Eye on the News [email protected] Truthful, Factual and Unbiased Vol:XI Issue No:154 Price: Afs.20

www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimes www.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes THURSDAY. JANUARY 03. 2019 -Jaddi 13, 1397 HS

AT News Report soldiers. Insurgents had planted ex- provide details. The base was re- plosives in a tunnel below the mil- portedly sheltering 30 soldiers and KABUL: Insurgents of the extrem- itary base in Maiwand that five soldiers were killed and ist Taliban group have blown up district,which blew up on Tues- others were injured. an army outpost in southern Kan- day night, said provincial gover- A Taliban group spokesman dahar province, officials said on nor spokesman Aziz Ahmad Azizi. alleged that 35 Afghan soldiers Wednesday, killing at least five He said Afghan forces suffered ca- were killed and five others wound- Afghan National Army (ANA) sualties in the attack, but could not ed in their attack.

bi conference, Taliban were asked AT News Report to meet representatives from Af- ghanistan government, but the mil- KABUL: The government says it itants refused the demands and will not attend the upcoming Jed- only held meetings with the US dah conference in Saudi Arabia, representative for Afghanistan demanding a “strong guarantee”. Zalmay Khalilzad as well as dip- The Jeddah conference follows lomats from the Persian Gulf the earlier one held in the United states plus Pakistan. The govern- Arab Emirates’ city of Abu Dhabi ment enraged by Taliban’s refusal in which Taliban delegation met to hold talks, accused the group of with representatives from the Unit- prolonging the war. “Now we have ed States, Saudi and Pakistan, dis- an experience and I assure you that cussing ways to peace and conclu- Afghan team will not attend the sion of the two-decade of war. second session in Jeddah, unless Umer Daudzai, head of the gov- we are given a precise and strong ernment-designated High Peace guarantee for face to face talks. We Council’s secretariat said Wednes- consider Saudi’s role positive to day that they had experiences from help change the situation and bring the previous meeting and would peace,” said Daudzai, who has not send delegation unless there is been recently appointed by Presi- sentative for regional consensus tional officials have emphasized on a strong guarantee. In the Abu Dha- dent Ghani as his special repre- for peace. Regional and interna- the intra-Afghan dialogues,... P2

AT News Report latest report by the Ministry of Wednesday. Increasing facilitation, Commerce and Industries. Export- capacity building, considering 16 KABUL: Exports of merchandise sincreased by 19 percent in 2018 priorities in exportation, which in- AT News Report grew by 19 percent over past nine compared to the preceding year, cluded fresh, dry fruits, vegetables, months of 2018, according to the said the ministry in a statement on Saffron, granite marble... KABUL: Two Afghan border se- P2 curity forces on Wednesday opened fire on NATO Resolute Govt signs Support Mission Advisors... P2 contract for new radar system The Independent Civil Aviation Authority of Afghanistan on Wednesday signed a project worth AT News Report AFs 9.7 billion (around $129 mil- lion) with a French company to KABUL: At least 29 extremist KABUL: Besides members of the fice and other representatives had install an “independent” radar sys- Taliban militants including two Taliban’s Qatar Office, leadership participated in peace talks in tem for military and civilian air- key commanders were killed in representatives of the insurgency France, China, Germany, Qatar, craft. Mahmoud Shah Habibi, head northern Faryab province over the have participated in the ongoing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of the authority, said the project past day, according to officials. Afghan peace and reconciliation and other countries. Almost fort- will be complete within the next Afghan forces raided and bombed dialogues, something experts say night ago, the Taliban and US offi- two years and besides Afghani- militant hideouts along the high- all Taliban groups were represent- cials held talks in the UAE, in stan's control of its own airspace, way of Shirin Tagab and Khwaja ed. In the past few years, Taliban which Taliban’s representatives the new system will ensure the Sabz Posh area, killing at... P2 representatives from the Qatar of- from Qatar and some... P2 country’s full integrity on ... P2 THURSDAY. JANUARY 03, 2019 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

Night raids ignite rage in Afghanistan

...P12 Meanwhile, a member of Pa- ple’s voice,” said Abdulwali Sahi, ktia Provincial Council, Sardar Ma- deputy governor of Paktia. langzoi, said civilians have suffered Last week, a family in Paktia in recent night raids carried out by province claimed they lost six Afghan and foreign forces in the members in a night raid by “cam- province. “This issue should be paign forces” in Zurmat district in coordinated with Paktia officials the province. and they should be asked whether The family said that Naeem the enemy is targeted,” he said. Farooqi, a tribal elder and member “Civilians should not be hurt of Paktia peace committee, was in any operation. This happens in killed along with his three sons and many provinces. Government is two of his brothers in this opera- committed and it will hear peo- tion. 27 insurgents killed in raids

...P12 shelled and bombed the en- district of Farah province. In past emies’ positions and sanctuaries 24 hours, 12planed clearing by artilleries and air forces. Dur- operations,and 99Special Forces- Political movements said the delayed election is not being done for reforms, but for engineering the process and goes against the Constitution. ing these operations in the past 24 operations conducted in different hours,11 militants were killed, one provinces; also, Air forces con- the chance for government to engi- tober 20 and 21 parliamentary elec- mentary elections and the provin- wounded and another arrested in ducted 12aerial operations sup- neer them. tions and 2014 presidential elec- cial council elections together in Nejrab district of Kapisa, eight mil- porting Afghan National army in- According to Mehwar-e-Mar- tions. July. The Presidential Palace mean- itants were killed and some weap- cludingtwo strikes on enemy’s dum-e-Afghanistan, the delay in “People of Afghanistan are while has said that determination ons and ammunitions destroyed in sanctuaries. the elections has not been made to concerned with this commission of the elections schedule is the au- Khan Aqa School area in Uruzgan, ANAdiscovered and confiscated bring reforms to the election com- and this government, and are in a thority of the election commission six Taliban fighters were killed and weapons and ammunition in the mission, but to provide context for legal vacuum as to how this elec- and the government has not inter- three others wounded in Arghand- operations as well. ANA as the interference in election affairs by tion will be conducted and wheth- fered in the commission’s deci- ab district of Zabul province. nation’s defense forces are ready government. er people can accept the results,” sions. Similar,two rebels were killed and to give sacrifice to bring lasting “The delay is made more to Ahmad Wali Massoud, head of the The election commission also three others wounded in Khana- peace and security to the people provide the context for interference Wefaq Millie Party said. said they make decisions indepen- bad district of Kunduz, three in- and are determined to eradicate ter- and engineering the presidential The spokesman for the office dently and accept no interference. surgents were injured in Posht Rod ror groups in Afghanistan. elections, rather than bringing re- of Mohammad Hanif Atmar, the “After seeing our problems and forms in the commission. If re- former national security advisor prolonging of October 20 and 21 forms were the issue, the National and a possible presidential candi- parliamentary elections and the Nangarhar calls for support ... Unity Government had lots of date, meanwhile said in a statement lessons that we learned for this ...P12 recently moved to a affected by the conflict. time to bring them about in the elec- that the work of National Unity election, we (felt that we) need mosque, but the space isn’t large The event, which was later tion commission and electoral sys- Government after May 2018 does more time. We shared the issue with enough to accommodate all the broadcast by RTA to an audience tem,” Daud Ali Najafi, head of elec- not have political and legal legiti- government, donors, political par- students.” estimated at 300,000 people in and toral committee of Mehwar-e- macy. ties and politicians and consulted UNAMA’s latest published around Jalalabad, is one of many A number of Afghanistan’s politi- tion management body had decid- Mardum-e-Afghanistan said. According to Atmar’s office, them on the issue,” Sayed Hafizu- findings indicate that Nangarhar, in other similar programmes, activi- cal parties and mainstream on ed to hold the country’s presiden- The Wefaq Millie Party mean- delaying elections will increase llah Hashemi, a member of the elec- comparison to Afghanistan’s oth- ties and initiatives resulting from Tuesday, reacting to the new an- tial elections in July this year. while warned of negative conse- people’s distrust, adding that the tion commission said. er provinces, had the highest num- UNAMA reaching out to a range nounced delay in the schedule of Afghanistan’s presidential quences in delaying elections and election commission does not have The political mainstream said ber of civilian casualties in the first of groups across the country to the presidential elections by the elections were supposed to be blasted the election commission the capacity to hold four elections the presidential elections will be nine months of 2018, more than create spaces, both physical and over lack of plans for managing together. full of problems unless reforms are double the number recorded dur- on social media, for them to come election commission, said the elec- held on April 20. ing the same period in 2017. together and discuss issues that are tion delay is against the Constitu- Reacting to the new elections electoral affairs. The election commission this brought in the electoral commis- They insisted that the upcom- week said they would hold the sions and electoral systems and Between 1 January to 30 Sep- of critical importance to them, and tion. The political movements' re- schedule, Mehwar-e-Mardum-e- tember 2018, UNAMA document- to strategize on the best way for- marks come after, on Sunday, the Afghanistan political group said ing presidential elections should presidential elections, district that such challenges will take the ed 8,050 civilian casualties, with ward. election commission said the elec- the delay in elections will provide not have the same fate as the Oc- council elections, Ghazni parlia- country into crisis. (TOLONews) Nangarhar, Kabul, Helmand, Ghaz- In accordance with its mandate ni and Faryab being the provinces as a political mission, UNAMA most impacted by the conflict. supports the Afghan people and Afghanistan asks for direct Taliban talks ahead... Participants at the Jalalabad government to achieve peace and No RS member injured in event, while noting that the prov- stability. UNAMA backs conflict ...P1 promising to pave the way mediating acceptable for the both ince’s human rights challenges re- prevention and resolution, promot- for this purpose. No details have sides,” said Qazi. Taliban team main daunting as a result of the ing inclusion and social cohesion, been revealed on the date of the who were focusing on the foreign Herat insider attack fragile security environment, rec- as well as strengthening regional Jeddah conference which is called troops’ drawdown, have recently ommended increased collaboration cooperation. The Mission sup- by the Saudi Kingdom. Politician started regional tours to talk to ...P1 at the military based in west- the Coalition members returned curity meeting. between communities and govern- ports effective governance, pro- Gul Rahman Qazi, believes that officials from neighboring coun- ment offices, and jointly resolved moting national ownership and mediators were needed to convince tries on what they say “post-in- ern Herat province, officials said. fire and killed the attacker. No Kandahar police chief General No RS members injured in the Coalition members were injured in Abdul Raziq and National Securi- to carry the discussion forward accountable institutions that are the two sides for direct talks. “No vasion” Afghanistan as Trump ad- among their respective districts in built on respect for human rights. peace process will succeed with- ministration is reported to have incident, ‘what it calls as insider the attack,” Resolute Support told ty Directorate provincial attack’, while one Afghan border The Defense Post in an emailed chief Abdulmomin Hassankhail future events and engagements. UNAMA provides ‘good of- out well-wishers. So, it would be made decision to pull half of the For her part, Deputy Gover- fices’ and other key services, in- better to create a third party for US’ 14,000 soldiers in near future. force killed and another detained statement. were killed. Wesa and U.S. Army alive, said Noorullah Qaderi, Com- On October 22, a Czech ser- Brigadier General Jeffrey Smiley nor Habiba Kakar expressed her cluding diplomatic steps that draw mander of the 207 Zafar Military vice member with the NATO mis- were injured. commitment to advancing the rec- on the organization’s indepen- E xp or t s clim b 19 p c Corps. sion in Afghanistan was killed in General Scott Miller, who was ommendations made by the par- dence, impartiality and integrity to The attack occurred when the an insider attack at the Shindand also attending the meeting, escaped ticipants, including passing on key prevent disputes from arising, es- ...P1 stone, carpet, precocious and semi precious stones were the main RS members were visiting the Fifth airbase in Herat. It was the the insider attack unhurt. messages about human rights to calating or spreading. The Mission factor behind mounting of exports. Opening air corridors and pave the Border Security Forces battalion second ”green on blue” attack in But that was the most heart- local leaders in a bid to raise aware- coordinates international support ground for access of Afghan goods to the international markets other in Islam Qala, a town at the Af- Afghanistan in less than week. Four broken attack as Afghanistan lost ness about the importance of pro- for Afghan development and hu- reason for export grew up. Access to Russia and European markets ghanistan-Iran border. days earlier, a bodyguard for Kan- its one of the most patriotic gener- tecting and supporting civilians manitarian priorities. through china corridors is other opportunity for exportation. So far “Today, an insurgent acting as dahar governor Zalmay Wesa al ‘Abdul Raziq” who firmly stood 5200 tons of goods through 406 flights exported to abroad, which was a member of the Afghan security opened fire on Afghan and U.S. against the enemies and the insur- How U.S. bombs tore one family to... valued $100 million. In the past two months around 1000 tons of nuts forces fired on Coalition members, officials following a high-level se- gent groups. only exported to china. Inaugural of Leopard lizard corridor Afghani- ...P12 Just days later, U.S. ord- He heard the distinctive second- stan has helped exports of Afghanistan to reach to Turkey through nance struck another building, with long bursts from the Gatling Gun crossing Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia. This corridor also will even greater civilian casualties— of an A-10, a fixed-wing aircraft pave the ground for Afghanistan goods to reach to European markets. 29 rebels killed in Faryab 23 people were killed, many of used for close air-support by the them children, in Helmand’s Garm- U.S. military in Afghanistan. Look- Govt signs contract for new radar system sir District. Civilian casualties re- ing out, he could see dust and ...P1 least 29 Taliban insurgents militants. The commanders were ed. During aforementioned raids sulting from U.S. military opera- smoke rising above the trees from ...P12 this. He said that under the new project, radars with an air- including two Iranian terrorist killed during air strike targeted Maimana-Andkhoi highway tions had declined significantly af- the direction of the house his fam- defending system would be installed. The contract was signed with a known as Ahmad and Mullah Jun- Mullah Sahfiz stronghold in Qura opened and the security logistic ter measures were taken to stop ily shared with his uncle Obaidul- French company, Thales, at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday. Last dullah were killed, said a Shaheen Shikhi area of Khwaja Sabz posh convoy reached to Faryab prov- them in 2009. This trend started lah’s family. He hurried over. year in August, the Independent Civil Aviation Authority of Afghani- Corps Spokesman Hanif Rezaee. district, he added. ince. to change after U.S. airstrikes By the time Saifullah arrived stan announced that it had assumed full control of Afghanistan's air- He said that two Taliban local Based on report 23 other rebels No casualty incurred to civil- picked up pace again in 2015, and at the family compound, two bod- space after almost 26 years. Afghanistan’s airspace has been controlled commander Mullah Nasrat and were wounded and the Mullah ians and security forces during the last year has seen a particular- ies were lying on the ground, their by foreigners since 1992. (TOLONews) Mullah Sadi were also among killed Sahfiz stronghold busted, he not- raids. ly acute reversal of it. New data faces covered in scarves. It was shows that many of the most re- Obaidullah and his 15-year-old cent strikes appear to be hitting cousin, Esmatullah. Their clothes Who is who and how powerful in Taliban peace team buildings, despite U.S. rules plac- were torn and bloody. More than ing significant restrictions on such a dozen others, mostly children, ...P12 from Pakistan participat- the Pakistan’s Haqqania Dar-ul- ical Commission head, Sher Mo- dahar. He was deputy mines min- that issue was resolved by Zalmay strikes because of the risks to ci- screamed as the American soldiers ed, including the Haqqani Net- Ulom in Akhora Khattak area and hammad Abbas Stanikzai, also a ister during the Taliban regime. Khalilzad and they attended the vilians. The Bureau recently bandaged the worst of their work. served as deputy minister of the member of the leadership council Hamas is a member of the Haqqani second day of the meeting. reported on how more than 60 wounds. More than two hours Pajhwok is trying to provide work and social affairs and mem- and the insurgency supreme lead- Network. He is son of prominent He rejected the Taliban dele- buildings were destroyed by U.S. passed before they arrived at Emer- information to its readers regard- ber of the Taliban’s high council er Mullah Haibatullah, Mullah Haqqani Network commander gation and the Afghan government airstrikes in Afghanistan in Octo- gency. In the days following the ing the Taliban’s delegation who and political committee. Amir Khan Muttaqi, another Mualvi Bakhtan Jan. Bakhtan was delegation stayed at the same ho- ber (only the second month that strike, the survivors rested in bed conducted talks with the US and 4- Sohail Shaheen member of Taliban’s leadership deputy leader of the Haqqani Net- tel, but added the government del- target information had been re- between surgeries and occasional- to know how much they are au- The resident of Zurmat dis- council Mulavi Abdul Salam Ha- work. egation stayed four kilometers leased). This analysis came after a ly, outside in the hospital’s rose thorized. trict in Paktia province, Shaheen nafi, deputy head of Taliban’s Po- Dr. Faqir is a resident of Tanai away in another hotel. report that month from the UN gardens. Qarara, with a thatch of Mullah Mohammad Abbas completed his primary school in litical Commission and member of district of Khost province. A close Safi said the Taliban delegation mission in Afghanistan found the steel pins holding her shattered left Stanikzai Kabul and higher studies from the the leadership council Qari Din friend of Nasir Haqqani, son of was blamed for not meeting the number of U.S. strikes leading to leg together, had so many crying He is resident of Babus locali- Islamic International University of Mohammad Hanif, Taliban’s lead- Jalaluddin Haqqani, he had been Afghan government because it was civilian casualties had doubled. children throughout the hospital ty in Pul-i-Alam, the capital of Islamabad and completed master’s ership council and political com- assisting the network in financial not in the Taliban policy and there The U.S. military told the Bureau that they had to be brought to her central Logar province. A former degree in English literature from the mission members, Mohammad affairs. He later was appointed as was no agreement within the in- that the problem was that the Tal- in shifts to be calmed. Each of the Lt. Col in the Afghan army, Stani- US. Zahid Ahmadzai and Sheikh Sha- in-charge of overseeing the treat- surgency that they should meet the iban were using civilians as human TK children was in a wheelchair. kzai completed military studies in He served in Mualvi Nasrul- habuddin Delawar and other mem- ment of injured Taliban fighters in government delegation. shields, and that it was often “dif- When her eldest, Ehsanullah, artillery in India. lah Mansour’s Harakat-i-Enqelab bers of the political commission, Peshawar. Dr. Faqir is now serv- Mohammad Hassan Haqyar, ficult to discern” when non-com- was brought to her by his uncle A source close to Stanikzai told Islami in the past and worked as Mohammad Sohail Shaheen, Mul- ing as Taliban’s health affairs of 22 a political expert, said the Taliban batants are inside buildings that Sardar Wali, the top half of his head Pajhwok Afghan News that he the head of Kabul Times English lah Fazel Akhuand, Mullah Abbas provinces since the last one year. political committee were their for- fighters are firing from. It says the was wrapped in thick bandages. joined jihadi groups after migrat- Daily during the Taliban regime in Akhuand, Dr. Faqir, Mualvi Ha- Khalilullah Safi, a peace activ- mal representatives. rules on targeting buildings have One of his eyes had been torn out ing to Pakistan in 1979. His last Kabul. mas and member and spokesman ist, says the mentioned figures ‘ful- He added the Taliban delega- not been relaxed. Seeing what these in the attack. The other had rup- association was with the Harakat- He also served as second dip- of the commission, Mullah Khair- ly represent’ the Taliban and no tion represented all groups and policies look like on the ground is tured and would need to be surgi- i-Engelab-Islami as deputy head of lomat in Islamabad. After the oust- ullah Khairkhwa had attended the gaps exist that could question Tal- worked on instructions from their hard to do—many attacks happen cally removed. Sardar Wali their military committee. er of the Taliban regime, he started UAE meeting. The source said a iban’s representation. leaders. in highly contested areas. But the couldn’t bring himself to tell Qarara Stanikzai fluently speaks in business and again joined the Tali- number of Taliban members from Safi told Pajhwok that had been Haqyar further said the Tali- Bureau has been able to gather de- that her son would never see again. Dari, Pashto, English, Arabic and ban. He is currently member of the Pakistan, who were said to be rep- rumors in the past that Moham- ban did not accept they were di- tailed evidence of an attack on a The remaining members of Obaid- Urdu. He was Taliban’s Qatar of- Taliban Qatar’s office. resentatives of Mullah Haibatul- mad Yaqub, Khalifa Sarajuddin vided in groups like Quetta Shura, building, and its consequences for ullah’s family are still incredulous. fice member when the facility was 5- Zahid Ahmadzai lah and the Haqqani Network ,also Haqqani and some other represen- Haqqani-Netork and Pashawar one family. The village of Loy Saifullah doesn’t understand how opened and later became the head Hailing from central Logar attended the UAE talks. tatives of the Taliban were not shura but they operated under a Manda lies less than 10 miles out- the Americans could not have real- of the office. province, Ahmadzai completed his The figures from Pakistan in present in peace negotiations. single leadership. side of Lashkar Gah, the capital of ized they were hitting a family 2- Mualvi Shahabuddin Dila- studies from the International Is- the UAE meeting included Mullah “But no one criticized the Tal- According to his information, Afghanistan’s restive Helmand home, pointing to the fact that war lamic University of Islamabad. He Amir Khan Muttaqi, head of the iban representation in the UAE sometimes Taliban meet their lead- province. As Afghan government brightly colored women’s clothes He is a prominent religious served as a diplomat in Islamabad office of Mullah Haibatullah, meeting because of the large num- ers in Qatar or somewhere else in forces—with the help of the Amer- had been hung to dry on a line in scholar from Logar province and during the Taliban regime. Mualvi Abbas, Dr. Faqir Moham- ber of key members of the group case of some issues or getting their icans—retook territory the Taliban the yard. “We know U.S. forces, son of Syed Akbar who served as During the Jihad era, he was mad, Mualvi Hammas and a per- who attended it.” advices and they have never made had controlled since 2016, Loy accompanying their Afghan secu- a Wolesi Jirga member in Zahir part of the Mualvi Mohammad son named Yehya who was be- When asked how powerful the arbitrary decisions. Manda became the front line. Af- rity partners, called in self-defence Shah’s monarchy. Babi’s party. He lived in the UAE lieved transferred in a private plane Taliban’s negotiating team is, he Political expert and journalist ghan troops took up positions on air support against a building from He served at different posts until recently and did business to the UAE, the source added. said it worked in limits determined Sami Yousufzai says even some the edge of the village in the lead- which the Taliban were shooting,” during the Taliban regime and has there. Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi is by their leadership and talked only people believe the Taliban operate up to operations aimed at retaking a U.S. military spokesperson told a vast experience in judiciary and 6- Qari Din Mohammad Hanif one of key Taliban members. He is about specific issues. under different names but indeed it from the Taliban. An Afghan the Bureau. “Too often the Tali- diplomacy. Born in Yaftal district of Bada- a resident of Zurmat district of Safi said announcing a cease- they are united under one leader. army commander called Toryalai ban use civilians as hostages and He was Afghanistan consul khshan province, he studied Islam- Paktia province. He had also lived fire or talking with the Afghan gov- He told Pajhwok that the rea- was stationed at a frontline check- human shields.” Sardar Wali, Eh- general in Peshawar, then ambas- ic education in Peshawar. He was in Nawa district of Helmand prov- ernment needed a decision of the son behind the Taliban success was point along the main road outside sanullah’s uncle, is angry at both sador to Islamabad and then to the minister of planning and high- ince. He was a member of Mualvi Taliban leadership and it was be- they followed one leader and re- the village that day. He told the sides. He told the Bureau that Saudi Arabia. er education during the Taliban re- Mohammad Nabi’s Movement yond the Taliban delegation’s spected each other’s orders. Bureau that he didn’t know a 20- blame for the incident “belongs to He also served as judge of the gime. Party during the Mujhideen’s re- powers because they had to first Yousufzai said the Afghan vehicle strong convoy of Afghan both the Americans and the Court of Cassation -- the second Hanif had played a proactive gime and was a guard of Mualvi consult it with their leaders. government and the US had many and U.S. Special Operations forc- Taliban.”After the Americans left powerful court in the country af- role in Taliban’s peace talks with Mohammad Nabi. According to him, the Tali- times tried to divide the Taliban in es were travelling through the area the scene of the attack, friends and ter the Supreme Court. the Northern Alliance hosed by Muttaqi had served as manag- ban’s current delegation besides separate groups but they did not until he heard the sound of it com- relatives of Obaidullah’s family, Dilawar completed his stud- Turkmenistan. A member of Tali- er of the Kandahar radio station having a political committee also succeed. He said the Taliban nego- ing under fire. On hearing the and several Taliban fighters, gath- ies from the Haqqani Darul-Ulom ban’s political office in Qatar, before being appointed as the pro- represented representatives of tiation delegation was made of their sound, the Ishaqzai family hurried ered at the house to clean up and and served as teacher for 30 years. Hanif can speak in Arabic. vincial information and culture di- their leaders. political members from the Qatar inside their home and closed the assist with the dead. A village el- He has close ties with the family A few years ago, he delivered rector and then evaluated to the According to Khalilullah Safi, office and some main leaders from doors. Soon after, two Taliban der, Haji Zahir, drew the scarves of Sibghatullah Mujadidi. a speech about Afghanistan at a post of defense minister during the the Taliban Qatar office’s two new Pakistan also participated in the fighters ran into their yard from away from the two bodies still ly- After the ouster of the Taliban conference in a university in Kyo- Taliban regime. He had also served members --Mullah Fazaullah UAE talks. “It means all of the the street. Ehsanullah’s mother ing outside, asking them with bit- government, he migrated to Pesha- to city of Japan. Hanif was the as education and information and Akhund and Mullah Khirullah Taliban are represented.” Qarara said that her husband, ter irony: “Did you fire on the war where he stayed calm for few first Taliban member who appeared culture minister during the Taliban Khirkhwa, Dalwar, Shaheen, Ha- Pajhwok tried to seek com- Obaidullah, begged them to leave. Americans?” Then he turned to the years but again became active in in the media as a representative of government. nafi and Qari Hanif who were re- ment from the Taliban in this re- They did, she says, but only after insurgents. “Look what you 2009. the militant group in Japan and Mullah Abbas was public cently freed from the Guantana- gard and sent an email to their taking some shots at the passing brought to us,” he said angrily. 3- Mullah Abdul Salaam Han- also spoke about Taliban's stance. health minister during the Taliban mo detention, did not participate spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid convoy. In another part of the vil- “This is your jihad?” The Taliban, ifi A source close to the Taliban regime. Mualvi Mohibullah Hamas on the first day of the UAE’s meet- but he did not reply until filing of lage, Obaidullah’s nephew Saiful- rifles slung over their shoulders, An Uzbek, Hanifi studied at told Pajhwok that Taliban’s Polit- is from Ishaqzai tribe from Kan- ing due to some travel bans but this report. (Pajhwok) lah was working at his pharmacy. stood in silence. THURSDAY. JANUARY 03, 2019 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

