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SATURDAY . MAY 16 . 2015 -Sawr 26, 1394 HS www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes

Pakistan launches yet MoPh Billboards: Dissidence breaks Govt officials, crackdown lawmakers another military on private out as people in Charikar declare blamed for offensive against HOSPITALS ABDULLAH AS PRESIDENT Badakhshan’s insecurity Taliban in N-Waziristan SLAMMED AT Monitoring Desk AT Monitoring Desk Pakistan’s security officials confirm AfPak AT Monitoring Desk KABUL: A number of people, in parts of Charikar city of central KABUL: A number of experts, coordination to check infiltration into Af- KABUL: Condemning the crack- Parwan province, declared Abdul- activists and residents of the north- ghanistan in the wake of the military operation down of the Ministry of Public lah Abdullah the Chief Executive eastern Badakhshan province the Health (MoPH) against private of the National Unity Government other day held a gathering in Kab- Muhammad Nadeem surgents would be attacked from hospitals, private health centers as the president of Afghanistan. ul to exchange views on growing different directions. “As the gov- association said that some govern- According to Afghan Pajhwok insecurity in northern provinces. PESHAWAR: In a bid to eliminate ernment wants to conclude the ment officials were hell-bent on News, residents of Pul-i-Lashmak Participants of the event operation soon. Therefore, the se- tarnishing the image of private hos- area of Charikar, the capital city claimed that a number of govern- remaining shelters of the Taliban pitals. Aziz Amir, head of the as- in North Waziristan, Pakistani se- curity forces will enter from two of Parwan, have installed billboards ment officials and members of the to three directions,” he sociation, told reporters on Friday showing Abdullah Abdullah as the parliament were behind deteriorat- curity forces have launched an op- that the MoPH have sealed some eration on Friday. According to added.Responding to a question, president. The lines written in Dari ed security situation in the coun- private hospitals without assess- read as: ‘Dr. Abdullah Abdullah the try. They said that MPs and gov- officials, the insurgents loyal to the he said the Afghan authorities were ing their performances. He said Afghan Taliban and the Islamic informed of the operation in order President of the Islamic Republic ernment officials from Badakhshan that private hospitals treat around of Afghanistan.’ Portraits of Ab- have hand in insecurity in the prov- State were hiding in the Shawal to beef up security. “Afghan au- 8 million patients annually. “If the Valley of North Wazristan. North thorities had been assured that dullah’s deputies are also installed ince in order to chase their own government seal private healthcare on the billboards showing them as political and economic aims. Waziristan is one of the seven agen- there would be no distinction be- centers, then people would have cies that make the Federally Ad- tween the Afghan and Pakistani ‘the first and second vice presi- Waqif Hakimi, an analyst in no other choice, than going for dents of Afghanistan’. Analysts political affairs, told the gathering ministered Tribal Areas (FATA). Taliban. The security forces will treatment abroad,” he added. The Thick forests are helping the mili- eliminate sanctuaries of all militant believe the act is the backfire of that lawmakers and judiciaries MoPH recently blacklisted nine the fraud allegations traded be- Parwan residents, as they say that smooth running of the government should stop interference in Bada- tant groups to remain untouched, groups and will treat them alike,” private hospitals and limited the he said. Another official, who de- tween Abdullah Abdullah and the photos reveal political insta- affairs,” he commented. Ozam Al- khshan. He said the government is so far. On Friday morning, activities of 28 other hospitals. The Ashraf Ghani campaigners soon nied to be identified, confirmed that bility in the country and that un- ipur, a resident of Charikar city, also blamed for growing insecuri- Pakistani fighter jets started bomb- ministry said that the above men- after the Presidential polls were dermines people’s confidence in said such an attempt by a number ing the hideouts of the militants in there was discussion about coor- ty in the province as it paves the tioned hospitals lacked facilities over in April 2014. Now the two the government. Abdul Rab Baha- of the residents indicates the weak- ground for MPs’ illegal inference the valley, an official at the FATA dination between Afghan and Pa- and professionals to treat patients. have formed a National Unity dur, a lecturer in a private univer- ness of the unity government. He Secretariat said on the condition kistani authorities regarding the in Badakhshan. “The current emer- The blacklisted hospitals include Government. When the presiden- sity in Parwan said that as per the said the government has control of gence of the Taliban rebels in Bada- of anonymity. The FATA Secre- operation. He said the two sides Ali Sina Hospital based in Kart-e tial race was hit by a standstill and agreement of the National Unity 50 percent of Charikar city while tariat is responsible for political agreed on the coordination mecha- khshan was planned several years Seh, Spinghar Hospital in Kot-e an international intervention be- Government, Abdullah Abdullah is the remaining 50 percent is admin- back. Rivalries and illegal interfer- administration of the tribal belt nism during the recent visit of Sangi, Madawa Hospital on Com- came inevitable, supporters of Ab- the Chief Executive of Afghani- istered by people. The report quot- along the Durand Line. The offi- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to ence of lawmakers in some parts pany Road, Shamsur Raman Hos- dullah Abdullah has installed sim- stan, not the president. He said that ed Abdul Basir Salangi, the acting of the province has raised insecu- cial said that around 15 militants Kabul. Such other operations are pital in Kart-e Now, Karim Rah- ilar billboards and posters declar- depicting Abdullah Abdullah as the governor of Parwan, as saying that were killed in the bombings. He on the cards to improve Afghan- rity in the province,” he added. man Hospital in Khair Khana, ing him the winner of the polls and president of Afghanistan while he the posters have been installed by Another participant, Abdul said the Frontier Corps, a para- Pak ties, the official said, adding Gulab Ahmad Zai Hospital in Ar- the ultimate the president. How- is the chief Executive affects the a number of local commanders. military force, and army troops are that the coordination would help Wadud, said the government is not zan Qeemat, Halaj Hospital in ever, the political stalemate was mindset of the people and may trig- Salangi did not provide details. As interested and committed to sup- taking part in the large-scale oper- to prevent militants from taking Khair Khana, Faisal Hospital on defused by an international medi- ger political unrest across the po- per the source, the spokesmen of ation. He said the valley which is shelter in other parts of the tribal press the Taliban in Badakhshan, Sarsabzi Road and Khurami Hos- ation. The report said that the pic- litical landscape of the country. the Chief Executive turned down or it has deliberately ignored influ- considered a stronghold of the in- belt or Afghanistan. tures have provoked a number of pital in Khair Khana. “This act potentially can affect the to comment on the matter. ence of the militants in the north- eastern province. He suggested the government to assign a fact finding team to find Italy pledges long term Taliban pushed back in the root cause for escalating inse- curity in Badakhshan. Musa Juyinda, a participant of the event, said that Badakhs- support to Afghanistan GHOR: GOVERNOR han’s situation is worsening as even MPs are not able to travel to are currently surrounded by secu- AT Monitoring Desk AT Monitoring Desk report, a group of 20 militants have the province for assessing its situ- Salahuddin Rabbani, and his Ital- opment and efforts for the peace rity forces. He said that airstrikes surrendered to the government in ation. He urged the government to KABUL: In the sidelines of ian counterpart, Paolo Gentiloni process of the National Unity KABUL: Security forces have sur- have killed and wounded scores of northern Kunduz province. A pay serious attention in this re- NATO’s ministerial meeting in signed the agreement in a meeting Government. The Italian external rounded the Taliban militants in Taliban militants on Friday. Rah- statement issued by the National gard and uproot insecurity in the Turkey, Afghan and Italian minis- in the Turkish city of Antalya. affairs minister reiterated that his Charsada district of Ghor province, mati was confident that security Directorate of Security (NDS) said province. Hinting at joblessness ters signed an agreement to estab- Rabbani thanked Italy for its country would support economic said acting governor of the prov- forces will clear the district from that the militants along with their among Badakhshan youth, he said lish a joint commission for boost- support to Afghanistan in past 14 development of Afghanistan. “We ince. Sayed Anwar Rahmati said presence of militants soon. It is commander, Shikh Zahir, handed dozens of highly educated young ing bilateral ties between the two years, and said the country has have a long-term policy of assist- that heavy fighting is going on be- worth mentioning that the Taliban over their weapons to security forc- generation are jobless in the prov- countries, a statement on Friday. made improvement in different ing Afghanistan which has helped tween security forces and the Tal- militants have mounted their at- es. “The group was involved in ince. According to him, unemploy- According to the statement, sectors. He hinted at achievements, in strengthening bilateral rela- iban in the district. He added that tacks in different parts of the coun- terrorist activities in Kunduz prov- ment is the main reason that push- the Afghan Foreign Minister, foreign policies, economic devel- tions,” he added. the Taliban are retreating, as they try recently. According to another ince,” the statement added. es the youth to join militants. Two IS Delayed verdict fighters held on police in in Peshawar Pamphlets written in Farkhunda trial Dari, Pashto recovered By M. Nadeem

PESHAWAR: Following a tip-off, the Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Kyber Pakhtunkhwa police on Friday arrested two alleged Islam- ic State (IS) fighters and recovered propaganda pamphlets. Wishing not to be named, a senior police officer said the IS fighters were Kabuk's Third District Primary taking a more patient approach to arrested in Nothiya locality of the Court requires further investiga- the police officers who are charged. provincial capital, Peshawar. Iden- tion before a verdict can be handed "We have started investigations tifying the alleged terrorists as Lal down for each of the 19 police of- and the judicial delegation is busy Muhammad and Ghulam Muham- ficers charged with dereliction of with the case of the 19 police in mad, the official said the alleged duty in the Farkhunda murder tri- Farkhunda's murder and the peo- terrorists were residents of Pesha- al, Justice Safiullah Mujadaddi said ple do not have the right to interf- war. Responding to a question he on Friday. Mujadaddi's court has er in this case," Mujadaddi said on said the leaflets recovered from the already sentenced four of Farkhun- Friday. IS members are written in Dari and da's murderers to death, eight oth- "This is the authority of the judi- Pashto languages. “During the pri- ers to 16 years of imprisonment cial delegation to announce the fi- mary investigation, we came to each, and then let 18 others go due nal result after the investigations." to a lack of evidence. After receiv- However, members of the Fact know that the two were trying to ing heavy criticism from the inter- Finding Commission appointed by recruit locals and Afghan refugees national community for the court's President Ashraf Ghani to ensure for Daesh [the Islamic State],” he Rohingya migrants from Burma pass food supplies dropped by a Thai Army helicopter handling of the case, which human justice for Farkhunda, such as Dr. said. The police officer further said rights groups say was more like a Alema, have stressed that the case that the arrest would help to trace to others aboard a boat drifting in waters off the southern island of Koh Lipe in the political show-trial, it would ap- must not get side-lined or held up other members of the IS and bust pear Afghan legal authorities are in bureaucracy. (Tolonews) the network. Andaman Sea on May 14. (AFP/ Christophe Archambault)

59.95 58.55 66.97 65.57 This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY . MAY 16, 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Mennonite education provided to Bilateral ties: Trade with Afghan-American Muslim woman leads Afghanistan can increase her to key roles in world peacebuilding PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s trade with landlocked Afghanistan can be increased substantially if obstacles on both sides are reduced or removed. This was discussed at a meeting of the Post Afghanistan Visit Review ical school and others are continu- Them. They all had the same cause. Committee, stated a press release issued on Friday. The meeting was led by the committee’s chairman Senator ing their education. I realized the That was amazing to see.” Com- Mohsin Aziz who is also the vice chairman of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade. The importance of talking at the level munity-based discussions Anoth- meeting agreed that the need of the hour was to remove all forms of impediments and hurdles in bilateral trade people are at, and how important er project Kakar worked on was that include “irrational tariff” and illegal trade. The participants recommended a number of solutions for faith is in helping people think dif- organizing community discussion problems faced by importers and exporters of both countries. They added untimely clearance of goods ferently. “We hear from the IMF groups, which she based upon faith consignments, registration of goods documents, lack of required facilities and limited banking networks were and the World Bank how women’s discussions she’s experienced at among the major issues affecting trade. (The Express Tribune) education is connected to the eco- Bethel. She took that idea about nomic strength and health of a coun- “safe space” into creating a place try. In places like Afghanistan and where men, in particular – the reli- Libya, it’s important to get this gious leaders and community el- 14PC KANDAHAR CHILDREN information out, but also to frame ders – could experience “an inter- it in the context of religion.” When nal process led by faith.” The dis- Kakar came to Bethel, she was leav- cussions in the community groups undernourishment: Red Crescent ing a “very conservative” Muslim centered on women’s rights with- context and coming to the Menno- in Islam, Kakar said, “illustrated nite one of her [maternal] grand- with personal experiences, stories parents, Ruth and Erwen Graber. and case studies. These became “In both, faith was very impor- places where some things began to tant,” Kakar said. “It was the lens be resolved, where a woman’s through which to view the world.” rights were protected” – for exam- The lens of conflict resolution She ple, land inheritance or the choice continued, “At Bethel, I took class- not to marry. “Religious leaders es in conflict resolution and medi- told us that when we began the ation with a goal of educating oth- groups, they were hesitant to talk er societies, especially in Pakistan about domestic violence and other Palwasha L. Kakar told the audi- she was pregnant with me, the and Afghanistan, on women’s issues openly within the commu- ence of about 100 that her religious first child, she went to study Is- rights, and of understanding gen- nity. Hearing the experiences of faith underpins all her efforts to em- lam with a Muslim women’s group, der and Islam from a perspective leaders when they did speak out power women across the Islamic and she decided to convert to Is- that would help expand women’s helped other leaders gain the cour- world. “In the field, it’s really faith lam.” Kakar was born in Seattle rights in Muslim countries and age to speak that they hadn’t had that allows us to overcome obsta- and spent her first 11 years there. societies.” Kakar has always felt before.” The community discus- cles,” she said in her May 6 speech, “When I was growing up, my strongly that “it was important to sion groups would not have suc- facilitated in part by the Center for mother was in medical school and work carefully from within the ceeded, Kakar said, “without the Interfaith Engagement at Eastern my father was working on a PhD, context, the framework – not push acceptance of it being all right to Mennonite University. Tailoring and my Mennonite grandparents an ideology [such as ‘global hu- approach situations from a faith her message to the professional pea- came to take care of me. My grand- man rights’] from outside.” Many basis, [a value] I attribute to my cebuilders in her audience, Kakar mother would take me non-governmental organizations Bethel education and to the Asia outlined two projects under her to Friday prayers [at the mosque] shied away from any kind of faith- Foundation being open to this ap- purview as senior program officer and stay to listen to the based development work, she said, proach.” New openness to faith- for Religion and Peacebuilding at the sermon. On Sunday, she would but her experience told her that in based work As other NGOs ob- United States Institute of Peace: (1) take me to church, so I grew up conservative Islamic societies, the served the success of the groups, mapping the religious sector of Lib- also hearing Mennonite hymns.” only agenda that would work was they began asking for the material ya and (2) promoting women’s In 1989, the Soviets pulled out of a religious one. At the Asia Foun- to use in their own work. “Now rights within the Islamic constitu- Afghanistan after a 10-year occu- dation, with which she spent most the tide is changing,” Kakar said. tional framework of Afghanistan. pation. “My parents were eager of the last decade in a variety of “There is much more openness to For the pacifist Christians present, to go back to Afghanistan. How- roles, she found one NGO willing using a faith-based approach and however, the glimpse she provided ever, because of the ongoing war to say, “It’s OK to work in a reli- to work with religious leaders to of her background may have been and conflict, we only got as far as gious framework, it’s good to work change attitudes toward women even more interesting. Kakar’s un- Peshawar, where I met my extend- with religious leaders,” she said. and their rights.” Kakar did her un- dergraduate degree came from a sis- ed family in a refugee camp. “I Among the many things she did dergraduate work in global stud- ter Mennonite institution, Bethel quickly noticed that of all the girl was organize tours for religious ies, and Bible and religion, gradu- College in Kansas. Kakar rushed cousins, I was the only one going leaders from Afghanistan to see ating from Bethel in 1999. Her first KANDAHAR: Red Crescent rampant poverty, lack of aware- herself malnourished hence she through highlights of her personal to school. Their families, especial- how leaders in other Islamic soci- job was director of the Newton treats hundreds of children every ness and parents’ negligence. could not properly feed her child story to focus on the situations in ly my uncles, wouldn’t let them eties – such as Turkey, Malaysia Area Peace Center, which is now month through special nutrition Faizi added malnourishment and she started dry milk to feed Libya and Afghanistan. The follow- go. I would get into conversations and India – worked on community Peace Connections. After earning programs to control malnourish- led to other diseases among chil- the child, Bibi recalled. ing fleshed-out version of her histo- with my uncles – which pushed issues, especially related to gen- a certificate in intensive Arabic- ment among children in southern dren such as lungs, heart and neu- Bibi added she knew scores of ry was culled from three Bethel Col- me to understand their very tradi- der. “Women and men went on sep- language study at Zarka (Jordan) Kandahar province, an official said rology therefore free nutrition pro- undernourished children but their lege news articles, all pertaining to tional mentality. Changing through arate tours,” she said, “but when Private University, Kakar began on Friday. gram was initiated with the sup- parents did not have awareness her 2014 selection as Bethel Col- faith-based conversations they came back, we asked them to graduate studies at Harvard Uni- Ahmadullah Faizi, director port of Red Crescent. The pover- regarding malnourishment. lege’s Young Alumnus. The extracts “Through this kind of discussion, reflect on their experience togeth- versity, completing a master’s de- nutrition in health department, ty stricken mothers bring their chil- Shahida, a mother, admitted her are republished courtesy of Bethel’s I found what could really convince er. It was an experiment” – one that gree in 2004 in theological studies, told Pajhwok Afghan News that dren to nutrition centers in the daughter was malnourished for last writer, Melanie Zuercher. — Bon- them was that, in Islam, it is not became as important a lesson to focused on gender, religion and malnutrition had not been de- province. Bus Bibi, was one of the few months. She added that her nie Price Lofton Daughter of cul- only girls’ right, it’s their obliga- the men about the gifts of educat- politics. Kakar is fluent in Pashto creased in Kandahar and other mothers among scores women children were malnourished due to turally mixed marriage Kakar’s tion, to be educated. Along with ed, articulate women as the tours and English, proficient in Dari, and southern provinces. Uruzgan is one waiting for her turn at the Mir- her poverty. She demanded the mother grew up Mennonite in the my parents, I was able to convince themselves. “All these bearded men has basic knowledge of Urdu and of the highest rated malnourished wais Hospital, said: “My son has government to establish more nu- Midwest. “When she married my my uncles to allow their daughters were nodding their heads, saying, Arabic. She has written extensive- stricken provinces in southern been admitted in the hospital for trition centers and start awareness father, she agreed to raise the chil- to go to school. “Now one of my ‘Yes, we agree with you, sister.’ ly on women’s rights in Afghani- zone, he said, adding 14 percent last four months since he is diag- program in this regard. dren Muslim,” Kakar said. “When cousins is a teacher, one is in med- There was suddenly no Us and stan and Iran. (Augusta Free Press) children were malnourished due to nosed as malnourished.” She was (Pajhwok) ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN MINISTRY OF ENERGY & WATER

