Eye on the News [email protected] Truthful, Factual and Unbiased Vol:XI Issue No:201 Price: Afs.20

www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes MONDAY. FEBRUARY 20. 2017 -Hoot 02, 1395 HS

Afghanistan combating 20 terrorist groups: Ghani KABUL: ‘Combating terror- Terrorism did not recognise ism needs inter-state cooperation borders and no area would remain at international, regional and na- secure from it, the president re- tional levels, President Ashraf marked. “For fighting against ter- Ghani said at the 53rd Munich rorism, we need a consensus, a Security Conference (MSC). comprehensive approach and the On Saturday night, the presi- use of legitimate force, taking im- dent told the conference in Mu- portant segments of society like nich: “Afghanistan is a country in women and youth on board and the frontline of the war on terror- isolating the countries that sup- ism, fighting against about 20 ter- port terrorism.” rorist groups.” The recent attacks in Kabul, The terrorist outfits had been Kandahar, Helmand and other identified by the United States and parts of the country -- as well as AT News Report United Nations, he said. More than in the Sindh province of Pakistan - KABUL: Thousands of residents “We want the government to Hekmat Khalil Karzai told Syed 30 heads of state and about 80 in- - showed there were no good or in eastern Nangarhar province take a significant step to prevent Abrar Hussain, Pakistani ambas- terior and foreign ministers attend- bad terrorists, he stated. staged a rally on Sunday to pro- the shelling.” sador to Kabul, that artillery shell- ed the meeting. “Terrorism is a major contem- test Pakistan artillery shelling, This comes as two civilians ing in Lalpur district of Nangarhar Ghani added the fight against porary challenge and combating it shouting anti-Pakistan slogans. were killed in artillery shelling in and other eastern provinces had terrorism in his country was aimed needs a long-term commitment.” Around 4,000 residents of the eastern Kunar province. Accord- forced thousands of Afghans to flee not only at stabilising Afghanistan Understanding the various emerg- Lalpura district took to the streets, ing to the local security officials, their homes in a harsh winter sea- and preserving freedom but also at ing manifestations of terrorism chanting “death to Pakistan!”, “we the incident took place late on son. ensuring global security. might be difficult, he added. hate you Pakistan!” and torched Thursday night after dozens of The Pakistani ambassador In a statement from the Presi- Ghani went on to allege that the neighboring country’s flag. artillery shelling were fired on Sar- promised to share the issue with dential Palace, Ghani said terror- terror financing weakened states The protestors said that artil- kano district. the relevant authorities in Pakistan. lery shelling by Pakistan still con- Provincial police spokesman, The Afghan security forces are ists used social medial networks on the one hand and administra- tinues, and more than 2,000 fami- Faridullah Dehqan said that the ready to defend the country, if dip- and technology for financial crimes tive corruption encouraged the lies were displaced in the district. shelling continued for several lomatic channels failed, said Chief and political offences at the inter- phenomenon on the other. “We left our homes to save our hours. He added that one of the of the Army Staff, Qadam Shah national level. (Pajhwok) lives,” the protestors added. rockets landed on a residential Shaheem. Moreover, the Chief Ex- Shah Gul, a protestor, said, house in Sarkano district, leaving ecutive Officer (CEO), Dr. Abdul- “We hate Pakistan, and will con- two members of a family dead. lah Abdullah informed of efforts Editorial tinue demonstrations against Pa- To lodge complaint against the taken by the government to pre- kistan shelling until to put an end shelling, Pakistan ambassador to vent Pakistani attack on eastern to it.” Kabul summoned over artillery provinces. Thanking the resident Daesh in a “More than 3,000 rockets shelling in eastern provinces of of Kunar province for lending sup- were fired by Pakistan in different Afghanistan and safe havens of the port behind their own security forc- areas of the district that caused terrorist in Pakistan from where es, Abdullah said, the government huge panic among the residents,” they launch attacks in Afghanistan. had initiated efforts to stop the wrong landSee P6 said another protestor. Deputy Foreign Minister, rocket attacks. Another protester, Haji Gul Ahmad, said: “It has been four days that Pakistani army is firing Top al-Qaeda rockets in the district”. He called on the government to take a bold EU,Afghanistan sign commander killed step in this regard. Confirming the news, the pro- in Ghazni vincial council chief, Ali Ahmad cooperation agreement AT News Report Hazart, said: “Unfortunately Pa- KABUL: Afghanistan and the Eu- erini, on behalf of the EU, for kistani shelling has been continu- ropean Union have signed a opening up a new chapter in the KABUL: A senior commander of ing for four days now, but no reac- Cooperation Agreement on Part- Afghanistan-EU relationship.” the al-Qaeda terrorist network tion has been taken by the govern- KABUL: The Wolesi Jirga (lower nership and Development CAPD is the first contractual was killed in an operation ment yet.” house of parliament) speaker has (CAPD). President Ashraf Ghani relationship between EU and Af- launched by the intelligence agen- accused Pakistan of sponsoring also attended the signing ceremo- ghanistan and establishes the legal cy forces in southern Ghazni terrorism in the neighbouring coun- province, officials said. ny.. framework for EU-Afghanistan The National Directorate of ‘Qatar office to tries. On a visit to India to attend EU High Representative for the South Asian Speakers' summit Security (NDS) said in a state- be shut if in New Delhi, Abdul Rauf Ibrahi- Foreign and Security Policy and ment that its special operatives mi warned terror could morph into Vice–President of European Com- succeeded to kill top al-Qaeda Taliban stay a huge threat to Pakistan itself. In mission Federica Mogherini and commander Saifullah Akhtar an interview with The Times of Minister of Finance Eklil Hakimi along with one of his colleagues away from talks’ India, he said: "Terrorism in South signed the agreement in Munich on in Nawa district of Ghazni last KABUL : President Ashraf Ghani Asia is the biggest and most seri- Saturday. month. asked Qatar to close the Taliban’s ous issue, with Afghanistan the "The European Union has al- Saifullah Akhtar was one of main sufferer.” He claimed Paki- ways stood by the Afghan people the senior commanders of the al- political office if the rebel group stani rulers were openly aiding ter- does not evince any interest in join- and will continue to do so. After Qaeda network and was leading rorism openly. Islamabad’s stance the Pakistani fighters during Tal- ing the peace process. on the issue was not in the interest the successful international confer- The Presidential Palace said of other regional countries. While ence we have jointly chaired in iban regime, the statement add- Ghani made the remarks at a meet- praising the Indian parliament and Brussels last year, now our coop- ed. Inter-Parliamentary Union for in- eration grows even more,” Mogh- Akhtar had been leading ing with the Qatari foreign minis- 30,000 insurgents in different ter on the sidelines of the Munich viting Afghanistan to the summit, erini said. he expected cooperation on com- Asian countries including Af- Security Conference on Saturday. In a statement, she hoped the ghanistan, added the statement. bating terrorism in his country. agreement would help build on the cooperation. It confirms the EU's In a statement from his office, "Terrorism is a very serious threat Statement said that Saifullah the president said he discussed to the countries, particularly Af- Daesh-planted bomb areas such as human development, commitment to Afghanistan's fu- Akhtar along withcurrent leader with Mohammad Bin Abdul Rah- ghanistan, and we need coopera- anti-corruption, state building and ture development during the "De- of al Qaeda Ayman al-Zawahiri man Al Thani the Afghan peace tion from India on improving lives the rule of law, as well as coopera- cade of Transformation" (2015- were responsible for a center of process and Taliban’s political of- of our people and security in po- wounds 11 schoolchildren tion on migration. 2024). The two sides will also hold terrorist in Bagram as well as a fice in Qatar. litical areas," Ibrahim said. JALALABAD: A bomb planted by Daesh militants has inflicted inju- The EU official added the ac- talks on human rights, in particu- camp of foreign terrorist group It was important for Taliban (Pajhwok) ries on 11 schoolchildren in the Haska Mena district of eastern Nangar- cord was a partnership agreement lar the rights of women and chil- located in Rishkhor in Kabul. to shun the insurgency, join the har province, the by name and by nature. The EU dren. The agreement will provide Saifullah Akhtar was arrest- peace process and avoid wasting MRRD to implement army said on Sun- would keep working with Afghan the basis for developing a mutual- ed in Pakistan twice, but released the available opportunity, the day. A statement partners for the stability and the ly beneficial relationship in an in- back by some clusters and has statement quoted him as saying. 48 projects in 21 from the 201st Selab sustainable development of the creasing range of areas such as rule been sent to Afghanistan for sub- “If the Taliban don’t bring Military Corps in country. of law, health, rural development, versive activities, noted the state- positive changes to their policy provinces the eastern zone For his part, Hakimi called education, science and technology, ment. The killed al Qaeda com- CAPD a vital new framework for actions to combat corruption, mon- mander also leading Pakistani in- and continue violence until the next Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation said the landmine ex- surgents fighting against govern- solar year, they would be sanc- and Development (MRRD) will ploded in the Kota partnership between Afghanistan ey laundering, the financing of ter- and the European Union. The rorism, organised crime and nar- ment of Afghanistan, underlined tioned and their Qatar office shut,” implement 48 projects worth 414 Wal area of the dis- the statement. the president warned. million AFN in 21 provinces of the trict late on Saturday agreement built on mutual commit- cotics. (Pajhwok) Ghani claimed investigations country. Minister of MRRD and night. At least 11 ments to stability and develop- into a recent Kandahar attack the development councils signed students were ment at various global conferenc- showed the Taliban were involved. the contracts of 48 projects that wounded as a result es. 4 villages cleared, 3 police posts Such acts proved the fighters had include irrigation, constructions of of the Daesh-plant- “It also formalises our part- no regard for civilian lives or re- roads and bridges. The cost of ed bomb, it said, add- nership and provides an opportu- recaptured in Faryab nity to strengthen friendship and spect for diplomats from friendly these projects will be paid by the ing soldiers evacuat- MAIMANA: At least four villages have been cleared and three police countries, he added. Twelve peo- Development Bank, India’s aids ed the wounded to cooperation between Afghanistan and the EU by conducting regular check posts recaptured from militants as a result of ongoing operations ple including five UAE diplomats, and the budget of the Afghan gov- Jalalabad Civil Hospital. Education department spokesman Asif Shin- in Khawaja Sabzposh district of northwestern Faryab province, offi- two MPs and the deputy gover- ernment. “These projects will be wari confirmed to Pajhwok Afghan News the bomb explosion, saying political dialogue on various cials said.Deputy police chief Mir Amanullah Zafar told Pajhwok Af- nor for Kandahar were killed. At allocated more for agriculture sec- the wounded boys were all school students. The injured were students fronts,” he remarked. ghan News the clearing operation codenamed “Zafar-24” involving per- least 18 others -- the governor and tor which has positive effects for of second to sixth grades, currently under treatment at the hospital, he The proposed dialogue will sonnel from the national army, police and uprising people was launched the UAE ambassador included-- the economic growth,” said Nasir said. The governor’s spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani, said Daesh did focus support for peace, security yesterday in the Khawaja Sabzposh district. He added three check posts, were injured in the attack on De- Ahmad Durani, minister of not spare even civilians. There has been so far no word from Daesh in and development in Afghanistan a strategic hill ‘Shah Sawar’ and Pakhli Toghi, Khawaja Qashri Payen, cember 31. Pajhhwok MRRD. (Ariananews) this regard. (Pajhwok) and the region. “I thank Ms. Mogh- Pogani and Durahi villages were cleared of militants. (Pajhwok) MONDAY. FEBRUARY 20, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

When Mikahil Akbary left Afghan- proval from the French govern- istan more than 18 months ago, ment is just the latest twist in his France was about the last destina- long journey from his hometown tion he had in mind. of Takhar. But the 1.6 million refugees His flight began in the summer and migrants who arrived in Eu- of 2015, after a Taliban fighter rope over the past two years are pulled Mr. Akbary out of an Af- not masters of their own destinies. ghan Red Crescent vehicle at gun- They chose to come to the conti- point and told him he would be nent, but everything since has been killed if he continued volunteering decided by others. at the “foreign” organization. Little decisions are made by Turkey, where his sister and the bureaucrats who decide on in- her family were already living, was dividual asylum applications; big supposed to be his place of ref- ones, by voters who have blown uge. Mr. Akbary – who has a de- European politics in an increasing- gree in Islamic law from Takhar ly anti-immigrant direction. University, but dreams of becom- In Mr. Akbary’s case, the gusts ing an IT professional – says he of fortune have taken him from his would have stayed there and gone native Afghanistan to Turkey, to university if he could have af- where I met him in the resort town forded the student fees. of Bodrum, the day after photo- The plan was to apply from graphs of Alan Kurdi’s tiny dead Turkey for resettlement to Cana- body captured the attention of the da. But as borders seemed to dis- world. Mr. Akbary had an easy, appear in the chaotic summer of happy-go-lucky nature, and – dur- 2015, Mr. Akbary and his sister ing our brief conversation before decided to join the tide of people Turkish police intervened – Mr. heading toward Europe, and spe- Akbary agreed to send me selfies cifically Germany, which had just and photos from the rest of his abolished tuition fees for under- journey. graduate students. (Tuition fees Scroll through the highlights of were reintroduced this fall for stu- Mikahil Akbary’s journey. You dents from non-EU countries, af- can read Mark MacKinnon’s 2015 ter more than 1.1 million asylum- account of the journey here. seekers arrived in Germany over He was headed toward Ger- 2015 and 2016.) many, along with his sister Sweeta Some twists of fate proved and her family, but they later made fortuitous for Mr. Akbary and his a snap decision to go to Switzer- family. They might not be alive land instead. I had last met Mr. today had the screams of drown- Akbary at a refugee settlement ing refugees not warned them to outside Zurich, and helped him stay out of the choppy waters of reconnect with his sister, after they the Aegean Sea in the dark early had been separated during their hours of Sept. 2, 2015. That morn- chaotic push through the Balkans. ing, the body of three-year-old When I saw the family reunit- Alan Kurdi washed ashore at Bo- ed in Switzerland, I thought the drum, the same place from which tale of these refugees had come to Mr. Akbary and his family had a happy ending. been due to set off in their own But last spring, Mr. Akbary flimsy rubber dinghy. has turned hostile to refugees after lims. “In France, there is this Isla- people is ‘We don’t know who “Maybe now that I have my was deported nearly 1,000 kilo- After finally making the cross- seeing its borders overwhelmed Those atrocities, which killed mophobic dimension, entrenched they are.’” [French] ID, I can apply again to metres back in the opposite direc- ing to Greece from another part of during the 2015 influx, eventually upward of 140 people, have for some, that has grown with the Mr. Akbary says he pays lit- go to Canada,” he says. He smiles, tion – on a technicality concerning Turkey, Mr. Akbary and Sweeta – erecting a barbed-wire fence along helped fuel the rise of Ms. Le Pen, terrorist threats,” says Manuel tle attention to French politics. as though he expects that’s exact- which country should handle his along with her husband, Murowat, most of its frontier with southern who has blamed French Muslims Lafont Rapnouil, head of the Paris But he has a ready plan for the ly what will eventually happen. If asylum case – to Croatia. Unde- and their one-year-old daughter, neighbour Croatia. for refusing to integrate, and says office of the European Council on moment if and when he’s again nothing else, his journey so far has terred, he simply started walking Aysuda – trudged north via Mace- Mr. Akbary and his friends the country can simply take no Foreign Relations. “One of the big told to leave the country he thought taught him not to rule anything out. again, this time toward Paris. donia and Serbia to Croatia, where crossed through a densely forest- more immigrants. arguments against taking in more he might be able to call home. (theglobeandmail) All along, the distant dream fate intervened again. ed part of the border where there was, and remains, Canada, where The four were taken to a make- was no fence, but – haunted by he has relatives. shift refugee-processing centre tales they’d heard of Slovenian vig- Now the 23-year-old has a outside the Croatian capital of ilantes hunting down migrants and foothold on the outskirts of the Zagreb. While Sweeta, Murowat forcing them back across the bor- French capital, but the winds of and Aysuda were given space to der – they didn’t dare pause. fate have hardly stopped blowing. sleep inside the converted festival The group spent one full day The country, which recently ac- hall, Mr. Akbary was made to and two sleepless nights walking cepted Mr. Akbary’s asylum ap- spend the night outside with the through Slovenia – one of their plication and granted him a one- other single men. party gave up along the way, and returned to Croatia – before reach- year residence permit, is bracing The family was split up that Undoubtedly, Afghanistan was a pears Afghanistan would mainly nior and junior sides, a number of stan. For all the rest, we will try to for a presidential election that night when Sweeta fell ill and was ing an unmonitored part of the Ital- ian frontier. From there, the re- major winner from the Internation- play in a second tier along with talented players in the develop- control what we can control. We could come down to a head-to-head taken to hospital. After her treat- al Cricket Council's (ICC) board Ireland and Zimbabwe. Would Af- ment programme and produce are thankful to the Indian govern- battle between the centrist Em- ment, she and her family were put maining trio took a train toward the French border, which they meeting held earlier this month in ghanistan be content with this? world class young performers in ment, BCCI and G-Noida author- manuel Macron, who wants to see on a bus to the Hungarian border, Dubai. Along with fellow Associ- We are quite familiar with such each format of the game. ity for granting us the opportuni- France keep its borders open, and with no way to contact Mr. Ak- again crossed on foot before reach- ing the city of Nice, where they ates powerhouse Ireland, Afghan- a situation. In saying this, we were We have a proper infrastruc- ty to play in their home as well as the surging far-right leader, Marine bary to tell him what was happen- istan are poised to become a Test inducted to the ICC's Future Tours ture development program and Sharjah Cricket Council. Le Pen, who prefers the term “il- ing. Crucially, the group had agreed caught a train to Paris. Mr. Akbary just shakes his nation after the ICC's chief execu- Program in January of 2015 with strong domestic structure. With a Afghanistan players will po- legal immigrant” to “refugee” and beforehand that they would all head tive's committee agreed in princi- no assurance of playing Full Mem- sustainable and stable organiza- tentially feature in the IPL for the has called for all those who arrived toward Switzerland if they ever got head when I ask him to calculate how far he has walked since leav- ple to a potential restructuring of bers. But as a Board, I am proud tion, alongside strong finances, it first time. How important is that in 2015 and 2016 to be deported. split up. international cricket. that we managed a huge number of gives us the strong belief that we for the development of Afghani- In other words, Mr. Akbary’s But they arrived at separate ing Afghanistan, and whether his feet hurt. “In Afghanistan, this is The potential seismic shake- ODIs.... almost 33 ODIs through are the next Full Member of the stan cricket? stay could again be a temporary times and in different cantons of up of Test cricket would involve a to June. ICC. Does Afghanistan believe it First of all, again, I would like one. Switzerland, so Mr. Akbary’s asy- part of our culture,” he says. I’m not sure whether he means the nine-team league played over two Coming to the point of being can immediately be competitive in to thank the BCCI for allowing our France is one of the few Euro- lum application was treated by years with Afghanistan, Ireland in the second tier of Test teams, Tests? Does it dream of touring five players to be part of the IPL pean countries still accepting new Zurich authorities as a case dis- walking or the stoicism. He spent two nights sleeping and Zimbabwe essentially form- the recognition will be a huge step India, England or Australia in the auction. Playing in the world's refugee claims, in part because the tinct from that of Sweeta and her ing a second tier where they are for us and fixturing matches with near future if it gets Test status? number one cricket league would French government came under family in Lucerne. on the streets of the French capi- tal before police took him to the likely to play against one another the elite teams will be a pleasant We strongly believe that we can be a huge honour and privilege. pressure from other European Last spring, Mr. Akbary re- regularly. Adding to this, the ICC challenge. The ACB are quite con- be a very tough Test side in three This will give the entire nation a Union members after taking in a ceived a letter telling him that the three-floor centre in Suresnes, where he was given a bed in a small has stated that the "remaining three fident that we have the resources years' time as we have the quality strong belief that we are in the top relatively paltry number of peo- Swiss authorities believed he had Test teams to be guaranteed a con- (good relations and quality team) in our team. We have world-class of the cricketing tree. ple while countries like Germany been fingerprinted for processing room with two roommates from Afghanistan. Afghans and sistent and confirmed schedule of to convince the elite teams to play spinners, fast bowlers and superb How important is it that the and Sweden were overwhelmed in Croatia, meaning that Croatia – Test matches against all other Test matches with us. all-rounders. We have a good bat- Ahmad Shah Abdali regional four- with arrivals in late 2015. not Switzerland – was responsi- Sudanese make up most of the building’s 200-plus residents. They teams". But, at least, we can play Tests ting line up suited for different day tournament has been awarded Mr. Akbary says he’s just one ble for assessing his asylum case. It is an exciting development against Ireland and Zimbabwe. conditions. Indeed, we wish to gain First-Class status? What is the of a significant number of asylum He was briefly jailed, then put on get three meals a day in addition to a monthly stipend of 210 euros for Afghanistan, who have made a Does Afghanistan believe it the support of these big three crick- long-term goal for Afghanistan seekers who arrived in France af- a Croatia Airlines plane by two major leap in recent years. How- will attain Full Membership? eting nations. cricket? ter being rebuffed by other Euro- Swiss police officers, who apolo- (about $290) from the French gov- ernment. ever, despite being on the cusp of It is very much important for Afghanistan are currently Being awarded First-Class sta- pean countries, seeing the coun- getically escorted him back to realising a significant break- us as a nation and as an adminis- based in Noida. If it gets Test sta- tus will enhance our cricket and try’s partially open door as a last Zagreb. But the biggest thing the refu- gees are given in Paris – that they through, Afghanistan will be wise tration to get the reward for the tus, does it hope to be able to play give us a boost to become a strong opportunity to legally stay on the “I told them I never gave fin- to remain cautious until things are hard work and the platform we set at home? If not, would Tests be and more dominant cricketing force continent. gerprints [in Croatia]. When we don’t receive in Switzerland – is freedom. Mr. Akbary still marvels officially ratified. During the ICC's for ourselves. As Afghanistan has played in Noida or would Afghan- within our strategical time frame. While some seeking asylum in got to Zagreb, the [Swiss] police annual conference last June, there entered into the next stage of elite istan explore other options for a By 2025, we are aiming to be in France have spent months or even just said, ‘Sorry, it’s our job,’” at the fact that no one seems to care what he does with his days, was a groundswell for changes, in- cricket, we have proved our mark home base such as Malaysia, UAE the top three teams in the world in years sleeping in makeshift camps Mikhail says. cluding a proposed shakeup of against some of the best teams in or Hong Kong? all formats of the game and, for – most famously in the recently Getting rebuffed by Switzer- and that his health card entitles him to receive care at any clinic or hos- Test cricket into a two-division the world. We have had a consis- Our top priority would be to sure, winning a World Cup is our closed “Jungle” refugee settlement land was a shock. Mr. Akbary had league system, which Afghanistan tent run of good form of ACB se- play our home games in Afghani- prime objective. (Cricbuzz) in the northern port of Calais – spent six months learning German, pital in France. Mr. Akbary says his only was trumpeting for before the pro- Mr. Akbary’s case was rapidly and though he disliked the refugee posal was thwarted. accepted as soon as French author- centre outside Zurich – where the problems have come from his fel- low refugees. Raised in a secular However, after the latest de- ities verified that he was an ethnic asylum seekers were kept largely velopments in Dubai, it appears Tajik from northern Afghanistan, isolated from the local population, family – he’s clean-shaven and doesn’t regularly attend mosque – Afghanistan's dream of playing a group seen at risk amid a Taliban their comings and goings monitored Tests is set to become a reality al- resurgence in recent years. – he was happy to be a couple of he has been unnerved by other Afghan residents of his building though there is still some water to “It’s better here than in Swit- bus rides away from his sister and go under the bridge. A scheduling zerland, than in any of the other her family. who have tried to pressure him into showing more piety. “They come summit will be held in March be- European countries,” Mr. Akbary Mr. Akbary says he met with fore a detailed proposal is put to says of France, before adding a Croatian immigration officials, to me and say, ‘Why don’t you pray? You must go to mosque or the ICC's board in April. laughing caveat: “Maybe because who claimed they were just as Shafiqullah Stanikzai, Afghan- there are fewer refugees.” confused as he was about why he you are a kaffir [infidel].’” Mr. Akbary has avoided the istan Cricket Board's (ACB) chief He proudly shows off the one- had been sent there. He says they executive, spoke to Cricbuzz about year resident’s permit and health told him that the Swiss government issue by staying away from the refugees’ dormitory during the day. the potential changes to the Test card issued to him by the French – eager to look tough amidst a surge structure, its home base for Test government after his asylum case in support for anti-immigrant far- He’s perhaps naively confident that the new arrivals will eventu- matches and future vision. Ex- was approved in December, and right political parties – regularly cerpts: walks me up a hill in his Suresnes sent “seven or eight” asylum-seek- ally adapt to French society. “They are new here. They don’t Afghanistan appear poised to neighbourhood on the western ers to Croatia every day, usually become a Test nation. Are you con- outskirts of Paris, to a tram sta- on dubious grounds. know the culture of this country,” he says. “They will change after fident these changes will go ahead? tion with a view of the Eiffel Tow- The Croatian police advised Do you believe the BCCI is sup- er. It’s a tram line Mr. Akbary takes Mr. Akbary that he could either more than one or two years.” That’s far from a certainty in portive of these changes? four days a week on the way to apply for long-term refugee status I am confident that such chang- his French classes in the city cen- in the country, or try again to head France, a country already strug- gling to integrate a large popula- es need to be done in order to sup- tre. north. port the strategic vision of the ICC “ Ça va bien,” he says, as we Determined to live closer to his tion of Muslims of North African descent. Tensions are still high in (to make cricket global). We are take in the view. He speaks slow- sister and her family, he chose the looking forward to the April meet- ly and carefully in the unfamiliar latter option. and around Paris, after the city was hit by a pair of major terrorist at- ing. Regarding the BCCI, every language. But his smile comes Last May, Mr. Akbary and member board is acting in accor- quick and easy. three others sneaked north into tacks in 2015 that were led by rad- icalized French and Belgian Mus- dance to their vision and interest. Mr. Akbary’s stamp of ap- tiny Slovenia, another country that If the changes go ahead, it ap- MONDAY. FEBRUARY 20, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Dishonorable & disheartening: Taking bribes in Afghanistan The old saying “It takes two to tango” is as valid regarding corrup- tion as it is for ballroom dancing. That makes the Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruc- tion's latest quarterly report to Congress especially disheartening, as it spotlights Americans accused In Kabul, women gather to eat, cook, and find community or convicted of taking bribes. On the side of a busy street in Kab- didn’t have anyone in the city. The came to the shelter in Kabul. Her But the plan is to eventually to Bost to enjoy her lunch hour Just in 2016's final three ul, Afghanistan, there is a restau- police took her to a shelter. brothers were not happy about become more open about this. with her colleagues from the BBC. months, such cases yielded “one rant that feels like an oasis away Despite having to go through this, however, and felt she was “Anything you want to do in Af- “The thing that sets this restau- conviction and six sentencings, from the traffic jams, constant something so difficult, Soraya has bringing shame to the family. The ghanistan, it needs time. When rant apart from others is the fact nearly $2 million in criminal fines MERGENCY smog, and terrorist threats. Sooth- been able to find meaning in her society in Afghanistan considers people see that they are not dif- that women work here. I feel safer and the recovery of $320,000,” E ing piano music plays in the back- job. “I’m happy now,” she says women who run away from home ferent from other women or other and I like the environment. And according to NBC News. The SI- CALLS ground as groups of young wom- as she prepares mantoos, lamb- “loose,” and there’s stigma associ- families, they would forget it.” The also the food,” she says while en- GAR report's “gallery of greed” en enjoy traditional Afghan dish- filled dumplings with a splash of ated with living in a shelter. Be- restaurant’s goal is to ultimately joying a steaming plate full of lo- highlights U.S. military members es. Bost, a restaurant for women yogurt and lentils on top. “Now I cause of this, these women are become a franchise operation, but bia, kidney beans in tomato gravy. linked to corruption involving Police — and entirely run by women — know that I can do things in my sometimes sexually abused when Kohzad also wants to prepare the Kargar’s colleague Fauzia American forces' Humanitarian opened its doors in the capital of life.” they go outside, Kohzad explains, women for jobs elsewhere. “We Ameeri, 29, has come to Bost for Assistance Yard at Bagram Airfield 100 - 119 Afghanistan in September last “I feel good and powerful. I and it’s difficult for them to find give them the opportunity to learn the second time. She agrees that near Kabul. year. Here, women can feel shel- can have my own money and I can employment beyond the shelter. and to be able to stand up on their the female staff makes women feel “The Yard” stores “millions of tered from the prying eyes of men spend it on my children.” For Manizha, her move to the own feet,” Kohzad says. “Maybe more comfortable. “It also feels dollars' worth of clothing, food, Hospitals for a while. Manizha, 27, is also happy to shelter happened four years ago, they want to become managers of safer to come here with our male school supplies and other items “I wanted to have a place have found a job at Bost. She is and to this day, she constantly one of these franchises. Or maybe friends because in other restaurants purchased from local Afghan ven- FMIC Hospital where I could feel safe, where I originally from the north of the fears her brothers will come after later on they want to open their there are lots of people around and dors,” according to SIGAR. It Behind Kabul Medical could enjoy my time sitting in a country, from the city of Mazar- her or her children. “Maybe when own restaurants.” we face different kinds of people. found U.S. personnel accepting corner, reading, writing, or even lis- e-Sharif. Manizha was married off my children are in school, my The younger generation of I don’t know what they might University: tening to music without getting to a man who already had a wife. brothers will kidnap them,” she working women has claimed Bost think, but from their reaction we bribes — including Rolex watches disturbed or being stared at,” says As the second wife, she faced says. Her dream is to save some as their own. can understand that they don’t like — “to steer supply-purchase busi- 0202500200-+93793275595 Homira Kohzad, one of the res- many difficulties with her in-laws. money and leave Afghanistan. To- Most importantly, however, men and women to go for lunch ness to favored vendors.” Those taurant’s founders. “If you go to Manizha gave birth to two chil- day she is happily preparing dish- “We want them to feel safe,” Ko- together.” convicted deserve fines and pris- Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital different restaurants in different dren, a daughter and a son, but the es, such as bolani, a flatbread with hzad says. “If they feel safe, it The younger generation of on time. parts of Kabul, you don’t feel problems in the family only in- vegetable filling, in the kitchen. “I would be easier for them to com- working women has claimed Bost Their detestable dealings also Pule Bagh-e- Umomi safe.” Harassment is common in creased. “My husband moved to feel good and powerful. I can have municate and show a better pic- as their own more than any other show that corruption in Afghani- 070263672 the city, and it’s one of the main Saudi Arabia and I was left behind my own money and I can spend it ture that, see, we are women who group in the city. “They need a stan is as much an American prob- reasons why women are hesitant with my children,” she says. “I on my children,” she says. have faced some challenges, abuse, place where they will not be lem as it is an Afghan problem. about going out, whether it’s to needed money to feed them, but Customers are kept largely or domestic violence in our hous- judged,” Kohzad explains as she And that's another reason to end Khairkhana Hospital restaurants or for a walk down a he did not send us anything. Final- unaware of the staff’s back- es, but we are working here, we slowly gets back to her work, not America's nation-building folly street. ly, my in-laws told me to go back grounds. According to Kohzad, are like you.” Employing these minding the fact that her headscarf there, which has cost U.S. taxpay- 0799-321007 During the Taliban rule in the to my father’s home.” But her par- “Most families, if they became women has also had another bene- has long since fallen to her shoul- ers an estimated $117 billion over 2401352 late ’90s, women could not go out- ents had died a long time ago, and aware of the fact that these wom- fit: The fact that all the waitstaff ders. 15 years — but still hasn't deci- side without a mahram, a male rel- for her brothers, she was just an en are from shelters, wouldn’t is female helps convince families Thanks to Bost, there is now sively defeated the Taliban or ISIS ative, and a burqa that covered their additional burden. come here.” Therefore, “to ensure to allow their women to come to a place in Kabul where women can or base human greed, which knows Indira Gandhi Children entire faces and bodies. But after Left with no other choice, the safety of the women, we most- Bost without a male chaperone. breathe freely for a while. no national or ethnic boundaries. the fall of the regime in 2001, wom- Manizha took her children and ly keep it confidential,” she says. Tahmina Kargar, 25, has come Eater (Triblive) Hospital, Wazir Akbar en came out of their houses, and many replaced the burqa with a Khan, Kabul 2301372 simple headscarf. According to Kohzad, men have had a hard time getting used to seeing women Ibn-e- Seena around, which often results in un- Pul-e-Artan, Kabul welcome attention. It’s also why male relatives can be reluctant to 2100359 let women go to restaurants alone, even if there is a designated family section. (Women, for their part, Wazir Akbar Khan might feel equally uncomfortable Hospital in a restaurant full of single men.) But at Bost, women can be 2301741, 2301743 seen sitting alone and sampling the restaurant’s mouth-watering spe- cialties — such as shola, a rich len- Ali Abad til dish — with their female friends Shahrara, Kabul or sometimes with their mothers. In this setting, male chaperones are 2100439 not needed. The women who come here are often educated and liberal, and many are dressed in modern Malalai Maternity clothes. Because they do not have Hospital to worry about getting stared at, they can wear what they want. “In 2201377/ 2301743 the beginning, I saw some women coming with their husbands, but after a while the women started Banks coming alone because the men had noticed this place is only for wom- Da Afghanistan Bank en and families,” Kohzad says. 2100302, 2100303 According to her, it was a matter of building trust. Inside the kitchen at Bost res- Bakhtar Bank taurant in Kabul. 0776777000 Opening a restaurant as a woman is, of course, already some- Azizi Bank thing special in Afghanistan. The restaurant is undoubtedly Ko- 0799 700900 hzad’s baby: She trained the staff Pashtany Bank and designed everything from the menu to the interior, which is an 2102908, 2103868 interesting blend of traditional Af- ghan and modern Western style. But what makes Bost even Air Services more unique than its clientele is the fact that it employs women Safi Airways who live in Kabul’s women’s shel- ters. The restaurant was originally 020 22 22 222 a project of the Afghan Women Skills Development Center, or Ariana AWSDC. The organization, where Kohzad worked as a project man- 020-2100270 ager, provides training and educa- tion to women and maintains a Kam Air number of shelters in the country for victims of gender-based vio- 0799974422 lence. AWSDC was already run- ning a catering business as a source Hotels of income generation for the shel- ters’ residents. Kohzad thought Safi Landmark the idea could be expanded into the restaurant space. 020-2203131 “Afghans love to eat,” she says. “And most of the women SERENA are expert chefs. Some of these women, oh my God, they make food that’s melting in your mouth; Shocking photographs taken in the Paghman district of Kabul show the gruesome world of 0799654000 it’s like heaven. So why not use their skills?” Currently, the restau- dog fighting, which has again become a popular form of public entertainment. Many dog New Rumi Restaurant rant employs 17 women — 10 in the kitchen, and seven in the front 0776351347 of the house — all of whom live in owners attend weekly fights usually held on Fridays. AWSDC shelters. According to Internet Services Kohzad, they come from various UA Telecom backgrounds; most are quite young, around 20 years old. “Some of International community not committed to 0796701701 / 0796702702 them faced family violence, domes- tic abuse, and they have been liv- Exchange Rate ing with us for several years,” she says. “Some had to escape from Afghanistan in fight against terrorism: Analysts home because their parents were Purchase: addicted to drugs.” The International Community, particularly the United States are not commit- Soraya, 20, has worked as ted to Afghanistan in fight against terrorism and providing stability in the One US$ = Bost’s co-chef since the beginning country, a number Afghan analysts said. — for four months now. She also Pointing at the Munich conference, the Afghan analysts said that the 66.77Afs prepares delicious fresh-squeezed International Community has never targeted terrorist safe havens in Pakistan One Pound Sterling= juices and special coffees in res- and has also not pressed Pakistan to wipe them out from its soil. 80.95Afs taurant’s juice bar. About two “The International Community has never wanted Afghanistan to have years ago, her life changed drasti- stability. Terrorist safe havens should have been eliminated in Pakistan, if the One Euro = cally. “I was living in Lahore, Pa- International Community had honest commitments to Afghanistan. The Inter- 70.05Afs kistan, with my family,” Soraya national Community has not had any basic work for the security of Afghani- 1000 Pak Rs = says. “One day, there was a sui- stan in the past 16 years,” said Atiqullah Amar Khail, political analyst. cide attack and both my parents In the meantime, the Afghan analysts emphasized that if the International 612Afs were killed. I lost everybody; I Community would not fulfill commitments to Afghanistan and do not take Sale: didn’t have anyone.” One of her practical steps in providing stability in the country, it would be very difficult One US$ = neighbors took her to Kabul, but that Afghanistan experience a relative security. abandoned her in an area near the “If the International Community honestly stands beside Afghanistan and 66.97 Afs city’s largest prison. “I was com- take practical steps for the current challenges, Afghanistan would rescue from One Pound Sterling= pletely unfamiliar with Kabul,” conflicts; otherwise terrorist activities would expand day by day,” said Mu- 81.75Afs Soraya says. “But luckily a lady hammad Nader Afghan, political analyst. took me to her home and sheltered This comes as President Ghani has previously called Pakistan the main One Euro= me for the night.” The next morn- supporter of terrorism in WARSAW summit and urged the world to eradicate 70.65 Afs ing Soraya went to a police sta- terrorism in Pakistan. Ariananews 1000 Pak Rs= 620 tion, where she told authorities she MONDAY . FEBRUARY 20, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

Sri Lanka arrests soldiers over journalist's abduction during war

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan police arrested an army officer and two soldiers on Saturday over the al- leged abduction, assault and illegal detention of a leading journalist in ISLAMABAD: Submitting his “These fundamental rights 2008 during the war against sepa- concise statement in response to have to be interpreted in a manner ratist rebels, the police said. the petition of the Awami Muslim that they do not violate the funda- The island nation saw abduc- League (AML) chief Sheikh Rash- mental rights of the Respondent tions and killings of high-profile id Ahmed, Prime Minister Nawaz No.4 (PM Nawaz Sharif) under journalists and rights defenders Sharif has asked the Supreme Article 10A to a fair trial and due during the final months of the war Court to adopt a fair procedure to process and his right to the equal that ended with the defeat of Tamil determine the outcome of Panama protection of law in a non-discrim- Tiger separatists in May 2009. leaks controversy. inatory manner under Article 25,” The previous government The PM also contends that the it says. headed by President Mahinda Ra- SC can neither act as an investigat- It claims that Ahmed has failed japaksa failed to probe the crimes ing agency and examine volumi- to produce any material, which is despite international pressure. nous evidence involving intricate either admissible or proved in ac- A special police team arrested questions of facts nor disqualify cordance with the law and the Con- an army officer and two soldiers him as a member of the National stitution. over the abduction and illegal de- Assembly without fair trial and Sheikh Rashid Ahmed desires tention of journalist Keith Noyahr, due process. that the court act as an investigat- police spokesman Priyantha Jay- “The court (SC) must adopt a ing agency. However, the PM in akody said in a statement. procedure to determine the out- his statement submits that the SC A local court ordered the three come of this controversy which is cannot act as an investigating agen- held until Feb. 23. fair, take into consideration mate- cy under Article 184 (3). Noyahr was an associate edi- rials which are admissible in evi- The PM submits that the ma- tor of the English language weekly dence and proved in accordance terial relied upon by Ahmed can- The Nation when he was abduct- with the law,” says the PM’s con- not be regarded as evidence and ed in May 2008. He was severely cise statement, filed by the PM’s cannot form basis of his disquali- beaten before being released, bare- counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan in fication as an MNA unless it is ly able to walk. After the attack, response to Ahmed’s constitution- ruled admissible in evidence and he fled the country with his fami- al petition. formally proved against the PM ly fearing for his life. The reply states that unlike in consonance with the provisions Rights groups have blamed the Article 32 of the Constitution of of Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984.. Rajapaksa government for several India, Article 184 (3) of the Con- Maryam owned London flats abductions, assaults and killings of stitution of Pakistan is not by it- for 6 months, admits counsel high-profile journalists or editors self a fundamental right. “The petitioner desires that who were critical of his govern- Imran details Qatari prince’s the authority under Article ment and the war against the Tamil ‘murky past’ 184(3)… be exercised by this Tigers. “It is a remedy available by hon’ble court with little or no re- President Maithripala Sirise- invoking the jurisdiction of court gard to the requirements of due na, who unseated Rajapaksa in an in a matter of public importance process and fair trial. This clearly upset win in 2015, has promised relating to the enforcement of fun- is not the mandate of Article that Ahmed has already availed adequate constitutional and statutory remedies before the National Assembly speaker and the Election Commission to probe human rights abuses in- damental rights. 184(3),” it adds. The PM objects of Pakistan and he is, therefore, stopped from invoking the constitutional Jurisdiction under Article 184(3) of the Constitution. (TRIBUNE) cluding war crimes. However, Sirisena's adminis- tration has been sluggish in prob- ing key allegations due to resis- tance by members of his own par- ty and some government officials. (Reporting by Ranga Sirilal; Writ- ing by Shihar Aneez; Editing by Adrian Croft) (CHANNELNEWSASIA.) S Jaishankar in Colombo for ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek- tainted helping hand to respondent talks with i-Insaf chief Imran Khan submit- No1 (Prime Minister Nawaz ted a 24-page affidavit, describing Sharif) and his offspring,” the affi- Sri Lankan the ‘murky past’ of the Qatari davit stated. Prince, Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim, The PTI chief requested the leadership who came to the rescue of the apex court to ignore both letters Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar on Sharif family in establishing the allegedly sent by the Qatari prince Saturday arrived here on a three- money trail of London flats in the because they were “unbelievable day visit during which he will meet Panamagate case in the Supreme and (amounted to) a puerile at- Sri Lanka’s top leadership and ex- Court. As the case enters its final tempt by the rich Qatari to come plore the possibilities for bilateral round next week, the PTI affidavit to the aid of a rich Pakistani and cooperation in areas like power, rebutted the Sharif family’s claims his children”. infrastructure and energy. Jaishan- and explanations put forward by Imran stated that there was kar will also review decisions tak- their counsels. The affidavit car- “no investment in Qatar and since, en during earlier meetings of the ries the Qatari prince’s antecedents there was no investment, and there leaders of the two countries. and details incidents of his person- can thus be no investment with the Athletes Participate In Na- al misconduct. Al Thani family”. tional Race Walking Championship According to the PTI chief, Imran warns of street protest 2017 In New Delhi exchanging huge amounts of mon- in Karachi “There was no settle- He will be in Sri Lanka until ey as gifts within the Sharif family ment as PM Nawaz is categorical February 20 and meet President – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s in stating that the flats were pur- Maithripala Sirisena and Prime son bestowing upon his father and chased not acquired through any Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe sister was just a mechanism to settlement based on fictitious hear- and other top officials. Jaishankar whiten undisclosed ‘black money’ say statement. However no bank- will discuss the possibilities for owned by the PM himself. ing transaction was placed on cooperation in sectors like power, According to Imran’s affidavit, record either by Sheikh Hamad or highways, airport and hydrocar- Sheikh Hamad had illegally trans- the PM. The trust deeds, resulting bon. His visit assumes significance ferred public funds to private ac- from a settlement that did not and in the light of Sri Lanka’s desire to counts and the Qatari government could not have taken place, are fake seal an Economic and Technologi- had opened an inquiry in this re- or otherwise … with no effect on cal Cooperation Agreement gard. In court, not in the street: the actual or beneficial ownership (ETCA) with India, officials have Imran asked to share evidence of the flats,” he stated. said. The agreement seeks to im- In 2002, criminal investigations Imran contended that till date, prove technological and scientific into the conduct of the Qatari no material had been submitted cooperation among institutions, Prince was nearing an end and the before the court reflecting any boost standards of goods and ser- Sheikh had voluntarily paid £6 banking transaction by the Qatari vices to enable them compete in million to cover the cost of a probe prince regarding the four flats. global markets, and expand oppor- into the affairs of his three Jersey He stated that Sharif family tunities for manpower training and trusts. purchased flats “through money human resource development. Imran also contended that laundering” and the PM’s daugh- The first container ship from In- 65 containers on board, ment signed in 2015, comes into tween the Pangaon terminal and Sheikh Hamad had also recently ter Maryam was and is the benefi- “The visit will continue the dia has arrived in Bangladesh’s bdnews24.com reported. At an effect, paving way for direct cargo India will save time and money, tradition of close exchanges with been accused of falsely imprison- cial owner. Imran submitted that Panagon river port here under the event to mark the arrival of the vessel movement between the two said Minister Khan. “The shipping ing a former colleague, the former the Qatari prince’s first letter was Sri Lanka that has gained momen- Coastal Shipping Agreement ship, Bangladesh Commerce Min- neighbouring countries. Bang- ministry is in the process to pro- tum in the last two years… The spokesperson of Qatar between entirely hearsay and urged the signed in 2015, allowing direct car- ister Tofail Ahmed said that cargo ladesh Shipping Minister Shajah- cure 36 more ships to boost the October 2009 and January 2011. court to reject it because after the visit would help in taking stock on go vessel movement between the ships will now reach and depart an Khan, Indian envoy to Dhaka use of this network,” he said. Dur- various decisions taken during the He was kept in a private confine- sale of the Dubai Steel Mills in two countries. The ship, ‘Shonar- from Pangaon to India every 15 Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Awa- ing Prime Minister Narendra ment where he was tortured. 1980, the Sharif family could not meetings between the two leader- tori Nou Kalyan-1’ reached the days. He said there was progress mi League chief Sheikh Hasina’s Modi’s visit to Bangladesh in ships,” External Affairs Ministry “It is this person, who has have had cash for investment in Pangaon Inland Container Termi- in the field of river transport. With advisor Salman F Rahman also at- 2015, the two countries signed the emerged out of the deep murkiness the real estate business of the Qa- spokesman Vikas Swarup has said. nal at Keraniganj yesterday with this, the Coastal Shipping Agree- tended the ceremony. The link be- Coastal Shipping Agreement. (INDIANEXPRESS) of his own past to try and lend a tari family. (TRIBUNE)

A single Indian rocket launch markable feat by ISRO is yet an- technological success. space, it still has some way to go before it can launch heavier ones. I’m Anne Ball. Anjana Pasricha wrote this story for VOA. Anne Ball adapted Wednesday morning sent a record other proud moment for our space Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan is her story for Learning English with additional material from the Associated Press. Caty Weaver was the editor. (LEARNINGENGLISH) 104 satellites into space. scientific community and the na- a space expert with New Delhi’s The government-run Indian tion." Observer Research Foundation. Space Research Organization School children light fireworks She said this record breaking satel- (ISRO) said the rocket launched as they celebrate India’s Satellite lite launch highlights India’s tech- from Sriharikota in eastern India. Launch Vehicle's take off which nological “sophistication.” She It broke Russia’s record of launch- carried 104 satellites in a single said it may lead more countries ask ing 37 satellites one year ago. mission, at a school in Ahmeda- the ISRO to do their space launch- Most of the satellites are so- bad, India, Feb. 15, 2017. es. called nano satellites—small ones School children light fireworks Growing demand for more weighing up to 10 kilograms. There as they celebrate India’s Satellite high-tech communication systems is also an Earth observation satel- Launch Vehicle's take off which among governments has increased lite that weighs 714 kilograms. carried 104 satellites in a single demand for such launches. So, has The majority of the nano sat- mission, at a school in Ahmeda- the growing demands of private ellite customers were from the bad, India, Feb. 15, 2017. telephone, Internet and other tech United States. Others were from India’s space program has cen- companies. Last year, India Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Is- tered mostly on low-cost ways to launched 75 satellites for foreign rael, Switzerland and the United get into space. In 2014, an Indian customers. Arab Emirates. spacecraft reached Mars’ orbit. The The South Asian country in- The launch was broadcast on ISRO Mars mission cost $74 mil- creased the budget for its space Indian national television. It lion. In comparison, the United program this year. It also has set showed scientists in the mission States space agency, NASA, spent up a fund for a possible second control room, cheering as the rock- $670 million on its Mars mission mission to Mars and its first to et flew higher. a few months later. India’s effort Venus. India’s Prime Minister Naren- was welcomed as evidence that an But scientists say that while dra Modi tweeted that the "re- economical program can achieve India can put smaller satellites into MONDAY . FEBRUARY 20, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES News-in-Brief Kurds WTCbombing pledge to 'plotter' Omar Abdel Rahman fight Turkey dies in US jail to retain Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al- Omar Abdel Rahman, who was Abadi has announced the launch Syria's convicted of conspiracy in the of a military assault aimed at tak- 1993 World Trade Center bomb- ing western Mosul from the Islam- ing and of planning more attacks ic State of Iraq and the Levant Manbij as part of a "war of urban ter- group. Iraqi police and interior rorism" in the US, has died in a ministry forces were expected to The commander of Kurdish fight- North Carolina prison. start the new phase in their offen- ers in Syria's Manbij city has told Abdel Rahman, 78, was sive to take control of the entire Al Jazeera that his forces will fight serving a life-sentence on sev- city by moving on Mosul airport, to defend any move by Turkey to eral convictions when he died located on the southern edge of the take over the area. of natural causes on Saturday city, to the west of the Tigris river. Adnan Abu Amjad's comment at a federal prison's medical cen- "We announce the start of a came after Turkish President Re- tre in Butner, North Carolina, new phase in the operation. We cep Tayyip Erdogan said that the US Bureau of Prisons said. are coming to Nineveh to liberate when his country's forces finished Abdel Rahman, an Egyp- the western side of Mosul," Abadi helping Syrian opposition fighters tian, was blind, had diabetes said in on television. "Our forces take over Al Bab from ISIL , they and coronary artery disease. are beginning the liberation of the would move on to Manbij and then He was jailed at the Federal citizens from the terror of Daesh ISIL's self-declared capital Raqqa. Correctional Complex in But- [ISIL]." Al Jazeera's Osama Bin Erdogan said he wants to set ner for nearly 10 years. His fam- Javaid, reporting from Erbil in up a safe zone near the Turkish ily in Egypt received a phone northern Iraq, said several differ- border and clear all Kurdish forces call from a US representative ent groups were involved in a com- from the area. confirming his death, his son plex assault on ISIL positions. Abu Amjad said: "If Erdogan Ammar said. Another of his "[Mosul is] flanked from the wants to come to Manbij, it's his sons, Abdullah, denied all accu- eastern side by counter-terrorism business, but we will defend our sations against his father as he forces, from the south by the Iraqi city with all the strength we can blamed the US for causing his police, and from the north by the find. As Syrian people, we'll resist death. "He was surprised that Iraqi military and the popular mo- any interference in our internal af- America was the country that bilisation forces, also known as the fairs." falsely accused and arrested Shia militias," Javaid said, adding Air strikes carried out by the him," Abdullah told Al Jazeera, that about 750,000 civilians were US-led coalition and a long fight speaking from Istanbul, Turkey. still believed to be trapped in the by mainly Kurdish ground forces "They even became creative in west. Aid organisations had feared Saturday dropped leaflets on the nounced last month that ISIL had sul is slightly smaller than the east, ic centre, which includes the freed Manbij from the control of the way they killed him slowly. an exodus of unprecedented pro- west of the city, warning that a been almost completely pushed the battle there is expected to be mosque in which ISIL leader Abu the Islamic State of Iraq and the In the last few days of his life, portions before the start of the ground attack to push ISIL fight- out of the eastern side of the city, more difficult for government forc- Bakr al-Baghdadi made his only Levant (ISIL) group last year. they took all of his medicine. fighting, which began four months ers out was imminent. "Get ready which is divided by the Tigris. It es, especially in the narrow streets public appearance in June 2014, However, the US backing for "Is this America, the land of free- ago with a government push on the to welcome the sons of your armed later retracted that statement and of the Old City. will be impassable for many mili- Syrian Democratic Force (SDF) - doms? Look how they treated east, but a significant majority of forces and to cooperate with them, fighting continues in some parts "West Mosul had the poten- tary vehicles and force government an alliance dominated by the Kur- the man who is old, blind, and residents stayed home. as your brothers on the left side of the east. More than 46,000 peo- tial certainly of being more diffi- fighters to take on ISIL in perilous dish YPG militia - has caused an- ill and who came to America to Residents of the west bank have done, in order to reduce loss- ple who fled Mosul as fighting cult, with house-to-house fighting dismounted warfare. The major ger in Turkey. call for freedom. They took the have reported difficult living con- es and speed up the conclusion [of raged have, though, been able to on a larger and more bloody scale," push to recapture Mosul, ISIL's Since Donald Trump became worst revenge against him, only ditions and warned that they were the battle]," read one leaflet. Oth- return to its eastern districts over Patrick Skinner, from the Soufan last major urban territory in Iraq, the US president, Erdogan has of- because he used to say the truth. already low on food, with weeks er leaflets warned ISIL fighters to the past few weeks despite the Group intelligence consultancy, was launched on October 17, sup- fered to join the fight against ISIL, They conspired with the or months of fighting expected to "lay down their weapons and sur- pockets of fighting. told the AFP news agency. ported by bombing raids from a also known as ISIS, in Raqqa. But [former Egyptian President lie ahead The Iraqi air force had on render". The defence ministry an- Though the west bank of Mo- The streets around the histor- US-led coalition. (Al Jazeera) he does not want Kurds , who had Hosni Mubarak's] regime launched a campaign to encircle the against him." Video evidence city in November, to participate. Much of the case against Abdel It is not yet clear whether Rahman, a preacher at a New Trump's administration will pro- Jersey mosque, and his follow- vide weapons to the YPG over ers was based on video and au- Turkey's objections. dio recordings made with the The US says weapons provid- help of his bodyguard, who be- ed to the SDF are so far limited to came an FBI informant. its Arab elements, but Turkey (BBC) says the arms are going to the SDF and is asking for a halt. Elsewhere in Syria , the be- Adama sieged, rebel-held district of al-Waer in Homs city was bombed by Syr- Barrow ian warplanes on Saturday. syrian civil war map who controls what sworn in on The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the Brit- home soil as A truce between Russia-backed a lack of will on either side." ain-based monitoring group, said separatists and the Ukrainian army Fighting has recently escalat- three people were killed in the at- president will come into force on Monday ed in the conflict, killing nearly 30 tack on Saturday. in eastern Ukraine, according to people at the start of February. The latest violence brought the Adama Barrow has been sworn Russia's foreign minister. Major development The news Russia's foreign minister has called declared sanctions over the our commitment," he said. Al death toll since the bombardment in as president on Gambian soil, The deal was brokered on Sat- of the deal overshadowed a major for an end to an outdated world Ukraine crisis and Russia's alleged Jazeera's Dominic Kane, reporting of the district resumed earlier this marking the end of a tense polit- urday at the Munich security con- development announced in Russia. order dominated by the West, even meddling in the US presidential from Munich, said: "The warmth month to at least 30 people. ical standoff with the West Afri- ference with the participation of President Vladimir Putin or- as US Vice President Mike Pence election. On the campaign trail, of words he used regarding NATO An opposition media activist can nation's former leader. Ukraine, Russia, Germany and dered Russian authorities on Sat- has pledged his country's "unwa- Trump repeatedly praised Russian as a bedrock of security in Europe in al-Waer said two people were Dressed in flowing white France. urday to temporarily recognise civil vering" commitment to its trans- President Vladimir Putin and was warmly received here by del- killed in Saturday's bombing and robes Barrow arrived at the In- "It is positive that the contact registration documents issued in atlantic allies in NATO. voiced his willingness to work with egates, but not when he mentioned the overall toll this month was dependence Stadium on Saturday group [of foreign ministers of the separatist-held areas of eastern Sergey Lavrov's comments at him in fighting "terrorism". the need for NATO countries more than 20. to fanfare in Bakau, a town 20km four countries] agreed once again Ukraine, indirectly recognising the the Munich Security Conference But in the face of growing heat member states to boost the amount Pro-Syrian government media from the capital Banjul, waving for the start of a ceasefire on Feb- self-proclaimed republics of Do- on Saturday came just hours after over its links to Russia, Trump's of their GDP spent on defence ex- outlets have said strikes were in to supporters from his vehicle. ruary 20," Sergey Lavrov said. netsk and Luhansk. Pence promised to stand with Eu- administration appears to be back- penditure ... that causes some con- response to rebels firing at resi- Several world leaders and The agreement also concerns The move will enable people rope to rein in a resurgent Russia ing off the warmer words used ear- cern." 'New common ground' The dential areas of government-held thousands of Gambians wit- "the start of the withdrawal of from the conflict-hit region to trav- and "hold Russia accountable". lier for the country. US would also not relent in push- Homs neighbourhoods. nessed Barrow's second swear- heavy arms" in eastern Ukraine. el, work or study in Russia. Lavrov, offering pragmatic ties Exasperated and worried by ing Russia to honour the Minsk 'Government strategy' ing-in ceremony. The Munich meeting "exam- The new legislation will be in with the US, said: "I hope that [the Trump's calling into question long- ceasefire accords with Ukraine, Syria has tried to conclude a Barrow first took oath in an ined where we were with the im- place until a "political settlement world] will choose a democratic standing foreign policy assump- Pence said. "The United States deal in al-Waer that would see rebel official ceremony at The Gam- plementation of accords reached" of the situation" in these regions world order - a post-West one - in tions, European leaders have urged will continue to hold Russia ac- fighters and their families leave the bia's embassy in neighbouring by the presidents of the four coun- based on the Minsk peace accords, which each country is defined by the US not to take transatlantic ties countable, even as we search for district and the government take Senegal in January, as former tries in Berlin in October, Lavrov the Kremlin said. its sovereignty." The time when for granted. On a European road- new common ground, which as you over. Under similar local agree- leader Yahya Jammeh refused to said. Ukraine: Pro-Russian sepa- Ukrainian authorities sharply the West called the shots was over show this week, Trump's lieuten- know, President Trump believes ments in other parts of western cede power. New Gambian gov- ratists promote nationhood "We criticised Putin's decision, saying while NATO was a relic of the ants have sought to reassure jit- can be found." At NATO head- Syria, rebels have left with light ernment hopes to revive tourism observed that there hasn't been Russia had violated the Minsk Cold War, he said. In its place, tery allies that the administration quarters in Brussels on Thursday, weapons and headed mostly for International pressure and the major progress in terms of results peace process. Russia wanted a relationship with will hold fast to existing foreign James Mattis, defence secretary, Idlib province. threat of regional military inter- of the decisions taken in Berlin," "For me, this is another proof the US that is "pragmatic with policies, including maintaining said Russia must first "prove it- The opposition says such vention led Jammeh to finally he said. Jean-Marc Ayrault, French of Russian occupation as well as mutual respect and acknowledge- sanctions on Russia over the self" and respect international law agreements are part of a govern- accept his December election foreign minister, said neither Rus- Russian violation of international ment of our common responsibili- Ukraine crisis. Hours before before there could be any improve- ment strategy to forcibly displace defeat and fly into exile in Equa- sia nor Ukraine had offered any law," Ukraine's President Petro ty for global stability". The two Lavrov addressed the conference, ment in relations strained by Rus- populations from opposition-held torial Guinea. Hundreds of thou- alternatives to the Minsk process. Poroshenko said in Munich. countries had never been in direct Pence told the same forum that the sia's Ukraine intervention and an- areas after years of siege and bom- sands of Gambians welcomed "The meeting showed that Oleksander Turchynov, secre- conflict, he said, and were close US will stay loyal to its old friends. nexation of Crimea. Mattis also bardment. In September, about Barrow's return to The Gambia Russians and Ukrainians had no tary of Ukraine's National Securi- neighbours across the Baring "The United States is and will al- said the transatlantic bond was "as 120 rebel fighters and their fami- on January 26. (BBC) other option, but to respect Min- ty and Defence Council, which is Straits. Growing heat Russia has ways be your greatest ally. Be as- strong as I've ever seen it", and lies left al-Waer in agreement with sk. They have no alternatives," he headed by Poroshenko, said: "This been impatiently waiting for US sured that President Trump and emphasised that America remained the government , but there have said. "We agree to meet quickly, step completely negates the Min- President Donald Trump to make our people are truly devoted to our "rock solid" in its support of Arti- been no further reports of rebels Kuala Lumpur perhaps in three weeks, to see if sk process." Almost three years good on his pledge to improve ties, transatlantic union," Pence said, cle 5 - NATO's core "one for all, leaving. The SOHR estimates sev- we can advance on the ceasefire, of fighting between government which fell to a post-Cold War low adding that America strongly "sup- all for one" collective defence eral thousand fighters remain there. rally calls withdrawal of heavy weapons and forces and Russia-backed rebels in as his predecessor, Barack Obama, ports NATO". "Let no one doubt pledge. (Al Jazeera) (Al Jazeera) exchange of prisoners. We need a eastern Ukraine has killed nearly for stricter lot of patience, because we can see 10,000 people. (Al Jazeera) Islamic law Kuala Lumpur - A massive rally China to suspend coal imports in the heart of Kuala Lumpur in support of proposals to allow Islamic courts to impose more severe punishments has raised from North Korea fears of growing division in Malaysia's multicultural society. China says it will suspend all im- Korean coal - worth $101m in Korea defended the missile launch rea's destabilising behaviour". The amendments to Act ports of coal from North Korea October alone. and criticised the Security Council North Korea launched a series 355, expected to be discussed in for the rest of the year, depriving Einar Tangen, a Beijing-based condemnation. The rocket launch of missiles and conducted two nu- parliament when it sits next the country of a crucial source of analyst, says China's move would was the first since US President clear tests in 2016 in its quest to month, will allow the Islamic foreign exchange following its lat- have a massive impact on North Donald Trump came to power and develop a weapons system capa- courts, which rule on religious est missile test. Korea's economy. was seen as a challenge to the new ble of hitting the US mainland. Donald Tsang, Hong Kong's former that count. The suspension, which imple- "Coal represents one-third of American leader, who has prom- The latest rocket - said by matters and family law for Mus- leader, has escaped a conviction of Scandals have shaken public ments existing UN sanctions over North Korea's total exports ... The ised a strong response. Trump has North Korea to be able to carry a lims, to impose a jail sentence bribery in a trial that found guilty confidence in the global financial North Korea's nuclear pro- entire GDP of North Korea was repeatedly criticised China for do- nuclear warhead - flew east for of as long as 30 years, as many of misconduct during his time at hub Tsang, who was granted bail, grammes, will start on February about $17bn and now $1bn has ing too little to help stop North about 500km before falling into the as 100 strokes of the cane and a the helm of the city. Tsang, 72, is was also acquitted on another mis- 19 and remain in force until the effectively disappeared. This is Korea's nuclear programme. Rex Sea of Japan, South Korea's de- fine of more than $22,000. the most senior city official to be conduct charge which alleged he end of the year, China's commerce biting into the very lifeblood of the Tillerson, US secretary of state, fence ministry said. Currently, the maximum convicted in a criminal trial at a had failed to declare that an archi- ministry said in a statement post- administration," he told Al Jazeera. used his first meeting with Chi- The Security Council has im- punishments are a three-year jail time when residents are losing faith tect he proposed for a government ed on its website on Saturday. China, a long-time main ally nese counterpart Wang Yi on Fri- posed six sets of sanctions since term, six strokes of the cane and in Hong Kong’s leaders. The case award had been employed as an China "will temporarily stop and neighbour of North Korea, day to urge China "to use all avail- North Korea first tested an atomic a fine of more than $1,100. is one of several recent scandals interior designer on the flat. its imports of coal from North appeared to be moving towards able tools to moderate North Ko- device in 2006. (Al Jazeera) Saturday's rally was most- that have shaken public confidence Sentencing is due to take place Korea for the rest of this year" in- improved ties with South Korea ly attended by supporters of the and raised concerns about ties be- on Monday. He faced up to seven cluding coal for which customs after its political opposition gained Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party tween Hong Kong's leaders and years in prison. applications have been made but popularity following President (PAS), which is pushing the wealthy businessmen. Tsang was Al Jazeera's Divya Gopalan, not yet processed, it said. Park Geun-hye's impeachment, amendments, saying the chang- found guilty on Friday of failing reporting from Hong Kong, said: The decision came after North Tangen said. es will enhance the status of the to disclose his plans to rent a lux- "This guilty verdict is seen as a Korea's February 11 missile test, "China has recently been work- Islamic courts and deter wrong- ury flat from a major investor of a conclusion to the rise and fall of as tensions escalate over the reclu- ing hard with South Korea's op- doing. Critics of the amendments broadcaster, which was later grant- the long-serving and once very sive state's defiance of UN resolu- position," he said. say they are unjust, dispropor- ed a licence from the government popular civil servant. tions. The UN Security Council, tionate and unconstitutional. while he was leader. However, he "Tsang was the chief executive China had traditionally en- which includes China, sharply crit- 'Necessary upgrade' Wearing escaped a bribery charge over alle- of Hong Kong for seven years be- sured that UN Security Council icised North Korea on Monday for purple T-shirts, people began gations he had taken the redecora- fore he stepped down in disgrace resolutions on sanctions against the missile test, describing it as a arriving in Kuala Lumpur in the tion and refurbishment of the in 2012, even before he could fin- North Korea included humanitari- "grave violation" of UN resolutions morning. (CNN) apartment as a kickback, after the ish his second term in office." an exemptions, and had continued and threatening "further significant jury failed to reach a decision on (Alarabiya) to buy huge amounts of North measures". On Wednesday, North MONDAY . FEBRUARY 20, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

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

AFGHANISTAN TIMES Britain attempts to brand Editor: Mansoor Faizy Phone No: +93-797070563 journalists as spies E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.afghanistantimes.af Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi Advisory editorial board Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal, Saboor Sarir Graphic-Designer: Edriss Akbari, Bilal Yusufi Marketing & Advertising: Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0778894038 , 0772122003 Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press The constitution says Article 87: Article Eighty-Seven: Each of the two houses of the National Assembly, at the commencement of their work period, shall elect one member as president for the term of the legislature, and two members as first and second deputies and two members as secretary and assistant secretary for a period of one year. These individuals shall form the administrative teams of the House of People as well as By Jim Killock lance of the world's digital com- fore the digital era, anyone en- sion's proposals become law, House of Elders. Duties of the administrative teams shall be determined by the munications. gaging in espionage would be there could be consequences Regulations on Internal Duties of each house. British journalists could be The source of these claims limited as to how much infor- for free speech beyond the UK. treated as spies, and given up was whistle-blower Edward mation they could access. But When democracies pass to 14 years in prison for han- Snowden, a former National now, online communications laws that threaten the freedom dling state secrets, if propos- Security Agency (NSA) con- and storage means the volume of the press, they provide jus- als by the UK's Law Commis- tractor, who had stolen millions of information and associated tification for authoritarian re- sion become law. of files from his former employ- risk is of a very different scale." gimes to pass their own repres- In 2015, the Commission, er. When democracies pass sive laws, often in the name of whose remit is to review and Other media outlets includ- laws that threaten the freedom national security. recommend reforms to UK leg- ing the Washington Post, The of press, they provide justifi- The British prime minister, islation, was asked to examine Intercept and Der Spiegel also cation for authoritarian regimes Theresa May, has tried to dis- laws relating to official data. Its published original stories us- to pass their own repressive tance herself from the propos- recommendations, published ing the leaked documents. laws, often in the name of na- als, insisting that they were ini- last week, suggest the defini- If the Law Commission's tional security. tiated under her predecessor he Islamic State IS, which is also known as Daesh terrorist tion of the offence of espionage proposals had been in place, The destruction of the David Cameron's leadership. group has suffered huge casualties with hundreds of them were is changed so that it is "capa- the Guardian's editor of the day, Guardian's computers was a Given that the Home Office ble of being committed by Alan Rusbridger, and other contributing factor in the UK's were a key part of the pre-con- killed and wounded. It is possible to win the war against Daesh someone who not only commu- journalists would almost cer- fall by three places to 33rd in sultation process, and May with air and ground operations and importantly to halt their recruiting nicates information, but also by tainly have been charged with the World Press Freedom In- was serving as the Home Sec- process across the country, especially in western Nangarhar prov- someone who obtains or gath- criminal offences for handling dex. retary during Cameron's sec- ers information" (PDF). the Snowden files, never mind More recently, a draconian ond term in office, this lacks ince. It is not a wall-type proclamation as 1,955 Daesh terrorist, in- It would also lift restrictions publishing stories based on surveillance law, the Investiga- credibility. cluding foreigners were killed over the past one year in different op- on who can commit espionage. them. tory Powers Act, has been con- However, the government erations carried out by the Afghan security forces with the support of They would no longer have to As it was, Rusbridger was demned by the National Union is now aware of the scale of op- US airstrikes. Most of them (Daesh) were killed in Nangarhar. With- be employees of the state, but hauled before a Home Affairs of Journalists because it threat- position to these proposals. could include journalists, Select Committee to answer ens the ability of journalists to The Law Commission needs to out any doubt, there is no room for Daesh militants in Afghanistan, as NGOs or whistle-blowers, who questions about his loyalty to keep their sources secret. bring the laws regarding offi- there are huge ideology differences—which is not acceptable for the wouldn't be able to use a pub- the state and Government National Union of Journal- cial data up-to-date, not drag Afghan people and the government. The group has been engaged in lic interest defence to protect Communications Headquarters ists (NUJ) general secretary, them back into the last centu- themselves. (GCHQ) technicians were dis- Michelle Stanistreet, has also ry. The last thing the UK needs direct war against civilians, and the mosque massacre and the deadly We don't have to look fur- patched to the Guardian's of- criticised the Law Commission's is a blanket ban on reporting attacks against peaceful demonstrators in Kabul could be taken as a ther than the 2013 Snowden fices to smash up two comput- proposals for threatening pub- wrongdoing at agencies which wide example of their atrocity. Moreover, the group torched dozens leaks to understand the impli- ers that had stored the leaked lic interest whistle-blowing and are already barely accountable of residential houses in Baba Ghondi area of Kot district in Nangar- cations of the proposed chang- Snowden documents. journalism ever further: "We to the public. es - in fact they can be seen as This was a futile act, given have already faced many chal- Jim Killock is executive di- har province—a clear showcase of attack against unarmed commu- a direct attack on the newspa- that copies of the documents lenges and attacks on our right rector of Open Rights Group, nity. per that broke the story. were stored elsewhere, but it to report in the last few years. which campaigns for privacy Another immorality of the group is appeared after abduction of 'Criminalising journalism' symbolised the British govern- Could this be intended as an- and free speech. In June 2013, the Guardian ment's frustration at its inabili- other step taken to curtail the The views expressed in this dozens of women and girls and forced them to marry its fighters. published the first of many ar- ty to control information in the media in the UK?" article are the author's own and Civilians in Nangarhar province are suffering from the oppression of ticles that showed that the UK digital age. Consequences beyond the do not necessarily reflect Al this group. It was also reported that Daesh terrorists searching hous- and United States had been Or as the Law Commission- UK Jazeera's editorial policy. es to find new recruits including children and to also identify you engaging in the mass surveil- er, David Ormerod, put it: "Be- If the UK Law Commis- (Al Jazeera) girls and women to marry them under duress. But, despite all this atrocity, the group is going to be eliminated soon. Daesh militants are in the wrong land. There is no place for them as strong will to elimi- nate the group is very much visible at domestic and international level. The Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan said, “70 percent of Daesh in Afghanistan are former TTP members, and we have killed several leaders including top 12 IS leaders.” According to the Reso- lute Support, last year, IS were present in about 11 districts of Nan- Taliban f inancial garhar and now it has been reduced to two or three and their numbers resources were 2,000 and now down to about 700 in Nangarhar and a few hundred in Kunar.” At the outset, Daesh terrorist group was repeatedly tried to ex- pand its evil tentacles to all provinces of Afghanistan by terrorizing the Afghan people. When failed to expand its footholds, the terrorist group is now thinking to establish command and control center in Nangarhar, and later try best to establish footholds in the adjacent provinces. Since a strong will is here, the Afghan security forces should con- duct a massive operation against Daesh militants in Afghanistan gen- eral and in Nangarhar particularly. Through elimination of Daesh ter- rorists, the Afghan security forces could heal the wounds of Afghan people suffered by the continue chain of terrorist attacks conducted by the notorious global terrorist outfit. 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. MONDAY . FEBRUARY 20, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

disturbing to note that the OIC By Abdullah al-Ahsan meeting held in Kuala Lumpur The latest United Nations re- on January 19, 2017, failed to port on the Rohingya minority acknowledge that the situation shocked the world yet again was a direct result of the well- with descriptions of the kind of planned and coordinated at- atrocities that the Myanmar tacks on police outposts in the security forces are perpetrat- northern Rakhine State on Oc- ing. tober 9, 2016, by extremist ele- From children cut to death, ments both funded and inspired to women raped and whole vil- from abroad." lages burned, these brutal acts The fear of the rise of ex- have been justifiably character- tremism is genuine and should ised as most likely amounting be examined candidly. Western to crimes against humanity. media have extensively report- Despite having ample evi- ed on suspicions that ISIL dence of the extent of ethnic might be recruiting among the cleansing pursued by the My- Rohingya fleeing violence in anmar authorities, the world is Myanmar. yet to take serious action Although Turkey has not against the government in Nay- been able to make any dent in pyidaw. Myanmar's stance on the Ro- Rights Commission has also who tried to escape violence- secuted Rohingya entry into government that the Rohingya claims to stand for? Abdullah Among the many organisa- hingya issue, it has been able failed and the situation on the torn Myanmar, according to the country? OPINION: Aung issue is an issue of universal al-Ahsan is professor of com- tions that should be striving to to create a caring image of it- ground has continued to dete- Human Right Watch, it has also San Suu Kyi's inexcusable si- human rights and human dig- parative civilizations at the De- protect the Rohingya, there is self that Islamic teachings de- riorate. denied refugees access to nec- lence Unfortunately, the OIC nity, which supersedes nation- partment of History and Civili- one that should clearly lead mand. In this context one must re- essary humanitarian aid, endan- has not taken the stance of the al interests. The OIC was cre- zation in International Islamic this initiative: the Organisation Indian media has even member that international or- gering the lives of thousands current government of Bang- ated to promote these values. University Malaysia. He is the of Islamic Cooperation. Of all claimed that "Rohingya mili- ganisations such as the OIC of civilians and compelling ladesh seriously. The OIC does Based on these universally rec- author of The Organization of the international entities, the tants, who are trained in Paki- have weak mechanisms for im- many to seek refuge in nearby not seem to have appreciated ognised values, the OIC can the Islamic Conference: Intro- OIC is best positioned to un- stan, have become operational plementation of their resolu- countries. Bangladesh's prime the standpoint of Turkey either. also create moral pressure on duction to an Islamic Political dertake the cause of the Ro- in Bangladesh's hill track area tions. minister has accused the Ro- Had the OIC adopted a resolu- the US, Russia and China. Why Institution. The views ex- hingya community. of Cox's Bazar's Teknaf and re- Strong nation states most hingya of being terrorists. tion condemning Bangladesh's should the government in My- pressed in this article are the Not only does it officially mote areas of Bandarban." of the time ignore demands of Shouldn't the OIC hold the posture and appreciating Tur- anmar and world powers take author's own and do not nec- represent Muslim-majority na- But how much of this spec- international organisations if government of Bangladesh re- key's position, it would have the OIC seriously when the OIC essarily reflect Al Jazeera's ed- tions, but it also has welcomed ulation is based in reality, and they consider them against sponsible for denying the per- sent a signal to Myanmar's is not able to practise what it itorial policy. (Al Jazeera) powerful nations with Muslim how much of it is propaganda? their interests. Israel has al- minorities such as the United Whether true or not, it certain- ways ignored UN resolutions States, China, and Russia to ly provides a convenient ex- and Myanmar seems to have have their own representatives cuse for the Myanmar govern- employed the same tactics. Four weeks that shook America in the organisation. ment. Yet, keeping in view the It has the leverage to lead If one digs a bit deeper be- shortcomings of international By Hisham Melhem Republicans and Democratic pres- cavalierly being played with by an the Palestinian leadership to reach idents bigger than Trump’s, a uninformed president without re- an agreement with Israel. The re- international action to protect yond the "international terror- organisations, one must look He strutted on to the stage, cocky sheepish Trump said “well, I don’t gards to the fate of the peoples at newed interest in this idea, which the Rohingya and in the past ism" rhetoric, it is clear that suf- for ways to assist the Ro- and unable to hide his malignant grandiosity and proceeded to act know, I was given that informa- the heart of the conflict. is being pushed by Netanyahu, and has stood up for persecuted fering of the Rohingya has pro- hingya people. This necessi- tion”. But Trump kept returning President Trump, who is to- Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump’s son- Muslims in Palestine and Kash- voked expected antagonism. tates the OIC to conduct some as if, to paraphrase William Shakespeare all the world is his to the point he wants to stress tally ignorant of the history of this in-law, ( a strong supporter of Is- mir among other places. According to Austin Bo- soul-searching: has it stood for stage, except he was not Shakes- which is the “dishonesty” of the conflict, or the proposed compro- rael and its settlement activities) media, and clearly he was trying mises for its resolution was play- who will represent the U.S. in any An old issue with a new detti, writing in the The Diplo- universal justice and human pearean in the least. Donald Trump to establish that every time the ing the act assigned to him by his new negotiations, is due to the mat magazine, "the Rohingya who threw down the gauntlet re- twist dignity that it claims to stand word media is uttered, the word lieutenants, to excise the words emergence of Iran as the new hege- The Rohingya problem is rebels operate in secret and for? peatedly to the American media dishonesty should pop up next to was now ready to cross swords a two-state solution from the lexi- mon threatening both The Arabs without support from civil so- it. While slamming the leaks, con of “peacemaking” efforts be- and Israelis. The view in Washing- several decades old. A 1982 In this context one may re- month after his sullied coronation. Trump declared "I have never seen tween Palestinians and Israelis. ton, Israel and in some Arab capi- Myanmar law stripped the Ro- ciety, and their Islamic creden- call two OIC member states, And for eighty minutes the flailing more dishonest media, frankly than And this is precisely what the Is- tals is that this new regional Irani- tials, though present, are by far narcissist bathed himself in men- hingya of access to full citizen- Malaysia and Turkey, coming the political media.” Then he went raeli visitor came for. The smug an threat, (Iran’s direct military dacity and braggadocio. In reciting ship. Since then members of the secondary to their sociopoliti- forward with material, political, Orwellian full throttle, saying “the Netanyahu, as is his habit used the interventions in Syria, Iraq and its his “incredible” achievements he Rohingya community have cal grievances. They want hu- humanitarian and, more impor- leaks are real. The leaks are abso- White House stage to lecture the support for Shiite militias in the was delusional, in his depiction of lutely real. The news is fake be- world that “labels” like the “two- Levant, and the Houthi rebels in been driven out of Myanmar. man rights for all Rohingya, not tantly, emotional assistance. his epic battle with the media, the cause so much of the news is fake." state” solutions have been ren- Yemen) requires a regional re- Many have fled to neighbour- a caliphate or an emirate." Several years ago Turkey's judiciary and the intelligence com- How could leaks be real, and the dered meaningless, because they sponse. But, the legitimate con- But as the Malaysian Prime munity he was quixotic, and in his ing Bangladesh and from there First Lady Emine Erdogan ac- stories based on those real leaks mean different things to different cerns over Iran’s nefarious role in threats to punish the “criminals” to other countries. Minister Najib Razak warned in companied the Foreign Minis- are fake? In Trump’s world Aris- people. In recent weeks, a new the region, which has become in his speech at the OIC meeting, responsible for the leaks that are It is very difficult to deter- ter Ahmet Davutoglu on a visit exposing his dangerous actions, totelian logic stand on its head. phrase has been added to that long some capitals bitter hostility, is not It was a press conference for list of words, concepts and termi- a sufficient reason to get a Pales- mine how many Rohingya have the Rohingya could be "infil- to Myanmar to express solidar- and his vows to exact revenge from the ages. It was a mixture of polit- nology associated with the Arab- tinian- Israeli “deal” as Mr. Trump trated" by ISIL if their plight is his real and imagined enemies he migrated but currently there are ity with the victims. Many Ro- ical Vaudeville, a rambling mono- Israeli conflict; meet the new mint- would like. The “two-state” solu- was unhinged. Never before in the about 400,000 of them in Saudi not resolved and this could hingya refugees in Malaysia logue, self-congratulation, personal ed: “outside-in”. The words are tion has become more difficult to history of the Republic, has a pres- Arabia and about 200,000 in threaten the whole region. affectionately remember this insults, stereotypical attitudes, new, but the concept is old and achieve, given the absence of ident faced in his first few weeks fearmongering and political laments has been tried before. This is the progress in recent years, the hard- Pakistan and most are sup- The example of Turkey event. in office serious questions about President Trump tried to run idea of mobilizing the Arab coun- ening of positions on both sides, posed to have fled via Bang- January 19 was not the first Although Turkey has not his mental fitness to lead the coun- the media through a gauntlet hop- tries; particularly those close geo- the rise of right wing and religious time that the OIC has urged try, or public discussions about ladesh. been able to make any dent in ing to inflict serious damage; he graphically and politically to Pal- parties in Israel that seek to annex The Myanmar government Myanmar authorities to let it Myanmar's stance on Ro- when – not if- impeachment pro- ceedings will be initiated against taunted and mocked various out- estine, to cajole, push or deliver all or part. (Alarabiya) and other international delega- lets, interrupted most questions, has sought to erase decades of hingya issue, it has been able him. Denial and was downright mean towards violence and oppression tions visit the violence-torn ar- to create a caring image of it- Refusing to admit that he and a Jewish reporter who asked him eas. his zealot confederates are respon- against the Rohingya by citing self that Islamic teachings de- about the spike of anti-Semitic in- sible for the crises and chaos that security concerns to justify its Unfortunately each time mand. cidents and what he intends to do have engulfed his first month in brutal campaign. this has happened, the Myan- Malaysia, too, on top of call- about it. An angry Trump inter- office, Trump lamented “I inherit- rupted, saying it was “not a fair More recently concerns mar authorities have come for- ing for international action to ed a mess, a mess, at home and about the Islamic State of Iraq ward with more force and more address the Rohingya crisis, abroad, a mess...” The days that question.” Then he raised his voice brutal persecution. preceded Trump’s solo act, wit- telling the reporter “sit down, I and the Levant (ISIL) group has developed a mechanism to understand the rest of your ques- spreading its influence in The OIC's condemnation of assist Rohingya refugees with nessed the unceremonious sacking tion.” When the reporter tried to the violence against the Ro- of his woefully flawed national clarify his question, Trump shot Southeast Asia have present- the involvement of UNHCR. security advisor Michael Flynn back “quiet, quiet, quiet.” Trump’s ed the government with a wel- hingya has again been reaf- In recognition of these ef- who during the transitional period racial insensitivity was also on dis- firmed in the recent report by engaged in secret, possibly illegal come distraction from the atroc- forts, the OIC has appointed play. When an African-American so the nomination is rightfully his. contacts with Russia’s ambassa- By Ahmad al-Farraj ities it is committing. the Office of the UN High Com- former Malaysian Foreign Min- reporter asked him if he is plan- The problem, as I have repeated- dor to Washington in which he dis- After the OIC criticised My- missioner for Human Rights on ister Syed Hamid Albar, as the ning to meet with the Congressional Over the past week, after long ly emphasized, is that Trump cussed the sanctions that a sitting Black Caucus, he interrupted her hearings, unjustified postpone- came from outside the institution, anmar at its January 19 extraor- February 3, 2017. OIC envoy on the Rohingya president, Barack Obama had just “do you want to set up the meet- ments and a heated debate between and promised to shake Washing- dinary meeting on the Ro- The OIC's attempt to create issue. In contrast, Bangladesh imposed on Russia because of its ing?" Then Trump asked “Are Republicans and Democrats in the ton to its core to serve the Amer- pressure through other UN flagrant attack on America’s elec- hingya issue, its foreign minis- has not only denied anchoring they friends of yours? Set up a Senate, the Council voted to ap- ican public. To be objective, the toral system. The bumbling Flynn try responded by saying: "It is agencies such as the Human to the devastated boat people meeting. Set up the meeting.” prove the appointment of Senator Democrats failed, during the con- willfully deceived vice president Clearly the president was Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. firmation process of the new At- Pence, who appeared on television throwing red meat to his shrinking All the Democrats, except for a sin- torney General, to prove any rac- programs and lied unknowingly on base, which according to the latest gle senator, voted against the ap- ist charges against him. More- his behalf. Trump’s hoped for re- pointment. But since the Republi- over, some black testimonies place poll by the Pew Research Center ment, the highly respected has receded to 39 %. Using the cans are the majority of the senate were in favor of Sessions and LETTER TO THE EDITOR Ret. vice Adm. Robert Harward with 52 seats out of 100, the con- media as the perfect foil appeals turned down the offer reportedly stressed that he was not a racist. to Trump’s voters who see the firmation had been approved. Tra- As a matter of fact, his career was because he was not allowed to pick media as part of the detached elite ditionally, all the candidates of the characterized by trying to pre- his own team, and because of the that lives in the coastal cities far new cabinet are approved with a serve the values of justice and chaotic environment at the White away from the concerns of the large majority rate. With President equality. Thus shutting down the House and the blurred line of au- people of the hinterland. Trump the situation is different, controversies around him led a Extraction of mines key to thority. Two days after the remov- Two states, one state and as a result of the sharp ideological systematic smear campaign al of Flynn, Trump’s labor secre- stateless President Trump’s splits between the conservatives against him, headed by African tary nominee, Andrew Puzder, breathless solo act on Thursday and the liberals in the American American Representative John development withdrew from consideration amid was preceded on Wednesday by society, especially with regard to Lewis, who testified against his growing Senate Republican oppo- his first official foray into the the new Attorney General, so what colleague in the Senate in a rare, sition because of his past employ- Afghanistan owns huge amount of untapped mineral deposits. According to several daunting Palestinian-Israeli con- is the reason behind this?! Some once in a lifetime phenomenon! ment of an undocumented house- flict, and his incoherence and reck- civil rights groups and black rights The ferocious campaign led by surveys, Afghanistan set on untapped mineral resources, worth of around three trillion keeper, and reports of domestic lessness were breathtaking. The organizations accuse the new At- the Democrats against Trump dollars. The natural resources, if extracted, can lead the country towards develop- abuse. The president was in denial joint press conference with visit- torney General of racism. He is and his candidate for the Minis- that these recent developments, in ment and prosperity. ing Israeli Prime Minister Ben- from the state of Alabama, in the try of Justice, is not the first of addition to reports about the in- jamin Netanyahu was a bizarre deep conservative American South. its kind. It is a part of a system- It is the time that the related organs including the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum ternecine fighting among his lieu- event held before the talks took Alabama has a long history with atic campaign against Trump and and the Ministry of Commerce and Industries to convince both domestic and foreign tenants have thrown his White place. It was a choreographed racial movement before the adop- his Cabinet since he won the pres- House in turmoil. investors to invest in mining sector of Afghanistan. Extraction of mines will also create show attended by family mem- tion of the Civil Rights Act in the idency. A campaign supported by Slouching through a swamp of bers, where a stage was given to sixties of the last century .It is also Media titans. thousands of jobs for Afghans. Security organizations should also ensure foreign in- lies It was a press conference for Mr. Netanyahu to malign the Pal- one of the states that seceded from Most of Trump’s candidates vestors that they are capable of taking foolproof security of mines. the ages. It was a mixture of polit- estinians and deny their national the United States, after President faced the same fate. The state ical Vaudeville, a rambling mono- Ehsanullah, Khairkhana, Kabul rights, and for the American pres- Abraham Lincoln decided to abol- secretary of Education, the Trea- logue, self-congratulation, personal ident to make a serious break with ish slavery, more than a century sury Secretary of State and The insults, stereotypical attitudes, and a half ago. Secretary of State for Health all fearmongering and political la- decades –old diplomatic assump- tions in the most flippant and vac- The new Attorney General already stood against stormy interroga- ments. Before listening to the first uous way possible. served as US Attorney for Ala- tions in the Senate. But Sessions Letter to editor will be edited for policy, content and clarity. All letters must question, Trump lashed out Asked if he is willing to aban- bama, before he was elected as a faced the most stubborn savage have the writer’s name and address. You may send your letters to: against the media, and addressing [email protected] don the two-state solution, Presi- member of the Senate on behalf of inquiry of all. As a follower of his “message straight to the peo- dent Trump casually said “I am the same state. His opponents American affairs I can say, that ple” he told them that “many of looking at two states and one state, claim that his career echoes a clear these campaigns would not have our nation’s reporters will not tell and I like the one both parties like. intolerance toward other racial happened if the new president you the truth.” Never mind that I can live with either one”. groups and bigotry. Trump nomi- came from within the official es- many of his claims and assertions Disclaimer: It was as if Mr. Trump was nated Sessions for the Justice de- tablishment in Washington. The were false, like repeating the ca- looking at a menu of appetizers partment, because the latter was problem, as I have repeatedly nard that his Electoral College vic- pondering his options and looking very loyal to him since the first emphasized, is that Trump came The views and opinions expressed in the articles are tory was the largest since Ronald at his quests for advice. A centu- day of his candidacy. Indeed, Ses- from outside the institution, and those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views or Reagan. When NBC’s reporter ry-old conflict that caused much sions attended some of the gather- Peter Alexander challenged promised to shake Washington to blood and tears for Arabs and ings of Trump electoral campaign its core to serve the American opinions of the Afghanistan Times. Trump’s claims and began listing Jews, Palestinians and Israelis was and even took part in the events, public. (Alarabiya) recent electoral victories of both MONDAY . JANUARY 20, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and Pakistan's pluralistic history There is a legend told through oral high time to get acquainted with than half a million pilgrims to the pluralistic Islam - peaceful co-ex- South Asia, or at least repeatedly current leadership. ty, nor reminiscent of Pakistan's tradition in the sub-continent. and revisit Pakistan's rich history, shrine from all ov-er Pakistan. istence and mutual tolerance - a condemned these kinds of attacks This type of negligence will diverse and spiritually charged There was a man who appeared cultural heritage and pluralism, What makes this site unique threat to their own worldview and in the region, to contribute to a lead the US to further isolation in roots that go back thousands of before a great city, a wanderer seek- delve into who and what was ac- from any other shrines or mosques version of Islam. sense of global understanding and this part of the world and throw it years. ing refuge in a new land. tually attacked here. is that no devotee is compartmen- This is an attack on a Pakistan participation - if even temporari- years back on relationship build- Dania Ahmed is an analyst and When the king found out about Lal Shahbaz Qalandar was a talised into any particular religion. where the diversity of its citizens ly. ing with the region. writer, and has worked on coun- this person, he refused to allow Sufi saint, philosopher, poet who There are no labels. It is a space is the fabric of the society and his- With no coverage in media or In a space that has already been ternarcotics and communications him in. He sent this person a pot preached love and tolerance for where different religious identities tory, where people are not bound condemnation from political lead- shrinking for minorities, a space strategies for Pakistan. of milk, and with it a message say- people of all religions, regardless are embraced. by the confines of religious bound- ership on this barbarous attack in where blood is being shed in The views expressed in this ing, "See this pot filled to the brim of ethnicity, creed, gender or caste. This is a side of Pakistan that aries. It is a futile attempt to in- Sehwan, it is clear that effective streets, markets, schools, holy sites article are the author's own and do with milk, this is how we are. We His life was a testament of the global media would not cover, timidate the masses and spread foreign policy towards this region - this is not the pluralism that Pa- not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's have no room for you in our city." these words from the 13th-centu- as it often portrays only a rela- fear. It does not help that the new is very low on the agenda of the kistan once embodied in its identi- editorial policy. (Al Jazeera) The man, smiled and placed a ry Sufi poet Rumi: The mosque tively fanatic, narrow version of United States administration rein- flower on the pot of milk, and sent that is built in the hearts of the religion in Pakistan, inspired by forces an Islam vs the West men- back a message to the king, "I want saints is the place of worship for violent fundamentalist groups, in- tality. to live among you like this flower all, for God dwells there. cognizant of a Sufi mystical dimen- It is not fair that Islamophobes floats on milk, to spread the fra- Thousands of devotees from sion that is bound neither by space have no knowledge and are unaware grance of love." And so it is said across the country - from all reli- nor time. that a spiritual tradition of accep- that this man was Lal Shahbaz gious backgrounds - Sunni, Shia, In fact, the spread of Islam in tance is under attack. Qalandar and the place Sehwan Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Parsi come the subcontinent was not because Whenever there is a terror at- Sharif. A testament to love and tol- to pay homage to Qalandar's shrine of the invasion of Muslim armies - tack in Europe or the US, the en- erance Part of a fresh wave of ter- every Thursday and participate in it was primarily owing to the tre- tire world is alarmed, devastated. ror attacks occurring in Pakistan, dhamaal - ecstatic devotional mendous influence of the mystics The recent terror attacks by ISIL the February 16 suicide bomb dance. of Islam - the tolerant and plural- (also known as ISIS) in Pakistan blast on Lal Shahbabaz Qalandar Whenever there is a terror at- istic spirit of the Sufis. and Iraq killing Muslims do not shrine in Sehwan killed at least 88, tack in Europe or the US, the en- The fanaticism that Pakistan get enough coverage in Western including women and children. The tire world is alarmed, devastated. is witnessing today is nowhere near media. However, Muslims are, in Islamic State of Iraq and the Le- The recent terror attacks by ISIL the ancient spiritual attitudes and fact, the biggest victims of ISIL. vant (ISIL) claimed responsibility in Pakistan and Iraq killing Mus- tolerant sentiments of the land. Its With no accountability from for this attack - the deadliest in lims do not get enough coverage in pluralistic history is being lost with the government, no clear signs of Pakistan since 2014. Western media. However, Mus- each and every terror attack. the National Action Plan being Given that there has been very lims are, in fact, the biggest vic- An attack on all of us implemented, Pakistan is losing little if not any at all media cover- tims of ISIL. The attack on Lal Shahbaz once again to senseless terror. age in the West of this attack and Qalandar's urs, or death anni- Qalandar has once again demon- Previous US administrations of Muslims killed by ISIL, it is versary celebration, brings more strated that the militants consider have had a clear foreign policy on Son of blind sheikh Omar Abd el-Rahman: My father knew he would die soon

The son of Omar Abdel-Rahman, man calling for his release outside Turkmen president the late former leader of an Egyp- a court in Cairo in Feb. 26, 2012. tian Islamist militant group who (AP) dismisses Cabinet of died on Saturday, told Al Arabiya Abdel-Rahman denied reports that his father had asked to be bur- that the family requested Ameri- ied in his hometown in Egypt, spe- can authorities to transfer his fa- Ministers cifically in El Gamaliya in al-Da- ther to Qatar to bury him there Turkmen President Gurbanguly lined the main provisions of the kahlia Governorate, and not in and clarified that they had request- Berdimuhamedov has dismissed country’s domestic and foreign Qatar. ed transferring him to Qatar for the Cabinet of Ministers due to policy for the next seven years. A Ibrahim Abdel-Rahman said treatment after his health deterio- formation of a new government, presidential election was held on American authorities contacted rated due to pancreatic cancer, di- Turkmenistan State News Agen- Feb. 12 in Turkmenistan. Gurban- them and confirmed the death of abetes and blood pressure prob- cy reported Feb. 17. guly Berdimuhamedov, who has his father in a US prison. The lems and complete inability to Inauguration of Turkmeni- been the president since 2007, was sheikh’s lawyer Ramsey Clark and move. stan’s president was held in re-elected for a third term with Palestinian lawyer Ashraf al- He added that it was his fa- Rukhiyet Palace in Ashgabat Feb. 97.69 percent of votes. Nine can- Noubani, who was communicat- ther’s wish to be buried in Egypt. 17. After taking office, the Turk- didates took part in the presiden- ing with the sheikh in America, also According to Abdel-Rahman, men president in his speech out- tial election. (Trend) confirmed the news, Abdel-Rah- his father spoke with his family a man said. week ago. During the phone call, Omar Abdel-Rahman died in he told his mother it may be the the US prison after serving more last time they talk to him as he than 20 years for seditious con- feels his end is near due to ill health Tajikistan, Turkey spiracy to commit murder. He was and the prison’s rejection to trans- serving a life sentence in the Unit- fer him for treatment abroad. ed States for his role in master- Abdel-Rahman said his fa- discuss cooperation minding the 1993 World Trade ther’s voice was disturbed and he Center bombing. could barely take a breath, adding Tajik President Emomali Rahmon by more than 60 interstate, inter- He added that there has been that he told them during the phone met Turkish Deputy Prime Min- governmental and inter-agency communication with the Egyptian call that these were his last days ister Tugrul Turkes, the Tajik pres- documents in the fields of politics, and American authorities to allow and he may die within hours. ident’s press service reported. economy, trade, science, culture, transferring his father’s body to He also said that they have not Rahmon and Turkes discussed on etc. The volume of trade between Egypt to bury it there. seen their father during all those February 17 the current state and the two countries, despite the im- Egyptian Muslim Brother- years and their applications to visit prospects of bilateral cooperation pact of the global financial and eco- hood protesters hold posters the US to go see him were rejected between Tajikistan and Turkey. nomic crisis, has been character- showing Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rah- by the American embassy. (AP) The meeting was called a logical ized sustainable, as well as activa- continuation of bilateral interest in tion of the work of the Joint Inter- the further development and ex- governmental Commission on pansion of relations, the statement Trade and Economic Cooperation, said. It was pointed out that this organization of Business Forum, UKmosques find a holy good way to benefit the community year marks 25 years since the es- intensification of activity of the Just two weeks ago, mosques banks were particularly low at the • The Federation of Mus- get WhatsApp messages through prayer they’ll mention people tablishment of diplomatic relations Council of Tajikistan and Turkey around the UK opened their doors start of the year, Glasgow Central lim Organisations in Leicestershire regularly and within hours they’ll who need help and they organise between Tajikistan and Turkey, have been named effective ways and invited members of the com- Mosque in Scotland organised a raised £20,000 in three weeks for raise hundreds of pounds. It’s not workshops that aren’t just about and now this process is regulated of strengthening bilateral relations. munity to come inside to find out blood drive where, not only wor- a new scanner at Glenfield Hospi- just Muslim families either, it’s Islam either – at the centre near me more about what happens and shippers but members of the pub- tal. anyone in the community. they’ve hosted workshops about hopefully bust some myths sur- lic could pop in and donate a pint • Members of the Ah- “Mosques do try to be in- dealing with debt and other issues rounding Islam. of blood. Promoting the event on madiyya Muslim Youth Associa- volved in the community. They that affect the wider community. Azerbaijani tumbling The annual Visit My Mosque their website, they quoted a verse tion braved the British wind and arrange kid’s fun days and food “Mosques really do work hard Day aims to provide a platform from The Quran which read: “And rain to help clean up their town banks (to collect food for people to support the community.” for Muslims to reach out to fellow whosoever saves the life of one, it centre in Bolton on New Year’s in need). At the end of Friday (Alarabiya) gymnast wins silver at Brits and explain their faith and shall be as if he had saved the life Day. Members aged between just community beyond some of the of mankind.” eight and 40-years-old helped Bol- FIG World Cup in Baku negative media headlines. Visitors The same mosque also orga- ton Council officers collect up to are also encouraged to ask ques- nized an event to raise awareness 20 bags of rubbish. Speaking to Azerbaijani tumbling gymnast Tumbling kicked off at the Nation- tions they may have about Mus- of the need for bone marrow do- local newspaper The Bolton Mikhail Malkin has won a silver al Gymnastics Arena in Baku. lims. nors and even broke national char- News, the association’s leader said medal at the FIG World Cup in The finals in men’s and wom- However, this year’s event ity Antony Nolan’s record for the his members have enjoyed living Trampoline Gymnastics and Tum- en’s individual and synchro pairs also intended to educate people highest number of donor registra- in the area for decades and wel- bling. The second day of the new programs in trampoline gymnas- about what British mosques insti- tions in one hour! come opportunities to help the Olympic cycle’s first World Cup tics and tumbling are taking place tutions are by highlighting the way • Khizra Mosque in local community. in Trampoline Gymnastics and Feb. 19. (Akipress) so many serve their localities and Manchester runs a monthly food Muslims performing gestures help people of all faiths. collection to support families in of good will won’t come as a sur- From running food banks to the area while the Faizan-e-Islam prise to many people, says Brit- organizing street cleans and invit- mosque, also in Manchester, hosts ish Muslim Modussir Choudhury ing not only members but their a Boxing Day curry night where who lives in Manchester. Azerbaijan fired 300 shots neighbours to come in and learn they dish up food for homeless After all, he believes being char- essential skills from first aid to people and those living in pover- itable and caring about those at night: Karabakh army how to manage their money, as ty. Local politicians and represen- around you is part and parcel of The adversary violated the cease- menian position-holders, and with well as a place of worship, tatives from the Police service also what it means to be Muslim. fire along the line of contact be- different-caliber shooting weap- mosques often act as a hub for the help with the effort. “There’s always something tween the Karabakh and Azer- ons—including sniper rifles, the community. • The Jamia Masjid Al- going on at the mosque,” he says. baijani opposing forces 35 times, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic We thought we’d do a round- Medina mosque in Middlesbrough “There’s a guy I know from the from late Saturday night to early (NKR/Artsakh) Defense Army up of the various ways mosques also teamed up with local business- mosque, when he hears about fam- Sunday morning. During this time informed Armenian News- in the UK are trying to spread a es in December to host a three- ilies who don’t have enough mon- the Azerbaijani armed forces fired NEWS.am. little love in their neighbourhoods: course meal and hand out presents ey for food, he’ll arrange to get around 300 shots toward the Ar- (News) • After learning that blood and warm clothes to the homeless. something together for them. We MONDAY . JANUARY 20, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

BILL GATES WARNS OF EPIDEMIC THAT WILL KILL OVER 30M PEOPLE Bill Gates is a smart guy, who knows something about global health. So when he gives a grave warning about a potential catas- BEIJING: The International trophe, it's a good idea to listen. Monetary Fund said Sunday that Yesterday, at the Munich Security it and other partners have agreed Conference, the man who tops the on terms for a more than $5 billion FORBES richest person in the loan package to the Mongolian world list and Co-Chair of the Bill government to help get the north and Melinda Gates Foundation Asian country’s economy back on said: track. Whether it occurs by a quirk The deal is subject to approv- of nature or at the hand of a terror- al by the IMF’s executive board, ist, epidemiologists say a fast- which is expected to consider moving airborne pathogen could kill Mongolia’s request in March. more than 30 million people in less According to the terms agreed than a year. And they say there is by the Mongolian government and a reasonable probability the world IMF envoys, the IMF would pro- will experience such an outbreak vide $440 million over three years. in the next 10 to 15 years. The Asian Development Bank, Notice that this was at a secu- World Bank, Japan and South Ko- rity conference and not a health rea are together expected to pro- meeting. Therefore, he could have vide up to $3 billion, and the Peo- focused on some other issue such ple’s Bank of China is expected to as nuclear weapons or climate extend its 15 billion RMB ($2 bil- change. But Gates chose to focus lion) swap line with the Bank of on infectious disease threats Mongolia for at least another three (whether starting naturally or used years, the IMF statement said. as a bio-terrorist weapon) for good The economy of mineral-rich reason. Our society is in need of a Mongolia has been hit hard in re- good wake up call and slap in the cent years by a sharp decline in face. commodity prices and a collapse Our society is woefully under- in foreign direct investment. prepared for a bad pandemic. This Adding to Mongolia’s woes is was obvious in 2009 when I and an exceptionally cold winter for Shawn Brown, PhD, Director of the second successive year, which Public Health Applications at the the Red Cross warned last week Pittsburgh Supercomputing Cen- was putting the livelihoods of more ter (PSC), were embedded in the than 150,000 nomadic herders and Department of Health and Human family members at risk. Services (HHS) to use our compu- Mongolia’s national debt now tational models to help with the stands around $23 billion, or twice national response to the H1N1 in- the annual economic output, and a fluenza pandemic. People in HHS $580 million payment to foreign were working very hard each day bondholders is due March 21. to mobilize the national response. The IMF statement said the However, the external resistance loan agreement would mean Mon- system and adopt fiscal reforms to ensure that budget discipline is maintained. Generally, terms required by the IMF as a condition for such lending often prompt complaints in borrower that they encountered was trou- golia has to strengthen its banking countries that the conditions hurt the poor or undercut economic growth by reducing social spending or investment in public facilities. (VOANEWS) bling. Many external parties put their own individual or business interests in front of national secu- rity and were reluctant to share information. Some of the general 9.1t reasons you One person dies in oil pipeline public questioned whether the pandemic existed and even raised a number of conspiracy theories. Fortunately, the virus was not as should really own leak in Saudi Arabia harmful as initially thought. How- ever, a more virulent strain could State oil giant Saudi Aramco said have been disastrous. Was the gold, silver stocks on Saturday it had contained a “lim- H1N1 pandemic a wake-up call for ited” oil leak from one of its pipe- society? Not really. lines near Abqaiq that had caused After the H1N1 pandemic ran The stock market can seemingly I've long opined that opportu- its course, more attention focused do no wrong for the time being. nity cost is the driving force be- the death of a contractor and in- jured three other people, including on the continuing epidemics of Since the election, the broad-based hind physical gold and silver pric- methicillin-resistant Staphylococ- S&P 500 has hit more than a doz- es. Opportunity cost is the cost an Aramco employee. Aramco gave no details on the cus aureus (MRSA) and other an- en all-time highs, and the aggregate of giving up a near-guaranteed re- tibiotic-resistant bacteria. The valuation of its components turn in one asset for the opportu- cause of the leak but said in a state- ment that it would conduct a thor- Centers for Disease Control and crossed the $20 trillion mark. nity to earn more with a different Prevention (CDC), with efforts led Meanwhile, the iconic Dow Jones asset. Bonds are an example of an ough investigation. It said two of the injured peo- by John Jernigan, MD, MS and Industrial Average topped the elu- interest-bearing asset that offers a Rachel Slayton, PhD, and other sive 20,000-point mark. fairly guaranteed return. Gold and ple had been discharged from hos- pital. public health agencies have been When the stock market is top- silver, on the other hand, have no working to combat the MRSA ep- pling milestones one after anoth- guaranteed return, or yield. In or- Aramco’s facility in Abqaiq is the world’s largest oil processing idemic with health care facilities er, investors tend to become less der to convince investors to pass and researchers such as our RHEA averse to risk and are far more will- up the guaranteed return of bonds facility and the largest crude oil stabilisation plant. (Alarabiya) (Regional Healthcare Analyst) ing to dip their toes into higher- in favor of precious metal owner- computational modeling team that growth investments. When this ship, the yields on bonds have to includes Susan Huang, MD, MPH happens, precious metals and min- be pretty low. of the University of California-Ir- ing stocks run the risk of being left Last year, the aggregate value Saudi Citizen’s Account scheme: These six categories to get priority vine, Sarah Bartsch, MPH of the in the dust. of government bonds with a nega- Johns Hopkins School of Public Now that's a lot of reasons to tive yield being held around the Six categories qualified for the Health, Dr. Brown, Kim Wong, own gold and silver stocks globe nearly topped the $12 tril- Saudi Citizen’s Account PhD of the University of Pitts- It was just two months ago lion mark. That's right -- people scheme will receive priority burgh Center for Simulation and that the U.S. dollar index hit a 14- were actually paying for the right over others in receiving the Modeling, and Loren Miller, MD year high! Generally, the U.S. dol- to own government bonds! A ma- social cash allowances first, an and Jamie McKinnell, MD of lar and gold and silver, the two jority of these bonds were located official said. UCLA. Has the MRSA epidemic, precious metals most commonly in Japan, which had willingly According to the Supervi- which is still continuing, prompt- purchased by investors, tend to adopted a negative interest rate sor of Saudi Citizen’s Account ed all the major changes in infec- move in opposite directions. The policy to coerce investment in eq- scheme Eng. Majed al-Osaimi, tion control and antibiotic devel- dollar is usually strengthening uities. As of Dec. 31, 2016, accord- those categories are the elder- opment necessary to combat a when the U.S. economy is improv- ing to Fitch Ratings, there was still ly, divorced woman, widows, pandemic? Again, no. While some ing and uncertainty is waning, $9.1 trillion in negative-yielding orphans, those unable to work advances have been made, lack of which is often bad news for gold government bonds being held glo- and those with special needs. resources for infection control and silver. On the flipside, a falling bally by investors. Even though “Those are the first cate- practice and research remains a dollar implies potential weakness we've seen a global rebound in gory automatically registered challenge, antibiotic overuse has and uncertainty in the U.S. econo- yields, the opportunity cost of ahead of launching Saudi Citi- continued, and relatively few anti- my, which gold and silver feed off owning gold and silver remains at- zen Account scheme and sub- biotics are under development. As of. tractively low. sequently will be the first re- I have stated previously, this con- However, the dollar may not You could rightly suggest that cipients of the monetary tinues to be a crisis as our society be the best measure to determine these negative-yielding bonds of- perk,” Al-Madinah newspaper may eventually run out of antibi- the direction gold or silver head fers 9.1 trillion reasons why gold quoted al- Osaimi as saying. otics that work against bacteria. next. Instead, investors might be and silver stocks belong in your “They amount to 2.5 mil- Surely then an epidemic in wise to turn their attention to the portfolio. lion beneficiaries,” al-Osaimi which the pathogen is highly fatal bond market. (PANTAGRAPH) said. (Arabiya) would spur people to more action. Well..no. The 2014 -2016 Ebola outbreaks in West Africa involved a virus . that killed around half the people it infected. Seemingly sud- denly, Ebola jumped into the head- Gas consumers to pay Rs20b for leakage, theft lines (even though it had been around for years) when the num- KARACHI: Consumers are esti- es recorded by the companies are ber of cases in Liberia, Sierra Le- mated to additionally pay Rs20 much higher. The study pointed one, and Guinea surged, raising billion to gas utilities for leakages out that the current UFG loss of concerns that the pathogen may in the system this year as the com- SSGC is 13% while it stands at spread elsewhere, including the panies have failed to overcome the 15% for SNGPL. These losses are U.S. Suddenly, people were say- losses and continue to recover them even higher than those they report, ing, "quick, we need a vaccine" from the consumers. which are in the range of 9-10%. without giving the world much lead KPMG Taseer Hadi & Com- The draft report said the loss- time to deliver and prepare accord- pany, a consultant, has recom- es were caused by gas leakage, theft, ingly as stated in our Lancet piece. mended in a draft to the Oil and minimum billing system, bulk-to- I recall during the Paul G Allen Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) retail shift, law and order situation Family Foundation Ebola Innova- to recover uniform 5% gas losses and other factors. The report also tion Summit seeing many people from the consumers. The recom- identified a proposed way forward around the room who had not even mendation is for the next five for improvement in the UFG lev- heard of Ebola a year prior, saying years. el. that we needed to eliminate this Afaq N Nathani, an analyst at The framework recommended disease, naively underestimating Insight Securities, calculated that requires improvement in network the effort required to do so. As I 1% gas losses (UFG) cost Rs4 bil- measurement and visibility, net- tried to explain to a founder of a lion. This suggests that the recov- work rehabilitation, theft control major dot.com at the meeting, cre- ery of 5% losses from the consum- as well as research and develop- ating a successful website is not ers will cost them a total of Rs20 ment. the same as combating an infec- billion in a year. The study said currently Sui tious disease. Fortunately for the At present, Sui Northern Gas companies did not have the mea- rest of the world, the Ebola epi- Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) is al- surement mechanism installed at demic eventually dissipated with- lowed to recover 4.5% losses from full capacity on their networks. out any vaccines or new technolo- the consumers, while the level is Consequently, the actual UFG level gies. As Gates mentioned during 7% for Sui Southern Gas Compa- for a particular network segment his speech, "we would be wise to ny (SSGC). cannot be quantified precisely. consider the social and economic However, the actual line loss- (TRIBUNE) turmoil that might . (FORBES) MONDAY . FEBRUARY 20, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Saif Ali Khan, do consider yourself safe for now! For Kangana Ranaut seems to be in a venom-spewing mood, and you seem Richa Chadha is currently shoot- to be the only one who has been spared even though you are ing for the most awaited sequel of her co-star in Rangoon. 2017, Fukrey Returns and we all are eagerly waiting for it to come on the big screens later this year. She had earlier taken on Shahid a dig at her old rival Deepika girls, there is a sleazy undertone things seriously. Also, media needs ahead, "This is our work and it is Ranbir Kapoor's boxers when she In India, we have a huge fan fol- Kapoor when she revealed that it Padukone. to it. 'Kaise laga aapko kiss karke?' to understand that they shouldn't our rozi roti. But people talk in was promoting Tamasha with him, lowing for cinema and the celebri- was a nightmare to share a cottage In a recent interview to Pinkvil- What am I supposed to say? I can't ask such questions. They ask me such a frivolous way. And I never `Ranbir has the cutest boxers by ties on screen. Celebrity worship with him, as he used to disturb her la, she was explaining about why say acha laga ya kharab laga. My who is the better kisser? Mujhe talk like that about my work. the way.` That's so smart and sly is a major phenomena where we a with his exercise routine. When she feel irked when people keep purpose is to answer it as an actor. kya lena dena? What do you mean? There is always a risk of being mis- way to take down your oppo- frenzied crowd without realising Shahid Kapoor retorted saying asking her about her lovemaking So as an actor I said there were 50 These men have just had babies quoted horribly but it is better than nent's remarks. can something get unruly. There that she has a vivid imaginations, scenes in Rangoon. people while we were shooting in and we don't look at them in that saying I love Shahid's boxers. Isn't We learnt two things from this have been many incidents where she hit back saying he had taken She said, `When you are en- the mud scene. And my co-actor way.` it better?` entire incident - 1. Kangana never fans try to breach the security or the copyright of that phrase from acting a scene, we don't do time had a cold. So it was the most con- Okay, we know there is noth- Understood this highlighted forgives her rivals; 2. She keeps a try to break rules and tend to hurt Hrithik Roshan. And now using pass. When we are asked questions venient thing to do. It was made ing incriminating in that portion, reference? This is similar to what track on what Deepika Padukone their own favourite stars. Recent- Shahid Kapoor, she seemed to take on intimate scenes, especially to into a horrible.... I don't take these but do read carefully what she says Deepika Padukone said about says in media. (Santa Banta) ly a victim of such a scenario was Richa Chadha who was in Jaipur for a promotional event for a lead- ing jewellery brand which she was Saba Qamar invited for. What started as a peace- Ali Zafar’s Pakistani debut ful event soon became a ruckus as people soon realised the presence clears the air of a celebrity in the vicinity. Richa Teefa in Trouble hits floors had already expressed concern on leaked video over the lack of security but hav- KARACHI : After having recent- ing committed to the event she Saba Qamar, who is in the news for an ly starred alongside Bollywood continued with her appearance. old video footage in which she branded superstar Shah Rukh Khan and But as the crowd increased, she Bollywood star Salman Khan a “chhich- actor Alia Bhatt in Dear Zindagi, soon had to request the organisers hora” (indecent), says she loves the Pakistani heartthrob Ali Zafar is to look into it. Minutes later, Indian film industry and finds the all geared up to enthrall cinema- shouts of the crowd concerned “Dabangg” star humble. goers with his Pakistani film de- Richa and her request wasn't tak- In a two minute-plus long video but, Teefa in Trouble. Helmed by en seriously leaving her fuming. from an old episode of Pakistani morning Ahsan Rahim, the upcoming film Richa handed the mic to the host show, Saba comments on Hrithik is slated to hit floors on February and stormed from the venue Roshan, Emraan Hashmi, Ranbir 18, stated a press release. amidst the presence of her team. Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh and Salman, Zafar will play the main char- "I was extremely confused at the when the host asks Saba to say ‘no’ to acter, Teefa, and Maya Ali will be event. And kept telling the organ- them under hypothetical situations — his leading lady, Anya, in the film. isers to look into the security, and explain why. Earlier in January, Zafar gave his which initially was none at all. The The reasons she gave — including fans a sneak peek of the film script one where she claimed she wouldn’t like he received that revealed the offi- out the Pakistan Super League venue was in midst of crowded (PSL) 2017’s official anthem titled areas. They managed to get 1 or 2 to work with actor Emraan Haashmi for cial film title, Teefa in Trouble the fear of mouth cancer — got new- which promises to be an action Ab Khel Jamay Ga on January 1. people but that wasn't enough be- He has crooned the anthem for the cause soon crowd started to pour found attention on social media earlier packed role, merged with an amus- this week. ing comedy theme. The feature film second consecutive year. “After outside the venue and things be- last time’s phenomenal response I came awkward and not comfort- Revealed: Saba Qamar’s first look in is being produced by Lightingale Bollywood debut alongside Irrfan Khan Productions. Rahim is critically assume the expectations will be able for me. I had committed to much higher this year. Therefore I the organisers thus I stood by my Clarifying her stance, Saba said in a acclaimed for his ground-breaking statement on Saturday: “Good Morning work across music videos and for tried to make a song that’s fun, and word but my requests weren't tak- not only celebrates the success of en seriously which came from a Zindagi’ is a fun show where they ask defining a new style for advertis- you fun questions about Bollywood ing with his commercials. last year’s achievement but also place of concern. I ultimately left anticipates what’s in store for the the venue because that was neces- stars. Whatever I said about each of the Maya Ali to star in Ali Zafar’s actors was said just for fun at that Pakistani film debut year to come,” Zafar told The Ex- sary", says Richa Chadha. press Tribune earlier (Santa Banta ) moment. Earlier this year, Zafar rolled Big Question: Why Ranbir and Pooja Hedge's Kat will have to reunite again? Staying true to tradition 'Jagga Jasoos' is one film that has LAHORE: Wardha Saleem unravels the furtive colours of never say die seen several delays right from its love, tradition and celebration in her latest collection. Titled inception. After a lot of hiccups, ‘Rangraaz’, the offerings feature rich brocades, shimmering the shooting for the Ranbir gota patti, intricate handwork and a magnificent display of Kapoor-Katrina Kaif starrer was hues – all ushered in this season with a section of bespoke attitude! finally wrapped up last month. couture from the designer. The trailer, which was released soon after, received a positive re- sponse from the audience. While the audience is waiting with bated breath for this detective film, turns out there's another obstacle for the Anurag Basu-directed movie. Ac- cording to reports, the director wants to reshoot some portions of the film. Now this is particular- ly troubling news for Ranbir and Katrina because they have already committed to other projects and squeezing in dates for 'Jagga Jas- oos' again might be difficult. Anurag has reportedly requested the two leads to give just five days for the film. It remains to be seen how this scenario will work out and wheth- er it will affect the release of the film. (Santa Banta) Swara opens about her dream Bollywood actress Swara Bhaskar says she thought she would be- come a "popular actor" like super- star Shah Rukh Khan. At an event to celebrate 20 years of Yuva Parivartan here on Wednesday, Swara said: "I wanted to be like Shah Rukh Khan, and not a Bollywood heroine. I thought I would become a popular actor Actor Pooja Hegde had a dream Bollywood debut with Mohenjo like him. An actor can become a Daro, although the movies did not get a great response from critics star, but to retain that position like and audience, Pooja is not the one to accept defeat, Hegde buckled up SRK, Salman (Khan) or Aamir against the tide of negative opinions and feels, `On paper it was a (Khan) for 25 years is difficult." debut scripted for success. What do you do if it does not do well. You Asked about the challenges she cannot control everything in life, right? Ultimately, you never really had to face in the industry, she said: know how the film will be received by audiences. But I follow one rule- "Those depend on your journey. you get only 15 minutes in a day to cry and mope about your failures, Those who come without any ref- the rest of the day, you go gangster,` she exhales deeply, `I have come erence are tagged as an outsider... this far by myself. Clearly, there is someone up there, ensuring like me. The most challenging part everything falls into place. That's the only thing I tell myself; and I will for them is to make an identity in keep at it until I get my breakthrough.` the crowd." (Santa Banta) MONDAY . FEBRUARY 20, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Former Australia forward Dan Vickerman dies at the age of 37 Former Australia lock Dan Vicker- An American audience will watch man has died at the age of 37 at his Anthony Joshua's Wembley bat- family home in Sydney. tle with Wladimir Klitschko and Vickerman, who won 63 caps conquering the States is the next for the Wallabies, leaves a wife step for the British heavyweight, Sarah and two sons, and authori- says Showtime boss Stephen Es- ties are yet to comment on the pinoza. cause of his death. The IBF champion faced the He moved to Australia from US media for the first time last his native South Africa in 2001, month, displaying his winning joining the Brumbies, and he went smile and wrecking ball fists at a on to spend five seasons with the New York press conference to Waratahs. His Test debut for Aus- promote the Klitschko fight on tralia came in 2002 and, after play- April 29, live on Sky Sports Box ing in a second World Cup in 2007, Office. he moved to England and spent A sold-out crowd of 90,000 three years earning a degree in land will flock to the national stadium economics at Cambridge Univer- for his upcoming showdown with sity. Klitschko and outside the ring, US During that time, Vickerman TV networks are still battling for played in two Varsity matches and the right to broadcast the two tow- also had a short stint with ering fighters. Northampton. Espinoza, the influential head He returned to Australia to of Showtime Sports, is 'optimis- continue his career with the Wara- tic' about agreeing a deal to dis- tahs and also forced his way back play Joshua's destructive power into Australia's side, securing a to the American public and believes place in their 2011 World Cup par- victory over Klitschko will en- ty. Vickerman made his final inter- hance his growing reputation. national appearance in the semi- "He's still a bit of an undis- final of that tournament and was covered quantity here in the US to forced to retire in 2012 after per- the general population," Espinoza sistent problems with stress frac- told Sky Sports. tures in his right leg. "Boxing fans are certainly well Australia Rugby Union chief aware of him. I think a mega fight executive Bill Pulver said: "The like Joshua-Klitschko will go a rugby world is in shock today af- long, long way toward building a ter news of the tragic passing of fan base here in the US. Dan Vickerman. "Knowing a little bit about "Dan was an uncompromising Anthony's background, his per- competitor who forged a wonder- sonality, he is engaging and charis- ful international rugby career de- matic, very likeable. I have no "Success in the US market re- get a taste of him. There are much the US," said Espinoza. "I think Anthony come through that one as the former undisputed heavy- spite a number of injury setbacks doubt that he will take well to the along the way. US market and vice versa." ally is no different than most of tougher jobs than breaking an ath- that's still the goal to make the US successfully, I think the attention weight king. Lennox Lewis was the other markets," said Espino- lete as unique as Anthony is." debut and fight once, possibly immediately turns to Deontay last British heavyweight to cap- "A much-loved character off Joshua signed a multi-fight deal the field. He cared deeply about with Showtime last summer and za. "It starts with elite perfor- America have their own twice here in the US. Wilder. "The good thing about a ture the attention of US fans "An- mance inside the ring. Anthony, in heavyweight world champion in "There is a ready-made oppo- potential Joshua-Wilder fight is thony's pedigree as an Olympic the game and the players, helping has since defended his title with players transition into life after crushing victories against Domin- the large part, has let his perfor- Deontay Wilder, the WBC title nent in Deontay Wilder and I think that both sides seem very, very in- gold medallist speaks for itself," mances speak for him and that's holder with a similar destructive the two of them will ultimately be terested. Matchroom and Antho- said Espinoza. "His professional- rugby in his role with (the players ic Breazeale and Eric Molina, two association) RUPA following his America-based challengers. really the best testament to the rare record, and he is the desired choice on a collision course. "I don't think ny have expressed interest, Deon- ism and humility in and out of the elite athlete that he is. of opponent for Joshua's US de- the end of 2017 or early 2018 is tay is very interested as well, and ring is very similar in many ways retirement. Vickerman spent the Only a rare breed of British majority of his club career with the fighters have made an impact Anthony Joshua insists there but. AJ-Wilder for all the belts too early, but time will tell. The stylistically I think it's a really in- to the way Lennox carried himself. is no need for trash talk ahead of Anthony Joshua-Deontay good thing about a potential teresting match-up." Not since "In many ways, that is a good role Waratahs Vickerman spent the ma- across the Atlantic, but with his jority of his club career with the perfect professional record of 18 world title fight "It's just a matter Wilder would be 'massive' with all Joshua-Wilder fight is that both Lennox Lewis, have any of Brit- model for him to aspire to, in terms of putting him in the right situa- world titles at stake, says Lou Di- sides seem very, very interested. ain's big men attempted to make of how he carries himself while he Waratahs knockouts, Joshua has already be- "Our thoughts and prayers are come the biggest name on these tions on television, in media, in Bella "The goal going into 2017 Stephen Espinoza "April 29 is a their name in America, and Joshua was in the spotlight and even af- person, so that people really will was to do at least one fight here in massive, massive fight, but should could soon follow the same path terwards." (SKYSPORTS) with Dan's family at this extreme- shores. ly difficult time." Further tributes poured in for Vickerman with former team-mate, and close friend, Phil Waugh say- ing: "We all have huge admiration for the guy that he was. Karolina Pliskova defeats Caroline "He's a guy that necessarily wasn't the loudest in the team, but had the most respect from every- one playing with him. There's so Wozniacki to win Qatar Open many positive memories of him on and off the field." Another former was a far tighter affair before Plisk- Wallaby, Matt Burke added: "Very ova ended the match as she had abrasive as a player but a great lad, begun it, by breaking Wozniacki's great tourist, a very good player serve. and was just one of the good lads Pliskova felt beating Serena that you enjoyed his company." Williams on the way to the US (SKYSPORTS) Open final last year was a turning point in her career, which has seen her add two WTA titles already in Haye vs Bellew: the opening six weeks of 2017 to bring her total haul to eight. David Haye in the After winning the Brisbane 'best shape of his International in January, she rose to third in the women's rankings, life' ahead of Tony while Wozniacki - a US Open fi- nalist in 2014 - is currently 18th. Bellew bout "I'm having a great start to the year, which is always important" David Haye says he is in the "best said Pliskova before receiving her shape of his life" after making "bor- trophy in Doha. ing, depressing training camps" a "Last year was a breakthrough. Warrington breathed new life into ter re-gathering the ball, set off for thing of the past. The former WBA (Reaching) the US Open final was the Dacia World Club Series with the line. Hunt brought him down a world heavyweight champion is my biggest result. It gave me a lot a magnificent performance to beat few yards short but the Broncos back in Britain after returning from of confidence." Wayne Bennett's Brisbane Bron- defence could not regroup in time his Miami training camp and will Wozniacki conceded Pliskova cos 27-18 at a euphoric Halliwell to prevent Brown dummying his put the finishing touches on his deserved her victory, but she said: Jones Stadium. way over from the play-the-ball. preparations for his clash against "I've been proud of how I've been The Broncos, who had beaten Patton kicked the first of his long-time rival Tony Bellew at the playing this week. I'm disappoint- Wigan in each of the previous two three conversions and added a pen- O2 Arena on March 4, live on Sky Karolina Pliskova stormed to her ed number two, took just under an and rarely looking back. ed with the loss, but Karolina has years, were the only NRL club alty to make it 8-0 before a neat Sports Box Office. Haye spent second WTA title of the year, beat- hour and 20 minutes to end the She took the first set comfort- been playing well. willing to join champions Cronul- pass from Brown got centre Ryan three-and-a-half years out of the ing Caroline Wozniacki 6-3 6-4 in former world No 1's hopes of a ably after racing into a 4-1 lead, "She deserved this one, but I'm la on the trip to England as Aus- Atkins through a chink in the Bris- ring due to injury, but returned in the Qatar Open in Doha on Satur- first success of 2017, breaking the dropping her serve just once in a going to try to get my revenge next tralian interest in the expanded se- bane defence for a second try on January 2016 under the tutelage day. The 24-year-old Czech, seed- Dane's serve in the opening game mid-set stumble. But the second time." (Sky Sports) ries waned following one-sided 13 minutes. of new trainer Shane McGuigan matches in 2016. It got even better for the and has since picked up victories But the Wolves, who pushed Wolves on 17 minutes when more over relative unknowns Mark de St George Illawarra close two crisp passing created the oppor- Mori and Arnold Gjergjaj. The 36- years ago, proudly flew the flag tunity for winger Matty Russell year-old, who split with former for Super League with a first win to finish strongly at the corner for coach Adam Booth in September in seven and set the scene for a third try and Patton's fourth goal 2014, believes methods used by Wigan to follow suit when they made it 20-0. McGuigan could have significant- take on the Sharks in Sunday's When they eventually got their ly helped him earlier in his career World Club Challenge. hands on the ball, Bennett's men and even prevented injury. Hero for Warrington was looked dangerous and pulled a scin- Haye says he is in the best former Widnes captain Kevin tillating try back on 25 minutes shape of his life ahead of his clash Gareth Bale made a goalscoring Fulham booking pts9 / 1Martin to tember 24. The game got under- lead when, unchallenged by David Brown, who was named man of when left winger Corey Oates pro- against Bellew "It's all about get- return from an ankle injury as he score, over 2.5 goals, Under 12 way with a relatively low tempo, Lopez, he rose to head Isco's cross the match for a superb debut in duced a spectacular dive at the cor- ting a good balance in life and I scored Real Madrid's second in a match corners and Under 40 match both sides enjoying large swathes from the right past former Real front of England head coach Ben- ner after accepting centre Jordan think I have found the perfect bal- comfortable 2-0 win over Espan- booking pts8 / 1BTTS, over 2.5 of possession before the first open- stopper Diego Lopez. nett in a World Cup year. Kahu's pass. ance for me at 36 years old. My yol on Saturday. goals, Under 12 match corners and ing almost 15 minutes into the Real went close to extending Warrington Wolves' Kevin Hunt added a touchline con- body is in the best condition it has Los Periquitos had not won at Wanyama to be carded8 / 1BTTS, game. their lead in the second half but Brown is congratulated on scoring version but Warrington struck ever been in and I am enjoying life, the Bernabeu since 1996, but 4+ corners each team and 20+ book- After running Oscar Duarte shots from Toni Kroos and his team's opening try again two minutes before half-time enjoying every day," he told Sky looked organised in the early stag- ing pts each team8 / 15+ corners ragged at the near post, Morata Casemiro flew over the bar, while Brown scored the game's first when left winger Tom Lineham Sports News HQ. "I look back at es of the game, though they went each team and 20+ booking pts bore down on goal; only the late a subdued Ronaldo saw a free-kick try and provided Warrington with squeezed over at the corner after what I used to do. At the time it behind when Alvaro Morata head- each team15 / 2BTTS, over 2.5 intervention of Diego Reyes en- blocked from an ideal position. the game management they sorely Atkins had been brought down felt very right, and it worked as I ed Isco's cross past David Lopez goals, 12+ match corners and 40+ sured the chance of an early open- Bale made his return to action lacked in their defeat by Catalans short of the line. won multiple world titles, but the in the 33rd minute. match booking pts7 / 1BTTS, over er from Real went begging. after 88 days out with an ankle Dragons in their Betfred Super Trailing 24-6 at the break, Bris- way I am doing things at the mo- Morata's goal put Real on top 2.5 goals, 6+ Fulham Corners and It proved to be the catalyst for injury in the 71st minute when he League opener. bane were right back in the game ment it could have been a lot easi- and they found themselves in an 40+ match booking pts15 / 2 Madrid to move up the gears, came on for Morata and the Welsh- The Wolves were still without within five minutes of the re-start er. Training camps could have been utterly dominant position, though The win sees Real stay at the though and although they momen- man wrapped up the victory sev- six senior players through injury, when centre James Roberts slipped a lot happier and I could have had they left it late to kill off the game La Liga summit, four points ahead tarily went down to 10 when Ma- en minutes from time. including skipper Chris Hill, but it the attempted tackle of Brown to fonder memories. "It was always - despite 13 corners being award- of closest rivals Barcelona, with a teo Kovacic felt the full force of Isco's intuitive pass into space hardly mattered as they rattled sprint 80 metres for a solo try di- boring and depressing and I was ed their way - when Bale picked game in hand. Pape Diop's head, they had the ball on the left was picked up by Bale, their star-studded opponents with rect from a scrum. Kahu added the injured constantly. There was a up Isco's pass on the left and fired Following the 3-1 Champions in the net just after the half hour who raced towards goal before his some aggressive defence and pro- goal to cut Warrington's lead to 12 kind of dark energy around it and home to confirm the three points. League victory over Napoli in mid- through Cristiano Ronaldo, whose shot travelled across Diego Lopez duced some exciting plays to score points but the Super League side they weren't happy times in my Tottenham to win, over 2.5 week, Zinedine Zidane opted to finish was swiftly chalked off for and into the far corner of the net; four tries to three to delight the were in no mood to relinquish their life. Book Haye vs Bellew online goals, 12+ match corners and 40+ leave Karim Benzema and Luka offside. Ronaldo had two penalty ap- 12,082 crowd. hard-earned spoils without a fight, You can book the Sky Sports Box match booking pts10 / 1Each team Modric out of his matchday squad. Real Madrid forward Alvaro peals - correctly - waved away by A perfect opening quarter be- which is precisely what happened Office event here... "When I look to take 3+ corners in each half10 / The Madrid boss also withdrew Morata (left) heads the opening referee Undiano Mallenco but gan when loose forward Joe Wes- when tempers became frayed on back at the Tony Bellew fight in 1Alli & Heung-Min Son to score, under-fire stopper, Keylor Navas, goal against Espanyol though he went without a goal, Real terman, the man tipped by Smith the hour, with referee Phil 10 years I want to think 'what an Tottenham to win and BTTS9 / instead opting to hand Kiko Casil- Just a minute later though, recorded their fourth straight La to impress Bennett, charged down Bentham forced to deliver a warn- amazing training camp we had'. 18+ Tottenham corners and 30+ la his first league start since Sep- Morata headed the hosts into the Liga win. (Sky Sports) a Ben Hunt clearance kick and, af- ing to the captains. (Sky Sports) (Sky Sports) MONDAY. FEBRUARY 20. 2017-Hoot 02, 1395 H.S Vol:XI Issue No: 201 Price: Afs.20

The Envoy:From Kabul to the White House, My Journey Through a Turbulent World In a SVTC meeting with Pres- to stand up to Iran’s violence of ident Bush, I described what Iran Iraqi sovereignty. was doing and how harmful it was A similar action took place in to the prospects for success. the KRG when we learned that “We’re being patsies!” I finally Quds Force officers were crossing exclaimed in exasperation. After the border. Casey and I authorized Law enforcement personnel in Pa- thinking for a few seconds, the a raid, captured part of the group, kistan’s Punjab province have con- president instructed me and Ca- and arrested and interrogated the sey to “do something about it.” Iranians. firmed the arrest of at least 205 Casey and I decide to target I took up the issue with Tala- Afghan nationals, in the last 24 Quds Forces Offices when they bani, who had recently met with hours, following a province-wide traveled to my aide Ali Khedery Soleimani in a village near the bor- search and sweep operation. The called in the middle of the night. A der. “Iraqis are being too deferen- provincial counter-terrorism de- senior Quds Force officer was go- tial to Iran,” I told him. “It is inap- partment (CTD) has said that ing to be staying at Hakim’s resi- propriate for you, the president these men were on a mission to dence. The military wanted guid- of Iraq, to be meeting clandestine- perpetrate ‘terror’ in Pakistan. ance on whether to raid the SCIRI ly with an Iranian intelligence of- Pakistan-backed Taliban has leader’s house. This presented a ficer.” created havoc in Afghanistan. Vio- dilemma. While it would create a Talabani explained that Sole- lence and economic deterioration major diplomatic incident, it imani did not want to come to in Afghanistan has forced thou- would also send a strong message. Baghdad because he was afraid that sands of refugees to flee to Paki- When Casey and I learned that the he might be arrested. “Ambassador Khalilzad’s phone.” stan in search of jobs, medical care officer would be staying not in For the reminder of my ten- out political counselor Margaret and shelter. They continue to live Hakim’shouse proper but in an- ure, Quds Force operatives no Scoby, assuming it was me, in poorly maintained camps along other building in the compound, longer blatantly traveled into the launched into her report: “Sir, I am the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. we authorized the raid. The oper- country to conduct consultation here with the prime minster, and Pakistan has repeatedly vio- ation went forward without a hitch. and join planning. I am convinced they want to move ahead with Sad- lated international conventions on Coalition forces arrested the Quds that if we had combined diplomat- dam’s execution. We’re pushing treatment of refugees. Pakistan Force officer and took him in for ic engagement with forcible actions back but they are insisting that they army, Amnesty International says, interrogation. we could have shaped Iran’s med- will move forward within the next has unlawfully detained, tortured, Hakim was outraged, com- dling decisively. hour. We need guidance from you, plaining that coalition forces had THE CYCLE OF sectarian vi- sir.” Shocked, Alex and Max rushed deported and killed refugees from violence his home. olence escalated in the fall of 2006, Afghanistan in the past and con- to wake me up. After I heard out his com- faster than we could respond. I felt I asked for Maliki. After he tinues to do so. Pakistani authori- plaints, I decided to toy with him physically sickened at times by confirmed the report, I said, “You ties have carried out a campaign of at first. “Technically,” I noted, reports of what Iraqis were doing are the leader of a Muslim coun- abuses and threats to drive out 40 Daesh terrorists killed in Nangarhar “this was not your home-it was a to other Iraqis. I received regular try. Usually, a leader releases pris- nearly 600,000 Afghans since July AT News Report bomb explosion in Nangarhar. a bomb they were making went separate building on your com- briefings about Iraqis being tor- oners, as a show of mercy, on the 2016, Human Rights Watch has Ministry of Interior (MoI) in off. The incident took place while pound.” tured with drills, burning, and beat- occasion of Eid. Do you really said in a report released in Febru- KABUL: At least 40 fighters loy- a statement said that six Daesh ter- they were planting a roadside This elicited an even angrier ings. Family members who went want to hang a former head of state ary 2016. al to the Daesh (Islamic State) ter- rorists including a key member of bomb in Bandar village of Koot response. He demanded that the to collect the bodies of their loved on that holiday?” “There is no doubt that these rorist network were killed during the fighters group named Shakir district in eastern Nangarhar prov- United States never again take ac- ones would, in turn, be detained, Maliki claimed he had reports are people living in desperate situ- operations in eastern Nangarhar known as Wrak were killed when ince. tions that disrespected him in this tortured, and killed. The level of that terrorist planned to seize a ations and they are not there out province within past 24 hours. way. brutality in Afghanistan had not school, hold the children hostage, of their own will. It is because of I then moved toward him and even remotely prepared me for and demand Saddam’s release. He the situation in Afghanistan and it A statement issued by the said, “You are a powerful political what was awaiting us in Iraq. also stated to nitpick with me about is our duty to ensure that they live provincial press office, said that leader in Iraq. You are no longer an Even the way the execution of when Eid actually began, based on as comfortably as we can make these fighters were killed during opposition leader in need of Irani- Saddam was carried out in Decem- the Shia calendar. them live,” said Imran Khan, chair- air and ground operations in Has- an support for your existence and ber 2006 showed the depth of the “Don’t play those kinds of man of Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf ka Mina districts. for your political survival in the sectarian problem. games with me,” I responded. (PTI) party, in July 2016. The statement said that 16 face of Saddam’s brutality.” The timing and circumstances “You’re the prime minister of Iraq Though Khan accepted that Daesh fighters were wounded The Iraqi government then almost seemed designed to inflame and have the authority to make this during operations. formally raised the matter with us. sectarian tensions. decision.” I counseled him to think these refugees live in desperate Foreign Minister Zebari protest- I was in Dubai at the time, and conditions, he did not move away “Seven Daesh were arrested things over while I consulted with ed that the Iranians were in Iraq the last few days had been a whirl- Washington. from Pakistan Army’s line of ac- by Afghan forces in the district legally, on diplomatic business. wind. The plan was for my family I spoke with Rice and Hadley. cusing them of carrying out terror as well,” added statement. “Since the Iranians were here to meet me in Dubai for Christmas We went back and forth about attacks in Pakistan. Blaming India Most of the killed and on diplomatic business,” I replied, break. All of us had bad colds, me what to do. and Afghanistan for anything that wounded fighters were foreign- “you must have a diplomatic note. worst of all. I had gone to bed In the end, I was told that the goes wrong in Pakistan, from sea- ers, mentioned the statement. Could I see it? Could I see the vi- early, only to be awakened a few United States should respect Ma- sonal floods to terror attacks, has On the other hand, six Daesh sas?” hours later by an agitated Alex. My liki’s authority. become a norm in the country. terrorists were killed by their own I then told Zebari in forceful phone had been ringing wildly, and (Swarajya) terms that the Iraqi government had he had finally picked it up and said, To be continued