JALALABAD: Agriculture, ir- DABS shares program with the public, amid rigation and livestock minister on the power shortage which has hit Kabul city Tuesday said concerns about ar- bitrary deforestation remained, since the beginning of winter. but a plan to prevent the illegal practice has been readied. Nasir Ahmad Durrani said insecurity and internal and re- gional mafia groups had paved Ministry of Women Affairs welcomes the move as a positive step, but says women’s the way for arbitrary deforesta- presence in government institutions still remains delicate. tions in Afghanistan. Addressing a conference at deputies include Waheeda Samadi, Muzhgan Hajjizada, deputy head the governor’s house in Jalala- Mursal Mehman, Habiba Sadeqi, of Kabul’s district 11 municipali- bad, the capital of eastern Nan- Massoudah Ferdaws, Sweeta ty chief. After the establishment garhar province, the minister Naseri, Muzhghan Hajjizada, Na- of National Unity Government said jungles were the nation’s zifa Oryakhel, Razia Arifi, Hasee- (NUG), the government leaders most valuable asset and their na Hussain, Naseema Hamidi and pledged to increase the presence cutting was affecting the whole Faheema Behzad. of women in government institu- of the country. “The logic behind the move is tions by 30 percent, but the min- He accused internal and re- to increase the role of women in istry of women affairs says the gional mafias of using insecurity urban management,” said Shoaib government has not achieved the in the country as an opportuni- Rahim, acting mayor of Kabul. target. “Overall, at the government ty for illegal deforestation and Massoudah Ferdaws, ap- level, we have achieved 26 percent their smuggling outside the coun- pointed as deputy head of Kab- of the 36 percent,” said deputy try. But Durrani said a plan had ul’s district 8, has a Master's de- minister of women affairs, Sphzh- Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat Mohammad Gul Kholmi. been prepared for prevention of gree in visual arts from Kabul Uni- mai Wardak. (DABS), Afghanistan’s largest Ninety percent of power is illegal logging and would be im- versity. “Previously I worked in “Women’s roles must be in- power distribution company on consumed in homes, but there is plemented soon. the department of culture of the creased from 30 percent, this is not Tuesday shared its program with no regular electricity for 10 per- Routes through which tim- Kabul municipality and later they enough,” said women’s rights ac- the public, amid the power short- cent of the population. ber is illegally trafficked would recommended that the post of tivist, Saleha Eshaqzai Khaliqi. age which seized Kabul city since DABS officials also called on be blocked with the help of se- deputies had been announced, and This development takes place the beginning of the winter season. the public to provide recommen- curity forces and local residents The Kabul municipality has ap- of Kabul city. if interested you could apply for at a time when government leaders On the operation of the Tara- dations to the company. would be provided economic pointed at least 11 women in the Meanwhile, officials from the it, so I accepted the proposal with recently made two major appoint- khel thermal power project, DABS “Power's meter reading pro- development opportunities for capital’s district municipalities. Ministry of Women Affairs interest and passed the interview,” ments, including the appointment chief Amanullah Ghalib said the cess should be carried out month- prevention of deforestation, the Officials from Kabul munici- (MoWA) welcomed the move as a said Ferdaws. “We cannot do any- of Adela Raz, as Afghanistan’s company needs almost $9 million ly. We get only 7,000 AFN salary, minister said. pality on Tuesday said the body positive step, saying women’s thing unless our people take part permanent representative to the to get the project operational dur- if we use our salaries for electrici- “We will give seeds of dif- is looking to appoint more women presence in government institu- in the reconstruction work and United Nations and Roya Rahmani ing winter. He said the project has ty bills, then what should we eat,” ferent plants to people in these in various sectors and bring about tions was still delicate. greenery of the city from a social as Afghan ambassador to the US. the capacity of generating 80-mega- said a resident of Kabul, Sayed areas and will train them how to significant change in this feature Those newly appointed as and political perspective,” said (TOLONews) watts electricity. Hussain Perwaizi. plant seeds, it would improve At the meeting, Kabul gover- “Those reading the meters their economy,” he added. nor Mohammad Yaqoub Haidari should report actual consump- He said the ministry had also said DABS should ensure equal tion,” said a resident in Kabul, created associations of people delivery of power to the public in Naseeruddin. “We do not know residing near jungles and they the city. “If you take a look at our how much transparency there is were provided procedures for technical sector at Breshan, we do when it comes to the distribution benefiting from forest and pro- not have enough experience in the of electricity, electricity should no tect trees against any threats. social sector, therefore we are here longer be distributed on the whims About Kunar province, he to listen to you about the prob- of a member of parliament, elec- said most of the forests in that lems,” said Ghalib. tricity is not being distributed in province contained fruitless trees “Fortunately we managed to Kabul in a transparent way,” said and a plan had been developed connect nine province of Afghani- Kabul governor, Mohammad to grow walnut and citrus trees The Kot district of Nagarhar is cleared of Daesh and is controlled by secu- stan to the national power net- Yaqoub Haidari. Haidari also called in Kunar, which would help im- rity and local forces, but residents say their homes have remained in ruins. work, but our production and im- on the private sector to cooperate prove locals’ economy and pre- ports remain the same,” said act- in upgrading power delivery to the vent jungles from being cut down. FARCH CITY: A group of Qatari under tents while others are living ing minister of water and energy, people. (TOLONews) Nangarhar Governor Hayat- traders has arrived in western Farah in shops,” said Sardar, a Kot resi- ullah Hayat said he would take province on the first-ever direct dent. “So far, no assistance has serious action against timber flight from their country to inau- been given and we do not have shel- mafia and illegal loggers. He said gurate some development projects. ters yet,” said Mohammad Zahir, officials who failed to stop ille- Led by Al Gharrafa Charity resident of the district. Nangarhar gal deforestation and wood traf- Foundation director Sheikh Ali bin Governor Hayatullah Hayat mean- ficking would be also taken to Abdullah Al Thani, the Qataris while said the local government will task. Two days back, the Me- arrived this afternoon at the air- help the displaced families and will shrano Jirga or Senate expressed port in Farah City, said the airport reconstruct their homes. “We, concern about illegal deforesta- director, Jamshid Farahi. The Al along with the local officials of the tion in Kunar and demanded the Gharrafa Charity Foundation di- district, will strictly follow gov- rector Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al ernment promises for the resi- creation of a special unit for pro- dents,” Hayat said. “We will serve tection of jungles. (Pajhwok) Thani has been visiting the prov- ince over the past few years and the residents of the district who stay for some time. Several stood against Daesh fighters.” projects funded by the Al Ghar- Malik Cheragh, a 70-year-old man, who was in Daesh custody for two rafa Charity Foundation would be months, said two years ago Daesh put into service in few days, he The fight against Daesh in Kot dis- public welfare projects have been fighters kept him hostage along said, adding the projects included trict of Nangarhar province has implemented there. The residents with six other tribal elders. Cher- school buildings, a runway and a resulted in the destruction of “hun- said they lack the financial ability agh said he was released by his terminal at the provincial airport dreds” of civilian’s homes in the to rebuild their houses and that sons in exchange for six AK-47 and a fire brigade However, some eastern parts of the country. The they are looking for assistance weapons. “There were foreign locals claimed Arabs used to come district is now fully cleared of from government and other insti- fighters and local fighters among to Farah province for hunting rare Daesh and is controlled by securi- tutions. “Our homes are still ru- Daesh ranks who took us hostage birds, but provincial officials re- ty forces, but residents said their ined and no aid has been provided and we were sentenced to be killed, MAIMANA: At least 29 Taliban on the highway, it said. Another “The loss of this huge jected their claim. (Pajhwok) homes remain in ruins and that no for us and some people are living but Allah saved us,” said Cheragh. insurgents have been killed, includ- two notorious commanders Mul- ing two Iranian nationals, in clash- lah Nasrat and Mullah Sade were number of domestic es with security forces in north- also among the dead who were animals is a blow to western Faryab province, the mil- killed in an airstrike in Khwaja the economy of itary said on Wednesday. A state- Sabzposh.The military cited intel- ment from the Afghan National ligence organs saying another 23 livestock owners,” Army’s 209thShaheen Military rebels were injured and the hide- he said KABUL: Based on a presidential flour, rice, ghee, tea, sugar and cooperation of related offices and see the distribution process. The Corps said the rebels sustained out of Shafiq Haqyar, a local Tali- decree, 12, 000 families of marty- pulses would be provided to the then the process would be extend- ministries of defense, interior, pub- casualties in Sherin Tagab and Kh- ban commander, was ZARANJ: Farmers in south- red security forces will receive food families of martyred security per- ed to other provinces. lic works, the NDS and disabled waja Sabzposh districts during the destroyed.On the other hand, four western Nimroz province have coupons over the nine months in sonnel against the coupons. He further said the food items persons supporting organizations past 24 hours. security forces were slightly been in despair after losing around Kabul, a statement said on Omar Hotaki, the commission would be distributed against ‘con- have been tasked with preparing Twenty-nine rebels, including two wounded during a clash on the 500,000 livestock to the worst Wednesday. The statement from press secretary, told Pajhwok dis- firmed coupon’ each month and a lists of families of martyrs from Iranian militants Mullah Ahmad Maimana-Andkhoi highway.The drought in living memory. the National Procurement Com- tribution process of the coupons joint committee of the National other provinces to receive the cou- and Mullah Jandullah (not real Taliban have not yet commented Mohammad Akbar Sharifi, mission said food items including would be started first in Kabul in Procumbent Authority would over- pons in future. (Pajhwok) names) were killed during firefight about these incidents. agriculture, irrigation and live- stock director for Nimroz, told Pajhwok Afghan News that around 500,000 livestock such as camels, sheep, goats, bulls and cows had perished this year due to drought and lack of water in the province, according to their survey. “The loss of this huge number of domestic animals is a blow to the economy of livestock owners,” he said, adding livestock farmers in Zaranj city, the pro- TALOQAN: Residents of Dashti ident of the district, also expressed vincial capital, and Kang and Cha- Kala district of northeastern Ta- his deep concern to Pajhwok about khansor districts suffered most of khar province say the Taliban mil- the latest insecurity situation in the the losses. Mohammad Nader, a itants have advanced to the dis- district. livestock owner in Zaranj, said: trict’s bazaar and are likely to cap- He said clashes occurred on a “I had 300 cows and only 120 of ture the town if security reinforce- daily basis near the district’s ba- them are alive but they too in bad ments do not arrive soon. zaar and if a clearing operation was condition, the rest died for lack of The Dashti Qala district, not launched, the district would fall grass and water.” which is located near the Tajiki- to the Taliban soon. Abdul Shakoor, a resident of stan border, has a strategic impor- Hakimullah Khan, another res- Kang district, said his 20 sheep tance for the Taliban. The district ident, told Pajhwok Taliban mili- perished due to the drought and had been the scene of fierce clash- tants seemed more powerful then his farms produced nothing this es between the insurgents and gov- the government in their area and year due to shortage of water. ernment forces in recent months. they could easily take people hos- The agriculture director Shari- The district’s local police com- tage from the main bazaar of the fi said 386 metric tons of animals mander Abdul Raouf Hamidi told district. feed provided by the Ministry of Pajhwok Afghan News that the He urged the government to Agriculture, Irrigation and Live- Taliban had reached close to the ensure people’s security in the dis- stock had been distributed free of district’s bazaar and it had terri- trict and conduct a major military cost to livestock owners in Nim- fied local residents. operation as soon as possible roz to prevent further cattle loss- He said the Taliban were across the district. es. The animal feed was distrib- searching people in the middle of Provincial deputy police chief uted to those people who owned the bazaar and sometimes took Col. Nizamuddin Ghori confirmed more than 50 livestock, he said. them hostage. the security situation had deterio- Khudaidad, a livestock own- According to him, militants rated in the district and said he had er in Chakhansor district, said the from Takhar, Kunduz, Baghlan and discussed the issue with relevant folder they received from the min- Badakhshan provinces have coor- authorities. istry was not enough for a week. dination with each other and they He said due to police person- He said the government should have created a corridor for their nel shortage, security of the dis- provide more assistance to them. movement in the area as well. trict was bad. He said if local peo- “Our main source of income He urged the government to ple supported police and their is breeding animals, if we lose our urgently conduct a military opera- strength was increased, security livestock, we will lose our lives,” tion against the Taliban in the area. issues in the Dashti Qala district he said. (Pajhwok) Meanwhile, Hayatullah, a res- could be reduced. THURSDAY . JANUARY 03, 2019 AFGHANISTAN TIMES LokSabhaRafaledebate:‘JamesBondsaid...’:How Jaitleyshapedrebuttal toRahul’sRafalecharge Arun Jaitley quoted James Bond to counter Rahul Gandhi’s charge during Rafale debate in the Lok Sabha today.

Nawaz files petition seeking temporary suspension of sentence Deposed prime minister Nawaz acquitted in Flagship reference. In Sharif’s counsel on Wednesday his petition, Nawaz maintains that filed a request in the Islamabad the decision was based on assump- High Court (IHC) seeking a tem- tions and false interpretation of the porary suspension of the PML-N law. It stated that the evidence was supremo’s sentence while the court misperceived and the accountabil- hears an earlier appeal. The request ity court announced the verdict stated that Nawaz should be re- without hearing objections by the leased on bail until the verdict is accused. The appeal seeks suspen- announced in the appeal filed ear- sion of the sentence and Nawaz’s lier in the high court. Nawaz on release on bail. The petition will Tuesday filed an appeal in the IHC be heard by a two-member bench challenging the accountability of the high court. The Al Azizia court’s verdict in the Al Azizia ref- verdict said that the accused No 1 Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, He also quoted from Hollywood’s France for the purchase of 36 Ra- fingers point to you then the three by Jaitley, who added that the con- erence. (Nawaz Sharif) was held guilty for who sought to blunt Congress iconic character, James Bond, to fale fighter jets. There is natural is a bit too much,” Jaitley said. It spirators of the defence deals “to- The former premier seeks sus- the offence of corruption and cor- president Rahul Gandhi’s offen- send his message across. Jaitley dislike for untruth… The manner is here in the debate, Arun Jaitley day have the audacity” to raise pension of the seven-year impris- rupt practices and accordingly, is sive during a debate on the Rafale refuted allegations that the govern- in which he takes liberty of truth quoted one of the dialogues from questions about Rafale deal. Jait- onment sentence and Rs1.5 billion convicted under section 10 of the deal in the Lok Sabha, said the ment did not follow the laid-down is unprecedented,” Jaitley said James Bond film, Goldfinger, re- ley termed Rahul Gandhi’s allega- fine awarded by accountability NAO 1999 ‘read with schedule opposition party was relying on process in finalising the Rafale deal. about the claims made by Rahul leased in 1959. Jaitley said, tion of price escalation in Rafale court Judge Arshad Malik on De- thereto’. “untruths”. Jaitley, in his counter He said Rahul Gandhi is wrong in Gandhi in Parliament. “If it had “James Bond has said if it hap- deal a “kindergarten math”. Jait- cember 24 in a corruption refer- Nawaz challenges Al Azizia attack on Rahul Gandhi, refuted saying that the process was not been one case, I may have given pens once, it is happenstance, if it ley said the Congress president ence filed by the National Account- verdict in IHC the claims of pricing and due pro- followed. Jaitley asserted that that the benefit of doubt to the family. is twice, it is a coincidence and if it “does not have the basic under- ability Bureau (NAB) in light of “And consequent upon his cess not being followed in signing the cabinet committee on security But if in Bofors the fingers point thrice, it is a conspiracy.” The orig- standing of what a combat aircraft the Supreme Court’s 2016 Pan- conviction, having regard to the the Rafale deal and launched a sting- (CCS) gave its approval before the to you, if in National Herald fin- inal dialogue had “enemy action” is”. Rahul Gandhi earlier claimed amagate verdict. The National Ac- facts and the circumstances of the ing attack on the Gandhi family. deal was signed between India and gers point to you, if in Agusta the instead of “conspiracy” as quoted that the Rafale deal cost increased. countability Bureau (NAB) also case, the convict is hereby sen- filed a petition against the verdict tenced to rigorous imprisonment in the Al Azizia reference in IHC. for a term of seven years along with The accountability watchdog a fine of Rs1.2 billion and $25 mil- NA committee seeks a harsher punishment in the lion,” said the order. According to Al Azizia verdict and challenged the judgement, Sharif is disquali- Nawaz’s acquittal in the Flagship fied to hold any public office for a to discuss reference. Nawaz’s sons, Hasan and period of ten years. Likewise, he Hussain, were declared abscond- will not be allowed to apply for or ers by the accountability court. be granted or allowed any finan- employee The former prime minister was cial facilities. adjustment with ministers No trace of Meghalaya KATHMANDU: The National Concern and Coordination Com- miners, rescue mittee under the National Assem- bly (Upper House) today en- dorsed its quarterly action plan. A team begins meeting of the committee held to- day under the chair of its presi- pumping out water dent Dil Kumari Rawal has decid- ed to hold interaction programmes Susngi said the Odisha firefighters will continue in all provinces regarding scope of works. Likewise, it is scheduled dewatering the coal mine on Wednesday to deter- to sit for interactions with two mine the water level at the main shaft. ministers and officials from the concerned authorities on the issues of employee adjustment on Janu- ary 7. Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Lal Babu Pandit; Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs While Sheikh Hasina is set to be- in the 300-seat parliament in Sun- won only seven seats, said they projects, from power generation to Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal; secretary gin her third consecutive term as day's election, amid allegations by would not take the oath. In re- the building of a seaport, but her Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya; secre- Bangladesh's prime minister fol- the opposition that the voting was sponse, the ruling party's general record of maintaining human rights tary Rajib Gautam; authorised lowing a landslide election victo- rigged. Hasina rejected the accusa- secretary said by-elections would was widely criticized by activists trade union’s chair and general sec- ry, critics say having such an over- tions at a briefing with foreign jour- be held for those seats. This would and international rights groups. retary; Federal Parliament Secre- whelming majority in parliament nalists a day after the vote. The result in a parliament with virtual- Some of those critics now say her tariat’s Employees Union chair and could create space for her to be- new Cabinet is expected to be ly no opposition. Over her last 10 new government could be even secretary have been invited to the come even more authoritarian. The sworn in by Jan. 10, but members years as prime minister, Hasina more iron-handed and aggressive. interaction, committee secretary Hasina-led coalition won 288 seats of the opposition alliance, which took up many development (BBC) Sudarshan Kuinkel told RSS.

National Disaster Response Force shaft and reported that the water (NDRF) rescuers and Odisha fire- level did not recede at all,” he said. S r i L a n ka m ilita r y to r etu r n som e fighters on Tuesday began dewa- Susngi said the Odisha firefighters tering the coal mine in their bid to will continue dewatering the coal rescue 15 coal miners trapped in mine on Wednesday to determine Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills dis- the water level at the main shaft. la n d con fiscated du r in g civil wa r trict, an official said. The fate of On Monday, Indian Navy the miners, who are trapped in- divers had located a wooden struc- side a flooded coalmine in Ksan ture, coal lying beneath and one The Sri Lankan army has an- liance for Right to Land (PARL) village, about 130 km from Me- rathole with coal at its mouth in- nounced that in the coming weeks and the letter was dated 30 De- ghalaya’s capital Shillong, for the side the flooded mine. They had it will return 1,099 acres of farm- cember. Meanwhile, a group of last 20 days still remains unknown. requested for dewatering the flood- land (more than 444 hectares) to protesters staged a rally in Ke- The dewatering of the coal ed mine so that the divers could people displaced by the country’s papilavu, a village in Mullathivu mine resumed nine days after the dive to the bottom of the 370-feet- civil war. The land to be transferred district. Locals complain that the district administration temporari- coal pit. “We are hopeful that we is in the northern and eastern prov- military built their district head- ly suspended the pumping out of can drain out more water after high- inces, the most affected by almost quarters on village land. "If the the water on Saturday last week capacity submersible pumps - that 30 years of conflict. An official army does not keep its promises, following the two 25 horsepower can pump out 500 gallon of water note from the military states that we will enter the village and settle pumps, which were pressed into per minute - of Coal India Limited the handover will take place in the down on our lands." The military service became ineffective.“The has reached the site. High-capaci- second week of January. In fact, occupy some 4,000 acres (1,600 Odisha firemen have pumped out ty pumps of Kirloskar Brothers the land was supposed to be re- hectares) in the north. According water from an abandoned coal mine Limited are also expected to reach turned to its rightful owners by 31 to PARL, people displaced in the located about 500 metres of the the site by Wednesday,” Susngi December 2018. For this reason, a northern province "are already be- main shaft, where the 15 miners said. The accident inside the illegal group of 132 organisations and ing severely affected by floods, are trapped,” Rescue Operations coal pit on December 13 was of private individuals last week pre- which have caused more refugees, Spokesperson, R Susngi, said. significance, especially because the sented President Maithripala damaged property, and destroyed “Indian Navy divers along National Green Tribunal (NGT) Sirisena with a letter asking that crops. Given such suffering, we are with the NRDF went down inside had ordered an interim ban on “rat- the handover not be delayed. The asking the president to keep his the main shaft at 4:30 pm to check hole” coal mining in the state ef- group was led by the People's Al- promises." the water level under the main fective April 17, 2014. Govt toreviewmoneylaunderingECLlist oncase-by-casebasis The federal cabinet on Wednesday including Pakistan Peoples Party strike down the governor rule [in JIT identified 11,500 bank ac- of funds and ultimate beneficia- decided that names of money laun- Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and Co- Sindh] within seconds, if it will be counts and 924 account holders at ries.” It questioned 767 individu- dering suspects would be removed Chairman Asif Ali Zardari on the promulgated against the Constitu- the start of their investigation. Its als, including Zardari and Talpur, from the Exit Control List (ECL) no-fly list. PPP demands PM Im- tion,” said the CJP. He had also experts generated 59 Suspected while Bilawal submitted written after reviewing JIT recommenda- ran’s name on ECL expressed anger over the federal Transaction Reports (STR) and responses. tions on a case-by-case basis. Dur- The SC had taken strong ex- ministers’ statements about the JIT 24,500 Cash Transaction Reports. It has since had the names of ing the cabinet meeting chaired by ception to putting the individuals’ report. The bench warned the gov- That means the transactions were 147 individuals placed on the Pro- Prime Minister Imran Khan, it was names – particularly that of Sindh ernment to refrain from comment- flagged as suspicious. Due to the visional National Identification also decided to not immediately chief minister and other eminent ing on the ongoing proceedings in high quantum of transactions, the List, which would allow authori- remove the names from the no-fly politicians – on the ECL and this case. SC gives JIT till Dec 19 JIT decided on a threshold of ties to identify if those individuals list. The cabinet meeting had been warned that no one will be allowed to submit final report in fake ac- Rs10million “to track, follow and try to enter or exit the country called in light of the Supreme to derail democracy which is the counts case The JIT report in a minutely investigate the flow of through an airport. After the re- Court’s order to review the deci- main component of the Constitu- nutshell funds beyond the immediate coun- port was submitted to the SC, the sion of placement of 172 people tion. “The Supreme Court will According to the report, the terparties and determine the source names of 172 individuals. THURSDAY . JANUARY 03, 2019 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

News-in-Brief RussiaMagnitogorsk U.S. fires tear gas blast:Deathtoll across Mexican risesto21 border to thwart Russian rescuers have now pulled 21 dead bodies from the rubble of migrants, including a collapsed apartment block in the city of Magnitogorsk. The death children toll rose from 14 to 21 on Wednes- Tijuana, Mexico -- U.S. authori- day. About 20 people are missing. ties fired tear gas into Mexico The condition of an 11-month-old during the first hours of the new boy rescued on Tuesday is seri- year to repel about 150 migrants ous but not life-threatening. He is who tried to breach the border in a Moscow hospital and will not fence in Tijuana. U.S. Customs undergo surgery for now. Officials and Border Protection said in a believe a gas leak was to blame for statement later Tuesday that the Monday's blast. A day of mourn- gas was used to target rock ing is being marked in Magnitogor- throwers apart from the migrants sk, in the Urals region about who were trying to cross."No 1,695km (1,053 miles) east of agents witnessed any of the mi- Moscow. The current temperature grants at the fence line, including there is -15C, and it plunges fur- children, experiencing effects of ther overnight. Media captionMag- the chemical agents, which were nitogorsk: Russian rescuers pull targeted at the rock throwers fur- baby from rubble ther away," the statement said. The rescued baby, called Ivan, An Associated Press photogra- spent 35 hours in the freezing cold, pher saw at least three volleys of and was reported to have severe gas launched onto the Mexican frostbite to his limbs, a head inju- side of the border near Tijuana's ry and multiple leg fractures. beach that affected the migrants, However, Health Minister including women and children, as Veronika Skvortsova told report- well as journalists. The AP saw ers on Wednesday that his head rocks thrown only after U.S. injury was minor and treatment had agents fired the tear gas. Migrants improved his blood circulation. run as tear gas is thrown by U.S. His mother also survived the Border Protection officers to the suspected gas explosion. Six peo- Mexican side of the border fence ple have been rescued at the scene after they climbed the fence to so far. The blast ripped through get to San Diego, Calif., from Ti- the first floor at 06:02 local time juana, Mexico, Tuesday, Jan. 1, (01:02 GMT), bringing seven up- 2019. per storeys crashing down. In all, (AP) Brazil’s newly inaugurated Presi- stirred unease. While investors he donned the presidential sash. ical landscape and polarizing Con- tering after the collapse of a com- 48 flats - home to 120 people - dent Jair Bolsonaro said this week hope Bolsonaro’s free-market A seven-term congressman gress. Following a knife attack dur- modities boom led to Brazil’s were wrecked. There was also South Korea his election had freed the country stance will reinvigorate Brazil’s who spent decades on the fringes ing the presidential campaign that worst recession on record. As thou- some damage to nearby sections from “socialism and political cor- economy - the eight largest in the of Brazilian politics, Bolsonaro left Bolsonaro hospitalized for sands of supporters, many with of the housing block, built in 1973. demands Japan rectness,” and he vowed to tackle world - environmentalists and was swept to power in October weeks, security was tight for his the Brazilian flag draped around Investigators have not found corruption, crime and economic rights groups are worried he will by voters’ outrage with traditional inauguration. Some 10,000 police their shoulders, chanted “the cap- any traces of explosive at the scene, apology in mismanagement in Latin America’s roll back protections for the Ama- political parties, making him Bra- officers and soldiers were de- tain has arrived!,” Bolsonaro and the FSB state security service connection with largest nation. Bolsonaro, a former zon rain forest and loosen gun con- zil’s first right-wing president since ployed on the streets of Brasilia, launched into a fiery speech. “We is treating it as a gas leak accident. army captain turned lawmaker who trols in a country that already has the dictatorship. Voters punished the capital, as Bolsonaro and his have the great challenge of taking However, a criminal investigation "radar lock-on" openly admires Brazil’s 1964- the world’s highest number of mainstream parties following more wife rode in an open-topped Rolls- on the effects of an economic cri- has been opened, for suspected 1985 military dictatorship, prom- murders. “This is the beginning of than four years of graft investiga- Royce to Congress. His voters are sis, of facing the distortion of hu- criminal negligence. In an appar- claim ised in his first remarks as presi- Brazil’s liberation from socialism, tions that laid bare the largest po- now impatient for Bolsonaro to man rights and the breakdown of ently unrelated incident, an explo- The South Korean Defense dent to adhere to democratic norms, political correctness and a bloated litical corruption scheme ever dis- make good on ambitious promises the family,” he said. “We must ur- sion destroyed a minibus near the Ministry on Wednesday de- after his tirades against the media state,” Bolsonaro, 63, said in an covered. Centrist parties were to tackle graft and violent crime gently end ideologies that defend apartment block on Tuesday night, manded that Japan apologize for and political opponents had address to the nation made after trounced, reshaping Brazil’s polit- and revive an economy still sput- criminals and penalise police.” killing three people. a "menacing" low-altitude flight by a Japanese patrol plane dur- ing a rescue operation by a South Korean navy ship last month. It is the latest twist in an ongo- ing saga between the two coun- Somaliaorderstop U S to a sk for cost of deployin g tries that erupted over what Ja- pan alleges was a radar "lock- on" incident. The ministry in a statement also called on Japan to "cease actions that distort U.N.officialtoleave for ces in M iddle E a st: E xper t facts" while saying that the de- fense authorities of both sides The head of the Center for Central should continue holding work- Asia and Kazakhstan Studies at the ing-level consultations. Japan al- Institute of Russia's Common- leges that a South Korean de- wealth of Independent States stroyer intentionally directed its (CIS) believes that the United fire-control radar at the P-1 pa- States is still trying to ask the re- trol plane in the Sea of Japan on maining cost of its troop deploy- Dec. 20. South Korea has stead- ment in the Middle East from the fastly denied Japan's claim, say- countries of the region. Andrey ing the destroyer was at the scene to rescue a North Korean fish- Grozin told the Islamic Republic ing boat in distress. It said the News Agency (IRNA) on Wednes- destroyer used an optical cam- day that there will be tension in a era but did not direct radar. matter of months as a result of the On Friday, the Japanese Defense blackmail. He said that the US Ministry released video footage plans and policies in the Middle that it says proves that the East have failed, hence the coun- Kwanggaeto Daewang locked its try has been forced to withdraw fire-control radar at least twice Somalia has kicked out the coun- car-bomb attack near the presiden- troops from the Middle East. on the Maritime Self-Defense try's top United Nations official tial palace in Somalia rose to 20 on However, Grozin said White Force plane. in a decision likely to harm rela- Sunday, police said. At least 15 ci- House will continue escalation of The South Korean ministry lat- tions with foreign powers backing vilians were killed and around 300 tension in the region in order to er that day voiced regret over the government attempts to restore people detained, most of them chil- secure arms sales. The Russian move and reasserted its own stability after decades of turmoil. dren, when protests erupted after expert believes that the presence claim that fire-control radar was The government accused Nicholas Robow's arrest in the southern city of US forces in the Middle East is Afghanistan, terrorist groups, in- from chaos in the Middle East. that Trump government, facing not used. Haysom, Special Representative of of Baidoa, according to the U.N. the main cause of the problems in cluding ISIL, would not have been Grozin said the United States, de- severe budget deficits, was forced the U.N. Secretary-General, of in- letter. The government said Robow the region, because had the United created. The Russian expert under- spite spending thousands of bil- to launch a plan for military with- terfering with internal affairs. was arrested on suspicion that he States and its western allies not lined that the great American cap- lion dollars of the US taxpayers drawal from Syria, and it is likely ROMANIA TAKES EU Haysom raised questions in a Dec. had brought militants and weap- intervened in internal affairs of such italists and the country's military pockets on the Middle East, failed that a significant portion of its 30 letter about the involvement of ons back to Baidoa, the capital of countries as Syria, Libya, Iraq and industry owners are benefiting to advance its policies. He added troops would leave Afghanistan. U.N.-supported Somali security South West region where he tried HELM AMID forces in the arrest of a former mil- to contest for president in last itant of the Islamist al Shabaab month's election. His arrest TENSIONS WITH group who was blocked from run- sparked clashes between militia- Hezbollah says ning in a recent regional election. men loyal to Robow and Somali BRUSSELS Haysom "is not required and forces. Ethiopian security forces, Sudan political parties solution to impasse cannot work in this country", the who are part of an African Union Bucharest – Romania has taken foreign affairs ministry said. "He peacekeeping force, were also in- over Lebanon over the EU’s rotating presiden- openly breached the appropriate volved. Al Shabaab has sought for cy at a tumultuous time for the call for 'transitional government is conduct of the U.N. office in So- over a decade to topple the central bloc and just days after Europe- malia," said the statement late on government and implement its an Commission President Jean- Tuesday, which effectively makes strict version of Islamic law. It was ‘very close’ Claude Juncker voiced doubts the South African persona non gra- driven out of the capital in 2011 about the country’s ability to do council' to run country The powerful Lebanese Shi’ite ta. There was no immediate com- but maintains a foothold in some the job. Brussels is already at group Hezbollah believes a solu- ment from the U.N. mission which regions including South West. tion to be “very close” for the coun- loggerheads with the increasing- also supports an African Union Robow renounced violence and ly populist government in Bu- peacekeeping force fighting al Sha- recognised federal authority in try’s impasse over forming a new charest on multiple fronts and baab. Haysom's letter to the inte- 2017. In the letter, Haysom asked government, one of its senior offi- Juncker’s comments highlight cials said on Wednesday, follow- some of the strains. Romania rior security minister expressed the minister to explain the legal concern over the government's basis for Robow's arrest. He also ing nearly eight months of politi- took over on January 1 and will cal wrangling. Lebanese politicians be in charge for the next six handling of the arrest of former asked what action had been taken Shabaab leader Mukhtar Robow to investigate the deaths during the have been unable to agree a new months as the European Union government since a general election faces a series of key tests — and subsequent unrest last month. demonstrations in Baidoa follow- The death toll from a double ing the arrest. in May as rival parties have com- Brexit, parliamentary elections peted over the allocation of cabi- in which eurosceptics will vie for net positions, further unsettling increased influence, and wran- the country’s fragile economy. gling over the next budget. Hezbollah, a heavily armed, Romania, which takes the pres- Romania assumes Iran-backed movement set up in idency for the first time as it the 1980s to combat Israeli occu- succeeds Austria, has been one pation, started taking part in elec- of the EU’s most consistently EU presidency europhile member states since it toral politics in the 1990s and is joined in 2007. But its left-wing the most powerful group in the government has recently begun Romania has taken over the presi- strongman Liviu Dragnea has, for An alliance of Sudan's opposition can be put together. It also expect- ing costs but subsequently direct- country. “We believe the solution to adopt the sort of nationalist dency for six months from Austria example, said that the EU is "un- parties has announced it is to sub- ed to call for the dissolution of both ed against Bashir's almost 30-year is very close,” said Mahmoud rhetoric expounded by nearby and will be followed by Finland. fair" and is attempting to deny Bu- mit a memorandum to President chambers of parliament. Salahud- rule. Rights group Amnesty Inter- Qamati, deputy head of the Hungary and Poland. All three During its presidency, the Euro- charest "the right to hold its own Omar al-Bashir demanding the ap- din said the Reform Now Party's national puts the number of killed group’s political council, and sug- are embroiled in disputes with pean Union will hold its legisla- opinions". Just before Romania pointment of a "transitional coun- political bureau had decided to during the first few days of the gested it could happen in time to the EU over controversial re- tive elections in May and still has took over the helm, EU Commis- cil" to temporarily run the nation's withdraw from the government. protests at 37. The state-run be considered “a holiday gift.” forms that critics say undermine to work out most of the final Brex- sion President Jean-Claude Juncker affairs in the face of mass protests "Political parties are lagging Sudan News Agency reported that “The intentions held by every- the rule of law. Liviu Dragnea, it details. This is the first time Ro- told Die Welt on December 29th against his rule. The announcement behind the street, which is united Bashir had established a fact-find- body are positive and for the ben- head of the ruling Social Demo- mania - which joined the EU in that although Romania was "tech- was made at a news conference on and which continues to stage dem- ing mission to "look into the inci- efit of the country,” he added. On crats (PSD) and widely seen as 2007 - assumes the position, which nically well prepared" for the pres- Tuesday organised by the Nation- onstrations to demand al-Bashir’s dents of the past few days" while Tuesday, Prime Minister-desig- Romania’s most powerful man, was introduced by the Lisbon idency, the "Bucharest government al Front for Change (NFC), an departure," he said. "We must his government has repeatedly nate Saad al-Hariri said he and Pres- has slammed the EU as “unfair”, Treaty that came into effect in has not fully understood what it umbrella group of political parties, work on bridging the gap between spoken about respecting peaceful ident Michel Aoun had met and claiming Brussels is seeking to 2009. While some changes in the means to preside over the coun- and the Umma Party led by the street and the political parties." protest, despite his security forc- were “determined to form a gov- deny Bucharest the “right to hold EU power structure mean that the tries of the EU". The EU presi- Mubarak al-Fadil, a former depu- Probe into protest deaths es using live fire. The Sudanese ernment,” state news agency NNA its own opinions”. In remarks presidency is less pivotal than be- dency "requires a willingness to ty prime minister. The NFC's 22 Earlier on Tuesday, Bashir or- Doctors Committee confirmed that reported. A breakthrough to create to Die Welt on December 29, fore, the country in charge is still listen to others and a willingness member-parties include the dered authorities to form a panel hospitals treated protesters injured a national unity government in line Juncker said that even if Roma- tasked with setting the agenda of to put one's own concerns in the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood to investigate the killing of anti- by live fire and tear gas after pro- with Lebanon’s sectarian power- nia was “technically well pre- ministerial meetings and working background. I have some doubts and the Reform Now Party led by government protesters, despite his tests in the capital Khartoum on sharing system seemed close last pared” for the presidency, the out compromises between mem- about this," Juncker said. In con- Ghazi Salahuddin al-Atabani. The critics levelling the blame at the Monday. Live streams broadcast month, but it did not work out and “Bucharest government has not ber states. Since the Social-Demo- trast, European Council President planned memorandum will report- leader himself. According to offi- on social media through the day the deadlock resumed. However, fully understood what it means crat PSD won the Romanian elec- Donald Tusk said he is confident edly call for an interim council to cial figures, at least 19 people have showed crowds in different parts Hariri said on Sunday he still be- to preside over the countries of tions in 2016, the formerly strong that Romania "will deliver" as it govern the country until a national been killed during two weeks of of the city centre marching through lieved the government would form the EU.” europhile country has been in- takes over the rotating leadership government, consisting of techno- protests in Sudan, initially the streets, chanting and staging early in the new year. (BBC) creasingly critical of Brussels. PSD of the Council of the EU. crats and party representatives, prompted by anger over rising liv- sit-ins before being rushed. (WP) THURSDAY . JANUARY 03, 2019 AFGHANISTANTIMES

We a r e a n a t ion a l in st it u t ion a n d n ot t h e voice of a gov t or a p r iva t e or ga n iza t ion AFGHANISTAN TIMES Editor: Mansoor Ahmad Faizy Phone No: +93-797070563 E-mail: [email protected] The issue is not how much we invested and wasted in 17 years, Email: [email protected] but whether spending more in the future can be justified. www.afghanistantimes.af Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi By DOUG BANDOW

Advisory editorial board When President Donald Trump an- nounced that he was withdrawing Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Dr. Omar troops from Syria, shock and hys- Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal, Saboor Sarir teria filled Washington. The screaming grew louder when it was reported that the president also Graphic-Designers: intended to remove half of U.S. Bilal Yusufi and Basir Qazizada troops in Afghanistan, with the rest likely to come home at the end Mar ket i ng & Adver t i si ng: of 2019. Afghanistan is the longest war in Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0782344728, 0778894038 American history, outlasting the Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, and Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 Korean War combined. U.S. sol- diers will soon be deploying to a Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press war that started before they were born. Today the Taliban is advanc- ing while the Kabul government is in disarray. Few believe that the The constitution says latter, irrespective of who is pres- ident, can survive absent Washing- ton’s support. Both President Article 111: Barack Obama’s and President The Loya Jirga shall convene in the following situations: Trump’s Afghan strategy ap- ing 80,000. The insurgents contest U.S. government greatly overesti- is more important to China, Rus- 1. To decide on issues related to independence, national sovereignty, territorial peared designed to push the inev- control of around 70 percent of the mated its ability to build and re- sia, India, and Pakistan, which integrity as well as supreme national interests; itable collapse onto a future ad- country and hold the most territo- form government institutions in should be left to reach a modus 2. Amend provisions of this Constitution; ministration. Never mind that ry since their ouster in 2001. Ear- Afghanistan.” Kabul remains de- vivendi to protect their interests. 3. Impeach the President in accordance with the provisions of Article Sixty Nine of Americans still die in Afghanistan. ly last year the BBC reported that pendent on allied forces: “successes They, not America, should fill any the Constitution. Islamic Republic of Afghanistan No official wants to be the one to Taliban fighters had “pushed be- in stabilizing Afghan districts rare- regional power vacuum. The U.S. declare that thousands of lives and yond their traditional southern ly lasted longer than the physical might have interests everywhere, billions of dollars to have been stronghold into eastern western presence of coalition troops and but few are worth war. Of course, wasted. Yet going into his presi- and northern parts of the country.” civilians.” In short, the future looks Washington also prefers a stable dency Trump stated: “Let’s get out The insurgents are better equipped dismal. Critics of the president Pakistan; alas, the ongoing war is of Afghanistan.” However, he sur- and more effective than ever. Re- complain about allowing a Taliban deeply destabilizing. The presi- rounded himself with convention- ported Al Jazeera: “The scale and victory, but the only way to pre- dent’s critics implausibly contend al thinkers as national security ad- intensity of these attacks have not vent one is for a U.S. military pres- that if we don’t fight terrorists visers, unwilling to admit the ob- been seen since 2001. The Taliban ence that is both larger and perma- there we will have to fight them vious. Then he allowed himself to never had the capability to launch nent. Earlier this year, the Direc- here. Outgoing Defense Secretary be talked into temporarily increas- such massive offenses and never tor of National Intelligence warned Jim Mattis claimed that America’s ing U.S. force levels. succeeded in taking over any ma- that “The overall situation in Af- presence was “to prevent a bomb However, the infusion of some jor cities.” In 2018 the insurgents ghanistan probably will deteriorate from going off in Times Square.” 4,000 personnel could only slow briefly seized control of cities such modestly this year.” Cordesman Bombastic Senator Lindsey Gra- the Afghan government’s decline. as Farah and Ghazni. Even Kabul predicted continuing deterioration ham warned that withdrawal The situation was bad in 2011, is vulnerable. Terrorist assaults “even if international support is “would be paving the way for a when I visited and allied force lev- have become common; the Mon- sustained.” Negotiations between second 9/11.” The president said els had peaked at 140,000 (110,000 day before Christmas an attack on the U.S. and Taliban have started. his experts told him “over and over he Doha Qatar based Afghan Taliban who are in opposition to of them American). The insurgen- the Public Health Ministry killed Critics complain that withdrawal again” that “if we don’t go there, sitting government and political process in motherland have cy was barely contained and vir- at least 43 people. American dip- will reduce Washington’s leverage. they’re going to be fighting over tually everyone I met outside of lomatic personnel have been long But sticking around to prove to here.” Perhaps in the streets of reportedly refused to shake hand with their own countrymen in official briefings, including U.S. barred from walking across the the Taliban that Americans will Milwaukee, Dallas, Portland, and troops, allied personnel, civilian street between the embassy and stick around means essentially a Raleigh, not to mention Washing- US brokered peace talks to be commenced in Riyadh Saudi Arabia contractors, and Afghan officials, other civilian offices. Now the U.S. permanent presence. And if a ton, D.C. This is nonsense, of on January 13. The Riyadh Saudi Arabia talks are stated continuation was pessimistic. Today the totals takes personnel to the airport via peace pact is signed premised on course. The Taliban is an insurgen- are down to 30,000 and 14,000, helicopter, instead of the crowd- American backing for the Kabul cy, not a terrorist group. Remnants of peace dialogues initiated by US Special Envoy Dr Zalmay Kha- respectively. In theory the allies ed, chaotic streets used by the mil- government, Washington can nev- of al-Qaeda remain, though there lilzad in last October by visiting Kabul, Islamabad and Doha simulta- have trained a large Afghan securi- itary during my visit eight years er withdraw, a la Vietnam. Why is substantial disagreement on the ty force, both military and police, ago. Forget propagandistic pro- fight the forever war in Central size of al-Qaeda’s following and neously. Several rounds of dialogues between US Envoy and Taliban but estimates of the number of nouncements of government Asia? Although Americans would its relationship with Taliban. But “ghost” personnel, existing only spokesmen. Cordesman warned prefer that Afghanistan end up a geography matters little: Osama delegates held and on end of each round, Pakistan’s Foreign Office for payroll purposes, range up to that “official U.S. and Afghan data liberal democracy protecting West- bin Laden spent years operating making commitments regarding its due role in face to face dialogues a third. Casualties, attrition rates, seem to sharply understate the level ern values, it always has been ruled from Pakistan, while Kalid Sheikh and desertions have soared. Kabul of growing threat presence, influ- at the village and valley level. Wash- Muhammed, 9/11’s chief planner, between Afghan government and Taliban representatives but unfor- is constantly relying on its limited ence, and control,” and official ington’s commitment of lives and avoided Afghanistan while moving number of better trained special claims “seem more spin than ob- wealth to a failing cause cannot be among Bosnia, Kuwait, Pakistan, tunately all these tall claims and commitments proved nothing else forces. Moreover, observed Antho- jective.” In May, the Defense De- infinite. and Qatar. Al-Qaeda in the Arabi- but a futile exercise. Since previous September when US Special ny Cordesman of the Center for partment inspector general report- The Kabul government confident- an Peninsula is the most danger- Strategic and International Studies, ed “few signs of progress.” There ly asserts that nothing will change ous “franchise.” Unless Washing- envoy Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad announced his schedule regarding visits “U.S. Special Operations troops is little disagreement that the Af- if the Americans leave—after all, ton intends to occupy every failed to Kabul, Islamabad and Doha, the war affected Afghans have at- increasingly [are] being deployed ghan government is corrupt, frac- Afghan security forces are doing and decrepit state, including Paki- into harm’s way to assist their tured, and incompetent. The Spe- most of the fighting (and dying) stan, remaining permanently at war tached great hopes and expectations. Almost of Afghans whether Afghan counterparts.” Is there any cial Inspector General for Afghan- anyway. However, few officials or in Afghanistan makes no sense. No prospect of Kabul taking over its istan Reconstruction (SIGAR) analysts are so sanguine privately. one wants to admit to failure. they are supporting or opposing political process have been made own security? “Progress toward continues to catalog the extraordi- Divisions may grow in Kabul. However, issue is not the lives and fed up by prolonged war and hostilities. As a result of imposed war peace remains elusive,” admitted nary failures of aid, with addition- More likely than a Taliban victory wealth invested, and wasted, so Glenn A. Fine, the Pentagon’s act- al cases of fraud and waste joining is a complicated division among far, but whether spending more in and hostilities, millions of Afghans have been killed, displaced, dish- ing inspector general. Gen. Ken- so many others. Little of lasting competing factions and warlords. the future can be justified. It can- neth F. McKenzie, Jr., Director of benefit has been achieved. Indeed, That would be unfortunate for not. Donald Trump understands onoured and even living like hostages throughout the world. After an the Joint Staff and nominated to the foreign money actually has “ex- Afghans, but frankly irrelevant to this issue. Even before becoming a end to so-called Cold War, regional and neighbouring countries are head U.S. Central Command, stat- acerbated conflicts, enabled cor- Americans. candidate he said: “Let’s get out of ed: “If we left precipitously right ruption, and bolstered support for Clifford May, president of the Afghanistan.” As president he fuelling bloodshed and hostilities for meeting its nefarious designs. now, I do not believe they [the Af- insurgents.” As for the more than Foundation for Defense of Democ- found himself under pressure from Now it is crystal clear that neither global powers nor regional coun- ghans] would be able to success- $8 billion spent to end Afghani- racies, called Afghanistan “one bat- his gang of establishment defense fully defend their country. I don’t stan’s narcotics trade, in October tle in a long, world war to defend thinkers. Now he might be ready tries are interested in return of peace and tranquility in Afghanistan. know how long it’s going to take.” SIGAR’s latest quarterly report the West against the resurgent and to do what is right. After 17 years, He warned against putting “a time- explained that the “opium crisis is dynamic forces of jihadism,” How- America should bring its brave men No doubt to commend unprecedented support of peace loving masses line on it.” This is after more than worse than ever. The country re- ever, before 2001 the Taliban fo- and women home from Afghani- from all over the world in efforts aimed at return of peace and recon- 17 years of war, thousands of dead mains the world’s leading produc- cused on mis-ruling their nation, stan. and tens of thousands of injured er of opium, with production hit- not attacking anyone else. Most Doug Bandow is a Senior Fellow struction in Afghanistan. But unfortunately ruler’s strategic-econom- allied personnel, a trillion-plus ting an all-time high last year.” of the movement’s foot soldiers are at the Cato Institute. A former dollars in expenditures, and multi- Washington’s stabilization pro- motivated mostly by antagonism Special Assistant to President ic interests remain different. Now when Khalilzad is sincere in his tudes of assurances. Over the last gram, key to creating a stable, self- toward outsiders, not a commit- Ronald Reagan, he is author of assignments but he is facing hurdles from no other than then those four years the number of Taliban sufficient Afghan government, ment to international jihad. Strate- Foreign Follies: America’s New fighters is believed to have trebled fared no better, having “mostly gically, Afghanistan just doesn’t Global Empire. who are responsible for the generation, growth and stabilization of or even quadrupled, perhaps near- failed.” Concluded SIGAR: “The matter to Americans. The country (theamericanconservative) militants on the Holy slogan of Islam. Now in the wake of Taliban’s refusal, outcomes of Riyadh talks will not be different from earlier rounds held in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Islamabad and Kabul etc. Through such type of refusals, the Doha based Taliban leaders are damaging own image. On one hand they are opposing US led allies and justify- ing their acts and actions. But on the other they are reluctant to talks to own Afghan Muslim brothers. Similarly all acts and actions (ter- rorist and violent attacks) causing irreparable losses to Afghanistan and its people. Instead of blaming US and its allies for continuation of war and hostilities in Afghanistan, it is the time for Afghan nation in particular and results of Muslim Ummah to differentiate who is re- sponsible for killing of innocent people and destruction of Afghani- stan. At this stage responsibility rest with peace loving people, orga- nizations and human rights bodies to build up a pressure against Afghanistan opposition to come on table as solution to all issues rest Afghanistan in talks and dialogues. Subscription Rates Note: The following rates will apply from January 01, 2017. Fee Categories Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 5400 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 2700 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $240 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. THURSDAY . JANUARY 03, 2019 AFGHANISTANTIMES InsideMother Camp: thewomantackling The United States is spending beyond its means on a Afghanistan's mission that might only be helping its strategic rivals. drugproblem By Robert D. Kaplan The decision by President Trump Laila Haidari risks her life to run the coun- to withdraw 7,000 of the roughly try’s only private rehabilitation centre, 14,000 American troops left in Afghanistan, possibly by summer, helping hundreds of addicts a year has raised new concerns about his impulsive behavior, especially giv- en his nearly simultaneous deci- sion to pull out all American forc- es from Syria against the advice of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. But the downsizing of the Afghan mis- sion was probably inevitable. In- deed, it may soon be time for the United States to get out of the country altogether. No other coun- try in the world symbolizes the decline of the American empire as much as Afghanistan. There is vir- tually no possibility of a military victory over the Taliban and little chance of leaving behind a self-sus- taining democracy — facts that Washington’s policy community has mostly been unable to accept. People shelter under the Pul-e Sokhta bridge in western Kab- While many American troops stay behind steel-reinforced concrete ul, during a police round-up of suspected drug addicts. Photo- walls to protect themselves from graph: Ahmad Masood/Reuters the very population they are sup- posed to help, it is striking how little discussion Afghanistan has generated in government and me- dia circles in Washington. When it comes to Afghanistan, Washington A member of the United States Air Force at Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan. President Trump has decided has been a city hiding behind its own walls of shame and frustra- to pull out about half of the 14,000 American troops there. tion. While the Chinese, Pakistanis, Indians and Iranians are all devel- to be like this. Had the United States keeps spending so heavily enough security to allow their en- end in sight to stem a deepening oping competing energy and min- States not become diverted from in Afghanistan. The Pentagon is ergy and transport corridors to take chaos is simply not sustainable ing projects in and next door to rebuilding the country by its inva- terrified of a repeat of 1975, when shape, while also helping the Rus- policy. Even a small fraction of that Afghanistan, the United States ap- sion of Iraq in 2003 (which I mis- panicked South Vietnamese fled sians guard against Islamic terror- money could be better spent on pears to have little commercial fu- takenly supported), or had differ- Saigon as Americans pulled out and ism on their southern border. smarter infrastructure investments ture in the country, even though it ent military and development pol- North Vietnamese forces advanced Thus, our rivals build their own in Asia, such as liquid natural gas spends about $45 billion there an- icies been tried, these forces of di- on the city. The United States mil- empires on the back of our declin- terminals and dual-use ports in nually. The total cost of the war vision might have been overcome. itary did not truly begin to recover ing one. One might argue that a col- Vietnam to compete with China’s could reach as high as $2 trillion According to the Pakistani jour- from that humiliation until its vic- lapse of the pro-American govern- maritime Belt and Road Initiative. when long-term costs are factored nalist Ahmed Rashid, there was tory in the Persian Gulf war of ment in Kabul would allow those Our withdrawal should not be sud- in, according to Brown Universi- simply too much emphasis on the 1991. An abrupt withdrawal from countries to gain even greater foot- den. It should reduce outlays and Laila Haidari stands alongside one of the Mother Camp resi- ty's Cost of War Project. All that electoral process in Kabul and not Afghanistan could conceivably holds in Afghanistan. But then sta- give Ambassador Khalilzad time to dents. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images to prop up an unstable government nearly enough on bread-and-but- provide a new symbol of the de- bilizing the unruly country would work out an arrangement with our that would most likely disintegrate ter nation building — in particu- cline in American hard power. become their problem. An enter- allies, all without public timetables if aid were to end. Indeed, Afghan- lar, bringing basic infrastructure and There is also the fear that an Af- prising American diplomat, backed that enable our adversaries to wait By Ruchi Kumar Camp. The shelter takes the “cold istan represents the triumph of the agriculture up to the standards that ghanistan in chaos could once again by a coherent administration, could us out. But let’s be honest with turkey” approach to recovery – a deterministic forces of geography, Afghans enjoyed from the 1950s provide a haven for an internation- try to organize an international ourselves: Afghanistan is like the Laila Haidari is considered a crim- common approach in the country, history, culture, and ethnic and until the Soviet invasion of 1979. al terrorist group determined to peace conference involving Af- huge and hugely expensive aircraft inal, despite never committing a where resources and access to oth- sectarian awareness, with Pash- Certainly, no place is hopeless. But perpetrate another Sept. 11-scale ghanistan and its neighbors, one carriers we continue to build, in- crime. The 40-year-old works with er medication and expertise is lim- tuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks and Hazaras that is not where we are now. The attack. Of course, Yemen, Somalia focused on denying terrorist creasingly obsolete in an era of so- drug addicts in Kabul. “The ad- ited. Doctors are on hand if any and other groups competing for dicts I work with are considered problems occur. “Cutting them off heavily Pashtun Taliban, an acces- and a number of other places could groups a base in South-Central phisticated missile technology and criminal and dangerous and by ex- completely from drugs is the main patches of ground. Tribes, war- sory to the Sept. 11 hijackings, also provide the setting for that. Asia. It is the kind of project that hypersonic warfare. It is a vesti- tension I am considered criminal,” step and the important one. In our lords and mafia-style networks continues to make battlefield gains The point is, we remain in Afghan- Henry Kissinger, Richard Hol- gial limb of empire, and it is time she says. Despite opposition and experience it has never had a nega- that control the drug trade rule huge and, if there are actual peace nego- istan out of fear of even worse brooke, James Baker III or George to let it go. Robert D. Kaplan, a death threats, eight years ago, Hai- tive effect. But it helps them be- segments of the country. To show tiations, is poised to share power outcomes, rather than in the ex- Shultz would have taken up in senior fellow at the Center for a dari opened the city’s only private come determined in their mission just how perverted Western ex- with the American-backed govern- pectation of better ones. Washing- their day. But it is not something New American Security and a se- drug rehabilitation centre, which so of getting rid of addiction,” Haid- perts’ view of the situation has ment of President Ashraf Ghani, if ton now merely hopes that Mr. anyone can reasonably expect this nior adviser at Eurasia Group, is far has helped nearly 4,800 Af- ari believes. Laila Haidari stands become, the British regional spe- not eventually replace it. The Unit- Khalilzad, an experienced diplomat administration, as chaotic, under- the author of, most recently, “The ghans who would otherwise have alongside one of the Mother Camp cialist Anatol Lieven, writing in The ed States’ special adviser to Af- born in Afghanistan, can deliver a staffed and incompetent as it is, to Return of Marco Polo’s World: ended up on the streets, or worse, residents. Residents are encouraged National Interest, argues that “just ghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, is decent interval of stability. The undertake, especially with the de- War, Strategy, and American Inter- dead. She opened the centre, called to join in group counselling and because the U.S. money was sto- trying to broker a diplomatic solu- Chinese, Pakistanis, Russians, In- parture of Mr. Mattis. Do we owe ests in the Twenty-First Centu- the Mother Camp, after watching attend meetings, and eventually len does not mean that it was wast- tion that allows the United States dians and Iranians, meanwhile, it to the Afghan people to stay? ry.” her brother fall into addiction. “I help with cooking and cleaning. It ed,” since it has gone to paying off to draw down its forces without may all be benefiting more from Not if the ideals that we claim to Follow The New York Times cared for my brother and helped costs between $1,500 and $3,000 tribal chiefs to keep them from the political foundation in Kabul America’s military operations in represent appear unachievable. Opinion section on Facebook, him recover, even if it was briefly, every month to run the shelter, joining the Taliban or becoming disintegrating immediately. That Afghanistan than the United States Spending billions and stationing Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Ins- because I believe that he deserved depending on how many residents feuding warlords. It did not have may be the real reason the United is. Our presence may provide just thousands of troops there with no tagram. (nytimes) to be saved. He was a good man,” it hosts. The costs are met by Hai- she says. Each of the addicts who dari and friends and family. She’s pass through her shelter are good yet to receive any money from people who’ve gone astray, she government or international organ- adds, and they deserve a second isations. In Afghanistan, drug ad- Adeeper lookat theBangladeshelection chance. Afghanistan’s drug prob- dicts are seen as unwanted and a Hopesfor peace lem is not a secret. The country is nuisance. “Contributing funds to the world’s largest producer of help addicts has never been met The outcome of the December 30 vote should not come as a opium. In November 2017, the UN with much enthusiasm among Af- reported that opium production ghans. “The initial years were the surprise given the level of state capture in Bangladesh. had increased by 87% over the most difficult and I put all my sav- inAfghanistan previous 12 months to a record ings and money to this project,” grip on its own script along the and sticks were sent to their ral- high, despite almost two decades she says. To help meet costs, in By Shafquat Rabbee way. The Awami League party lies. Few visible election activities of counter efforts by the US. 2011 Haidari opened a restaurant and its alliance ended up bagging by the opposition alliance were According to the Special Inspec- – the Taj Begum, which means On December 30, Bangladesh held 288 seats, leaving just seven seats allowed to take place; opposition tor General for Afghanistan Recon- “the crown of a queen” – run by its 11th parliamentary elections in for the Jatiya Oikko Front, the campaign posters were removed struction (Sigar), since 2001 the the residents and furnished with which close to 100 million Bang- major opposition alliance led by from the streets, and opposition US has spent $8.6bn on disrupt- donations. There were worries that ladeshis voted at 40,000 polling the Bangladesh Nationalist Party volunteers were arrested with un- ing the illicit drugs trade, yet the no one would visit a restaurant stations across the country. But (BNP). There were constituencies usual precision across the coun- country still produces about 80% operated by recovering addicts. even before polling began, many where the ruling party won 99.9 try. Owing to widespread intimi- of the world’s opium. Afghans re- “However, we were able to gener- observers concluded that the vote, percent of the votes, and hardly dation and systemic oppression, main among the worst victims of ate interests among a lot of peo- conducted under the country's in- any ruling party candidate lost the the opposition parties failed to the failed war on drugs. According ple, especially those already famil- creasingly authoritarian conditions, contests, according to unofficial place polling agents in most poll- to the 2015 Afghanistan national iar with our work. The clientele is would be a managed affair. It was drug use survey, in a country of 35 largely young, educated Afghans results. During four prior elections ing centres to ensure proper count- clear to many that the ruling Awa- held under neutral caretaker gov- ing and certification of ballots. million people, an estimated 2.9 who are eager to support our mi League party would tilt the elec- million are addicts. But there aren’t work,” says Haidari. Taj Begum ernments between 1991 and 2008, Infiltrating the state enough government-run shelters to serves Afghan cuisine, tea and tion process in its favour utilising no winning party ever won more The ruling party managed to meet the growing needs. Kabul has snacks. However, this venture has coercive mechanisms. News cov- than 48 percent of the popular pull off this campaign of intimida- 27 government shelters and there not been without trouble. Men erage, reports from human rights votes. In this election, the winners tion ahead of the polls, thanks to are about 115 across Afghanistan and women can socialise freely, organisations, confidential party bagged more than 90 percent of the the direct control it has managed – all of which are over capacity. which has ruffled feathers in a con- documents leaked by journalists, total votes cast, raising serious to establish over key state organs Mother Camp, named by the first servative society. “They’ve ac- and unusually candid public pro- doubts over the fairness of the since the early 2010s. How did it drug addicts Haidari took in, was cused me of encouraging immoral nouncements by ruling party polls. manage to do that? For about a de- established in 2010. “I used to look and unIslamic values. Some have members, some of which went vi- Suppressing the opposition cade and a half, starting in the mid- after them, clean them, cook for even accused me of running a broth- ral on social media ahead of the The December 30 election was 1990s, Bangladesh witnessed four them and sometimes even feed the el,” she says. She has received death polls, revealed the government's relatively peaceful in comparison relatively fair elections. What guar- weaker ones. That is when they threats. But, Haidari has her sup- elaborate plans for voter suppres- to Bangladesh's previous election anteed the relatively smooth elec- started to call me ‘mother’,” she porters. Mina Sharifi, founder and sion, aggressive policing, system- cycles. However, the relative toral process was a legal provision explains. Using her own savings, director of Sisters4Sisters, a men- ic arrests and detentions of oppo- It is a measure of the go-strate- Taliban held lengthy negotia- peace was achieved through the that required the government to Haidari, once an aspiring filmmak- torship programme for Afghan sition activists - all with the singu- systemic oppression the state hand over power to a caretaker er, rented a small space in the west girls, says she is doing important gic importance of Afghanistan tions with Iran’s deputy foreign lar objective of managing the elec- of Kabul to open the shelter. It was work. “We’re so far behind in even machinery carried out against the cabinet for 90 days prior to the that after US president Donald minister in Tehran. This came tion in the ruling party's favour. opposition over the past 10 years, election. This neutral unelected basic, with furniture donated by understanding what addiction is, Trump announced last month just days after Ali Shamkhani, Given that no credible independent friends and family. This year alone never mind accepting it as a dis- leaving it effectively hobbled and body organised and supervised the his intention to withdraw half secretary of Iran’s Supreme Na- political polling exists in Bang- neutered. Last year, opposition vote and ensured that there was the shelter has admitted 117 new ease to be treated. If we wait for of American troops—7,000 out tional Security Council, visited addicts, most of whom were res- society and the government to ladesh, analysts were left with re- leader Khaleda Zia was sent to jail no interference from any side. But cued from under Kabul’s Pul-e- catch up, that’s an immeasurable of 14,000 — from Afghanistan, Kabul and told reporters that views of spontaneous public en- on "corruption" charges; her son, in 2011, an Awami League-domi- Sokhta bridge, known for the home- loss of valuable lives,” she says. there has been a flurry of activ- talks had been held with the gagements in political processions, Tarique Rahman, the acting party nated parliament overturned the less community that lives there. “Laila has combined addressing ity around the issue of restor- Taliban in Kabul. social media sentiment analysis chief, is currently in exile in the provision and the following elec- The shelter has a capacity of 25 drug addiction with being a female ing peace in war-ravaged Af- Peace in Afghanistan will and online polling as the only tan- United Kingdom sentenced to life tion was marred by violence and residents at one time, but it has lead in the fight. These are two huge ghanistan. Regional countries benefit all neighbouring coun- gible measures for gauging popu- imprisonment in relation to a 2004 irregularities. hosted up to 40. Haidari and her things that many people here have — Iran, Pakistan and Russia — trires, most important of all Pa- lar support towards any political attack on Awami League leader In parallel, the ruling party team try to keep track of residents a problem with. Her critics are are actively trying to bring an kistan where 2.7 million Afghan party. However unscientific, they Sheikh Hasina; and the lucky also launched a process of system- after they leave, but since many of scared of change and intimidated end to the 17-year-long con- refugees (the figure is Prime showed that there was underpin- among the remaining opposition atic politicisation of state institu- them are homeless it’s not easy. by what her success, with almost ning momentum towards voting for leaders are either already in jail or tions. Over the past decade, judi- About 20% of people who leave no money, says about their flict. In December, US special Minister Imran Khan’s) are still representative on Afghanistan living. Peace in Afghanistan the country's major opposition al- have hundreds of pending charges cial appointments from the low- the centre will drop off the radar, progress,” Sharifi adds. Her work liance during this election cycle. against them. The unlucky among est to the highest courts have been while some will have relapses and has received international atten- Zalmay Khalilzad met Taliban will facilitate return of these ref- Even the most partisan of esti- representatives and discussed ugees to their homeland there- the opposition have been execut- made along party lines. In 2017, return. So far this year, everyone tion. A documentary of her life and mates coming from government- ed or forcibly disappeared. The Surendra Kumar Sinh, the sitting who’s been in the shelter is ac- work – Laila At The Bridge – re- issues pertaining to future by easing Pakistan’s difficult affiliated pollsters, some prepared counted for and in various stages cently premiered in North Ameri- months leading up to the election Chief Justice of Bangladesh was troop withdrawal as well as pro- economic situation. Some quar- by nebulous characters and organ- saw the highest number of extraju- forced to resign and leave the coun- of recovery. “The addicts normal- ca and at several European film posal for a ceasefire. On Dec ters in the US, however, are ly stay 30 to 40 days at the camp. festivals. Despite constant threats isations, allotted at least 49 parlia- dicial killings over the last six years. try when he acted out of sync with 31, Iran said the Afghan Tali- apprehensive that the vaccum mentary seats for the opposition When the opposition ap- the party line. Once they are admitted to the shel- to her own life and safety, Haidari ban had visited Tehran for a created by the US military with- ter, volunteers clean, shave and remains determined to continue. out of the 298 contested. Howev- peared to be still managing to fos- Such subjugation of the judi- wash them, explains Jalil Pažwak, “It has it’s flaws, but this is a good second round of peace talks in drawal from Aghanistan and er, as the results came in, it seemed ter an effective alliance, bringing ciary allowed arbitrary arrests and a young Afghan media profession- country, with good people who are just a few days. A spokesman Syria might help Iran expand its as though the government's elabo- together major leftist, centrist, and political detentions in the lead-up al, who volunteers at Mother thirsty for compassion. They de- for the Iranian government said influence in the region. rate machinery ended up over- Islamic elements of Bangladeshi to the latest election. Trust, the NGO that runs Mother serve to be saved.” on Dec 30 a delegation of the (Tribune) managing the election and lost its politics, thugs wielding machetes (Aljazeera) THURSDAY . JANUARY 03, 2019 AFGHANISTANTIMES

asking the commanders' opinions. General Mattis resigned, US mili- tary commanders were shocked and infuriated, Israel and Saudi Arabia got desperate; and that's because Trump's will to pull out won't be limited to Afghanistan. He has repeatedly criticized the fact that the US has spent $7,000bn in the region and gained nothing in return except for thou- sands of US soldiers killed and in- jured, and also a growing trend of terrorism. He believed that the US money should be spent inside the country. Trump says the US mon- ey has to be used to curb growth of rivals, namely China, Russia and Europe. Trump also insists that wealthy regional countries, like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, should pay a part of the seven trillion dollars to the US and expend from their own pocket. 2. It is complicated because the US has thousands of military forces in the region, which will take years for them to move out. The US allies in the region are weak and cannot bear the heavy burden; and the regional and international rivals of the US, i.e. Iran and Rus- sia, are ready to move forward, etc. It is obvious that this procedure is vital for the regional and interna- A leading Iranian analyst believes US forces from Syria with world opposed the President; and WANA; he announced that he The US National Security Ad- manders asked for a moratorium tional powers. Two factors can Iran's strategies in the coming few countries showing adverse Trump's national security team would pull the US military out from visor John Bolton, who has always for the plan to take place gradual- affect the process: 1. years can significantly affect the reacions: Moscow had a hard time was astonished by Secretary of the region. A few months after tak- been more radical than the other ly; they in fact wanted to linger on Trump needs a unified National fate of the US President Donald beliving it; Tehran exercised self- Defense James Mattis' resignation. ing office, Trump said the pullout two, believed in expanding the US the plan till Trump's term in office Security Team to accompany him. Trump's strategies for West Asia restraint; Ankara grasped the op- 1. It is simple because process should start from Syria. military presence in the region. And teminates. Trump agreed with six If he is able to replace Mattis with and North Africa (WANA). In an portunity offered by the new con- Trump openly criticized his pre- General Mattis and General Jo- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo months and told them he would another individual, he will be able artcile published in 'Donya-e ditions to achieve its goals in Syr- decessors George W. Bush and seph Dunford intended to main- is somewhere in between. Thus, accept no excuses from then on. to replace other key members of Eqtesda' newspaper, Hossein ia; NATO members got concerned; Barrack Obama, respectively for tain the US presence in the region most of the attendees in the ses- Right after the six months period the team, which may include Bol- Mousavian wrote that Trump baf- the two big parties of the US, name- invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, to avoid creating a vacuum which sions opposed the president. was over, Trump ordered the ton, as well. fled the world by pulling out the ly Democrats and Republicans, and military presence of the US in Turkey, Russia and Iran would fill. Meanwhil, the US military com- army to pull put of Syria without (FNA) F r en ch yellow vest pr ot est er s r u n ou t of speed ca m er a s t o d est r oy

Newlawin Turkmenistan cracks down sharply 'Korean Peninsula problem on alcohol sales A law sharply limiting the sale of alcohol has gone into effect in the back on dialogue':China former Soviet republic of Turkmenistan, whose authoritarian president has made physical fitness a top initiative. The law that took effect Tuesday forbids the sale of alcoholic drinks including beer on trains, airplanes and ferries and at sports facilities. It praises US,N-Korea efforts also bans the sale of alcohol on holidays when workers get the day off. China supports Washington's and tion to the Korean Peninsula prob- with the United States, and a day The law calls for alcohol sales to be banned on Saturdays and Sundays Pyongyang's efforts toward boost- lem. He praised progress reached later US President Donald Trump beginning in 2021, except at bars and restaurants. ing mutual trust, and promoting in Korean Peninsula settlement in reiterated his readiness to hold a President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, who has ruled the mostly denuclearization and political set- 2018. "Over the past year, the sit- new meeting with Kim. The situa- Muslim Central Asian nation since late 2006 in an all-encompassing cult tlement to the situation on the uation on the Korean Peninsula has tion on the Korean Peninsula has French yellow vest protesters Meanwhile, President Emmanuel of personality, is frequently shown on state TV engaging in sports, Korean Peninsula, the Chinese seen important positive changes. greatly improved in 2018, with have run out of speed cameras to Macron used his New Year's Eve including horse riding and weightlifting. He has vowed to make the Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu The Korean Peninsula problem has Kim engaging in an active dialogue destroy in some parts of the coun- address to say the French govern- country tobacco-free by 2025. Kang, said on Wednesday, com- got back on dialogue and consulta- with both South Korean President try after weeks of demonstrations, ment 'can do better' at improving menting on US and North Korean tions' track, and the North Korea- Moon Jae-in and Trump. During it has been reported. There have citizens' lives. 'We can do better leaders' pledges to continue South Korea relations have im- the landmark Kim-Trump Sin- been relentless attacks to the point and must do better,' Macron said Putin extends restrictions on dialogue."China supports North proved significantly. China sup- gapore summit in June 2018, the where no fixed cameras are work- in a 16-minute televised speech Korea and the United States… in ports Pyongyang in implementing two leaders agreed that North Ko- ing in the Vaucluse department and from the Elysee palace while urg- transit of Ukrainian goods to the maintenance of stable positive serious measures toward denucle- rea would make efforts to promote just three out of 49 are functioning ing the French to 'accept the reali- dynamics of cooperation, in mu- arization of the Korean Peninsu- the complete denuclearisation of in Lot-et-Garonne. It comes just ty' that increased public spending tual trust strengthening, and in the la," Lu added. The statement was the peninsula in exchange for the weeks after it was reported that was not the answer to their prob- Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan improvement of relations between made after on Tuesday North Ko- United States and South Korea half of France's speed cameras are lems. Macron's speech had been Russian President Vladimir Putin amended the decree from January 1, the sides," Lu said, stressing that rean leader Kim Jong-un said that freezing their military drills as well out of action because of wide- keenly awaited, coming at the end 2016 "On Measures to ensure economic security and national interests China supported a political solu- he wanted to improve relations as the potential removal. spread acts of vandalism during of a torrid six weeks for the cen- of Russia during the transit of goods from Ukraine to the Republic of yellow vest protests. French yel- trist, whose leadership has been Kazakhstan or the Kyrgyz Republic through the territory of the Rus- low vest protesters have run out severely rattled by six weeks of of speed cameras to destroy in demonstrations that have repeat- sian Federation." He extended it for half a year, until July 1, 2019, the some parts of the country after edly turned violent. On Monday, Russia’s government website of legal information. The decree entered weeks of demonstrations, it has he attempted to turn the page on into force on December 31, 2018. It stipulates that inter-country trans- May will find a been reported. By December 11, the crisis and start 2019 on an up- portation of goods by road or railway from Ukraine to Kazakhstan The Local reported, 250 of beat note. through Russia can only be carried out from the territory of Belarus. France's 3,275 fixed speed camer- 'I believe in us,' he said. Citing Cargo compartments and railway containers used for the goods in tran- way to get Brexit as had been damaged beyond re- hopes for more 'truth, dignity and sit should be sealed and tracked using the GLONASS Navigation satel- pair while 1,500 more had been hope' in 2019, he urged the French: lite system. In July 2016, Putin amended the decree requiring similar damaged to a point where they 'Let's stop running ourselves down restrictions on transit of goods to Kyrgyzstan. deal through were out of order. It will take 'mil- and making believe that France is a In September 2016, Ukraine requested for consultations with Russia in lions of euros' to fix the devices, country where solidarity doesn't the WTO regarding the given restrictions. In its complaint, Ukraine France's Road Safety association exist.' 'We live in one of the biggest estimated a 35.1% reduction in exports of Ukrainian goods to the mar- parliament: Hunt said. The Newspaper.com, which economies in the world, with some kets of Central and Middle Asia and the Caucasus in the first half of highlighted the Vaucluse and Lot- of the best infrastructure in the 2016 because of Russia’s measure with the reduction of exports to et-Garonne figures, gave examples world, we pay little or nothing for Kazakhstan to 45.5%. of some of the techniques used to our children's schooling and we are Prime Minister Theresa May will from European Union leaders through parliament,” Hunt said put cameras out of use.One, in treated by excellent doctors at find a way to get her Brexit deal ahead of a vote now due to take during a question-and-answer ses- Domalain, was covered with a blue some of the lowest costs in the Turkish intelligence captures approved by the British parlia- place later this month. “When sion following a speech in Sin- gift box on Christmas Day, while developed world,' he said. While ment, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Theresa May comes back with gapore. Asked about the prospect another in Renty was 'blinded' with acknowledging the need for im- wanted FETÖterror group Hunt said on Wednesday during a those reassurances that she has of holding a second referendum on spraypaint for the tenth time this proved public services, particular- visit to Singapore. May post- been seeking from the EU that the the deal, Hunt said it would be year. Others around the country ly in rural areas where the yellow member in Azerbaijan poned a planned vote on her deal deal that is on the table is not go- damaging to democracy and the have been wrapped in clingfilm or vest movement sprang up over in December after admitting it was ing to lead to us being permanent- social consequences of not leaving torched, while over the border in anger at fuel taxes, he noted that Turkish intelligence officers brought back from Azerbaijan a set to be defeated by lawmakers. ly trapped in the customs union ... EU would be “devastating”. Germany, protesters turned one public spending already amount- member of the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey, She is seeking further assurances she will find a way to get this deal (BBC) camera into a giant candy cane. ed to over half. security sources said on Saturday. Mehmet Gelen, who is want- ed by Turkish authorities, had been trying to enter Belarus with a fake passport when he was deported to Azerbaijan, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speak- Internet blockedinDRCongotostop'popular uprising' amidfear of riggedpoll ing to the media. A teacher by profession, Gelen worked for Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) schools operating in Azerbaijan President Joseph Kabila's chosen try — a former Belgian colony, Shadary, a former interior min- until the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, which led to the closing of successor was believed to have which was formally known as ister, is the candidate for the ruling schools belonging to the terror group in the Caucasian country. been trailing behind businessman Zaire — has never had a peaceful People's Party for Reconstruction FETÖ has a considerable presence outside Turkey, including and political newcomer Martin transition of power since indepen- and Democracy (PPRD) but he private educational institutions that serve as a revenue stream Fayulu, who campaigned against dence from Belgium in 1960, and was up against opposition leader for the terrorist group. After he was deported to Azerbaijan, Tur- widespread corruption. The gov- bloodshed marred elections in Felix Tshisekedi and a political key's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) successfully ap- ernment of the Democratic Repub- 2006 and 2011. President Joseph newcomer, successful business- prehended Gelen in an operation against the group. He was want- lic of Congo has shut down the Kabila — whose father and prede- man Martin Fayulu. Fayulu has ed for being a member of an armed terrorist organization. A num- country's internet to avert a "pop- cessor Laurent was assassinated — campaigned against the rampant ber of key FETÖ members have been brought to Turkey from ular uprising" as tensions rise in has been in power since 2001 and corruption which makes DR Con- the wake of Sunday's presidential initially refused to quit when his go poor despite its vast mineral especially Balkan countries by Turkish intelligence operations. elections. A gargantuan operation two-term limit expired. wealth. FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the is underway to collect all the votes Kabila Has Hand-Picked His Final results are expected on defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people killed and from the 80,000 polling stations 'Successor' January 15 and the next head of nearly 2,200 injured. Ankara also accuses FETÖ of being behind in the vast country — DR Congo He eventually agreed to go but state three days later. Opposition a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the is as big as France, Germany and it is thought he may continue to supporters fear Kabila's regime will infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, po- the Low Countries combined — hold on to the reins of power if his rig the elections to ensure Shadary's lice, and judiciary. which is largely jungle and has few hand-picked successor Emmanuel victory. (Trend) major roads or railways. The coun- Ramazani Shadary wins. (Spuntak) THURSDAY . JANUARY 03, 2019 AFGHANISTANTIMES

economic vitality

President Moon Jae-in said culties, needs to overcome struc- Wednesday he will take measures tural limitations," Moon said. The to boost the economy but keep his meeting was attended by some 300 signature "income-led" growth government officials and leaders of policy alive despite ongoing con- the country's top-tier conglomer- troversies regarding its effective- ates, including Samsung Vice ness. "Past business growth mod- Chairman Lee Jae-yong and LG els which have been effective in Chairman Koo Kwang-mo. Mexicanpresident proposes‘freezone’to terms of chasing developed econ- Moon said South Korea is the omies have reached a limit," Moon only country to open an era of said in a New Year's meeting with "$30,000 in per capita income" and top business leaders at the Seoul achieve a total export volume of headquarters of the Korea Federa- $600 billion last year among coun- attract investment,reducemigrationtoUS tion of Small- and Medium-sized tries freed from colonial rule since Enterprises (SMEs). "How we live the end of the World War II. Dur- In a bid to reduce migration to the ed. Inside the zone, income taxes self-styled left-wing populist, ed by low taxes, might move to in the report, said doubling the together is the issue that needs to ing his speech he offered an apolo- U.S. and attract investment, Mex- would be reduced by a third and took office Dec. 1 with the prom- the free zone and create an overall minimum wage is a double-edged be addressed properly." Stressing gy over the tepid results of his pre- ican President Andres Manuel Lo- Value Added Taxes on imported ise to help the country's poor, not- loss of tax revenue for the country sword. Raising minimum wage the need to implement new indus- vious economic policies without pez Obrador has proposed the cre- goods would be slashed in half, the ing that the nation's minimum as a whole. “If a lot of companies helps workers “in sectors like ag- trial policies that haven't been seen elaborating. But he said his admin- ation of economic “free zones” minimum wage would increase 100 wage had lost 70 percent of its relocated to the border, then the riculture because that’s where peo- before, Moon said his economic istration will stick with the basic along the U.S.-Mexico border. The percent, and fuel prices would equal purchasing power in recent de- Mexican government loses a for- ple get paid the least,” but on the team will prioritize efforts to at- concept of the "income-led" Tax Incentive Decree for the U.S. prices, the report said. cades after devaluations and eco- tune,” said Duncan Wood, direc- other hand, “it means that busi- tain a balance between exports and growth policy despite growing Northern Border Region, which “It’s going to be the biggest free nomic crises. Proponents of the tor of the Mexico Institute at the ness owners won’t be able to af- local demand to transition from challenges. "You have to wait a lit- Lopez Obrador announced Satur- zone in the world,” Lopez Obra- president's "free zone" plan believe Washington, D.C.-based Wilson ford (to hire) as many employees,” being an export-reliant economy. tle bit more as this is the path that day, would create a free zone that dor said. “It is very important to it would reduce the incentive for Center. Wehbe Dipp said. Still, the effects "Upcoming new industrial policies hasn't been touched and explored would stretch from the Gulf of project for winning investment, Mexicans to migrate to the U.S. "I think it’s going to take a long of Lopez Obrador’s new plan will should take a central role to lead before," Moon said. "Economic Mexico to the Pacific Coast and creating jobs and taking advantage and increase competition among time to see a real economic impact." not be realized until at least anoth- innovation and bring value as the growth should be sustained and we be more than 15 miles wide, the of the economic strength of the local businesses. But others fear Najla Wehbe Dipp, a former er year. “I think it’s going to take a South Korean economy, which is can't pursue economic growth San Diego Union-Tribune report- United States.” Lopez Obrador, a that Mexican companies, attract- Tijuana city councilmember cited long time to see a real economic. facing various challenges and diffi- models. (AP) Nigeria:I'll Make Indian economy on track NigeriaAfrica's Qatar endures economic to maintain high growth Most Innovative blockade with aplomb Economy: Ezekwesili Eighteen months after a Saudi-led blockade was imposed, Qatar isn't just The presidential candidate of the moving on but planning to move ahead. The desert country shows it has the rate: Finance Ministry Allied Congress of Nigeria gumption — and the money — to brook frosty relations with its neighbors. (ACPN), Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has notified Nigerians of her plans in the new year, one of which is to make Nigeria's economy the most innovative in the entire Africa as soon as she emerges President. In a press statement on Tues- day, she said that if well-managed, Nigeria's economy would outshine that of its contemporaries in Afri- ca. The ACPN presidential candi- date said that this was achievable through the creation of a special fund for science and technology and reformation of key financial institutions. She said, "We will be creating a $1bn Science, Technolo- gy and Innovation fund to ensure that science, technology and inno- vation becomes the enabler for so- cio-economic development and structural transformation. "The goal is to kick-start the process of becoming Africa's number one in- NEW DELHI: The Indian econo- growing major economy in 2018- status to affordable housing and novation and knowledge economy. my is projected to be the fastest- 19 and 2019-20 (International focus on coastal connectivity. The The STI fund will support the "What crisis?" That is the response perishable food products. "We German caviar and Iranian vegeta- growing major economy in the cur- Monetary Fund October 2018 da- success of the government policies building of a robust national inno- whomever you speak to in Qatar have no dearth," he said. Soon af- bles — among other global good- rent and upcoming fiscal 2019-20, tabase). This is borne by GDP is further reaffirmed and under- vation system, carry out reforms about the Saudi-led blockade im- ter the quartet of Saudi Arabia, the ies — are stocked to the brim. "We the finance ministry said Wednes- growth of 7.6 per cent in the first scored when the international or- and re-organisation of existing in- posed a year and a half ago. Take United Arab Emirates, Egypt and do not want Saudi products and day while emphasising that the half of 2018-19," it said. The In- ganisations such as the World stitutions, and fund the scale-up Nasir Ali, a Qatari policeman who Bahrain banned trade and travel, have asked the shops to remove government has taken several steps dian economy is on track to main- Bank and the IMF recognise India of Small and Medium-scale Enter- was picking up locally grown cu- aimed at stopping the imports that whatever is remaining," said Nasir to boost investors' confidence. tain a high growth rate in the cur- as the fastest-growing emerging prises and start-ups in the tech- cumbers in a Doha supermarket. the country relied on, Qatar sped Ali. The embargo was meant to According to a recent World Bank rent global environment, it added. economy in the world and applaud nology space, research and devel- He asked me to follow him to up its dairy and livestock produc- teach a lesson to Qatar's emir for report, India has improved its rank- Highlighting various initiatives the resilient and stable growth In- opment, knowledge transfer, shelves packed with milk bottles tion, prioritizing the country's food supporting the political Islamists ing in the Ease of Doing Business taken to improve the confidence dia has witnessed, it said. On in- among others. The fund will func- and cheese bars produced in an air- security program. Forced to reroute of the Muslim Brotherhood, seen to 77th in 2018. and boost the growth of the Indian flation, it said the country wit- tion as a partnership between the conditioned farm 60 kilometers (37 the imports, it unloaded them with- as a threat by the blockade-impos- The average growth of the In- economy, it said there were mea- nessed moderation during 2017-18 government and the private sec- miles) from the city. "So what if in a few months at the newly built ing quartet. They demanded Qatar dian economy between 2014-15 sures to boost manufacturing, and this progress is a result of a tor." Ezekwesili also said policies the Saudis and the Emiratis don't $7.4 billion (€6.5 billion) Hamad stop helping the group and shut and 2017-18 was 7.3 per cent, fast- comprehensive reforms in the for- number of initiatives and reforms that would ensure increase of tech- let us fly in stuff from their air- port. down its international news broad- est among the major economies in eign direct investment policy, spe- undertaken by the government nology start-ups in the country by space. We will make our own. A map showing Bahrain caster Al Jazeera, which it accused the world, the ministry said in Year cial package for the textile indus- which follows in the subsequent at least 500 per cent in the next Look at these," he said, his eyes The shortage, induced mainly of fanning the flames of the Arab End Review 2018. "Indian econo- try, push to infrastructure devel- pages. four years would be designed and beaming with pride at the success by panic shopping, lasted just a Spring. my is projected to be the fastest- opment by giving infrastructure (AP) implemented. of the desert country in producing few days. Now, Argentine beef, (CNN) Bangladesh’seconomicgainsmarredbyplungeintoautocraticrule S r i L a n k a a n d N ep a l Rights groups say Sheikh Hasina's party used law t o st r en gt h en enforcement agencies to destroy opposition econ om ic coop er a t ion parties through arbitrary arrests, attacks and extrajudicial killings prior to Sunday's poll The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ne- members of the Chambers in Ne- pal, together with the Nepal- Sri pal were present at the pro- Ever since Bangladesh became an rivals, plus alleged vote rigging. Lanka Chamber of Commerce and gramme. The event commenced independent state in 1971, its po- The government has taken Industry organized a programme with introductory remarks by Am- litical life has suffered several steps to control the situation, ar- on “Promotion of Economic rela- bassador Swarna Perera, empha- types of seemingly endemic con- resting opposition leaders alleged- tions between Sri Lanka and Ne- sizing the importance of strength- flict, some of it associated with ly incriminated in the violence, pal” at Hotel Radission in Kath- ening economic relations between periodic outbursts of violence or which saw a new phase of dispute mandu, recently. Sri Lanka’s Am- the two countries. Her speech was prolonged and relatively low-key and confrontation between the bassador to Nepal Swarna Perera followed by a Power Point pre- armed confrontations. Currently, government and opposition par- and President of the Nepal- Sri sentation focusing on trade, tour- Bangladesh has an ‘abnormal cri- ty, and claimed at least 18 lives. Lanka Chamber of Commerce and ism and investment opportunities sis’ – political violence and wide- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Industry Ramesh Maharjan graced in Sri Lanka. The Ambassador high- spread harassment of opponents urged people to vote for her Awa- the occasion. The President of the lighted tourist attractions in Sri that has shaken its democratic foun- mi League party to continue the Nepal Association of Tour Opera- Lanka during her presentation. dations. Sitting Prime Minister country’s development and pros- tors (NATO), President of the While speaking on behalf of the Sheikh Hasina sealed a third perity. Over the last five years Nepal Association of Tour & Trav- Nepal – Sri Lanka Chamber of straight term in office after taking Bangladesh has made tangible but a key question now being Review: “We have seen strong tion is minimally free and fair the el Agents (NATTA) Marketing Di- Commerce & Industry, Marketing 288 of the 300 seats contested in progress in comparison with its asked is whether people have lost growth, but it is a mistake to cred- opposition could win. My deci- rector of Ncell and Marketing Di- Director of Ncell said that regular Sunday’s poll. But the result was neighbors such as Pakistan, India their democratic rights and basic it the government… Economic sion to set up a coalition was to rector of Hotel Hyatt in Kath- interactions including bilateral con- labeled “farcical” by the main op- and other South Asian countries. political freedom. success is the result of many fac- provide people with an option to mandu were among the speakers sultations and visits of dignitaries position Bangladesh Nationalist Members of opposition parties As Kamal Hossain, leader of tors, including above all, the efforts bring about change through an elec- of the programme. would be helpful for building Party (BNP) and its allies because scoff at claims that the country has the Jatiya Oikya Front opposition of our people. I believe that peo- tion.” Over 120 guests, including tour strong and long-standing trade and of rampant arrests and killing of enjoyed significant development, alliance, said to the Nikkei Asian ple want change, and if the elec- (CNN) operators, travel journalists and economic relations. THURSDAY . JANUARY 03, 2019 AFGHANISTANTIMES

M. Night Shyamalan's 'Glass' IsAlready Predicted To BeAn Early 2019 Box Office Hit Glass is the much-anticipated se- son, as she works towards break- quel to M. Night Shyamalan’s ing the delusions of grandeur of her twisted superhero flick, Unbreak- three patients: Dunn, Crumb, and able, and psychological thriller, Elijah Price aka Mr. Glass. After Split. Shyamalan had been hinting Dunn flexes his superhero abilities, at a sequel for Unbreakable for 16 aiding in the capture of a rogue years before Split debuted in the- Crumb, the two are captured and aters in 2016. One of Bruce Willis’ housed alongside the highly intel- most beloved characters, David ligent Mr. Glass. Staple eventual- Dunn, makes a brief appearance ly figures out a way to bring out near the end of the movie, tying Crumb’s personalities, her first the two universes together and misstep. Mr. Glass utilizes her dis- making Split a part of the trilogy covery to connect with the Beast, Shyamalan teased in the past. Crumb’s most vicious and power- Now the wait is over, and fans will ful persona, to prove to the world be able to see Dunn and the unfor- that superhuman abilities aren’t gettable Mr. Glass go head to head just in comics, they are real. Dunn’s after almost two decades of wait- purpose — stop Mr. Glass and ing. Will the film finally put an end The Beast from unleashing havoc to the director’s failed film streak? on humanity. Fans have been wait- Glass will be bringing the main ing practically two decades for the cast from Unbreakable back along- sequel to Unbreakable, a Shyama- Avengers: Infinity War has been to a tweet celebrating Drax’s co- homie Vin Diesel who has sup- director James Gunn “wanted him news broke that Gunn had been side Split’s Kevin Wendell Crumb lan fan-favorite and his sixth top picked over by fans hundreds of medic timing, and it was there he ported me since very early in my to be invisible”. "There's no telling removed from the Guardians of the and The Horde (James McAvoy) grossing film. The film stars an un- times by now, but there are some admitted Vin Diesel helped shaped acting career. When we try to look how long Drax can stay invisible." Galaxy franchise. The director was and sole survivor Anya Taylor-Joy breakable man, Dunn, who is the scenes audiences cannot help but the scene. “In an [sic] celebratory back on the positives of 2018, re- Bautista said. "But I have to say, axed from Guardians of the Gal- (Casey Cooke). The film follows sole survivor of a fatal train acci- chuckle over. For plenty of peo- way brought to my attention for member that they chose to com- James Gunn wrote that whole bit. axy Vol. 3 after a series of contro- newly introduced Dr. Ellie Staple, dent. His consistent physical for- ple, such a moment lies with Drax the first time by my homie Vin mit, like, 2 full minutes of #Infini- It came from his twisted, sick imag- versial tweets from his past sur- played by the talented Sarah Paul- tune goes public and Price. when the alien educates his friends Diesel who has supported me since tyWar to @DaveBautista “being ination. So I have to say Drax could faced, leaving the Marvel Cinemat- about his so-called invisibility, and very early in my acting career,” invisible” which is, incredible. Of stay invisible as long as James ic Universe scrambling. Ever since, Dave Bautista has just comment- Bautista wrote, honoring Diesel course, this is not the first time Gunn wanted him to stay invisi- Bautista has been one of Gunn’s ed on the skill. Taking to Twitter, whilst thanking the action star for Bautista has broken down the prac- ble." Of course, fans will know most staunch supporters in the the actor opened up a bit about helping craft the moment. In an tical nature of Drax’s gift. In the there are some issues with that ex- wake of his firing, so there is no how Drax’s invisibility came to be. celebratory way brought to my past, the actor has said the charac- planation now. After all, Bautista telling whether the actor feels keen Bautista took a moment to respond attention for the first time by my ter could be invisible for as long as shared this answer shortly before on flexing Drax’s invisibility. Netizens hail Shraddha For one violinist, Kapoor as Elevating music by StreeOfThe- Year black composers is a 20-year mission

Stree, horror-comedy starring Shraddha Kapoor impressively left a mark on the masses. Striking a Gully Boy: Ranveer chord with the audience as the tit- ular character, Shraddha Kapoor has won accolades for her unique Alia's look revealed character and apt portrayal of Growing up in Chicago, Rachel record came out, I started getting a cess, she devoted some of her Cameron White. It's one of the Stree. Owing to the response the Barton Pine took it for granted that huge number of requests from stu- spare time to searching for music. pieces that Pine has recorded for a actress has garnered, fans across there was a great body of classical dents and parents and teachers "You know, going to the Library new album called Blues Dialogues, with new posters! the nation took to social media to music by black composers. She about, you know, 'Where can I find of Congress and digging up the one for violin and piano. "My parents pour in love for Shraddha Kapoor. heard it on the radio. She played it repertoire like this for kids of dif- copy of this and that, and going to would put on Chicago blues Ahead of the new year, Neti- in local orchestras as a student. The ferent levels?' " So she began a near- the Haiti music archives in Mont- records when they weren't play- After unveiling the posters of Gul- 'Gully Boy' is inspired by the zen took to social media to trend Center for Black Music Research ly 20-year quest to catalog as much real. Going to the attic of the com- ing the classical station when I was ly Boy, Ranveer Singh and Alia lives of Mumbai street rappers #StreeOfTheYear which saw a is in Chicago. So, when the violin- of this music as she could find. She poser's grandniece to sort through growing up, and it's just sort of Bhatt have shared their look from Divine and Naezy. The film is di- strong India trend on Twitter. ist recorded her first concerto al- had some time on her hands: Two unsorted boxes of papers and been in the air," she says. "I mean, the film on social media. While rected by Zoya Akhtar. This is Shraddha Kapoor is still being bum in 1997, she naturally includ- years earlier, she was caught in a manuscripts. I mean, there have I really consider it to be my indig- sharing his look on social media, Ranveer's second collaboration referred to as Stree wherever she Ranveer wrote, "The voice of the with Zoya. The first movie they goes. During her promotional ed music by Afro-Caribbean and closing Chicago train door and been some amazing archaeological enous music — of, you know, of Afro-European composers. "I dragged 200 feet. She lost one leg adventures," she says. One of the where I live." Listen to new mu- streets. #GullyBoy #14thFeb had worked on together was 'Dil spree, Shraddha had gone for a A new poster of the film has Dhadkne Do'. The film is all set to prowl for Men, visiting popular wasn't thinking about any of the and severely damaged the other, pieces she found was a 1927 work sic, watch the latest Tiny Desk social justice aspect or anything and had more than 40 surgeries. called "Levee Dance," by the Ten- concerts and more, sent weekly. also been shared by the actor hit the big screens on Valentine's night spots in Mumbai. where he can seen with Alia Bhatt. Day, February 14. (Santa Banta) like that," Pine says. "But after the But during the long recovery pro- nessee-born composer Clarence (ABC News) Simmba box office day 6: Ranveer Singh’s Richa Chadha’s intoxicating new film earns Rs 122.7 cr in total, breaks record look from Shakeela biopic is out immba box office collection stands at a little over Rs 122 crore after six days of release. The Ranveer Singh film went on to break an all-time record on the first day of 2019.

The film has earned Rs 122.75 crore till date with Fri- day collections of Rs 20.50 crore, Saturday earnings of Rs 23.75 crore, Rs 31 crore coming in on Sunday, Rs 21.5 crore earning on Monday and Rs 26 crore on Tuesday. According to trade analyst Taran Adarsh, the Rohit Shetty film is also doing well worldwide. “#Sim- mba is super-strong in interna- tional markets... 4-day Over- seas total is close to 40 cr... Day 1: $ 1.884 mn Day 2: $ 1.590 mn Day 3: $ 1.492 mn Day 4: $ 779k Total: $ 5.745 mn [ 39.85 cr],” he tweeted. The masala entertain- er presents Ranveer as a bent cop who has a change of heart after a woman close to him is Actor Richa Chadha’s upcoming ke Naam.” The poster is styled to and how they influenced her. Di- film, a biopic on adult actor look like advertisements that used rected by Indrajith Lankesh, the raped. The film stars Sara Ali Shakeela, had earlier created a buzz to come out in the 90s. Richa, who film’s tagline is ‘Not a pornstar’. Khan as the leading lady with with the first look. Now, a new thanked people for sharing the first Richa had earlier said about the Sonu Sood as the antagonist. Simmba is roaring at the box of- day of 2019, breaking a few ing to Box Office India. The look from the film was released by look, also wrote, “Thank you guys! film, “When I was offered this role The film is looking at an empty the makers on social media in #Shakeela #2019ShakeelaKeNaam I was very apprehensive but then fice, capitalizing on the New records in the process. trade site also pointed out that window with the next big releas- which Richa poses inside a glass cheers! PS- If your new year reso- I met Shakeela And I saw her gutsy Year break. The Ranveer Singh Simmba box office collec- at Rs 26 crore, the film’s collec- es coming only on January 11, of alcohol in a 90s style swimwear. lution is to stop drinking, this is a attitude, and it became easy. She film ended 2018 on a positive tion, after five days at the tick- tion on January 1 is one of the Uri and The Accidental Prime Released on the occasion of New mocktail!” had forgiven everyone who had note for Bollywood and did et windows, stands at an esti- highest first Tuesday collec- Minister. Year, the tagline with the new post- Shakeela is a film that delves done ill to her in her life and she spectacularly well on the first mated Rs 122.7 crore, accord- tions of all time. (Hindustan times) er read, “Iss Saal Ka Jaam, Shakeela into the choices that the actor made has moved on. THURSDAY . JANUARY 03, 2019 AFGHANISTANTIMES

India have reversed their decision team regular Sharma was not in- to rule spinner Ravichandran Ash- cluded, however, with the reasons win out of their squad for the for his omission unclear - fellow fourth Test against Australia, while fast bowler Umesh Yadav was pace bowler Ishant Sharma was named as his replacement. Wrist- also mysteriously omitted. Ash- spinner Kuldeep Yadav was also win suffered an abdominal strain on the squad list and could play in the first Test in Adelaide that alongside finger-spinner Ravindra kept him out of the second and Jadeja if Ashwin is not fit and In- third Tests in Perth and Melbourne dia opt for two slow bowlers. respectively. India skipper Virat Middle-order batsman Rohit Shar- Kohli said he was "very disap- ma, who struck a dogged 63 in the pointed" Ashwin was set to miss first innings at Melbourne, is not the final match of the series but available after flying back to Mum- Wilfried Zaha has urged Crystal are no strikers I have to adapt and barely an hour later, the spinner's bai to be with his wife who recent- Palace to be more "ruthless" in Forward also says transfer speculation he has helped with my movement name was included on the squad ly gave birth. KL Rahul, who was front of goal. Palace are one of the and ways I can play there. He has list tweeted by the BCCI. "A deci- axed for the last Melbourne Test, lowest-scoring sides in the Premier is "flattering" but he is not distracted helped me quite a bit and always sion on R Ashwin's availability will is back in contention and could League and were frustrated on has a lot of advice to give. "He's be taken on the morning of the open the innings with Mayank Boxing Day as they failed to find Especially after beating Manches- There has been speculation that likely to start up front again when definitely one of the best manag- Test," it said ahead of what is ex- Agarwal, with Hanuma Vihari the net after having 31 shots ter City it would have been nice to Zaha could leave Palace in Janu- Palace travel to Wolves on ers I have worked with. I say that pected to be turning wicket at the dropping back down to No 6 as against Cardiff, before a 1-0 defeat win that game. "It's something we ary, with reports of a potential Wednesday night. He says Hodg- because he's hands on. He's the Sydney Cricket Ground. First- cover for Rohit. by Chelsea on Super Sunday. Zaha, need to work on going forward. It offer from China. Crystal Palace son has helped him adapt to the type to put his arm around you who has been leading the line for was a very frustrating game be- manager Roy Hodgson said last position, having previously and if he feels a certain way he Palace in the absence of injured cause having that many chances and week that he has "heard nothing", played out wide. "I'm always doesn't mind telling you, which is striker Christian Benteke, said: "To nobody scoring - we need to do and Zaha added: "It's flattering but learning from him because he has what I like because if I feel I am win games you need to be more better and be better if we want to it doesn't distract me because I have lots of experience and he helps me doing something wrong I would clinical. That's something we need get up the table. "The main thing a job here so I am focused on that. with my game and different as- rather the manager be straight and to work on because I feel we defi- is making chances but then we need "I don't get involved in any- pects. "I have taken up a new po- tell me and he is like that. nitely should have won that game. to be ruthless in front of goal." thing else off the pitch." Zaha is sition up front and because there (Sky Sport) WADApresident Sir CraigReedie'bitterly disappointed' after KyleEdmund Russia misses deadline crashesout in straight sets toqualifier Sergio Garcia Yasutaka backs Padraig Uchiyama The president of the World Anti- Harrington as Doping Agency (WADA), Sir Craig Reedie, says he is "bitterly inBrisbane disappointed" by Russia's failure Ryder Cup captain to meet a December 31 deadline to hand over data from its anti-dop- ing laboratory in Moscow. The Sergio Garcia is backing Padraig hopefully he will be one. "The talks deadline was set in September, Harrington to lead Europe's de- seem to be heading towards Pad- when WADA conditionally lifted fence of the Ryder Cup in 2020. raig. Every captain brings some- a ban on the Russian Anti-Doping Harrington has emerged as the over- thing different to the table and I British number one Kyle Edmund court tournament, nearly went a the tiebreak but failed to convert minutes, claiming a spot in the next whelming favourite to captain the am sure the next one will do the Agency (RUSADA), paving the was on the wrong end of an upset break up in the fifth game of the two set points and Uchiyama, round after converting his second way for Russian athletes to return European team at Whistling Straits same. "Thomas did well, I think in Brisbane as he crashed out to first set but his Japanese oppo- ranked 185 in the world, won four match point. The damage was having proved himself as a Ryder there are things the next captain to competition across all sports. qualifier Yasutaka Uchiyama in nent saved two break points. The points in a row to take the set in done in the third game, where Ed- The controversial decision was Cup player and a three-time vice- could learn from the way Thomas straight sets. Edmund, third seed remainder of the set also followed just under an hour. Uchiyama mund was broken to love as captain.Garcia, who won three of handled things so I think it's just a far from popular among athletes, at the Brisbane International hard serve. Edmund broke twice during wrapped up the second set in 36 Uchiyama took the match 7-6 6-4. with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) his four matches at Le Golf Na- matter of trying to improve every chief executive Nicole Sapstead tional to become the highest points time." Garcia was one of Bjorn's labelling the move "deeply trou- scorer in the history of the com- four captain's picks in Paris and bling for clean sport". RUSADA petition, believes Harrington ticks next time the 2017 Masters win- was stripped of its accreditation all the boxes to succeed Thomas ner wants to avoid going down the Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas skip Bjorn. Speaking exclusively to Sky same route to get into the team. in 2015 after a WADA-commis- sioned report found evidence of Sports at PGA Catalunya Resort "You want to qualify by yourself widespread state-sponsored dop- as part of the Sergio Garcia Foun- because you never know when you ing in Russian athletics. In a Giro d'Italia to focus on Tour de France dation, the Spaniard said: "Of rely on a captain's pick what might WADA statement confirming Rus- course I will back him. "He's been happen," Garcia added. "It's total- sia had missed the December 31 Team Sky have confirmed Chris a great Ryder Cup player for us. ly out of your hands so my goal is deadline, Reedie said: "I am bitter- Froome and Geraint Thomas will He's played the European Tour for to keep improving, keep playing ly disappointed that data extrac- miss the Giro d'Italia in order to so many years and I think he could good golf and make sure I make tion from the former Moscow Lab- focus on the Tour de France. be a great Ryder Cup captain and the team by myself." oratory has not been completed by Froome will not defend his title in the date agreed by WADA's ExCo Italy, with 21-year-old Colombi- in September 2018. "Since then, an Egan Bernal set to lead Team WADA has been working diligent- Sky instead. Thomas will also ly with the Russian authorities to miss the race in order to focus on NickyHenderson meet the deadline, which was clear- defending his Tour de France title. ly in the best interest of clean Froome is aiming to win a sport. "The process agreed by record-equalling fifth Tour de WADA's ExCo in September will France, but says it was a "difficult puzzledbyMight Bite now be initiated." A five-person decision" to miss the Giro d'Italia. WADA expert team, led by inde- He said: "It's been a hard decision pendent expert Dr Jose Antonio to figure out exactly what to do in (Toni) Pascual, was sent to Russia 2019 and figure out which Grand to retrieve data from the former Tours to focus on, especially hav- Moscow Laboratory but returned ing won the Giro last year and hav- empty-handed. WADA said at the ing had such an amazing time out time its team could not complete there with the team - but for 2019, its mission "due to an issue raised my number one objective is going by the Russian authorities that the to be the Tour de France. "It was team's equipment to be used for definitely a difficult decision not the data extraction was required to to go back to the Giro d'Italia and be certified under Russian law". defend the maglia rosa. I've got France, but says he will compete With WADA waiting and the De- some amazing memories from last in the time trial World Champion- cember 31 deadline looming, the year, but I think, with the Tour de ships in September. director general of RUSADA Yury France as my main objective, it's He said: "The main goal for Nicky Henderson is still at a loss to explain Might Bite's lacklustre Ganus had asked Russian presi- probably better that I skip the Giro me will be to go back to the Tour effort in the King George VI Chase at Kempton. The 2017 race winner dent Vladimir Putin to intervene d'Italia in 2019. "I'm getting to the de France for the best result I can. was the last of seven finishers in the Boxing Day feature after posting a to stave off another ban that put point in my career now where I'm "Maybe if I hadn't have won similarly disappointing effort when last of five in the Betfair Chase at Russia "on the brink of the abyss". starting to think about what kind the Tour in 2018 I might have Haydock on his seasonal bow in November. Might Bite was reported to However, the Kremlin said RU- of legacy I want to leave behind looked at a Giro/Vuelta programme have bled following the Kempton race, but further tests have so far SADA's concerns about new sanc- and if I am able to win the Tour de but, having won the Tour, I'll have failed to produce an explanation for his below-par form so far this tions were "without foundation." France for a fifth time and join that the number one on my back and it term.Henderson said: "He is fine and I can't tell you any more as I don't In the wake of Russia's failure to very elite group of bike riders - would be sad not to go back and know any more. He had an exercise on Monday and Toby (Lawes, comply with WADA's conditions, only four other people have ever not to go back at 100 per cent as assistant trainer) rode him out. "We can't find anything and they (re- US Anti-Doping Agency chief done that - it would just be incred- well. Egan Bernal will lead Team sults) were all right. We are considering dozens of things as there is Travis Tygart has called for the ban ible." Thomas confirmed he will Sky in the Giro d'Italia something not right, that is fair to say. Where we find it, goodness only on Russian athletes to be reinstat- also miss the Vuelta a Espana in "The year will be geared around knows. "We are talking to lots of different experts on 10 different ed. (Sky Sport) order to focus on the Tour de that, but I'm also looking forward. subjects." (Sky Sport) THURSDAY. JANUARY 03.2019 -Jaddi 13, 1397 H.S Vol:XI Issue No:154 Price: Afs.20

Govt appoints 11 Bolsonaro takes office Lok Sabha Rafale Mexican president Afghanistan, the For one Wilfried Zaha in Brazil, says nation debate: ‘James Bond proposes ‘free zone violinist, women in Kabul said...’: How Jaitley Longest War in Elevating exclusive: Crystal district ‘liberated from shaped rebuttal to ’ to attract investment, American History music by black Palace must be municipalities socialism’ Rahul’s Rafale charge reduce migration composers is a more ruthless to US 20-year mission Page 3 Page 5 Page 4 Page 9 Page 6 Page 10 Page 11

AT News Report GHAZNI CITY: Three children of said. He said his children were aged a war-displaced family drowned in between five to eight years. Mo- the river in southern Ghazni prov- hammad could not speak further KABUL: At least 27militants ince and died while catching float- as he started crying. were killed and 10 others wound- ing bottles, the family said. Asadullah, a close relative of ed in multiple extensive military The family fled intense and Fazl Mohammad said the war dis- crackdowns within past 24 hours. prolonged fights in Andar district placed family was suffering from In a press release issued here, Min- and moved to Tawhidabad area of serious economic problems and istry of Defense, (MoD) said that Ghazni City, the provincial capi- the children of his family collected Afghan NationalArmy (ANA) in tal, last year. Fazl Mohammad, the plastic bottles to sell them and buy collaboration with Afghan Nation- family’s head, told Pajhwok Af- some food. “A few bottles were alPolice (ANP) and National Di- ghan News that his three minor floating in the Ghazni River, the rectorate of Security (NDS) per- sons lost lives after drowning in children tried to catch them, as one sonal has conducted joint opera- ties. The protestors called on the water on Tuesday. of them tried first and entered the tions against insurgents in differ- government forces to protect ci- “My sons were collecting plas- water, the water was very cold and ent areasof Nangarhar, Kunar, vilians during their operations tic bottles to sell them and buy it drowned him, the second tried Kapisa, Paktia, Daikundi, Uruz- against militants in the province. food for the family. On Tuesday, I to rescue him but he also drowned gan, Zabul, Farah, Faryab, Kun- “We the tribal elders, the local rep- went to an area where the govern- and the third brother also jumped duz, Badakhshan and Helmand resentatives, the religious scholars ment was distributing aid, unaware into the water to rescue his two provinces. Statement said that in and the residents, who have come my entire world has drowned,” he brothers,” he said. (Pajhwok) these operations 27 insur- here from Zazai Aryub district, gentswere killed and 10 others want an end to the night raids which wounded. Afghan forces arrested are carried out unexpectedly,” Ab- a suspected and handed over him dul Ghiyas Haqyar, a Paktia resi- to juridical organs for further in- dent was quoted by a TOLONe- quiry. Afghan National and De- ws. “We are against the opera- fense Security forces... P2 tions… We will not be against these operations if they are con- ducted in close coordination with Paktia officials. We are not against operations against the enemy, but we are against operations which hurt the civilians,” said Samad Zazai, another resident of the prov- ince. Another protester Raees AT News Report ter they lost their six kin in an Af- ties. Time and again, the Afghan Zazai said: “A thorough investiga- ghan night raid. They chanted anti- and foreign forces night raids tion should be conducted into the KABUL: A large number of resi- night raids slogan and demanded caused a storm of protest because recent night raid that killed chil- dents from eastern Paktia province an immediate halt to the military the biggest grievance for the Af- dren, and those who are found on Wednesday staged protest af- operations causing civilian casual- ghan masses is the civilian casual- guilty should be punished.”... P2

GARDEZ : Residents and police in southeastern Paktia province say criminals after being arrested are released soon due to corrup- tion in judicial organs. The resi- dents said if individuals involved AT News Report tal issues related to the protection in crimes are able to dodge the law, of civilians in the armed conflict. it would negatively impact the JALALABAD: Community lead- Community leader Abdul Wa- police morale and hurt people’s ers must coordinate their efforts hid, one of the participants speak- trust in security organizations. to protect and provide support to ing at the Jalalabad event, said his Mohammad Yousuf Hanif, a resi- civilians affected by the ongoing district has been severely affected dent of Firozkhel locality of Gar- KABUL: Afghanistan’s revenue has 1396. The International Monetary conflict, said participants during a by the conflict, leaving many fam- dez, the provincial capital, told soared to 189 billion afghanis in the Fund (IMF) had set the govern- UN-backed symposium on human ilies disconnected from essential Pajhwok Afghan News that a fiscal year 2018, showing a 20 per- ment a target of 173 billion afgha- rights in the eastern province of government services and employ- group of armed robbers had long cent increase over the previous year nis. Afghanistan’s fiscal year be- Nangarhar on Wednesday. ment opportunities. Another par- been active looting passengers on and exceeding the target by 12 per- gins on December 22. The MoF Organized by UNAMA’s re- ticipant, Mirwais Jabarkhel, highways and snatching their ve- cent. Shamrez Khan Masjidi, spokesman promised collecting gional office in Jalalabad, the event shared similar experiences. “In our hicles as well. Accordion him, spokesman for the Ministry of Fi- even more revenue in the current drew government officials, civil district, the conflict has disrupted police had arrested many such nance (MoF), told Pajhwok Afghan fiscal. Since a certain target has not society representatives and human normal life and caused the closure robbers by risking their lives, but News the 169 billion afghanis had been set, the matter remained un- rights activists for the purpose of or relocation of schools,” he said. they were freed within weeks. been collected during fiscal year der discussion, he added. exchanging ideas on the fundamen- “A girls’ school was... P2 Hanif said they had witnessed several incidents in which armed robbers and those involved in oth- 14 Taliban er illegally activities were detained but released soon. A number of killed in other residents expressed similar views. Provincial police chief Brig. ongoing Kapisa Gen. Raz Mohammad Mandozai confirmed people’s concerns and operation said criminals managed to be re- leased back due to corruption in MAHMOOD RAQI: Fourteen judicial organs, something he Taliban militants have been killed called a hurdle in enhancing social and seven others wounded during prosperity and security. He told By Andrew Quilty, Abigail Fielding-Smith, and Jessica Purkiss ongoing operations in the Nijrab Pajhwok that security forces used district of central Kapisa prov- to arrest criminals such as kidnap- The doors of Emergency Hospital All arrived totally silent, muted by ince, an official said on Wednes- pers, robbers, murderers, and ter- day. Nijrab local police command- rorists with great difficulties but in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Af- the shock. And still more kept com- ghanistan’s Helmand Province, ing. Within a few minutes, 13 mem- er Abdul Sabor Safi told Pajhwok later it became known that they Afghan News that the operations, had been freed. (Pajhwok) swung open. Ehsanullah, 14, his bers of the same extended family face a swollen mess of flesh, was had been admitted to the hospi- backed by air support, had been the first to be wheeled in. His tal—10 children, an elderly man, ongoing since Tuesday night. He younger brother Hedayat, 4, was and two women, one of whom was said so far 14 insurgents had been next. He had deep wounds up and pregnant. killed and seven others wounded down both legs, a skull injury, and They had been struck by muni- and many areas purged of their a bubble of intestine that was pro- tions from an American aircraft as presence. Meanwhile, provincial truding from a small hole in his they sheltered in their house on police spokesman Sarwar Ko- abdomen. November 24. Alongside the 13 histani said the operations in Then came Noor Ahmad, 7, and injured, two members of the fami- Nijrab district were successfully underway and so far the security LASHKARGAH: A man stabbed Parwana, 9, whose face was spi- ly had died at the scene—15-year- der-webbed with blood from a old Esmatullah and his father forces and civilians had suffered his wife to death and made his es- no casualties. (Pajhwok) cape good last night in the capital wound on the crown of her head. Obaidullah. ... P2 of southern Helmand province, police said on Wednesday. The in- cident happened on Tuesday night inside a home in the limits of the second police district of Lashkar- gah, the provincial capital, said crime branch police chief Abdul Shakoor Khan. He identified the alleged killer as Mohammad Gul. Police were searching for Gul to arrest him and bring him to jus- tice, he said. A brother of the slain Government announces takeover of cement plant under allegations by woman, Mohammad Ikhlas, said his sister had long been tortured at officials of the Afghan Investment Company that it violates the law. the house of her in laws and was finally killed. “I tried many times After a decade of affrays over the ordered the company to hand over to cancel the contract with the Af- to get my sister divorced, but rel- contract of Ghori cement plant, one the plant, which is a violation of ghan Investment Company and to atives would intervene and settle of Afghanistan's largest cement the law and decisions of the high retake control of the plant. “We the matter, but finally they took companies, the Afghan government economic council. are confused, because the govern- her life.” He said her sister left on Wednesday announced it has In response to the allegations, ment yesterday brought someone behind two daughters and one son. retaken control of the plant from ministry of mines and petroleum else, before carrying out the nec- Human rights official in Hel- the Afghan Investment Company. said the government move against essary calculations and determin- mand Anifa Maroofi asked the But, officials from the Afghan the private company was legal. ing the investment and other anal- police to arrest the killer and try Investment Company have leveled Last year, the Afghan government yses,” said Mohammad Maroof to award him severe punishment. allegations that the Ministry of sent a delegation to Baghlan prov- Sarwari, CEO of Ghori cement (Pajhwok) Mines and Petroleum (MoMP) ince, where the company operates, plant. (TOLONews)