONDAY . MARCH 14, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES News-in-Brief PRESIDENT’S TROOPS Russia signals closure of UN BREAK rights office in SIEGE OF Moscow YEMEN’S The United Nations human rights chief said on Thursday THIRD CITY that the Russian government had Fresh calls for Syrian President be held next year. Forces loyal to Yemen’s president indicated it would close his Bashar al-Assad to leave power The High Negotiations Com- have broken a siege by the Iranian- Moscow office, and he decried were voiced by the opposition on mittee opposition group has insist- allied Houthis around the strategic what he called the shrinking Saturday, as peace talks loom to ed the transitional government be Yemeni city of Taiz, local fighters space for dissent. find a solution to the five years of given full executive powers, but the and residents said on Saturday, as In a speech, Zeid Ra'ad Al civil war. Chief opposition negoti- regime dismissed the idea outright the United States raised the possi- Hussein told the U.N. Human ator Mohammad Alloush said As- ahead of the talks. bility of a Syrian-style truce in Rights Council in Geneva: "I am sad must go, dead or alive, if the "We will not talk with anyone Yemen. At least 48 people were concerned about signals re- peace to talks to be held in Geneva who wants to discuss the presi- killed in heavy clashes in Yemen’s ceived from the government re- on Monday are to succeed. dency... Bashar al-Assad is a red third biggest city, medics and local garding its intention to close our "We believe that the transition- line," Syrian Foreign Minister fighters said, and at least 120 were presence in Moscow." al period should start with the fall, Walid Muallem told a Damascus wounded. Witnesses said there More cooperation with his or death, of Bashar al-Assad," chief news conference Saturday. were bodies scattered in the streets. office, rather than less, was opposition negotiator Mohammad "If they (the HNC) continue Supporters of President Abd- needed "on the subject of the Alloush told Agence France-Presse with this approach, there's no rea- Rabbu Mansour Hadi, backed by shrinking space for human rights in an interview with another press son for them to come to Geneva." a Saudi-led Arab coalition, have defenders and non-governmen- agency in Geneva. Fighting has eased since a land- been trying for months to lift the tal organizations", Zeid said. "It cannot start with the pres- mark ceasefire between Syria's re- siege of the southwestern city and ence of the regime, or the head of gime and rebels, bar some Islamist open up supply routes. Iraq PM vows this regime still in power." groups, took effect two weeks ago. The coalition has been trying The UN-brokered talks are the But Alloush accused the re- for a year to roll back gains by the retaliation after latest international push to end a gime and its ally Russia of not abid- Houthi militia and restore Hadi, ISIS attack conflict that has killed more than ing by the truce, which it said had who is currently in Saudi Arabia. 270,000 people and forced half the been violated hundreds of times The war has killed more than 6,000 Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al- country from their homes. since it began on February 27. people and displaced millions. Abadi vowed on Saturday to The United Nations is push- "There have been more than The reported capture of the retaliate against ISIS after it ing for a transitional government 350 violations during the 14 days western entrance to Taiz, nearly launched a chemical attack on a and a new constitution to be put and that shows the regime violat- half of whose 250,000 residents town near Kirkuk. in place in six months. Legislative ed the truce, or didn't commit to had been trapped since May, was The suspected mustard gas and presidential elections would it," he said. hailed by the pro-Hadi Sabanew attack on Taza that left a three- news agency as a major break- year-old girl dead “will not go through. It said Hadi had tele- unpunished”, the premier said Protests at Trump phoned the local military com- in a statement. mander to congratulate him. A large number of rockets The rival Houthi-run news were fired on Taza on Wednes- rallies roil Republican agency, Sabanews, acknowledged day from the nearby village of heavy fighting in Taiz but said Bashir, which is held by the fighters from the group had killed militants. primary campaign 27 fighters loyal to Hadi. Intelligence experts are still Yemeni Vice President Khaled Angry confrontations at Donald convention. Bahah, who is also the prime min- analyzing samples but local of- Trump's campaign rallies have fur- Trump's rivals have spent ficials believe mustard agent ister, told a news conference in the ther roiled a raucous primary cam- months tiptoeing around his pro- southern port city of Aden that was used in the attack. paign just ahead of Tuesday's vocative comments for fear of On Saturday, an Iranian del- the Yemeni government was pre- make-or-break contests in five alienating his impassioned sup- paring an aid convoy to Taiz to egation visited Taza, which lies states that offer perhaps the last porters. Even in Thursday night's just south of the city of Kirkuk leave soon, but gave no further chance to derail the billionaire's debate, all three of his remaining details. Bahah also said the gov- and around 220 kilometers (135 march toward securing the Repub- rivals — Rubio, Kasich and Texas miles) north of Baghdad. ernment had prepared 1,000 men lican presidential nomination. Sen. Ted Cruz — sidestepped a to impose security in Taiz imme- Abadi promised that medi- In a Republican presidential question about whether outbursts cal support would be provided diately to avoid a repetition of the primary filled with extraordinary of violence at Trump's rallies and lawlessness that had gripped Aden to the town, where hundreds of moments, a 24-hour stretch that his statements encouraging sup- people received care following after pro-Hadi forces captured the began Friday night stands above porters to aggressively take on city from the Houthis in July last the chemical attack. them all. protesters concerned them. Hundreds of people attend- year. The United Nations has ac- Protesters were so committed But the images spilling out of cused the Houthis of obstructing ed the funeral on Friday of Fati- to keeping Trump from speaking Chicago, with young people an- ma Samir, the girl who died of the delivery of humanitarian sup- in Chicago that they clashed with grily confronting each other, often plies to civilians in Taiz, saying wounds sustained during the supporters, forcing the Republi- divided along racial lines, appeared attack. Some of the mourners residents had been living under can front-runner to abruptly can- to be too much. “virtual siege”. The Houthis and carried placards demanding pro- cel his rally before it even began. In an interview with The As- tection. troops loyal to their ally, former The next morning, two of the sociated Press, Rubio said he may president Ali Abdullah Saleh, re- The Iraqi air force carried candidates still fighting to defeat not be able to support Trump if out a strike on Bashir overnight main entrenched in much of the Trump, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio he's the Republican nominee, cit- northern half of Yemen, including and Abadi promised a ground and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, said ing the way he's "dividing both the operation to retake the village the capital Sanaa. Islamist mili- they were so disgusted by the cha- party and the country so bitter- Rebels shot down a Syrian gov- the attack a breach of a “cessation shot down Syrian warplanes with tants have exploited the chaos to from ISIS soon, pro-government os that they may not support the ly." militia commander Abu Ridha al- ernment warplane over western of hostilities” agreement. anti-aircraft guns. widen their influence. billionaire businessman if he The Florida senator wouldn't Syria on Saturday, rebels and a A rebel group operating in the They have called on their for- Possibility of ceasefire Najjar said. clinches their party's nomination. say whether he'd look for a third- Bashir lies in an area that is military source said, although there area, Jaish al-Nasr, said it had eign backers including Saudi Ara- US Secretary of State John And when Trump appeared at party candidate to support if were conflicting accounts on brought down the jet with anti-air- bia to supply them with anti-air- Kerry, who met Saudi Foreign officially under federal admin- another rally Saturday morning in Trump does become the Republi- istration but is controlled by whether it had been brought down craft guns. The Syrian Observato- craft missiles to confront Syrian Minister Adel al-Jubeir at Hafr al- Ohio, he was suddenly pulled mid- can standard-bearer, but added, by a missile or anti-aircraft guns. ry for Human Rights, however, and Russian warplanes. But they Batin in northern Saudi Arabia, said Kurdish forces that de facto ex- speech into a protective ring of "The fact that you even have to panded their autonomous region The Syrian military source said said a rebel group had brought say these weapons have so far not they discussed the possibility of a U.S. Secret Service agents charged ask me the question shows why militants had targeted a warplane down the jet with two heat-seek- been provided, reflecting concerns ceasefire in Yemen similar to the on the back of the militants' with guarding his life after a man (Trump) is a problem." 2014 offensive. while it was landing in Hama prov- ing missiles. that they could end up in the hands arrangement that has been imple- leapt over a barrier and rushed the Kasich, who has largely avoid- ince, bringing it down, and calling Syrian rebels have previously of groups such as ISIS. mented in Syria. Tension has been high be- stage. "Thank you for the warn- ed tangling with Trump until now, tween Kurdish forces and Shi- “We both agree that it would ing," Trump told the crowd after said the real estate mogul has cre- be desirable to see if we can find a ite militias in the area, impeding he resumed his speech. "I was ated a "toxic environment" that military cooperation against similar approach, as we did in Syr- ready for 'em, but it's much better makes it "extremely difficult" to ia, to try to get a ceasefire,” Kerry ISIS. if the cops do it, don't we agree?" envision supporting him as the Obama to visit London in said, referring to the truce that has Each moment has virtually no Republican nominee. largely held for two weeks in Syr- Four shot at precedent in modern presidential "To see Americans slugging ia. Jubeir said Saudi Arabia believed politics. Taken together, they ex- themselves at a political rally deep- bid to keep UK in the EU a political settlement that would Muslim cemetery posed anew the remarkable anxi- ly disturbed me," Kasich said while ensure the Houthis abided by com- ety ripping through a country deal- campaigning in Cincinnati. "We're mon understandings reached be- ing with profound economic and better than that." US President Barack Obama will in Canada come to London in April and urge fore the Houthi capture of Sanaa demographic changes, as well as Only Cruz, who is closest to would pave the way to a solution. the anger roiling inside one of Amer- Trump in the delegate count, said British voters to back continued The Royal Canadian Mount- membership of the European “We reiterated to the secretary ed Police said four men were ica's great political parties. he would unequivocally support of state our commitment as ex- For those cringing at the dis- the businessman if he emerges Union, The Independent on Sun- shot at a Muslim cemetery just day newspaper reported. pressed by the GCC (Gulf Coop- outside of Calgary on Friday cord and Trump's unanticipated from the primary victorious. Still, eration Council) heads of state to political rise, there were no easy Cruz — eager for Rubio and Ka- Britons vote in June on wheth- afternoon. er to remain part of the world’s embark on a long-term reconstruc- answers Saturday. sich to get out of the race after their tion and development plan for Ye- Sgt. Jack Poitras said the Republican traditionalists kept home-state primaries on Tuesday biggest trading bloc and Obama has shooting happened near Co- previously said he wants Britain men once the hostilities have end- whispering in private conversa- so he can take Trump on in a head- ed,” Jubeir said. chrane and the injured people tions about long-shot options for to-head contest — blamed his ri- to stay in the EU and help main- were being treated at Calgary tain the post-war transatlantic part- A delegation from the Houthis stopping Trump, either at a con- val for encouraging the kind of is currently in Saudi Arabia for hospitals. A police spokes- tested convention or by rallying "nasty violence" that occurred in nership. Most opinion polls show vot- talks on facilitating humanitarian woman at the scene said all around a potential third-party op- Chicago. President Barack Obama, aid to Yemen. The visit, which Ye- suffered non-life-threatening tion. Trump, meanwhile, could speaking at a Democratic fundraiser ers are split with a large number of people as yet undecided. Obama meni officials say may be a pre- injuries. put the Republican nomination in Dallas, said those who aspire to cursor to resuming UN-sponsored out of reach to others in Tuesday's lead the country "should be trying is due to attend a technology fair Police said there was a fu- in Germany in late April and a peace talks in after neral at the cemetery and a slate of primaries in five states, to bring