Rehabilitation Works for Oshtor Khan Irrigation Scheme- (H-142) Irrigation Restoration and Development Project NATIONAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING No:MEW/IRDP/HQ/IFB/MIS/363/ H-142 Date: 16 May, 2015 Invitation for Bids (IFB 1.This Invitation for Bids follows the General Procurement Notice for this Project that appeared in Development Business, issue dated 11th January, 2011. 2. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Ministry of Energy & Water has received a grant from theInternational Development Associationtoward the cost of Irrigation Restoration and Development Project and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this “grant” to payments under the Contract for “Rehabilitation Works for Oshtor Khan Irrigation Scheme”. 3. The Ministryof Energy & Water, Project Coordination Unit now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the Rehabilitation Works for Oshtor Khan Irrigation Scheme (H-142) in Center of Ghor Provinceconsisting of: Structure: Gate Intake, Protection Wall, Escape, spring improvement and Box Super Passage Structures 4. The Completion Period is 420 days (including slack period of about 150 days). 5.The bids must be submitted along with the bid security in the amount of Afs400,000 in the shape of Bank Guarantee as per Bank Guarantee Form attached to the Bidding Documents. 6.Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) a procedure specified in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Procurement under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits dated January, 2011 and is open to all bidders from Eligible Source Countries as defined in the Bidding Documents 7. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from Eng. Ahmad RatebNasimi (E-mail::[email protected] Mobile No: +93(0)799 15 60 78), Deputy Director, Project Coordination Unit, Herat Region and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 to 16:30 Hrs from Saturday to Wednesdayand up to 13:00 hours on Thursday. 8.Qualifications requirements include: (a) The minimum (b) Experience as prime (c) Liquid assets and/or credit required annual volume contractor in the construction facilities, net of other of construction work for of at least one work of nature contractual commitments and the successful bidder in and complexity equivalent to exclusive of any advance any of the last five years this work during the last five payments which may be made (Afs) (5) years (Afs). under the Contract (Afs). 20.8 Mill 12.5 Mill 5 Mill

For detailed post qualification verification please refer to Section I. - Instructions to Bidders and Section II- Bid Data Sheet of the bidding documents. 9.A margin of preference for eligible national contractors/joint ventures shall not be applied. 10. A complete set of Bidding Documents in English may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written Application to the address below and upon payment of a non refundable fee of Afs. 2500. The method of payment will be Cash/Direct Payment. The Bidding Documents shall be collected by the bidders from the address below. 11. The bidders or their authorized representatives are invited to attend a pre-bid meeting which will take place on 03 June, 2015 at 13:00 Hrs at the address given belowto explain the procedure of proper preparation and submission of bid, clarify issues and to answer questions on any matter that may be raised at that stage. The minutes of pre-bid meeting will be prepared and sent across to all the prospective bidders who have brought the bid documents up to date of pre-bid meeting and also immediately after the pre-bid meeting. 11. Bids must be delivered to the address below at or before 10:00 AM15June, 2015 ,the Deadline Date for bid Submission (if the submission date is announced an official holiday, then bids must be submitted next working day at the same time and venue). Electronic bidding shall not be permitted. Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be opened physically in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend in person at the address given below at 10:00 AM on the Deadline Date for bid Submission given above. 12. The address referred to above is: 1- Deputy Director PCU-Herat Ministry of Energy & Water, PCU Regional office QulOurdo Street, Herat City, Herat, Afghanistan. 2) Mr. NasirAhadi, Procurement Officer PCU, Ministry Of Energy and War, Darul-Aman Road, Kabul Email Address :[email protected] This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY. MAY 16, 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Voices: Today’s Nangarhar University Chancellor commends Zalmai Hewadmal for academic services Afghanistan AT News Report the university in a little time. He said that the university has also KABUL: The Cultural Advisor made tangible achievements in the to the ex-President Hamid academic field. Karzai, Zalmai Hewadmal, and Inayat conferred the Medal of resembles the Nangarhar University on Zalmai the Advisor to the Ministry of Higher Education, Muhammad Hewadmal for his indefatigable ef- Qasem Jamdar, called on the act- forts in the construction of the ing Chancellor of Nangarhar Uni- building for the Literature Faculty 1985 version versity, Muhammad Tahir In- as well as the establishment of the ayat, at his office the other day. Department of Hindi Language. He Inayat briefed the two guests also bestowed the Medal of Nan- about the gains the university has garhar University on Muhamad made in academic field. Qasem Jamdar. The guests hailed the The Deputy Chancellor, achievements. Hewadmal Delaqa Waqar and staffers of the thanked the Chancellor for im- university were also present on the EMERGENCY proving the physical structure of occasion. CALLS Police 100 - 119 Hospitals FMIC Hospital Behind Kabul Medical University: Abdul Zuhoor Qayomi size on their rights, but seldom re- 380 cases of divorce were regis- ate therefore romantic serials and spect the rights of the spouse that tered in the human rights commis- movies misguide them. 0202500200-+93793275595 Many private television channels spark violence in a family. She sion of the country. Ministry In- Chief Executive of Nai, a watch- telecast foreign dramas having vul- urged the local television channels formation and Culture (MIC) dog supporting media freedom in gar scenes. It seems there is no law to broadcast shows that could ed- said that some of the televisions Afghanistan, Siddiqullah Towhidi, Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital in the country to censor such seri- ucate and entertain people and telecast “immoral” dramas and said that some programs broad- Pule Bagh-e- Umomi portray the real Afghan culture. shows. The films and serials are casted by private TV channels Crossing the border into Afghani- attacks that prompted the U.S. als and save the coming generation from this filth. Absence of a prop- Young generation should be saved affecting moral values of the new were against the culture. He said 070263672 stan was easier than expected. We invasion a month later, I returned from the harms of the vulgar dra- generation. According to the min- that inattention of the government were dressed in shalwar kameez, to Afghanistan, arriving in the north er censor board to check the con- tent showed by the channels had mas and movies. Afghanistan In- istry some media outlets are not to help the local industries and in- the baggy pants and over-garment as the United States was mobiliz- resulted in serious cultural erosion. dependent Humans Rights Com- obeying the law and abide by the ternational donations are major rea- Khairkhana Hospital favored by locals, and were told to ing opposition to overthrow the Much of the time had been allo- mission (AIHRC) also seems con- journalistic principles. Character sons that encouraged the private 0799-321007 keep our mouths shut so as not to Taliban. U.S. commandos rode on cated to Indian, Chinese, Korean, cerned over telecast of foreign dra- assassination of people, broadcast TV channels to air foreign dramas bring attention to ourselves as for- horseback, helping to direct air- American and Turkish dramas and mas that are cracking family bonds. of vulgar films, serials and songs and movies. He said that though 2401352 eigners. But the Pakistani guards strikes on Taliban positions. That films that do not portray the true Commissioner of the AIHRC, are against the religion and Afghani some TV channels were also high- waved us in without even glancing small incursion turned into a mas- picture of Afghan society. To some Suraya Subhrang, said that in the culture and creating issues in the lighting public issues, but certain inside the car after one of our muja- sive international effort. The Unit- extent these dramas are responsi- name of freedom of speech tele- society. Afghanistan Times tried to channels had no educational pro- Indira Gandhi Children hedin guides slipped them a box of ed States had about 100,000 ble for violence and family feuds. cast of certain programs by the take comments of the Mobi group grams for viewers. Moreover, the fresh ammunition. As we crossed a troops in Afghanistan by 2011. I’ve Telecast of foreign movies, serials private TV channels could have but failed as the management was channels have no option but to tele- Hospital, Wazir Akbar gap in the mountains we began de- made regular trips to Afghanistan and other programs are against the played a role in increasing the vio- not ready to talk over the issue. cast the foreign programs because Khan, Kabul 2301372 scending into a broad green valley. since 2001. Standing on massive culture and Islam and breaking the lence and immorality among young Managing Director of Ariana, a pri- they get little advertisements and Our driver turned around with a grin and supposedly secure American family bond that keep members people. Though, freedom of vate TV channel, said that his chan- cannot produce their own serials and swept his arm out in front of bases, I thought back to Khost in attached to each other. Young gen- speech could be an achievement in nel does not telecast foreign dra- and films, Towhidi added. Noor Ibn-e- Seena eration is easily influenced by these the past 13 years, but it needs mas or films without taking per- Rahman Akhlaqi, the managing di- him. “Afghanistan,” he said sim- 1985. Were bands of insurgents check and balance by the relevant mission from the Ministry of In- rector of Noor TV, believes that ply and returned to the wheel of sitting on hills, watching us and dramas and movies. Human rights Pul-e-Artan, Kabul activists believe that in a country officials to preserve positive so- formation and Culture. Azizullah the mass media, particularly elec- the Toyota Land Cruiser as it biding their time? The mujahedin cial codes, she suggested. She also Aaral told Afghanistan Times that tronic, should allocate more time 2100359 bounced along the winding road. It had ancient weapons, but they like Afghanistan where the illitera- cy rate is high, these shows put acknowledged that foreign serials Turkish, Arabic and some Afghan to highlight public issues, as for- was 1985 and the United States were effective guerrillas using time- negative impacts on family struc- and films are responsible for some movies and dramas are broadcast- eign serials, films and songs con- was backing the mujahedin in their tested tactics. There were no cell- ture and spoil youth. In an inter- cases of violence that were referred ed while keeping the Afghan cul- taining obscenity harm culture of Wazir Akbar Khan guerrilla battle against the Russians, phones. Men stood on mountain- view with Afghanistan Times, the to the rights commission. “The ture in view and after prior per- Afghans. He said that it is the re- Hospital who had come in several years ear- tops acting as a primitive radar, chief of the Legal Department at TV shows [containing vulgarity] mission from the ministry. “Peo- sponsibility of the information and lier with thousands of troops, tanks warning the others when the Ministry of Women Affairs naturally put negative impacts on ple can learn positive things from religious affairs ministries to pre- 2301741, 2301743 and aircraft in an effort to crush the the Soviets’ fearsome Hind attack (MoWA), Aziza Adalatkhwah, the families and young generation, the serials. Dramas tell us that if vent the TV channels from tele- rebellion and prop up the central helicopters were approaching. said that vulgar films and serials including boys and girls, due to il- you go on the wrong path you will casting “vulgar” shows. There are government. I was reminded of that Runners delivered messages among not only put negatively affect the literacy. Suraya Subhrang said the be in great danger. These movies around 30 private TV channels in Ali Abad trip Wednesday, when I heard re- the bands of insurgents. These character of young boys, but wom- goal of the writer might be to give and shows education people,” he Afghanistan. Some channels are Shahrara, Kabul ports of another Taliban attack in were hardened men who were born en as well due to illiteracy. The some lessons, but the message does said. Acknowledging the fact that alleged of taking funds from neigh- the heart of Kabul. The Taliban — to fight.Back then, I came away serials don’t give any positive not fit because they have low despite being a local TV channel, boring countries and embassies in 2100439 today’s guerrillas — attacked a ho- convinced that neither side could message, but on the other hand knowledge of the Afghan culture foreign movies and dramas are tele- Kabul. Member of the Cultural, tel killing 14 innocent people, in- win. The Soviets held the major mislead the families disturb peo- and Islam. These types of dramas casted most of the time, he said the Religious and Higher Education ple, which sometimes result in vi- are like a poison that deteriorate channel needs several episodes dra- Committee of the Wolesi Jirga, Malalai Maternity cluding one American and other for- cities and the roads. The mujahe- family bonds and turn children mas, but due to lack of production Khalil Ahmad Shahidzadah, said eigners. Afghan security officials din would continue their hit-and- olence among the families, she said, adding that many violence cases against parents. She urged the Min- houses in the country they are left that the broadcast of ‘immoral’ Hospital stand guard at the entrance of a run tactics but couldn’t hold ter- istry of Information and Culture with no choice but to show foreign programs not only disrupt the guesthouse in Kabul, where 14 peo- rain. I returned last week from my are byproducts of these films and 2201377/ 2301743 serials. Though she did not give to censor dramas and films that are programs. Replying to a query he minds of young people, but also ple were killed, on May 14, latest trip to Afghanistan, a short the exact number of violence cases against the Afghan culture and said that Afghans are interested in fuel violence as many dramas and 2015. (Photo: Hedayatullah Amid, NATO-sponsored visit to talk for which foreign serials could be teachings of Islam. Manipulation foreign shows because these pro- movies are full of violence. Re- Banks European Pressphoto Agency) It’s with Afghan and U.S. leaders. We held responsible, but said that for of women in advertisements is ac- grams have high quality. “There is sponding to a question, he said that dangerous to draw conclusions were on bases, largely isolated from a majority of cases the dramas were tually itself a kind of insult to no sufficient fund to produce such the particular commission estab- Da Afghanistan Bank from one attack, but security in ordinary Afghans. But I was haunt- responsible. “Families who visit women. These ads tell that wom- high quality movies and dramas in lished to assess media violation Kabul, once a pretty safe place for ed by that first visit to the coun- the Ministry of Women Affairs for en are a useless phenomenon in the the country,” he added. He went has been unable to control the chan- 2100302, 2100303 foreigners, is deteriorating. The try. The insurgents can’t take over divorce are affected by these for- society. The information and cul- on saying that Ariana TV channel nels. He said the issue would be Taliban has also begun attacking in the government, but they will keep eign TV shows. They try to imi- ture ministry failed to keep check also broadcast religious, entertain- discussed in the cabinet meeting. Kabul Bank the countryside, where the reach fighting, hoping to destabilize the tate the actors, especially heroes. and balance and take action against ment and educational programs. Adviser to the ministry of infor- of the central government is tenu- government. The attack on the My observation and experience those who are making such ads or However, psychologists and edu- mation Jalal Noorani told Afghan- 222666, 070285285 ous at best. The United States and hotel Wednesday is a reminder of convinces me to say that the dra- telecasting shows that are totally cationist believe that foreign seri- istan Times that there are some its coalition partners are leaving Af- that. The Taliban are a ruthless mas have changed the mindset of against the culture and religion, she als and movies are like poison for private TV channels that purpose- Azizi Bank ghanistan and there are signs that group who have almost zero sup- most of those women that come said. an uneducated society because ly or mistakenly violate the regu- 0799 700900 to my office to pursue their case. According to her management of people try to do exactly what their lations set by the specific commis- the Taliban, who were never defeat- port among the population. But the private TV channels do not ideals do—actors and actresses. sion for media violation assess- ed, are re-emerging. What will be ideology is secondary. Many of the Even some girls fall in love with Pashtany Bank the heroes. The change in behavior think that they are responsible for From style to use of language peo- ment. left in our wake? The Afghans have insurgents are bands of fighters the management of contents and ple try to copy their heroes which “Some of the channels telecast pro- 2102908, 2103868 absorbed and expelled many for- who might align themselves with and misbehavior with parents, cre- ate challenges,” she quipped. to abide by the regulations. She eventually push them into troubles grams according to their own wish. eign invaders over the centuries. The the Taliban one day and fight them According to official data, around urged owners and directors of the because in most scenarios foreign However, they were introduced to Air Services Russians have little to show for the next. Violence is the only con- 2,062 violence cases were regis- private channels to produce shows movies and dramas do not portray the Attorney General Office for their occupation, other than the stant. tered in the provincial offices and that would increase literacy and the actual society. legal prosecution,” Noorani said. rusted hulks of tanks that still mar During an interview with Afghan 588 others in the MoWA. Minds general knowledge rather than A psychologist on the condition of Noorani accepted that some of the Safi Airways the landscape in parts of the coun- Interior Minister Nur ul-Haq Ulu- of youth, especially young wom- spoiling young brains. Although, anonymity, said that good educa- foreign serials and films damage the try. With a small band of mujahe- mi, I asked him if the high casual- en and girls had been disrupted by insecurity, the absence of laws or tion is necessary to avoid being in- positive cultural values and affect 020 22 22 222 din, we traveled to Khost, at the ties the Afghan security forces were the dramas. Many of those wom- poor implementation of the law, fluenced by the TV shows and keep thoughts of the new generation, but time a vast Soviet military base near taking this year had an effect on en who want to get a divorce are presence of influential people and pace with the current social trends. said that the TV channels do not Ariana the border of Pakistan. From a tiny morale. Afghans are used to fight- affected by the foreign serials, she corruption could be counted as As many scenes in films are full of have a choice except to display guerrilla outpost tucked into the ing, Ulumi said. “They were born pointed out. For Aziza Adalatkh- major factors behind violence, but family quarrels and arguments that foreign films and serials due to lack 020-2100270 surrounding mountains, we in war, they grew up in war,” he wah public awareness and knowl- telecast of the obscene show has put negative impacts on the moral- of domestic production. watched from a distance giant So- said. “They know what war is edge about husband’s rights is very its own affects that could not be ity of new generations. In Afghan- He said that, however the chan- ignored or ruled out. She said that istan 64 percent people are illiter- nels were told to reduce the harms. Kam Air viet cargo planes land and take off. about.”I wonder if they can learn necessary because women empha- 0799974422 After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist about peace. (USA TODAY) Hotels China and Afghanistan Safi Landmark trade ties to become 020-2203131 SERENA stronger as the two 0799654000 pledge to cooperate New Rumi Restaurant Looks like the Chinese government my as well as China’s. The two 0776351347 are aggressively working on leaders met to discuss strengthening its ties with its neigh- the building the Silk Road Eco- Internet Services bours as it recently pledged to nomic Belt, a much awaited trade UA Telecom strengthen the security and trade venture that is expected to pro- ties with Nepal. mote stability and prosperity 0796701701 / 0796702702 According to Xinhua net, Chi- amongst multiple Asian econo- nese government mies. The meeting was important Exchange Rate recently announced that it is work- because it is the first annual inter- ing on strengthening the security action between the Public Securi- Purchase: ties with Afghanistan in order to ty Minister and the Interior Min- provide a secure trading environ- ister. ment within the two countries. The It is expected that the good- One US$ = focus will be on implementing the will of better law enforcement strat- 59.20Afs required security measures to safe- egies between the two countries One Pound Sterling= guard the interest of traders. Addi- will also lead to an improved co- tionally, the two countries have operation, when it comes to tack- 92.01Afs confirmed that they will work to- ling subjects like combating One Euro = gether to take measures to protect terrorism, drug control, border 66.83Afs personnel and organizations in management that tend to hinder the each other’s borders. The new an- growth of a country’s economy. 1000 Pak Rs = nouncement was made when Guo With better law enforcement co- 570Afs Shengkun, China’s Public Securi- operation, the two countries are ty Minister, met with Afghanistan also aiming to strengthen their Sale: Interior Minister Olomi Noorol capacity building process in this One US$ = Haq. domain. 59.40 Afs Another report on Global However, economists are also One Pound Sterling= Times quote Ulumi saying that Af- skeptical about the move since ghanistan is keen to strengthen its China was quick to step into A boy flies a kite on the Nadir Khan hilltop in Kabul. Kite flying is a popular 92.81Afs security and law enforcement mea- the picture soon after the United One Euro= sures in order to facilitate the cre- States of America announced its pastime in Afghanistan, where opponents go after the kite wafting in the air after 67.43 Afs ation of a secure trading environ- exit from Afghanistan. (China its line gets cut by another player in the so-called kite fighting.—Photo by AP 1000 Pak Rs= 578Afs ment that will benefit their econo- Topix) This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY . MAY 15 , 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Modi calls on China to rethink stances that strain ties with India

assessment of the site is ongoing and a thorough investigation will be conducted," it said. The heli- copter lost contact Tuesday evening as it helped with relief ef- forts in the earthquake-ravaged nation, Pentagon officials said. Radio transmissions indicated its crew was having some type of fuel problem before it went miss- ing near Charikot, roughly 45 miles east of the capital of Kathmandu. Nepalese military service members unload supplies from a UH-1Y Huey in Charikot, Nepal, May 5, Nepal, May 5. Nepalese military service members unload supplies from a UH-1Y Huey in Charikot, Nepal, May 5, Nepal, May 5. The helicopter was deliv- ering humanitarian aid in the after- math of the devastating earthquake that struck the nation on April 25, killing thousands of people. An- other strong earthquake hit Nepal on Tuesday afternoon, causing more damage and casualties. The area where it lost contact is near the epicenter of Tuesday's magnitude 7.3 earthquake. About 300 American person- nel are on the ground in Nepal help- ing with earthquake relief efforts. The death toll from the two KATHMANDU: Three bodies have been found with the wreckage of a missing U.S. Marine helicopter, Nepal's defense secretary said Friday. The earthquakes is now 8,460, Nepal's Premier Li Keqiang of China, left, wel- helicopter wreckage was found in a burned condition, Defense Secretary Ishwori Paudyal said. The news came only hours after a local army official Home Ministry said Friday, of comed Prime Minister Narendra Modi of said the wreckage of the helicopter -- missing since Tuesday with six U.S. marines and two Nepali service members on board -- had been found on which 117 are from Tuesday's the steep slopes of a mountain east of Kathmandu. The American chopper was spotted in the Gorthali area, at an altitude of 11,200 feet, according quake. Another 6,271 people are India at the Great Hall of the People in to Brig. Gen. Binoj Basnet. Its discovery follows intensive searches from the air and on foot, amid treacherous terrain. The U.S. Joint Task Force still receiving medical treatment, of Beijing on Friday. confirmed the wreckage, located 8 miles north of Charikot, was that of the missing UH-1Y Huey helicopter. It has not yet commented on the whom 1,700 were injured in the reported discovery of bodies. Four pararescuemen and one combat rescue officer are now on the ground, the Joint Task Force statement said. "The second quake. HONG KONG: India’s prime remain in check. “We are commit- minister, Narendra Modi, told Chi- ted to set a new direction between PML-N's na’s leaders on Friday that it was the two largest Asian countries,” up to them to rethink policies that he said. “This is one of our most middle stump Regular missile tests maintain he said had hindered cooperation important strategic partnerships.” between the two Asian giants. India and China both remain will be Mr. Modi made the comments sensitive to any perceived chal- to reporters in Beijing after meet- lenges to territorial claims and af- uprooted soon, India-Pakistan status quo ing with Premier Li Keqiang and fronts to national pride. Before says Imran unveiling 24 agreements that both Mr. Modi’s visit, Indian news out- In April 2015, India tested its in- weeks later, Pakistan also conduct- men said would help improve re- lets seized on a commentary in a lations. But Mr. Modi added a popular Chinese tabloid, Global MULTAN: Pakistan Tehreek-i- digenously-developed 3000-km ed nuclear weapons tests. Intermediate Range Ballistic Mis- On the 17th year anniversary proviso: that the Chinese govern- Times, that accused Mr. Modi of Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, ment should consider India’s griev- “playing little tricks over border while addressing a public gather- sile (IRBM) Agni III, while Paki- of India's nuclear weapons test, stan tested its 1300-km Medium PM Narendra Modi lauded the ef- ances. disputes and security issues.” On ing in Multan on Friday, said “We covered all issues, includ- Thursday, Indian media showed PML-N's middle stump will soon Range Ballistic Missile Ghauri. forts of Indian scientists with the Both missiles are part of an following tweet: ing those that trouble smooth de- an image of a map used in a Chi- be knocked over, DawnNews re- velopment of our relations,” Mr. nese news program that showed ported. ever-growing arsenal capable of Almost 17 years later, the arch reaching every corner of rival ter- rivals each test fired ballistic mis- Modi said of his talks with Mr. Li India without its claimed territo- Imran was referring to the up- and, on Thursday, with China’s ries of Jammu and Kashmir and of coming hearing of the Judicial Com- ritory (including India's Andaman siles. These are strategic delivery Islands) and carrying both conven- systems capable of delivering ei- pre-eminent leader, President Xi Arunachal Pradesh. mission, where he said he will tional and nuclear warheads. Iron- ther nuclear or conventional war- Jinping. Despite the warm official wel- present evidence of rigging in ically, these tests are also a good heads deep inside each other's ter- The sources of contention be- come for Mr. Modi, many Chinese Lahore's NA-122— the constitu- way of ensuring the two countries ritory, with the focus being pre- tween the two countries have in- also remain wary and disdainful of ency where Imran Khan lost to do not go to war. dominantly on the former. cluded long-running border dis- India. PML-N's Ayaz Sadiq in the 2013 ALSO SEE 748% Rise In Pa- Land, fire and falcons putes, a heavy trade imbalance in Mr. Modi “has deliberately general election. kistan Terror Deaths Over 10 Years When it comes to Pakistan, China’s favor and India’s wariness looked for problems so that dur- The PTI chief went on to say "Such tests are considered rou- India has developed/is developing toward China’s partnership with ing negotiations with Chinese lead- that 2015 will be the year of elec- tine exercises for the two arch-ri- the Prithvi and Agni series of sur- Pakistan, India’s rival. ers he has more chips to bargain tions. vals since they developed nuclear face to surface ballistic missiles. “I stressed the need for China with,” Hu Zhiyong, the author of Taking a jab at PML-N, Imran weapons capabilities in 1998," ac- The Prithvi ("land") series to reconsider its approach on some the Global Times commentary, said the “national exchequer is be- cording to Foreign Policy. comprises three short-range ballis- of the issues that hold us back from said in a phone interview from realizing full potential of our part- Boston, where he is a visiting ing wasted on projects like metro Regular missile tests maintain tic missiles (SRBM) with a range gets within China. Like Agni I, it Ludhiana, Ahmedabad and the nership,” Mr. Modi said in a room scholar. “We can’t have any hopes bus”. Imran also criticised Punjab India-Pakistan status quo of 150-350 km, capable of target- too is highly accurate and is road outer perimeter of Delhi. AdTech Ad ing major Pakistani cities, such as at the Great Hall of the People, or expectations that Modi will Police for its inefficiency. "It is the and rail mobile. The recently-tested Ghauri the cavernous home of China’s make even the slightest conces- taxpayers' money that goes into India's ballistic-missile pro- Lahore, Sialkot, the capital Islam- Agni III, IV and V, with their (named after 12th-century Afghan gram is driven by the threat it per- abad and Rawalpindi according to national legislature, in remarks sions in negotiations with Chinese paying the IG Punjab’s salary, not longer ranges, might be able to king Shahbuddin Ghauri, also broadcast live by Indian television leaders on political and security the chief minister's personal ceives from its nuclear armed an IndiaSpend analysis. reach all of Pakistan, but it can be known as Muhammad of Ghauri) neighbours Pakistan and China. The Prithvi series are road stations. He said, “I suggested that matters.” funds," he remarked. “Hiring in safely said that they are directed is an MRBM, with a claimed range China should take a strategic and India has remained reticent on police is done on a political basis, Nuclear weapons carried by mobile and deployed. Develop- more towards China. of 1300 km and is "clearly and ballistic missiles are strategic ment on the Prithvi series began in long-term view of our relations.” one of Mr. Xi’s central initiatives, keeping merit aside, which is the Pakistan's Hatf (named after unambiguously North Korean in He added, “I found the Chi- an ambitious network of roads, main reason incidents like Safoora weapons of mass destruction 1983. the sword of Prophet Muham- origin", according to the NIAS re- meant primarily to scare and de- Agni ("fire") I and II, with rang- nese leadership responsive.” railways and ports designed to link Goth massacre keep on happen- mad) series of ballistic missiles have port. The report adds that the mis- Mr. Modi’s caveat departed China to Asia and Europe, known ing,” he claimed. But Imran Khan ter, usually ending in strategic stale- es of 700km and 2000 km respec- been developed-and is still under sile is deployed and can target mates between countries that pos- tively, are capable of targeting al- from the mild, oblique language that as “One Belt, One Road.” Briefing was all praise for Khyber Pakh- development-keeping India in Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mum- most Asian leaders stick to in public reporters in Beijing on Friday, In- sess such arsenals. most all major Pakistani cities, in- mind. These missiles have varying bai, Pune, Nagpur, Bhopal and tunkhwa Police, saying that all hir- The possibility of "mutually cluding Lahore, Islamabad, Raw- after meeting with leaders in dia’s foreign secretary, Subrahman- ranges starting from 70 km, and go Lucknow. Beijing, and it offered a glimpse of yam Jaishankar, called the plan “a ing and postings there were done assured destruction", or MAD, as alpindi, Multan, Peshawar, Kara- up to 2750 km. Some of these mis- The Shaheen (falcon) III, a purely on merit. Earlier, there were it is commonly known, also pre- chi, Quetta and Gwadar. the difficult balance sought by Mr. Chinese initiative,” and said Beijing siles are variants of existing Chi- road-mobile IRBM was tested this Modi. had never approached the Indian reports that PTI office bearers and vents their use on the subconti- The development of the Agni nese and North Korean ballistic March and has a claimed range of workers misbehaved with media nent. I began in 1999, and it was first He has courted Chinese busi- leadership about participating in missiles, according to a report on 2,750 km. Addressing the Carnegie ness and investment to shore up it. persons and manhandled them at India's ballistic-missile pro- tested in January 2002. The Agni I Pakistan's ballistic missile pro- International Nuclear Policy Con- the district sports ground, which gram is driven by the threat it per- fills the gap between the SRBM India’s economy, and stressed that “We are open to discussing gramme by National Institute of ference 2015 in Washington DC, he wants to deepen ties. Indian this with the Chinese whenever was the venue of PTI's public ceives from its nuclear armed Prithvi series and medium-range Advanced Studies (NIAS), Banga- General (retd) Khalid Kidwai, meeting in Multan. According to neighbours Pakistan and China. Agni II missile. It has been in ser- officials said there had been they want to,” he said. lore. Of these, the operational former head of Pakistan's nuclear progress on several nagging issues, Mr. Jaishankar indicated that details, the trouble started when On May 11, 1998, India's then vice since 2004. SRBM Ghaznavi (named after the weapons division, said Pakistan prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpay- The Agni II is a medium-range including confidence-building pro- the two governments had made PTI workers asked the crew of a 11th-century Afghan invader has developed the Shaheen III to tocols at the disputed border be- some progress on the long-running private news TV channels to move ee declared to the world that India ballistic missile (MRBM), first Mahmud Ghazni) is a shortened prevent India from attaining a nu- had become a nuclear weapons tested in April 1999. It allows In- tween the two countries, and a border dispute between the two their DSNG van out of the ground version of the Chinese M-11 mis- clear second-strike capability from high-level task force aimed at ex- countries, saying they had agreed and upon refusal, they threatened state after successfully detonating dia to attack all of Pakistan, al- sile and has a range between 270 the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. three devices. Less than three though it falls short of major tar- panding trade. to increase the number of “border to set the DSNG van on fire. to 350 km; this means it can target (Times of India) But Mr. Modi has also pro- personnel meeting points” — cur- moted himself as a vigorous de- rently there are four of them — fender of Indian security interests and to hold more frequent meet- Pak PM praises railway and international standing. ings there. He also said the two Bangladesh industries “For him to say we hope the sides had agreed to introduce a Chinese will reconsider their ap- hotline between the military com- minister at Green Line proach — it’s very politely put, mands of the two countries. and he added that he saw sensitiv- During an address to students undone by unskilled ity to India’s concerns,” said Sid- at Tsinghua University on Friday train inauguration dharth Varadarajan, editor of The afternoon, Mr. Modi announced Wire, an online Indian news site. that a simplified online visa pro- fication recalling its earlier notifi- “But that’s quite a strong way to tocol would be expanded to include cation that annulled Saad Rafique’s put it.” Chinese tourists, prompting a membership in the National As- manpower, says ILO For now, both governments wave of applause. India has been sembly from NA-125. appear committed to containing gradually extending liberalized visa Rafique’s victory from NA- their disagreements and building procedures to applicants from a 125 was termed invalid by an elec- stronger economic ties. China’s long list of countries, but it was tion tribunal on May 4 after the country director ambassador to New Delhi, Le uncertain whether China would be panel found irregularities in the Yucheng, had said that the deals included, because of lingering wari- records of election material for the signed during Mr. Modi’s visit to ness within India’s security agen- constituency. A re-poll was also Speakers at a seminar have empha- China could be worth $10 billion. cies. ordered within 60 days of the ver- sised policies that will help create Mr. Li, the Chinese premier, did The two dozen agreements dict announcement. The premier skilled manpower for sustainable not wade deeply into any contro- signed as Mr. Modi and Mr. Li said that various institutions of the and inclusive development and versies in his comments to report- looked on mostly involved state and their performance reflect ensure Bangladesh’s economic sta- ers, and he praised Mr. Modi’s ef- strengthening government cooper- the performance of the govern- bility. forts to reinvigorate the Indian ation, including in railways, min- ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister ment. “Restoration of the railways Former ILO director Muham- economy and to improve relations ing and tourism. But Mr. Jaishan- Nawaz Sharif on Friday heaped was a major challenge,” he said. mad Moktada in his keynote said with China. kar said commercial agreements praise at railways minister Saad Nawaz said that the Green Line Bangladesh’s biggest challenge was “For the true arrival of the would be unveiled in Shanghai on Rafique while inaugurating the would transport passengers from unemployment and unskilled man- Asian century, it must be seen Saturday, when Mr. Modi will at- Green Line train in Islamabad. Karachi to Islamabad and vice ver- power. whether China and India, these two tend a business forum there. “We After the inauguration, the sa with the fare of Rs 5,500. “Effective policies are needed most populous countries, will be can see more visible enthusiasm premier addressed various digni- Furthermore, he elaborated to create skilled manpower. Sta- able to overcome the difficulties among Chinese businesses to in- taries, the media and took the op- that the route will include other bility in the economic sector is also facing us and steadily achieve the vest in India,” Mr. Jaishankar said. portunity to honour Railways destinations such as Rohri, Baha- needed,” he told the seminar joint- goal of modernization so people Mr. Modi also thanked the Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique. walpur and Lahore and the train is ly organised by ILO and Bang- can live well,” Mr. Li said as Mr. Chinese government for deciding “I was right to choose Kha- equipped with “advance facilities” ladesh Bank on Thursday. Modi listened. “We both agree that to open a route through Chinese waja Saad Rafique to become the such as Wi-Fi and the total jour- ILO Country Director Srini- political confidence between our territory for Hindu pilgrims who railways minister,” he said. ney would take 23 hours. vas Reddy said Bangladesh’s prob- two countries should be strength- have long sought an easier passage “In just two years, Pakistan “Passengers will also be pro- lems were unskilled manpower and ened.” to Mount Kailash, where the Hin- Railways has progressed. Saad vided with Rs 1 million travel in- risky industrial factories. Mr. Modi also stressed that du god Shiva is believed to reside. Rafique is a good team leader,” he surance,” Nawaz said. They together contributed to India wanted closer ties with Chi- The new route can be traveled by said. The premier also stressed that a fall in production, he said. na, including more investment vehicle and will open in the sum- The prime minister’s remarks the bathrooms of the train are bet- Reddy emphasised increasing from China, greater access to its mer, replacing the existing, longer come hours after the Election Com- ter than the ones in Pakistan Inter- efficiencies of workers and provide ment. He said the policymakers should consider these things if they markets and a shared commitment routes through Nepal and the In- mission of Pakistan issued a noti- national Airlines. them with safe working environ- were to modernise the economy. to ensure that their disagreements dian region of Uttarakhand. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY . MAY 15 , 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES ISIL seizes main government compound in Iraq's Ramadi he Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group has taken over the main government compound in the western Iraqi city of Ra Tmadi, and edged closer to what would be their biggest victory in Iraq this year, officials have said. Hikmat Suleiman, the spokesman for Anbar's governor, told Al Jazeera that the fighters managed to seize the heavily fortified complex on Friday mainly due to a lack of backing from the central Baghdad government. "For months we were complaining and telling the Security Ministries that there was no coordination," he said, adding that the military ignored requests for much needed weapons. The government compound contained Anbar's governor's office, police head- quarters and intelligence headquarters. ISIL itself issued a statement in which it said its fighters "broke into the Safavid government complex in the centre of Ramadi". The operation "resulted in the control of it after killing the 'murtadeen' then blowing up the adjacent buildings of Anbar's governorate and the Safavid Anbar police HQ." Safavid is a term used by ISIL in a derogatory way to refer to government forces and "murtadeen" designates Sunni tribal fighters battling alongside the government. But Suleiman denied that the city of Ramadi had fully fallen to ISIL, as the Anbar Operations Command, which is the military command in Rama- di, remains under the control of authorities. Al Jazeera's Osama Mo- hamed, reporting from Iraq's capital Baghdad, said that Iraqi army heli- copters have continued to strike several parts of the government com- pound in an attempt to regain control over it from ISIL. Provincial council member Adhal Obeid al-Fahdawi had described the situation as "critical" moments earlier and said civilians were fleeing the city centre, the second time in a month they have done so following another ISIL offensive in April. "Families are trying to flee on foot, leaving their cars and homes behind, but most areas around Ramadi are under ISIL con- trol," said Sheikh Jabbar Adjadj al-Assafi, a tribal leader. The loss of the capital of Anbar province, which Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had said would be the next target of government forces after wresting back Tikrit last month, would be a major setback for Baghdad. ISIL has threatened to take control of Ramadi for months and the breakthrough came after a wide offensive on several fronts in the province, including an assault using several suicide car bombs in Ramadi on Thursday. Washington and six world powers are in the midst of negotiations with Tehran to finalize a deal by June UN seeks speedier inspections on 30 that would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Yemen-bound goods to import fuel GENEVA: The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Yemen The U.S. Congress overwhelming- Senate, now goes to President A U.S. delegation led by Underse- proving a nuclear accord. “Con- praised the House action and said urged a Saudi-led coalition to ease its inspection regime to allow vital ly passed legislation Thursday as- Barack Obama’s desk for his sig- cretary of State Wendy Sherman gress will be in a much better posi- Congress will have to vote up or commercial and humanitarian goods into the country. It was particularly suring lawmakers have the right to nature. Washington and six world traveled to Vienna, Austria and tion to judge any final agreement down on the Iran deal “before the critical to import fuel into Yemen to run hospital generators and pumps review and perhaps reject any nu- powers are in the midst of negoti- joined the crunch talks taking place to ensure that the Obama adminis- president could provide relief from for the water and sanitation system, Johannes van der Klaauw told a clear deal with Iran, capping weeks ations with Tehran to finalize a deal there this week. House Foreign tration hasn't struck a bad deal.” congressional sanctions.” U.N. briefing in Geneva via audio link from Sanaa. "The arms embargo of wrangling over how to hold Te- by June 30 that would prevent Iran Affairs Committee chairman Ed The bill will allow lawmakers at After last week’s Senate vote and its inection regime results in commercial goods, be it by air or ship, hran to account. The measure, from developing nuclear weapons, Royce said the bill made clear that least 30 days to review any final on the bill, Tehran warned that U.S. no longer reaching the country. The inspection regime needs to be sim- which passed the House of Rep- in exchange for an easing of pun- lawmakers would not let the Iran accord. The original bill’s co- lawmakers were waging “psycho- plified, needs to be made faster so that commercial and also humanitar- resentatives by a vote of 400 to ishing economic sanctions imposed Obama administration “shut Con- author, Senate Foreign Relations logical war” against Iranian negoti- ian imports of fuel in the first place and also food and other life-sustain- 25, one week after it cleared the on the Islamic republic since 2006. gress out of the process” of ap- Committee chairman Bob Corker, ators. ing necessities can be resumed," van der Klaauw said. Burundi says it arrests three generals behind coup bid BUJUMBURA: Burundi's au- thorities have arrested three gen- erals for their role in an attempted coup but the leader of the bid to overthrow President Pierre Nku- runziza was "still on the run", a presidential spokesman said on Friday. After Thursday's heavy fight- ing for control of the state radio headquarters and frequent gunfire in the capital, the streets of Bu- jumbura were quiet on Friday morning. Nkurunziza, who had been in Tanzania when Major General Godefroid Niyombare said on Wednesday he was leading a bid to overthrow him, came back to Bu- rundi on Thursday, another signal that the government had regained control of the capital. The president was due to ad- dress the nation "in the coming hours", presidential spokesman Gervais Abayeho told Reuters. Nkurunziza has returned to The coup followed more than Several African leaders had face alarming splits in the army and two weeks of protests in Bujum- criticized Nkurunziza's bid for re- a nation where thousands of pro- bura, in which demonstrators of- election in the June 26 presiden- testers in Bujumbura had rallied ten clashed with police, who were tial vote. The African Union also against his bid for a third term in often seen firing live rounds at pro- condemned any attempt to seize office. The protesters had celebrat- testers. "power through violence". ed on the streets when the coup More than 20 people were The decade-old peace agree- was declared. killed, according to an unofficial ment ended a conflict that had pit- The unrest has plunged Burun- tally by activists. Scores were also ted rebel groups of the majority di into its deepest crisis since an wounded. Hutus, including one led by Nku- ethnically fueled civil war ended The heavy-handed response runziza, against an army then led The Saudi-led coalition against jran as well as against an Elab bor- runs in the interest of the brother- in Yemen itself. in 2005. of the police drew stern rebukes by minority Tutsis. The military Houthi militias in Yemen has said der post, SPA reported. ly Yemeni people,” Saudi Arabia The Saudi-led coalition on One police general and two from Western donors, who have is now mixed and has absorbed it is “still keen” to ensure the hu- The Houthis also continued warned the Houthis and their sup- March 26 began bombing the rebels army generals were arrested "for urged the president not to run rebel factions. manitarian truce in Yemen is a “suc- operations in Aden, Abeen, Luhaj, porters “that self-restraint and who had taken over large parts of involvement in the aborted coup," again. The United States, which The European Union, Belgium cess,” but accused the Iran-backed Shabwa, Taez and Maareb prov- being committed to the truce would neighboring Yemen. the presidential spokesman said, provides training and equipment and the Netherlands have all sus- Houthis of violating a ceasefire for inces. Inside Yemen, the militia not last long in case the militias Riyadh feared they would oc- adding one of them was former to the army, demanded a halt to pended some aid due to the un- “the second day in a row.” group “continued moving their continue such practices and viola- cupy the entire country and move Defence Minister Cyrille "violent force" used by police. rest, particularly donations linked In a statement carried by the machineries, carrying out military tions.” it into the orbit of its Shiite region- Ndayirukiye. The constitution and a peace to the elections, which alongside official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), operations, and targeting citizens’ The coalition warned that it al rival Iran. But coup leader Niyombare, deal that ended the civil war set a the presidential polls also include the coalition said it “detected vio- homes” with tanks and missiles in would “take the appropriate mea- The Houthi rebels and their who was fired from a briefly held two-term presidential limit, but a a parliamentary race scheduled for lations in two zones,” one along six provinces including Aden, SPA sures to deter” the Houthis. allies had indicated they would post of intelligence chief by Nku- court ruled that Nkurunziza could May 26. Opponents of the presi- the Saudi-Yemen border and the reported. Early Thursday the coalition abide by the ceasefire, which was runziza in February, was not one run again because he was appoint- dent and others had called for de- second in Yemen itself. While the “the coalition com- accused the rebels of 12 contra- proposed by Saudi Arabia and sup- of those held, he said. ed by parliament, not elected, to lay to the elections, although they Houthis “shelled land forces mand confirms to everybody that ventions of the ceasefire, which ported by the United States in or- "He is still on the run. His his first term. His opponents and said a vote should be held by Aug. in vicinity of Abul-Radeef village” it was and is still keen to make this began at 2000 GMT on Tuesday, der to allow aid into the stricken whereabouts are not known to us," some donors have questioned the 26, when Nkurunziza's current in the southwestern region of Na- humanitarian truce a success as it along the Saudi-Yemen border and country. Abayeho added. court's impartiality. term runs out. US, China set for high-stakes rivalry in skies above South China Sea HONG KONG: When the U.S. they will eventually declare one, I Recent satellite images also China Sea did not warrant one. tary ignore the ADIZ above the official said the Pentagon was tation from any U.S. show of force. navy sent a littoral combat ship just don't know when," said a se- show reclamation work on Subi Enforcing such an ADIZ East China Sea, as does Japan's two considering sending military air- "It's reckless," he said, refer- on its first patrol of the disputed nior U.S. commander familiar with Reef creating landmasses that, if would be difficult even with two major carriers, ANA Holdings craft and ships to assert freedom ring to Washington's latest plans. Spratly islands in the South China the situation in Asia. joined together, could make space airstrips capable of handling fight- <9202.T> and Japan Airlines of navigation around the Chinese- "It has a built-in dynamic for Sea during the past week, it was ADIZs are not governed by for a similar sized airstrip. er planes in the Spratlys, as well <9201.T>. made islands. unintended escalation," he added. watching the skies as well. formal treaties or laws but are used Growing concern in Washing- as an expanded airstrip on Woody A study produced by the in- China's Foreign Ministry re- "Are they willing to take the con- The USS Fort Worth, one of by some nations to extend control ton that China might impose air island in the disputed Paracel is- dependent U.S. Congressional Re- sponded by saying Beijing was sequences of this escalation?" the most modern ships in the U.S. beyond national borders, requiring and sea restrictions in the Spratlys land chain further north because search Service earlier this year not- "extremely concerned" and de- At sea, tensions are already navy, dispatched a reconnaissance civilian and military aircraft to iden- once it completes work on its sev- of the distances involved, regional ed that while China's air force ac- manded clarification. apparent. drone and a Seahawk helicopter to tify themselves or face possible en artificial islands is likely to be military officials and experts said. tively monitors that zone with On Friday it accused the Phil- The naval statement about the patrol the airspace, according to a military interception. on the agenda when U.S. Secretary The Spratlys for example lie ground radar from its coastline, it ippines of working together with USS Fort Worth, which can also little-noticed statement on the na- China sparked condemnation of State John Kerry meets Chinese more than 1,100 km (680 miles) had generally shown restraint in the United States to "exaggerate hunt submarines and support am- vy's website. from the United States and Japan leaders in Beijing this weekend for from the Chinese mainland, put- enforcement. the China threat" over the phibious landings, noted the ship While the navy didn't mention when it imposed an ADIZ in the previously scheduled talks. ting China's well-equipped airbas- China's planes were unlikely Spratlys. "encountered multiple People's China's rapid land reclamation in East China Sea, above uninhabited Asia's rising power claims sov- es along its coastline well out of to maintain a constant presence China had recently warned Liberation Army-Navy warships" the Spratlys, the ship's actions islands disputed with Tokyo, in ereignty over most of the South reach. over the East China Sea, the study Philippine air force and navy during its patrol. It did not go into were a demonstration of U.S. ca- late 2013. China Sea, through which $5 tril- "Even with the new reclama- noted, citing a U.S. air force as- planes at least six times to leave detail. pabilities in the event Beijing de- Chinese military facilities now lion in ship-borne trade passes tions, it is going to be a stretch for sessment. the Spratlys, the Philippine mil- "Our interactions with Chinese clares an Air Defence Identifica- under construction on Fiery Cross every year. China to routinely enforce such a The South China Sea might itary commander responsible for ships continue to be professional tion Zone (ADIZ) in the area - a Reef in the Spratlys, including a The Philippines, Vietnam, zone that far south," said Richard prove more problematic for China the region said last week. The and (the Code for Unplanned En- move experts and some U.S. mili- 3,000-metre (10,000-foot) runway Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also Bitzinger, a regional security ana- given the complexity of the dis- planes refused. counters at Sea) helps clarify in- tary officials see as increasingly and airborne early warning radars, have overlapping claims. lyst at Singapore's S. pute and the possibility of chal- Zhang Baohui, a mainland se- tentions and prevent miscommu- likely. could be operational by the year- China has said it had every Rajaratnam School of Interna- lenges from the U.S. navy and air curity expert at Hong Kong's nication," Commander Matt Ka- "It's not inevitable but if we end, said the U.S. commander, who right to set up an ADIZ but that tional Studies. force. Lingnan University, said he was was, the Fort Worth's command- are betting paychecks I'll bet that declined to be identified. current conditions in the South The Japanese and U.S. mili- Indeed, on Tuesday, a U.S. worried about the risk of confron- ing officer, said in the statement. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY .MAY 16, 2015 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 The man who keeps tabs on US AFGHANISTAN TIMES Editor: Abdul Saboor Sarir money spent in Afghanistan Phone No: +93-772364666 E-mail: [email protected] By David Welna John Sopko, the man whose job is Email: [email protected] to watch over U.S. government spending in Afghanistan, says it’s www.afghanistantimes.af not his job to be a cheerleader it’s Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi to speak truth to power. “I am of- ten the bringer of bad news to peo- Advisory editorial board ple. Or at least that’s what some people think,” he says.Addressing Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, a crowd of Afghanistan analysts Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal and contractors in Washington, Sopko says he’s had just one ob- Graphic-Designers: jective since President Obama ap- Mansoor Faizy and Edriss Akbari pointed him three years ago to be the Special Inspector General for Marketing & Advertising: Afghanistan Reconstruction: “To Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 seek facts and aggressively protect Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan the U.S. taxpayer’s enormous in- vestment in Afghanistan.” Con- Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 gress is voting this week on more Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press funding for Afghanistan’s security forces and that raises the question of how well they are performing The constitution says in their fight against the Taliban. After U.S. forces pulled out of Iraq, the self-styled Islamic State fight- ers moved in and Iraq’s security John Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, Article 137: forces all but collapsed. Those testifies on Capitol Hill last June. Sopko says the Afghans are still having The government, in preserving the principles of centralism, shall transfer necessary powers, in accordance watching Afghanistan warn the trouble managing the money the U.S. sends to the country. The U.S. has with the law, to local administrations in order to accelerate and improve economic, social as well as cultural same could happen there unless the spent $110 billion on Afghanistan’s reconstruction since 2002. matters, and foster peoples’ participation in developing national life. U.S. keeps a small force and car- ries on with its work to build up small U.S. force that remains. “Our can’t resolve,” he says. Snow says higher than most estimates. Sop- the Afghan troops. In addition to casualties in Afghanistan now are no other country has ever prevailed ko says nobody’s really sure how Editorial all the American money spent at a real minimum, but we leave, in Afghanistan, a reference to the much has been spent in Afghani- fighting in Afghanistan, the U.S. we lose. It’s not complicated.” No Soviets, the British and others who stan. But for all the problems that has spent $110 billion for the coun- easy exit However, former Uni- waged military campaigns in Af- country presents, he does say he try’s reconstruction, with the larg- versity of Alabama political scien- ghanistan that ultimately failed. believes it’s still worth spending What April 14 and May est portion more than $60 billion tist Donald Snow, who has writ- Meanwhile, enthusiasm of many the $8 billion dollars a year to keep going to build the Afghan security ten extensively on other wars the U.S. lawmakers is wearing thin. Sen. U.S. officials on the ground there. forces, known collectively as the U.S. has found hard to exit, says Joe Manchin, a Democrat from The U.S. forces are “insuring that ANDSF. Even when adjusted for it’s not that simple. “What we’re West Virginia, who also serves on we can kind of oversee what’s go- 15 teach us? inflation, that $110 billion is more doing is trying to put lipstick on a the Armed Services Committee, ing on, because that’s the insur- There is blood all around. There is terror in all the streets. And than the U.S. contributed to the kind of an ugly pig and try to get says, “My goodness, we’ve already ance policy for the entire trillion Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe out with with some saving grace spent what, two and a half trillion? dollars and all those troops we lost there is death in all the mountains and villages. Our history of after World War II. Chronic man- of appearing to support what we I can’t go home in West Virginia and and all those civilians we lost,” he the past three-plus decades is bloodstained. April 14 is the day agement problems And yet Sop- really know is a battle that we justify that.” Manchin’s figure is says. (Courtesy: GPB News) when representatives of the governments of Afghanistan and ko says his quarterly audits strong- ly suggest “that Afghanistan still a refreshingly new angle. Military Pakistan signed three bilateral agreements aimed at ending the lacks the capacity financial, tech- Modi in China: and economy have always been war in Afghanistan, in 1988, in Geneva. The accords came into nical, managerial or otherwise to two essential parts of diplomatic forces on May 15. The accords set the path for the beginning of maintain, support, and execute Turning conflict into parleys, but this time, the Indian much of what has been built or prime minister is a leader who has the Soviet’s pullout from Afghanistan. Today it is May 16. Can, perfected the art of charming. April 14 repeat itself once again where the two governments established during the more than Modi’s debut on China’s social 13 years of international assis- complementarity media Weibo initiative has not gone would sign such bilateral agreements on non-interference? Is it tance.” Sopko says the Afghan se- in vain. When a correspondent of By Tarun Vijay dispute through the appointments possible by the coming April 14? Back in April 1988, an addi- curity forces continue to be of Special Representatives (SRs). Hongkong-based Phoenix TV plagued by high attrition rates and Later, India signed the important asked me in an interview about the tional declaration on international guarantees was signed by the low self-sufficiency. “News re- Indian Prime Minister Narendra joint document ‘A Shared Vision critical remarks arriving on Modi’s US and the then USSR as state guarantors. The documents, in ports from Afghanistan as recent Modi’s visit to China has come at a for the 21st Century’ during Man- Weibo account, I said that it was welcome as India was a democra- as this week are noting record ca- time when his government is com- mohan Singh’s 2008 China visit. history, are called the Geneva accords, have been appreciated pleting its first year in power and Manmohan’s second China visit in cy and knew how to use this op- sualty levels in the ANDSF,” he as the key to the USSR pullout from Afghanistan and a settle- global strategic equations are fast 2013 resulted in agreements on portunity to explain to critics the says. “We have heard of Afghan rearranging. At a time when India’s keeping the border tranquil, ex- correct position. She was surprised ment of the conflict. Though the three agreements were there, army units clearing areas of insur- economy is gaining strength and glo- change of data on trans-border riv- that India had no problem with but interference didn’t stop even after the Soviet’s withdrawal gents, handing it over to the local bal economists are hailing Modi’s ers, cooperation for Nalanda Uni- criticism. That is where India, with from here. And what the nation saw the darkest side of our his- police or the national police, who one year in power as the best India versity besides establishing sister- its democracy, has the power to then find that they cannot stand has had economically, Modi walks city partnerships between Delhi- overcome hurdles. On the econom- ic front, Modi will have to do some tory in living memory. What followed the withdrawal is con- up to insurgents on their own.” in China as the most confident and Beijing, Kolkata-Kunming and powerful prime minister to have hard talk on balancing the huge demned even today as a betrayal. The current shape of the war The U.S. ended combat operations Bangalore-Chengdu. Modi is set ever visited. And with President Xi to create a new era in India-China trade deficit, which has risen to a in Afghanistan last year. Close to is the part two of that very bloody episode. Since the agree- Jinping, himself considered to be a relations by focussing more on whopping $37.8 billion (Dh139 ments clearly mentioned “no interference”, however, on the in- 10,000 U.S. troops remain to ad- strong leader moulded in Deng building trust and inviting Chinese billion). China’s economy is almost vise and assist the Afghan forces, Xiaoping’s school of thought, a cou- investments. Whatever we say four times the size of India and sistence of the then Soviet Union and the then government in though they’re scheduled to leave rageous march of togetherness about the growing trade and bilat- their official military budget ($119 Afghanistan that any Soviet involvement in the country is purely by the end of next year. Senate seems more possible than ever. The eral exchanges, the fact remains that billion) is three times larger than Armed Services Committee chair- Nehru years with China were root- the suspicion level remains high for New Delhi’s. Beijing’s huge aid to an internal matter to be determined by that government on the ed in a mirage and ended in clouds Pakistan, the new economic corri- man John McCain, a Republican each other, which reflects in the of animosity and suspicion. Indira complicated visa norms too. Modi dor linking Gwadar with Xinjiang basis of bilateral programs between the two states. The United from Arizona, says that will only Gandhi never visited and Rajiv Gan- is expected to break the ice and and the People’s Liberation Ar- States is here under the UN mandate. Its presence is purely the lead to disaster. “It’ll be the same dhi did succeed in de-freezing the begin a fresh, confident and bold my’s presence in Pakistan-admin- internal matter of Afghanistan. And the voices that the infidels movie we saw in Iraq: complete ties, but could not put them on a new phase of “vishwas” — trust istered Kashmir concerns India’s withdrawal without a residual strong wicket. Atal Bihari Vajpay- that will pave the way for future security. But should it be allowed who have come to this part of the world must be fought is some- force to provide them with the ca- ee had the statesmanship to show cooperation in an unprecedented to impact negatively on India’s thing that comes under interference. Those who support these pabilities they don’t have. They an out-of-the-box approach, formal- manner. Once trust begins to soar biltaral ties with a neighbour that is indisputably more important will lose,” McCaain says. McCain ly accepting the TAR (Tibet Au- at the people’s level, nothing is voices must know that the trend of the time is changing. Region- tonomous Region) as China’s inte- than others? India may choose to sees no reason to reduce U.S. troop impossible, a high Chinese official al and the international scenario have been on the change, there- gral part and getting Sikkim recogn- in Beijing last month told me. Away remain enveloped in fears or begin fore, they must abstain from fanning militancy. Now that Af- strength in Afghanistan any fur- ised by the Chinese as an Indian from the strict official positioning a power walk with confidence ther. “Just keep doing what we’re state and institutionalising the and stiff collars, Modi can make Let a march of confident to- ghanistan and Pakistan had already signed three agreements in doing,” he says, referring to the mechanism to resolve the border Chinese people look at India from getherness begin. Geneva in 1988, the question is if the agreements still are valid or they were for a time period. The first of the bilateral agree- ments between Pakistan and Afghanistan was the “Principles of Mutual Relations.” This agreement particularly was on “Non- Interference and Non-Intervention,” that bound the two nations to abstain from various activities that could constitute interfer- ence in one another’s matters. The most important part of this agreement was the clause of the article-II, paragraphs 1-13, that effectively closes up every means by which Pakistan could in- stigate, assist or permit its territory to be used to assist, the Afghan resistance. When the two governments—Afghanistan and Pakistan, are all talk and talk about improvement in bilateral relations, can they sign an April 14, 1988, like agreement, which must bind the two not to allow its territories to be used against each other? Subscription Rates Categories Fee Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 3600 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 1800 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $200 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF.

SATURDAY .MAY 16 , 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Modi and China boundary question:

one as it would open them up to Will history repeat itself? domestic criticism and damage elec- toral chances. The Chinese govern- By Stephen Westcott age the dispute rather than resolve Somdurong/Wangdung incident ment for their part is facing a slow- it. Indeed there has been only in- which came close to becoming a ing economy and several security While negotiations during Indian cremental progress aimed primari- lethal military skirmish. Though concerns in Tibet, Xingjian and in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ly at reducing tensions and estab- tensions were defused by Prime the seas to its west, which pro- upcoming China visit, expected to lishing institutions for trust-build- Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s 1988 vis- vide a powerful incentive to re- occur on 14-16 May, will mostly ing exercises such as the Working it, it is widely considered that a move this distraction and focus on focus on deepening economic ties Mechanism for Consultation and chance was lost to resolve the more important issues.Whether and reducing the trade deficit, there Coordination on India-China Bor- boundary question when he did not these factors will be enough to is growing speculation that there der Affairs. However, both Modi respond to Deng Xiaoping’s ‘pack- break the typical inertia that sur- will be some progress on resolving and Xi have expressed their desire age deal’ offer. This proposal ef- rounds the border negotiations or the long deadlocked boundary to remove the dispute that has act- fectively would have seen the for- whether it will be another in the question. Indeed, this expectation ed as a spoiler in bilateral relations malisation of the status quo with litany of missed chances remains has been fed by a flurry of talks and prevented it from reaching its China recognising India’s control to be seen. It would be naive to between the two sides over the full potential. Modi in his tenure over the east and India recognising believe that this would be final as border in the past month. The 18th so far has demonstrated that he is China’s control over the west and any deal will require some mutual round of the Special Representa- keen to resolve some of India’s is considered probably one of the relinquishing of territorial claims tive Talks were held between 23- longstanding border disputes, fairest resolutions possible. While which has so far proven unpalat- 24 March, marking the first for- most notably with Bangladesh, the talks that followed Gandhi’s able, at least for the Indian side. mal talks on the border dispute which he has framed as being in visit marked the beginning of the Even if it is achieved, changes on since Modi took office. The Joint the national interest to slap down establishment of the various insti- the border are unlikely, at least for However, the fact that they’re risks and dangers.” By William C. Anderson Military Talks were held in early criticism from hardliners in his tutions to maintain peaceful rela- several years, with the terrain need- “taking notice” doesn’t mean these Roble not only discusses those April. Little has been revealed pub- ing to be rigorously surveyed and When I was a child of 7 or 8, I countries will substantively ad- dangers - he interviews people own party. Another sign that a deal tions along the border, the desire licly about the outcome of the almost drowned. I still remember dress the roots of the problem. who have actually experienced could be in the offing is both coun- to definitively resolve the dispute demarcated, a process that has the sensation. The feeling of your Reception centers, migrant camps, them and tried to make it to Eu- talks, apart from the usual plati- tries have expressed strong inter- has slowly leached out of the bor- proven to take over a decade in lungs filling with water is a unique, and military action against Libya rope. “I ask them if they would tudes over the desire to uphold est in increasing their bilateral der negotiations. Nonetheless both other disputed border areas and is heavy pain. It’s like being slowly (which was destabilized by West- make the journey knowing what ‘peace and tranquillity’ along the trade. Several Chinese officials and Modi and Xi appear to be signal- likely to raise fresh issues during engulfed by death. I’d fallen over a ern military action) have all been they know now, and they say border. However, viewed in the commentators in particular have ling that they wish to be the ‘fu- the process. Both countries are small bridge into a deep stream my tossed around as “solutions.” ‘no,’” he said. Roble even inter- light of recent statements such as been recently talking up the com- ture generation’ that Deng spoke undoubtedly aware that the soon- mother had warned me not to play Meanwhile, the deaths have al- views people who have made it to the India Foreign Minister’s com- patibility between the economic of who would resolve this issue. er this process gets underway, the by. I distinctly remember seeing ready become a political football Europe and didn’t find what they ment that both sides are seeking policies that could be easily capit- In India, Modi is only a year into sooner it can be completed. None- the sun becoming dark in my gaze to be kicked around by politicians. expected: “Sometimes they don’t ‘out of the box’ solutions, these alised upon with the removal of his electoral term and if a settle- theless, the odds are any progress piercing the water’s surface and In the midst of UK elections, Ed get jobs; people end up doing jobs talks conducted smoothly so close in this upcoming visit will fall short thinking, “I’m dying.” Miliband and David Cameron went they feel are beneath their educa- the border obstacle. While there is ment with China is reached now, Luckily my sister saw me fall, back and forth on who is to blame. tion.” Roble spoke at length about to Modi’s visit have raised the ex- ground to be optimistic, it is also he can overcome criticisms as he of such a final development but heard me scream before I hit the The whole discourse carries a tone people from highly educated back- pectations that some form of deal sobering to remember that both has done with Bangladesh by remain better than nothing. Wheth- water, and pulled me out - saving of disdain and lacks any real con- grounds working low-paying jobs is in the making. Is a breakthrough countries have been in a similar sit- painting it as being in the best in- er it will adequately neutralise the my life. I would fear water for cern or empathy for migrants. and being unable to secure jobs in in the long deadlocked negotiations uation in the past. Once negotia- terest of security and economic border as bilateral issue remains to years to come and avoid learning A column by Katie Hopkins their profession in Europe. imminent? At least since the 2005 tions were restarted in the 1980s interest of the country. Should a be seen, though it can be said with how to swim until I was in middle in The Sun last month described When Truthout asked Roble agreement on the principles for re- they started with great expecta- deal, at least in principle, fail to certainty that both countries dip- school. I flashed back to this mo- human beings crossing the Medi- what he thought of the recent cri- solving the boundary question, the tions but proceeded slowly before eventuate early in Modi’s term, it lomats’ will be engaged with this ment when I was reading about the terranean as “cockroaches.” De- sis that took the lives of hundreds negotiations have pursued the less being nearly derailed by some bor- is unlikely that he or his govern- problem for many years to come. recent deaths of hundreds of mi- spite some public outcry in re- of African migrants, he said, ambitious target of seeking to man- der clashes, most notably the 1986 ment would be willing to counter (Courtesy: IPCS) grants in the Mediterranean Sea. sponse to her choice words, the “We’re losing a young generation It takes a special desperation policies and responses that drive of future leaders; we’re losing peo- to risk drowning - or any other migration to Europe reinforce her ple who could help Somalia.” That kind of death - for a better life. depraved view. For instance, Aus- sentiment could be applied to A big win for Kurds at the White House The migrants who do so every day tralia has recommended that the EU many of the migrants from differ- across the world don’t always follow its lead and turn migrants ent countries looking north for a have a choice. Some risk death as away at sea, even possibly by force different life. By Michael Knights to Erbil, and Kurdish officials even ter of US material collectively with This again was a smart way to refugees because death is certain of arms. The EU is not immune to “The policy makers aren’t tak- privately complain that MRAPs Sunni Arab paramilitary recipients tighten relations with the US at a at home. One Eritrean refugee the tougher immigration policies ing the issue seriously,” he said. From May 3-8, Washington DC sent to the KRG had been sabo- - but it would have soured rela- time when Washington still sees named Sofia summed this up well that mar places like the United “There is a big network of human hosted a high-powered delegation taged while in transit. tions with the Obama administra- the Mosul battle as vital, but when when she told a Guardian inter- States and Israel. traffickers, people are abused, tor- from the Kurdistan Regional Gov- In reaction to these views, the tion at a critical time. federal Iraqi leaders are gradually viewer, “If I die at sea, it won’t be But even when they are not tured, women raped.” Those things ernment (KRG). KRG President House Armed Services Committee You catch more flies with hon- backing away from the northern of the US Congress introduced ey city in favour of operations in a problem - at least I won’t be tor- advocating letting migrants die, the seem enough to scare away those Massoud Barzani was flanked by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad clauses into the annual National The Iraqi Kurds arrived in Anbar and Salah al-Din that bring tured.” Brutal, violent death and Western media almost entirely ig- who look on from positions of Talabani, National Security Chan- Defense Authorization Act Washington DC with an evident more direct protective benefit to “disappearance” are potential nores the problem’s structural privilege, but Truthout asked - cellor Masrour Barzani and Min- (NDAA), the Pentagon's budget, intent to strengthen their relations Shia central Iraq. fates that cause many migrants to causes. The purveyors of propa- why are people leaving to face ister of Peshmerga Affairs Mus- in an attempt to protect the Kurds' with the US executive branch, not Playing the long game flee the places they were born and ganda and the governments that these possibilities? Roble respond- tapha Sayyid Qadr, among other fair share of US weapons. to re-litigate past grievances or The Kurdish performance in risk drowning. For the fleeing Black control them address the branches ed, “They feel kind of hopeless.” KRG ministers and officials. In the The now notorious draft open up new fights. This winning Washington was that of the team migrant, there is a special signifi- of a tree when it blossoms unwant- Over a century after the trans- three years since Barzani's last NDAA for Fiscal Year 2016, an approach has been a long time com- player. Barzani's patient approach cance here. ed fruit. They seldom speak to the atlantic slave trade ended, Africans White House visit, a lot has early and unratified version of the ing. was possible in part because he is The Black body is situated in roots that they overwatered with are being human-trafficked for changed. Back then, just six months final legislation, was amended by The tone of the Kurdish visit the most senior Iraqi Kurdish de- a specific historical context when destructive trade policy, war and their labor, and ending up en- after the withdrawal of US forces, congress to include a clause (Sec- was positive throughout: Barzani cision-maker, not a subordinate it comes to death by water. There unbending economic exploitation. slaved. Over a century after the Iraq was a bad memory that the tion 1223) that named the Pesh- took every opportunity to thank responsible to a higher authority are many parallels that exist be- They flood the homelands of peo- transatlantic slave trade ended, Obama administration wanted to merga as one of a number of secu- the US government, military, and elsewhere. tween the situations of Black peo- ple seen as “lesser than” and then Africans are still being packed into forget. Today Iraq is the key the- rity forces collectively entitled to public for the decisive impact of Barzani laid out the real objec- ple in Africa and throughout the complain when they have to col- boats, abused based on skin tone, atre of the war against the self- "not less than 25 percent" of the air strikes and other military sup- tive of the visit when he stated African diaspora around the lect the bodies that wash upon their and thrown overboard to drown. styled Islamic State of Iraq and the annual $715m of US support. port against the ISIL invasion of "right now the priority is fighting world. The Haitian drowns trying doorsteps. Over a century after the transat- Levant (ISIL).As important, US- Most controversially the the KRG in August 2014. [ISIL], but the process of self-de- to reach the United States. The The work of photographer lantic slave trade ended - though Kurdish relations had frayed bad- amendment would allow the KRG On weapons, Barzani deftly termination will continue". Black New Orleanians drown Juan Medina portrays several as- circumstances have shifted - we are ly since Barzani's June 2012 visit. "as a country" to "directly receive sidestepped the divisive issue of In the Kurdish view, the visit awaiting rescue in the 9th Ward. pects of the precursory social still faced with the pervasiveness Washington had refused to back a assistance from the United States" the NDAA by accepting US as- provided what Iraqi ambassador to The ancestors of these Black death that has allowed African mi- of the drowning Black body. cross-sectarian May 2012 effort, if Baghdad failed to meet the afore- surances that "the necessary weap- Washington, Lukman Faily, calls people and their fellow Black grants to be dehumanized to this With the impending possibili- led by Barzani, to oust Prime mentioned condition, a clause that ons" would be provided by the US an "independence health check", a Americans were enslaved Africans point. Medina’s images reveal peo- ty of economic onslaught via trade Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Kurdi- sparked security threats from Shia and its partners without seeking chance to check-in with the Amer- whose family members were ple sunbathing and walking casu- deals like the Trans-Pacific Part- sh leader says referendum to be militia leaders against US trainers to push a prescriptive formula on icans regarding their mid-term view drowned by their captors or chose ally down beaches as they pass nership, we should be prepared to held after ISIL defeat The Iraqi in Iraq. the White House. of the Kurds' right to self-determi- Kurds step back from the brink It may have been this flexibil- nation. to drown rather than suffer the rest corpses or near-drowned migrants. hear about many more people be- prime minister then began to send US-equipped federal military forc- The early May visit to Wash- ity that turned President Barack The Kurds seem to have re- of the middle passage. Those Afri- It is the waters of the Mediterra- ing forced to leave Africa. We es to the border of Kurdistan and ington DC might have become just Obama's scheduled five-minute ceived a neutral response from the can ancestors were coming from nean that swallow and spit out should expect more people to swal- had even told his generals that they another battle in the deepening "drop-by" at the White House Americans regarding the "process the continent many of the Black these Black bodies - but the path low their fear of falling into a blue might march on Erbil one day but struggle between Washington and Roosevelt Room into an involved of self-determination", which they migrants currently crossing the to that death at sea is driven by abyss to never resurface. In a world only after the US-built F-16 strike Erbil but the Kurds chose a differ- hour-long discussion with Barza- will view as a green light to contin- Mediterranean have died leaving. forces that are far from natural, and that is supposed to be advancing aircraft were delivered to Iraq. The ent approach. Correctly reading ni on the US-Kurdish relationship. ue to move incrementally and The recent maritime migrant those structural forces are mani- in terms of recognizing our shared first such F-16s land in Iraq in mid- the tea leaves of the US capital, The Kurds also listened care- peacefully towards economic in- crisis neared the proportions of the fested in how tragic migrant deaths humanity, this reality should make July and will be operational over Erbil smartly stepped back from fully to in-depth US briefings on dependence and later de jure state- Titanic’s sinking - without, of are perceived on European shores. it hard for everyone to breathe. Iraqi skies by the autumn of this the brink of a damaging foray into weapons shipments intended to hood. course, the same level of impact The waters have help. Alas, the Black body is one year. Kurdish concerns over arms US domestic politics. demonstrate that Washington was The KRG has strong US Con- on the mainstream public psyche. Migrants might seemingly be that still struggles out of the pits transfers Against this backdrop the The pro-Kurdish amendment - by its admittedly slow standards gressional support and they are Country of origin, race and class abandoned by governments and of neglect. last nine months have witnessed of the draft NDAA may have got- - moving as rapidly as possible to unlikely to lose it as long as they have all diminished the perceived dangerous media narratives, but Here in the United States, intensified discontent among Kur- ten Washington's attention, but if get military aid to the Kurds. do not overstrain their influence importance of the ongoing crisis there are people working to help Black people have been explicitly dish leaders over the level of US pushed to extremes, the bill could Likewise, the Pentagon con- and wear out their supporters' en- of migration out of Africa. these communities. Muhyadin told “Fu… your breath,” when we military support to the Peshmer- ultimately have hurt the Kurdish clusively showed the Kurds that thusiasm at too early a stage, The regularity with which Ahmed Roble, a Somali radio jour- screamed, “I can’t breathe.” We ga, Kurdistan's fighting force. In cause. certain allegations - such as federal The Kurds also have firm and these migrants are drowning illus- nalist, works to keep people from cannot let an ocean separate us particular, the Kurds have com- Baghdad protested the lan- Iraqi removal of armour from growing support from the Penta- trates a lack of real concern on the risking a journey that could take from our kin who cannot breathe plained that Washington has allo- guage, and US Vice President Joe KRG-bound MRAPs - were en- gon, their partner in the fight against part of the dominant powers. Over their lives. Roble is based in Nairo- as they sink with the anchor of cated too small a proportion of its Biden signalled one day before the tirely inaccurate. ISIL and the operator of a new US 3,000 migrants died in 2014, a num- bi, Kenya; he works with Radio “first” world apathy tied to their $1.6bn Iraq Train and Equip Fund Kurdish delegation landed that "all Barzani was also consistently mid-term base at Bashir airfield in ber that is expected to multiply Ergo. feet. Nor should anyone who is (ITEF) assistance to Kurdistan. US military assistance in the fight positive about his chief executive Harir, Kurdistan. by 10 in 2015. Estimates point to His broadcast is aimed at So- not of African descent feel any less Specific complaints range from the against [ISIL] comes at the request counterpart in federal Iraq, Prime The remaining hurdles are the around 30,000 people expected to malis who are thinking about leav- obligated to confront a terrible sit- amounts of equipment allocated to of the Government of Iraq and Minister Haider al-Abbadi. White House and National Securi- die this year. This issue is not new, ing in search of better opportuni- uation that is being driven by the Kurdistan, most notoriously the must be coordinated through the "We will continue to help him," ty Council, both of which will be Government of Iraq". Barzani told an audience at a Wash- refreshed in early 2017, and the but the countries of the European ties. Roble spoke to Truthout policy and practice of empire. transfer to the Kurds of just 25 Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protect- Faced with a US administra- ington think-tank, glossing over the Baghdad-leaning state department. Union (EU) and other privileged about the purpose of his radio pro- We must all be conscious of ed (MRAP) vehicles out of 250 tion that would have fiercely de- deep misgivings that the Kurds By making the US administra- states are just now beginning to gram, saying, “I talk to Somali peo- the ways in which we are letting allocated to Iraq by the US. Slow fended its prerogatives over oper- have over Abbadi's intent and ca- tion's burden in Iraq easier in the take notice. ple to increase awareness about the others drown.—(Truthout) and indirect delivery of US weap- ational military matters, Section pability to deliver on financial and near-term, the Kurds seem to be ons systems is a connected con- 1223 of the NDAA was probably power-sharing promises. starting to make a play for these cern. Washington has chosen to destined to be fought over and ul- Indeed this suspicion was driv- remaining allies in the push for LETTER TO THE EDITOR funnel most weapons shipments timately deleted before the draft en home by a lower-than-expect- autonomy and international recog- via the federal Iraqi Ministry of bill faced ratification in the US Sen- ed $445m monthly payment to the nition. Defence, the only entity entitled ate. Kurdish Peshmerga forces on Kurds that was revealed while Michael Knights is the Lafer by US law to sign end-user certif- the outskirts of Kirkuk [REU- they were in Washington - which Fellow at the Washington Institute Women’s rights icates (EUCs) for the weapons. TERS] the Kurds wisely chose not to for Near East Policy. He specialis- The early May visit to Washing- Instead of trying to force the publicly criticise until the visit was es in the politics and security of Women in Afghanistan have borne the brunt of violence, poverty, insecurity and several other problems in ton DC might have become just White House to do Kurdistan's over. Iraq. He has worked in every Iraqi past several years. Despite the fact that Islam has given them their complete rights, but they have been another battle in the deepening bidding through pressure politics, On the future liberation of province and most of the country's victim of a number wrong traditions in Afghan society. In most of foreign media headlines, Afghanistan is struggle between Washington and Barzani seems to have adopted a Mosul - described by Barzani as hundred districts, including peri- termed as a male-dominated society and women are more prone to violence and other problems related to longer-term view in his dealings the only way to bring about the ods embedded with Iraq's security their rights. There are several rights organizations, pretending to defend the rights of women in Afghani- Erbil but the Kurds chose a differ- stan. But they have been busy in collecting funds from international donors. The problem in our society ent approach. The Kurds believe with the US on defence. "strategic defeat" of ISIL - the forces. The views expressed in this is that we exaggerate in our every activity. Our rights activists and feminists are exaggerating in activities that the federal government delib- This is unarguably smart be- Kurds promised to "do everything article are the author's own and do while those against them are going beyond their limits when it comes to give women their rights. That’s erately slows the transfer of such cause Section 1223 did not give the that is asked of us" short of garri- not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's why Afghanistan witnesses thousands of cases of violence against women on annual basis. Main cases of life-saving vehicles from Baghdad Kurds a great deal - sharing a quar- soning Arab areas. editorial policy. violence against women include killing physical and psychological torture, and forced marriages. The national unity government is responsible to leave no stone unturned in supporting women’s rights—with its real mean. Its promises about women’s rights should not remain mere-lip service. Women should be given role in politics, media and other fields. Women should also try to defend their rights under the umbrella of Islamic teachings. Disclaimer: Massoud Iman, Taimani, Kabul The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the author(s) Letter to editor will be edited for policy, content and clarity. All letters must have the writer’s name and address. You may send your letters to: and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Afghanistan Times. [email protected] This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY . MAY 16, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Antibiotic advance wins African innovation prize

that, in the event of an external Innovation Prize for threat to the security of allied Africa awarded to states, America would “work with our GCC partners to determine Moroccan researcher what actions may be appropriate,” for developing natural up to the level of military force. alternative to live- However, some analysts had al- ready concluded that such an ap- stock antibiotics. proach would be unlikely to ad- dress the Gulf’s core concerns about U.S. resolve in their defense. For example, Michael Eisenstadt of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy suggests that in recent years the U.S. has devel- oped a “credibility deficit” with its Arabian allies, particularly since the use of chemical weapons in Syria. In order to convince them Washington would not abandon them against Iranian incursions af- ter a nuclear agreement, he argues that rather than focusing on arms sales or general statements of sup- port, the administration should have offered its allies concrete new measures to undermine violent Ira- nian proxies in Syria and beyond. While the summit’s concluding annex technically committed the U.S. “to increasing support to the moderate opposition” in Syria, it was short on details and for many recalled past instances of such African Innovation American pledges going unful- filled. The Brookings Doha Cen- Foundation hopes the ter’s director, Salman Shaikh, com- awards will help pro- mented on Twitter: “so the U.S. mote social and eco- still has no #Syria policy.” Elabo- rating further on the summit’s Syria nomic transformation language, he added that “this reads [Getty Images] In the run up to Thursday's sum- to ensure Israel’s superiority in items that already would have been ture but not the kinds of issues to order for F-15 and F-16 fighters like a [Mideast] Quartet statement mit at Camp David, U.S. Secre- terms of military hardware, the in the U.S. pipeline of arms sales grab headlines on their own. that Gulf states already possess, to me. Where are the specifics on This year's Innovation Prize for tary of State John Kerry had pre- U.S. administration reportedly to the Gulf. Perhaps the most sig- The U.S. and GCC agreed to F/A-18 fighter jets for Kuwait, and Syria? [Chemical weapons], Safe Africa has been awarded to bio- dicted that “we are fleshing out a shied away from fulfilling the de- nificant change was in the realm of launch a recurring large exercise on THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Zones?” Perhaps the most signif- technology professor Adnane series of new commitments that sire of Gulf militaries for certain institutional innovations to speed asymmetric threats such as cyber Area Defense) ballistic missile de- icant new language on Syria actu- Remmal. will create… a new security un- big-ticket items. Evidently, weap- new weapons sales in the future. warfare or terrorist attacks, as well fense systems that the UAE is al- ally came from the Gulf states. An- The $100,000 cash prize rec- derstanding” to “take us beyond ons not on offer included the F-35 Indeed, the Pentagon’s as to explore more special opera- ready buying and Saudi Arabia and other innovative announcement on ognizes his development of a nat- anything that we have had before.” joint strike fighter, GBU-28 bun- spokesperson Steve Warren sug- tions training and cooperation. Qatar had already begun to pur- regional affairs in the annex was a ural alternative to normal antibiot- Yet President Obama had out- ker buster bombs, or much in the gested on Tuesday that there might Gulf states pledged to increase their sue. Maritime sales to the king- call for the states to “press all par- ics for livestock. lined a much more limited objec- way of cruise missiles. not be any major immediate weap- participation in multinational mar- dom also appeared to be moving ties” in Libya to “urgently estab- The treatment, which can ei- tive, explaining that America was This seemed to challenge pre- ons sales emerging from the sum- itime operations versus piracy and forward, but as Defense News re- lish a national unity government ther be added to the animal's feed already committed to the Gulf’s dictions by former presidential mit because in his view Gulf states to interdict naval shipments to ter- ported in February, a massive $16 before Ramadan.” The Gulf states or to drinking water, was devel- defense and that he hoped to use candidate John McCain, who “frankly they have the weapons rorists - presumably with Iran in billion purchase in this area had have received a broad array of new oped from naturally-occurring the summit “to see how we can chairs the Senate Committee on they need.” However, statements mind, - and Washington commit- already been in the works. U.S. commitments to reinvest in molecules he found had anti-bac- formalize that a little bit more.” Armed Services. Senator McCain indicating plans for follow-on meet- ted to providing training and ad- Security guarantees in an un- bilateral and multilateral security terial, anti-parasitic and anti-fun- Ultimately, the conference’s warned in an interview with Al- ings after Camp David did suggest vice on so doing. predictable region During the sum- cooperation, but most of those gal properties. extensive but rather vague conclud- hurra that the Obama administra- that negotiations could extend into Yet many of the military items mit’s mid-day U.S. press confer- commitments were relatively shal- "My innovation provides ing statement and annex may sug- tion was so accommodating on the coming months rather than be- that were reportedly cleared for ence, President Obama’s Deputy low. As the Saudi and Bahraini farmers with solutions to improve gest that a more robust answer arms sales for the summit that it ing a one-off. Further, the confer- purchase, according to such out- National Security Adviser Ben kings’ absences foreshadowed - and their production," said Adnane may fall somewhere in between. “can basically be described as brib- ence’s annex declaration stated that lets as Foreign Policy and Reuters, Rhodes publicly confirmed that a Jon Alterman of the Center for Stra- Remmal in a statement. Observers such as former U.S. ery.” Instead, the summit’s out- Washington would “set up a dedi- seemed like something the Gulf legally-binding defense treaty tegic and International Studies ex- "It is cost-effective and can be ambassador to Riyadh, Robert Jor- come suggests that the greater con- cated Foreign Military Sales pro- states would have eventually re- would be off the table. Straining to plicitly predicted - this summit easily adopted, giving farmers in- dan, have suggested that the Gulf cern may be the Gulf states’ exac- curement office to process GCC- ceived anyway without coming to explain Washington’s reasoning, he probably left “everybody feeling creased benefits without the side states may have some reason to be erbated fears of U.S. abandonment. wide sales.” Instead, Deutsche Camp David: an increased supply called such a prospect “a very com- a little bit unsatisfied.” Patrick effects of antibiotics." disappointed. No new arsenal The pan-Arab paper Al-Hayat Welle concluded that many of the of precision-guided JDAM (Joint plicated piece of business” because Megahan is a research associate for His discovery was heralded as This applies to the topic of predicted a new “arsenal” of new steps on defense were rela- Direct Attack Munition) bombs to “this is a very unpredictable re- military affairs at the Foundation being especially important, given arms sales as well as other issues equipment for the GCC states. But tively “modest,” working-level replenish the ones used for air- gion in which threats emanate from for Defense of Democracies, where the rise of drug-resistant diseases covered at the summit. Constrained much that was agreed to on Thurs- measures that displayed a serious- strikes in Yemen, upgraded radar very many different places.” In- David Andrew Weinberg is a se- and the increasing use of antibiot- by political concern in Congress day seems to have been the sort of ness about partnering for the fu- systems, newer avionics already stead, President Obama indicated nior fellow. ics in farming. Two other $25,000 prizes were awarded, at Wednesday's cer- emony in Skhirat, Morocco. The winner of innovation with South Africa under scrutiny for ‘state xenophobia’ the best business potential was Alex Mwaura Muriu from Kenya. cured, raising concerns that due ary, a book about the Central Meth- this week, the government de- ed and charged with 150 cases of He developed a business mod- JOHANNESBURG: A semblance hannesburg, known to house hun- el which allows farmers to find in- of normalcy is returning to the dreds of refugees and asylum seek- legal process is not being followed odist Church, said. scribed the operation as aimed "to public violence. A further 165 un- in cases related to Operation Fie- Kuljian told Al Jazeera the rid the country of illegal weapons, documented foreign nationals were vestors and share the risk of grow- streets of the inner city of Johan- ers for at least the past 14 years. ing crops, even on small farms. nesburg weeks after xenophobic Foreign nationals living at the la. LHR returned to court on Tues- church has been a symbol of ref- drug dens, prostitution rings and said to have been arrested at the day to lodge an application of con- uge, a sanctuary for foreign nation- other illegal activities". time, while 423 suspects wanted Highest social impact violence hit South Africa's com- camp and witnesses said the The prize for innovation with mercial capital. church was raided at 4am in the tempt of court against the South als and South Africans in the city Home Affairs Minister Malu- in connection with other crimes, African government agencies in- for the past 14 years. si Gigaba told local media on Tues- were said to have been traced. the highest social impact was The city appears to have just morning by heavy-handed police awarded to South African Lesley moved along, wearing the memory officials. volved, but settled out of court. LHR will be granted access to day that Operation Fiela is about According to LHR, however, The state was ordered to post- detainees on Thursday, and has the state reorganising life in areas some 60 South Africans have been Erica Scott. of violence in large billboards con- "They came [and] they were She developed a machine that demning the xenophobia that killed breaking the doors. They were pone any deportations related to also received a list of 233 detain- that are blighted by crime, and mistakenly detained during Oper- these raids for two weeks in order ees from the police. police have acted on information ation Fiela as they could not im- examines the accuracy of machines at least eight people, injured hun- rushing people even those with used to diagnosis TB, reducing in- dreds and displaced thousands small, small babies they were be- to ensure that foreigners from war- "We are still trying to verify around arms caches and drug dens. mediately prove their South Afri- ravaged countries would not be whether all these people were de- But activists say the Sesotho word can citizenship. Meanwhile, the stances of inaccurate diagnosis. more in early April. ing pushed," Loyce Hove, a Zim- This year the Innovation Prize But behind the facade is a mas- babwean national who suffers sent back home. The Church has tained after Friday's raids," Ncube 'fiela' insinuates 'sweeping up' - and operation continues. "They must traditionally housed refugees from told Al Jazeera. by arresting illegal immigrants, the remember we are also human be- for Africa attracted 925 entries sive government operation target- from a physical disability, said. from 41 countries. ing illegal foreign nationals that "It was not nice. They were the DR Congo, Burundi, Malawi, The South African government government was equating them ings," says Hove, a former resi- and Mozambique. has repeatedly dismissed criticism with 'dirt'. dent of the Methodist Church. Other finalists included an ear- many have argued is "state xeno- shouting, 'Go back you mkwerek- ly-warning fire detector, which phobia". were [derogatory term for foreign- "The numbers grew enormous- of Operation Fiela-Reclaim, insist- At the last press briefing on "They must also check our side of ly as a result of the political and ing that it is not aimed at foreign Operation Fiela on May 8, Presi- view. It’s not like they are doing uses radio signals to spread the Several hundreds of migrants, ers]. Go to Zimbabwe.' This was alarm and stop fires in slums and many undocumented, have been from the police," the mother of economic crisis in Zimbabwe," nationals living in the country. dency Minister Jeff Radebe said raids because it is nice, it's like xe- Christa Kuljian, author of Sanctu- In a statement released earlier that 265 suspects had been arrest- nophobia." shanty towns. rounded up by the South African three said. Another woman identi- An environmentally friendly Police Services during stop-and- fied only as Linda because she de- hydrogen-fuelled minicab, which search procedures and early morn- clined to give her second name de- offers Wi-Fi access and mobile ing raids throughout the country scribed the experience as "horri- charging while you ride, was also over the past three weeks. ble" and "rude". among those shortlisted. According to the South Afri- She said they were not allowed Educational projects also fea- can police, the "Operation Fiela- to speak, or point out where their tured. One was a mobile phone Reclaim" campaign has netted ille- papers were kept. Their children, fund-raising app from Kenya gal weapons, narcotics and coun- she added, were dragged out in their called M-Changa. It lets individu- terfeit goods, directly linked to the pyjamas. als and organisations run fundrais- surge in xenophobic violence last "They were kicking people, ing via SMS or web devices. month. Civil society organisations, they were kicking the doors … "In Kenya and in Africa we however, are concerned that abus- everyone was shocked about why rely on our extended family when es are being perpetrated in the name this thing is happening," she said. it comes to our times of need," says of quelling xenophobic violence. At least 48 women and chil- developer Kyai Mullei, co-founder Successive raids have taken dren were transferred to a tempo- of M-Changa. place in Jeppestown, Hillbrow in rary camp for displaced foreigners "If you think about medical Johannesburg, parts of Pretoria in Mayfair, west of Johannesburg, emergencies, education bills, funer- and Cape Town. the South African charity Gift of als and weddings, M-Changa is a They were kicking people, the Givers said. Several hundreds, platform that is designed to allow they were kicking the doors … however, were held at the Johan- you to do that activity in a more everyone was shocked about why nesburg police station, awaiting efficient and transparent manner." this thing is happening. their fate. Electronic circuits Linda, Zimbabwean national On Saturday afternoon, police Another finalist was an edu- Responding to the latest de- finally revealed that 235 illegal cational tool called Seebox. velopments, the People's Coalition immigrants had been arrested after It is designed to help children against Xenophobia, a group of a raid on "illegal buildings". Police explore science and engineering, by civil society organisations, has spokesperson Katlego Mogale playing with its electronic circuits, gone as far as to label the govern- would not say how many more even in the absence of qualified ment operation "institutional xe- were being held, except that once teachers. nophobia". Activists like the vet- charged, they would be deported. "While the child playing this eran trade unionist Steven Faulkner Police raids have drawn out- game he basically works up a said it was inappropriate for the rage from a wide spectrum of record for himself," Johann Pierre government to arrest people who South Africans [Azad Essa/Al Kok, the developer, told Al Jazeera. are believed to be undocumented Jazeera] "If you're a technology com- visitors to the country on a mass A Johannesburg-based human pany and you want to know who scale instead of tackling the root rights organisation, Lawyers for to give a bursary to, you will go causes of crime. Human Rights (LHR), instituted with that data not academic "To equate crime with undoc- legal action against South African achievement so much because you umented people in our society is officials after it was denied access want to capture the natural engi- not tackling xenophobia, it is legit- to detainees from the church on neers, the little problem solvers." imising xenophobia," Faulkner told Friday . The African Innovation Foun- a press briefing in Johannesburg Wayne Ncube, an attorney for dation hopes the awards will give on Tuesday . Activists were out- LHR, said that while the courts the particular projects a boost and raged last week when police and had directed officials to grant LHR also help promote social and eco- immigration officials raided the access to the detainees, access to nomic transformation Africa-wide. Central Methodist Church in Jo- just two detainees had been se- ( Aljazeera) This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY . MAY 16, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Pak govt to spend Rs250b on infrastructure European shares gain on Wall Street rally, ECB reassurance QE policy to persist next year ISLAMABAD: The government utilisation of funds over the last has decided to allocate over Rs250 10 months. He said the disburse- billion for infrastructure sector in- ments for development projects cluding energy and transport in had paced up in the second half of budget 2015-16 that would have this fiscal year and about 74pc al- an overall Rs600bn development locations had now been disbursed. outlay. The minister said some ministries This was stated by Minister had also been asked to surrender for Planning and Development their savings so that funds be with- Ahsan Iqbal at a news conference drawn from unapproved projects after a consultative meeting on and be re-appropriated to priority budget presided over by Prime projects. Against an allocation of Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thurs- Rs545bn, hopefully the PSDP util- day. isation would touch Rs500bn by Responding to a question on end of this fiscal year, he said. Re- members of the ruling family ap- sponding to a question, the plan- proving development projects, Mr ning minister said the government Iqbal said the parliamentarians had had decided to set up LNG-based recommended projects worth power projects in Punjab through Rs400bn for inclusion in the Pub- PSDP allocations because if these lic Sector Development Pro- projects were offered to the pri- gramme (PSDP) which was not vate sector, the required tendering possible at this stage. Therefore, a process would make its timely committee of parliamentarians delivery impossible. He said the comprising Captain Safdar and commercially viable projects in the Hamza Shahbaz Sharif had been LNG sector would be started in constituted to select high priority the public sector immediately with projects proposed by the parlia- initial allocation of Rs74bn for next mentarians. year while some of these projects “China-Pakistan Economic could also be offered to the pri- Corridor (CPEC) and energy sec- vate sector going forward. He ex- tor would be given top priority in plained that except for LNG next year budget with an alloca- projects and an ongoing coal-based tion of Rs250bn to achieve project at Jamshoro being devel- progress on these areas”, he said, oped with Asian Development adding the finance ministry had Bank assistance, no other power given a development envelop of sector project would be funded Rs580bn for next year, but efforts from the PSDP. The minister said would be made to increase it be- the second priority for develop- yond Rs600bn. ment budget was to ensure that He said the major challenge was critical ongoing projects be pro- to also carry on with the existing tected and completed within a year. portfolio of ongoing development For example, he said projects like projects. He said a review of the Lowari Tunnel, N-85 road project, ongoing projects was currently in Jamshoro Power project, Neelum- progress to ensure that ‘high pri- Jhelum Project be completed with- ority projects’ are accelerated and in the next fiscal year and Diamer- some less important projects be Bhasha Dam and Dasu hydropow- TOKYO: Shares rose in Europe both up 0.2 percent. of bond stability in the near term. to staunch the slowdown of the Kospi fell 0.7 percent to 2,106.50 slowed down. “It’s a tough call but er projects be advanced next year. on Friday after the European Cen- THE QUOTE: Traders have The risk of further selling will con- world's second-largest economy. after the Bank of Korea kept its we are trying to balance out the Responding to a question, he said tral Bank's governor Mario Draghi been spooked by recent volatility tinue to linger among traders." Data this week showed that fixed benchmark interest rate un- challenge”. He said the Planning the federal government had not said its quantitative easing policy in the bond market, but reassur- HONG KONG HYPE: Spec- asset investment grew at the slow- changed. The Shanghai Compos- Commission was currently in talks contributed even a single rupee in would continue for as long as need- ances from the U.S. and European ulation that the Hong Kong bourse est pace in 15 years, in keeping ite index dropped 1.6 percent to with various ministries and would Rs165bn Lahore Orange Line Rail ed. Markets also got a lift from a central banks appear to have some- may form a link with the Shen- with government policy aimed at 4,308.69. Markets in Southeast be tough with those who had in- Mass Transit Project or the metro rebound on Wall Street, though what assuaged those fears, analysts zhen Stock Exchange, just across shifting away from heavy reliance Asia mostly rose. cluded unapproved projects in cur- bus project in Rawalpindi except weak data remained a drag on main- said. "ECB President Mario Draghi the territory's border with main- on such spending to drive growth, ENERGY: Benchmark U.S. rent year’s PSDP with the prom- for its Islamabad based portion. land Chinese shares. KEEPING reinforced the belief the central land China, fueled a 5 percent jump but worrying for investors who crude oil fell 32 cents to $59.56 a ise to complete formalities during On the contrary, the federal gov- SCORE: Germany's DAX rose 0.5 bank will carry out the QE pro- in the price of HKEx Group, which fear a too sharp slowdown. barrel in electronic trading on the the course of the year, but failed ernment had allocated Rs16bn for percent to 11,614.11 and Britain's gram in full," Stan Shamu, a mar- operates the exchange. ASIA SCORECARD: Japan's New York Mercantile Exchange. It and caused loss to the nation. Along Green Line mass transit project for FTSE 100 gained 0.4 percent to ket strategist at IG, said in a com- CHINA WEAKNESS: Share Nikkei 225 gained 0.8 percent to fell 62 cents to close at $59.88 a with this, the political uncertainty Karachi on the directives of the 6,997.92. France's CAC 40 ad- mentary. "Whether the impact prices sank on worries over the 19,732.92 and Hong Kong's Hang barrel on Thursday. Brent crude, a created by sit-ins had also affect- prime minister who ordered on vanced 0.5 percent to 5,053.59. these comments had, was just a potential impact of a slew of share Seng gained 2 percent to 27,822.28. benchmark for international oil ed the development and invest- Thursday to release 50pc share of Wall Street looked set to extend flash in the pan remains to be seen offerings on liquidity, combined Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.7 used by many U.S. refineries, rose ment climate while a ban on fresh K-4 water supply project for gains, with Dow and S&P futures but I feel traders will remain wary with data showing stimulus has yet percent to 5,735.50. South Korea's 4 cents to $66.74 a barrel. recruitment had also slowed down Karachi immediately. Abu Dhabi grants Korean GS Energy oil concessions

Korean group GS Energy secured percent,” it said, without giving a concession, while Inpex has five Egypt’s central bank kept the a three-percent share in an onshore value. percent. pound steady at 7.53 to the dollar oil concession in oil-rich Abu Dhabi The Korean firm becomes the Total had held 9.5 percent in a at a foreign exchange auction on on Wednesday, making it the third third foreign company after 75-year concession that expired Thursday, while the currency company with a participating France’s Total and Inpex of Japan last year. strengthened slightly on the black share in production. to participate in the concession. Other companies with shares market. The agreement signed by Abu ADCO oilfields produce 1.6 in the old concession included The central bank has held the Dhabi National Oil Company million barrels per day and the American Exxon and Shell, 9.5 per- official exchange rate steady for (ADNOC) and GS Energy gives UAE company is aiming to in- cent each, in addition to a two-per- more than three months since let- the Korean firm a 40-year conces- crease production to 1.8 million cent share held by Portugal’s Par- ting the pound weaken at the be- sion, state news agency WAM re- bpd. tex. ginning of 2015. This step and oth- ported. In January, Total clinched a 10- ADNOC controlled 60 per- er measures have helped reduce “The share amounts to three percent participating share in the cent of the concession. black market trading significantly. In Thursday’s auction, the bank said it had offered $40 mil- lion and sold $37.8 million at a cut- off price of 7.5301 pounds per dollar, unchanged from Tuesday’s rate. The rates at which banks are allowed to trade dollars are deter- mined by the results of official auctions, giving the central bank effective control over exchange rates. The bank used to hold auc- tions four days a week but last Thursday reduced the frequency to three per week. On the black market, the pound was trading at 7.665 pounds to the dollar on Thursday, one trader said, slightly stronger than the 7.675 pounds quoted on Tuesday. Black market traders say vol- introduction of a cap in February on the amount of dollars that can be deposited in banks. The authorities umes have fallen sharply since the hope this will signal to foreign investors that the economy has returned to normal after four years of turmoil. central bank’s drive to stamp out But Egyptian importers and exporters say the cap on dollar deposits has reduced foreign exchange liquidity their transactions, including the and stifled business activity.

LONDON : Brent crude oil stead- from Thursday close after trading Capital Economics, agreed: ied below $67 a barrel on Friday, in a narrow 55-cent range. U.S. "The rally got ahead of itself. consolidating after several weeks crude for June was down 25 cents We think oil prices are more likely of gains after reports of a growing at $59.63 a barrel. to fall over the rest of this year supply glut that is building inven- Major market forecasters in- than to rise." tories worldwide. cluding the International Energy Investors kept a close eye on Oil futures have rallied strong- Agency (IEA) say the big oil pro- rising tension in the Middle East ly since January after collapsing ducers in OPEC are pumping at Gulf after Iranian vessels fired last year but analysts say the re- least 2 million barrels per day shots at a Singapore-flagged tank- bound may have over-shot, and (bpd) more than required, filling er in the Gulf on Thursday. could be about to correct. up inventories from Europe to President Barack Obama Although the U.S. oil market China. vowed on Thursday to back Gulf is becoming more balanced, pro- Although demand for fuel is allies against any "external attack," duction elsewhere is still running likely to pick up in the second half seeking to reassure them of Wash- well ahead of consumption. of this year, the current over-sup- ington's iron-clad commitment to "A mood change is in the air," ply is so great that there is unlike- their security amid Arab anxiety Eugen Weinberg, global head of oil ly to be any shortage this year over U.S.-led efforts to reach a and commodities research at Com- unless there is a major, unexpect- nuclear deal with Iran. merzbank in Frankfurt, told Reu- ed interruption to production. Baker Hughes will release ters Global Oil Forum. "The oil "We have an oversupply of weekly U.S. rig count data later on price rally looks like it may be more than 2 million bpd - almost 3 Friday. slowly running of steam." million bpd. It must weigh on the The data has become a closely Brent for July was at $66.70 a market," Weinberg said. watched indicator to gauge adjust- barrel by 0900 GMT, unchanged Thomas Pugh, economist at ments in U.S. production. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY . MAY 16, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Singer-actress Selena Gomez was photographed on the set of up- coming drama "The Big Short" in New Orleans, Louisiana. She has reportedly filmed a cameo in the movie which stars Brad Pitt, Chris- tian Bale, Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell. In some photographs, the 22-year-old is seen carrying a cell- phone. She is seen wearing a sheer black tank top paired with black knee ripped skinny jeans. Her black locks are styled in volumi- nous curls, and she completed her look with black pointy boots. According to a source, Gomez is playing a Manhattan profession- al in the movie. She will do a cam- eo as her participation in the shoot, which is located at Harrah's Casi- no in the French Quarter, was only for a day, reports aceshowbiz.com. "The Big Short" is produced by Pitt and Dede Gardner through their Plan B Entertainment. It also stars a Tomei, Scarlett Johansson, Melissa Leo and Hamish Linklat- er. Based on Michael Lewis' book "The Big Short: Inside The Dooms- day Machine", the drama chroni- cles the recent free fall of the Amer- ican economy, and features a large cast of characters. Red carpet roundup: Cannes Film Festival kicks off in style The 68th Annual Cannes Film Fes- tival saw a bevy of Hollywood and Bollywood beauties leading the fashion on the red carpet on the first night. The ladies looked sensational in their glitzy gowns as they showed up at the Grand Theatre Lumiere, Paris Wednes- day evening. Hitting the floor in all their glory, here are the looks that grabbed our interest.

Troubled Hollywood model, sing- the Quran but soon after deleted has 125 hours to complete by er and actress Lindsay Lohan was it. Lindsay has experimented with May 28. In an Instagram picture spotted carrying the Holy Quran various religions in her media- she was seen with a boy named as she stepped out of a children’s soaked, tumultuous career. She Donovan Illery, whom the star met center in Brooklyn, NY. looked into Kabbalah and was seen on a previous community service LindsAy was photographed wearing the red bracelet before stint last year. “I have a soft spot holding the Quran after complet- morning on to Scientology fol- for him. He was just really sweet,” ing her first day of community ser- lowed by a near-conversion to Ju- Lindsay had said on the Oprah vice at the children’s center. daism for the sake of her former Winfrey show in 2014. The American actress of Irish girlfriend Samantha Ronson. “Currently she’s doing admin- Shraddha Kapoor, who will next graph. Sporting a faux snake skin dance-based 3D film 'ABCD - Any and Italian descent was raised as a The actress has become a reg- istrative work and at some point be seen in dance movie 'ABCD 2', printed slipper with white nail Body Can Dance', also features Catholic. According to reports, the ular in the court room since the she’ll have an opportunity to en- has shared a photograph of a 'doo- paint, Shraddha scribbled on one Varun Dhawan, choreographer-di- 28-year-old has embarked on an past few years. She is currently gage with the children,” said Ivo- dle' that she made on her right foot. side of her foot. The 26-year-old rector Prabhudheva and interna- “emotional detox” by giving up doing community service as a re- nne Lopez, the center’s early- The 'Ek Villain' star took to actress captioned the photograph: tional dancer Lauren Gottlieb. It is alcohol and dating. sult of a 2012 reckless-driving childhood education director. photo-sharing website Instagram 'Scribble doodle'. Directed by Remo slated to release on June 19. By Earlier this year, she uploaded charge in Los Angeles. According The actress excitedly tweeted on Wednesday to share the photo- D'Souza 'ABCD 2', a sequel to 2013 arrangement with Mid-Day.com an Instagram image of a quote from to the New York Daily News, she about working with the children Kahaani Mein Sanam Saeed to play an Indian Twist: Ranveer IN UPCOMING PAKISTANI FILM Katrina Kaif The Bang Bang star and Anushka fall looked banging-hot as she strutted down in a black ensemble at the prestigious occasion. For her de- but appearance at the film festi- in love again? val, Katrina wore a well-fitted, off- shoulder Oscar De La Renta Fall Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma are coming together in Zoya Akhtar's 2015 black and nude mesh gown Dil Dhadakne Do. Ranveer's character 'Kabir Mehra' and Anushka's that featured a low-cut bustier. The character 'Farah Ali' meet on the cruise and fall in love with each other actor struck a glamorous pose with while they explore Istanbul. Istanbul is one of the most romantic cities minimum make-up and side-swept in the world. The setting of their love story is very pretty. They have a hair, but her newly tinted red tress- lot of fun together and romance blossoms in the romantic city. The film es dampened down her overall is shot on a cruise liner and Istanbul is a stop over where they two step look. out to explore the city and fall in love. Zoya Akhtar has handpicked a few scenic places where their love story gets woven. Zoya Akhtar's Dil Dhadakne is one of the most talked about films of the year. The highly anticipated film brings back the great pairing of Ranveer Singh and Anush- ka Sharma.

akistani actress and model set to hit screens both in India and in a statement. “We have been die- of the day though, Aalia is a south Sanam Saeed, who found Pakistan, follows the couple’s ad- hard fans of their (Indian) movies Asian girl that I am very familiar Ppopularity in India with her venturous journey of love. Read: 5 for decades, and now they are en- with – whether she be Indian or TV show Zindagi Gulzar Hai, is Pakistani actresses we’d love to see joying our storytelling through the Pakistani. This is a contemporary, now going to play an Indian girl in on the big screen Sanam says that small screen. Our actors are crossing easy, breezy, feel good rom-com. Nasir Khan’s romantic thriller film through this movie, she is trying to borders and so are our stories now. I’m sure audiences for India and Bachaana. Bachaana is a journey of bridge the gap between both the And that is what I saw in Bachaana. Pakistan will both enjoy this fun a sweet and bubbly Indian girl Aa- countries. “I thoroughly enjoyed the The film is light and easy. I was real- zesty story,” she said. Bachaana, lia, played by Sanam, who under- script and Aalia’s character. She was ly enjoying getting into Aalia’s char- produced by Rizwan Saeed, is the goes a series of unfortunate events very unlike the roles I had played acter with the mannerisms, clothes first feature film of Nasir Khan as and is forced to place her faith in a before. All of us, in whatever way and diction,” she added. Sanam also a director; he gained prominence man she hardly knows. That man, we can, are wanting to and trying to says that she had references and ad- at the Mumbai International Film Vicky (Mohib Mirza), is a Pakistani bridge the gaps and differences be- vice on Indian girls from the team Festival for his documentary driving a taxi in Mauritius. The film, tween India and Pakistan,” she said they were working with. “At the end Made in Pakistan. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY . MAY 16, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Michael van Gerwen held by Dave Chisnall but finishes top

lems early in my career. I think it's of Premier League the right time and I'm as ready as I'll ever be. I really do think I'm going to win this fight. "I'm a good counter-puncher and I think technically I'll be the best fighter Kell will have been in with. I think many would agree. "Obviously, people say I've got a lot more than I've shown. When I'm winning, I just like to win when I could do a lot more. On the 30th, I'm going to have to do a lot more but I'm going to give him problems he's never faced be- fore." Frankie Gavin is in confi- dent mood ahead of his fight with Kell Brook Frankie Gavin is in con- fident mood ahead of his fight with Kell Brook Gavin lost his own un- beaten record last summer when he suffered a split decision defeat to Leonard Bundu in Wolverhamp- ton - but rather than damage his confidence, the Birmingham man believes he has learned a valuable lesson from the loss. Gavin added: World No 1 Michael van Gerwen six wins and one draw since 'Judge- "Before you've lost you are so keen rescued a dramatic 6-6 draw ment Night' in week nine. on protecting your '0' that you for- against Dave Chisnall to finish top Bunting, who was hoping to get about other things. I've proved of the Premier League for a third end his erratic season on a high, a lot of things to myself - when it consecutive year. was unable to keep the five-time gets tough I can go with it. I showed In a battle of the top two play- world champion at bay as the my heart and battled through and ers in the table, St Helens thrower Dutchman sealed victory with an took over towards the end of the Chisnall dispatched a phenomenal average of 102. fight. "A lot of people thought I 161 checkout to take a 6-5 lead. "I don't look at any other darts won. Some thought he won. It was But the Dutchman hit back players," said van Barneveld. very close. There was only a point against the throw in the final leg "They know what I can do and I in it at the end and it could've gone with an equally-impressive 108 know what they can do. I'm a fan- Frankie Gavin is confident he has delighting his home fans in Shef- Middlesbrough to Win in 90 beat him. I've got the style to beat either way. If anything, it's given finish in the final week of the sea- tastic player. If everyone knows what it takes to upset Kell Brook field by stopping Jo Jo Dan inside Mins11/4 The 29-year-old told him. "I'm doing a lot of different me strength and I'm not really son in Brighton before the play- what they know I can do, I can and become IBF welterweight four rounds and stretching his un- Sky Sports News HQ: "When it things and training with more in- thinking about the loss now. "This offs at London's O2 next Thurs- beat everyone in the world and world champion when the pair beaten record to 34 fights. first got announced, I was over the tensity, pushing myself to bound- is no foregone conclusion. I can day night, live on Sky Sports 1. that's what I've done the last sev- meet at the 02 Arena on May 30, But domestic rival Gavin, who moon but now I'm on the business aries I've never pushed myself to understand him looking past me Van Gerwen averaged 111.90 en weeks." Power exit live on Sky Sports Box Office. is Britain's only ever world ama- side of it - training very hard, harder before. I really think I'm going to because he's the champion but I'm while Chisnall averaged 106.01 in Phil Taylor: Made a statement Brook returned from an hor- teur champion, is adamant he can than I've ever trained. "I expect to surprise a lot of people on May coming to take his title and push a pulsating match which also in- by beating James Wade (Picture by rific stab wound to make a manda- spring a surprise. come out on top. I know Kell 30. "I expected to be here a bit ear- him as far as I can. Hopefully that's cluded nine maximums. "It means Lawrence Lustig/PDC) Phil Tay- tory defence of his belt in March - Patrick Bamford to Score and Brook is a great fighter but I can lier than I am. I had a few prob- enough." a lot to me and you can see what lor: Made a statement by beating level you have to be at in this Pre- James Wade (Picture by Lawrence mier League," Van Gerwen told Sky Lustig/PDC) Six-time champion Sports 1. Van Gerwen now faces a Phil Taylor exited this year's Pre- Steven Gerrard wants Liverpool to tantalising all-Dutch clash against mier League in style by steamroll- reigning Premier League champion ing his way to a comprehensive 7- Raymond van Barneveld in the 1 victory against James Wade. semi-finals, while Chisnall takes on ‘The Power', 55 in August, Gary Anderson. Michael van Ger- failed to reach the play-offs for the be active in summer transfer market wen and Dave Chisnall played out first time in his career after last a thrilling 6-6 draw in the Premier week's defeat by Anderson, but he Steven Gerrard has called on Liver- final game at Anfield this weekend League of Darts in Brighton sent out a message with an average pool's owners to give Brendan After 17 years at Liverpool, Steven Michael van Gerwen and Dave of 109 and was 70 per cent on his Rodgers a decent transfer budget to Gerrard will play his final game at Chisnall played out a thrilling 6-6 doubles. push the club on next season. Ger- Anfield this weekend “I’m hoping draw in the Premier League of "I've been trying every week," rard is readying himself for his final the owners will back Brendan Darts in Brighto Exhibition darts said the former world No 1, who Anfield appearance on Saturday again, and bring in that bit of qual- There were some exhibition will now head to the World Cup in night, when the Reds play their last ity that help us go one step fur- darts on show on the south coast Frankfurt followed by the World home game of his farewell season ther next year. “We’ve gone very as reigning world champion Ander- Matchplay in Blackpool. against Crystal Palace.The 34-year- close in a couple of cup competi- son came through 7-3 against Adri- "I feel awful for the people old will leave Liverpool at the end tions this year and we’ve also come an Lewis. Two-time former world who supported me and put bets of the season to move to the MLS close to the top four positions, and champion Lewis won the first two on me. I'm gutted. with the LA Galaxy. Gerrard hopes that’s with losing arguably the best legs before 'The Flying Scotman' "I've had a tough year. I've nev- Liverpool will be able to persuade player in the world last year in Luis won six in a row before 'Jackpot' er ever been so dedicated as I am young stars Raheem Sterling and Suarez. “We’ve also not had our stopped the rot. Anderson sealed now and I know it will come to- Jordon Ibe to sign new deals, but star striker available for most of victory by nailing tops and finish- gether. I'm putting every effort to he also feels adding quality from the season in Daniel Sturridge, so ing with an average of 97, guaran- put it right. Trust me, I will put it outside will help them challenge for to come so close without them two teeing third spot in the table. "It's right." Premier League Night 15 major honours. Liverpool find them- available... I think we’ve done okay a different week next week. Let's results: Phil Taylor 7-1 James Wade selves outside the top four as the but I think next year we can go one see what happens," said Ander- Raymond van Barneveld 7-4 season winds down, having strug- better.” Watch Steven Gerrard's son. Van Barneveld wrapped up Stephen Bunting Gary Anderson gled for goals in the absence of farewell Anfield performance his eighth win in a row to defeat 7-3 Adrian Lewis Michael van Daniel Sturridge. "There’s a core of when Liverpool take on Crystal debutant Stephen Bunting 7-4. Gerwen 6-6 Dave Chisnall Semi- players here with huge potential,” Palace on Saturday Night Football 'Barney' is the hottest player final line-up: Michael van Gerwen Gerrard said. After 17 years at Liv- - coverage starts on Sky Sports 1 in the tournament, having powered v Raymond van Barneveld Dave erpool, Steven Gerrard will play his at 5:00pm. into the play-offs with a string of Chisnall v Gary Anderson Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in Rome action Roger Federer could set up a pos- against Australian Open champi- ermo Garcia-Lopez. sible blockbuster semi-final against on Stan Wawrinka. The winner of that quarter-fi- Rafael Nadal at the Rome Masters As he chases a record eighth nal could come up against world when he takes on Tomas Berdych Rome title, Rafael Nadal looks back No 1 Djokovic, who battled on Court Centrale on Friday. at his favourite memories from the through against Brazilian qualifier The Swiss world No 2 sur- tournament As he chases a record Thomaz Bellucci. vived a late fightback by Kevin eighth Rome title, Rafael Nadal The Serb took his career record Anderson on Thursday to book his looks back at his favourite memo- on the clay of the Italian capital to place in the quarter-finals and a ries from the tournament a 31-5, with titles in 2008, 2011 showdown against the Czech play- The Swiss No 2 seems to have and a year ago over Nadal. er. Berdych, a runner-up in the rediscovered his best form ahead The defending champion, Monte Carlo final to Novak Djok- of the French Open which starts riding an 18-match winning streak, ovic, will be expected to give the on May 24. faces fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori 17-time Grand Slam champion a Belgian David Goffin, who re- after the Japanese trailblazer eased testing encounter after ending Fa- ceived a walkover after back-to- past Viktor Troicki. bio Fognini's run on his home dirt. back champion at Munich and Don't miss the quarter-finals Seven-time champion Nadal, Madrid Andy Murray pulled out of the Rome Masters live on Sky who has won just one ATP title due to fatigue, will meet David Sports 3 HD from 11am and then this season in Buenos Aires, faces Ferrer on Grandstand after the on Sky Sports 5 HD from 8pm on a mouth-watering evening clash Spaniard beat countryman Guill- Friday 15 May. Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha Cleveland Cavaliers beat Chicago to face Sky Scholar Mark English Getting ready to race an Olympic best, I have to study my oppo- 100m. My legs burned big time and Bulls in Eastern semi-final champion would be a pretty daunt- nents. No matter the greatness, I ran an unofficial 1:14.6. It was a ing prospect for most normal hu- there is always someone ready to good time, although still a shy of The Cleveland Cavaliers overcame man beings. Sky Scholar Mark fire the arrow into the achilles heel my best, and even more shy of the a poor shooting night to beat the English is taking it in his stride. Mark English on facing David Rud- world record of 1:12.81 set by Chicago Bulls 94-73 and secure a English was unveiled as the isha I will need to know as much Andy Gray of the USA in 1986. place in the Eastern Conference 12th athlete to join the Sky Acad- as possible about Mr Rudisha be- But with the knowledge that Os- finals. LeBron James managed only emy Sports Scholarships pro- fore racing against him over 600m trava is a track renowned for its 15 points on 7-of-23 shooting and gramme in April and the 22-year- in Ostrava. fast times, I think we will go very the Cavaliers were aided by fine old runner from Donegal is now When you watch him you rea- close to that record in two weeks’ performances off the bench from aiming to shock an athlete he de- lise he is probably the most tech- time. Matthew Dellavedova and JR scribes as the best ever in the two- nically flawless athlete to ever bat- Tactics will be massive for this Smith after losing star guard Kyrie lap race. With his exams out of the tle the two lap tango. race. Managing to streamline will Irving to an early injury. way (English is a medical sudent He has earned the title as King be important for most in the race, Irving scored six points in 12 in Dublin), the European Indoor of our event and rightly so. At his given that this is the shortest and minutes but then left the game af- 2015 silver medallist will take on most supreme, his powerful stride fastest race (bar a 500m race) where ter twisting his knee when he land- Olympic 800m champion David makes the rest of us look like slog- athletes have the opportunity to ed on team-mate Tristan Thomp- Rudisha in a unique event on May gers in mud. But Rudisha has not tuck in and avoid the wind. This is son's foot. 26 at the 'Golden Spike' meeting in been at his best lately, and that’s ideally the way most athletes Patrick Bamford to Score and Ostrava. You think he's feeling ner- why I’m particularly excited about would like to run – that is, being Middlesbrough to Win in 90 vous? Kenyan superstar Rudisha racing him. Even more so consid- sheltered, running in lane 1, and Mins11/4 had better watch out. Here's En- ering the distance being run in Os- also being on the shoulder of the His absence gave Dellavedova glish's first Scholarship blog on trava is 600m – a seldom run dis- leader ready to pounce. However, the chance to play extra minutes with 20 points but only Derrick best-of-seven series 3-2 and play ets won 124-103 in what has how he's aiming to shine on the tance that naturally favours the things seldom work out perfectly and he made the most of it, hitting Rose joined him in scoring double Game Six on Friday in Washing- turned into a high-scoring series Czech Republic track. I’ve just fin- 400m/800m athlete. in middle distance races. David three three-pointers on his way to figures for the Bulls, who shot a ton. James Harden had a triple-dou- that will finish in Los Angeles on ished watching the 2012 Olympic You need shovels of speed Rudisha: One of the heroes at the a 19-point haul to lead his team in paltry 37.5 per cent from the floor ble as the Houston Rockets lev- Saturday. He led a balanced Rock- 800m final. David Rudisha wins it sure, but without the speed endur- 2012 London Olympics David scoring. Smith also hit three shots and 20 per cent from three-point elled their Western Conference ets offense that saw six players in case you don’t know and he ance, there is no hope. I ran a time Rudisha: One of the heroes at the from beyond the arc and scored 12 range. The Cavaliers will face ei- semi-final series with the Los An- score in double figures, Trevor manages to smash the world record trial over 600m on a training camp 2012 London Olympics There are points, while Thompson weighed ther the Atlanta Hawks or Wash- geles Clippers at 3-3. Harden Ariza hitting four three-pointers running 1 minute 40.91 seconds. in Austria last summer and having psychological factors, people can in with 13 to go with 17 rebounds. ington Wizards in the Eastern Con- scored 26 points to go with 11 re- on his way to 22 points and I’m watching it because like all gone out too quickly over the first get shoved and plans inevitably get Jimmy Butler led all scorers ference finals - the Hawks lead the bounds and 10 assists as the Rock- Dwight Howard scoring 20. 800m runners looking to be the 200m, I paid the price on the last tweaked mid-race. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. SATURDAY. MAY 16 . 2015 -Sawr 26, 1394 H.S Vol:IX Issue No:2280 Price: Afs.15

Taliban has no respect Former spy master denounces for human life: Amnesty Pakistan’s Afghan INTERNATIONAL approach AT Monitoring Desk ers. The Amnesty International respect for human rights. “The said that the attack on a well- Taliban are committing war crime KABUL: Amnesty International known hotel in Kabul is a worry- by targeting innocent civilians in said that by targeting civilians in ing sign that the Taliban’s spring their terror attacks,” Radio Azadi their attacks, the Taliban have offensive is in full swing, putting quoted Musadiq as saying. proved that the group has no re- civilians at heightened risk of death She called on the Taliban to stop gard for human life. and injury. war and urged the incumbent gov- The Taliban in an attack on a guest- Horia Mosadiq, Afghanistan re- ernment to ensure safety of peo- house in Kabul last week killed 15 searcher at Amnesty Internation- ple. She also asked the government people, including Afghans and for- al, said the Taliban by this attack to bring perpetrators of such at- eigners and wounded several oth- proved that they don’t have any tacks to book. EU expected to end ban ON AFGHAN AIRLINES Officials from the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) on Friday announced that the European Union (EU) is expected to lift a long-held ban on In recent months, the often quarrel- on May 6. “He asked the Afghan Afghan aviation services by the end ing neighbors Pakistan and Afghan- government to provide 170 pass- of 2015. If the EU ban is lifted, istan have appeared to open a new ports to Taliban leaders,” Saleh Afghan airlines will be able to fly ble of developing effective news chapter in their relations with fre- said. “This means not only that AT Monitoring Desk to European destinations, which quent leadership visits and pledges they [the Pakistanis] are support- stories. Civil society institutions they are disallowed from doing KABUL: A number of women ac- and several female journalists at- of cooperation. But the former head ing the Taliban but that they also now. Air travel in Afghanistan has of the National Directorate of Secu- know who’s who in the organiza- tivists the other day called for larger tended the event. A civil society grown significantly in the past de- presence in media in a bid to rise activist, Farima Ahmadi, said rity, the Afghan intelligence servic- tion.” He added the demand was cade, with the likes of global pow- es, sees little sign of Islamabad ostensibly aimed at enabling the their voice for defending their women should roll up their sleeves, er-house airlines such as Emirates rights. Participants of the event come forward and take the advan- changing its longstanding approach Taliban to travel abroad to meet starting service to Kabul. Howev- toward Afghanistan, which centers Afghan officials. “But it is evidence said a number of traditions and se- tage of existing opportunities. Fa- er, much of the progress made in venting temporary companies from to European markets will be a ma- curity threats have discouraged tima, a journalist, said as a new on bolstering Taliban insurgents as that Pakistan still supports the the sector has been thanks to the providing air services; and boost- jor boon for Afghan airlines. "Re- key Afghan allies. In an interview Taliban and their war,” Saleh said. women to work in media as jour- journalist she feels that there are a tireless efforts of the Afghan gov- ing overall services by utilizing moving Afghanistan from the EU nalists and other media-related number of obstacles in her way. following this week’s Kabul visit by The former Afghan intelligence ernment and its private sector part- standardized equipment and meth- blacklist will pave the way for Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz chief sees Pakistan cleverly manip- positions. According to her, the hurdles in- ners. According to MoTCA offi- ods were all high priority demands positive competition between do- “Female journalists are still faced clude wrong traditions in the soci- Sharif, Amrullah Saleh finds few rea- ulating the recent improvement in cials, Afghanistan has successful- made by the EU that have been mestic companies and this will sons to be optimistic about Paki- relations with Afghanistan by giv- with social, environmental and se- ety and security threats in parts ly completed six out of the eight met. Still, there is more work to be help us overcome challenges," head curity problems in the country,” of the country. stan’s role in ending his country’s ing the impression of helping Kab- preconditions set by the EU for done. "We are determined to con- of Hamid Karzai International Air- decades-long conflict. “There was ul arrange negotiations with the woman activist Masuma Mham- Freedom of expression is among having the ban lifted. Establishing sult domestic companies and iden- port Mohammad Yaqoub Rassou- madi quoted by TOLONews said. main achievements of ex-President nothing new on this visit for the Taliban. “They want to maintain the Afghan Civil Aviation Author- tify their problems so that we can li said. The Afghan aviation sector Afghan government or the Afghan contact with us so that the hope She said that inclusive measures Karzai’s government. The National ity (ACAA); ratifying new avia- get off the EU blacklist," Minister was blacklisted by the EU five are required to remove the chal- Unity Government has pledged to people,” Saleh told Radio Free Af- for dialogue and negotiations can tion laws; improving technical train- of Transport and Civil Aviation years ago in light of repeated in- ghanistan. “The basic difference be- be kept alive,” Saleh said. “Paki- lenges and improve the role of maintain the achievement and sup- ing in the aviation sector; creating Mohammadullah Batash said on stances of mismanagement and ir- women in media as they are capa- port newsmen in the country. tween the two countries is that Is- stan also wants to demonstrate that an aviation sector database; pre- Friday. Officials say getting access regularities. (Tolonews) lamabad thinks that only the Paki- it is not solely focused on invest- stani Taliban are terrorists and the ing in Afghan wars because they Afghan Taliban are not.” Saleh said are afraid of international opinion. GOVT IDLES ON REFORM AS NATO welcomes Pakistani efforts are apparently fo- Not only do they want to trick cused on engaging the Afghan gov- Afghans but they also want to ernment on their role in convincing swindle the international commu- the Taliban to talk to Kabul in addi- nity.” In addition, Saleh says, Is- funding for elections gets cut AfPak relations tion to soliciting its help in combat- lamabad wants to solicit Kabul’s ing the Pakistani Taliban. “What we help in going after Tehrik-e Tali- Five days after officials announced now need is a framework [for peace ban Pakistan (TTP), which has that international donors had de- negotiations] with a defined agenda been blamed for most terrorist at- cided to cut their funding for Af- OVERHAUL and representatives from the Afghan tacks inside Pakistan in recent ghanistan's election commissions, government side and the Taliban,” years. “They want the Afghan gov- members of the recently formed AT News Report ment, adding that Afghans should he said. “Such a framework could ernment to share intelligence and Electoral Reform Commission in- KABUL: Following visits of Af- shoulder responsibility of securi- help in shaping a lasting political allow Pakistani forces to conduct dicated they continue to await or- ghan and Pakistani officials and ty of their country. Hinting at solution.” He sees no progress to- operations against the TTP on ders from the government before their continued meetings in both NATO’s future cooperation with ward such an end. “As far as I know, Afghan soil,” he said. However, he moving forward with their reform the countries, NATO the other Afghanistan, Aramaz said the alli- Pakistan is not yet ready to help says Islamabad is not keen on al- agenda. The international commu- day welcomed rapprochement be- ance would work in consultations with such a framework,” he said. lowing the same regarding the Af- nity pulled funding for Afghani- tween Kabul and Islamabad and with Kabul to draft its plan for its “This year is a year of fighting, and ghan Taliban operating out of Pa- stan's electoral system last week suggested that practical steps future presence post-Resolute we don’t expect Pakistan to change kistan. “Terrorists can be defined in light of last year's troubled pres- should be taken to further improve Support mission. Recently, its policy [toward Afghanistan] this as people who employ tactics such idential election, but, more impor- the relations. NATO civilian rep- NATO Secretary-Ge eral, Jens year.” Saleh says that during Sharif’s as suicide bombs and engage in tantly, the ongoing uncertainty sur- resentative for Afghanistan, Ismail Stoltenberg, said that Afghan and Kabul visit the prime minister con- armed struggles against legitimate rounding electoral reform and par- hangnails preventing the reform will face new serious challenges, Aramaz, told newsmen that he NATO officials have agreed to demned the ongoing violence in Af- governments,” he said. “We can liamentary elections that were orig- commission from moving forward international donor funding will welcomes dialogues between Af- maintain a presence in Afghanistan ghanistan and said Afghanistan’s apply this definition to the [Af- inally scheduled to take place in is the fact that President Ashraf end and there will be no more trust ghanistan and Pakistan and he after the end of the current mis- enemies are his country’s enemies, ghan] Taliban.” For this reason, May of 2015. "By now the com- Ghani and Chief Executive Abdul- in elections, which will be a mas- wants promises to become practi- sion. He said the new mission too. But Sharif, he says, has little Saleh remains deeply skeptical of mission's work should be ended, lah Abdullah have been unable to sive blow for young democracy in cal in strengthening AfPak ties. He would be civilian-led and would power to change his country’s pol- future cooperation between the but, unfortunately, it hasn't even agree on a chairman for the com- Afghanistan," Transparent Elec- praised President Ghani for build- include both soldiers and civilians icies toward Afghanistan, which are two neighbors.. started work," Electoral Reform mission Election monitoring groups tion Foundation of Afghanistan ing friendly ties with Pakistan. to give advices to Afghan security still controlled by the powerful Pa- “If the levels of violence recede Commission member Gul Ahmad have called on the government to (TEFA) Chair Mohammad Naeem Armaz hoped the talks would re- bodies. In response to a query, kistani Army. The former Afghan this year and the Taliban stop their Madadzai said on Friday. "The take action or risk plunging the coun- Ayoubzada said. The Presidential sult in tangible outcome in near Ambassador Armaz said NATO top spy says the head of Pakistan’s attacks and agree to a political dia- government leaders should be tak- try into another political crisis. Palace and CEO's office have both future and both countries would member countries would discuss powerful Inter-Services Intelligence logue, it will show that Pakistan’s ing the warnings seriously and be- "Our opinion is this that if the Elec- remained silent on the matter of be able to resolve their issues cor- the modalities of future coopera- (ISI), Lieutenant General Rizwan policy [toward Afghanistan] has gin the commission's work and end toral Reform Commission's work donor funding for the election com- dially. He said NATO fully sup- tion with Afghanistan, after con- Akhtar, made a surprising demand changed,” he said. the concerns." One of the key does not begin, the election process missions. (Tolonews) ports the National Unity Govern- sultation with Afghan officials. during his talk with Afghan officials (Gandhara) India vows to CELEBRATING support International Day Afghan cricket AT Monitoring Desk of Families in Kabul KABUL: India has vowed to sup- port the Afghan cricket, after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) sought a home ground in India, said reports the other day. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCC) secretary, Anugag Thakur, said that India would be happy to help the ACB in every manner. “Afghani- stan Cricket Board has requested BCCI that they want to come and play here, use the infrastructure and also to have one venue as the Afghan venue. Their Board has requested to create one centre in India which can be dedicated to The International Day of Families, held annually on May 15, brings Afghanistan cricket,” Thakur quot- people together around the world in celebration of families. In Kabul, on ed by a local newspaper – Eco- Friday, many families gathered in Qargha for picnics. The International nomic Times said. Thakur further Day of Families was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assem- added that Afghanistan has said bly in 1993 with resolution that reflected on the significance the world that they want to come and play in India. He said BCCI will be more community attaches to the role of families in society. The idea behind than happy to accommodate the the day is to build awareness of issues facing to families and the social, Afghan cricket team for any kind economic and demographic realities they are wrapped up in. TOLOne- of help for the promotion of the ws correspondent Syed Tariq Majdi visited Qargha on Friday to speak game. Asked if any kind of finan- with people gathered for picnics with their relatives. "Today, we came cial assistance will be given to the here to celebrate this day in a peaceful environment," a Kabul resident Afghanistan team by the BCCI, named Rozat said. "Many families have gathered here today, and I Thakur said: “Let’s see, let them accompanied my parents," another resident named Sunatollah said. Yet, write to BCCI. Any knowledge, in Afghanistan, any day of celebration is inevitably backdropped by the any kind of help which Afghani- ongoing realities of war, political instability and economic hardship stan board requires, we are more impacting people across the country every day. "On this day, we pray than happy to help them.” The that sustainable peace is restored in our country, so that every citizen national squad has used Sharjah as A young owl (wild) shelters amongst the bluebells in Micheldever Woods, can visit every part of the country," Kabul resident Munawwar told the venue for some of their bilater- TOLOnews. al series in the past. Hampshire, for its mother to return.—Photo by Solent News & Photo Agency This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF.