Eye on the News [email protected] Truthful, Factual and Unbiased Vol:XI Issue No:255 Price: Afs.20

www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes TUESDAY . APRIL 18. 2017 -Hamal 29, 1396 HS

Dubbed the “Mother Of All they continue this militant ap- Bombs”, the device can devastate proach, this heavy-handed military the area around its landing of a ra- approach in Afghanistan, then of dius of more than one mile (1.6km). course I want them out of the coun- “This was an inhuman act, a try.” The massive bomb was brutal act against an innocent coun- dropped after fighting intensified try, against innocent people, over the past week and US-backed against our land, against our sov- ground forces struggled to advance ereignty, against our soil and against on the area. A US soldier was killed our future,” Karzai said in Kabul. on April 8 in Nangarhar while con- “A bomb of that magnitude has ducting operations against ISIL, consequences for the environment, which stands for Islamic State of for our lives, for our plants, for Iraq and the Levant, and is also our water, for our soil - this is poi- known as ISIS. Karzai said he was son.”At least 90 ISIL fighters were speaking up because many Afghan killed in the attack, according to officials - some of whom were part the US and Afghan armies. For the of his own cabinet - had endorsed most part, Afghan officials wel- the bombing. “I considered it a comed the bombing, saying it was treason and I stood up against a step towards security. They have them, and I will continue,” he said. US protesters have staged a dem- just destroying the lives of indi- also said that there were no civil- “This poison will be there for years onstration in the capital Washing- vidual people, it’s also destroying ian casualties. But Karzai, who and years to come. How can we ton to denounce last week’s use of Afghanistan’s land, which is need- was president from 2004 until allow our country to be used this the largest non-nuclear bomb in ed for livelihood and sustenance,” 2014, said the US should stop us- way and why? How many [ISIL Afghanistan and other US military one speaker said. “So when the ing Afghanistan as a “testing fighters] have they killed, 100, 200, interventions around the world. media continues to say that they KABUL: An attack that saw the try’s sovereignty, Hamid Karzai, was unleashed in combat for the ground” and re-engage with Af- 300? “Why should Afghanistan The crowd gathered in front dropped the bomb in the middle United States drop the largest non- former president, has told Al first time on Thursday, targeting a ghans towards a peaceful solution. suffer in such a massive way with of the White House on Sunday, of nowhere, please make sure you nuclear bomb on Afghanistan was Jazeera. complex of caves and tunnels used If these conditions are met, he a bomb so big, so dangerous that shouting slogans and carrying plac- reject that narrative, it is dehuman- a “brutal act” against Afghan peo- The 9,797kg GBU-43 Mas- by ISIL fighters in Nangarhar prov- said, “they [US] can stay on - if they themselves call it the ‘moth- ards, as well as staging a die-in, to izing.” The rally was the latest in a ple, the environment and the coun- sive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) ince, according the US army. the Afghan people agree to it. If er of all bombs’. express their anger at the adminis- series of protests since the US tration of President Donald Trump military dropped the GBU-43/B for escalating the already protract- Massive Ordnance Air Blast ed war in Afghanistan.Several Af- (MOAB), dubbed the “mother of Pakistani army ghan Americans also delivered all bombs”, on suspected Daesh short speeches during the rally to (ISIL) hideouts in Afghanistan’s begins fencing warn that US forces are destroy- Nangarhar Province, killing nearly ing Afghanistan and “dehumaniz- a hundred people, whom the US border with ing” its people. “This bomb is not alleges were all militants...P2 Afghanistan Pakistani military has started fenc- “Hideouts of terrorists ing its over 1,600-mile (2,575-ki- lometer) long border with neigh- boring Afghanistan on the pretext are outside” of containing cross border move- ment of terrorists -- a move that National Movement of Afghanistan reacts Kabul has slammed. Addressing a over use of ‘mother of all bombs’ on Achin U.S President Donald Trump’s na- including Afghan-America rela- press conference in the garrison tional security advisor H.R Mc- tions, the fight against terrorism, city of Rawalpindi Monday, mili- AT News Report who has given birth Daesh terror- Master has called on the leaders of regional issues, and the economic tary spokesman Maj. Gen. Asif ists, the statement added. The the National Unity Government and development situation in the Ghafoor said the army was already KABUL: Since the US-led inter- Daesh terrorists in Afghanistan are (NUG) to take firm steps against country. NUG leaders have said engaged in fencing a 100-kilometer national coalition started bombard- not those who are in Syria and Iraq. endemic corruption in the country. that McMaster will brief the White (161-mile) patch of the border be- ment Afghan villages, Afghan na- They are the barbaric soldiers of The U.S expects the NUG to t ke House about the situation in Af- tween northeastern Afghanistan tion has been shouting that the Pakistan’s military and intelligence firm action against corruption, CEO ghanistan on the basis of which the and Pakistan’s Bajur and Khyber roots of al-Qaeda and other terror- that have disguised to destroy and Abdullah Abdullah quoted McMas- US will outline its long term pro- Agency tribal regions. “Pakistan’s ist groups are outside Afghanistan, burn our country and the respon- ter on Monday as saying. “One of gram for Afghanistan. While in [northwestern] Khyber Pakh- but the international troops are not sibility goes to the Daesh terror- the key elements which has weak- Kabul, McMaster also reiterated tunkhawa province shares over 700 listening to the people’s calls. The ists who are based in Iraq and Syr- ened the system and our capacities Washington’s commitment to co- kilometers [435 miles] border with al-Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden ia, it added. The international com- is unfortunately the issue of cor- operating with Afghanistan. The Afghanistan, which will be fenced was found near Pakistan’s nuclear munity should be wise to find out ruption,” said Abdullah. Mean- other important message conveyed in the first phase. “In the second installations, the National Move- the sources of microbes. Political while, Sayed Ghulam Hussain Fa- by McMaster was that the U.S phase, the border between [south- ment of Afghanistan said in a state- wisdom and basic treatment of war khri, chairman of the High Office of will not allow Afghanistan to be- western] Balochistan province and ment on Monday. The Daesh ter- requires that the mother of bombs Oversight and Anti-Corruption come a safe haven for terrorists. [southern] Afghanistan will be rorist group was born after the al- should be used on Pakistan’s nu- (HOOAC), has said that ongoing “The main point on which the two fenced,” Ghafoor said. Shakib Qaeda with such brutal acts that clear installations and bases of its efforts by government to combat sides agreed was on the resolve of Mustaghni, Afghan Ministry of the world was surprised. Daesh, army and intelligence because they corruption were not enough to com- Afghanistan and the United States Foreign Affairs spokesman, said on al-Qaeda and other enemies of Af- are the main centers of the real and bat the trend in the country. He sug- in their war against terrorism, and Monday Pakistan has no right to ghanistan’s development and civi- fake Daesh terrorists, the statement gested more comprehensive strate- detailed discussions were held in make such unilateral moves, insist- lization were all born and trained added. Such attacks in which five By Farhad Naibkhel gies be forged to tackle the prob- this respect,” said presidential ing that only people living on both in Pakistan and have been sent to or ten Daesh terrorists are killed strike in Achin, a meeting has been lem. “War against corruption must spokesman Shahhussain Murtaza- sides of the line have the right to Afghanistan. Now that the Amer- and more than that our villages are KABUL: Members of the Wolesi set in Moscow over peace process continue consistently and it should wi. Meanwhile, a number of polit- decide their fate. Downplaying icans drop the mother of all bombs damaged is in Pakistan’s favor, Jirga (Lower House) of Parliament in Afghanistan, where USA must be separate from politics,” said Fa- ical experts stressed the need for Kabul’s opposition to the move, on Achin district under the pretext unless the US realizes the facts and on Monday react against US-forc- send a delegation, but USA used khri. McMaster, who arrived in continued financial and military the Pakistani military spokesman of eliminating Daesh, could have carries out these attacks on the es airstrike in Achin district of east- the biggest bomb in Afghanistan, Kabul early Sunday, met with NUG aid to Afghan security forces and said Pakistan was fencing the bor- been a tool to temporarily remove center of corruption (Pakistan). ern Nangarhar province. Gen. John he noted. He urged all parliamen- leaders and high-ranking officials, for the need to hit terrorist hide- der from its own territory, not the Daesh terrorists, but the mother This will give a pretext to Afghan- Nicholson Commander for NATO tarians not to be used as tools and and discussed a number of issues outs and safe havens. Afghan side. (AA) of bombs could be used on a mother istan’s another rival...P2 and RS recently said that US forc- Afghanistan should not be as lab- es Afghanistan conducted an air- oratories for weapon testing. strike against ISIS-Khorasan com- Maulavi Tarakhil another Law- plex in Achin district Nangarhar maker, while criticizing US air- province on Thursday and target- strike in Achin district, said that 7 militants killed ed Daesh hideout by GBU43 the based on information no Daesh has biggest un-nuclear bomb said Ac- been killed in the attack. He said cording to report at least 94 Daesh that this is a kind of seduce and in Ghazni raid fighters including four command- plot and oppression is in progress ers were killed in airstrike in Achin over Afghanistan. Maulavi Shahza- GHAZNI CITY : At least seven Afghan forces. The group’s district on Thursday evening. At da Shahid legislator said that drop- Taliban have been killed and five spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid the same time this attack had dif- ping biggest bomb is not a simple others wounded during an opera- said six policemen and three Tali- ferent positive and negative reac- issue. He said that a delegation tion in Dahyak district of south- ban fighters were killed and a num- tion inside the country and in must assess the outcome of the ern Ghazni province, security of- ber of security forces wounded in abroad. “Taliban and Deash are airstrike to find out, weather it was ficial said on Monday. Mohammad the clash. Two days ago, 11 mili- plots for destroying our country,” useful or not, it was for the dis- Hanif Rezaee, spokesman for tants were killed and eight others RIYADH : Russia may assist Af- said member of the Wolesi Jirga trust of government and by using 203rd Thunder Military Corps wounded in the same area during a ghanistan in preparing staff for Abdul Sattar Khawasi. He said of this bomb ant-government in- told Pajhwok Afghan News that clash with security forces. the country's army and police, Il- that based on witness till date it is surgents will decrease or not. Af- security targeted the Taliban in (Pajhwok) yas Umakhanov, deputy speaker not clear, who were killed during ghanistan history has revealed that Sulaimanzi area of the district on of the Russian parliament's upper the biggest bombing attack in using of power won’t bring peace, Sunday night. “The militants were chamber, said on Sunday. Achin district. He stated that USA he added. He said that those who making a plot against the Afghan "I admit that such a form of and Russia competing in Afghani- killed Afghans and conducting sui- forces during a meeting when came cooperation between our countries stan, but Afghan people are the cide attack must be targeted, but under attack,” he said. Seven rebels may exist, because we are talking victims. The USA intentionally through perfect operations. Mean- were killed and five others wound- about countering terrorism, ex- plans to involve Russia in Afghan- while first Deputy for the Wolesi ed in the raid, Rezaee said. Abdul- tremism, in the end. And this is port to Afghanistan in training staff speaker Valentina Matvienko, is on istan and change it to an insecurity Jirga said that Parliament made lah, an inhabitant of the locality what all the countries are interest- for countering drag trafficking, not- a visit to Saudi Arabia on April 15- country like Syria. There is no decision to send a mix delegation said he had heard heavy weapons ed in," Umakhanov told reporters, ing that there were certain agree- 17 to hold meetings with the coun- sovereignty in Afghanistan to pre- from Defense, Internal Security, explosions last night. He also said answering a corresponding ques- ments on the issue between for- try's top officials and discuss a vent using of such bombs, which environment committees and gov- that Taliban were gathered in a tion. eign and interior ministries. wide range of issues, such as ter- will have negative outcomes in fu- ernment to assess the attack its meeting when came under attack. The deputy speaker noted that A delegation of Russian upper rorism fight and bilateral coopera- ture, he added. On the day of air- effect and side effects in the area. Taliban confirmed the fight with Russia had already provided sup- house lawmakers, headed by tion. (SPUTNIKNEWS) TUESDAY .APRIL 18, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

writer who published her first novel ing her and blocking her way at because people will start rumors last year. A mother of two teenag- night. “Then the police station because you are a divorced wom- ers, she has been divorced for about deputy became my problem,” she an and people will think that we a decade. “But when people find said. “He called me every week and have a relationship.” out that I am divorced — I feel like asked: ‘Where are you? Are you at Ms. Saghari, the television an- a divorced woman is up for grabs home? I want to come to your chor, was harassed often — by her for the men around her.” home to have tea together.’ Some- apartment building attendant, col- Ms. Yaganah, right, spoke times at midnight, he would call leagues, social media users. When with Fatima Qasemi, left, who me and say: ‘Is there any prob- she turned down the men, they serves in the Afghan National Po- lem? If there is anything, I will quickly made up their own rea- lice Special Forces, and Gulab Hi- come.’” sons. aidari, a nurse, at an International She changed both her cell- “They would say ‘she is a les- Women’s Day event in March in phone and house numbers. bian,’ or that ‘she is feminist; all Kabul. Ms. Qasemi said of Ms. Ms. Yaganah said her divorced feminists are like this — they do Yaganah: “She inspires us; she is a status followed her everywhere, not have sexual needs,’” Ms. brave woman. We want to be like from the office to her apartment Saghari said. her.” Credit Erin Trieb for The block, with men thinking that she Perhaps the biggest challenge New York Times was an easy target. for divorced women like Ms. Ya- Much of the harassment be- Ms. Yaganah in her apartment ganah and Ms. Saghari is navigat- gins in government offices. One in Kabul. As a divorced woman, ing the neighborhoods they live in. woman who turned to the govern- she said, many men consider her They have to constantly find a ment after exhausting traditional an easy target. Credit Erin Trieb balance: fend off advances from means to separate from her hus- for The New York Times male neighbors, yet go out of their band said the government lawyers “As a divorced woman,” she way to declare their male visitors became one of her biggest head- said, “to them you are a thing — to avoid rumors. aches. like a pot without a cover.” When Ms. Yaganah has male She was being abused by her Men have approached her pri- guests over, she feels obliged to husband, and she had the physical vately. Married senior officials knock on neighbors’ doors with wounds to show it. At first, the have invited her on foreign trips. some excuse — to borrow addi- government lawyer assigned to her, Two years ago, after a celebration tional teacups, for instance — to a man in his 60s, asked for a bribe. for International Women’s Day at be transparent about her visitors. She decided to pay for his phone her office, a male colleague she had When her brother or other close credit and gas for his car. Then, worked with only for three days relatives visit with their children, even after she got her divorce and started sending her text messages. she shows them off to signal, she her husband was sentenced to “He told me that, ‘Your dress says, that she is a decent family three years in prison, the lawyer was beautiful. Let’s we two have a woman. Even though renting a would not stop calling. celebration together tonight, and be home remains a major hurdle be- “Sometimes, he would call me with me all the night,’” Ms. Yaga- cause landlords require a man to at 1 a.m. or 3 a.m. and say, ‘You nah said. “I was in shock for three sign, Ms. Yaganah has had a break- KABUL: To escape an abusive When she wanted to rent an who formally initiate divorce to its executive director, Mahfuza forgot how good I was to you,’” days.” through. “This year, I have an marriage, Wida Saghari struggled apartment, Ms. Saghari had to lie could be as high as fivefold over Folad. In 2016 alone, another or- recalled the woman, who spoke on At public social gatherings, achievement: I signed the lease for five years to finalize a divorce. about being divorced, say that her the past decade. ganization, Medica Afghanistan, the condition of anonymity be- however, her closest male friends myself for the first time,” she said. When it was done, she thought, husband was away and take her Tell Us About Divorce in Your provided legal help to about 215 cause she has since remarried and keep their distance. “But I told the owner of the house finally, she could get some peace. brother to sign the lease. Many Community We’d like to hear from women seeking divorce in western fears the public stigma that could “Sometimes when they see me, that my husband went to Germa- Instead, she had stepped into a times, landlords refused to rent to women around the world who have Herat Province, according to its come from revealing what she went they ignore me or just say hi from ny as refugee — I did not tell him different kind of hell. her, fearing that the apartment grappled with the decision to di- provincial director, Jamila Naseri. through. afar,” she said. “Then they write that I was divorced.” Ms. Saghari, 31, a mother of would become, as Ms. Saghari put vorce or stay in an unhappy mar- Men, said Ms. Folad, “are The Interpreter Newsletter me that we did not come to you (NYTIMES) two who has worked for years as it, “a brothel.” riage. “Earlier, when I started at used to the old lifestyle, so now Understand the world with a television host, found that nei- Her story is not unique. As the family court, we would receive they cannot tolerate that women sharp insight and commentary on ther Afghan society nor the gov- women in Afghanistan, particular- seven to eight divorce and separa- can stand against them.” the major news stories of the ernment sees young divorced ly in urban centers, have increas- tion cases per week,” said Rahima If women “stand and ask their week.Enter your email address women as adults who can func- ingly asserted their rights over the Rezaee, a senior Afghan judge who rights,” she added, “men think it is Receive occasional updates tion independently of men. past 15 years, many husbands have led the family court from 2006 to shamelessness and think that they and special offers for The New And women also confront not caught up or never get on board 2016. Since she has left, Judge do not have authority on women, York Times's products and servic- persistent harassment, much of it with the changes. The slow pace Rezaee said, “we’ve received sev- and there the problem starts.” es. insinuative or sexual, beginning of shedding entrenched misogyny en to eight cases per day.” The most dangerous time for “Other times, he would call even during the divorce proceed- has led to a clash of values at home. “We are optimistic because women may be when they seek to and say, ‘The weather is good; let’s ings. “You are like a piece of china And women often realize there is now women have come out from leave, but they also face a perva- go out,’ or he would give me the that everyone, every minute, can no option but to part ways. behind the house walls and ask sive and persistent social struggle address of his house and say he hit to the ground to break you,” Afghan officials could not pro- their rights, and now they know after divorce: The most mundane had a big house and he was alone.” Ms. Saghari said. vide exact numbers on divorces how to ask their rights and from activities become daunting obsta- The predatory behavior be- Continue reading the main sto- initiated by women, as is the case where,” Judge Rezaee said. cles. Often, the easiest way is to came so overbearing that as soon ry When she needed government with most statistics in the coun- Since 2009, one nongovern- hide the fact that they are divorced. as her case was settled, she quick- identifications for her children, the try. Most marriages are traditional mental organization, Justice for All, “I did not tell anyone about ly got married again. clerk never asked about her rela- and not registered in courts. But has provided legal advice to about my status — sometimes, I told Ms. Yaganah recalled that in tionship to them but kept inquir- some officials suggested that the 1,250 women seeking divorce them my husband is in Iran,” said 2013, she had to go to the police ing, “Where is their father?” increase in the number of women across seven provinces, according Zahra Yaganah, 32, an activist and to report a man who was harass- He could have beaten his wife in Afghanistan, Protesters slam ‘mother of all bombs’ during... but here she fought back and lost her kids ...P1 The MOAB weighs about 22,000 pounds (10,000 kg) and is the most powerful non-nuclear weapon ever designed. It was developed Basira Haidari arrived in Sacramen- vices. She didn’t know she would in the house,” said Basira. “Their As far as arranged marriages went, salary in Afghanistan. He now during the US war on Iraq and is intended to target large below-surface to three years ago from Afghani- lose the custody of her children. husbands tell their wives, ‘Don’t it was a progressive union. Basira’s works as a Lyft driver and has other areas. The Pentagon says this is the first time the enormous convention- stan and vowed to stand up to her Afghan woman battles domes- go to Basira,’ or maybe they’ll lose family didn’t ask for any dowry. odd jobs. Jaffar Samadi, 42, came al bomb has been used in combat. Although President Ashraf Ghani husband if he abused her. That tic violence, patriarchal culture their kids too. “I only saw him twice before to Sacramento two years ago from supported the move, many Afghan officials condemned the attack, slam- pledge broke her family apart. Her struggle to regain that cus- Basira’s longtime next door our wedding day but liked him be- Afghanistan, and he, too, learned ming the US for using their country as a testing ground for new and Basira had watched women in tody has called attention to what neighbor in Skyview Villa, Faisal cause he was educated,” she said. that his experiences had not pre- dangerous weapons. US National Security Advisor H.R McMaster ar- Kabul beaten or even killed for has long been unspoken – cultur- Razmal, was aware of the fights “When he saw me, he said, ‘I can’t pared him for his new country. rived in the capital Kabul on Sunday to hold “very important talks on speaking their minds or marrying ally sanctioned domestic violence between Basira and Omid and the believe how beautiful my wife is.’ Samadi had worked with U.S. forc- mutual cooperation.” It was McMaster’s first visit to the country as the person they chose. She want- in the homes of Afghan refugees friction they caused elsewhere. ” es as an interpreter for seven years Trump’s envoy. Trump announced on Wednesday he was sending Mc- ed to take advantage of her new living in Northern California. “I told my wife not to call A thousand people attended and won a Special Immigrant Visa. Master to Afghanistan to assess the situation for US troops on the freedoms in the U.S. but was un- Sacramento County is among Basira anymore because she’s a their wedding. Omid, the son of a But in California, he could not feed ground. Afghanistan is still suffering from insecurity and violence years familiar with the rules here. the most popular destinations for troublemaker,” Razmal said. “Ev- mechanic and a school teacher, was his family. after the United States and its allies invaded the country in 2001 as part Sitting in a child-size chair Afghan refugees in the U.S., espe- erywhere, people are talking about Basira’s ticket out of Afghanistan. “We didn’t know where to get of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The military invasion removed with her daughter Raheel nearby, cially for those who worked with Basira.” About a year later, he was our food or how to cross the the Taliban from power, but the militancy continues to this day. Basira Haidari in October attends U.S. forces. A gaping cultural dis- A history of violence granted a Special Immigrant Visa streets,” he said. “I had a lot of (PressTV) ESL classes at Dyer-Kelly Ele- connect has emerged between their Basira first witnessed family for interpreters, guides and others problems.” mentary School in Sacramento. understanding of what is permit- violence against women as a girl. who had aided the U.S. military. Many Afghan men who were Basira said she first witnessed fam- ted between husbands and wives She was Basira Alam then, and On Feb. 19, 2014, the couple doctors or engineers now must ily violence against women as a in Afghanistan and what U.S. laws said when she was 4, her 13-year- moved to their new home in Sacra- work as security guards or clerks. child and has resisted becoming a allow, said marriage and family ther- old sister Rahima was forced to mento County, the destination of Feelings of inadequacy are com- “Hideouts of terrorists victim of it. apist Homeyra Ghaffari. marry a distant relative, a member roughly 3,800 Iraqis and Afghans mon, as are bursts of frustration. Sitting in a child-size chair Ghaffari is an Iranian immi- of a militant Taliban group. He with SIVs since 2008, by far the In a fit of anger, Samadi said, with her daughter Raheel nearby, grant who speaks Basira’s native moved her sister to the mountains highest number of any county in he wrote an email to the resettle- are outside” Basira Haidari in October attends Dari dialect and has become a life- of northern Afghanistan where California and more than the total ment agency threatening to kill ...P1 (Russia) to drop the father of er and father of bombs on the ESL classes at Dyer-Kelly Ele- line for more than 30 Afghan refu- they had three children together. in 47 states. himself and his family if he didn’t all bombs. What is born from the mother of Afghanistan’s adversity mentary School in Sacramento. gees in the Sacramento area coping One of them was committed to Most of those men supported get help. Samadi and his wife, Ba- use of mother of bombs and father (Pakistan) and wait if it gets re- Basira said she first witnessed fam- with emotional challenges ranging marry another member of the Tal- U.S. forces in some of the war’s tool Moshref, 42, were referred to of bombs is destruction, it added. sults, it added. If the US had given ily violence against women as a from domestic strife to post-trau- iban in exchange for money when most dangerous battles. They are Ghaffari. She now meets with each The major enemies of Daesh (the bombs to Afghan security forces, child and has resisted becoming a matic stress disorder brought on she was only 10 days old, Basira also products of a culture that of- of them individually for weekly US and Russia) should be told that they were able to not only drive victim of it. Renee C. Byer by decades of war. She said she said. ten considers women the proper- counseling. they used millions of tons of bombs back real and fake Daesh fighters [email protected] often bounces from one crisis to Rahima returned home seek- ty of their husbands and, in some “We come from a country in Afghanistan during the 26-year from Afghan villages, but could She and her husband Omid another trying to resolve family ing a divorce, and her husband fol- cases, justifies so-called honor kill- where there is no law written long war, but neither the Russians push them from Atak (an area in moved to a Skyview Villa apart- disputes and explain American lowed, looking for her. Unable to ings of women for disobeying their down, and if it is, it’s never ap- nor the Americans succeeded, it add- Pakistan that belongs to Afghan ment in Arden Arcade with their laws. find his wife, he attacked her moth- husbands or families. plied,” Samadi said. “The only way ed. They are asked to use the moth- territory). We hope that comes! daughter Raheel. She gave birth to “(The wife’s) assumption was er. “He nearly stomped her to In February, police in the Tal- you can survive is through power her son Subhan about two years as long as he’s not touching their death and cut her stomach open iban-controlled far eastern Afghan and aggression. Our ways have no later. As she had feared, arguments kids, they’re safe,” Ghaffari said. from her belly button to her chest,” province of Nuristan arrested an application here.” Iranian knowledge-based firms with Omid turned physical, and “They’re coming from a culture Basira said. She displayed a pic- 18-year-old married woman after In Afghanistan, after a man he recalled they often argued about that has always taught men to ture of her battered mother on her she was caught running away with asks for a woman to marry him, he to attend Afghan Plast Expo little things. On Jan. 22, he said, dominate women, and Omid’s a cellphone. her lover. According to news ac- is expected to pay a huge dowry, his wife took $300 from his wallet victim as much as Basira.” “There was blood every- counts, a mob of 300 demanded including the cost of the wedding. TEHRANThe first international try by attracting investors, manu- without asking him. He confront- Omid, 25, and Basira, 23, are where,” she said. “She was in a the police hand over the couple. “By the time they’re married, the plastic industry exhibition of Afghan- facturers and experts of the said ed her and slapped her in the face, now living apart because of a tem- coma.” The woman’s brothers killed her, man has paid so much he thinks he istan (Afghan Plast) will be held in industry. The platform is the deci- he said. She hit him back. porary restraining order she won Her sister’s husband was im- and her husband executed her lov- owns her,” Samadi said. “I had a Kabul on May 2-5 with presence of sive moment in shaping the Af- “She was trying to make me against her husband. She has re- prisoned, but his family didn’t re- er. Basira recalled that when she core belief that my wife is my prop- Iranian knowledge-based companies. ghanistan plastic industry on mod- stop and I was trying to make her sisted being a victim. Basira be- lent. His father threatened to blow asked her dad why he didn’t inter- erty and she does what I say.” In the same line, Iranian Vice-Presi- ern and standard lines providing stop shouting,” he said. “Because came a symbol of resolve for her up Basira’s house and kill their vene in her sister’s troubled mar- The financial pressure took a dency for Science and Technology market expansion opportunities to we are humans, we all make mis- neighbors in Skyview Villa, where family, she said. riage, he answered, “If I don’t mar- toll on Basira and Omid. Omid will support will support knowledge- all the participants of the plastic takes. Everybody has anger.” about 50 other Afghan families Basira vowed to never let that ry her (off), the Taliban is going to came home from working the based companies wager to take part industry such as production ma- The fighting escalated. The have settled. She urged other Af- same fate befall her. come to my home and kill us.” New graveyard shift as a contractor at at the international exposition. As chines traders & installers, raw next day, she called 911 for help. ghan women in the area to report She learned English to help country, new expectations In Af- the Apple plant in south Sacra- such, the body has agreed to under- material producers and suppliers, She didn’t know how to get a re- domestic violence to the police. find a better job in Afghanistan or ghanistan, Omid studied comput- mento, and fought with Basira be- take up to 70 per cent of the costs finished products manufacturers straining order against her hus- Her Facebook name is “Moon overseas, and studied taekwondo. er science in college and took a job cause she asked him to watch their for booth space rental, construction and traders, industry specific ex- band. She didn’t know her case Brave.” At 18, Basira accepted an ar- as an interpreter with the U.S. two young children so that she of exhibition booths as well as trans- perts and consultants in addition would be turned over to Sacramen- “I know some families that ranged marriage to Omid Haidari a Marines for $600 a month, more could do the shopping or attend port. The event aims to give lift and to industry specific packaging to County Child Protective Ser- beat their kids and lock their wives translator for U.S. military forces. than 30 times the average monthly English classes. (SACBEE.) boom to the domestic plastic indus- firms among the others. TUESDAY .APRIL 18, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Some Uruzgan police without salaries for 8 months

EMERGENCY CALLS Police

She says that the investment 100 - 119 was aimed to hire female workers, train them and produce quality products for local markets. Hospitals “The lack of access to market- ing is one of the biggest problems FMIC Hospital for us, because we cannot sell our Behind Kabul Medical products on the local markets,” she said. Rahima has hired over 70 fe- University: male workers at her company 0202500200-+93793275595 where they work in different fields such polishing of the gemstones, carpet weaving and cosmetics. Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital These women have said they Pule Bagh-e- Umomi have learnt many skills over a short 070263672 period of time while at Rahima’s TIRINKOT : Police in central jhwok Afghan News they had ap- company. Uruzgan province complain they proached the authorities concerned “Our expectation is that with have not received salaries for the several times seeking their salaries, Khairkhana Hospital government help we can build more past eight months, making it hard but could not elicit a positive re- companies so that women can for them to meet family and other sponse. 0799-321007 work and earn money for their chil- needs. A former police chief for Former deputy police chief 2401352 dren,” said one of the employees, Uruzgan was among several serv- Noorzai confirmed the issue. “I Farishta. ing policemen who claimed fight- have 84 policemen right now, only “I also work at home, I take ing in the front line against the Tal- 17 of them have received salaries,” Indira Gandhi Children orders and weave carpets and then iban in Tirinkot, the provincial cap- he added. sell them to the market,” said an- ital. Uruzgan police chief, Brig. Hospital, Wazir Akbar other worker, Belqis. The lack of They said were sacrificing their Gen. Ghulam Farooq Sangari, said access for women to loans, the lack lives in the defense of the country, they only paid salaries to police Khan, Kabul 2301372 of proper market places for wom- but they had not been paid sala- who were officially employed. A number of Afghan businesswom- tivities. Businesswomen believe employees. Rahima is an Afghan en to sell their products and the ries for the past eight months. He told Pajhwok Afghan News Ibn-e- Seena en on Sunday asked the Afghan that government’s cooperation businesswoman who has invested lack of infrastructure are among The complaining police are police were paid salaries for duty government to help them expand would help them to expand their in a company that polishes gem- key issues businesswomen in Af- residents of Uruzgan, Kandahar and now on police would not re- Pul-e-Artan, Kabul their businesses and economic ac- activities and hire more female stones and produces carpets. ghanistan face. (ToloNews) and Kabul provinces. They per- ceive their salaries through their form duty in extremely difficult commanders. Police salaries were 2100359 conditions. paid last time in March, the police Policeman Ismatullah told Pa- chief said. (Pajhwok) Wazir Akbar Khan Afghanistan: Water supply maintenance Hospital provides short-term jobs in Karmalik village 2301741, 2301743 Rashid looks Ali Abad Story Highlights Shahrara, Kabul Access to clean drinking water has been restored in a village in Balkh Province as result of 2100439 a maintenance cash grant scheme under the National Solidarity Program. set to shine Malalai Maternity The grant enabled villagers to fix a ruptured water supply network as well as Hospital created opportunities for short-term work in the sub-project. again for SRH 2201377/ 2301743 Banks More than 500 sub-projects have been undertaken under the scheme in Balkh Province, against KXIP benefiting almost 143,000 families. Da Afghanistan Bank 2100302, 2100303 DEHDADI DISTRICT, Balkh access to safe water now, says Dad NSP has been supported by the Fazl Ahmad, 24, a resident of Province – Shiny new pipelines Mohammad, 52, a village resident. International Development Asso- Karmalik village and daily wage Bakhtar Bank connect the water storage tank to The village water supply net- ciation (IDA), the World Bank laborer, is thankful for the work the tanker parked beside the main work was restored by a Mainte- Group’s fund for the poorest coun- when he needed it most. “I was 0776777000 road of Karmalik village. The tank- nance Cash Grant (MCG) award- tries, the Japan Social Develop- searching for work and the MCG Azizi Bank er provides sufficient drinking ed by National Solidarity Program. ment Fund (JSDF) and other bi- sub-project came to our village,” water for all the residents of the " We are very thankful to the lateral donors as well. he says. “I earned almost 2,500 0799 700900 village. Abdul Ahad, 45, is respon- maintenance cash grant scheme NSP aimed for socio-econom- afghanis (about $40) and was able sible for making sure every house because it has helped us with a ic development and improved lo- to invest this amount to support Pashtany Bank in the village has access to water. basic need—restoring our water cal governance of rural communi- my family during this lean sea- 2102908, 2103868 Every day he checks the pipes and supply. We have access to drink- ties through strengthened CDCs. son.” turns on the water pump to en- ing water in our homes now. " It accomplished these goals At the initiation of the Gov- sure the water storage tank is filled. Member, Community Devel- through empowerment and devel- ernment of Afghanistan, NSP, Air Services “When the water supply was opment Council, Karmalik village opment activities, in which com- through which more than 35,000 disrupted, things were very diffi- The impact of the MCG munities identified, planned, man- CDCs throughout the country have Safi Airways cult for us. Now, everything is back scheme is visible in other parts of aged, and monitored their own played a major role in implement- to normal and all the villagers have Balkh Province as well. Under the projects through their CDCs. ing rural projects and resolving 020 22 22 222 access to water,” says Abdul Ahad, scheme, 571 different sub-projects The impact of the MCG conflict and problems in their com- a member of the Community De- relating to repairs/ maintenance of scheme is visible in other parts of munities, has been replaced by the Ariana velopment Council (CDC) in Kar- existing roads, culverts, canals, Balkh Province as well. Under the Citizens’ Charter Afghanistan malik village. The village main road water supply, and power supply scheme, 571 different sub-projects Project (CCAP). The objective of 020-2100270 was being paved recently, making have been undertaken in 504 vil- relating to repairs/ maintenance of the CCAP, in effect a social con- it easier for locals to transport lages in eight districts in the prov- existing roads, culverts, canals, tract between the government and Kam Air goods, but the road works ruptured ince. water supply, and power supply CDCs, is to improve the delivery 0799974422 the existing water supply network. Villagers Enjoy Tangible Ben- have been undertaken in 504 vil- of core infrastructure and social The village’s original water efits The MCG is a sub-program lages in eight districts in the prov- services to participating commu- Rashid Khan Arman, Afghanistan’s depend to a huge extent on which supply network had been devel- under NSP, launched by the Min- ince. The MCG helped increase nities through strengthened devel- IPL export for Sunrises Hydera- of the two Australians – David Hotels oped by the National Solidarity istry of Rural Rehabilitation and food security for one to two opment councils. These services bad (SRH), looks set to once again Warner or Glenn Maxwell captain Safi Landmark Program (NSP) in 2009. With the Development (MRRD) in Novem- months for nearly 143,000 fami- are part of a package of minimum shine for his team in Monday’s of SRH and KXIP respectively – supply system collapsing, house- ber 2015. It is supported by the lies in the province through the service standards that the govern- match against Kings of XI Punjab does more damage with the bat. holds could no longer access drink- Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust generation of 57,000 short-term ment is committed to delivering to (KXIP). Both teams will eye a re- Both teams are undefeated on 020-2203131 ing water through their pipeline Fund (ARTF). Besides ARTF, the labor days. citizens. (WORLDBANK) turn to their winning ways when home ground, but are yet to win ERENA system. The villagers could not they come up against each other in an away match this season. Mon- S afford to restore the system using Match 19 of IPL 2017. Defending day’s match will however be private resources and ended up champions SRH started the sea- played at the Orange Army’s home 0799654000 depending on traditional sources son with two wins, before stum- ground in Hyderabad. of drinking water. “We used to bling against Mumbai Indians and David Warner has scored six New Rumi Restaurant bring water from wells and Kolkata Knight Riders. half-centuries in 13 matches against 0776351347 streams. This was hard as well as KXIP’s story has been pretty KXIP; his last five scores against unhygienic because stream water similar too; they registered com- KXIP read 52, 59, 81, 58 and 44. is not very clean,” says Aqela, 50, prehensive wins in their first two Rashid Khan’s victims in IPL Internet Services a resident of Karmalik village. matches, before losing to KKR and 2017 include Gautam Gambhir, UA Telecom Aqela points out that not hav- Delhi Daredevils. Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Aaron 0796701701 / 0796702702 ing access to sufficient piped wa- However, Rashid, ranked 6th Finch and Brendon McCullum. ter aggravated hardship as well as in the top 10 bowlers in this sea- The match will start Monday health concerns for many in the son’s IPL, is a key player for his (March 17) at 7pm Kabul time at Exchange Rate village, especially the women. To team – having taken wickets in all the Rajiv Gandhi International conserve water, people took to his overs so far for the Orange Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad. The Purchase: washing clothes and dishes in mud- Army. match will be broadcast live on dy streams. “But now we can The outcome of this match will Lemar TV. (TOLONEWS) wash clothes and dishes at home. One US$ = Every time we need water, we just 66.75Afs turn on the tap in our homes and Zayed hospital for motherhood have access to clean water,” she One Pound Sterling= says, smiling. and childhood opens in Kabul 80.87Afs The village water supply net- One Euro = work was restored by a Mainte- KABUL: Charge d’Affaires of the The attendees praised the 70.05Afs nance Cash Grant (MCG) award- United Arab Emirates to Afghani- UAE's role in supporting the gov- ed by NSP. “We are very thankful stan, Ahmad Nasser Al-Khaja at- ernment and peoples of Afghani- 1000 Pak Rs = to the MCG because it has helped tended the opening ceremony of stan through the various develop- 611Afs us with a basic need—restoring our the Zayed Hospital for Mother- ment and humanitarian aid pro- water supply. We have access to hood and Childhood in Kabul, at grammes and projects. The Zayed Sale: drinking water in our homes now,” the invitation of Afghanistan's Hospital for Motherhood and One US$ = says Abdul Ahad. Minister of Public Health, Fero- Childhood was funded and con- 68.30 Afs Work on restoring the water zuddin Feroz. structed by the Zayed bin Sultan supply network, at a budget of One Pound Sterling= The opening ceremony was Al Nahyan Charitable and Human- 81.67Afs 640,000 afghanis (about $9,600), attended by Dr. Abdullah Abdul- itarian Foundation, and has been started in April and was complet- lah, Chief Executive of the Islamic equipped with all the necessary One Euro= ed in June 2016. Thanks to this Republic of Afghanistan, and oth- medical equipment to provide 72.50 Afs quick turnaround, some 700 fami- er senior officials of the Afghan health and medical services for 1000 Pak Rs= 631 lies in the Karmalik village have government. women and children. (WAM) TUESDAY . APRIL 18, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES 71 Bangladeshi factories complete Alliance CAPs

Rescuers on Monday were digging through heaps of mud and trash that collapsed onto a clutch of homes near a garbage dump out- Pakistan arrests three side Sri Lanka's capital, killing at least 29 people and possibly bury- ing dozens more. Hundreds of peo- ple had been living in the working- more Indian ‘spies’, class neighborhood on the fringe of the towering dump in Meetota- mulla, a town near Colombo, when launches ‘surgical a huge mound collapsed Friday night during a celebration for the local new year, damaging at least attacks’ of a About 71 factories in Bangladesh tions, said James F Moriarty, coun- 150 homes. By Monday morning, affiliated with Alliance for Bang- try director of Alliance during a authorities had pulled 29 bodies ladesh Worker Safety (Alliance) press conference. from beneath the debris, according have completed their Corrective He also said that about 142 to lawyer Nuwan Bopage, who different kind Action Plans (CAPs) and this factories have been suspended for has worked with local residents to number is expected to double in failing to make progress on reme- Sri Lankan army rescuers remove debris from a buried house following protest the dump. Authorities a garbage mound collapse in Meetotamulla, on the outskirts of Colom- the next few months. Close to 72 diation as Alliance has a no-toler- were unsure how many more peo- per cent of repairs across all the ance policy for factories that do bo, Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, April 17, 2017. Rescuers ple could still be trapped, but on Monday were digging through heaps of mud and trash that collapsed active factories that are affiliated not prioritise safety. Completing about 30 were reported missing, with Alliance, have successfully CAPs requirements is only the first onto a clutch of homes near a garbage dump outside Sri Lanka's capital, Bopage said. Soldiers were digging killing dozens and possibly burying dozens more. been completed. step in workplace safety improve- with backhoes and shovels, as rel- About 64 per cent of the re- ment, and Alliance expects all fac- atives of the missing pointed out pairs carried out were of highest tories to stay committed towards where their houses once stood or high priority including critical safety and maintain the invest- amid coconut, mango and banana items like structural retrofitting of ments that have already been made. trees. Those homes now lay in Nepal convicts soldiers columns and fire doors installa- (KD) piles of collapsed concrete walls encased in a wall of mud up to 8 meters (25 feet) high and mixed of killing girl during with plastic bags, broken glass and 2 killed, 80 injured other trash. Bicycles and auto-rick- shaws, the three-wheeled vehicles civil war used as local taxis, were crushed in bullfighting sport or lying topsy-turvy. More than 600 of the area's residents were sheltering in nearby schools, while in south India 11 people were being treated at a hospital for injuries. One auto- The arrest in Pakistan of three the eye. Jadhav’s "arrest" was an- rickshaw driver described a narrow more Indian "spies" on Friday, even nounced in March last year just escape. He was returning home in the middle of all the ruckus over before a fact-finding team from that with his wife, two sons and daugh- the death sentence of Kulbhushan country was scheduled to visit ter when they stepped out from Jadhav, is beginning to establish a Pathankot airbase which had been his rickshaw and his daughter said pattern. And slowly but with in- attacked by Pakistan-based terror- the ground seemed to be moving creasing clarity, the different piec- ists. And his "death sentence" this beneath her feet. "There was a es of the Jadhav jigsaw are finally month came immediately after a strong wind from the side of the falling into place. Quoting a police retired Pakistani army officer dis- dump, and my daughter shouted official, The Express Tribune of appeared on the India-Nepal bor- that the mound is splitting," Rasi- Pakistan named “Khalil” as the der. Suspecting that India had cap- ka Sanjeewa, 41, said Monday. leader of the three Indians, arrest- tured him, Pakistan also perhaps "Suddenly, one slice of the mound ed in the Pakistan-occupied part pre-empted India from making any Two people were killed including local government in Tamil Nadu came crashing down. The whole of Kashmir. A channel gave the disclosures on his subversive ac- one gored to death by a bull, and earlier this year passed a law to area was shaking." Debris blocked names of the other two as “Im- tives in India. 80 others, mostly spectators, in- revive controversial Jallikattu, af- them from fleeing immediately, but tiaz” and “Rashid”. Pakistan is not A slap on Iran’s face jured during a bullfighting sport ter state witnessed massive pro- eventually they found a way out, calling Jadhav and the three others The "arrest" of Jadhav, who locally called Jallikattu in south- tests seeking lifting of ban on the Sanjeewa said. When they arrived as just spies. It’s branding them as was allegedly operating from Cha- ern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, sport. Jallikattu resumed in the later at their friends' home, where ‘terrorists’, accusing them of plot- bahar in Iran, was announced last police said Monday, China's Xin- state after local and India's federal they had planned to celebrate the ting subversive activities by join- year at a time when India was ac- hua news agency reported. The government passed executive or- new year, they found it buried and ing hands with secessionist and tively pursuing the project to de- deaths took place at M Pudur area ders regarding its resumption to lift their friends dead - a mother and Three Nepali soldiers have each her mother. "But our fight is not terrorist elements in that country. velop the Chabahar port. The "ar- in Sivaganga district, 433 km ban on it imposed by the coun- daughter who worked as daily been sentenced to 20 years in jail over. I'm worried the decision might By sentencing Jadhav to death and rest" also came exactly when Iran’s southwest of Chennai, the capital try's apex court. A number of Tamil wage laborers. The prime minister for the killing of a teenage girl, only be limited to paper. The state must arresting the three others less than President Hassan Rowhani was city of Tamil Nadu. "Yesterday celebrities including world chess vowed over the weekend to shut the second ever conviction linked implement the court's decision." a week later, Pakistan is playing visiting Pakistan. This had an- there was an event of Jallikattu in champion Vishwanathan Anand, down the dump, which has ab- to crimes committed during the More than 17,000 people were what some call "spy games" but noyed Iran, which denied any links M Pudur during which about 500 Oscar-winning music composer A sorbed much of Colombo's garbage country's decade-long civil war killed during the civil war, which with a well-thought-out and multi- with the alleged Indian spy. The bulls were there and huge crowd R Rahman and superstar Rajini- over several years amid heavy con- which ended in 2006. Fifteen-year- ended with a peace deal between pronged strategy. Killing two birds Iran angle doesn’t end there. A few had gathered to watch the sport. kanth supported protests and struction and renovations in the old Maina Sunuwar died in army Maoist insurgents and government with one stone is a damned good days after Jadhav’s death sentence In the melee during the event a sought resumption of Jallikattu as capital. As the garbage piled up, it custody in 2004 after being bru- forces. thing. But killing four birds with this week, Pakistan’s military took young man was gored to death, symbol of Tamil culture and pride. began threatening the nearby tally interrogated by the military Both sides stand accused of one stone is even better. By re- into custody a notorious Karachi while as another person died pos- The sport was banned by the Su- homes, prompting residents to for alleged links to the Maoist committing rights abuses during the sorting to the spy games, Pakistan gangster with alleged terrorist links sibly of cardiac arrest as he had no preme Court of India in 2014 after stage regular protests while com- rebels. "A hearing yesterday issued conflict, but rights groups say lit- aims at. Playing to the domestic called Uzair Baloch, whom the apparent bruises on his body," a animal rights activists seeking pre- plaining of health hazards. "These a verdict of 20 years for three army tle has been done to hold the per- galleries with national elections in police had arrested last year. Paki- senior police official Thiru T Jey- vention of cruelty to animals cited people did not choose to live next officers in a case registered by petrators -- many of whom con- Pakistan scheduled to be held less stan let it be known that, besides achandran told Xinhua via tele- to India's top court that bulls in to a dump. But they brought the Maina's mother," Krishna tinue to hold senior positions in than a year away. having links with Jadhav, Baloch phone from Sivaganga. "Many the sport were "severely harmed". garbage in and made this place hor- Adhikari, a court official in Kavre the military and government -- to Turning the tables on terror had spied for Iran. This once again people were injured during the Jallikattu sport was traditionally rible," said rickshaw driver Dilip district, near Kathmandu, told AFP account. In December 2014, five Pakistan has often been de- irked Iran no end, forcing it to deny event when bulls ran amok but practised as part of the harvest Mirmal, 34, whose home was on Monday. The three convicted former Maoist rebels were jailed scribed as a rogue country that not it as "unfounded and baseless". they were provided treatment and festival of Pongal in the state. Jal- spared while those surrounding soldiers were not present in court for two years for torturing and kill- only nurtures terrorism but ex- While on one hand, Pakistan ap- some of them were admitted in likattu involves men chasing bull were completely subsumed. He and are not currently in custody, ing a journalist, a sentence many ports it as easily as it sends cotton pears to want to improve its rela- nearest hospitals." Reports said attempting to grab its hump and counted 23 of his neighbors among and rights groups have raised con- criticised for being too lenient. and leather goods to other coun- tions with Iran, some of its power the other person had died of shock ride it for as long as possible or the dead. cerns about whether they will be Nepal set up a Truth and Recon- tries. With substantial evidence, centres seem to be keen on cud- when a bull ran towards him and stop it and remove piece of cloth "This is a government-made made to serve their sentences. A ciliation Commission on the Dis- India has often claimed that it’s the dling up more closely to Iran’s arch- rushed into the barricade. Author- affixed to its horns. Over the years, disaster," he said. "I have a mix of fourth soldier, the most senior of appeared in 2015, aimed at healing worst victim of Pakistan-based and rival Saudi Arabia. Pakistan’s ities had set up medical camps and many people have been gored to feelings - of anger, frustration and all those accused, was acquitted. wounds from the conflict, but in- Pakistan-trained terrorists. A stock former army chief Raheel Sharif kept ambulances handy during the death during the sport. Even bulls sorrow. We have been trying to Sunuwar's mother, Devi, cam- vestigations have made little reply from Pakistani leaders has recently joined the Saudi-led mili- event. Police have registered a case suffer injures and sometimes get protest and raise these issues, but paigned for years for justice for progress due to a lack of funds and always been that their country it- tary alliance against terrorism, and initiated investigations into the killed in such contests. no one was listening." her daughter, who was arrested in political inertia. self was taking the brunt of terror. dubbed as the "Islamic NATO", incident, Jeyachandran said. The (Bernama) (AP) her home by soldiers looking for (Digitaljournal) This is true, but by playing the which Iran frowns on. An editorial "spy games", Pakistan is now des- in Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn perately trying to turn the tables said on Friday: "There must also on India. It wants to fool the world be an explanation of Pakistan’s re- Five journalists injured into believing that it’s India which lations with Iran by the govern- is in cahoots with the terrorists on ment ... there has been confusion its soil, fomenting subversive ac- about the status of our ties with as ‘PSP workers’ attack tivities in that country and caus- Iran. Iran is not India; it is a friend- ing the deaths of innumerable ci- ly country with which ties should vilians. No evidence, however, is be managed carefully." Sukkur Press Club forthcoming from Pakistan. There (Firstpost) is, of course, more than what meets At least five journalists including three cameramen were injured on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremes- the Kotalawela Defense Academy was made. Since the economies of Monday after men alleged to be Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) workers inghe and Vietnamese Premier both countries are based on fisheries, it was also determined to strength- attacked Sukkur Press Club. Nguyen Xuan Phuc agreed to en- en security around the Indian Ocean boundaries. According to Express News, the miscreants attacked with sticks hance commercial trades between (Dailynews) Dhaka proposes and pelted stones during a protest being held outside the press club the two countries by USD 1 bil- building. Those injured include Nasir Jaffery, Shahnawaz Shar, Razaq lion and to strengthen ties in the Solangi, Naveed Khuhro, Sajjad Pasha and Riaz Rajput. government and private sector. twinning of Ctg with Several PSP workers including Rehan Siddiqui and Sabira Khatoon Apart from strengthening ties in were detained after the incident, police sources said. the commercial trade sector, the (Tribune) Premiers agreed to deepen relations Russian port city in investments and tourism. While praising the achievement of the unity government in directing the country on the path to progress in financial and social de- velopment aspects, the Vietnam- ese Premier assured that measures taken by the government on rec- onciliation would also be success- ful. At the meeting, it was deter- mined to appoint a board of repre- sentatives from the government and the private sector to further strengthen ties between the two countries. Prime Minister’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake was appointed to form the board of representa- Citing the historic value of St Pe- port items like pharmaceuticals, tives from Sri Lanka end, and Act- tersburg's architectural beauty and ocean-going vessels, leather goods, ing Foreign Minister of Vietnam, its role as a major port city of Rus- tea, especially organic tea, potato Nguyen Quoc Dzung was appoint- sia, Bangladesh has proposed Rus- and fragrant rice were quite popu- ed to form the board for Vietnam. sia to make Chittagong as its twin- lar in the different European coun- It was also agreed to share experi- ning city. Foreign Minister AH tries and foresaw good potential ences between the law enforcement Mahmood Ali made the proposal in Russia as well. The governor bodies when dealing with interna- during his meeting with the Gov- particularly expressed his desire to tional crime. The importance of ernor of Leningrad Oblast Alex- recruit skilled professionals, espe- eradicating international crimes ander Drozdenko on Saturday at cially doctors from Bangladesh, was also discussed. To this end, a the Governor Mansion in St Pe- said a foreign ministry press re- decision to enhance ties between tersburg. Ali, who is now on a vis- lease. the Vietnam Defense Academy and it to Russia, said Bangladeshi ex- (Thedailystar) TUESDAY . APRIL 18, 2017 AFGHANISTAN TIMES News-in-Brief China, Russia dispatch ships to Ten killed after bus Niger’s Diffa veers off bridge province bans shadow Donald Trump’s ‘armada’ motorbikes into river in China after attacks as it approaches North Korean

Motorcycles are being banned in waters: Japanese Niger's southeastern Diffa prov- ince after a surge in drive-by at- tacks by the armed group Boko Haram. The order is likely to cause problems for thousands of people whose businesses rely on them. Motorbikes are Diffa's most common means of transporta- China and Russia have dispatched tion. spy vessels to shadow a US air- Al Jazeera's Hashem Ahel- craft carrier group heading to North barra reports. Korean waters, Japanese media (Aljazeera) said, amid rising tensions over Ten people have died and four are missing after a bus veered off a Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions. highway and fell into a river in southern China. Another five people Beijing sought Russian help in needed hospital treatment after the 19-seat bus crashed off the road in averting a crisis over North Korea Kaiyang county on Monday morning, reports the Xinhua News Agen- last week, as concerns grow in cy. China that Donald Trump is seek- It is not clear how many were on board at the time of the accident or ing to confront North Korea over what the cause was. Local authorities have confirmed they are investi- its weapon’s program. The US gating the circumstances of the crash. president sent a navy group led (ITV) by the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson into the region, in what is being seen as a signal to Pyongyang. Mr Trump described the force as an 22,000 years of historical “armada” and said that submarines Mexican village were being sent which were “far records destroyed as ice more powerful than the aircraft burns mythical carrier.” The Yomiuri Shimbun, cit- ing “multiple sources of the Japa- cores melt after beasts in Easter nese government”, said China and Russia had “dispatched intelli- freezer failure celebration gence-gathering vessels from their Every Easter, Mexicans join the navies to chase the USS Carl Vin- Catholic tradition of burning ef- son”. The ships are “strengthen- figies of Judas in communal bon- ing warning and surveillance activ- fires. But in the Santa Rosa Xo- ities in the waters and airspace chiac village the tradition has tak- around the area,” Japan’s largest en a more pagan turn, where the daily newspaper said, according to customary "Judas" effigies have its English language sister publica- been transformed into huge fan- tion, The Japan News. It comes amid reports that tour companies South Korea: Prosecutors tastical beasts called "Chimos". Villagers say the custom rep- in China have stopped arranging resents killing all the evil of the tour groups to North Korea, which past year so that only the good had previously been a popular destination for Chinese tourists. charge Park, Lotte group remains. Al Jazeera's John Hol- man reports from Santa Rosa. Media outlet thepaper.cn said sev- (Aljazeera) eral agencies had ceased organising package tours, including travel website Lumama and Ctrip – Chi- chief with bribery na’s biggest tour agency – which stopped group trips to North Ko- rea at the end of 2016. Ctrip told from Lotte for favours, they said the Shanghai-based website that it in a statement. Park was also charged with abuse of power and did not know when it would re- Ice blocks offering clues to the his- thousands of years of history. sume trips to North Korea How- coercion by pressuring big busi- nesses to contribute funds to non- tory of the Canadian Arctic have “For anybody who has an ice ever, travel agencies told melted after a freezer malfunction, core collection, melting is a peren- thepaper.cn that there had not been profit foundations, the prosecu- tors said. Park was also charged depriving scientists of a vital re- nial fear, and you don’t find out a notice from authorities forcing source for studying climate change. that it’s happened until too late,” them to cancel trips to the reclu- with taking bribes worth about KRW29.8 billion (US$26.2 mil- A failure in the cooling system at Martin Sharp, director of the ar- sive state. Media reported last the brand-new C$4m (£2.4m) Ed- chive told The New York Times. week that China’s national carrier, lion) from Samsung scion Lee in exchange for supporting his suc- monton facility caused 180 metre- While only around 13 per cent of Air China, suspended flights from long cylindrical ice cores to melt the 1,408 samples were lost, gaps Beijing to Pyongyang because of cession, according to the prosecu- tors’ statement. Lotte denied alle- — destroying evidence of some in the record have been created. dwindling passengers. Tensions 22,000 years of the world’s histo- And Dr Sharp does not yet know have been escalating in recent gations it made improper deals with Park, or those linked to her, for ry. Air bubbles, dust and pollen if they will get the chance to re- weeks. A North Korean missile that were trapped in the ice had place the ice-cores, which can cost "blew up almost immediately" on favours, but said it would explain itself at court to resolve suspi- provided crucial evidence about up to $1m (£800,000) to replace its test launch on Sunday, US offi- past environments and were stud- because of the challenges of the cials said. But despite the appar- SOUTH KOREAN prosecutors stores in China, after it agreed to cions. “We find the decision on the French on Monday charged ousted presi- provide land for the US Terminal indictment regrettable,” Lotte ied to inform predictions about the freezing Arctic conditions. “Some ent setback for Pyongyang, ex- future of the planet. But tempera- of these ice caps are disappearing,” perts in Asia believe Mr Trump dent Park Geun-hye and Lotte High Altitude Area Defence Group said in a statement. Park, Group chairman Shin Dong-bin (THAAD) system outside Seoul. Lee and Choi as well Samsung tures at the storage facility, which he added, “and we’re going to lose election: Street has little room for manoeuvre over is normally chilled to -37C facili- this record, in some cases sooner North Korea, given the military de- with bribery in the latest twist to South Korea, which accuses Chi- Group have denied wrongdoing. a corruption scandal that rocked na of discriminating against some (Reuters) ty, rose to 40C, melting tens of rather than later.” demonstrations terrent Kim Jong-un’s regime has (Independent) at its disposal. Arthur Ding, a mil- the country for months. Prosecu- South Korean companies working against Marine itary expert based at Taiwan’s tors charged Shin without detain- in China, and the United States say National Chengchi University, said ing him. Lotte, with interests rang- THAAD’s sole purpose is to North Korea used a military pa- ing from hotels and retail to food guard against North Korean mis- Nottingham Le Pen as rade on Saturday to show the world and chemicals, becomes the sec- siles. China, which spoke out Turkey ‘backs that “there is no way to reverse its ond conglomerate mired in the po- against it again on Monday, says candidates enter bomb and missile program now, litical scandal after Jay Y. Lee, the THAAD’s powerful radar can man because, like India and Pakistan, chief of the biggest, Samsung penetrate its territory and under- change’ that boosts final week North Korea is a de facto nuclear Group, was arrested on suspicion mine its security. Lotte’s chief Shin state.” Mr Ding said: "Politically, of bribing Park and her friend, Choi is also on a separate graft trial in- arrested on neck-and-neck it somewhat implies that the Soon-sil. Lee, Park and Choi are volving family members charged powers of President DPRK should be treated fairly - if being held at detention centres. with embezzlement and breach of not equally - with that of other Lotte, South Korea’s fifth-biggest trust. Prosecutors accused Park of suspicion of Hundreds of protesters in France nuclear states.” conglomerate, is grappling with the colluding with Choi to receive have marched against far-right (Telegraph) Chinese shutdown of dozens of its KRW7 billion (US$6.16 million) presidential candidate Marine Le murdering Pen, over concerns basic free- doms would disappear if she 18-year-old were elected. Some demonstra- tors threw firebombs at police Iraq: Fears that ISIL fighters A man has been arrested on suspi- during the march from suburban cion of murdering an 18-year-old Aubervilliers to a Paris neigh- who was stabbed to death in Not- bourhood where the Front Na- tingham on Good Friday. Matthew tional leader is scheduled to hold could regroup in Kirkuk Rothery, whose identity was con- a rally. Officers responded with firmed by Nottinghamshire police tear gas during the small skir- on Sunday, was found stabbed at a mishes. One protester, Fernan- property on Woodborough Road da Marrucchelli, said Ms Le in the city’s Mapperley Park area Pen's anti-immigration party "is just before 1am on Friday. He was fighting our essential freedoms, treated at the scene and taken to our rights, no matter if we are Nottingham’s Queen’s medical French or immigrant." A banner centre, but died shortly after. at the front of the march read A 20-year-old man was arrest- "Paris-Suburbs Against the Na- ed on Sunday night and taken into tional Front". Marchers handed custody. Police told the Press As- out pamphlets denouncing xeno- sociation they believed the attack phobia and racism that they al- was an isolated incident and the lege Ms Le Pen and her party victim and his killer knew each oth- represent. er. Supt Ted Antill, of Notts po- Opposition figures questioned the the outcome "a very important Anti-racism activist Omar Slau- lice, said: “We continue to appeal result, however, and indicated they success; a win that makes neglect ti said the fight against Le Pen to anyone with any information would challenge some of the and denial impossible". He said should be in the streets, not the that could help, to contact Not- counts. Results carried by the Turkey rejected international ballot box, denouncing the "ex- tinghamshire police on 101, quot- state-run Anadolu news agency "pressure, blackmail, imposition, treme-right populism" that has ing incident 31 of 4 April. You can showed the "yes" vote had about force and threats by the whole spread around Europe. Ms Le also contact Crimestoppers com- 51.3% compared to 48.7% for the world to put the 'no' choice for- Pen, who wants to pull France pletely anonymously on 0800 555 "no" vote with nearly 99% of the ward". The party, the fourth larg- out of the European Union, is 111.” On Friday, detectives from vote counted. Addressing thou- est in parliament, backed Mr Er- one of the top contenders in the East Midlands serious opera- sands of flag-waving supporters on dogan and the governing Justice France's first-round presidential It has been six months since Iraqi tions unit cordoned off a wide area Sunday night, Prime Minister Bi- and Development Party in their vote on 23 April. forces launched an offensive to re- around the scene of the killing, lead- nali Yildirim said the unofficial fi- push to change Turkey's parlia- A presidential runoff is being held take the city of Mosul from the Thousands of refugees ing to a number of public trans- nal result is "yes" for the constitu- mentary system into a presiden- on 7 May between the top two- Islamic State of Iraq and the Le- port diversions. tional referendum. Mr Yildirim tial one. The main opposition par- vote-getters. Polls suggest Ms vant (ISIL, known as ISIS). Photos from the scene pub- spoke on the balcony of his gov- ty said it will challenge 37% of the Le Pen, centrist Emmanuel Ma- The army is surrounding the rescued off Libyan coast lished on local media showed po- erning AK Party headquarters in ballot boxes counted. Republic cron, far-left candidate Jean-Luc old city, but is having to rethink lice walking in lines along Wood- Ankara, addressing a crowd of People's Party, or CHP, deputy Melenchon and conservative its tactics because many civilians borough Road, apparently search- about 3,000 people who waved chairman Erdal Aksunger predict- Francois Fillon all have a chance are still trapped inside. ing for evidence. flags and chanted the name of the ed the figure could even increase of reaching the runoff. There are also fears that fight- (Theguardian) country's President, Recep Tayy- to 60%. Mr Aksunger said: "Since The presidential race is being ers pushed out of the city could ip Erdogan. Earlier, the leader of this morning, we have determined watched internationally as an regroup elsewhere. Turkey's main nationalist party some 2.5 million problematic important gauge of populist sen- One of those places is the oil- also claimed victory. Nationalist votes." timent. Ms Le Pen has worked rich province of Kirkuk, where ISIL Action Party head Devlet Bahceli The country's pro-Kurdish to erase the image of racism and still controls many towns and vil- said in a statement that Turkish opposition party, which also op- anti-Semitism that for years de- lages. Rescue ships in the Mediterranean Sea picked up thousands of refugees voters chose of their free will to posed the constitutional changes, fined her party. Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel-Ha- in mid-April. At least 4,500 people were saved off the coast of Libya on move the country from a parlia- says it plans to object to two- (Independent) mid reports from south Kirkuk. April 14 and 15, and several hundreds more on April 16. mentary to a presidential system thirds of the ballots. (Aljazeera) (Aljazeera) of government. Mr Bahceli called (Belfasttelegraph) TUESDAY. APRIL 18, 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 Editor: Mansoor Faizy Phone No: +93-797070563 E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] By Vava Tampa www.afghanistantimes.af Vava Tampa, a native of Congo, is a commu- Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi nity organiser and founder of the rights group Save the Congo! Advisory editorial board that would have made life difficult for Kabila, degrade the ability of his Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, regime and ultimately destroy it was - according to rumours in humani- Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal, Saboor Sarir Why has President Joseph Kabila tarian circles - the French veto. chosen to cling to power beyond his France, I suspect, was nervous that Graphic-Designers: constitutional term limit - which if the Congolese people manage to expired in December of 2016? Why push Kabila out that wind will blow Bilal Yusufi and Basir Qazizada has the man who organised Demo- westward across the Congo River to Pakistan’s move to Mar ket i ng & Adver t i si ng: cratic Republic of Congo's only two Brazzaville, and then across the multiparty elections since indepen- French-speaking West Africa, where execute alleged Indian Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 dence chosen to sow chaos and in- almost every president, with the stability just when the country needs exception of one or two, is a dicta- Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan peace and stability the most? Why tor clinging to power by force. The did he not proudly allow Congo's first second is Trump's White House. ‘spy’ may be a ploy to Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 ever peaceful transfer of power to Whether or not President Donald take place, which could have been Trump will take a tougher stance Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press his greatest legacy? These are per- against Kabila than President sabotage the prime haps the single most important ques- Barack Obama remains to be seen, tions analysts, as well as journalists, but the Trump administration's re- pro-democracy activists, develop- cent decisions do not look promis- minister The constitution says ment workers and a great number of ing for the Congolese people. The lot. other people in and outside Congo, United States recently decided to cut By Barkha Dutt Last year, banners surfaced ask- have been thinking about for some the number of UN troops in Congo ing for the powerful army chief Gen. time - and rightly so. Many hypoth- and refused to take punitive actions Are India and Pakistan an execu- Raheel Sharif to take over govern- Article 123: eses on why he chose not to leave against Kabila even after two UN tion away from possibly the worst ment; Imran Khan, the cricketer Article One Hundred Twenty-Three: With respect to the provisions of this Constitu- office have since been presented. For officials were abducted and murdered crisis in South Asia since the Mum- turned opposition leader, echoed the example, one of his top lieutenants, for investigating massacres, which bai terrorist attacks of 2008? India slogan. When Raheel Sharif finally tion, statutes related to the formation, authority, as well as proceedings of courts and Bernabe Kikaya, argued that Kabi- according to videos circulating on has warned of “consequences” for retired (he now heads the Saudi Ara- matters related to judges, shall be regulated by law. la, who has been in power since social media were committed by the “premeditated murder” if Pakistan bia-led Muslim alliance against ter- 2001, is clinging to power (in defi- regime's troops. The US also did not hangs Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former rorism) he was the first military chief ance of Congo's constitution) to sign a joint statement by the Euro- naval officer, who was sentenced to in 20 years to not seek an exten- save Congo from a political crisis - pean Union, the African Union, the death on charges of espionage by a United Nations and the Internation- sion. a claim only the truly deluded would secret military court. advance or subscribe to. According al Organisation of La Francopho- Thus, the surprise secret trial to supporters of Kikaya's theory, nie, which was published in Febru- From Washington, what may seem of Jadhav and the shock announce- Kabila can only cede power once a ary in support of the power-sharing to be a routine spat between two ment look like another opportuni- new president has been elected - and agreement signed between Kabila's quarreling neighbors is a reminder ty for the Pakistan Army to upend election for this new president can government and the opposition. The that democracy in Pakistan remains a prime minister who is already vul- only be organised by an electoral third and final reason behind Kabi- a cosmetic mask camouflaging the nerable, as Nawaz Sharif is facing an commission he controls, once Con- la's confidence is Congo's neighbours. real power center — the country’s impending court verdict against his go's constitution has been changed From east of Lake Kivu to the west military and intelligence agencies. family members in the Panama pa- to allow him to stand again because of the Congo River, Congo is cir- In this case, India has rubbished the pers scandal. On a recent trip to only he can be president. The real cled by dictators clinging to power claim that Jadhav is a spy, instead Pakistan, I was told that he was try- reason, however, I suspect, Kabila by force. These dictators are open- arguing that he was kidnapped by ing to resuscitate the gasping India- has chosen to cling to power is more ly hostile to the Congolese people's Pakistan’s intelligence agencies Pakistan dialogue and that a back frightening. Kabila and many of his fight for democracy and their atti- from Iran and mysteriously pro- channel had opened up between the supporters across Congo and a great tude is encouraging Kabila not only duced inside Pakistan’s troubled national security advisers of the two number in Kigali and Kampala are to cling to power but to also crush Balochistan area. countries. The Jadhav death sen- frightened that if he cedes power, anyone who questions his legitima- India says that his videotaped tence ends all of that; India has many of them (even if Kabila him- cy. In this grim context, it is rather ‘confession’ (released last year) was scrapped scheduled maritime talks self and a handful others are shield- difficult, if not impossible, to think coerced and that no spy would trav- with Pakistan as tensions spiral. And ed from justice as a pre-condition of a reason why Kabila would want el on a covert mission carrying an as the prime minister’s authority for an "honourable" retirement) to cede power, if he is not forced. It Indian passport. India says that 14 stands diminished, that could be pre- would be held accountable for aiding is even harder to imagine he would willingly allow the creation of a tran- different requests for consular ac- cisely what the Pakistan military and abetting wars and conflicts that cess have been denied, in breach of killed over 5.4 million Congolese sitional government, led by Felix wanted. t is impossible to simply praise the efforts of the Afghan security people between 1998 and 2008 and Tshisekedi, Rassemblement's choice international protocol. “The timing and manner of left more wounds on the bodies of for prime minister, in which oppo- In any case, whether Jadhav is a spy announcement of the Jadhav deci- forces with only expressing some words. They are making inde Congolese women than on the sition figures like Ndongala, Dion- is moot. What is beyond dispute is sion indicates that it is either a bar- streets and buildings of the country. go, Fayulu, Muyombo and Katumbi that the Pakistan Army’s declara- gaining chip to exchange someone fatigable efforts in maintaining security in the war-hit country. They Last week, Kabila named Bruno could have important ministerial tion of a death sentence for him via in India’s custody or is meant to deter are safeguarding the national values, thwarting anti-Afghan conspira- Tshibala as the new prime minister roles, including power to appoint a a clandestine court-martial breaks the country’s civilian prime minis- - his second in four months - in at- new head of the police, army, intel- with all standard practice; it is al- ter from any new initiatives to cies, bravery resistance against foreign mercenaries, and always situ- tempt to repeal the New Year's Eve ligence, supreme court, electoral most an open invitation to escala- mend fences with India,” Hussain power-sharing agreement, a radical commission and ambassadors - po- tion from India. Shockingly, the an- Haqqani, Pakistan’s former ambas- ated their chest in front of enemy’s bullet aimed at protecting Afghan pathway that Congo's conference of sitions through which Kabila has nouncement of Jadhav’s death sen- sador to the United States, told me. people nationwide. A large number of them were killed at the line of Catholic bishops (CENCO) secured managed to rule Congo as his pri- tence this past week was made by Haqqani was the diplomat who bro- to end the political violence that vate fiefdom. However, the ques- the Pakistan Army and not the gov- kered the release of CIA contractor duty. They are the true son of this soil at real sense. We are truly killed over 200 pro-democracy pro- tion of whether or not Kabila will ernment’s foreign office. Raymond Davis, who was convict- testers. Under this agreement, Kabila survive the ongoing protests as pres- The sentencing seemed to take the ed of double murder in Pakistan. appreciating their efforts, and we understand that without our patriot agreed, first, not to seek a third term; ident is still unanswered. We do not Nawaz Sharif-led civilian govern- Like all seasoned practitioners Afghan security forces, the militants with the support of some re- second, not to alter Congo's consti- know how many people his security ment entirely by surprise, even as of statecraft, he knows that Paki- tution, and last but not least to free forces would have to kill or impris- Indians were convulsed with rage. stan is unlikely to take things to a gional countries could have taken Kabul within some days. But this is all political prisoners. In return, the on for him to cling to power and Pakistan’s foreign minister Sartaj dangerous precipice with India over opposition coalition known as the what sort of a country he would be Aziz said last year that there was no the arrest of a spy; the motive lies the Afghan security forces that are defending Afghanistan from any Rassemblement agreed to form a ruling over if he does. We also do not know, if Kabila is eventually “conclusive evidence” against elsewhere. government of national unity, pick Jadhav. So the sudden announcement sort of aggression. The Afghan masses are fully confidents on the a prime minister and organise elec- pushed out, what form this ousting Another explanation: Pakistan strong wings of the Afghan security forces. Without doubt, security tions that are free and fair. As part will take, and how many of his fam- appears to be as much about Nawaz wants to use Jadhav as leverage to of this deal, the Rassemblement also ily and friends or how much of their vs. the Pakistani Army as it is about counter the aggressive global push forces are our heroes and lions. The next generation would have agreed to guarantee a smooth, non- huge fortune they would lose in the India vs. Pakistan. by Delhi to isolate Islamabad as the violent transfer of power at the end process. And finally, we do not know With Pakistan’s military stripping perpetrator of state-sponsored ter- peaceful and prosperous life due to their sacrifices and struggles and of 2017, by which time it was agreed whether the EU, US and AU would away the veneer of authority from rorism. But the Narendra Modi gov- Kabila, who stayed for a year as a side with the Congolese people dur- its civilian prime minister, the aim ernment has never gone by the con- for sure the history would be written with their sacrifices. At the same ceremonial president, will cede pow- ing these troubling times. Only time could be to further weaken him and ventional playbook on Pakistan. time we should not forget that war is imposed on us, but security er. But Kabila, who never made his and the Congolese people's resolve ensure that he is unable to steer the From dropping in to visit Nawaz opposition to this agreement a se- to push Kabila out will answer these wheel in the direction of a dialogue Sharif on his birthday to surgical forces foiled the plots of the enemies all the time. Militants already cret, has not stopped trying to re- questions. But I am hopeful because with India. strikes across the line of control, peal it so he could have his way - what the past two years of anti-Kabi- If Nawaz is allowed to finish his term the Indian prime minister has fol- lost influence to fight security forces face-to-face, and that’s why and he is doing it openly and with la protests tell us, beyond everything next year, it will be only the second lowed his own script of shock and they (militants) carrying out cover attacks in areas such as mosques, confidence because the odds are in else, is this: Kabila is neither wealthy time in Pakistan’s history that an awe on Pakistan, in both friendship his favour. There are three main enough to corrupt every Congolese elected civilian government would and hostility. hospitals, civilian areas, schools, universities, clinics, and etc… How- reasons behind Kabila's confidence. opposition leader nor strong enough have completed its five-year ten- Pakistan’s move on the tacti- In this grim context, it is rather dif- to subdue a determined people - and ure. But while that may make Paki- cal chessboard may prove to be a ever, It should not be forgotten that security forces have been fight- ficult, if not impossible, to think of I haven't met a people as determined stan appear that it is in a post-coup gambit gone wrong if India decides a reason why Kabila would want to to fight for their country and de- era, the country remains a military to play back in kind. ing insurgency for stability of Afghanistan and as well as regional and mocracy as my beloved Congolese cede power, if he is not forced. The democracy, where there is more (WP) first is France. One of the reasons people. the entire world. Terrorism is a global phenomenon which needs to (Aljazeera) power in the barracks than the bal- be curbed out, but the Afghan security forces are in the frontline of the EU couldn't impose sanctions war on terror. Today, thousands of Afghan brave youth are in the ranks of Afghan security forces, showing clear message to the mili- tants that they will chase them in every mountain and valley of the country. Security forces already killed numerous of militants in dif- ferent battlefields and proved bitter test for the militants. However, it Maf ia gr oup is very hard to learn that some of these security forces have not received salaries for almost eight months. Despite that, they are fight- ing insurgency with high moral. Police in central Uruzgan province complain they have not received salaries for the past eight months, making it hard for them to meet family and other needs. The com- plaining police are residents of Uruzgan, Kandahar and Kabul prov- Nation inces. They perform duty in extremely difficult condition. It is also clear that the National Unity Government is very much committed toward Afghan security forces. There is no doubt in it. But, there are some grey areas where the government has to remove it. Negligence toward Afghan security forces is not acceptable to any level. Subscription Rates Note: The following rates will apply from January 01, 2017. Fee Categories Afghanistan Times Free market Annual Afg: 5400 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 2700 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $240 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. TUESDAY . APRIL 18, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

By Medea Benjamin Trump dropped the biggest non-nu- clear bomb ever used in Afghanistan on Thursday. Just where is this esca- lation going? "I'm really very good at war. I love war, in a certain way," bragged candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Iowa. This is the same Donald Trump who avoid- ed the Vietnam draft by claiming a bone spur in his foot, a medical prob- lem that never kept him off the ten- nis courts or golf courses, and mi- raculously healed on its own. But with the escalation of US military involvement in Syria, the record attention off Trump's domestic number of drone attacks in Yemen, woes, but perhaps instead of the more US troops being sent to the congratulatory adulations by Middle East and, now, the dropping Trump himself, and his fans and of a massive bomb in Afghanistan, critics alike, we should be asking: it looks like Trump may indeed love just where is this escalation lead- war. Or at least, love "playing" war. ing? This president does not have By Jackson Diehl In Syria, Trump went for 59 Toma- a track record for deep thinking hawk missiles. Now, in Afghanistan, or long-term planning. Trump told where no amount of misery seems he has opted for a "super weapon", reporters that this bombing was sufficient to bring about a breaking point. Why would that be? In large been to avoid the faintest hint of the second largest of the US mili- "another very, very successful mis- meddling in Venezuela, on the tary's non-nuclear bombs. This sion", but when asked about long- part, this is the story of a uniquely corrupt and isolated regime. Senior grounds that it would only serve the 21,600-pound explosive, never be- term strategy he remained elusive. Chavistas, by allowing them to por- fore used in combat, was used to blast He deflected a question about government and military officials are up to their necks in internation- tray Washington as a foil. Chávez a bunch of tunnels and caves in an whether or not he himself had or- and Maduro used “the imperium” as Afghan province near the border of dered the bombing by offering one al drug trafficking and the looting Venezuela’s steady descent into cha- of oil revenue; a few, including the an excuse for repression anyway — Pakistan. Officially called a Mas- of his canned responses about hav- and in the meantime, the United sive Ordinance Air Blast Bomb os has repeatedly prompted pundits vice president, have already been ing the world's greatest military. like me to predict that the authori- States did nothing to protect Vene- (MOAB), its nickname -- "the In a statement immediately after designated as “narcotics kingpins” tarian populist regime founded by by the U.S. treasury. Giving up pow- zuelans from political and econom- mother of all bombs" -- reeks of the MOAB explosion, Democrat- ic catastrophe. Not just no military misogyny, as no mother loves sympathizers in the 1940s -- the Hugo Chávez was doomed to col- er would likely mean going to pris- ic congresswoman Barbara Lee er of all bombs" and Trump's new- money spent on this one bomb could lapse, or be ousted. That it hasn’t action — that never was a possibil- bombs. The military is still assess- from California said: "President found penchant for war will not help on. Meanwhile, the intelligence and have helped American moms by eas- happened yet says a lot about how security services are seeded with ity. There were no serious econom- ing the results of the MOAB blast Trump owes the American people Afghan mothers, many of whom are ic sanctions, even when Venezuelan and insists that it "took every pre- ing Trump's proposed cuts in the this Latin American meltdown is overseers from Cuba, which has an explanation about his escala- widows struggling to take care of after-school programs so critical for different and worse than any other generals took to shipping planeloads caution to avoid civilian casualties". tion of military force in Afghani- their families after their husbands managed to convert an OPEC na- their children. Trump's trigger-hap- in the past century. And it may be tion with three times its population of cocaine to the United States. But given this weapon's colossal size stan and his long-term strategy to have been killed. The $16m cost of There was no serious attempt to and power (simulator calculations py finger is careening the world even more telling about the change into a client state. In the logic of defeat Isis. No president should this one explosion could have pro- down a reckless and dangerous path, in global role of the United States. enlist Venezuela’s neighbors in ap- show the effects of the bomb reach- have a blank check for endless war, vided over 50 million meals for Af- the Castro regime, international pa- not only deepening US involvement Last week, Caracas was again look- riah status is always preferable to plying diplomatic pressure, even ing as far as a mile in each direc- especially not this president, who ghan children. Alternatively, with when Venezuelan intelligence offi- tion), damage to the surrounding in ongoing conflicts but threaten- ing like a capital on the verge of domestic political concessions. Still, is acting without any checks or Trump's original playbook of ing new ones with nuclear powers revolution. Clouds of tear gas and cials began collaborating with Iran. area is probably enormous. In an oversight from the Republican- "America First" -- a phrase which Venezuela also tells a story of the from Russia to North Korea. volleys of rubber bullets filled nor- eclipse of American leadership. For “For the past decade or more we’ve unconfirmed report, a parliamentar- controlled Congress." This "moth- originated with isolationists and Nazi worked under the theory that a con- ian from Nangarhar, Esmatullah (Truthout) mally jammed expressways as tens at least the past 100 years, the Unit- of thousands took to the streets to ed States’ conception of its interna- scious effort to take a more laissez- Shinwari, said locals had told him faire approach would encourage oth- one teacher and his young son had challenge the government now led tional mission included a determi- by Nicolás Maduro. The causes for nation not to allow another state in ers to fill a void in regional leader- been killed. One man, the MP re- ship,” says Eric Farnsworth of the counted, had told him before the popular anger were legion: not just the Western hemisphere to fail. Maduro’s blatant rupture of demo- That sometimes motivated acts of Council of the Americas and Amer- phone lines went down: "I have icas Society. “But a hemisphere that grown up in the war, and I have heard cratic norms, but shortages so se- ugly and misguided imperialism, such vere that three-quarters of Venezu- as encouraging military coups or di- prioritized the principle of sover- different kinds of explosions eignty over all else had no desire to through 30 years: suicide attacks, elans say they have lost weight be- rectly dispatching Marines — the cause of a lack of food; not just bru- last invasion, of Haiti, happened just weigh in on Venezuela .?.?. except earthquakes different kinds of blasts. to try to keep the United States out I have never heard anything like tal repression, but the world’s worst 23 years ago. More often in recent rates of inflation and homicide. years, it has meant using economic of the political mix.” The void of this." The idea that the US military U.S. leadership has been partly filled, can vanquish the enemy with fero- By Mahir Zeynalov Once again observers were predict- and military leverage to force dem- Erdogan stay in power. But bestow- ground reporting the results while ing that Maduro’s days in power were ocratic change — as in Nicaragua at last, by the energetic new secre- cious air power is certainly not new, tary general of the Organization of but history tells a different story. ing him with more powers was a gift many questioned the accuracy of the numbered — that he would be forced and El Salvador in the late 1980s — even many of his supporters entire process, with no rival news to agree to the opposition’s demand or to save a failing democracy, as in American States, Luis Almagro, who The US military dropped over sev- since taking office in 2015 has cam- en million tons of explosives in thought was unnecessary. For agency tracking the counting. Will for elections, or a group of patriot- Colombia after 2000. Venezuelans months, President Erdogan said vot- anything change? Hardly. Erdogan ic generals would remove him in the — starting with Chávez — have al- paigned hard to bring pressure to bear south-east Asia and still lost the Viet- on Maduro. But the OAS is unlikely nam war. In the first days of the ing for constitutional changes was has already been ruling the country name of restoring order. Perhaps this ways half-expected that Washing- the answer to a series of bomb at- in ways that alarmed world rights time they will finally be right. But ton would intervene in the faux-so- to save Venezuela. Instead, a coun- Afghan war, we were told that US try that was once a close democrat- airpower was no match for the rag- tacks, sagging economy and post- groups and attracted criticisms from Venezuela has proved remarkably cialist mess he made after 1998. To coup turmoil. The changes will abol- Western nations. Turks went to resistant to the fail-safe mecha- this day Maduro incessantly claims ic ally of the United States, and the tag, poor, uneducated Taliban reli- richest in Latin America, may be gious fanatics. Indeed, we saw the ish the post of prime minister, weak- polls on Sunday just to give more nisms that usually break the fall of a that a U.S. invasion is imminent. en checks and balances, give the powers to Erdogan. It seems, the middle-income country. Instead, it But just the opposite has been true. doomed to years more of violence precursor to the MOAB used right Hardly is there any politician in and hunger — while a former super- after the US invasion in 2001. It modern times who is as good as Turk- president an authority over judicial country has just changed its 9-de- is looking more and more like the Through three administrations — appointments, and bury the role of cade old regime to accommodate Zimbabwe of the Western hemi- four, if you count the still-coalesc- power looks away. was the so-called Daisy Cutter, ish president at winning polls. Re- (WP) named after the shape of the crater cep Tayyip Erdogan, again, declared Parliament as the center of power. Erdogan’s dreams. Observers have sphere — a depraved dictatorship ing Trump team — U.S. policy has it leaves, weighing 15,000 pounds. victory on Sunday in a referendum The European Union even said the long been scratching their heads to The US military also dropped that significantly expanded his pow- constitutional changes would end understand what type of regime 5,000-pound bunker busters to blow ers. Erdogan’s rise to power in the Turkey’s membership bid. The vic- Turkey had. Many Western nations up caves where Osama bin Laden early 2000s followed years of dev- tory was not an easy one and the called Turkey a Muslim ally that was was hiding in the Tora Bora moun- astating economic meltdown and narrow margin of victory must have democratic and modern. The refer- tains. The Bush administration unceasing political turmoil. Fed up been a disappointment for the gov- endum outcome may have signifi- bragged that this awesome airpower with short-lived, incompetent and ernment. The referendum in Tur- cantly changed this equation. Now would ensure the Taliban's demise. corrupt governments, Turks went key, which has a proud history of Turkey officially appears to be That was 16 years ago, and now US to polls to vote for a strongman holding free and fair elections since moving toward a one-man rule. On military is not only fighting the Tal- over and over. People didn’t want the 1950s, is marred by allegations foreign policy, it will be business as iban but Isis, which first appeared in to return to dark old days in the of fraud. There were reports of vid- usual. It was Erdogan who called the this war-torn nation in 2014. So, 1990s and Erdogan was their invin- eos being posted on social media shots in the past anyway. His poli- are we really supposed to believe cible savior. Throughout his rule in showing precinct officials stamping cies in Syria, Iraq and continued part- that releasing the deadly power of the 2000s, Erdogan was not anoth- otherwise invalid ballots, or stamped nership with Russia will more likely the MOAB will be a game changer? er autocrat who crushed the opposi- “Yes” on numerous ballots. Observ- stay intact. Whichever way one What will happen when it becomes tion and secured pillars of his gov- ers have long been scratching their looks at it, Turkey, it seems, can- clear, yet again, that airpower is not ernment through brute force. In- heads to understand what type of not have enough of Erdogan even enough? There are already about stead, he fixed the ailing banking regime Turkey had. Many Western after so many years of him being in 8,500 US troops in Afghanistan. sector, lifted millions of people out nations called Turkey a Muslim ally power. (Alarabiya) Will Trump drag us deeper into this of poverty, drove economic growth that was democratic and modern. endless war by granting the US Af- through massive infrastructure The referendum outcome may have ghan commander, Gen John Nichol- projects and made sweeping politi- significantly changed this equation President gave a classic Trump an- sia's calculus and not altering the with Washington whereas Tehran son, his request for several thousand cal reforms. Economic and politi- The opposition said it would chal- swer: "I think it's certainly possible; dynamics of the Syrian war. will get closer to Moscow, while a more troops? More military inter- cal stability has so far underpinned lenge the results and demanded a Trump’s I think it's probably unlikely," be- If the US continues to walk to- US re-engagement with Russia will vention won't win the war in Af- his 15-year rule – the longest in Tur- recount. No Western leader called fore deferring to the "Pentagon wards a collision course with Mos- to an extent sideline both Turkey ghanistan, but it will probably win key’s history. Sunday’s referendum President Erdogan to congratulate group that does that kind of work" cow in Syria, the Pentagon will ulti- and Iran. Trump more favorable ratings in the paved the way for Erdogan to stay on the Referendum Day even though lack of (mind you, that's the Central Intel- mately put a break on the White Misleading the Syrian people polls, as he discovered with the Syr- in power until 2029. Given these there were congratulatory messages ligence Agency's job, but that's an- House rhetoric. The question is to On the domestic level, Assad's ia missile strike. Bombing other circumstances, it is not surprising received from elsewhere. State-run strategy other story). I tend to believe the what extent can the Trump admin- hopes of a US-Russian deal to his countries certainly takes the that people in Turkey want to see news agency Anadolu was on the US strike on the Shayrat airbase was istration push the buttons of Putin benefit are fading, and the US strike a message to Moscow rather than in Syria without affecting both the was rather a needed wake-up call that on Syria is to Damascus. As Richard Nixon did Raqqa battle and Iraq's stability. A there are limits to violence and the before him, Trump is aiming for a US decision to deter both Russian clock is ticking to compromise. Sino-Russian split. While having and Iranian influence in Syria will Yet, once again, Trump gave us LETTER TO THE EDITOR dangerous "the most beautiful piece of choco- have significant repercussions in Iraq another flip-flop on April 12 when late cake", the US President told his - the Pentagon's highest priority in asked in an interview about whether By Joe Macaron Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping the Middle East. While Trump en- Assad must go to reach peace: "Are about the Tomahawk cruise missiles joys keeping his cards close to his we insisting on it? No. But I do think that were hitting Syria. Soon after, chest, leaving others to wonder if it’s going to happen at a certain Trump retracted earlier statements he is a genius or clueless, Washing- point." In return, while the Syrian Ending the war that China is a currency manipula- ton has no intention of becoming opposition has been betting on a US tor, while Beijing abstained from directly involved in the Syrian war. deterrence of Iran, it was heartened voting on a United Nations Securi- The current mind game with Russia by Trump's moves - yet exaggerat- Afghanistan has been in war for more than three decades. The Afghan masses want a full stop to ty Council resolution calling for an can last for a few weeks and domi- ing the extent to which he is willing this prolong war. This war should be ended through any ways and means as the Afghan masses investigation into the chemical at- nate the news cycle, but it will be- to intervene. It will realise soon that have been tired of war and desperately looking toward peace and security to be restored in the Joe Macaron is a policy an- tack. come a dangerous game down the Trump's attention span on any is- war-hit country. alyst at the Arab Center Wash- Yet, the US and Russia have not road if the US continues to lack a sue, especially in foreign policy, is Peace is the first demand of the masses. The National Unity Government should take every ington DC. yet reached the point of no return clear strategy in Syria. short-term and he will most likely available resource to restore peace and security in the country. No more room left for the already and are unlikely to. Most of the Tomahawk missiles are a good shift to his domestic agenda sooner warmongering background noise is overreach attack, but their use is or later. troubled Afghans to further bear the brunt of casualties. Government should convince the Taliban Syria suddenly became high on the about internal politics in both coun- limited, especially if you pre-notify The concern is that Trump is insurgents to renounce violence or they will face with iron hands of the Afghan security forces White House agenda after the Khan tries; Putin wants to look strong at your targets. drawing his own blurred redline by through military operations in order to eliminate them all. Sheikhoun chemical attack on April home and defying Washington is the The crucial question that should acting beyond a chemical attack. Mudasir Ahmad, Kabul Afghanistan 4. In a matter of 48 hours, Presi- ultimate national sport, while Trump be asked is whether the Trump ad- The only two viable options to oust dent Donald Trump's administration is eager to gain much-needed anti- ministration will put money where Assad from power are either by switched positions from suggesting Putin credentials. Both leaders will its mouth is in Syria. Otherwise mis- launching a military campaign or it's up to the Syrian people to de- get over this at some point. How- leading the Syrian people will only engaging Moscow to transit him out cide their future to asserting that ever, as Rex Tillerson, H R McMas- lead to further bloodshed. of power. Letter to editor will be edited for policy, content and clarity. All letters must the reign of President Bashar al- ter and Nikki Haley are taking turns Most of all, the strike on The Trump administration Assad's family is "coming to an end". to convey a non-consistent Syria Shayrat airbase signalled the return needs to level with its allies that have the writer’s name and address. You may send your letters to: That ambivalent approach has led policy, the Pentagon cautiously of US foreign policy to Syria after while its posture has changed, the [email protected] allies and foes to wonder where the seeks a balance between striking a the transitional period from Barack US strategy remains the same with US stands on Syria. Trump is put- tough tone and averting an unin- Obama. In that interim period, the limited options in Syria unless it ting to use his shock-and-awe cam- tended military impact. For now, at trio - Russia, Turkey and Iran - ob- decides to move towards direct mil- paign style in international affairs, least, the US-Russian tension has not viously failed to fill the vacuum or itary involvement. with the White House having tested affected the Pentagon priority of achieve a breakthrough. Hence, the crucial question that Disclaimer: Russian President Vladimir Putin's defeating the Islamic State in Iraq The return of the US will un- should be asked is whether the commitment to the Syrian regime and the Levant (ISIL, also known doubtedly alter the dynamics of the Trump administration will put mon- The views and opinions expressed in the articles are in recent weeks. The purpose of this as ISIS). To the dismay of Arab al- Astana and Geneva talks and will ey where its mouth is in Syria. test is to elevate the moral cost of lies, Washington has been focusing change the calculus of the trio who Otherwise misleading the Syri- those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views or supporting Assad. Asked by report- on Russia, not Iran, which is anoth- hold significant leverage in Syria. an people will only lead to further opinions of the Afghanistan Times. ers if Moscow knew in advance er indication that the endgame for If the US continues to confront bloodshed. about the chemical attack, the US the Trump administration is Rus- Russia politically, Ankara will side (Aljazeera) TUESDAY. APRIL 18, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES Massive explosions as Putin drops ‘new type of bomb’ in Syria

North Korea has been warned by ar weapons, and also its continual the US that the era of strategic use and testing of ballistic missiles patience is "over". The comment is unacceptable." Mr Pence main- was made by US vice president tained, however, that he was hope- Mike Pence during an unannounced ful China would use its "extraordi- visit to the Demilitarised Zone on nary levers" to reign in the North the Korean peninsula. His warn- Korea. Over the years, diplomatic ing came a day after the pariah state efforts have failed to deter the one- launched a missile, part of its nu- party state from striving towards Footage which reportedly show eas. Last week, Putin risked piss- clear weapons programme, in the its nuclear goal. Patience with Kim Russian jets dropping bombs on ing off President Donald Trump early hours of Sunday. Mr Pence's Jong-un is wearing thin. rebel forces in Syria has emerged. after dropping a number of cluster visit to the heavily fortified North In a joint statement, the vice Massive explosions were filmed in bombs on Syria. Huge fireballs, Korean border - an unscheduled president reiterated the US's "iron- the towns of Souran, Taibat al- which lit up the sky, were caught stop on a 10-day tour of Asia - clad and immutable" commitment Imam, Halfaya and Lataminah in on camera over the rebel-held cit- indicates how tensions in the re- to South Korea. And he said "all Hama Province, Al Masdar News ies of Latamneh and Saraqeb. The gion are continuing to rise. Despite options are on the table" to deal reports. The news outlet claims bombing took place just a few sanctions and global condemna- with Pyongyang, and use of nu- that the airstrikes were carried out miles from Khan Sheikhoun, where tion, North Korea is persisting in clear weapons would be met with by five Russian warplanes and two an earlier sarin chemical attack developing nuclear weapons capa- "an overwhelming and effective helicopters; it also claims that the prompted Trump to carry out a ble of hitting the US mainland. response." Meanwhile, Japan's footage shows a new type of bomb number of airstrikes against the Donald Trump has previously government is drawing up contin- being used. A recent report claimed Assad regime. An eye-witness of warned that the US is willing to gency plans in case of a crisis on that President Putin had been work- the Russian strikes, Laith Ahmed deal with the socialist state the Korean peninsula. Prime Min- ing on a 'secret bomb' that was four who volunteers with the White "alone". North Korea repeatedly ister Shinzo Abe said the Pacific times as powerful as the weapon Helmets told the Daily Mail: "The ignores sanctions on its weapons nation was preparing for an influx the US used to attack ISIS in an bomb exploded at a height of about programme. In a statement on of refugees to Japan. Mr Abe also Afghan hideaway, and carries 44 150 metres above the ground, and Monday alongside South Korea's said the government was working tonnes of TNT. However, it's not then the sub-munitions began to acting president, Mr Pence said: on evacuation plans for Japanese known if it was this bomb used in fall. At every point one touched Erdogan "But the era of strategic patience nationals from South Korea. He these recent airstrikes. Russia has the ground, it sent flames in all di- is over. "President Trump has told a parliamentary session in faced a lot of criticism over the large rections." made it clear that the patience of Tokyo on Monday: "Needless to number of civilian casualties fol- These attacks come as the US Sec- wins the United States and our allies in say, diplomatic effort is important lowing its bombing of Syria. Am- retary of State Rex Tillerson visit- this region has run out and we want to maintain peace. But dialogue for nesty International has accused ed Moscow to try and convince to see change. "We want to see the sake of having dialogue is mean- Putin of Syrian allies of purpose- President Putin to drop his sup- Turkey North Korea abandon its reckless ingless." ly targeting medical facilities when port of Assad. referendum path of the development of nucle- (ITV) sending airstrikes to rebel-held ar- (Ladbible) as opposition Azeri forces fire more cries foul Turkish President Recep Tayyip than 240 shots overnight Erdogan narrowly won a historic The Azerbaijani side violated the nian positions. The front divisions referendum on Sunday that will ceasefire 15 times last night, Art- of the NKR Defense Army re- tighten his grip on power, but the sakh Defense Ministry reports. frained from response actions and knife-edge result left the country The rival used firearms of differ- confidently continued with their bitterly divided and the opposi- ent calibers as it fired over 240 military duty all along the line of tion crying foul. The sweeping con- shots in the direction of the Arme- contact. stitutional changes approved in the (Armradio) vote create a presidential system that will grant Erdogan more pow- er than any leader since modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal President of Turkmenistan Ataturk and his successor Ismet Inonu. The result could also have Pakistani nationals At peace summit, Burma’s to visit Kazakhstan on even wider implications for Tur- key which joined NATO in 1952 armed rebel groups call for April 18-19 and for the last half-century has arrested for holding set its sights on joining the Euro- President of Turkmenistan Gur- nership directions meeting the in- pean Union. The 'Yes' campaign equality banguly Berdymukhamedov will terests of two states," the message won 51.4 percent of the vote migrants hostage pay a state visit to Kazakhstan on reports. One of priority vectors against 48.6 percent for 'No', the April 18-19, reports the state news of the foreign political strategy of election commission said in figures agency of Turkmenistan. "The Turkmenistan is strengthening and quoted by state news agency Ana- new meeting will enhance perfor- expansion of fruitful relations with dolu, in a count based on 99.5 per- mance of diverse potentials of in- the neighbor states including with cent of the ballot boxes. Turnout teraction, it will present new part- Kazakhstan. was a high 85 percent. As huge (KAZTAG) crowds of flag-waving supporters celebrated on the streets, Erdogan praised Turkey for taking a "his- Foreign Minister of toric decision". "With the people, we have realised the most impor- Uzbekistan says hopes for tant reform in our history," he add- ed. But opposition supporters in anti-Erdogan districts of Istanbul dialogue on water disputes showed their dissatisfaction by bashing pots and pans with kitch- in CentralAsia en utensils to create a noisy pro- The United Nation's proposal on quite reasonable approaches to res- test. Hundreds also took to the ARMED ethic groups from Bur- “Panglong reference booklet” in water resource management in olution of this very complex is- streets in the areas of Besiktas and ma’s (Myanmar) restive areas have their continuation to the two top- Central Asia will hopefully allow sue. I hope that our neighbors will Kadikoy. Supreme Election Board collectively called on the govern- ics raised during peace talks in to start a dialogue for resolution of pay attention to this UN's pro- chief Sadi Guven confirmed that ment to accord all armed ethnic August 2016. Last year, represen- the problem, said Foreign Minis- posal and we will be able to start a the 'Yes' camp had emerged victo- organisations with equal and dig- tatives of the ethnic minorities said ter of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Ka- mutually interested dialogue,” said rious, but the opposition has nified status, as the Southeast the preliminary talks were a good vowed to challenge the outcome. Police in Greece have arrested outside the northern city of Thes- Asian country looks to resolve start, but the peace process re- milov on April 14 speaking in a Kamilov. The Foreign Minister be- three Pakistani nationals for hold- saloniki were from India and one press conference in Tashkent. The lieves that the regional countries 'New page opened' decades of unrest in its autonomous mained an uphill task. Ahead of The referendum was held un- ing hostage 16 migrants without was from Nepal. Police say all 16 regions. At the second 21st Cen- peace negotiations in August, the diplomat told that the United Na- should sign an agreement on water authorization to be in the country crossed into Greece from Turkey tions Regional Centre for Preven- use on the basis of international der a state of emergency that has tury Panglong Conference held in United Nationalities Federal Coun- seen 47,000 people arrested in an and demanding money for their about two weeks ago and that the Chiangmai, Thailand, over the cil (UNFC) – the coalition repre- tive Diplomacy in Central Asia mechanisms of regulation of the release. Police said Sunday that the people holding them demanded (UNRCCA) has sent the Amu disputed issues, as well as com- unprecedented crackdown after a weekend, the 14 armed ethnic senting the ethnic rebel groups – failed military putsch against Er- three were “members of a human 2,500 euros ($2,654) from each to groups that attended the meeting had agreed to resume talks with Darya and the Syr Darya conven- pensation for damage. traffickers’ network” and that 13 release them. One of the Pakistani tions to all regional countries, as According to him, the sides will dogan in July last year. In a nail- said it was working towards the the government, but did not reach biting end to a frenetic campaign, of the migrants they were holding migrants escaped the farmhouse signing of the Nationwide Cease- a consensus over the ethnic armed well as to the U.S., Russia, the have to do hard work during dis- were fellow Pakistanis, three of and notified police, who launched World Bank and other countries and cussion of this issue, but he hopes the 'No' share of the vote climbed fire Agreement (NCA) by non-sig- groups who did not sign a 2015 as more ballots were counted, af- them minors. an operation Saturday night. natory groups while aiming to at- nationwide ceasefire agreement. the international organizations. they will be able to achieve Two of the held at a farmhouse (Breitbart) “The preliminary acquaintance progress. ter lagging well behind in the early tain “dignified status”. The armed The government had asked all with these conventions shows (Akipress) count, but failed to overtake the ethnic groups, according to the groups to sign the ceasefire pact 'Yes' votes. "This is a decision Myanmar Times, have also pushed before they could take part in the made by the people. In our democ- Planned attack on Russian for an end to conflicts in Kachin peace talks but so far, only eight racy's history, a new page has and northern Shan states. “We groups signed the NCA. While the opened," said Prime Minister Bi- embassy foiled ‘at last strongly urge the finding of a solu- talks were seen as a positive de- Direct flights Kazakhstan nali Yildirim, whose job will dis- tion by means of dialogue for mil- velopment for restoring peace in appear under the constitutional minute’ after security itary offensives in Kachin and Shan Burma, political observers have Holland to close in autumn changes. In a television interview states among the government, Tat- questioned its effectiveness based on Friday Erdogan had predicted a madaw and armed ethnic organisa- on the lack of solid results from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will from Kazakhstan,” the company far clearer victory saying polls forces storm close the direct flight from Am- said. Currently KLM Royal Dutch tions, and for the participation of the talks in August. The latest con- showed a 55-60 percent share of all concerned parties in the peace ference over the weekend was sterdam to Kazakh cities of As- Airlines is offering 4 flights per the vote. But voting patterns tana and Almaty in winter season, week from Almaty and Astana to migrant camp process,” the groups said in a joint postponed twice as the original showed Turkey deeply divided The Moroccan migrant suspect at med lived at five o’clock on the statement. The groups had dis- date of the meeting was initially the company said in a message. Amsterdam. KLM has been part over the changes, with the 'No' vote Direct flights on these destinations of the Air France KLM group since the centre of a foiled plot to launch morning of the day he planned to cussed the “founding principles for scheduled to be held in February. victorious in the country's three an attack outside the Russian em- launch his attack. The Moroccan building a federal union” and the (Asiancorrespondent) will be carried out until the end of the merger in 2004. With Air biggest cities. The 'Yes' vote held October. There will not be any di- France, KLM is at the forefront of bassy in Berlin, Germany, was ar- male attempted to escape, but he up strongly in Erdogan's Anato- rested “at the last minute”, just was arrested and has now been rect flights from Amsterdam to the European airline industry. As lian heartland but the Aegean and Kazakhstan in November–March. of summer 2016 KLM offered 145 hours before the terror attack was charged. Although authorities have Mediterranean coastal regions and due to take place. The migrant had not been revealed the nature of the “This change in the schedule re- worldwide destinations, whereof Kurdish-dominated southeast sulted from the optimization of the 68 longhaul and 77 mediumhaul come to the attention of the secu- intended attack, the German daily backed the 'No' camp. In a major rity services after discussing his newspaper reports the suspect has KLM's route network in line with destinations. disappointment for the president, the dynamics of demand for flights (TREND) plans on social media under a num- been linked with the evacuation of the 'No' vote was just ahead in his ber of pseudonyms. New details a German school in February over hometown of Istanbul and in the of the attack have come to light in concerns of a bomb in a backpack. capital Ankara and clearly ahead the German press. As reported by Earlier reports concerning the ar- 9 wounded after mini in the third city of Izmir. A state- Die Welt, the Moroccan male iden- rest, including that by Die Ta- ment issued by European Commis- tified as Mohammed B.H. had told gesspiegel, state Mohammed B.H. bus and passenger car sion head Jean-Claude Juncker and others he intended to infiltrate a may have been motivated to EU foreign affairs chief Federica protest that would take place out- launch the attack outside the Rus- Mogherini said that in view of the side the Russian embassy during sian embassy in revenge for Presi- collided in Bishkek closeness of the result, the Turk- the second weekend of April, and dent Vladimir Putin’s support of ish authorities need to seek the Nine people were injured, 6 of whom were hospitalized, after a public then launch his attack from there. Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. The "broadest possible national con- Die Welt reported that a special planned, and foiled, attack by the mini bus (marshrutka) and a passenger car collided in Bishkek, the sensus" for the changes. Erdogan emergency authorities and eyewitnesses told AKIpress. The road acci- police task force acted on intelli- Moroccan migrant would have made relations with the EU a key gence gathered on the suspect, raid- come just days before the bomb- dent occurred on April 16 on Gorkiy/Baitik Baatyr streets near Vefa issue in his referendum campaign, mall. Those wounded received minor injuries, noted the report. (AP) ing the migrant ‘container village’ ing of a German football team bus lambasting Brussels. (AFP) of 8,000 residents where Moham- in Dortmund. (AP) TUESDAY.APRIL 18, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES UAE named as MENA’s top economy for tourism growth The UAE has been named the most competitive economy for In the first back-to-back acceleration in developing its travel and tourism sector in the Middle East and seven years, GDP increased 6.9% in the North Africa but still has areas to first quarter from a year earlier improve, according to a new re- port. The World Economic Fo- rum’s Travel and Tourism (T&T) China’s economy accelerated for a Competitiveness Report 2017 second-straight quarter as invest- ranked the UAE 29th globally, well ment picked up, retail sales re- ahead of its nearest regional chal- bounded and factory output lenger Qatar (47th). The report strengthened amid robust credit said the UAE's performance con- growth and further strength in tinues to improve, with its score property markets. Gross domes- rising 1.4 percent since 2015. De- tic product (GDP) increased 6.9% spite these improvements, the in the first quarter from a year ear- country fell by a few positions in lier, compared with a 6.8% medi- the rankings, due to exceptional an estimate in a Bloomberg sur- performances of countries in oth- vey. It was the first back-to-back er regions, in particular, South Korea and Greece. The report said topped the rankings. The report all improvement, there are sub- acceleration in seven years. Other said there are large discrepancies stantial differences in the region. indicators released Monday by the the UAE continues to offer an out- standing business environment to in the region, making the Middle For instance, Egypt, Oman, and, National Bureau of Statistics East and North Africa the least to a lesser extent, Saudi Arabia have showed: "For the first time in the invest in T&T activities (5th), with advanced ICT readiness (15th) and homogeneous region. For example, upgraded their cultural resources recent years, China starts a year while some countries rank low on significantly more than the region- with a strong headline GDP," said one of the best air transport infra- structures in the world (3rd), in security indicators, countries such al average, while Bahrain and Tu- Raymond Yeung, chief greater Chi- as Oman, the UAE, and Qatar rank nisia have proceeded faster to- na economist at Australia & New Zimbabwe: Economic terms of both connectivity and among the 10 safest economies wards openness compared to the Zealand Banking Group Ltd in quality of the service. It is also one of the most secure destinations globally, with little terrorism inci- other countries in the area. Glo- Hong Kong, who correctly fore- (2nd), and has a well-developed dence. Similarly, there are stark dif- bally, the top three in the ranking cast the growth pace. "Thanks to crisis hits revenue flows hospitality and entertainment in- ferences on business environment, – Spain, France and Germany – strong investment and property, frastructure (27th). However, it ICT readiness and the quality of have secured their position thanks the economy is performing well." added that to improve its compet- infrastructure between the top five to world-class natural and cultural The expansion further cements a itiveness further, the UAE should countries in the region - the UAE, resources, outstanding infrastruc- rebound as producer prices surge, focus on becoming more open Qatar, Bahrain, Israel, and Saudi ture and hospitality services, the industrial output picks up and soar- (75th), expanding its health facili- Arabia - that perform very well, report said. Traditional strong trav- ing credit fuels investment. ties, and making better use of its and the other 10 less developed el and tourism destinations, includ- Policy makers have shifted to a natural resources (91st). "While the economies. There are also signifi- ing Japan (fourth), the United more neutral monetary stance as UAE has significantly developed cant variations in country perfor- Kingdom (fifth), the United States they seek to ease financial risk and certain segments of cultural tour- mance across the region compared (sixth, down two places), Austra- reduce excess industrial capacity. ism, including international confer- to the 2015 edition. Starting from lia (seventh), Italy (eighth), Cana- "The first quarter growth is main- ences and car racing, natural tour- different levels, Bahrain, Iran, da (ninth) and Switzerland (10th), ly driven by reflation and very ism remains an untapped resource Morocco and Algeria have all im- have also made it in the top 10. strong property sales and invest- for the country," the report noted. proved their security significant- While advanced economies still ment," said Larry Hu, head of Chi- Elsewhere in the Gulf, Bahrain was ly, while Saudi Arabia has regis- hold the top spots in the ranking, na economics at Macquarie Secu- ranked 60th, Saudi Arabia 63rd, tered the largest regional improve- 12 of the top 15 most improved rities Ltd. Oman 66th while Kuwait was the ment in health and hygiene. Simi- countries are emerging markets, in Hong Kong. "This strong data worst performer, placed 100th out larly, while there are countries such with Asia’s as exponents. Asia’s would give more confidence to of a total of 136 economies cov- as Egypt and Kuwait that have largest markets are not only be- ered in the study. Yemen was increased T&T sector prioritisa- coming larger source markets but maintain a tightening stance." The tion, others, such as Qatar and also more attractive destinations, broadest measure of new credit named as the worst country in the world for travel and tourism while Yemen, that have not. Even within the report added. rose more than estimated last areas where there has been an over- (Arabianbusiness) month amid strong growth in shad- Spain, France and Germany ow banking. Aggregate financing grew 2.12-trillion yuan ($308bn). In current-price terms, the econo- my expanded 11.8% from a year US Treasury singles out Swiss earlier, according to Bloomberg Intelligence estimates. "That’s making the problem of excess le- Economic turmoil characterised by nipulated, will not be missed. Last heads to be published in due for keeping currency low verage look a little more manage- endless company closures and ris- week, state revenue collector, the course. "Gross revenue collections able — at least as long as factory ing job losses has hit state revenue Zimbabwe Revenue Authority for the first quarter amounted to reflation stays strong," BI econo- collection, triggering panic in gov- (Zimra), announced it had sur- US$862,47 million and were 6% Switzerland was again included mists Tom Orlik and Fielding Chen ernment. passed its revenue collection tar- above target. Net collections after among the countries singled out by Pressing demands such as civil ser- gets by 6%, apparently giving the refunds were 2% above target and the US Treasury for the value of wrote in a report. The labour mar- their currencies and exports. That ket has been holding up too: the vice salaries and other recurrent impression of a thriving economy amounted to US$826,63 million," expenditure that gobbled about and successful revenue collection added Zimra. "Once again, thank could make life more complicated surveyed jobless rate fell in March for the Swiss National Bank from February, while the level in 97% of the 2016 cash budget re- strategies. you Zimbabwe for demonstrating main a priority, while other obli- "Zimra is pleased to advise the patriotism through voluntarily (SNB), which has used foreign ex- big cities was below 5% at end of change interventions for the better last month, the NBS said. China gations such as the make-or-break nation that the revenue target for paying taxes, customs duties and 2018 general elections are also pil- the first quarter of 2017 -- which excise duties. part of a decade to counter an over- added 3.34-million new jobs in the valued currency that risked tipping first quarter. Other data pointed ing pressure on the fiscus. The stood at US$812 million --has Zimra is also pleased that measures need for government to deliver re- been surpassed, courtesy of your to enhance operational efficiency the economy into a recession. The to further rebalancing away from US department is required by law the old industrial growth drivers. sults by way of turning around the tax compliance and support," and effectiveness, to boost reve- economy has never been greater and Zimra said in a statement, ahead nue collections, and to safeguard to report to Congress twice a year Consumption contributed 77.2% on whether its major trading part- to growth in the first quarter, an is so urgent that opportunities to of a detailed quarterly report on revenue are bearing fruits." deliver good news, however ma- performance of respective revenue (ALLAFRICA) ners are gaming their currencies. NBS spokesman said at a briefing The latest report was issued last in Beijing. Last year, 64.6% of Friday. growth came from consumption. Given its interventions and trade "The rebound in retail sales Australian dollar gains surplus, Switzerland got added to growth was particularly important the watch list last year, and any as it indicates that consumer Andhra Pradesh likely to bag country deemed to be engaging in spending remains strong," said on upbeat Chinese unfair practices could face penal- Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific chief ties. The SNB has intermittently economist at IHS Markit in Sin- Rs 10,000-crore Kia project used foreign exchange interventions gapore. "The upturn in Chinese economic data to take appreciation pressure off growth is a very positive indicator South Korea’s Kia Motors may put the franc, causing its holdings of for the Asia Pacific and world in as much as Rs 10,000 crore in foreign currency to spiral to near- growth in 2017, as well as under- one of the biggest foreign direct ly 700 billion francs (US$696bil). pinning the near-term outlook for investment projects in India, with It spent 67 billion francs on inter- global commodities." One measure the Hyundai Motor unit selecting ventions last year – uncharacteris- of consumer earnings slowed. Andhra Pradesh for its maiden fa- tically admitting to them follow- Growth of median per-capita dis- cility after a two-year, four-state ing the Brexit vote – and there’s posable income decelerated to search in Asia’s third-largest car evidence that it may have been ac- 6.7% in the first quarter, down market. tive in markets this year as well. Two persons aware of the devel- According to president Thomas from 8.3% last year and slower Jordan, the SNB is only trying to than GDP expansion for the first opment told ET that Kia, a unit of South Korea’s biggest carmaker, limit the strength of the currency time since NBS began releasing the and isn’t pushing it down to artifi- gauge in March 2014. Despite re- has chosen Penukonda in Ananta- pur district in southern Andhra cially low levels. cent property tightening measures, Pradesh, which is starting the pro- “The monetary policy of the cen- investment momentum is likely to cess of buying land for the facto- tral bank isn’t one of competitive stay strong in coming months amid A broadly upbeat set of Chinese tory output grew at 7.6 percent ry. Kia’s choice of Andhra Pradesh data offered a boost to the Austra- over the same period, the fastest devaluation,” Jordan said in Baden- heavy infrastructure investment. — amid intensifying interstate ri- Baden, Germany, on March 18. The April 1 announcement of the lian Dollar . The figures showed in over two years. valry to draw investments as part the world's second-largest econo- The Aussie often plays the Representatives for the SNB new Xiongan economic zone por- of the Make-in-India initiative — weren’t immediately available for tends massive construction spend- my accelerated in the first quarter. role of proxy asset for Chinese helps reinforce N Chandrababu The on-year GDP growth rate un- economic trends because the East comment outside regular business ing and suggests authorities are Naidu’s credentials as a business- expectedly rose to 6.9 percent, the Asian giant is Australia's top ex- hours. likely to remain reliant on invest- friendly chief minister. highest since the three third quar- port partner, making developments A spokeswoman for the Swiss Fi- ment to help support longer-term “The car manufacturing facility, a ter of 2015. there a key determinant of the lat- nance Ministry said she didn’t ex- growth. first for Andhra Pradesh, will in- Zarif in Central Asia Retail sales and industrial pro- ter country's business cycle. Fol- pect the list to have any immedi- The Xiongan New Area will volve two phases with a cumula- duction figures also surprised on low-through may be limited how- ate consequences for Switzerland. "hugely" promote economic devel- tive investment of $1.6 billion, or the upside. Receipts added 10.9 ever as geopolitical jitters threaten As the US Treasury noted in its opment, an NBS spokesman said Rs 10,300 crore, with first phase as Iran seeks to fire percent on-year in March, match- the risk-sensitive currency. October 2016 report, Switzerland at a briefing in Beijing. Elsewhere of investment amounting to about ing the prior month and heading (Nasdaq) has only a small sovereign bond in data released on Monday: In- Rs 6,000 crore,” said one of the off forecasts for a slowdown. Fac- market, which limits its monetary vestment in property development persons mentioned above. “The up economy policy options. rose 9.1% in the first three months first phase of the production facil- Foreign Minister Mohammad Ja- was received by Turkmenistan's Unlike the European Central Bank, from a year earlier, compared with ity will have an installed capacity vad Zarif has started touring Cen- First Deputy Foreign Minister it has not engaged in quantitative 8.9% in the first two months and to produce 3 lakh units a year.” In tral Asia and the Caucasus to boost Vepa Hajiyev. The Iranian foreign easing to fight deflationary pres- 6.9% in 2016. Yet developers may February 2016, ET was first to Iran’s ties with three major coun- minister started his visit in Turk- sures. The currency has appreci- find 2017 more challenging, as break the news of Kia’s plans to tries in the region, especially in the menistan with a meeting with Pres- ated about 50% against the euro about a dozen cities have imposed set up a plant in India. Its parent field of economy. The three-day ident Gurbanguly Berdimuhame- and roughly 20% against the dol- tighter restrictions on purchases to company, Hyundai, has has been tour spans Turkmenistan, Geor- dow, discussing regional develop- lar since 2008. curb a frenzy of speculation. in the country since the late 1990s. gia, and Kyrgyzstan. A 20-mem- ments as well as ways of expand- That has proved a challenge for "Growth remained strong on Kia’s decision on the plant comes ber delegation of businessmen and ing bilateral ties, IRNA news agen- Swiss exporters, who send the li- amid India’s growing stature as a company representatives is ac- cy reported. The International on’s share of their goods to the eu- the back of continued strength in companying Zarif who cited tran- North-South Transport Corridor rozone and specialise in produc- housing activity, resilient infra- manufacturing hub, with several overseas companies responding to sit cooperation among the objec- (NSTC) was formalized among ing pharmaceuticals and high-qual- structure investment, and better tives of the visit. "There is a pos- India, Iran and Russia in 2000 to ity manufactured goods. external demand," said Robin Xing, the federal government’s Make-in- India initiative. sibility for transit cooperation with link the Subcontinent and the Mid- Still, Switzerland ran a 17 billion chief China economist at Morgan After the make-in-India initiative Georgia to link the Black Sea to dle East to the Caucasus, Central franc trade surplus in goods with Stanley in Hong Kong. "The strong was launched in September 2014, the Persian Gulf and the Indian Asia and Europe. Besides Iran, In- the US, with the value of its ex- growth and better external demand FDI equity inflow increased 46 per Ocean which is a very favorable dia and Russia, countries that are ports more than double the value has provided room for a faster pace cent to $61.58 billion between way for the future of transit and on board to integrate into the tran- Tajikistan, Oman, Syria and Bulgaria. Zarif has already said the coun- of its imports from there, accord- of countercyclical monetary poli- October 2014 and May 2016, the the North-South Corridor," he sit network include Armenia, Az- tries involved were discussing the “final details” of the project. Dry ing to Federal Customs Adminis- cy tightening." government had said last year. said. Zarif made the remarks as he erbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, runs of the route were conducted in 2014, from Mumbai to Baku and tration data for 2016. (Bloomberg) (Economictimes) landed in Ashgabat on Sunday and Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Turkey, Astrakhan via Bandar Abbas. (PRESSTV) (Bloomberg) TUESDAY .APRIL 18, 2017 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Padmavati shooting stalled Vikram gets new teaser after Deepika Padukone of Dhruva sprains her neck Natchathiram n Indian Express report said the shooting had to as birthday Abe stalled as Deepika sprained her neck, owing to the heavy costumes and jewellery. gift “Deepika has sprained her neck a little and that’s why she Makers of upcoming Tamil spy couldn’t shoot, there is noth- thriller Dhruva Natchathiram re- While it has raked in more money than a lot of film released this year, Vin Diesel’s Fate of the Furious still ing more to add to this. She leased a new teaser of the film to could not manage to make the amount that was expected of it. Is the audience missing Paul Walker? will resume shooting for Pad- commemorate actor Vikram’s 51st mavati very soon, there is birthday on Monday. The new nothing to worry, and all other teaser, which was released on Sun- speculations can rest,” it quot- day evening, is a continuation of the first one released in January ed a source as saying. earlier this year. Within no time, Will Deepika-Ranveer’s the teaser went viral and well re- Padmavati get delayed after ceived by everybody. Being made the repeated attacks? Hrithik on an international scale a la the Roshan: There are other sin- Bourne series, the film is likely to gle men around who are per- feature Amitabh Bachchan in a piv- haps more eligible otal role, apart from a well-known The period drama, direct- Telugu star. Reliable sources have ed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, revealed that Big B was originally will feature Ranveer as Alaud- considered for the role of Indian din Khilji, the medieval-era President when the film was Delhi ruler, who fell in love with planned with Suriya, and Gautham queen Padmavati. The film also is really interested to revisit the features Shahid Kapoor as idea and bring him on board. How- Raja Ratan Singh, the Rajput ever, it’s not clearly known yet ruler and husband of Padma- whether the veteran actor would vati (Deepika Padukone). still be interested in the project giv- The film is set to release on en his other commitments. Having November 17 next year. successfully completed the first schedule, the project is gearing up for release in August. Also starring Ritu Varma and Aishwarya Rajesh, The Fate of the Furious is roaring a memorial of sorts to Paul Walk- “dazzling action spectacle.” Audi- the film also stars actor-filmmaker to a record-setting global debut over er, the franchise star whose 2013 ences agreed, handing The Fate of R. Parthiepan in a crucial role. The the weekend. Final numbers have death in a car accident shattered the Furious an A CinemaScore. film will be predominantly shot in yet to be released, but based on his co-stars and many fans. This Beyond Johnson, Diesel, Mirren, the US, in places such as Los An- earlier estimates, the action-thrill- time, there wasn’t the same emo- and Theron, The Fate of the Furi- geles, New York and Manhattan. er is poised to set a new world- tional resonance. The Fate of the ous brings back franchise veterans (Santa Banta) wide high-water mark. It is expect- Furious continues the franchise Kurt Russell, Ludacris, Tyrese ed to pass the previous record of without Walker, adding in series Gibson, Jason Statham, and $529 million set by Star Wars: The newcomers such as Charlize Ther- Michelle Rodriguez. F. Gary Gray, Force Awakens. If that happens, a on and Helen Mirren. Then there fresh off the success of Straight large part of the credit will to Chi- was the off-screen drama. This film Outta Compton, slid into the di- na, where The Fate of the Furious had to contend with reports of off- rector’s chair. The film follows the has already racked up a massive screen tension between Vin Diesel crew as they grapple with Diesel’s $135 million in its first two days and Dwayne Johnson that under- betrayal and alliance with a mys- of release. It is worth noting that mined one of the franchise’s key terious hacker (Theron). Univer- Chinese theaters only give studios selling points -- that these films sal didn’t provide a budget, but about 25% of ticket sales, roughly are celebrations of family and sources peg the cost at $250 mil- half of what they receive in most brotherhood. Both stars steered lion, making it the most expensive major territories. Domestically, clear of each other at the picture’s chapter in the series. Despite the there are indications that a fran- New York premiere and Diesel’s rising costs, the film remains on chise centered on muscle cars and attempt to brush aside the reports pace to top $1 billion worldwide, physics-defying stunts, has crest- of a beef between the actors left making more sequels a certainty. ed. The Fate of the Furious took something to be desired. Reviews Fox and DreamWorks Animation’s in an estimated $100.2 million (Rs were also weaker. IndieWire’s Dav- The Boss Baby was a distant sec- 644 crore), an impressive result, id Ehrlich labelled the film the ond place, bringing in $15.5 mil- but a steep drop off from Furious worst of the series, while the Los lion to push the family film’s do- 7’s $147.2 million (Rs 947 crore) Angeles Times’ Justin Chang ar- mestic gross to $116.3 million. kick-off. Heading into the week- gued the franchise had jumped the Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Vidya end, most analysts expected the shark, or in this case, the nuclear nabbed third, taking in $13.6 mil- film would roar past the $100 mil- submarine. That’s not to say there lion to push its stateside haul to a lion mark, instead of inch over the weren’t some loud advocates. Va- mighty $454.7 million. Globally, Balan’s line. There are important reasons riety’s Owen Glieberman, for in- the fairy tale remake has soared for the fall off. Furious 7 served as stance, praised the picture as a past the $1 billion mark. (Hindustan Times) Begum Jaan stumbles on day

one, earns cr. India biz.” Made on an estimated budget of Rs 15 crore, Begum Jaan, directed by Srijit Mukherji, was released in 1200 screens across the country. The film, a Hindi adaptation of Mukherji’s stellar Bengali of- just Rs fering Rajkahini, stars Vidya as a brothel’s madam in Punjab during Sonakshi Sinha is gearing up India’s partition in 1947. Rituparna Sengupta essayed the lead role in for the release of Noor and the Bengali version and Mukherji’s first choice for the Hindi adaptation all the people she has inter- 3.94 crore was Vidya. Begum Jaan also stars Naseeruddin Shah, Ila Arun, Gauahar acted with in the film indus- Khan, Pallavi Sharda, Rajit Kapoor, Ashish Vidyarthi, Vivek Mushran, try have been respectful to Vidya Balan’s Begum Jaan opened Chunky Pandey, Poonam Singh Rajput, Ridheema Tiwari, Flora Saini, to mixed reviews on Friday, but Priyanka Setia, Mishti Chakraborty, Sumit Nijhawan, Pitobash and strong women. the film failed to attract viewers to Rajesh Sharma in pivotal roles. the theatres on the first day of its (Tribune) release, collecting a mere Rs 3.94 crore. Vidya Balan plays the own- er of a brothel in Begum Jaan. Trade Actor Sonakshi Sinha says there analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted, are people in the film industry “#BegumJaan biz needs to multi- who suppress opinionated wom- ply on Sat + Sun to come up with en and it’s up to those indepen- a decent weekend total... Fri ? 3.94 dent individuals to deal with them. When asked if Bollywood is receptive to strong women, Karishma Tanna on Sanjay Dutt who are not afraid to share their views, Sonakshi told PTI, “I am sure that it does exist. There are biopic: Hopefully, it’ll give me always people who are trying to show their importance and sup- Upen Patel. An ex-Bigg Boss press people who are opinionat- more recognition (popular reality TV show) con- ed. testant, she has done substantial “It is there in every field, not just work on television, but Bolly- our field. I think it is up to the wood has always been a strug- strong opinionated, independent gle. Karishma, who was seen in women to deal with them.” sex-comedy Grand Masti (2013), Sonakshi, who is gearing up for says: “Now that I’m finally get- the release of Noor, says luckily ting the chance, I’ll make the most for her all the people she has in- of it. Working with Hirani sir is a teracted with in the film industry big thing for me. At least in my in past seven years have been re- resume, I’ll have a mention of his spectful to strong women. The name in my filmography.” Hop- 29-year-old says had anyone be- ing that teaming up with an ace director like Hirani will help her haved otherwise with her, she get more films and bigger roles, would have stopped all commu- nication with that person. the 33-year-old says: “People that I have dealt with and “I understand that it worked with have been able to is just a guest appear- take a strong, opinionated wom- ance, but hopefully, an which I think I am as well. I it’d give me more rec- don’t think I have come across ognition in the [film] somebody who is not. Honestly, industry. I’m being positive that some- if somebody would have made me thing good will come feel like I am any lesser than them, my way after this big project.” The I would have stopped interacting actor is looking forward to the with them immediately. project as a great learning experi- “So, I have wonderful friendships ence, and is excited to be on the and wonderful working relation- film’s set to observe actor Ranbir ships within the industry. Actor Karishma Tanna, who has a guest appearance in the biopic on Kapoor (who plays Dutt in the It has been a great journey so far.” actor Sanjay Dutt, says she can’t thank God enough for the opportuni- film). “I get to see how Ranbir is Noor, directed by Sunhil Sippy, ty, especially a project by filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani. “Ever since the giving particular shots, and how also stars Kanan Gill and Purab news broke, I’m happy that the focus shifted from my personal life to Hirani sir is directing. I get to pick Kohli. It will release on April 21. this,” says Karishma, who was in news for her break-up with actor so many things as an actor. (Santa Banta) TUESDAY . APRIL 18. 2017-Hamal 29, 1396 H.S Vol:XI Issue No: 255 Price: Afs.20

KABUL : Some Meshrano Jirga or upper house members on Sun- day welcomed the US for drop- ping its largest bomb on Daesh) militants in eastern Nangarhar province but others condemned the attack. The US Department of Defense had said it used the MOAB on IS or Daesh hideouts and tunnels in Achin district late on Thursday. Nangarhar officials said 94 Daesh militants including a num- ber of their commanders had per- ished in the bombardment. The incident on Sunday drew KABUL : Chief Executive Officer against Daesh, Al Qaeda and Tali- criticism and applause from law- (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah on ban, but now their trust has been makers. Government officials said Monday said the recent GBU-43/ restored about the seriousness of the attack had been carried out in B or Massive Ordnance Air Blast the will for fighting terrorism,” coordination with them. But By Farhad Naibkhel ing candidates, he said that during introduced to Parliament, he insist- administration than a democratic,” (MOAB) attack by the United Abdullah said. former president, Hamid Karzai a meeting before interpolation of ed. Complaining regarding bad-be- he underlined. States in eastern Nangarhar prov- “Anyone who rises in arm and some other officials had KABUL: The Wolesi Jirga (Low- security officials, president has havior of acting ministers with It is pertained to mention that ince was a right action, saying many against the Islamic Republic of strongly condemned the US action. er House) of Parliament on Mon- pledged to introduce new nominee lawmakers, he said that under pre- around three months ago due to key terrorists were killed in the Afghanistan and joins militant Hamid Karzai called the attack day criticized the government for to replace the ministers have been text that parliamentarians have no failure in spending budgetary allo- incident. groups to target our people is the as treason. However, senator Daud delaying in introducing candidates disqualified by Wolesi Jirga. the right to summon and disquali- cations during the last Afghan fis- Abdullah, who chaired a Cab- enemy of Afghanistan,” he said. Ghafari from Ghor province told for the ministries run by acting He said that unfortunately fy caretakers, thus they won’t fol- cal year lawmakers have sacked inet meeting, said the giant bomb He appreciated the Afghan today’s session that calling the ministers and urged President to president playing politically with low lawmakers suggestions. seven ministers including Minis- was dropped on Daesh or Islamic forces’ performance on the battle- bomb attack on Daesh as treason introduce new nominees as soon parliament. He said that if cartaker culture ters of Foreign Affairs Salahuddin State (IS) militants because were ground and asked their leadership meant supporting the terrorists. as possible. Continuation of duty by act- not ended, clients work won’t be Rabbani, Labor and Social Affairs torturing people. to address security forces’ prob- “Our politicians should not dam- “President must introduce new ing ministers is a clear sign of executed, thus we seriously ask Nasrin Oryakhil, Public Work The CEO said it was a right lems. Abdullah commented on the age national interests for their own nominees to the parliament for the breach of constitution as well as president to introduce new nomi- Mahmoud Baligh, Education Ass- decision to target the terrorist cen- massive blast days after former goals.” Anarkali Hunaryar, anoth- ministries operating by caretak- violation of Wolesi Jirga duty reg- nees for parliament. adullah Hanif Balkhi, Transport ters in Achin district, claiming the president Hamid Karzai strongly er Meshrano Jirga member, said: ers,” said Wolesi Jirga First Depu- ulations, he added. “If president not introduce and Civil Aviation Mohammadul- majority of Afghans supported the condemned the MOAB attack and “The massive bombing was fully ty Humayon Humayon. We are not faced to famine of new nominees, then Wolesi Jirga lah Batash, Minister of Technolo- bombing. said the US had violated Afghani- coordinated with the Afghan gov- Criticizing National Unity figures, acting minister must be will lose its legal bases and NUG gy and Higher Education Farida “People kept saying no seri- stan’s sovereignty and insulted the ernment, we welcome it, the ene- Government for delay in introduc- fired and new nominees should be will be introduced as a dictator Mohamand. ous intention is given to fighting honor of Afghans. (Pajhwok) mies of Afghanistan should be de- stroyed with such attacks.” However, a number of other senators criticized the attack. Nad- At least one er Baloch from Nimroz province said: “This case is a matter of con- cern, we wish the bomb was security dropped on the mother of terror- ism so people get rid of the evil.” He asked Afghan leaders and official politicians to put aside their dif- ferences and prevent a possible KABUL: The US nuclear bomb and who supporting and harbor- injured in KABUL : The Ministry of Ener- dropping of “the father of all dropped on Japan during the ‘Sec- ing them—which country provid- gy and Water (MoEW) has acti- bombs” in the north of Afghani- ond World War’has been recently ing them safe shelters, and also vated a Management Information stan. Reports say the father of all followed by a big non-nuclear which country is doing lobbing for Kabul System (MIS) and in the next eight bombs is with Russia and is more bomb, called ‘mother of all bombs’ them. Afghans don’t take this months all aspects of the ministry powerful than the one used in (MOAB) against the innocent and bombing as an attack on Daesh ter- explosion will be covered by the system, an Achin district of Nangarhar. victimized Afghans in Achin dis- rorists, but an attack against hu- official said on Sunday. Moham- Jumaddin Gayanwal, a sena- trict of eastern Nangarhar prov- manity, and moreover to test its KABUL : A security official was mad Gul Hamidi, MoEW’s pro- tor from Paktika province, said, ince, in which showed the contin- deadliest weapon in order to send wounded as a result of magnetic grammes and cooperation depart- “Such bombs should be used in uation of war crimes committed by a message to its rivals in the re- bomb explosion in the Lahori Gate ment in-charge, told a ceremony Quetta, Miranshah and Peshawar the US forces in Afghanistan. We gion. Moreover, through bombing, neighbourhood of Kabul province marking the launch of the new sys- because these are centers of ter- strongly condemn the US act of the US wanted to remove those on Monday. Brig. Gen. Hamayoon tem, said the MIS was aimed at rorists, Afghanistan is not a labo- barbarism on Afghan soil which is accusations of supporting Daesh, Ainee, in charge of 119 police hel- preventing corruption and improv- ratory.” “We do not oppose the suffering worst due to the ongoing and also it was part of internation- pline, told Pajhwok Afghan News ing work at the department. Ac- fight against Daesh but weapons terrorism and bloody game among al campaigns for Daesh, which re- the explosion occurred at round cording to him, the MIS is a mod- should be used based on interna- the regional and beyond regional sulted into killing of innocent Af- 7:00am. He said the wounded se- ern, computerized system that players. The test of MOAB on ghans. We call on government and curity official was in stable condi- continuously gathers relevant data, tional conversions and law,” anoth- tion. The bomb had been attached er senator, Zalmai Zabulai, said. Afghan soil could be termed as a other humanitarian institutions to which is then processed, integrat- improved manner, deliver qualita- installed aiming to prevent corrup- to a Ranger pick-up carrying law- ed, and stored in a centralized da- tive services and address issues on tion, accelerate work through com- Senator Nisar Haris said: “Us- clear violation of Afghan sovereign- take residents of Achin as human enforcement personnel. The offi- ing the mother of all bombs is ty and territorial integrity. Our beings and they should make pos- tabase. The data is then made avail- time. Energy and Water Minister puters and electronic structures, cial did not give further details. No Ali Ahmad Usmani also spoke on and improve the quality of works. banned because it can damage message for those Afghans that sible to access these affected ar- group has so far claimed responsi- able to all managers to access it, farms, water and environment.” He supported this bombing is that eas, and to prevent US war crimes decide and plan in a form that suits the occasion, saying the MIS was All sections of the ministry would bility for the attack. But authori- part of the ministry’s five-year be covered with MIS in the next asked government leaders to adopt they have accepted slavery to the at future. At the same time we are ties often blame Taliban and Daesh their purpose. Hamidi said the MIS right policies and not let Afghani- greatest extend. History would re- calling on the peace loving and hu- militants for such incidents. enabled managers to work in an plan. He stated the system was eight months, he informed. stan turn into another Syria. member their act of slavery, and manitarian people of the world that (Pajhwok) the upcoming generations would should strengthen the voice of vic- remember them in black words. At timized Afghans. And also to pres- real face, Daesh and other terrorist surize their governments not to Dozens armed outfits are carrying out subversive lend weight behind terrorists, and oppositions killed Man kills activities in our country, and we put an end to the killing of Afghans “Afghans” are struggling to elimi- and innocent human beings global- in Nangarhar wife, dumps nate them. It is like a day light that ly. Taking from Ziaulhaq Amerkhil who has created these terrorists, facebook account JALALABAD: Nangarhar prov- her body ince was seen of the latest air and ground attacks on Taliban and parts in well Daesh strongholds . Ataullah Khogyani spokesman LASHKARGAH : A man killed his for Nangarhar governor told BNA, wife and cut her body into pieces in the attacks 26 Daesh were killed. before dumping her remains in a Another report says that, 8 well in the capital of southern Hel- Taliban militants including 2 Paki- mand province last night, police stani insurgents were lost their said on Sunday. lives by security forces raids in Second police district chief Khogyani district. Col. Haji Gran told Pajhwok that SAR-I-PUL : Three women and a had fired the shells. According to another report, the alleged killer had been arrest- child have been killed by a Tali- But Governor Mohammad 15 Daesh loyalists were killed ed. He named the detainee as Za- ban-fired mortar shell in the Sayad Zahir said he had received two dif- while terrorist activities in an air hir district of northern Sar-i-Pul prov- ferent reports. One report says the strike in Achen district. A resident of the area said the ince, residents and officials said on shells were fired by the Taliban and It is said that no any harm and woman had gone to Herat prov- Monday. An inhabitant of the lo- the second claims the civilians were losses incurred to security forces ince with someone for three days cality, who declined to be named, killed on charges of spying for the and civilians in the attacks. and was murdered by her spouse told Pajhwok Afghan News that government. On the other hand, the Likewise, the security forces on return home. The couple has two mortar shells struck two hous- militants denied killing civilians, discovered four weapon caches of three children. es in the Biland Ghori area of the accusing the security forces of fir- Taliban in Nangarhar province. Human rights commission district late on Sunday night. ing the mortar shells into the hous- The caches have been discov- head in Helmand, Maroof Atifi, He said two women were killed es. The group claimed seven civil- ered during an operation launched said such murders often resulted in one house and a child and wom- ians, including children. But secu- crowded morning in the west part of Kabul city. Drivers by security troops in Hasaka from forced marriages, poverty and an in another. The resident did not rity officials rejected the Taliban Mina, Sorkhroad, Kot and Achen lawlessness. (Pajhwok) have exact information as to who version. (Pajhwok) usually complain roads are occupied by venders. districts. (Pajhwok)