us together and not turn- two unfruitful rounds last year, including Florida and Ohio, which ing us against one another," and he source told the Independent on group of people remained at Sunday he would visit the British voters to stay in the EU,” the source was quoted as saying. The White came after Saudi Arabia and the the site following the service. offer a rich cache of delegates to urged leaders to "speak out against House declined to comment and Prime Minister David Cameron’s office Houthis exchanged prisoners last the party's national nominating violence." capital around that time. “It would Poitras said it appears the be pretty shocking if he didn’t ask did not offer an immediate comment when contacted by Reuters. week. shooting involved people who were in the group. Zouheir Osman, who is in charge of the cemetery, said a service for a 21-year-old man was taking place before the shooting. He said he left short- Libya's UN-backed Presidential held up by the failure of the HOR government was signed with lim- ly before the shots were fired. Council called on Saturday on the to vote to approve it. ited Libyan support in Morocco Osman said he didn’t be- country's institutions to begin a It is also unclear when a unity in December. Efforts to move the lieve the shooting had anything transfer of authority to a unity government could move to Tripo- transition forward have been ham- to do with the man being re- government, and appealed to the li, where the security situation is pered by arguments over the struc- membered at the funeral. international community to stop still volatile and some armed fac- ture of the new government, the dealing with any rival powers. tions may try to prevent it from balance of power between Libya's However, Calgary Imam The Presidential Council is operating. different regions, and the future Syed Soharwardy said he tasked with guiding through a tran- However, the council said in a leadership of the armed forces. The spoke with two people who sition to end the political chaos and statement on Saturday that a doc- Presidential Council has itself been attended the funeral and they armed conflict that has plagued ument signed by a majority of divided, with two of its nine mem- suspect the shooting was gang- Libya since the fall of leader Mua- HOR members backing the new bers suspending their participation related. mmar Qaddafi in 2011. government, as well as the endorse- and twice refusing to put their “It did not seem to be a Its statement suggests it will ment by other political figures, names to proposed lists of minis- hate crime,” Soharwardy said. seek to take power despite con- represented a "green light to start ters. Under the plan, the Presiden- “It looks like it was a turf war tinuing opposition from hardlin- work". tial Council would form the high- or gang war or some type of ers in both of Libya's competing The council's statement called est state body. The HOR would revenge.” parliaments - the eastern House of on "all Libyan sovereign and pub- be the main legislature, with a sec- The funeral was for a Pa- Representatives (HOR) and the lic institutions and the heads of fi- ond chamber formed from the kistani man named Hamza rival General National Congress nancial bodies to start communi- GNC. After the latest failure of the Nazir, said Soharwardy, who (GNC) in Tripoli. cating immediately with the Gov- HOR to vote on the unity govern- knows the family. He said he Western nations hope a unity ernment of National Accord so as ment last week, U.N. Libya en- government can help tackle a grow- to hand over power in a peaceful voy Martin Kobler reconvened the doesn’t know the cause of the ing threat from Islamic State, which and orderly manner". group that signed the December young man’s death. has used a security vacuum and "The Presidential Council also deal. On Thursday, they urged the Despite police assuring political divisions in Libya to es- calls on the international commu- Presidential Council "to take all the public there was no dan- tablish a foothold in the north Af- nity and international and regional necessary measures to rapidly ger, a heavily armed police tac- rican country. organisations ... to stop dealing start working from the capital, tical team remained outside the The Tunis-based Presidential with any executive power that does Tripoli", though they also ap- Calgary Foothills Hospital on Council nominated a unity govern- not follow the Government of peared to call on the HOR to take Friday evening. ment last month, but recognition National Accord," it said. further steps to endorse the unity of the proposed cabinet has been The deal to create the unity government. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF.

MONDAY. MARCH 14, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES

We a r e a n a t ion a l in st it u t ion a n d n ot t h e voice of a gov t or a p r iva t e or ga n iza t ion AFGHANISTAN TIMES Editor: Abdul Saboor Sarir Phone No: +93-772364666 E-mail: [email protected] By Afrasiab Khattak The second war in Afghan- ing this operation but it is quite ist attack in India originating istan started in 1994 when Pa- evident by now that Pakistan from Pakistan. It is for the first Email: [email protected] As usual, it is not easy to choose news about events in kistan supported Taliban’s bid still regards Afghan Taliban to time that the government of to defeat the former be its strategic assets and they Pakistan has taken such a bold www.afghanistantimes.af Pakistan over the last one or and to conquer the whole of were only relocated during the step. We know that the elected two weeks for making com- Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi ments. The deadly terrorist at- Afghanistan for implementing operation. How can we blame prime ministers in the past have the Pakistan’s strategic depth Afghans for doubting our gov- been labelled as a security tack on a court premise in policy. It continued up till 9/11. ernment’s statements about the threat for even raising just the Advisory editorial board Shabqadar (Charsada), after a This phase of war was an open best intentions for peace in idea of security cooperation similarly bloody attack on Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Bacha Khan University in the secret although formally not presence of such a dubious with India against the common owned. But again Pakistan was record? terrorist threat. One hopes In- Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal same district some time back, not alone in fighting this proxy Be that as it may, the ques- dia will also reciprocate the and devastating attacks in Jala- labad and elsewhere on the war through Taliban. Other tion is that after public confes- bold Pakistani gesture to build Graphic-Designers: countries like Iran, India and sions about the presence of a relationship of trust as it takes western side of the Durand Russia supported the erstwhile Afghan Taliban on its territory two to have a tango. But we Edriss Akbari and Bilal Yusufi Line clearly show that Pash- tuns remain to be in the eye of Northern Alliance. The third will Pakistan take further steps also know that warning neigh- Marketing & Advertising: stage of Pakistan’s Afghan war to take this policy to a logical bours about the Pakistan based terrorist storm despite the 20 started in 2003 when Taliban end? For example, will Pakistan terrorist threat is a mere first Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 month old military operation of Zarb-e-Azb in FATA. The re- regrouped in Pakistan for fight- take some responsibility for the step. Dismantling factories of Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan ing against the ISAF forces in actions of Afghan Taliban? Is terror in the country is a must lease of Shahbaz Taseer after pursuit of Pakistan’s policy of there a timeline for the existence for internal and regional secu- Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 remaining more than four years in the custody of his terrorist strategic depth. Pakistan has of sanctuaries of Afghan Tali- rity. Pakistan needs to get rid Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press been vehemently denying any ban in Pakistan? Has Pakistan of the so-called strategic assets abductors is good news for all role in this war which is con- any plans for ultimately recon- which have literally become and sundry but his return has taken place in as mysterious tinuing even today but Gener- sidering its relationship with strategic liabilities. Ending al Musharraf, the former COAS Taliban as in its presence Paki- false denials is a bold and en- The constitution says circumstances as the kidnap- and the former President of Pa- stan’s claims about giving up couraging first step. But it ping itself. Similarly it is also quite tempting to write about kistan, in a recent interview ac- the policy of so called strate- needs to be followed by other cepted the fact that Pakistan gic depth has a hollow ring? clear steps for rooting out ter- Article 154 the apparent succumbing of did support Taliban in their These are significant ques- rorism. Terrorism of Taliban or Article One Hundred Fifty-Four: The wealth of the President, Vice-Presidents, Ministers, members of Pakistan government to Saudi pressure for joining the anti fight against the government of tions and only the nature of other brands and CPEC can’t the Supreme Court as well as the Attorney General, shall be registered, reviewed and published prior to Hamid Karzai who was alleged their answer can decide as to go together. TAPI will also re- and after their term of office by an organ established by law. Iran alliance despite the initial by Musharraf to be anti Paki- whether Pakistan remains part quire security in the region. decision of our Parliament to refrain from taking sides in the stan. Even after the beginning of the problem or becomes part Regional trade, connectivity of Operation Zarb-e-Azb in of the solution in efforts for and economic cooperation sectarian polarisations of the June, 2014 both Prime Minister bringing peace in Afghanistan. can’t be indefinitely delayed. Middle East. And the list goes on. But I have decided to write Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief Equally important, if not Pakistan has to make coura- General Raheel Sharif categori- more important, is the sharing geous choices for the peaceful about two other pieces of news cally stated that Afghan Tali- of intelligence with India about and bright future of its own that are going to have far more significant repercussions for ban will also not be spared dur- the threat of a possible terror- people.—(The Nation) Pakistan and the entire region than anything else. First is the statement of Mr. Sartaj Aziz, advisor to the Prime Minister Resignations at premium in foreign affairs, about the presence of the top leadership The National Unity Government (NUG) deliberately wants to have of Afghan Taliban in Pakistan its name bandied about because it looks upon the international for the last many decades and community’s support as the be-all and end-all of its existence. second is the information passed by General Nasir Khan By Turki Al-Dakhil description that indicates fear, was first published by Okaz Apathy is the besetting sin of our leaders. But, as ill-luck would Janjua, the National Security weakness and political shabbi- on Mar. 13, 2016. Turki Al-Da- have it, healthy criticism is at a sad discount. Establishment of new Advisor to his Indian counter- The North Thunder joint mili- ness. He has repeatedly used the khil is the General Manager of part about the threat of a ter- tary exercise concluded last term “reckless” ever since Saudi Al Arabiya News Channel. He committees, conferences and statements of consol are order of rorist attack emanating from week with drills and military Arabia declared the possibility began his career as a print the day. The nation is bearing the brunt of wrong policies of the Pakistan in the Indian state of shows. The bedazzling details of of ground intervention in Syria. journalist, covering politics NUG. Public is dodged over key national issues such as nomina- Gujrat during a religious festi- the event was on display and so It is better to be described reck- and culture for the Saudi val. Sartaj Aziz’s statement was its success. The military less by your enemies than to be newspapers Okaz, Al-Riyadh tion of defense and interior ministers. If the government was com- about the presence of Afghan drills, which brought together described as slow; their satisfac- and Al-Watan. He then mitted to translate promises into actions, it would have presented Taliban leadership in Pakistan armed forces from 20 Arab and tion with our performance would moved to pan-Arab daily Al- nominees to the privileged Wolesi Jirga which got one year in bo- creates hope that finally Paki- Islamic countries, came to an indicate a defect in the strategy Hayat and pan-Arab news stan is coming out of the mode end on Friday with a marching and preparedness. It is better to magazine Al-Majalla. Turki lat- nus. of false denial. Pakistan’s Af- parade attended by leaders of be described reckless by your er became a radio correspon- Effects of the decision not to fill the vacant slots of defense and ghan policy and its various the participating cou ntries. The enemies than to be described as dent for the French-owned interior ministers are that resignation and reshuffle of security offi- pronouncements in the past exercise, unprecedented in the slow; their satisfaction with our pan-Arab Radio Monte Carlo carried no credibility at all be- history of the region, was truly performance would indicate a and MBC FM. He proceeded cials is at a premium. Ghazni police chief, Brig. General Aminullah cause of a glaring discrepancy remarkable from a security and defect in the strategy and pre- to Elaph, an online news mag- Amarkhel, on Sunday warned to render resignation if the interior between its words and actions. defense perspective. Mean- paredness Turki Al-Dakhil The azine and Alarabiya.net, the Since 1980 Pakistan has fought while, elsewhere in the region, sense of responsibility toward news channel’s online plat- ministry continued to ignore security threats in the province where three undeclared wars in Af- there are those who kept silent defending the homeland, every form. Over a ten-year period, Taliban has established strongholds and control Nawa district. The ghanistan. The first war that out of fear. These include the inch of it, has been instilled in Dakhil’s weekly Al Arabiya police chief lamented that the ministry has reduced battalion of started against the Soviet forc- Popular Mobilization Forces in this growing generation. Display talk show “Edaat” (Spotlights) es in 1980 continued till early Iraq and other similar groups of power and strength becomes provided an opportunity for police force to small group. 1992. But Pakistan was not such as Hezbollah in Lebanon. necessary to intimidate those proponents of Arab and Islam- Why high-profile security officials are resigning is a burning ques- alone in fighting this war. It was This element of fear has reached who are greedy. Saudi Arabia has ic social reform to make their tion because it has greater impact over law and order situation. If supposed to be the biggest the ISIS, which was dealt a ma- experienced wars, it has emerged case to a mass audience. Tur- covert operation of US against jor blow recently. On the last day victorious and has been support- ki also owns Al Mesbar Stud- Amarkhel bids farewell to job then the resignation should be con- the Soviet Union. Other west- of the drills when the murderers ed by others in pursuit of its ob- ies and Research Centre and sidered in all its bearings. The resignations will bear upon the secu- ern countries and Arab Sheik- of Badr al-Rashidi, the Saudi jectives. Western media outlets Madarek Publishing House in rity situation. It will also give birth to different questions because doms actively supported it ac- Arabian soldier who was shot have been surprised by the Dubai. tivating the institution of Jihad dead last month, were killed by North Thunder exercise, the He has received several patriotism of these officials is beyond question. Rather than taking in Islam that had remained dor- Saudi authorities after they re- massive number of participating awards and honors, including the beast of militancy by the horns, the government is abandoning mant for many centuries before fused to surrender and ex- soldiers and the modern equip- the America Abroad Media that. Pakistan denied its role changed fire with the police. ment and technologies that have annual award for his role in the field commanders by not paying heed to their suggestions and while this war was going on, Muallem’s talk Syria’s foreign been used. Meanwhile, in coun- supporting civil society, hu- requirements. but soon after it ended it was minister Walid al-Muallem con- tries north of Saudi Arbia, media man rights and advancing If the cold shoulder response towards internal problems per- not only formally owned by the tinues to talk about Saudi Ara- outlets who oppose the opera- women’s roles in Gulf societ- government but books were bia’s initiative to defend itself tion continue to suffer from ies. He tweets @TurkiAlda- sisted, the government could neither eliminate militants nor put an written by different “Napo- and the region. He used a funny bouts of hysteria. This article khil. end to desertion and resignation of the security personnel. The leons” taking credit for this war. government is, so to say between the devil and deep sea. We are often carried away by the popular prejudice. The reason is certain. We are politically immature. There had been no serious efforts to get to the bottom of the issue; otherwise there had been no deser- tion case or resignation. The government cannot blink the fact that it had utterly failed to improve law and order situation in the country. Its single and mul- tifaceted insecurity control policies have fallen short of objectives— to bring enemies to their knees. Therefore, the government shall draw up a scheme to address grievances of the security officials or else prepare for more shocking news. The government must ac- cept the consequences of its deliberate actions. Moreover, the NUG shall not beat about the bush about nomi- nation of interior and defense ministers. It shall have a direct reply to the public concerns. Fate of peace process is beside the point when it comes to reinforcement and leadership vacuum. The country needs ministers of defense and interior, who must be at home in security and military affairs. The choices the leaders in power cor- ridors make would shape opinion of public. Let us live Subscription Rates Categories Fee Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 3600 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 1800 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $200 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF.

MONDAY. MARCH 14, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES The harem is not what you think it is

by Michael Knights On February 26, US Marine Lieutenant-General Vincent Stewart, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), told the US Senate Armed Services Committee that Mosul would probably not be recaptured by the Iraqi security forces (ISF) in 2016. Stewart's comments are un- surprising. Military planners are by their nature pessimistic. But, as a result, the one sce- nario that military planners of- ten overlook is that of unex- pectedly rapid success. In the case of Mosul, the least studied scenario - and potentially the most dangerous - is what might be termed "cat- By Wendy M K Shaw Midhat Efendi complained that, Schools for women, teach- astrophic success": the col- "the symbol of the East is a ers, and crafts emerged in the lapse of the Islamic State of Iraq On March 9, Emine Erdogan, and the Levant (ISIL) group's first lady of Turkey, participat- beloved sprawled on a couch 1870s. Such schools were not ... Since her clothing reveals geared towards elites, who control in the city before stabi- ed in a conference entitled "Sul- lising forces and plans are in tans' Mothers who Have Left more than it conceals, just as continued to hire tutors at her legs hang from the couch home, but to the urban popula- place to fill the vacuum. ISIL Traces on Our History" in An- losing Sunni support in Mosul kara. She said: spread apart, her belly and her tion. For the first time, women, chest are only half-covered including members of minori- Planners should spend time "[Our] past can inform … on this scenario because it is [our] future … Orientalists have with transparent gauzy fabrics ties such as Armenians and as thin as a dream … However, Jews, began to work outside slowly moving from the im- produced inappropriate im- probable to the plausible. pressions in people's minds … much contact with this image the home. gives the pleasure of beautiful Today, rather than the har- Liberation of Mosul [of] women drawn to worldly On-the-ground progress pleasures and power. Howev- things to the eyes, it is not a em, the Western trope of op- reality, but a dream, a poem … pression for the Eastern wom- towards the liberation of Mo- er, the harem was more of a sul is moving faster than ex- school for its members. It was For one would think that this an is enslavement under the body is not the wife of her hus- full-body veil. pected. Elements of four Iraqi the hearth of education, where army brigades are positioned women prepared for life and band and the mother of her chil- The only people fully play- cited as an obstacle to its liber- trol of ISIL. forces in the hectic period after dren, but perhaps only a play- ing out this fantasy seem to be around 40km southeast of Mo- ation - poses a severe chal- This all points to the ques- the ISIL defence collapses. organised charitable events … sul and another two are on their with sultans' mothers at the thing to serve the pleasures of the soldiers of the so-called Is- lenge for ISIL. tion: If an anti-ISIL uprising This kind of follow-on con- the man who owns the house". lamic State of Iraq and the Le- way. Figuring that there are per- began in Mosul, who would be flict might just be avoided if Ira- helm … [whom we know] large- At least two US-equipped ly because of the architectural For the harem was simply vant (ISIL) group, who include haps 7,000 committed ISIL fight- the rebels? Would they be as qi and coalition military plan- the private part of any house- among their military rewards a Kurdish Peshmerga brigades ers inside Mosul, the move- immoderate as many of the ners craft political agreements works they left behind." World will be available by mid-March War One Through Arab Eyes - hold big enough to distinguish harem of enslaved women, the ment is outnumbered at least "moderate Syrian opposition" and carefully manage a gradu- between private and public likes of which have never be- to support an assault on Mo- 50 to one by local military-age fighters in Syria? Would the al neighbourhood-by-neigh- Episode two: The Ottomans sul, and a range of other Pesh- Coming the day after Inter- quarters, where male guests fore been seen in the East. males. new leadership of Mosul in- bourhood liberation of Mosul might be received in its corol- In suggesting the harem as merga forces are already ring- What if Mosul self-liber- clude the old al-Qaeda in Iraq that slowly unfolds over the national Women's Day, when ing the city's northern and east- her husband Recep Tayyip Er- lary, the "selamlik". a model for the present, Er- ates? elements who refused to join next 12 months. A wealthy household might dogan establishes a populist ern arc. The make-up of Mosul's ISIL - in effect, the Iraqi ver- But what if ISIL control col- dogan essentialised women's US-backed special forces social roles through the state- include multiple wives, as well red herring against an imagi- population poses a challenge sion of al-Nusra Front? lapsed much sooner - before as multiple generations, all of nary Western onslaught, as if raids are beginning on the edg- for the liberators, too. Iraqi forc- ALSO READ: Playing poli- intracoalition agreements are in ment that "a woman is above es of the ISIL defences around all a mother", Emine Erdogan's which would have separate fi- to say that current concerns es are being trained to retake tics with boots on the ground place and before the ISF and nancial and social arrange- about the rights of women are Mosul. On February 13, US the ISIL-held city of Mosul The problem is not neces- other troops are ready to en- speech aroused much liberal forces backed by Apache gun- derision. ments. due to this misrepresentation. [AP] In prior years, there were sarily that Iraq, the United ter? After the 16th century, sul- She, thus, belittles current- ships smashed ISIL defensive estimated to be over 7,000 States, and other Coalition al- What if the self-liberators Yet, immediate objections to positions at Kisik and Badush, the equation of the harem with tans stopped marrying in order ly increasing patterns of sexu- former military officers in the lies would lack the ability to of Mosul try to militarily pre- to limit family power. Thus, the al repression and violence northwest of Mosul, and city, plus 103,000 other former identify these armed elements vent the Iraqi government and a school do not address the seized the movement's chief broader problematic of roman- sultan's harem, to which Er- against women in Turkey and soldiers in circulation in Mo- that would inherit Mosul "the Kurdish forces from entering dogan refers, was composed much of the Middle East under chemical weapons specialist. sul. There is at least one AK-47 day after" an ISIL collapse. the city? The destruction of ticising the Ottomania dominat- US-backed special forces ing current Turkish presiden- largely of children, servants, conditions of war. for all of the city's 450,000 or so As one US diplomat told Syrian cities like Aleppo and slaves - some of whom who She also implies that the raids are beginning on the edg- military-age males and proba- me, "We know everyone," - a Homs - and decades before, the tial rhetoric. es of the ISIL defences around The curse of Orientalism rose through the ranks of con- charitable acts of elites, like bly very many more, plus heavy statement I can well believe fate of Beirut - show just how cubinage to become mothers of those of the Ottoman dynasty, Mosul. weapons hidden away from having been in Mosul in the bad such interfactional fight- In the 18th century, Anto- Intelligence-backed air ine Gallard's translation of A sultans, regulating the harem can stand in for the rights of ISIL. occupation days and having ing can become. and its very un-libertine, pro- the many, largely secured strikes on Mosul are also ac- Prior to 2014, Mosul was the seen the endless link analysis Michael Knights is the Thousand and One Nights fu- celerating. Mosul city has re- elled fantasies of the orgiastic creation-oriented sexuality. through the modern education- most active insurgent hub in and network mapping materials Lafer Fellow with The Wash- Like any household, royal al opportunities called schools placed Ramadi as the most Iraq. A patchwork of Sunni mil- prepared on the Mosul fac- ington Institute for Near East harem, yet English artist Lady struck location in Iraq or Syria. Wortley Montagu and French or not, harems were education- necessary in any modern de- itant groups ran the large-scale tions. Policy. He has worked in every al spaces, and women of vary- mocracy. Kurdish intelligence networks organised crime networks in the The problem would be de- Iraqi province and most of the philosopher Montesquieu within the city provide a rich used the East as exemplary for ing social status learned basic Equal access to education city, dominating real estate and conflicting the actions of the country's hundred districts. household tasks as well as and participation in the public tapestry of information on ISIL. profiting from mobile phone ISF, Kurdish forces, Shia mili- The views expressed in this European progress. There are even signs of lo- This perspective shifted reading, in order to study the sphere for women and the work- networks and trade. These net- tias, anti-ISIL Sunni militants, article are the author's own and Quran. Elite women also partic- ing classes has been a hallmark calised resistance in the forms works are currently submerged police, armed civilians and pos- do not necessarily reflect Al under 19th century colonialism, of a regular drumbeat of assas- when painter Eugene Delacro- ipated in a culturally sophisti- of Turkey's modern identity and not entirely under the con- sibly even Turkish and Iranian Jazeera's editorial policy. cated social milieu that includ- since its inception nearly a cen- sinations and attacks on ISIL ix's Women of Algiers (1834) forces in Mosul. Such resis- signified French conquest ed recitation of poetry and ad- tury ago. ministration of inheritance and Erdogan's search for the fu- tance is likely to grow as liber- through entry into the private ating forces draw closer and Wasn’t Hezbollah a terror- sphere of an Algerian home. property. ture through the past is not Another misrepresentation shocking because of the lack their activities become more In suggesting the harem as visible to the residents. a model for the present, Er- Yet, it is a far stretch to of nuance in its information, equate the household educa- but because it erodes the pre- The long 80km perimeter of ist group before today? dogan establishes a populist Mosul city poses a major se- red herring against an imagi- tion of any harem, including the mises of a modern and egalitar- Ottoman dynastic harem, with ian democratic state. curity challenge to ISIL be- By Abdulrahman al-Rashed iri being the most important which is fighting alongside the nary Western onslaught, as if cause residents, spies, and to say that current concerns a school. Wendy M K Shaw is a pro- among them. Assad regime. Such a situation Schools are modern institu- fessor of the Art History of Is- anti-ISIL resistance fighters The Lebanese party Hezbollah Until few weeks ago, most does not leave room for maneu- about the rights of women are will be able to sneak in and out was formally labeled a terrorist due to this misrepresentation. tions. In the 19th century, a lamic Cultures at the Free Uni- Arab governments avoided vers and courtesy and takes the centralised system of modern versity, Berlin. She works on with increasing regularity as a outfit by the Arab League dur- public criticism of Hezbollah situation to the point of no re- Thereafter, numerous Ori- liberation operation becomes ing a meeting in Cairo on Fri- entalist painters and novelists secondary education prolifer- the art and thought of Turkey even after it was found to be turn. ated throughout the Ottoman and the postcolonial Middle imminent. day. Prior to that, the group was involved in the fighting in Syr- They’d all known that developed a fantastic reper- As in Fallujah and a range branded terrorist by the Arab toire of the harem that in- Empire, supplementing the cur- East, particularly in its relation- ia Hezbollah is a terrorist group riculum offered through tradi- ship with historical remem- of smaller cities where ISIL has interior ministers in Tunisia. No one publically criticized before these recent disagree- creased with the eroticisation been forced to brutally sup- However, we have regard- of belly dancing at the 1889 tional, religiously-oriented pri- brance. them even when Hezbollah ments with it surfaced as it has mary education in the "mektab" The views expressed in this press dissent, there is strong ed it as a terrorist organization lured Israel to attack Lebanon been killing Lebanese, Syrian, Paris World's Fair. potential for anti-ISIL upris- a decade ago when it assassi- Writing of his European and the religious legal educa- article are the author's own and and destroy it in 2006 by kid- Arab and foreign citizens since tion offered in the secondary do not necessarily reflect Al ings in Mosul. In fact, the very nated high-ranking Lebanese napping two Israeli soldiers. the 1980s. However, they hoped travels in 1895, the Ottoman size of Mosul - a factor often leaders and when it engaged in journalist and writer Ahmed schools, or madrasas. Jazeera's editorial policy. This was a move which the par- that there will come a day when the murder of thousands of ty later said it had miscalculat- Hezbollah decides to give up Syrian civilians. It has been a ed. Back then, only two Arab its role as Assad’s and Iran’s terrorist group since then and governments dared criticize proxy and become a civil polit- LETTER TO THE EDITOR continues to be so. However, Hezbollah while others re- ical party, particularly following no one dared to officially say mained silent despite the de- Israel’s withdrawal from South that until last week when Arab struction Lebanon suffered Lebanon 16 years ago. governments officially de- from. Hezbollah, however, re- clared the same. Long history mained the same and its brutal- Cricket victory Those who defended Everyone knows that ity worsened even as it expand- Afghanistan National Cricket Team has made a tremendous victory in their knockout group match in the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 Hezbollah during the League’s Hezbollah has been a terrorist ed its activities into Iraq, Syria, game against Zimbabwe. Afghanistan roared into the main draw of the World T20 with an emphatic 59-run victory over Zimbabwe in foreign ministers’ meeting were organization ever since it was Yemen and Bahrain. Saturday match. Mohammad Shahzad 40 gave Afghanistan a flying start before Mohammad Nabi 50 ad Samiullah Shenwari 43 added 98 representatives of helpless established in the 1980s. It hi- This article was first pub- runs off 64 balls to power them to 186-6, their highest total in this format. Lebanon and the almost-help- jacked Lebanon, seized its re- lished in Asharq al-Awsat on Soon after the victory, the Afghan cricket fans took to the streets and started celebrating the victory by dancing and singing. Celebrating less Iraq and Algeria. sources and decision-making Mar. 13, 2016. such victory is a good thing especially when it come in a peaceful manner. It is also worth of appreciation that this time Afghan cricket The League has been ac- process and obstructed its po- Abdulrahman al-Rashed is fans did not turn to gunshots instead celebrated in a peaceful environment. Two children were killed in celebratory firings in Nangarhar customed to this support for litical and economic develop- the former General Manager of when Afghanistan smashed Scotland. Thanks to the Afghan masses that they restrained this time from gunshots as they come to know Iran since it played the role of that such practice could jeopardize the safety of the Afghans. We must celebrate our victory peaceful as we did. ment a lot more than it confront- Al Arabiya News Channel. A Ali Ahmadzada, Kabul Afghanistan the mediator in releasing Amer- ed Israel over the course of 30 veteran and internationally ac- ican hostages held at the Amer- years. claimed journalist, he is a former ican embassy in . The Criticizing the party and its editor-in-chief of the London- other 19 Arab countries stood terrorist nature remained the based leading Arab daily against Hezbollah, marking a subject of private meetings be- Asharq al-Awsat, where he still Letter to editor will be edited for policy, content and clarity. All letters must have the writer’s name and significant political and popu- hind closed doors. However, it regularly writes a political col- address. You may send your letters to: [email protected] lar anger of Arabs toward has now become public as most umn. He has also served as the Hezbollah. Arab governments now have editor of Asharq al-Awsat’s Until few weeks ago, most the courage to declare their sister publication, al-Majalla. Arab governments avoided position as there is no longer Throughout his career, Rashed public criticism of Hezbollah anything to avoid or to be has interviewed several world Disclaimer: even after it was found to be ashamed of. leaders, with his articles garner- involved in the fighting in Syr- Around half a million Syri- ing worldwide recognition, and ia. Even prior to that, it was ans have been killed since the he has successfully led Al Ara- The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the author(s) evident that it assassinated revolution started and some of biya to the highly regarded, and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Afghanistan Times. several Lebanese leaders, with them have been killed by thriving and influential position former prime minister Rafiq Har- Hezbollah fighters and Iran, it is in today. 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Shop owner Emre Tatlisoz's home least 30,000 people. was once three stories high. To- The recent operation was fo- day, it is nothing more than a pile cused largely on Kurdish-majori- of rubble. ty areas in southern Turkey. The house next door is equal- The Turkish army claimed ly unrecognisable, as is the next that more than 600 PKK fighters one, and the one after that. The were killed in Cizre alone. Turkey streets of Nur Mahallesi, a neigh- also informed the United Nations bourhood in Cizre in southern that 205 members of the police, Turkey, have been hard-hit by gendarmerie and military were clashes between Turkish govern- killed between July 20 and Decem- ment forces and Kurdistan Work- ber 28, 2015. ers' Party (PKK) fighters. A Turkish police official, who A 24-hour curfew was im- spoke on condition of anonymity posed on the town of about because he was not authorised to 130,000 people last December, speak to the media, told Al Jazeera and was only lifted this month. that the goal of the recent opera- Residents who had fled the vio- tion was "to kill PKK terrorists lence were allowed to return to and anyone who will support their Cizre on March 2, but many quick- ideology.'' Turkish officials say the ly discovered they had little to fighting was focused on neighbour- come home to. hoods that housed barricades built "This was not sudden. It is by local fighters. hard see it, but we had imagined But Ali Ihsan Su, the governor this in our fears," Tatlisoz said as of Sirnak province where Cizre is he surveyed the destruction. "This located, said the Turkish authori- is why we were asking the world ties did not distinguish between to look at us, but we were ignored civilians and fighters. by the media." They attacked callously and He told Al Jazeera that he first mercilessly, without distinguishing planned to stay in Cizre despite between military, police, women, the curfew, but left after his neigh- men, old or young. bour's home was hit by shelling, "They destroyed houses by and he saw a sniper shoot and kill placing explosives from the kitch- a man in front of his house. ens to the bedrooms," Su said. "Fleeing was a risk, too, with "They attacked callously and mer- my young children … and we left cilessly, without distinguishing under constant shooting over our between military, police, women, heads," Tatlisoz said. men, old or young." Turkey launched a widespread Earlier this month, Tesmeen security operation against the Yildiz, a woman in her 60s, stood video shot by local journalist Re- commit human rights violations, relatives elsewhere in Turkey. the official did not directly re- school near the city centre, which PKK, a Kurdish nationalist group outside her home waiting for neigh- fik Tekin - in which a group of ci- they must be prosecuted," Al Hus- Those who do plan to remain will spond, instead noting that the locals said was used by Turkish that Ankara, the United States and bourhood boys to bring her son's vilians carrying white flags are fired sein said in a statement. face an uphill battle to rebuild. PKK's violence "did more harm to security officers, has been reduced the European Union consider a ter- charred remains up from the base- upon - went viral in late January, Amnesty International also An official with the Turkish the Kurds" than anybody else. to rubble, while a garden near the rorist organisation, in July 2015. ment. Her son insisted on staying and led the UN High Commission- warned that "the Turkish govern- prime minister's office told Al Some neighbourhoods, includ- building is filled with ash. PKK fighters have taken re- to watch over the house, she said, er for Human Rights, Zeid Raad ment's onslaught" in Kurdish Jazeera that the government has ing Sur Mahallesi, Cudi Mahallesi "We have no money, no furni- sponsibility for deadly attacks on and he died when the home was Al Hussein, to call on Turkey to towns and neighbourhoods put "pledged to launch public housing and Nur Mahallesi, have become ture, no income. Turkish forces and police after a attacked by Turkish forces. Yildiz investigate the shooting of unarmed 200,000 lives at risk and amount- projects and provide financial as- virtually uninhabitable. Rows of How will we feed ourselves? recent ceasefire between the group maintained that her son was not a civilians. ed to collective punishment. sistance to communities affected houses and apartment buildings Where will we sleep?" asked Cihan and the Turkish government col- member of the PKK. "The authorities must take Despite being able to return by terrorism", but he did not pro- have collapsed, and the structures Zaman, a pharmacist who lived in lapsed last summer. The decades- Videos and images shared by great care to protect human rights home, many residents of Cizre said vide further details. Asked about that are still standing have broken Cudi Mahallesi. "We have travelled long conflict between the Turkish Cizre residents showed Turkish when conducting military or secu- they were planning to relocate to allegations of human rights viola- pillars and parapets, burned bricks back in time." state and the PKK has killed at forces opening fire on civilians. A rity operations. If state operatives nearby towns, or seek shelter with tions by the Turkish government, and bullet-scarred walls. A large Al Jazeera US election IN CAMBODIA, Life under an active volcano in Ecuador snapshot: It was June 1877 and summer in WORKERS' RIGHTS FOR the Sierra. The dry, Andean wind carried specks of ash that sprin- Inside a Donald kled down upon the sprawling ha- WOMEN SLOW TO COME ciendas and lush swaths of green Trump rally pastures as hundreds of farm ani- Srey Mao is leaving work. She flips a switch on her sewing machine. It mals grazed at the foot of Coto- I had anticipated Burlington, Ver- makes an exhausted whirring noise as it powers down. She leaves her paxi, one of the world's highest mont, would prove an interesting isolated workstation. Management moved her there to keep an eye on active volcanoes. place to photograph my first her. She even has to leave by a separate door. The sunlight hurts her tired Since the beginning of the year, Donald Trump rally. I wasn't eyes. Her old Nokia phone reads 7:10am in blocky text. the majestic snow capped summit, wrong. "They isolated me because I'm brave enough to advocate for the standing at more than 5,800 me- Next door to the theater where same rights Western women have," she says. tres, had belched out small puffs the GOP front-runner was to "Srey Mao" means "dark-skinned woman" in the Khmer language. of smoke and ash. speak, a deli advertises its "The It is an affectionate nickname in a country where dark skin is associated In the capital, Quito, the Donald" sandwich-made of bolo- with traditional values and rural life. The other workers also call her churches were silent and the doors gna and white bread, of course. "mother", because, if they have a problem, she will put them in touch remained locked. Another storefront’s sign reads: with the unions and address the management. It was an unusual time for the "Trump's A Chump - Feel The As the world celebrated International Women's Day on March 8, city. The interim head of the Bern." Srey Mao, one of Cambodia's 700,000 garment workers, was facing church had been forced into exile All of this is no surprise - just almost the same problems that the founders of International Women's by the military dictator, General a block down is Bernie Sanders' Day confronted more than 100 years ago: scant wages, long hours and Ignacio de Veintemilla, who peo- national campaign headquarters. repression of unions. ple suspected of murdering the Sanders, the democratic socialist And while the situation for Western women has improved, the same Archbishop of Quito by lacing his problems persist in Cambodia and other countries in the developing competing against Hillary Clinton chalice of wine with poison during Then, 138 years later, in the showing signs of activity in Au- "We think we are prepared in the Democratic Party primaries, world. the Good Friday prayers. International Women's Day has its roots in the grime and sweat of early hours of a Friday morning gust [Priyanka Gupta/Al Jazeera] because the government has a plan, was once a very popular mayor Residents of Quito shunned last August, there were reports of Today, the town of 12,000 but this is only in theory, we will here. He still calls the quaint col- New York City's garment industry in the early 1900s. About 80 percent and feared him. A year before, the of garment workers then were women, who laboured under terrible con- five explosions and a plume of ash people resembles a ghost town. know what happens when it hap- lege town home. general had ridden to power five kilometres long shooting into Tiny, bronze locks and a few stray pens," said Narcisa Rivadeneira, It was also no surprise that ditions. through a violent coup and a three- They worked for up to 75 hours a week and had to buy their own the air. dogs guard rows of small, aban- the vice rector at the school. hundreds of anti-Trump demon- month civil war with forces loyal Vulcanologists now believe an doned houses with red flags flut- "We still don’t know where strators had amassed across the needles, thread and, in some cases, sewing machines. Many faced sexual to the deposed president, Antonio harassment - though the term wouldn't be coined for another 60 years. eruption is imminent, but they can- tering at the top to signal that they the rations will come from. There street from the candidate's desti- Borrero. not be sure of the scale. fall within the risk zone. is no information. All the residents nation this evening, the Flynn Cen- The day is sometimes thought to have been set up to commemorate The streets of Quito were as a 15,000-woman walkout in New York in 1908, but this theory has been The areas around the volcano Around 4,000 people left of Mulalo are supposed to go to ter for the Performing Arts. turbulent as the skies above, have been designated as risk zones Mulalo when Cotopaxi first Roselle but it is not [big] enough I heard them chanting, "Deport debunked by Renee Cote, an activist and writer. In reality, the idea of which were slowly turning black International Women's Day was first proposed in 1910, at the second and the 90,000 people living in spewed ash in August, and only for all the people. More than up- Trump!" and, "Don’t give in to and pouring a "rain of ash". them are under yellow alert, pre- about 40 percent of them have re- set, I am worried," Rivadeneira racist fear, refugees are welcome International Socialist Women's Conference, held in Copenhagen, Den- The last big eruption mark. The conference said it was "following the example of the Ameri- paring for the worst. turned since. continued. here." Meanwhile, those in line to Then, on the morning of June Patricia Mothes is a volcanol- The town is quiet with just a Mario Rocha Niza, the head see Trump countered with "Build can socialist women", referring to a shirtwaist makers' strike in New 26, Cotopaxi convulsed. A major York the previous November, in which 20,000 workers staged a mass ogist at Ecuador's Geophysics In- few shops open and a school near- of the local government in Mulalo, a Wall!" and "USA! USA!" eruption shook the ground beneath stitute in Quito. The Institute has by where a handful of children still indicates a small patch of concrete Anticipating the inevitable walk-out. The factory bosses thought that they would return as soon as it. Torrents of water, hot gas and the hunger and cold started to bite, but they were wrong. been closely monitoring Cotopaxi. attend classes. that is supposed to serve as a meet- protesters that plague Trump’s rock poured down, destroying fac- "Volcanoes have an on and off Before August, there were 800 ing point for thousands of families campaign, his staff began to let "I'm not surprised the bosses hope to starve [us] into submission," tories and farmland, villages and wrote Theresa Serber Malkiel, in her book Diary of a Shirtwaist Striker, process," she explained. "The seis- pupils studying here, but close to should the volcano erupt. people enter the 1,400-seat venue small towns. An avalanche of mud mic activity here has been going 200 of them have left along with "If the volcano erupts, then - but only after passing a loyalty published in 1910. filled nearby rivers, bursting their "They forget that it ain't easy to starve these girls; they're pretty on for about six months … This is their families for nearby towns. God help us," he said. test in which they had to profess banks. number six of the important erup- Dr Raul Amaya Perea and his "Right now there's [a] yellow support for the candidate. trained hands at that job." The strike ended in February 1910 with all the It took just over 30 minutes workers' demands being met. tive periods from 1532 to now. It daughter visit the town to conduct alert but if there's [an] orange alert I'm no Trump supporter but I for the debris to reach the nearest always ends in [a] major eruption." regular eye check-ups for the pu- and if the eruption is big then peo- did have a press badge, so after a "I feel happy for them, but it's not easy for us to do the same," said town, Latacunga. Within 18 hours Louk Saven, a Cambodian garment worker, when told the story. "My And while Mothes believes pils. ple will be directed to go [to] the Secret Service pat down, I got to it had travelled west, reaching the there could very well be an erup- "The basic problems for chil- Pan American Highway," Niza ex- join the rest of the news cameras husband died and I have five children. I can't make their lives any hard- Pacific coast. er." Her fellow garment worker Kong Sak concurred, saying, "I couldn't tion, she is keen to stress that "we dren that are caused by the Coto- plained. Cotopaxi has been emit- at the back of the auditorium. Although Quito was spared will be warned about it". paxi ash are allergies. Almost 80 ting ash for more than seven Trump arrived at the lectern a last more than a month without pay". the devastation, it was shrouded But Srey Mao disagreed, insisting: "We have to advocate for our- As you wind down the lanes percent of the kids here have con- months. Early warning systems of half-hour late and, despite the fact in complete darkness and the en- of the pan-American highway, junctivitis because of the ash," electronic sirens have been installed that his campaign did its best to selves." tire city was coated in a fine layer Many of the victories achieved by US shirtwaist strikers in 1910 amid the rolling swaths of farm- Perea said. and volunteers have been provid- engineer a friendly crowd, it had of ash. land and undulating hills, Cotopaxi Children wrapped in grey ed with walkie talkies. They will still been infiltrated. have yet to be realised in Cambodia. "The inhabitants of Quito were Garment workers still work 70-hour weeks during peak season, and appears almost unobtrusive as it fleece overalls with the rainbow be notified, by SMS or Whatsapp Protesters revealed themselves shocked to know that, besides the towers over the Ecuadorian coun- coloured motif of Ecuador embla- messages, by those monitoring the every few minutes or so and were discrimination against union members is rampant. deaths produced by the clashes "If they see any girl talk to me, they will fire her," said Srey Mao. tryside. The steady jet of steam zoned on their chests, play in a volcano if there is a change to the immediately escorted out. He takes with the dictatorship's army, many and gas frothing from the ice- school compound that overlooks alert level. In the case of a red alert, the interruptions in stride, though, "Because they know I am a union member." Srey Mao has been fired people had died because of the mud twice, but both times union lawyers were able to have her reinstated. capped mouth of the volcano seem Cotopaxi in the distance. the men have been made reponsi- like a badge of honour: "You know, slides that covered the central area to melt into the clouds. There are safe rooms for the ble for going door to door to noti- it’s sort of fun. Isn’t this more ex- Despite their accomplishments, the New York women were not of Los Chillos Valley, where rich able at the time to win protection against unwanted advances from male Off the highway, a dirt road children here in case of ash fall, fy residents and sound the alarms. citing? You go to a Hillary thing, families had their haciendas," leads to Mulalo, a small farming but if an eruption is significant, Simulation drills have been and it’s like boring.” colleagues and management. It was only in 1964 that this protection Gonzalo Ortiz, an Ecuadorian writ- began to be legally recognised in the US, starting with the 1964 Civil town, 30km from Cotopaxi. A teachers are supposed to escort the conducted in three provinces in the By now the candidate's sup- er and historian, told Al Jazeera. green street sign stands innocuous- children to the nearest safe zone - risk zone, with sirens sounded and porters acted more like informers Rights Act. "Houses and workshops had For Cambodian women, sexual harassment remains a major griev- ly at the side of the road. Evacua- a 20-minute walk away - from announcements made in different and seemed eager to be the first to been wiped [out] in a moment, cion Hacia - towards evacuation - where their parents are expected languages. Portable water supplies, spot the next imposter, shouting, ance. "They will fire older women and recruit young girls because they animals drowned and were taken want pretty girls to work in their factory," explained Louk Saven. it reads, pointing in the direction to collect them before heading to evacuation routes, education and "Out! Out!" down by the flow." of Tanicuchi, 580 metres away, designated safe zones, chosen health services were all part of the One woman was dragged out Srey Mao nodded. She said she is 52 years old, but tells her employ- Two months later, the news ers she is just 37. which the government has desig- based on the impact of previous drill. screaming, "I didn’t do anything!" of the eruption finally reached the nated as gathering point in the event eruptions. A budget of more than $67m The whole culture of the rally re- "The management makes pretty girl supervisors so they can get Atlantic. It was estimated that at close to them," claimed Kong Sak. "Often the girl is intimidated because of an eruption. Government assurances and has been allocated for contingency minded me of that scene in Pink least 1,000 people had lost their Large volcanic boulders lie by evacuation drills have done little measures in case of an eruption, Floyd's "The Wall", when the rock she knows they will fire her if she disagrees [to sex]." lives and millions of dollars worth In recent years, Cambodian garment workers have fought for a living the side of the roads, a reminder of to allay the fears of anxious teach- the effects of which may be exac- star protagonist fantasises he's a of property was gone forever. the devastation wrought by the ers who say that they have been erbated by the El Nino weather dictator and his concert is a neo- wage of $160 a month. Under pressure from unions and buyers such as That was the last time Coto- H&M, the Cambodian government raised the monthly minimum wage volcano in 1877. putting on a brave face and stick- pattern in the region as that places Nazi rally; then his followers pro- paxi erupted on a significant scale. Dozens of houses in Mulalo ing to a routine for the sake of their a further stress on existing resourc- ceed to attack minorities. from $128 to $140 in January, falling short of the amount demanded by Cotopaxi rumbles again the unions. Aljazeera are vacant after Cotopaxi started students. es. Aljazeera This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. MONDAY. MARCH 14, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES Iran says it will freeze oil production With dollars in short ACA co-ops lose supply, Egyptian traders millions in 2015; only after regaining market share seek loopholes some expect Iran must regain its share of the Mohamed used to call the bank if to spot an opportunity. They cul- 2016 profits global oil market before it will par- he needed to transfer funds to Chi- tivated contacts abroad who could ticipate in any agreement among The Affordable Care Act’s health na to import tyres for his Cairo transfer funds on behalf of clients insurance co-ops absorbed deep oil producing countries to restrict business. Now it cannot give him in Egypt, charging 2.5 percent. supply, the chief of staff to Presi- financial losses last year, and 2016 enough foreign currency, so he has Demand was so high, traders said, is shaping up to be a make-or-break dent Hassan Rouhani said. to turn to Egypt’s black market they soon raised fees to 5 percent. A collapse in the price of oil year for these nonprofit alterna- despite the high costs. Profits multiplied, in some tives to traditional insurers. since mid-2014 has led some big Measures imposed by the cases more than tenfold, with a exporters to suggest an output Officially called Consumer government a year ago to crush the typical exchange bureau transfer- Operated and Oriented Plans, freeze, but Iran is focused on in- black market have had the oppo- ring at least $10 million a week, creasing supply following the lift- these still-fledgling insurers were site effect, pushing business own- two traders involved in such trans- devised during the ACA’s creation ing of international sanctions ear- ers further into the arms of illegal fers said. lier this year. to inject competition into insur- money changers and forcing some “What are they to do? Let their ance markets. But they have strug- “Of course the oil market has importers to carry large amounts business be run down to the to be managed more wisely,” Mo- gled from the start to build a cus- of dollars in cash aboard. ground or find an alternative?” said tomer base from scratch and deal hammad Nahavandian said at the While many Egyptians are sim- one trader. Royal United Services Institute in with higher-than-expected expens- ply trying to keep their firms go- When the caps were introduced es, among other problems. London. ing, the rules inadvertently also last year, importers began split- “For Iran to participate in sup- Heading into their third full created a new generation of cur- ting their invoices, paying a por- year of operation, the co-ops are ply reduction, the prerequisite is rency dealers who, wielding their tion through the banks to obtain to come to ... the share of the mar- adding customers and improving credit cards, were exploiting a wid- paperwork necessary to clear their their coverage, but they also face ket it had and then from that posi- ening gap between the Egyptian cargoes at customs and transfer- tion help with a decrease in sup- the end of some government pro- pound’s official and black market ring the rest outside the banking grams designed to support insur- ply.” exchange rates. system. Nahavandian said Iran's reli- ers as they build business on the Egypt’s black market has flour- Mohamed, who has imported ACA’s public insurance exchang- ance on oil revenue was now min- ished since the 2011 “Arab Spring” goods this way, said transfers were imal, and that it was up to other es. They will have to determine uprising scared off tourists and made mostly from Gulf Arab coun- soon whether their businesses can producer countries to act to restrict foreign investors, leading to short- tries. supply. stand on their own and compete ages of the dollars they brought to Small importers have resorted with more established carriers. the country’s official banking sys- to flying abroad with cash above “Plan year 2016 is a critical tem. the $10,000 limit allowed by au- year for these co-ops — they must Trying to clamp down, the thorities smuggled in luggage. “Peo- move from startup to stability and government imposed caps in Feb- ple always find another way. I took improve their financial capabili- ruary 2015 on withdrawals of for- with me $15,000 in cash and trav- ties,” said Kevin Counihan, CEO IRS has $29m for Georgia taxpayers eign currency from accounts as well elled to Dubai to pay my suppli- of the federal exchange operator as on deposits - the latter to pre- er,” said one businessman who HealthCare.gov, during a Thursday Refunds totaling $950 million refund within three years, the mon- checks may be held if they have qualifying child, and vent illegally purchased dollars declined to be named as the prac- hearing held by the Senate’s Home- may be waiting for an estimated ey becomes property of the U.S. not filed tax returns for 2013 and $13,980 ($19,190 if married being parked in the banking sys- tice is illegal. land Security & Government Af- one million taxpayers in the na- Treasury.” 2014. In addition, the refund will filing jointly) for people with- tem. Despite mounting downward fairs Committee. tion who did not file a federal There is no penalty for filing a be applied to any amounts still out qualifying children. A dozen of the 23 co-ops cre- income tax return for 2012. In late return qualifying for a refund. owed to the IRS, or their state tax Current and prior year tax ated under the law have closed, and Georgia, over $29 million in un- Some people may not have agency, and may be used to offset forms and instructions are avail- many of the survivors lost well claimed refunds awaits 34,300 filed because they had too little unpaid child support or past due able on the IRS.gov forms and over $20 million last year, accord- individuals. However, to collect income to require filing a tax re- federal debts, such as student loans. publications page, or by calling ing to recently filed annual state- the money, a return for 2012 turn even though they had taxes By failing to file a tax return, toll-free: 800-TAX-FORM ments compiled by the National must be filed with the IRS no withheld from their wages or make people stand to lose more than just (800-829-3676). Taxpayers who Association of Insurance Commis- later than Monday, April 18. quarterly estimated payments. In their refund of taxes withheld or are missing Forms W-2, 1098, sioners. “Time is running out if you cases where a return was not filed, paid during 2012. Many low-and- 1099 or 5498 for the years 2012, But the co-ops also hit a want to get your refund,” said the law provides most taxpayers moderate income workers may not 2013 or 2014 should request cop- growth spurt and now cover more IRS Spokesman Mark Green. with a three-year window of op- have claimed the Earned Income ies from their employer, bank or than 350,000 people, or nearly tri- “Taxpayers should review their portunity for claiming a refund. If Tax Credit (EITC). For 2012, the other payer. ple their total from 2014. Enroll- 2012 statements for refundable no return is filed to claim a refund credit is worth as much as $5,891. Taxpayers who are unable to ment is growing better than expect- credits and withholdings. We within three years, the money be- The EITC helps individuals get missing forms from their em- ed and patient populations appear want all taxpayers to get the re- comes property of the U.S. Trea- and families whose incomes are ployer or other payer should go to be getting younger and healthier fund they’re due. We estimate sury. below certain thresholds. The to IRS.gov and use the "get a tran- in some cases. That can help cut that the median unclaimed refund For 2012 tax returns, the win- thresholds for 2012 were: script by mail" button to order a future expenses. for tax-year 2012 in Georgia is dow closes on April 18 (or April $45,060 ($50,270 if married paper copy of their transcript and Plus, the co-ops are learning $642”, added Green. 19 for taxpayers in Maine and filing jointly) for those with three have it sent to their address of more about their patient popula- “In cases where a return was Massachusetts). The law requires or more qualifying children, record. tion, which can help them price not filed, the law provides most the tax return to be properly ad- $41,952 ($47,162 if married Taxpayers can also file Form future coverage to cover claims. taxpayers with a three-year dressed, mailed and postmarked by filing jointly) for people with two 4506-T to request a transcript These insurers knew 2015 window of opportunity for that date. qualifying children, of their tax return. Taxpayers can would be ugly, according to Kelly claiming a refund,” said Green. The IRS reminds taxpayers $36,920 ($42,130 if married use the information on the tran- Crowe, CEO of the trade associa- “If no return is filed to claim the seeking a 2012 refund that their filing jointly) for those with one script to file their return. tion the National Alliance of State Health Co-Ops. But she said last year’s numbers don’t reflect where the co-ops stand today. Crowe US rig count drops 9 this week to all-time low of 480 noted that many are growing me- thodically and adding more stable, HOUSTON : The number of rigs portant indicator of the strength producing states, Texas lost 12 be used to gauge the job losses employer-sponsored coverage. exploring for oil and natural gas in and stability of energy prices and rigs, Oklahoma lost three, New across the country, said Ed Hirs, “We’re optimistic that they the U.S. declined by 9 this week the health of the oil and gas indus- Mexico lost two and North Dako- an energy economist with the Uni- will continue to grow and be a via- to 480, a record low and another try. The U.S. rig count peaked at ta and Ohio lost one. Louisiana and versity of Houston. "It's a marker ble alternative for people in select- sign of the continuing economic 4,530 in 1981 and bottomed at 488 Pennsylvania each gained three rigs, because each rig generally employs ing their health care,” she said. woes in the oil and gas industry. in 1999. Kansas gained two and California about 100 workers. So you can “They are still financially fragile, The number of rigs seeking oil In the latest count, there were and Utah each gained one. Alaska, take the diminished rig count, mul- though. There obviously is still was at 386 while 94 explored for only 386 rigs in the U.S. looking Arkansas, Colorado, West Virgin- tiply by a 100 and you get an idea some risk there, as there is with natural gas, Houston-based oilfield for oil and 215 of those were in ia and Wyoming all were un- of the direct loss of jobs in the in- The central bank has since pressure, Egypt has resisted a any start up business.” services company Baker Hughes Texas, said Patrick Jankowski, re- changed. dustry." Hirs said. However, the scrapped limits for individuals and major devaluation. It allowed a Maryland’s Evergreen Health Inc. said Friday. gional economist and vice presi- Houston — home to more than new low is likely a sign that oil importers of essential products. gradual 10 percent depreciation last Cooperative did the best of the A year ago, 1,125 rigs were dent of research at the Greater 5,000 energy-related firms and production will finally drop, lead- Restrictions remain for business- year. But then it strengthened the remaining co-ops in 2015, book- active. At the recent boom's height, Houston Partnership, a local busi- nicknamed the energy capital of ing to some stability in prices, Jan- es bringing in non-essentials, such pound in November, widening the ing a loss of $10.8 million. Land of the count had climbed to 1,931 in ness group. the world — has taken an econom- kowski said. "There is an old joke as tyres, but they are finding loop- gap between the official and black Lincoln Mutual Health Insurance September 2014. But it has steadi- "That is absolutely incredible," ic hit during this latest oil down- out there. The remedy for low oil holes and say the black market is market rates - and luring more peo- Co. in Illinois lost $90.8 million. ly fallen since then as oil prices he said. "Here we are the big oil turn. About 50,000 industry work- prices are low oil prices," he said. booming more than ever. ple to the game. Maine’s Community Health plunged to about $30 per barrel, state and we only have 215 rigs ers were laid off in 2015, and an- "It's inevitable that oil prices go Unable to deposit more than Egyptians began flying abroad, Options made $7.3 million in 2014 well below the $100 per barrel just working. That just shows you how other 21,000 layoffs are projected up. It's a question of whether they $50,000 a month in a given bank, withdrawing tens of thousands of but lost $74 million last year. More two years ago. hard the industry has contracted." for this year, Jankowski said. go up in the next six weeks or the importers have opened accounts dollars or euros on credit cards at than half of that stemmed from a The rig count is seen as an im- Among the major oil- and gas- The drop in the rig count can next six months." at multiple banks to deposit for- the official rate and exchanging reserve the insurer set aside to cov- eign currency bought on the black them for pounds on the black mar- er future losses. market. The deluge of demand from ket at a profit. Both the Maine and Illinois co- importers for black market dollars “Many people who had no ops said higher-than-expected has put increasing growing down- business in this market... started costs hurt them in 2015. ward pressure on the pound. buying and selling. Some people Hospital and medical expens- On Tuesday, the dollar was have made millions on this,” said es for Community Health Options selling at about 9.80 pounds on the another currency trader who de- more than doubled to $354.7 mil- black market compared with the clined to be named. lion, something CEO Kevin Lewis official rate of 7.73. It has fallen The practice became so wide- attributes in part to pent-up de- 10 percent on the black market in spread that banks imposed limits mand from people who had been the last month alone. last month on the use of credit cards waiting for coverage in order to As the crisis deepens, business abroad. The central bank has also seek treatment. A nearly $55-mil- owners - many of whom rejoiced revoked the licenses of four ex- lion reinsurance payment from the when President Abdelfattah al-Sisi change companies this year. federal government helped ease took power in mid-2013, are grum- Bankers say measures to ease that blow. bling that currency uncertainty is the rules are not enough to curb But that program, which aims hurting the economy. the black market’s appeal, which to help insurers pay big medical “We ended up with accounts has sucked up hard currency from bills, will end after this year. in six banks,” said Mohamed, the banking system, exacerbating Maryland’s Evergreen Health whose family-owned firm sells the shortage. should turn a profit in 2016, ac- tires directly to vehicle owners as “It’s not an issue of control- cording to CEO Dr. Peter Beilen- well as running a wholesale opera- ling the black market inside Egypt son. tion. He has abandoned a plan to anymore,” said one Egyptian bank- He said $7.3 million of Ever- expand the business in Egypt and er. “It needs coordination with reg- green’s 2015 loss came from a pay- is now looking at options abroad. ulators outside Egypt, especially ment the insurer had to make for a Spotting an opportunity in Dubai and China where most federal risk adjustment program. Exchange bureaux were quick such activity occurs.” That program aims to help insur- ers with high-cost patients by giv- ing them payments from carriers with healthier patient populations. Beilenson and other co-op Tobacco off Saudi shelves amid price rise speculation leaders say the formula for calcu- Cigarettes had disappeared from goods such as tobacco, soft drinks and lating this risk adjustment is the shelves in some Saudi cities on the like,” but gave no date for the increased skewed to favor established insur- Sunday amid speculation on so- prices. ers, and they are talking with gov- cial media that the government was Saudi Arabia wants to reduce the bill ernment officials about adjusting about to raise prices on tobacco for state-subsidized healthcare for its cit- it. and other products that are harm- izens, who suffer globally high rates of Evergreen Health wound up ful to health. obesity and related diseases such as dia- running a profit in three of the last Three Riyadh shops visited by betes. Its budget strained by low oil pric- six months of 2015, and Beilenson Reuters said they had no cigarettes es, the government is also trying to boost said its newer enrollees have been for sale and social media users re- its non-oil revenues. healthier than initial customers ported the same in Jeddah on Sat- The local Sabq.org news website who signed up for coverage because urday and Sunday. Some suggest- quoted the Saudi Customs Authority as they needed care right away. ed retailers were holding back stock saying on Saturday that tobacco prices Montana Health Cooperative until the government announced had doubled, but there was no notice of also might turn a profit this year, higher cigarette prices. that on the government body’s website, according to CEO Jerry Dworak. In Dammam, the capital of or that of the Commerce and Industry The insurer lost about $40.7 mil- Eastern Province, at least one shop Ministry. Neither body could immediate- lion last year, but Dworak said $31 was already selling packets of Phil- ly be reached by telephone. million of that came from a charge ip Morris-branded cigarettes for 15 An executive at a tobacco distribu- it took when the federal govern- riyals ($4) instead of the 10 riyals tion company told Reuters that Saudi ment delivered only a fraction of a previously charged, a smoker there Customs had doubled its import fee for a payment due under another pro- told Reuters. consignment that he tried to bring into the gram designed to limit insurer loss- The Finance Ministry said in country on Sunday. es. the country’s 2016 budget state- Shoppers in Riyadh said sugary soft The co-op raised premiums ment in December that it would drinks were still available in stores with 36 percent on average without los- apply “additional fees on harmful no change in price. ing any business. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. 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Nuraini Noor, also known by her stage name Tuti, was recently un- veiled as one of 14 contestants on Asia’s Next Top Model. But her unveiling has caused a stir among the Malaysian public — they are chastising her for taking part in the contest, being a Muslim woman. Tuti, the show’s first ethnic Malay participant, has responded to her critics, by pointing out that she did not face such negative criticism when she participated in modeling competitions in Malaysia. “Different people have different point[s] of view and I am not in control of that. I respect each and everyone’s opinion,” the 24-year-old told BBC. “I don’t like to put labels on anything. I’m a citizen of the world. I’m that kind of girl who chase[s] her dreams,” she said. As a Muslim model, “that really depends on how you approach the task. You need to be open to the producers, photographer, stylist and everyone involved on issues such as this and the sensitivities attached to it. “At the end of the day, the ultimate goal is to produce good photos and to fulfil your brief and that’s what I intend to do every time,” she added. Malaysia has seen a rise in religious sentiment in recent years, evident in the criticism Tuti is receiving. “What really separates us is not skin colour nor religion. It’s oppor- As each designer put their best en metal belts and neckpieces. Car- tunity,” she told the BBC via email. foot forward to showcase their rying on the emerging trend from Noor’s appearance on the show has generated vastly mixed views collections on Day Two of the day one, we spotted a few sports from positive comments such as “Proud to see a Malaysian like her Pakistan Fashion Design Council luxe numbers as well. The collec- represent the country,” to negatives ones like “Better think about your Sunsilk Fashion Week 2016, the tion was Xeeshan’s sartorial jour- family… money and fame can make you happy for a short time, but if evening proved to be an absolute ney from the lowest level of dark- you choose this way, money will kill you, fame will destroy you.” visual treat. From Nomi Ansari ness to the highest point of joy Describing Nuraini Noor as one of the contestants, Asia’s Next Top opening the show with a diverse and ended with models carrying Model’s website writes, “Tuti’s expressive body movements and strong colour palette, to Karma closing out elaborate metallic surface ships angles have made her seem aggressive and full of attitude. Being the the evening with glitz and glam- and horses. This may be alluding winner of X Top Model Search Malaysia 2012 and winning X Walk, our, the runway witnessed a myr- to the idea that one must carry she has proven her worth as an edgy, editorial model. Joining the com- iad of designs, colours and silhou- themselves forward through dark- petition will be a piece of cake; but will she outshine the other girls?” ettes. Here’s a rundown of what ness. Day Two of the fashion extrava- Quite tangential to Xeeshan’s ganza had to offer. collection was Maskatiya’s ‘Dé- Arbaaz Khan and The teasers sent out prior to corer’ which was a continuation of A PENNY Nomi Ansari’s showcase signified her capsule Fashion Pakistan Week Malaika Arora set it would surely be a joyride of co- (FPW) Winter Fiesta collection lours. And, he did not fail to dis- 2015. Both collections were built for divorce FOR HIS appoint — particularly because on solid colors with a few angular colour-play is where the design- prints and well cut refreshing sil- Just weeks after Arbaaz Khan de- er’s forte lies. Ansari incorporated houettes. She treated crepe, raw nied that him, and his wife Malai- THOUGHTS an array of kitsch elements such silk and used overlapping, fold over ka Arora were headed for a split, as pop art badges, calavera embel- pants, jackets and layered them all reports now suggest that the ru- lishments, graphic prints, hashtags together. It’s great to see minimal- mour is in fact true. and alphabets and incorporated a ism take the forefront at Apparently Malaika has made fusion of elements into the design Maskatiya, where simplicity and up her mind about divorcing her mix. His collection was analogous asymmetric cuts are reigning su- husband of 17 years, despite at- to Jeremy Scott whereby he drew preme. The showcase was practi- tempts by her family and in-laws inspiration from similar elements cal and retail friendly to the core to patch things up, reports Times for his collection for Moschino. and is bound to sell when it hits of India. Ansari paid special attention to stores. Megastar Salman Khan, design entire looks for the models In the past, Mahgul has show- Malaika’s brother-in-law, includ- — from custom made glasses, dan- cased some standout capsule col- ing Malaika’s family tried to play gly earrings, and neck-pieces to lections at fashion weeks but this mediator between the two, but in That pesky kid brother or sister “Maybe families are more like- extensively braided hair with co- marked her first complete collec- vain. who broke your stuff and got you ly to take the kids to the park when lourful extensions. While the show- tion. She launched her pret wear, AsianetIndia quoted a source in trouble all the time may have there is a younger sibling, or may- case featured some well-construct- Oro, with aplomb at day two of as saying, “Malaika’s parents actually done you a favour. A US be the child is less likely to be sed- ed peplum tops such as the one fashion week. Oro’s first line, the along with her sister Amrita met study suggests that younger sib- entary, watching TV, when there donned by Amna Babar, Ansari Indus Society, drew inspiration Malaika and Arbaaz at a suburban lings might be really good for your is a younger sibling to engage them could have easily ditched the gh- from animal prints which manifest- restaurant to sit and sort out the health. in more active pretend play,” Lu- agras from his collection. They ed themselves onto clothes that ran differences, but nothing positive That’s because by first grade, meng added. have been way too overdone this the gamut from loungewear, resort came out of it. kids with younger siblings are much Mealtimes might also be dif- season and need serious reinven- wear and formal wear. “In fact, Arbaaz stormed out less likely to be obese. ferent with a second kid in at the tion. Ansari also showcased a line The designer made intricately of the place, yelling at photogra- Children who didn’t welcome table. Parents of only children can of funky jackets, vests and pants designed handmade totes, clutch- phers who were trying to capture a baby brother or sister into the sometimes be controlling or hyper- the private family moment. Malai- Shahroz Sabzwari has indeed come with intricate details and motifs of es, sneakers and khussas to create a long way since he first debuted family before first grade had almost focused about what their kid eats, pop art elements with lots of ac- full looks for the three different ka and Arbaaz then drove away in triple the odds of obesity com- which can potentially lead to bad two separate cars.” on television. The young actor be- cessories including funky footwear kinds of lines she created. She even lieved he received a “bigger break pared with kids who experienced eating habits, some previous re- for men. For a designer who has had barcodes on the bags which than ever expected” through a 12- the birth of a sibling when they search suggests. been only been showcasing bridal read ‘Mahgul Oro’ – the attention part advertisement campaign for a were around three to four years “When parents use restrictive wear over the past two years, it to detail was incredible. It’s hard telecom company. “I did those ads old, the study found. (e.g. keep food from children) or was refreshing to see his aesthetic to pull off animal prints and look over a span of two years,” The study doesn’t prove that pressure-to-eat feeding practices turn to pret. chic but Mahgul’s zebra and tiger Sabzwari told The Express Tri- being an only child will cause obe- (e.g. try to get kids to eat more An Ali Xeeshan show prints had undeniable raw animal- bune. “In this case you actually sity or show how adding a new food), children have an increased wouldn’t be complete if it didn’t istic appeal. “She looked like art, get to show your acting skills rath- baby to family might help older risk of being overweight,” said Jer- begin and end on a high (read: dra- and art wasn’t supposed to look kids maintain a healthy weight. ica Berge, a researcher at the Uni- er than relying on a perfect pout But the results suggest that versity of Minnesota who wasn’t matic) note. The show kick-start- nice. It was supposed to make you as models do,” he added. ed with a sensational fashion vid- feel something” –this was the au- parents may make lifestyle chang- involved in the study. The actor went on to reflect es after expanding the family that “When a new child is intro- eo which ended in him being shot dio played before Mahgul’s show- upon his journey from advertise- to death. The collection had its case that set the tone for her entire could be good to try even before duced, parents may relax their pre- ments to full-fledged acting. “Ma- another baby arrives, said senior occupation with the older child’s own share of drama and lived up show. Even though the show was rina Khan really liked my comic to his signature — “this is me, love steller, a top with gold fishbone study author Dr. Julie Lumeng, a eating behaviors, allowing the old- timing and so, I signed up for Tan- pediatrics and public health re- er child to respond to their own it or hate it”. The colour palette detail at the back and a crisp white haiyaan: Naye Silsilay which I had was retrained to silver, greys and top with a bow in front which searcher at the University of Mich- satiety cues and self-regulate their declined initially,” said Sabzwari. igan and CS Mott Children’s Hos- eating,” Berge added by email. blacks with hints of refreshing neon stood out the most from afar. “But then, my father said I need green. We wish we could say it was pital in Ann Arbor. “This self-regulation may lead to not fear but act out the role to my “It is possible that when there a healthier weight trajectory for the There was an effort to balance infact Flechazo, love at first sight, own liking and I did just that. I is a younger sibling in the family, a child with a sibling compared to a out the drama with a controlled use but even as the models kept glid- was his son in the play as well so child might become more active – child without a sibling.” of colour which resulted in a ma- ing past us on the runway, there the body language was almost the for example running around more For the current study, Lumeng ture collection on his part. Male was nothing redeemable about the same. Tanhaiyaan was not a mas- with their toddler sibling,” Lumeng and colleagues followed 697 US and female models wore helmets collection. Nickie Nina showcased sive hit but it was a good experi- said by email. children from birth through age 6. and sported silver dabka and beat- the weakest collection of the night. ence altogether.” This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. 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Maria Sharapova pens defensive Facebook post, denies receiving warnings Maria Sharapova has denied re- ports suggesting she was warned five times about meldonium before testing positive to the drug. The Russian tested positive to the substance, added to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list at the start of the year, at the Australian Open and faces a ban. Reports had suggested Sharapova, a five-time grand-slam champion, ignored multiple warn- ings about the drug's addition. In a Facebook post on Friday, the 28- year-old labeled such reports ex- aggerated. "A report said that I had been warned five times about the up- coming ban on the medicine I was taking. That is not true and it nev- er happened," Sharapova wrote. "That's a distortion of the actual 'communications' which were pro- vided or simply posted onto a webpage. "I make no excuses for not knowing about the ban. I already told you about the December 22, 2015 email I received. Its subject line was 'Main Changes to the Ten- nis Anti-Doping Programme for 2016.' I should have paid more at- tention to it. "But the other 'communica- tions'? They were buried in news-

Australian Open champion Angel- ique Kerber crashed out of the In- Triple H dian Wells hardcourt tennis tour- nament Saturday, losing her open- PIETH BATTLES BACK BUT retains WWE letters, websites, or handouts." ing match in straight sets 7-5, 7-5 Sharapova pointed to a news- to Czech Denisa Allertova. World letter received via email, covering The world number two numerous topics including the knocked off Serena Williams in the Heavyweight likes of travel, upcoming tourna- Australian Open final in January AAS GRABS LEAD for the first Grand Slam tourna- ments, rankings, statistics and anti- Top-ranked defending champion doping information. ment victory of her career. Championship Jordan Spieth fought into conten- She added: "In other words, in But Kerber's biggest problem tion but it was fellow American order to be aware of this 'warning', on the WTA Tour has been incon- Bill Haas who grabbed the lead af- at Roadblock you had to open an email with a sistency. She played superbly in ter Saturday's third round of the subject line having nothing to do Australia but then lost her first WWE World Heavyweight Cham- US PGA Valspar Championship. with anti-doping, on a match at Doha. This is the third pion Triple H proved once again Reigning Masters and US webpage, enter a password, enter straight year she has lost her open- why he is the King of Kings by Open champion Spieth, frustrat- a username, hunt, click, hunt, click, ing match at Indian Wells. defeating Dean Ambrose Saturday ed after opening with a 76, fired a hunt, click, scroll and read. I guess "I achieved my goal of win- night at WWE Roadblock. bogey-free four-under par 67 Sat- some in the media can call that a ning a Grand Slam. Nobody can Dean Ambrose has nothing to urday to reach two-under 211, six warning. I think most people take that away from me," she said. be ashamed of tonight. Going back shots off the pace of Haas, who would call it too hard to find. "If you lose in the first round and forth with Triple H for almost you always have the next week to also had a 67 on the Copperhead 40 minutes, Ambrose held his own, make it better." course at Innisbrook. even getting a three-count on the 16-1 shot The 28-year-old German said "I'm still in this golf tourna- champ, but was reversed because there are more demands on her ment," Spieth said. "(I will need) of a rope break. Ambrose applied time since her victory in Australia. something like seven-under tomor- both the Figure-Four and the Melatonin "The pressure is much differ- row, which is feasible. So to think Sharpshooter to Triple H, weak- ent than it was a few months ago," after the first round that I go Sat- ening the champ, and going all out scores upset in she said. "I will try to learn from urday night and be able to sleep trying to capture the biggest prize this experience. It was a busy week with a chance to win the golf tour- in sports-entertainment. $1M Santa for me. It is a new situation I have nament, I'm very pleased with At the end of the match, es- to try to get used to." that." caping a 10-count, Ambrose slid Anita Handicap Kerber said the trophy she Haas birdied the par-5 first and back into the ring at the very last won at the Australian Open recent- par-3 fourth then began the back second, only to be caught by a Joe Talamo left his house Satur- ly arrived at her home and now nine with back-to-back birdies. He Pedigree for the pinfall. Triple H's day sensing he had a good chance sits in the middle of her living room. answered a bogey at the par-3 13th next stop is WrestleMania facing of winning the $1 million Santa "It was a great feeling and it is with a chip-in birdie at the par-3 off against Ambrose's "brother" Anita Handicap with 16-1 shot the highlight of my career right 15th to grab his seventh career 54- Roman Reigns, who is still un- Melatonin. now," she said. Kerber had no aces hole lead, his first since winning counted for since suffering a criti- Still, the jockey had no idea it and four double faults Saturday. last year at Palm Desert, Califor- cal face injury by Triple H. would be by 4 1/4 lengths while She had her serve broken four times nia. Johnson hails Van Niekerk's sprinting landmark beating a less than stellar field in in the 98 minute main stadium "I made some nice putts early Michael Johnson led the trib- onds to win the 100 metres final at 200m and the 44-second mark in the Grade 1 race. match. "I had my chances in the and some loose shots on the back utes to Wayde van Niekerk on Sat- the Free State Championships, the 400m. ''I think I need some melatonin second set and I didn't take them," nine I was able to get away with," urday after the South African made Van Niekerk became the first man Johnson, the owner of the right now to calm down from it,'' she said. Allertova, 23, advanced Haas said. "Overall somewhat sol- sprinting history in Bloemfontein. to break the 10-second mark in the 400m world record who also held Talamo said, referencing the sub- to the third round of the joint WTA id. Very pleased to shoot four-un- By running a time of 9.98 sec- 100m, the 20-second barrier in the the fastest time over 200m prior stance used to induce sleep and and ATP event, where she will face der." Canada's Graham DeLaet, to Usain Bolt setting a new best in reduce the effects of jet lag. ''I had Great Britain's Johanna Konta. seeking his first US PGA title, was 2008, expressed his admiration for goose bumps when I crossed the This was the first career meet- second on 206 after a 68 while the achievement on Twitter. wire. Ever since coming to Cali- ing between Kerber and Allertova Americans Charley Hoffman and The legendary American post- fornia, aside from winning the Santa and the first time the Czech has Ryan Moore shared third on 208, ed: "Sub 10, sub 20, sub 44. That's Anita Derby, this was a huge, huge played in the main draw at Indian a US trio of Steve Stricker, Patrick crazy. Great things could be ahead goal of mine.'' Wells. "I tried to focus on every Reed and Charles Howell were on for @WaydeDreamer." Melatonin ran 1 1/4 miles in shot, play into the court and just 209 and South African Charl Van Niekerk uploaded a video 2:02.01 and paid $34.60, $13.80 play my best," said Allertova, who Schwartzel was on 210. of his 100m race to Instagram, add- and $6 for the crowd of 27,259. beat world No. 2 Simona Halep Then came Spieth in a pack of ing the caption: Talamo convinced trainer Dav- last year in Guangzhou, China. In 10 players on 211. The 22-year- "Wow!!! Truly grateful and id Hofmans to enter Melatonin other early women's matches, sev- old Texan said he wouldn't rule out humbled by the opportunity and after the horse won by 3 3/4 enth seeded Belinda Bencic of flirting with the course record of talents the Lord has blessed me lengths in his last start at the track Switzerland beat American Laura 61 even though the layout has been with. Finally reaching my child- last month. zz''He said he loves Davis 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. On the men's stingy this week. "I don't even hood dream of sub 10." this race track, he's so strong and side of the draw, Canadian 12th think we need to do that tomor- Despite his impressive perfor- he had so much horse left, I think seed Milos Raonic routed Inigo row and we're definitely capable mance over the shorter distance, he wants to run even farther, and I Cervantes-Huegun 6-1, 6-3, eighth of it," Spieth said. Van Niekerk is set to focus solely was convinced he was a miler,'' seeded Richard Gasquet beat Nico- Spieth found all but two fair- on the 400m at this year's Rio Hofmans said. ''I thought that las Mahut 6-4, 6-1 in an all-French ways after reaching only seven in Olympics – having claimed gold in sprinter (Melatonin) will stop but matchup and Gael Monfils defeat- the first two rounds and his greens that event at the 2015 world cham- that son of a (gun) didn't stop,'' ed Pablo Carreno Busta 7-5, 7-6 in regulation has progressed from pionships in Beijing. Smith said. (7/1). six to 10 to 12. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. MONDAY. MARCH 14. 2016-Hoot 24, 1394 H.S Vol:X Issue No:225 Price: Afs.15 This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF.