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MONDAY . MARCH 23 . 2015 -Hamal 03, 1393 HS www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes

TROOPS NUMBER A US DOMESTIC ISSUE: GHANI President Ashraf Ghani declared to get into," Ghani emphasized. Syria's national army is one exam- that the numbers of American "We will explain the condition ple," Ghani said. "Here, it is not troops staying in Afghanistan was what we are doing, how we are the physical presence of people a complicated domestic issue of the bringing those efficiencies, and then from Syria or Iraq. It is the net- United States, insisting the Afghan we need to let the internal process work effect." government would not interfere take over, and arrive its decisions Ghani and Abdullah left Kab- into it. that serves our need, the regions, ul for the United States on Satur- ic transition will be chaired by Lew. his CEO. Ghani expressed these state- the global needs and the security day night where they would meet After that, there will be a press A gathering of Afghan-Ameri- ments on Saturday in a briefing to of United States." the U.S. President Barack Obama, conference at Camp David, a re- can Diaspora, civil society lead- the reporters, just hours before In addition, Ghani for the first Vice President Joe Biden, Congress turn to Washington and then the ers, media representatives, NGOs leaving to the United States along time publicly expressed his con- members, the NATO Secretary Afghans have an event for Mon- and a range of key stakeholders General Jens Stoltenberg, Secre- day s evening on economic issues. will be in attendance. tary of the State John Kerry, De- On Tuesday Ghani and Abdul- Wednesday will see congres- fense Secretary Ashton Carter and lah will have a breakfast meeting sional engagement, including Pres- other senior U.S. officials. with Vice President Joe Biden be- ident Ghani s address to the joint The NUG leaders are accom- fore visiting Arlington Cemetery session and meetings with a num- panied by Foreign Minister and heading to the White House ber of key Hill committees. He will Salahuddin Rabbani, national se- for a summit with Obama. also interact with the Afghan Wom- curity adviser Hanif Atmar, Fi- They will be at the White en s Caucus to highlight his com- nance Minister Eklil Hakimi and House for four to five hours. We'll mitment to strengthening the role other Afghan officials, the state- open up with a set of bilateral of women and girls. ment added. WASHINGTON: On their land- will set the pace and tone for strong meetings to go through and recap Ghani has squeezed in some Kerry has also invited the Af- the agenda from Camp David, but time for addressing the Washing- mark visit to the US, President bilateral ties between the two coun- ghan leaders to Camp David - the also to discuss the bilateral rela- ton s think-tank community on Ashraf Ghani and CEO Dr Abdul- tries. U.S. president's retreat grounds - lah Abdullah arrived at the An- We are visiting the US to tionship more generally and stra- Wednesday evening. On Thurs- tegically, said Jeff Eggers, Nation- day morning, they will head to for a strategic discussion. ?Ghani drews Air Force Base on Sunday deepen cooperation between our is also expected to speak at the morning. countries. With US support, the al Security Council senior direc- New York for meetings with the tor. UN secretary general. U.S. Congress. The Obama administration, hardworking people of Afghani- with the Chief Executive Abdullah cerns about the presence of Daesh which is yet to decide on the pace stan can rebuild our country, de- Obama will host a working Ghani is also scheduled also lunch for the visiting delegation, attend think tank events and pub- Abdullah. militants in Afghanistan. Pakistan claims of troop withdrawal, hopes the trip velop our economy and resist ter- "Issue of numbers is a very "Daesh's characteristic is that rorism, Ghani and Dr Abdullah followed by a press conference. In lic engagements, as well as some the evening Kerry will host a for- editorial board meetings, in New complicated domestic issue in the it is like a man-eating. It swallows eliminating 80 wrote in an op-ed in The Washing- United States and we do not want its competitors. What it did in the Faryab elders ton Post. mal dinner for the president and York. (Pajhwok) Their first engagement is Sun- insurgents in among 5 civilians day evening when Secretary of State John Kerry will host an in- Tirah killed by Taliban formal dinner for them, setting the Farkhunda laid to rest; Ghani appoints MAIMANA: Taliban have killed agenda for next days and priorities KABUL: At least 80 Pakistani in- five Andkhoi district residents, in- of the two countries during the surgents have been killed and sev- cluding three local elders, in north- Ghani-Obama summit at the White fact-finding team as lynching stirs heat eral others wounded in fierce clash- es with security forces near the ern Faryab province, an official House on Tuesday. AT Monitoring Desk said on Sunday. Dan Feldman, US special rep- Afghanistan border, a media report Sultan Sanjar, the district s resentative for Afghanistan and KABUL: Amidst criticism and The incident earned huge crit- said on Sunday. administrative head, told Pajhwok Pakistan, said the visiting leaders slogans against violation of wom- icism from Afghans inside and out- Security forces also suffered Afghan News the insurgents ab- would hold strategic talks with en s right and what was called in- side the country after the footages casualties in the operation, which ducted the residents before killing Kerry and other officials at Camp human act, the 27-year-old that showed Farkhunda being beat- left an army major injured. The them. David on Monday. Farkhunda was laid to rest in Kab- en harshly went viral on social soldiers bodies were taken to the Bodies of former jihadi com- Ghani and Abdullah would ul on Sunday. media. Combined Military Hospital in manders Amir Aslam and Amir kick off their official engagements Farkhunda was an instructor TOLONews quoted Farkhun- Peshawar. Faizullah and Dr. Sayed Amin were on Monday with a visit to the who taught the Holy Quran for da s family as saying that she went A Pakistani newspaper report- found by police in Dasht-i-Laili Pentagon to thank the US troops children. She was lynched by an to a talismans writer to stop him ed fighter jets pounded insurgent from deceiving people by writing positions in the Tirah valley of locality, he added. for the sacrifices they made for the angry mob for allegedly burning a Tawiz Based on reports, they spent people of Afghanistan. They will copy of the Holy Qura an, near false or talisman, a folded Khyber Agency home to the the New Year eve at Haji Moham- be accorded a ceremonial guard of Shah Do Shamshira Mosque in piece of paper containing the vers- Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), mad Qul s house before being ab- honour by Defence Secretary Ash- Kabul the other day. es of Quran. Lashkar-i-Islam and other out- ducted the next morning on their ton Carter. Hundreds of people including But the talismans writer in or- lawed groups. way home. From Pentagon, Ghani will go lawmakers, women s rights activ- der to save his job and life report- Dawn quoted the Inter-Servic- Bashir Ahmad, a parliamentar- to Camp David for official talks ists, religious scholars and journal- edly began shouting and calling on es Public Relations (ISPR) as say- ian from Faryab province, alleged with Kerry and the entire US na- ists attended her burying ceremo- people that the girl burnt the copy ing that 80 militants had been elim- that Qari Ahmad a Taliban com- tional security team, including ny. For the first time in history, However, Dr. Niyazi posted a of Qur an. inated in the operation codenamed mander was behind the mur- Carter and Secretary of Treasury women took her coffin to the grave- video in his Facebook page and said The practice of talisman writ- Khyber-2. It said seven soldiers Citing hurdles from yard challenging male dominance his speeches were misunderstood. ing is common in Afghanistan as also lost their lives. ders. Lew. Nobody has claimed respon- This would be followed by a and the extreme layer of ignorance, Female lawmaker, Farkhunda the people wear it with a belief Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) spokes- sibility for the incident so far. And- working lunch of an hour and a half, Kabul, Nangarhar prevalent in the society that only Zahra Naderi, condemned that it will remove any evil or af- man Salahuddin Ayubi claimed the khoi residents urged the govern- chaired by Kerry, on regional en- governor resigns breeds intolerance. Farkhunda s death in strongest fliction put on them through black bodies of 11 soldiers were in his ment to thoroughly investigate the gagement, including reconciliation- Participants of the funeral cer- possible words, and said that she magic, keep them safe and also group s custody. The soldiers incident and bring the perpetrators related issues. Another 90-minute emony did not allow Dr. Ayaz (Farkhunda) was martyred. bring them good luck. were killed during a ground offen- JALALABAD: The acting gover- The Interior Ministry said that sive in Sipah area. to justice. (Pajhwok) session on Afghanistan s econom- nor of eastern Nangarhar province Niazi, a renowned religious schol- She said such acts were inhu- ar at Wazir Akbar Khan Mosque, man and the government should at least 11 people were arrested so ISPR chief Maj. Gen. Asim on Saturday said had tendered res- far including those who posted Bajwa tweeted that the Khyber-II ignation from his office due to cer- to take part in the ceremony as he punish the perpetrators. had reportedly justified Farkhun- President Ashraf Ghani, ahead their photos on social media. operation had been launched to As national economy dwindles, tain hurdles. Moreover, the ministry fired 13 clear areas close to the border. He Maulvi Attaullah Ludin, who da s killing and supported the act of leaving for the US, assigned a by angry civilians during Friday probe team to investigate the inci- cops for reluctance in overcoming said that security forces had made ties with US termed crucial had been appointed by former the incident. steady progress. (Pajhwok) president Hamid Karzai in No- sermon. dent. AT Monitoring Desk vember 2013, announced his res- ignation during a meeting at his KABUL: A number of members country during their trip to the US office. of the Wolesi Jirga, the National in a bid to attract further attention Government officials, religious Assembly, on Sunday termed the of the US and western countries scholars and tribal elders attended government leader s trip to the for improvement of Afghan econ- the meeting in Jalalabad, the pro- United States as curtail for the omy. vincial capital. country s economy as they believe Afghanistan s economy is Ludin linked his decision to the that Afghanistan s economy is dwindling therefore the trip is vi- problems he encountered in intro- dwindling and needs huge support tal and will provide more oppor- ducing reforms, combating corrup- tion, law enforcement and prevent- by international allies, particular- tunities for the Afghan government ly, the US. ing land grb. to overcome the hurdles but the I m standing down because They said that President Afghan leaders should grab the willful operations (in the province) Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive opportunity and talk about the ordered from Kabul and working Abdullah Abdullah should not miss economic challenges with the US in acting capacity don t allow me political and economic opportuni- leaders in this trip, said Saifuddin to continue in this position, he ties during their trip to Washing- Saihun, an analyst, as quoted by added. ton DC. Radio Azadi. He went on to explain: At Radio Azadi, quoted Shir Wali According to him, Afghanistan times, I remain unaware of opera- Wardak, the deputy chief of na- needs long-term cooperation of the tions in the province, creating prob- tional economy commission of the US and the international commu- lems for me. I had closed a weigh- Wolesi Jirga, as saying that cur- nity to complete mega infrastruc- bridge on Torkham road for rea- rently Afghanistan needs friend- tural projects. sons of corruption, but that has ship with the US, considering the now reopened. In the meantime, another ana- Being an acting governor, Lu- economic needs of the country. lyst, Wadir Safi, termed the Afghan He said that the National Uni- din argued, he could not sack some leaders trip important for the high-ranking civil servants who did ty Government leaders should re- country s economy, and said that move economic hurdles in the coun- not possess the required qualifica- the trip would increase the posi- tions and capacity. try by using the opportunities tion of Afghanistan among neigh- they would find during their trip Asked by participants to with- boring countries. It is vital for our draw his resignation, Ludin replied: to the United States. politics because it will empower While sticking to my decision, I I think we need extended the political position and sover- say goodbye to you and will share partnership with the US. We still my decision with the president... require financial support for a eignty of Afghanistan among re- gional countries, he said. Nangarhar Peace Committee number of mega projects therefore head Malik Nazir praised the out- we want to have good ties with Afghan critics believe that the previous government was failed to going governor s services, includ- the White House, he said. ing improved administrative disci- President Ghani and CEO Ab- properly use the international pline and efforts for unity among dullah left Kabul for Washington community s funds during the past the people. DC on Saturday. The Afghan lead- 13 years that could make Afghan- A former member of the Wole- ers would meet with President istan self-reliant. si Jirga from Nangarhar, Ludin has member of the Iraqi security forces stands between captured Obama on Tuesday. They said that the new gov- also served as deputy head of the Islamic State ammunition being displayed in Al-Alam Salahuddin A number of analysts suggest ernment should consider the issue High Peace Council. He is a leader that the Afghan leaders should dis- and use the upcoming opportuni- of the Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan Province. (Reuters/Thaier Al-Sudani) cuss all economic problems of the ties in this regard. party. (Pajhwok) This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. MONDAY . MARCH 23, 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Villager Pilots, fuzzy procedures blamed for named Radio Traffic on Kabul-Herat Free RCAF crash in Afghanistan 4 years ago Afghanistan s highway down by a half Person Of The Year

To mark Norouz, the Afghan New Year, RFE/RL's Radio Free Af- ghanistan has named Jawas Khan, a farmer residing in a remote vil- lage in the country's Khost prov- ince, the recipient of its eighth an- nual Person of the Year award. Khan, a 38-year old father of nine, was recognized by his fellow villagers in Warzhali, a village in Tani district, for demonstrating extraordinary self-sacrifice when he concealed the death of his eight- year old daughter on the eve of A Canadian Chinook helicopter is pictured at Kandahar Airfield on Sept. 10, 2009. (Bill Afghanistan's June 14, 2014 pres- Graveland / THE CANADIAN PRESS) idential runoff election, so as not to deter voting the next day. A helicopter crash that seriously Canadian Press reporter aboard says military brass accepted the READ Radio Free Afghani- injured a soldier and forced a halt were initially trapped as the smell calculated risk. "As the mission stan's announcement of its "Per- to one of Canada's last combat of fuel filled the cabin, but a crew was part of a deliberate operation, son of the Year," in Pashto and missions in Afghanistan was the member was able to douse flames the passengers all wore ballistic Dari. result of pilot error and fuzzy pro- in one engine. Passengers were vests, helmets and rucksacks as "Our close relatives came to cedures, a long-awaited report con- "piled up on top of one another," they sat in their seats, with the discuss the funeral and let people cludes. The crash on landing in making getting out in a hurry diffi- majority not wearing seatbelts," know about [our daughter] Dre- May 2011 in a remote part of cult but everyone was able to exit the report says. "All injuries iam Gula's death, but the election Panjwaii district destroyed the safely, the report states. One man's sustained...were caused by falling was due the next day and I did not $45-million Chinook and left eight piercing screams filled the air, and on the aircraft structure, being hit want anybody to miss voting," Kandahar police spokesman Zia Durrani said security forces had been able to provide complete others with minor injuries, accord- a few soldiers were flown to a mili- by loose objects, falling on other Khan said. security on the road between Kandahar and Kabul and from Zabul s Shahr-i-Safa to Herat and ing to the report released Friday. tary hospital in Germany. "I still occupants and/or having other oc- Attendance at a village funeral then Maiwand district of Kandahar. The incident occurred as the treat my wounds of that day, cupants fall on them," the report is considered an obligatory sign of pilot attempted to land the packed which will remain etched in my says. The report did suggest fly- respect in Afghan culture, and yet KANDAHAR CITY: Transport- long been in a dilapidated condi- from Kandahar to Zabul s Jaldalak helicopter by moonlight on a dry memory," one soldier, who asked ing procedures were "not clear" in Khan insisted that the vote was ers in southern Kandahar prov- tion and bridges on the road had area only. He said Taliban had river bed and, according to the re- not to be named, has previously that they did not mandate an alti- more important for the country s ince say recent security incidents been destroyed. He said robberies blown up bridges 100 metres from port, "inadvertently" caused the told The Canadian Press. "I have tude at which the pilots should have future. on the Kabul-Herat highway have and harassment of passengers by security posts. aircraft to drift to the right as it some friends who will never come aborted the landing when they lost "I told my family members we negatively impacted their business insurgents had lately increased par- Passengers also expressed landed in an intense dustball. back to work." In comments ac- visibility. Rotor-driven dust would tell villagers after the vot- and the number of travelers on the ticularly on the road s most inse- similar views. They said high-rank- "The investigation concluded companying the report, the direc- "brownouts" in Afghanistan posed ing is done." road had reduced by a half. cure part in Ghazni province. ing officials, when needed, trav- that the use of inadequate landing tor of flight safety Col. Steve a serious hazard for chopper pi- Along with the other eligible In a major disrepair due to the He said the highway s Ghaz- elled to Kandahar from Kabul by procedures in a degraded visual en- Charpentier notes the challenges lots. In July 2009, for example, a men and women in his village, conflict, bridges on the road have ni portion had badly damaged and air because they knew the road s vironment resulted in the helicop- of flying helicopters in difficult Canadian Forces Griffon leaving a Khan and 14 family members cast been blown up by Taliban insur- witnessed frequent incidents of security condition. ter landing with right drift, causing environments. It's one reason, he forward operating base whipped their vote the next day. gents and kidnappings and rob- robberies and interception of ve- Kandahar police spokesman it to dynamically roll over," the says, clear and detailed procedures up blinding dust, clipped a wall, Radio Free Afghanistan listen- bery incidents have lately in- hicles by Taliban militants. No Zia Durrani said security forces report states. The chopper carry- need to be in place. "Even though flipped, and burst into flames. ers praised the selection of Khan creased on the route traversing one is safe on this road now. Fear- had been able to provide complete ing 26 passengers and five crew -- we had an accident and lost an air- Three soldiers were killed. It's not following the announcement today Kabul, Maidan Wardak, Kanda- ing for their lives, passengers and security on the road between Kan- one of two ferrying troops to the craft, luck was indeed on our side," clear why the military took four that Khan was selected as "Person har, Zabul, Ghazni, Farah and traders avoid journey on the road. dahar and Kabul and from Zab- mission -- hit the ground hard, Charpentier writes. "Every occu- years to release the report, but the of the Year." One listener, Spog- Herat provinces. About a month Traffic on the road was con- ul s Shahr-i-Safa to Herat and then made a horrifying sound as it rolled pant survived and was able to tell former chief investigator for the mai KH, commented on the Ser- ago, masked gunmen snatched 30 trolled only in Kandahar, where Maiwand district of Kandahar. onto its side, and pitched soldiers their story." Most of those aboard flight-safety directorate at one vice's Facebook page: "Thanks passengers from two buses on the police did not allow heavy vehi- He said police continuously and equipment around the dark- -- in full combat gear -- were not point blamed a lack of resources. Radio Azadi. Truly it s the radio highway in southern Zabul prov- cles to enter Kandahar City be- patrolled these areas so that pas- ened interior. Some soldiers and a wearing seat belts, but the report (CTVNEWS) of democracy. Congratulations to ince s Shahjoy district and the fate fore 10am, Ahmadullah continued. sengers could travel fearlessly to Jawas Khan," while a second, of the hostages remains unknown He said there was no control various provinces. He said besides Marof Askashemi, wrote, Long despite a major operation to res- over traffic on the road elsewhere the Kabul-Kandahar road, police live, truly brave Afghan man." cue them. Again two days ago, 10 and tragic traffic accidents oc- were providing security on the Khost is one of Afghanistan's passengers were kidnapped on the curred as a result. road between Kandahar and Uruz- eastern provinces, located along highway in Jaghori district of He talked about robbery inci- gan province and other roads lead- the border with North Waziristan, southern Ghazni province from dents on the highway in western ing to districts. Durrani said they a tribal area inside Pakistan that is two vehicles, but later nine of Farah province s Farahrud district were trying to improve security believed to be the base of the them were rescued, but one re- and said: Robbers in the area are on roads in coordination with se- Haqqani Network, a group on the mained in captivity. These inci- ruthless, they stop vehicles at gun- curity forces in neighbouring U.S. list of terrorist organizations. dents have worried people who point, kill drivers and take away provinces. Zabul police chief With its annual "Person of the are reluctant to travel on the high- their vehicles. Ghulam Sakhi Rogh Lewanai said Year" award, Radio Free Afghani- way, according to transporters. It was few days ago, when they had completely secured the stan, known locally as Radio Aza- They claimed traffic on the road armed robbers shot dead a number 120-km portion of the Kabul-Her- di, recognizes distinguished indi- had declined by a half. An official of drivers and stole their vehicles, at highway that traversed Zabul vidual contributions to peace, de- of Ahmad Shah Abdali Bus Ser- he said, accusing police of forc- province. He said 30 police secu- mocracy, and culture in Afghani- vice, Dr. Ahmadullah, told Pajh- ibly taking bribes from goods car- rity posts had been established on stan. Previous winners include wok Afghan News their compa- rying vehicles instead of provid- the road passing through Zabul Ahmad Sarmast, the director and ny was the largest in Afghanistan ing security to them. and insurgents could not dare to founder of the Afghanistan Nation- and their buses ferried passengers There are security posts emerge on the road and harass al Institute of Music, former prin- from Kandahar to Kabul, Hel- along the highway, but the securi- passengers. He said the militants cess Hindia d'Afghanistan, Afghan mand, Nimroz, Herat and other ty personnel are only able to pro- could only fire at the road from a musician and UN Goodwill Am- provinces, but the trips had de- tect themselves, he said, urging long distance in remote parts. bassador Farhad Darya, lawmaker clined due to recent incidents of the Ministry of Interior to im- Rogh Lewanai also rejected the Once exiled from public life, the Women s National Cycling Team embodies the strides women are making Ramzan Bashardost, physician kidnapping. During the past prove security on the highway to impression that the 30 passengers in Afghanistan. and human rights activist Anarkali years, our 60 to 80 buses would enable commuters and traders to had been kidnapped in Zabul, The team of more than 40 women trains on a lonely road outside of Kabul, Reuters reported. To avoid Honaryar, Nangarhar province ply between Kandahar and Kabul fearlessly travel on the road. saying they were kidnapped in attention, the team s uniform consists of loose-fitting shirts and long pants. During practice, the coach governor Gul Agha Sherzai, and alone in 24 hours, but their num- A driver on the Kabul-Kanda- Ghazni. He promised to intensi- leads in his car, but the women still sometimes have profanities shouted at them. The coach is like a social entrepreneur Ehsanullah ber has decreased to 20 and 30 har highway, Abdul Majeed, said fy their efforts at improving se- shield for us, team member Malika Yousufi told Reuters. If he wasn t there, we couldn t ride. Bayat. these days. He said the road had the road was in good condition curity on the road. (Pajhwok) Frozan Rasooli, left, and Masooma Alizada with their coach. (Mohammad Ismail/Reuters) Judge rules US must release photos of Television program shows prisoner abuse in Afghanistan, Iraq WORLD THE NEW AFGHANISTAN U.S. district judge ruled the law that allowed the Department vant pictures from at least seven other day that the U.S. of Defense to block the release of different sites in Afghanistan and he beauty of Afghanistan -- ing the first season, after years of Amust release photos of the images if sufficient evidence Iraq, and it s believed to have per- a country blemished by the Taliban's ban on music, a fe- American soldiers inflicting abuse proved it would endanger Ameri- haps hundreds or thousands Twars, upheaval and the in- male contestant performed with- on prisoners in Iraq and Afghani- can lives. U.S. District Judge Alvin more. humane treatment of women by out a hijab, resulting in death stan. Hellerstein ruled the Defense De- In 2005, 11 military person- extremists -- has almost been for- threats. The young woman had to The ruling is a victory for The partment failed to provide spe- nel were convicted in Army gotten by the world, and by many go into hiding. This season, for In- American Civil Liberties Union, cific details of such a threat in this courts-martial for involvement in Afghans themselves. ternational Women's Day, the show which filed a lawsuit against the case. physical, sexual and psychologi- In the last few decades, little celebrated Afghan women. Male government in 2004, seeking the The government has two cal torture of prisoners at Abu attention has been paid to the oth- contestants dedicated songs and release of the photos. The ACLU months to appeal the ruling. Some Ghraib. Two of the soldiers, er Afghanistan: the sweet melodies, presented flowers to the women, claimed the pictures revealed sig- of the now-infamous photos in- Charles Graner and Lynndie En- the kind people, and the beautiful singing of the strength of Afghan nificant human rights violations, clude images of soldiers pointing gland, were seen in several of the land full of ancient wisdom and mothers. A young woman per- specifically at the Abu Ghraib guns at handcuffed prisoners in photos, including the images with intersecting traditions. formed, dancing with her hair flow- prison in Iraq. hoods, posing with a pyramid of the dog leash and naked pyramid. This is understandable. It ing freely. The show ended with a The government has been naked detainees and holding a pris- Both served time in prison. would be irresponsible to solely dedication to Afghani poetess Na- fighting the release of the pictures, oner by a dog leash tied to his neck. The New York Times report- focus on those positives while fam- dia Anjuman. Anjuman studied lit- claiming they could pose a threat But the AP reports there may be ed in April of last year that the ilies are torn apart and the noise of erature in secret during the Taliban to American military stationed many more images. Iraqi government had closed the war rings in people's ears. Genera- occupation, becoming a well- overseas, as well as the U.S. gov- It s unclear how many more prison in Abu Ghraib and moved tions of Afghans have had their known published poet before her ernment and its citizens. photographs may exist. The gov- its approximately 2,400 prison- homes surrounded by battles and contestant Dawood Pazhman from but hope shines through in ways husband killed her at age 25. He In 2009, Congress passed a ernment has said it has 29 rele- ers to other locations. their lives punctuated by fear. Afghanistan's remote northeastern that make everyday life brighter. found her writings inappropriate Afghanistan has been the larg- province of Badakhshan, who trav- "Afghan Star" is a source of pride, and a stain on his honor. The beau- est refugee-producing country for eled 16 hours (sometime on foot) happiness and escape for many tiful irony is that Anjuman's words 32 years. One out of every four to Kabul to audition for the show. Afghans. When you talk to any live on in books and songs today. AFGHAN U-15 FOOTBALL refugees worldwide is Afghan, ac- This year, another contestant, Afghan around the world, they Shahla Zaland performed a song cording to the United Nations. Panj Shanbe Maftoon, also trav- know all about the contestants and that put Anjuman's poetry to mu- Recently, I was watching an eled from that remote region for a the judges. They openly give their sic. Wearing an Afghan flag around engrossing reality TV show fea- chance to audition. Panj Shanbe opinions and feel that they are a her shoulders, her hair uncovered, TEAM LEAVES FOR JAPAN turing singers when a friend peered told TOLO TV, which produces part of the process; anyone around she brought Anjuman's words to over my shoulder and asked about "Afghan Star," that he did not have the world can vote via SMS and life: "I am not that weak willow The Under-15 football team of the program. I explained that it was enough to eat and didn't have mon- call-ins. The panel of judges acts tree that trembles with the wind. Afghanistan left Kabul for Japan "Afghan Star," Afghanistan's an- ey for his commute to Kabul. But as an amplifier for the voices of "I am an Afghan woman and so I on Sunday to take part in the Cen- swer to "American Idol." She was he knew, he said, that in this day the vulnerable, bringing attention wail." With three contestants left, tral Asian Football Association shocked by the set and the sophis- and age, in his new Afghanistan, to orphans, poverty, and the plight the show will end Friday night, ap- (CAFA) championship to be ticated arena stage where the stars he can hope, dream, and make of women. This grounded attitude propriately on Nawruz, the played in capital city of Tokyo. were standing. things happen. is meaningful because each one of Perisan New Year celebrated in Starting from March 23, the That stage could easily have Panj Shanbe's story was so the judges is a living legend in Af- Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Iran. championship includes 10 teams been in New York, Los Angeles, compelling, I have tuned in every ghanistan -- superstars who also Though Panj Shanbe was my from the Central Asian region. London or Rome. week for months now to see what have their own war stories to tell. initial reason for watching the The Afghanistan's Football This, I realized, is the Afghan- he will sing and whether he will be The stalwart female judge, Shahla show, I will be happy no matter Federation (AFF) officials said istan no one believes exists, or has safe from elimination. He is now Zaland, comes from a family of which contestant becomes the during the departure of the team ever existed. Afghanistan has a rich among the top three contestants. famous composers and singers. "Afghan Star." The reality is we that the Afghan players were well tradition of music, poetry, and As I watched every show, the Last year told the contestants a are all winners because of one TV prepared for the competition. songs that have influenced its neigh- beacon of hope of a new Afghani- heart-wrenching story about her program. Those living as refugees "We are placed in a strong bors and any region of the world stan became clear to me. Young men father's life abroad as a refugee and and those living abroad by choice, group where the opponent teams exposed to the Silk Road. After all, and women auditioned, speaking how she believes her father "died away from the homeland, get a are very experienced," AFF head the famous Sufi poet Mawlana of peace and coexistence, support- of homesickness." taste of the music and culture of Keramuddin Karim said. "The Jalalideen Rumi was from modern- ing one another outside of tribes Her presence on the panel of their birth country, sparking re- people are expecting good news day Afghanistan. or ethnic lines. judges is a reminder that women newed belief in the new Afghani- from the boys." The coach Hamid- I grew up across the river in They wanted what my own are strong, women do not need to stan. ullah Massoud noted that the play- Tajikistan, hearing Afghan songs children want -- the freedom to be veiled, and that female contes- And people in Afghanistan are ers had tough training in winter for and tales of the parties in Kabul, explore being a young adult and to tants who audition should be given glimpses of what the new three months. "The federation pro- and learning about Afghan singers, follow their dreams. championed. Afghanistan can look like -- a vi- vided us with all resources, and the stan will play its matches against Iran, Uzbekistan, Japan and two other who are beloved across the region. This is the new Afghanistan -- There is a beacon of hope in sion of young men and women free boys will enter the field with high teams in Group B, while Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Japan and Turkmen- I started watching "Afghan the struggles around poverty, reli- just looking at how much the show from war, who can pursue their spirit," Massoud stated. Afghani- istan are included in the Group A, according to AFF officials. Star" last year after hearing about gion and resilience are ever-present, has changed in its 10 seasons. Dur- dreams. (CNN) This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF.

MONDAY . MARCH 23, 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES US air power in Afghanistan at five-year Why US troops need low as aid to Afghan forces wanes to stay in Afghanistan beyond 2016? The first state visit to the United administration will be almost out States of Afghan President Ashraf the door at the end of 2016 doesn t Ghani and Chief Executive Officer mean that suddenly at the same Abdullah Abdullah, which begins time that the Taliban will lay down this week, was supposed to take their arms, nor that the Afghan place in early March. But the visit army will be able to fight the Tali- was delayed because Republican ban completely unaided. Nor does leaders had invited Israeli Prime it mean that al Qaeda and ISIS, Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to which is beginning to establish address Congress during the same small cells in Afghanistan would time period. cease to be a threat. According to two Afghan gov- An easy way for potential ernment officials involved in the Democratic presidential candidates planning for the visit, the Afghan such as Hillary Clinton to distin- EMERGENCY government believed American guish their national security poli- media attention would be largely cies from Obama s would be to say CALLS focused on Netanyahu, so the first that they are in favor of some kind U.S. visit of the new Afghan pres- of long-term U.S. military presence Police ident was delayed by two weeks, in Afghanistan and to argue that it which is a useful reminder that there would be needed to avoid an Iraq- is a sound reason why congression- style outcome. 100 - 119 al leaders shouldn t unilaterally Similarly, as the Republican extend invitations to foreign lead- Party starts ramping up for the ers. 2016 campaign, potential candi- Hospitals Ghani and Abdullah arrive in dates such as Jeb Bush can distin- Washington on Sunday. guish themselves from the isola- FMIC Hospital There will be much to discuss tionist Rand Paul wing of the par- Behind Kabul Medical with the Obama administration. ty by saying that they are com- University: For the Afghan government, the mitted to a long-term presence in timetable of President Barack Afghanistan. 0202500200-+93793275595 da and other jihadist militants. President Ashraf Ghani travels to Obama s proposed troop with- This U.S. military presence in The United States' use of air pow- missions were in support of the drawal is the key issue. Afghanistan doesn t have to be a er in Afghanistan in the first two U.S. counter-terrorism mission," The reduced U.S. air support Washington. Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital puts pressure on the fledging Af- U.S. bases in Kandahar and Obama says that the last Amer- large, nor does it need to play a months of 2015 was its lowest in Col. Brian Tribus, a spokesman for ican troops will leave Afghanistan combat role, but U.S. troops Pule Bagh-e- Umomi five years, as the reduced interna- Resolute Support, the new non- ghan Air Force, which has just a Jalalabad are likely to remain open fraction of NATO's former air at the end of 2016. This happens should remain in Afghanistan to 070263672 tional military coalition sharply cut combat NATO mission that past the end of the year, a senior to roughly coincide with the end advise the Afghan army and pro- battlefield aid to Afghan security launched in January, wrote in an power, to support Afghan ground U.S. official said, addling that con- of his second term in office and vide intelligence support. forces. email. troops. ditions had changed since the pres- also fulfills his campaign promise Such a long-term commitment Khairkhana Hospital The reduction reflects the The U.S.-led coalition record- Afghan security forces faced ident announced the drawdown to wind down America s post-9/ of several thousand American smaller U.S. role in its longest war, ed 36 "weapon releases" by air- heavy casualties last year, and are timeline. Kandahar, in southern 0799-321007 even as Washington mulls slowing craft in February and 40 in Janu- bracing for their first spring fight- Afghanistan, is a crucial base for 2401352 down the planned drawdown of ary. That compares with a peak of ing season after NATO's 13-year the Afghan air force, which is short American troops. 1,043 weapon releases in October combat mission officially ended in on aircraft and trained personnel. None of the 503 air support 2010, military data show. December. Last year it flew an estimated 7,000 Indira Gandhi Children sorties by American air assets this Of the roughly 10,000 Ameri- President Barack Obama is missions, a small fraction of them year have been flown to support can troops left in Afghanistan, expected to decide in the next few in direct support of ground troops. Hospital, Wazir Akbar Afghan security forces in battle, a most are in a training and advising days whether to slow the pace of (Additional reporting by Kay coalition spokesman said. role, with about 1,800 designated the U.S. troop withdrawal, possi- Johnson in Kabul; Editing by Clar- Khan, Kabul 2301372 "The vast majority of those for missions to hunt down al Qae- bly by next week, when Afghan ence Fernandez) (Reuters) Ibn-e- Seena Nawroz celebrated with prayers for Pul-e-Artan, Kabul 2100359

PEACE AND PROSPERITY IN AFGHANISTAN Wazir Akbar Khan By Haleem Hospital KABUL: Nawroz, which means enjoy peace and prosperity. The largest festival and prayer peace and security. 2301741, 2301743 new day and New Year in the Per- How long will the fighting and rites to mark Nawroz took place Afghan state-run and private sian calendar, is celebrated in Af- the killing of our people go on? in the northern city of Mazar-e- television channels marked ghanistan, Iran, parts of Pakistan Enough is enough. Let us give up Sharif in the morning, where thou- Nawroz by airing cultural pro- Ali Abad and parts of central Asian coun- hatred and make peace with each sands of people from across the grams that included songs, plays, Shahrara, Kabul tries. other. Let us join hands to build country gathered at the blue and other cultural presentations. Saturday, the first day of the our country, an imam told his au- mosque in the premises of the fa- What I really want is for our 2100439 year 1394 in the Persian calendar, dience in mosque in this capital mous Sakhi Shrine. Muslim devo- country to have lasting peace so and also the first day of spring, city on Saturday after offering the tees hoisted the shrine flag as they that my children can live in peace, Abdul Qadus, 56, a taxi driver, Malalai Maternity said. 11 wars. troops is exactly the kind of force Hospital Qadus gave thanks for a respite Ghani is clearly uncomfortable that the Obama administration was from the fighting during the cele- with the pace of this U.S. troop forced to deploy to Iraq during 2201377/ 2301743 bration of Nawroz on Saturday. He withdrawal, telling CBS 60 Min- following ISIS s lightning advanc- said that during the day, no violent utes in January, deadlines should es there over the past year. incident was reported in Kabul and not be dogmas and that there Selling a longer-term U.S. mil- Banks Mazar-e-Sharif. should be a willingness to reex- itary presence in Afghanistan He said he was not able to con- amine the withdrawal date. would be pushing against an open Da Afghanistan Bank tinue his studies because of the Is Obama s withdrawal plan a door with that nation s govern- 2100302, 2100303 fighting between government forc- wise policy? ment. Consider that within 24 es and the Taliban and other insur- Short answer: Of course not. hours of being installed, the new Kabul Bank gents. One only has to look at the Afghan government led by Ghani I want to have peace so that debacle that has unfolded in Iraq and Abdullah signed the basing 222666, 070285285 my children and grandchildren can after the withdrawal of U.S. agreement that allows American go to school and have a better life, troops at the end of 2011 to have a troops to stay in Afghanistan un- Azizi Bank Qadus said. sneak preview of what could take til December 2016. 0799 700900 Although some religious schol- place in an Afghanistan without Consider also that the Afghan ars and extremist groups have some kind of residual American government has already negotiat- Pashtany Bank frowned upon the celebration of presence. ed a strategic partnership agree- 2102908, 2103868 Nawroz, young Afghans celebrate Without American forces in ment with the United States last- Nawroz because they believe that the country, there is a strong pos- ing until 2024 that would provide Afghans should be proud of their sibility Afghanistan could host a the framework for a longer term Air Services ancient civilization of which reinvigorated Taliban allied to a U.S. military presence. Consider Nawroz is a part. reinvigorated al Qaeda, not to men- also that many Afghans see a rela- Safi Airways Like other people in the tion ISIS, which is gaining a foot- tively small, but long-term inter- world, we Afghans have the right hold in the region. national troop presence as a guar- 020 22 22 222 to celebrate our own New Year and Needless to say, this would be antor of their stability. enjoy freedom and life at least on a disaster for Afghanistan. But it It is also not in Pakistan s in- Ariana has been declared a holiday in Af- morning prayers. prayed for peace and prosperity Nawroz, Ahmad Zubair, 19, told would also be quite damaging to terests for Afghanistan to fall to ghanistan. Afghans observed the Nawroz for their country. Xinhua. My thought goes to U.S. interests to have some kind the Taliban or be thrust into an- 020-2100270 All Afghans marked the New in different ways. Some gathered In his address after the flag- those who have lost their lives in of resurgent al Qaeda in the coun- other civil war. The Pakistanis Year with fervent hope that the for a reunion, organized sports raising ceremony at the Sakhi meaningless wars and terrorist at- try where the group trained the have seen for themselves repeat- Kam Air violence that has wracked their competitions, and others staged Shrine, Afghan first Vice President tacks in the past years and I fer- hijackers for the 9/11 attacks. edly the folly of allowing the Tal- country for many years would collective prayers for their coun- Abdul Rashid Dostum said Af- vently pray that the coming Af- It would also be disastrous for iban to flourish on their own soil, 0799974422 come to an end and that Afghani- try to attain long-sought peace and ghans are fed up with the contin- ghan generations would enjoy the Democratic Party, should it most recently in the Taliban attack stan and its people would finally reconciliation. ued fighting and that they deserve peace and stability, Zubair said. win the presidency in 2016, to be in December on the army school Hotels the party that lost Afghanistan. in Peshawar that killed 132 chil- After all, the Democratic Par- dren. Safi Landmark ty is viewed by some as weaker It is in Pakistan s own interest ARRIVAL OF SCHOOL YEAR on national security than the Re- that the Afghan army is able to fight 020-2203131 publicans and it is inevitable that effectively against the Taliban, without some kind of residual which is more likely if they con- SERENA American presence in Afghanistan, tinue to have American advisers at al Qaeda would gain sufficient their side. 0799654000 strength to launch an attack from Other regional powers such as the Afghan-Pakistan border region the Chinese worry about Chinese New Rumi Restaurant against American interests some- Uighur separatists establishing where in the world. themselves on Afghan soil. The 0776351347 There are some welcome indi- Russians are similarly worried cations that the Obama adminis- about Islamist terrorist groups lo- Internet Services tration is already rethinking at least cated in Afghanistan and so will some aspects of its drawdown not stand in the way of a small UA Telecom plan. Reuters reported on Thurs- long-term U.S. military presence 0796701701 / 0796702702 day that key U.S. bases in Jalala- in Afghanistan as that would dove- bad in eastern Afghanistan and tail with their own security con- Exchange Rate Kandahar in the south of the cerns about the country. country may not be shut down at Keeping a relatively small, the end of 2015 as was previously predominantly U.S. Special Forc- Purchase: planned. es, presence in Afghanistan to con- These bases play an important tinue to train the Afghan army past One US$ = role in the campaign against al Qae- December 2016 is a wise policy 57.70Afs da and allied groups, which are that would benefit both Afghans largely based along eastern Afghan- and Americans. One Pound Sterling= istan s border with Pakistan and Both the Democratic and Re- 84.40Afs against the Afghan Taliban, which publican parties should adopt One Euro = is concentrated in southern Af- such a plan in their platforms as ghanistan. they gear up for the 2016 cam- 60.37Afs And on Friday the New York paign. And Obama should do his 1000 Pak Rs = Times reported that the Obama successor a favor by leaving this 560Afs administration is rethinking the important decision up to the next overall pace of its planned with- President. (CNN) Sale: drawal because of rising Taliban Peter Bergen is CNN s nation- One US$ = violence. al security analyst, a vice presi- 57.90Afs But neither or these welcome dent at New America and profes- potential developments change the sor of practice at Arizona State One Pound Sterling= central issue, which is the Obama University. He has made frequent 85.20Afs emale Afghan students look on during a ceremony marking the start of the new administration s withdrawal date reporting trips to Afghanistan for One Euro= of December 2016 for all U.S. forc- CNN since 1993. This story draws 62.90 Afs school year at Amani High School in Kabul on March 19. (AFP/Wakil Kohsar) es. on a piece that appeared in Janu- Merely because the Obama ary. 1000 Pak Rs= 568Afs This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. MONDAY . MARCH 23 , 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES PTI's return to NA hinges on formation of judicial commission

push through reforms without dis- cussion. "The changes that we are making to the law, the drawbacks that we are fixing for the benefit of farmers, the steps that we are tak- ing ... if any state does not want to accept it, they are free to do so," he said. Last year, Modi used ex- ecutive orders to jumpstart his eco- nomic reform agenda after a win- ter session of parliament failed to pass any significant legislation. His Bharatiya Janata Party managed to ratify five of the six ordinances in the current session of parliament, including ones governing coal field auctions and mining at the last minute on Friday before a recess. A few days earlier the government passed a long-awaited bill to boost foreign investment in the insurance industry. "Productivity in both the houses has been at a record high," said Chakshu Roy of PRS Legisla- tive, a think tank tracking parlia- mentary performance. But oppo- sition to the watered-down rules around forced land acquisition has been fierce. Sonia Gandhi, the leader of the opposition Congress party, last week led a march to the pres- ident's residence opposing any changes. In one state, farmers def- ISLAMABAD: Paskistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood ecated on copies of the bill to ex- Qureshi on Sunday said the party will consider returning to the National press their opposition. More pro- Assembly after formation of the judicial commission agreed to by the tests are planned, including one led government. Know more: Govt, PTI agree on formation of poll inquiry by veteran activist Anna Hazare, commission. Talking to journalists after a grand party meeting at Imran who led massive anti-corruption Khan’s residence in Bani Gala, Qureshi said PTI had decided to take marches that rocked the Congress action on Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed’s recommendations and will dis- government Modi replaced in May. solve all intra-party bodies in days to come. Justice Wajihuddin had The land law enacted by the Con- been tasked by PTI chief Imran Khan to scrutinize complaints related to gress government in 2013 was PTI’s intra-party elections held in 2013. After conducting his probe, aimed at giving farmers a fairer deal Justice Wajihuddin had recommended that the party dissolve all bodies than a British colonial-era rule that and hold a re-election. “Respecting Justice Wajihuddin’s findings, the NEW DELHI : Indian Prime Min- economic reform. Tussles over crossing India. But opposition in a country that is still mostly gave authorities unbridled power party has decided to conduct a re-election within its folds,” said Qureshi. ister Narendr a Modi sought on land acquisition have locked up parties have successfully por- rural. In a radio address, Modi said to take land. But businesses say “Till elections are held again, persons and bodies nominated by Imran Sunday to stave off farmer pro- hundreds of billions of dollars of trayed proposed changes to a land amendments to the land act would its stringent provisions have made Khan will represent the party on the national level.” Qureshi went on to tests against his efforts to make it infrastructure developments, and purchase act, including exemption benefit farmers but also added that purchasing land almost impossi- say that PTI is a democratic party and will always promote democratic easier for businesses to buy land, looser rules are important for from getting consent of 80 percent state governments could opt out, ble, contributing to a slump in cap- values. “This development is a first for Pakistan, where a political party after opposition to the bill over- Modi's vision of building modern of landowners for some projects, in a conciliatory message after ac- ital investment in Asia's third-larg- is dissolving its bodies on the recommendations of an independent com- shadowed a burst of progress on cities and industrial corridors criss- as anti-farmer - a damaging charge cusations that he was seeking to est economy. mission,” said Qureshi. Chinese envoy due in 1 killed, 8 injured in arson attack in Bangladesh

DHAKA: At least one person was India for Himalayan killed and eight others suffered se- rious burn injuries when unidenti- fied men hurled petrol bombs at a border row talks truck in Bangladesh, hours after the A Chinese envoy will hold talks in India from Sunday aimed at fixing a opposition alliance announced a dispute about the Himalayan border that divides Asia's largest nations, fresh spell of 72-hour countrywide part of a push to make progress on the festering row before Prime strike. A 42-year-old man died to- Minister Narendra Modi visits China. China's special representative, day while being shifted to Dhaka Yang Jiechi, will visit India from Sunday until Tuesday for the eigh- Medical College Hospital from teenth round of boundary talks, India's foreign ministry said in a state- another medical centre. "He re- ment. The talks are the first since Modi took office. The nationalist ceived more than 90 per cent burn prime minister is keen to resolve the dispute that has clouded rapidly injuries," said Dr Partha Shankar expanding commercial links, and any progress would shed a positive Pal, residential surgeon of the light on his expected visit to Beijing in May. But there is no simple DMCH burn unit. Eight other vic- solution to a conflict that largely dates back to British colonial decisions tims are undergoing treatment at about Tibet. The disagreement over the 3,500-km (2,175-mile) border the burn unit of the hospital, the led to a brief war in 1962 and involves large swathes of remote territory. police official said, adding that five China lays claim to more than 90,000 sq km (35,000 sq miles) disputed of them are in a critical condition. by New Delhi in the eastern sector of the Himalayas. Much of that Unidentified attackers hurled forms the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China calls South petrol bombs at the truck on Magu- Tibet. India says China occupies 38,000 square km (14,600 sq miles) of ra-Jessore highway yesterday, its territory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the west. In September, the hours after the BNP-led 20-party two armies were locked in a faceoff in the Ladakh sector in the western alliance announced a fresh spell of Himalayas just as Chinese President Xi Jinping was visiting India for 72-hour countrywide strike, The the first summit talks with Modi. Yang's visit to India is at the invitation Daily Star reported. The Opposi- of Ajit Doval, Modi's national security adviser and close aide, known to tion called the fresh shutdown de- take a hard line on security issues. manding the release of its arrested leaders, including BNP joint sec- Unidentified attackers hurled petrol bombs at the truck on Magura-Jessore highway yesterday, hours after the BNP-led 20-party alliance retary general Salahuddin Ahmed, announced a fresh spell of 72-hour countrywide strike, The Daily Star reported. (Reoresentative photo) (Reuters photo) and to protest "enforced disap- Imran promises ‘real pearance, killing, torture, abduc- activists". The BNP-led alliance with fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami as a major partner launched a non-stop nationwide transport blockade on tion and arrest of its leaders and January 6 with frequent arson attacks on buses and trucks that have killed over 120 people. change’ in province Ahead of Yadav’s after LG polls China visit, Nepal pitches for said after the local government elec- tions the people would be able to road links take decisions about the develop- ment of their areas on their own, Nepal has backed China’s ambi- without waiting for the rulers. The tious Silk Road project ahead of PTI chairman said that the pro- President Ram Baran Yadav’s vis- vincial government had launched it to Beijing this week that is ex- the Sehat Ka Insaf programme to pected to take bilateral ties to a provide better health care facilities new level. In an interview with to the people. He said that people China’s Xinhua news agency, the getting health care facilities felt Nepal president said he was hope- happy and satisfied. Says those ful of establishing “better air and responsible for poll irregularities road connectivity” with China, as to be taken to task Mr Khan said he expressed the hope that his up- that his party would continue to coming visit, and talks with Chi- provide more facilities and basic nese President Xi Jinping next amenities of life to the neglected week, would “take Nepal-China segments of the society. He said relations to a new high”. Nepal BANNU: Pakistan Tehreek-i-In- that people would see a visible last month voiced formal backing saf chairman Imran Khan has said change in the hospitals’ perfor- for China’s Silk Road economic that owing to the sit-in protests mance in the next three months. belt project, under which Beijing and struggle of his party the feder- He said that the PTI-led govern- has earmarked funds for building al government has formed an inde- ment had spent huge funds on im- road and rail links and free trade pendent judicial commission to provement of education system in zones with neighbouring countries. probe malpractices and rigging in the province and would earmark Yadav will meet Xi as a guest at the 2013 general elections. Speak- more funds for the sector to en- the Boao Forum in Hainan, an is- ing at a public meeting here on Sat- sure best education facilities to the land province in south China, that urday, Mr Khan said that forma- youngsters. The PTI chief said will take place between March 26 tion of the judicial commission to that there were different sets of and 30. The forum, billed as Chi- probe rigging had become neces- laws for the poor and the rich in na’s Davos, has assumed particu- sary. He said that all elections in the country. He said that the in- lar significance this year as China the country except the 1970 polls vestors and rich people did busi- will unveiled a detailed blueprint were rigged. He said that 2015 was ness in the country, but maintained of the land Silk Road economic belt the year of change as the people their bank accounts in foreign coun- and Maritime Silk Road projects. had come on the roads to hold the tries. He said that the rulers had The attendance of Yadav at the rulers accountable for the poll rig- been spending huge funds on unveiling will underline Nepal’s ging. He said that those responsi- projects like metro bus, but they support. New President Maithri- ble for financial and polls irregu- were doing nothing for the poor of pala Sirisena of Sri Lanka, which larities would be taken to task. Mr the country to improve their life has backed the Maritime Silk Road Khan said that the PTI-led gov- standard. Chief Minister Pervez plan, will also be present at Boao. ernment had put a firm hand on Khattak said on the occasion that India is yet to endorse the plan, the timber mafia in Khyber Pakh- the provincial government had making the point that China had, tunkhwa. He said that the timber brought a visible change in the gov- so far, not released concrete de- mafia had cut the forests and in- ernance system. He said that in the tails about what it will involve. curred huge losses to the country. past corrupt people and politicians China has recently expanded its He said that PTI had started its occupied the office of the chief COLOMBO: As many as 54 Indian fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly poaching in island's waters off the coast already vast highway and rail net- journey to bring about a change in minister and the ministers were of Kankesanturai and Talaimannar in the north. Sri Lankan Naval spokesman Commander Indika Silva said that 21 fishermen were arrested and five work in Tibet close to the Nepal the country, particularly in Khy- also involved in corruption and boats were seized at Kankesanturai while the rest of them on another five boats were arrested at Talaimannar last night. They were being brought border. While Beijing has long been ber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that a corrupt practices, but now his gov- to respective fisheries inspection offices for further action, Mr Silva said. The arrests came ahead of announcement of the dates for the direct fisher pushing Kathmandu for a rail link real change would take place after ernment had effectively blocked community talks between India and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka had released some 86 Indian fishermen last week as a goodwill gesture towards the visit to extend its Tibet railway net- the local government elections. He such practices. of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first Indian leader to visit Sri Lanka since 1987 work into Nepal. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. MONDAY . MARCH 23 , 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

Tunisia launches manhunt for third museum attacker state solution In the interview, Tunisian security forces have be- Obama also said that he takes Net- gun a manhunt for a third attacker anyahu “at his word” for saying in the assault on the Bardo muse- that an independent Palestinian um that killed 21 people, mostly state will never co-exist with Isra- foreign tourists, the president said. el as long as he is in office. Netan- Beji Caid Essebsi spoke with yahu has backpedaled since he French TV network iTele from in- stunned the U.S. and the interna- side the Bardo Museum on Sun- tional community by announcing day, saying the attack involved that dramatic policy reversal on the "three aggressors" and that the eve of his re-election Tuesday. “We third man had escaped. Tunisia's take him at his word when he said Interior Ministry released securi- that it wouldn’t happen during his ty camera footage of Wednesday's prime ministership, and so that’s attack showing two gunmen walk- why we’ve got to evaluate what ing through the museum, carrying other options are available to make assault rifles and bags. At one point sure that we don’t see a chaotic they encounter a third man with a situation in the region,” Obama backpack walking down a flight of said. Obama, who placed a con- stairs. They briefly acknowledge gratulatory telephone call to Net- each other before walking in op- anyahu on Thursday, said he indi- posite directions. The footage was cated to the prime minister that accompanied by two stills, said to the U.S. remains committed to a be showing the bodies of the two two-state solution as the only way gunmen - named as Yassine Laa- to keep Israel secure. “And I indi- bidi, 20, and 26-year-old Hatem cated to him that given his state- Khachnaoui. Both men were killed ments prior to the election, it is after the assault. The two Tuni- going to be hard to find a path sians trained in neighbouring Lib- where people are seriously believ- ya and left the country last De- ing that negotiations are possible,” cember, Rafik Chelly, the coun- Obama said. try’s secretary of state, said days Tensions between the Obama ad- after the attack. On Saturday, Es- ministration and Netanyahu esca- sebsi said security "failures" had lated as the March 17 Israeli elec- helped facilitate the attack on the tions neared. Obama said U.S.-Is- museum, the deadliest on the north raeli military and security cooper- African country since the 2002 ation would remain unchanged, re- suicide bombing in Djerb. "There gardless of disagreements on poli- were failures" which meant that cy. "the police and intelligence were “But we are going to continue to not systematic enough to ensure insist that, from our point of view, the safety of the museum", Esseb- Barack Obama said that he takes Netanyahu ‘at his word’ for saying that an independent Palestinian state will never co-exist with Israel. the status quo is unsustainable,” si told the weekly Paris Match. he said. “And that while taking into Essebsi also said there were as Israel’s elections, which saw Ben- dent said. “I don’t think it will tions to clinch a landmark deal that week after a close-fought parlia- tion with Tehran and came to complete account Israel’s securi- many as 10,000 young Tunisian jamin Netanyahu clinch a third have a significant impact,” Obama would have the country scale back mentary campaign. Benjamin Net- Washington during his election cam- ty, we can’t just in perpetuity "jihadists" in all. "Among the of- term, will not greatly affect Barack told The Huffington Post in an in- its controversial nuclear program anyahu meeting Barack Obama in paign to address US lawmakers, maintain the status quo, expand ten desperate young unemployed, Obama’s defense of any deal terview published in full . Iran and in return for relief from sanctions. a file photo. (Reuters) The Israeli denouncing the agreement under settlements. That’s not a recipe for the call to jihadism has worked," reached with Iran, the U.S. presi- six world powers are in negotia- Netanyahu won re-election this leader opposes any accommoda- negotiation as a “bad deal.” Two- stability in the region.” he said. "Four thousand Tunisians have joined jihad, in Syria, Libya and elsewhere, and some 500 have already come back here, where they pose a threat. That is not to Libya peace talks mention the five or six thousand others we have succeeded in pre- venting from leaving." Twenty-one appear on verge people, all but one of them foreign tourists, were killed when the gun- men stormed the museum last Wednesday, in an attack claimed of collapse by the Islamic State of Iraq and Houthi fighters opposed to Ye- the Levant (ISIL) although author- Peace talks between rival Libyan community is using the sanctions men’s president seized parts of the ities said they had not established political factions appeared to be threat because it is concerned that country’s third largest city of Taez any link with armed groups. Es- on the verge of collapse as fighting the instability in Libya will just amid growing concern about a con- sebsi, however, stressed that the for control of the capital raged on deepen the political divide," said flict diplomats say risks drawing country's security forces "re- for a second day. Libya's UN-rec- our correspondent. "This is some- in neighboring oil giant Saudi Ara- sponded very effectively to quick- ognised government in Tobruk thing that plays into the hands of bia and its main regional rival Iran. ly put an end to the attack on the conducted air strikes against air- groups affililated with ISIL [the The U.N. Security Council was set Bardo, certainly preventing doz- ports and a military camp in the Islamic State of Iraq and the Le- to meet to discuss Yemen after ens more deaths if the terrorists capital Tripoli, controlled by a ri- vant] who are taking advantage of President Abd Rabbu Mansour had been able to set off their sui- val government, and killed a senior the instability by further expand- Hadi, a U.S. ally, accused the Ira- cide belts", he was quoted as say- commander loyal to that govern- ing into the eastern part of the nian-allied Houthi militia of stag- ing on the Paris Match website. ment, officials said. The Tobruk- country." RELATED: What is not ing a coup against him and ap- Guards on coffee break A senior based government said on Friday being discussed about Libya The pealed to the United Nations for Tunisian politician on Friday said that forces linked to General Khal- United States and five European “urgent intervention”. U.S. offi- the guards supposed to be protect- ifa Haftar had launched the mili- allies issued a joint statement on cials said Washington had evacu- ing the museum and the nearby tary offensive to "liberate" Tripo- Sunday condemning the violence ated its remaining personnel from Parliament were having coffee at li, which is governed by a rival le- by both sides and urging an end to Yemen, including about 100 spe- the time of the assault. "I found gally-installed administration the fighting. They welcomed re- cial operations forces, because of out there were only four police- known as the General National sumption of the talks in Morocco worsening security, marking a set- men on security duty around the Congress (GNC). Prime Minister and called for "good faith" efforts back in U.S. efforts against a pow- Parliament [compound], two of Abdullah al-Thinni's government, to reach a ceasefire and agree on a erful al Qaeda branch. Conflict has whom were at the cafe. The third which has allied itself with Haftar, unity government. Peace talks have been spreading across Yemen since was having a snack and the fourth was forced to relocate to the east- dragged on for months in different last year when the Houthis seized hadn't turned up," deputy speak- ern city of Tobruk last year after venues but with little results as the capital Sanaa and removed er Abdelfattah Mourou told the the Libya Dawn seized Tripoli. fighting continues to escalate. Hadi from effective control of the AFP news agency. Authorities on Libya has been wracked by vio- Haftar, a Gaddafi-era general who state, angering Gulf Arab states led Saturday launched a crackdown, lence since the NATO-backed up- defected in the 1980s, has previ- by Saudi Arabia, the world’s top arresting more than 20 suspects in rising toppled longtime ruler Mua- ously condemned the peace talks oil exporter, which regards the Shi- of a number of government build- their way southward toward Taez, Houthi movement of ordering the a nationwide security operation. mmar Gaddafi in 2011, with the as discussions with "terrorists". ite movement as a terrorist group. ings and a prison, they said. The 150 kilometers northwest of Aden. flights over Aden, an allegation the Ten of those arrested are believed rival administrations and their al- Since Gaddafi was overthrown and The Houthis then advanced into takeover of the airport happened On Sunday, anti-aircraft guns group, which controls much of the to be directly involved in the Bar- lied militias battling for power. killed, the country has grown in- Sunni Muslim areas, leading to without a struggle, but later eye- opened fire at an unidentified plane north, has yet to address. The do attack, Interior Ministry Airstrikes on the capital Amid the creasingly polarised as former rebel clashes with local tribes and al witnesses reported Houthi gun- flying over Hadi’s compound in Houthis are allied with former pres- spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui ongoing battle for Tripoli, UN-bro- brigades clash over how to govern Qaeda and energizing a southern men firing tear gas and shooting Aden and appeared to force it ident Ali Abdullah Saleh, who still said. "There is a large-scale cam- kered peace talks continued be- Libya and share its oil wealth. separatist movement. In Taez, lo- into the air to disperse protests away, witnesses said. It was the has influence in the military de- paign against the extremists," he tween officials from the rival ad- Meanwhile, authorities in Moroc- cated on a main road from the cap- by residents demonstrating against third incident of its kind in four spite having given up power in said. The ministry released a pho- ministrations for a second day in co said they dismantled a terrorist ital Sanaa to the country’s second the presence of Houthi forces. days, in which aircraft have flown 2011 after mass protests against tograph of another suspect and Morocco's capital Rabat on Satur- cell plotting to carry out terrorist city of Aden, residents said that Eyewitnesses in the central prov- over the compound, where Hadi is his rule. asked Tunisians to help with in- day - aiming to reach agreement on acts in the country. Houthi militias took over the city’s ince of Ibb described to Reuters based, on one occasion dropping The Yemeni army has varied formation. The government plans the formation of a national unity military airport from local author- seeing a column of dozens of tanks bombs without causing any casu- loyalties, with most units being to deploy the army to major cities government. UN special envoy ities late on Saturday. Protests and military vehicles travelling alties. Aden’s governor Abdulaziz controlled by the Houthis or Saleh, to improve security following the Bernardino Leon, however, said Russian forces The fighters also took control from the Houthi-loyalist north on bin Habtoor has accused the while some are loyal to Hadi. shootings, officials said. reaching an agreement was "going to be difficult", given the new kill seven clashes in and around Tripoli "[On Friday] we had a new military terror suspects 74 held in Saudi for involvement operation against Tripoli precise- ly during decisive moments of the in Dagestan who was arrested in February, talks and our reaction today is as faces the Court of Appeals. Last strong as it was in the past," Leon Russian security forces said that in terror activities month, the Special Criminal told reporters on Saturday. "Mili- they had killed seven suspected Court in Riyadh sentenced two tary activities undermine the situ- terrorists in an operation in Rus- members of a terrorist cell to ation in Libya and prevent the uni- sia’s North Caucasus region of death and 25 others to varying ty of the Libyans fighting terror- Dagestan which has been plagued jail terms. They belonged to a 36- ism. This operation we condemn by an Islamist insurgency. Securi- member terrorist cell whose in the strongest possible terms ty forces launched a special oper- members were accused of vari- because it's undermining dialogue." ation after receiving information ous crimes. Earlier, the Special Sources told Al Jazeera that air that men linked to criminal groups Criminal Court sentenced 17 ter- strikes had been carried out in and were in a building in the capital ror suspects to jail terms. The around the capital on Saturday, convicts belonged to two terror Makhatchkala, the National Anti- including the airport, but the of- groups, and they included a ter- fensive had so far been repelled. Terror Committee (NAK) said. rorist who plotted to assassinate Residents told the Reuters news Russian news agencies quoted it the emir of Makkah. The court agency that the capital was quiet, as saying that “seven neutralized gave 23 years in prison to defen- but television stations linked to the bandits were found” in the build- dant No. 4 who was convicted opposing sides gave conflicting ing. The men belonged to a terror- of several crimes. Another terror accounts of who was in control of ist group behind attacks against suspect was sentenced to 20 two towns west of Tripoli. RE- the police and had been extorting years in jail and a travel ban was LATED: The rise and rise of Lib- money from local businesses to imposed on him. The Council of ya's rogue general The Libya Dawn fund their terrorist activities, the Ministers last month reiterated militia, which backs the GNC, said statement said. The Kremlin is its determination to stamp out it had clashed with a group of gun- fighting a deadly insurgency against terror from within the Kingdom men who infiltrated Aziziya, a Islamist rebels in the North Cau- and other parts of the world. The town 35km south of the capital, casus, with unrest particularly in- Cabinet emphasized that the and captured a number of them. Al tense in the largely Muslim Dag- Kingdom has been and is still in Jazeera's Hashem Ahelbarra, re- estan. Armed incidents and attacks the forefront of countries that porting from Rabat where the against the authorities and securi- have made every effort to elimi- peace talks are taking place, said ty forces are particularly common nate any thought or action that that the international community in the restive, mountainous region leads to terrorism. “The King- warned the rival governments that neighboring Chechnya. Moscow dom sees it as its responsibility "whoever is held responsible for has fought two wars against sepa- to take part in any serious inter- undermining the political process ratists in Chechnya, and the vio- national effort that seeks to mo- by launching more attacks in Lib- lence subsequently spread Security forces arrested a total of 74 people involved in terrorist activities during last week’s sweep, Al-Watan Arabic daly reported . Forty people, bilize and combine international ya is going to be targeted by UN throughout the predominantly who were involved in terrorism, did not have identity papers. Some 27 Saudis, two Egyptians, two Yemenis, two Syrians and an American were action in fighting terrorism and sanctions". "The international Muslim region. arrested for being involved in terrorist activities and threatening national security. The arrested American is under investigation as another American, its sources,” it said. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. MONDAY .MARCH 23 , 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 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Editor: Abdul Saboor Sarir Phone No: +93-772364666 E-mail: [email protected] By Ashraf Ghani and Because Afghanistan must to read, along with the clinics help to rebuild our economy. Abdullah Abdullah never again become a launch- that have saved the lives of We need know-how, not chari- Email: [email protected] ing ground for terrorist attacks, tens of thousands of our wives ty. We ask your corporations, Having chosen unity over di- we want to continue to work and mothers. With peace will your nonprofits and your start- www.afghanistantimes.af vision in the first peaceful and with the United States. Afghan- come development that lets Af- ups to help us embed clean, ef- Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi democratic transition of power istan is not asking the United ghanistan benefit from Ameri- ficient ways of doing business. in our nation’s history, we are States to do our job for us. We ca’s business experience. Our Too much wealth has failed to Advisory editorial board visiting the United States to thank the American people and first priority is to tackle corrup- reach ordinary Afghans. Our deepen the cooperation be- remember your brave fallen sol- tion, waste and mismanage- three numerical majorities — Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, tween our countries. With U.S. diers who defended freedom ment. Candidates for governor- women, youth and the poor — Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal support, the hardworking peo- and dignity here after the trag- ships and ministries now un- are our economic minorities. ple of Afghanistan can rebuild edies of Sept. 11, 2001. Our ul- dergo integrity reviews, and a Over the next five years, a new Graphic-Designers: our country, develop our econ- timate goal is self-reliance. On new national procurement Citizens’ Charter will ensure Mansoor Faizy and Edriss Akbari omy and resist terrorism. Both Dec. 31, we fulfilled our prom- agency will ensure that con- that most Afghan villages can cursed and blessed by its loca- ise to our people and our com- tracting for all large public count on having clean water, Marketing & Advertising: tion in the heart of Asia, our mitment to your president and projects is clean. Afghans be- primary schooling and health Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 country has seen too much vi- to NATO by taking full respon- lieve deeply in the rights of the care, access to a market and Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan olence. More than 1 million Af- sibility for combat operations individual, but injustice, both technology for better farming. ghans died, and more than 30 in our country. Gen. John F. legal and social, abounds. Our While the opportunities to Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 percent of our population was Campbell, the U.S. commander legal system must be compre- build peace and stability have Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press forced into exile during the of the International Security hensively restructured, and a never been greater, a new ecol- struggle to defeat the Soviet Assistance Force, has testified national review of all prosecu- ogy of terror threatens to block invasion in the 1980s. Then to the high professionalism and tors and judges to weed out not just our prosperity but The constitution says came meddling regional actors, morale of the Afghan armed corrupt or unqualified officials yours as well. Localized insur- who took advantage of feud- forces. A continued security is already underway. More re- gencies and external enablers Article 100: ing factions and a power vacu- partnership — with training, forms will follow. Political sta- have evolved into existential If one House rejects decisions of the other, a joint commission comprised of an equal number of members um, only to be followed by the advice and assistance from the bility is built on a bedrock of threats to states. In parts of the from each House shall be formed to solve the difference. The decision of the commission, after endorsement by the President, shall be enforced. If the joint commission does not solve the difference, the decision shall Taliban, which brought deadly United States — will ensure economic growth. Sadly, near- Middle East, extremism has tak- be considered rejected. In such situation, the House of People shall pass it with two-thirds majority in its repression and became host to that we will be an important ally ly 40 years of conflict, poor en a violent form. To the east, next session. This decision, without submission to the House of Elders, shall be promulgated once endorse- terrorists. For the past decade, in the decades to come. Our governance and economic mis- Pakistan’s military operations ment by the President. Afghanistan has joined the partnership goes beyond as- management have stifled are pushing a number of terror- United States and other nations surances of mutual security. growth in Afghanistan, leaving ist networks into our territory. in battling al-Qaeda and region- Now there is hope in a nation us dependent on outside aid. Narcotics provide deadly crim- Editorial al terror networks, and now that once had none. Afghans We will develop our country’s inal networks with the weapons Afghanistan has become the protect and cherish the many resources. But we can’t do this and money to attract new re- eastern wall standing against schools built with U.S. assis- entirely on our own. Just as we cruits from around the world. the butchery of ISIL, also tance that are teaching more needed America’s help to fight We are determined to fight this Alliance overhaul: Ghani known as the Islamic State. than 3 million of our daughters terrorism, we still need your scourge. and Abdullah in US Eyeing a multi-objectives policy and to revamp Afghan-US ties, President Ashraf Ghani and the National Unity Government’s CEO Abdullah Abdul- Ocean. New Delhi is worried lah left for the United States on a five-day state visit, on Saturday night. that the influence of China may be enhanced through its par- Ghani is expected to address a joint meeting of Congress besides meeting ticipation in the Afghan peace with American President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, US By Liu Zongyi Source cially Pakistan. Moreover, Chi- outcome is Afghanistan turn- process. In addition, another Congress Chairman, Secretary General of the NATO, Secretary of Trea- na maintains connections with ing into a permanently neutral problem is the fact that the US Since 2014, China has been in- various political forces in Af- state, not a battlefield. How- and the Taliban cannot accom- sure, Secretary of Defense and a World Bank delegation. The visit has creasingly devoting itself to re- ghanistan. According to media ever, there are some obstacles modate each other. The US taken place in such a time when Afghanistan has taken a new road on peace solving and reducing conflicts reports, Beijing is currently that China faces. To begin with, strongly rejects the Taliban, where China, Pakistan and also Turkmenistan have shown readiness to help in Afghanistan. Therefore, it mediating stalled peace talks Washington has its own con- and so does India. This is the has become a significant exter- between the Afghan govern- cerns while promoting the reason why the more Washing- Afghanistan in peace talks with militants. As China says it will not fill the nal driving force affecting the ment and the Taliban. China has peace process of Afghanistan ton and New Delhi are involved void being left by international coalition forces drawdown rather it could Afghan peace process. The been working on Afghan con- and cooperation among Cen- in the Afghan conflict, the more reason China is participating flict mediation and reconcilia- tral Asian and South Asian chaos they cause. Such con- only help Afghanistan in peace talks arrangements, the United States’ re- more actively in the issue, is not tion issues through bilateral states, which are its own geo- frontations have led to the building capacity in Afghanistan is still needed as ever. Our national econ- only because it is trying to relations, such as the Sino-Af- political strategy - weaning long-stalled peace process. As omy has been dwindling. Joblessness has been rampant. Insecurity is plagu- maintain stability in the Xin- ghan and Sino-Pakistani rela- Central Asia off reliance on a matter of fact, the US should jiang Uyghur Autonomous Re- tionships, trilateral ties such as Moscow, restraining Iran’s in- improve its relations with Paki- ing. To resist militancy, the government needs a robust national economy gion and protect Chinese in- China-Pakistan-Afghanistan fluence in the region, and pre- stan, accept the moderate forc- and joblessness rate reduced. Over 1 million people have been killed. Over vestment in Afghanistan, but relations, and multilateral mech- venting China from strengthen- es of the Taliban, and persuade also to improve the region’s anisms such as the Shanghai ing its presence there. Besides, India to do the same. Under 30 percent people have been forced into a life of refuge. Though, repatri- stability and promote regional Cooperation Organization and the US adopts a double stan- such circumstances, strategic ation, soon after the fall of the Taliban’s regime, started, but its pace is economic integration by imple- Istanbul Process. Beijing has dard in dealing with terrorism, understanding and cooperation slower because at home the situation still doesn’t look friendly for them. menting the Silk Road econom- also adopted an economic so- which impacts China’s enthu- between China and the US is ic belt initiative. It shows Chi- lution by promoting bilateral siasm in helping address the important for the solution of And how it could be friendly when the political elites are busy in massive na’s determination to play as a and multilateral economic co- Afghan issue. The confronta- the conflict in Afghanistan. corruption? As the United States and Afghanistan were busy in uprooting responsible power. Meanwhile, operation to boost develop- tion between India and Paki- Both Washington and Beijing if countries in the region don’t ment while eliminating the stan in Afghanistan has made should coordinate their efforts militancy in the region, terrorism shook the entire Middle East. For time work together to advance the breeding grounds for terrorism. things worse. India and Paki- in mediating the issue. being, the importance of Afghanistan in the US foreign policy went into Afghan peace process after US China’s aim is to play a con- stan are the two major external Therefore, the Afghan peace background, however soon many American policymakers sensed that dis- military withdrawal, it is highly structive role in a peace pro- political forces in the Afghan process will prove to be a test- likely that the country will fall cess which is “guided and conflict, and the India-Pakistan ing ground for China and the carding Afghanistan will be a biggest failure as currently this country is into chaos again that threatens owned by the people of Af- border conflict has become a US in establishing the new type still oscillating between victory and defeat. The Taliban are not defeated the whole region. China has ghanistan.” China hopes Af- huge obstacle for the Afghan of major power relations. some advantages over the US ghanistan can find an optimal peace process. The author is an assistant re- but just routed. The government doesn’t have the capacity to uproot them in mediating Afghanistan’s solution of national reconcilia- India has a strong sense of its search fellow of Shanghai In- militarily. Therefore, it has been pursuing a soft policy. To subdue terror conflicts. For starters, China is tion and power distribution, to sphere of influence, and it con- stitutes for International Stud- in the Middle East, the US cannot ignore Afghanistan. This war-weary coun- closer to the country geo- establish a framework that can siders itself the dominant pow- ies and a visiting fellow of graphically. Second, China accommodate moderate Tali- er in the region. Indian Prime Chongyang Institute for Fi- try doesn’t want to allow itself once again to become a launching ground doesn’t pursue any special in- ban forces. Therefore, promot- Minister Narendra Modi is nancial Studies, Renmin Uni- for terrorist attacks. To make sure the world is safer and Afghanistan doesn’t terests in Afghanistan. Third, ing negotiations between the seeking to turn his country into versity of China. This article China has good relations with Afghan government and the a major power, especially in was first seen at the Global become a terrorist haven, it wants to continue its alliance with the United Afghanistan’s neighbors, espe- Taliban is essential. The best South Asia and the Indian Times. States, but the problem is the latter’s confidence or interests are on the wane. The world should remember the sacrifices this country has been rendering. As Afghanistan is fighting militancy fiercely and been hunker- ing down to see peace come back, those who have been responsible for its destruction now shouldn’t sag their shoulders under the burden of its re- construction. Here reconstruction doesn’t mean only material construc- tions but political construction as well, including the success of peace negotiations. Until peace talks succeed, reconstruction efforts remain meaningless. Economic development, zero tolerance for corruption, and continued support of the international community are some of the key factors that can bring about political stability in this troubled country. And as Afghanistan is increasing its peace efforts, the United States must not show its back because Kabul is quite closer towards triumph over too many troubles. 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MONDAY .MARCH 23, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Nepal’s failed development What is behind China’s growing attention to Afghanistan? By Zhao Huasheng primarily on guarding against separatist, terrorist, and extrem- object for major powers to and combating the terrorist ist groups in the region. But it transfer back and forth or di- In the past year, Beijing has be- forces of the East Turkestan also faces the danger that they vide up among themselves. Af- come more diplomatically en- Islamic Movement, a separat- might coordinate with terrorist ghanistan is currently facing a gaged with Afghanistan, rais- ist group from the Xinjiang groups in Afghanistan and be- security situation that leaves ing the potential for China to Uyghur Autonomous Region in yond. China is therefore also little room for optimism and an play a helpful role in Afghani- northwest China. A month ear- trying to isolate external terror- economy that is in shambles. stan’s future economic and se- lier, deputy chief of the PLA ism and extremism, to prevent China’s increasing role in the curity prospects. China has general staff, Lieutenant Gen- these outside forces from influ- country reflects its commitment been intensifying its diplomat- eral Qi Jianguo, traveled to Af- encing or spilling into Xinjiang. to invest resources and share ic efforts to help build a peace- ghanistan as a special envoy If Afghanistan cannot achieve responsibilities, but it should ful and stable Afghanistan, by of China’s president. Never stability, it will be more difficult not been seen as an attempt to hosting a regional meeting on before have so many high-lev- to ensure Xinjiang’s security acquire power. The United the issue and deepening its bi- el Chinese diplomatic, securi- and stability. China also has States has at times shown mixed lateral ties with Kabul. In a new ty, and military officials visited significant financial invest- emotions about China’s role in Q&A, Zhao Huasheng exam- Afghanistan in the span of one ments in Afghanistan, chiefly Afghanistan. Washington has ines China’s growing attention year. In October 2014, the new- the Mes Aynak copper mine, encouraged Beijing to provide to Afghanistan as well as the ly elected president of Afghan- southeast of Kabul, and the more assistance to Afghanistan interests that are motivating istan, Ashraf Ghani, visited Amu Darya oil fields in north- and to take on greater respon- Beijing. He says China is not China. The two sides expressed ern Afghanistan. Beyond these sibility there. But when China seeking to fill a void left by the their intention to deepen their ventures, Chinese officials see does this, some in the United withdrawal of U.S. forces, but strategic partnership and laid an opportunity to make further States worry that China’s influ- that it, in the future, could play the foundation for strengthen- investments in the country. ence is on the rise. Does Beijing a useful role in the reconcilia- ing the relationship between China’s Silk Road Economic Belt intend to play the role of a fa- tion process between the Af- China and the new Afghan gov- strategy includes the construc- cilitator in the reconciliation ghan government and the Tali- ernment. Going forward, China tion of railways and highways process between the Afghan ban. What is China’s current and Afghanistan are prepared to better connect Central Asia, government and the Taliban? role in diplomatic efforts to to work more closely in the ar- South Asia, and the Middle Could Chinese involvement in- build a peaceful and stable Af- eas of politics, economics, se- East. Afghanistan is located at crease the chances of success By Thomas Bell career. By pumping in money with- back home in headquarters) In oth- curity, and culture. In 2015, the the geographical hub of these for the reconciliation process? out achievements to match, the do- er words, the donors are depen- ghanistan? Since the start of At the moment, 16-year-olds in nors partly contribute to making dent on their recipients. If they 2014, China’s Afghanistan di- two countries will mark the six- regions, and any unrest or civil Over the past few years, China Nepal are sitting exams for the extractive politics sustainable. started calling time on corrupt or plomacy has become more pos- tieth anniversary of the estab- war there would likely result in has been careful not to inter- School Leaving Certificate (SLC); They should recognise that when underperforming projects it would itive, proactive, and dynamic. lishment of diplomatic rela- instability spilling over into vene directly in Afghanistan’s the so-called "iron gate" which will a scheme doesn't deliver the prom- be even harder for them to work. In October 2014, Beijing host- tions. A Year for China-Af- nearby regions, making it diffi- domestic politics and has not decide whether they lead lives of ised results, the money has still Hence there are very few exam- uneducated futility, or are allowed paid for something: such as the ples of the donors taking a strong, ed the fourth foreign ministers’ ghanistan Friendly cult for the strategy to succeed. acted as an intermediary be- to pass on to - possibly - better empowerment of the corrupt ... public stand on anti-corruption meeting of the Istanbul Pro- Cooperation has been planned, What principles drive China’s tween the Afghan government things. Most have little reason to Rather, the government is run as measures. The public perception cess—an international effort with a series of activities to approach to Afghanistan? If the and the Taliban. My personal be hopeful. Last year only 13 per an extractive enterprise, in which is of a great deal corruption not launched in 2011 to encourage commemorate their ties. China’s Afghanistan war is said prima- judgment is that in the future cent of government school students the various parties and factions are only in government, but in the de- cooperation and coordination economic support for Afghan- rily to have consisted of force, China may be willing to make who had enrolled 10 years earlier built on pyramids of graft, com- velopment industry itself. There's passed the SLC. The rest either missions, and the sale of offices. little reason to think that the cur- between Afghanistan and its istan has also increased signif- then China’s proposal for solv- an effort to encourage the Af- failed or had already dropped out. Useful public institutions such as rent batch of projects and pro- neighbors and regional part- icantly. Between 2001 and 2013, ing the Afghan problem will pri- ghan government and the Tali- Yet the education system in Nepal the education ministry, the univer- grammes will be more successful ners. By hosting this event for China provided Afghanistan marily consist of peace. China ban to reach a settlement. This has been receiving foreign aid and sity, the electricity board, the na- than those of the past. Many - such the first time, China showed its with a total of 1.5 billion yuan believes that political reconcili- assessment is based on sever- technical advice since the 1950s. tional airline, or the airport, have as in education - are already long (approximately $240 million) of ation between the Afghan gov- al factors. First, China’s diplo- We're now past half way through been hollowed out and left semi- running scandals. Few are truly desire to take the initiative in the donors' much vaunted "School functional. In the private sector, new ideas. The shoulders of giants promoting a smooth power aid. But in 2014 alone, China ernment and the Taliban is one macy has become more proac- Sector Reform Programme", which the party bosses give political Instead, the donors claim credit for transfer after Afghanistan’s provided Afghanistan with 500 of the best ways to ensure a tive. It is starting to focus more itself is supposedly building upon backing to cartels, syndicates and gains that probably do not come 2014 presidential election and million yuan ($80 million) of aid successful political and securi- on taking the initiative to shape the achievements of the previous "mafias" which, for example, ma- primarily through their work. The a stable security transition fol- and pledged to provide an ad- ty transition in Afghanistan. the situation. Second, in gen- "Education for All Programme". nipulate prices and operate mo- main reason for recent progress in ditional 1.5 billion yuan ($240 This is not a new concept, and eral China’s diplomatic rela- What's going on? Nepal flood vic- nopolies in the drinking-water, poverty alleviation is clearly re- lowing the withdrawal of Inter- tims suffer one month on Nepal food, transport and energy mar- mittances from migrant labourers, national Security Assistance million) over the next three it is one that many nations sup- tions with its neighbors have has been receiving foreign aid for kets. They profit from the fact that which have risen rapidly to be Force (ISAF) troops and U.S. years. In addition, over the next port. But China will work hard taken on added importance. over 60 years; generally running at the health and education sectors worth around 25 per cent of GDP. combat forces, which took five years China will provide to put this idea into practice and China is paying even more at- fairly stable levels, currently worth are dysfunctional. Despite the do- Nepali workers go abroad because place in December 2014. The 500 scholarships for Afghan help Afghanistan move along tention to development coop- over $1bn a year, contributing nors' talk of Nepal being "fragile", the domestic economy is ruined, about a quarter of the government there is in fact notability stability and the money they send home is Istanbul Process meeting also students to study in China and the path toward political recon- eration with surrounding coun- budget. Decades of stunted devel- at the heart of the state, both in spent on private health and educa- demonstrated China’s positive will give training to 3,000 Af- ciliation. At the fourth foreign tries, including Afghanistan. opment Over the years various the way it works and the individu- tion, because the donor-support- attitude toward regional and ghan professionals in various ministers’ meeting of the Istan- Third, Xinjiang’s security situ- theories, claims, working methods, als who run it. Most have careers ed public sector is useless. The international cooperation on fields, including counterterror- bul Process, Chinese Premier Li ation and the Silk Road Eco- and targets, have been raised, at the top spanning decades, and migrants' achievements owe little Afghanistan. China also hopes ism, anti-drug trafficking, agri- Keqiang formalized the five nomic Belt strategy have each dropped and recycled, but, despite many are the children or relatives to the development industry, and some gains, achievements has fall- of other powerful people. The the development industry has lit- to use this multilateral frame- culture, and diplomacy. Eco- suggestions that China be- added urgency to China’s need en far short of what’s been prom- donors are also wrong to believe tle to say about them. There are work to propose its own ideas nomic aid is only one aspect of lieves Afghanistan should to secure a stable Afghanistan. ised. In 1991 a publication of US- (as they often do) that the govern- few projects aimed at supporting for securing Afghanistan’s fu- the assistance that China will adopt. His proposal called for In January 2015, AID, the US government's devel- ment "doesn't understand" what it them. Nepal's problem is not a ture, and to win other nations’ extend to Afghanistan. More ensuring that Afghanistan is the Washington Post reported opment agency, predicted that is doing, or "needs educating". want of aid or technical advice. It importantly, China is willing to governed by the Afghan peo- that China hosted a Taliban with "an increased understanding When it comes to serving their own is political. And if the donors are support for its approach. Chi- of the need to follow market prin- interests, and those of their core to be part of the solution, they must na has also continued to hold increase its economic cooper- ple; promoting political recon- delegation in Beijing in Decem- ciples ... we are hopeful that by constituents, the country's leaders be brave enough to publicly de- bilateral and trilateral meetings ation with Afghanistan and ciliation; speeding up econom- ber 2014. The visit was be- the year 2001 ... we will see Nepal are successful. Unfortunately for mand meaningful action against the on Afghanistan with other help Afghanistan gain greater ic reconstruction; exploring lieved to be part of an effort by graduate from the ranks of the least most Nepalis, providing "develop- entrenched public corruption, the countries in the region. In Feb- economic independence. The new paths of development; and the Chinese government to me- developed countries". Nepal is ment" for the wider public is often cartels, "syndicates" and "mafias" idea is not merely to provide providing the Afghan govern- diate a dialogue between the now hoping to graduate from the in conflict with those interests. which are keeping the country ruary 2015, following three ear- ranks of Least Developed Coun- Underwriting the status-quo And poor. By pumping in money with- lier sets of talks, the first round people with fish but to teach ment with stronger external Afghan government and the tries in 2022. And, on current form, yet the donors continue to pour out achievements to match, the of the China-Afghanistan-Paki- them how to fish. Within the support from the international Taliban. While Beijing did not it's likely to miss that target, pos- money in. The United States, Eu- donors partly contribute to mak- stan Trilateral Strategic framework of China’s Silk Road community. China hopes that confirm the Taliban visit, For- sibly becoming (along with Af- ropean Union and Britain all re- ing extractive politics sustainable. Dialogue was held in Kabul. In Economic Belt strategy, the two this support will encourage eign Minister Wang Yi said ghanistan) one of the last two LDCs cently announced major increases. They should recognise that when left in Asia. What's to blame? The Meanwhile, over the past few a scheme doesn't deliver the prom- 2014, talks among China, Rus- countries have many opportu- Kabul to develop friendly rela- China is willing to play a “con- war is part of it. A decade of Mao- years, Nepal has plummeted down ised results, the money has still sia, and India took place, as did nities for cooperation. This will tions with its neighbors, will structive role” in supporting ist insurgency from 1996 to 2006 the Transparency International paid for something: such as the a second round of talks be- not only produce benefits for bolster Afghanistan’s regional the Afghan reconciliation pro- killed 17,000 people and hindered corruption table, as the rival polit- empowerment of the corrupt, tween China and Iran. In past Afghanistan’s economy, but it economic cooperation, and will cess. China is also relatively economic activity. Yet during the ical parties alternately feuded and deeper inequality, and loss of pub- years, China has also held bi- will also propel the country for- help the country to enhance its well-equipped to take on the conflict GDP growth fluctuated collaborated to divide the spoils. lic faith. They should be far more within a similar range to before and In fact, the government doesn't willing to withdraw from corrupt lateral talks on Afghanistan ward and help it further incor- own security capabilities. In role of peacemaker. China is a after. Infrastructure was destroyed, have the capacity to spend the schemes, and explain why. They with India and Pakistan. China porate the region’s broader China’s view, Afghanistan’s major power in the region, with but there wasn't much in the first development money it already has. should gather evidence and give it is in a strong position to help economic development. What unique cultural history and a significant degree of political place and - thanks to public cor- Despite rampant mismanagement, to the police. And they must take coordinate between Afghani- are the Chinese government’s practical national conditions influence. China has consis- ruption - much of it has been re- and a splurge at the end of every action to expose and punish the motivations for getting more should be taken into consider- tently advocated for political built twice-over. The quality of year timed to escape scrutiny, corruption in the bloated and un- stan and its neighbors, which village schools and health posts around a quarter of the funds re- derperforming development indus- all have an especially important involved in Afghanistan? Chi- ation if lasting political stabili- reconciliation in Afghanistan; was as wretched before the war served for capital investment re- try itself, which everyone knows role to play in promoting secu- na’s actions in Afghanistan are ty and continued economic de- it did not participate in the war began as it is now, almost a decade main unspent annually. The donors exists. To do so would require a rity in Afghanistan. A consen- motivated by its national inter- velopment are to be achieved. there, and it has not made ene- since it ended. Nepal suffered con- know this, but they measure their willingness to spend less money, sus among these surrounding ests, and by a growing aware- Transplanting models for na- mies with any of the political flict, but many Asian countries that success, and their managers move and to take responsibility for have developed more successfully on in their careers, by growing their what's not working, instead of only countries on their positions ness of its responsibility, as a tional governance from other forces inside of the country. have suffered worse. Extractive budgets and disbursing their funds. claiming credit for any sign of im- and policies would help to en- major power in the region, to countries is unnecessary. As This makes it easier for all par- government For the most part, of Like the government, they also provement. Thomas Bell has re- sure a stable future for Afghan- promote security and econom- Afghanistan pursues a suitable ties involved to accept China’s course, the country's rulers are to struggle to spend the money they ported on Nepal for over a decade. istan. The Shanghai Coopera- ic development in Afghanistan governance model, the interna- contributions. However, China blame - and they have conducted have. As the end of every year His new book of history and re- tion Organization, a regional and throughout South and tional community should re- is not an interested party inside themselves in a similar manner for comes around there are frantic portage, 'Kathmandu', is published decades. There is hardly a politi- meetings in the donor offices, over by Random House India. The group that includes most of Af- Central Asia. Security is Chi- spect the independent deci- Afghanistan; its function is cian in the country who can plau- how they can dispose of their un- views expressed in this article are ghanistan’s neighbors and na’s top interest in Afghanistan. sions of the Afghan people. Is primarily to encourage peace sibly claim to have seriously pur- spent budget before next year's (in- the author's own and do not nec- nearby countries, is an impor- The two countries are neigh- China seeking to fill a void left negotiations. Political reconcil- sued "economic viability" (the lat- creased) budget is due. (Apparent- essarily reflect Al Jazeera's edito- tant multilateral platform for co- bors, and the border they by the U.S. withdrawal from iation in Afghanistan can only est slogan) in the course of his long ly, the same thing also happens rial policy. ordinating policies toward Af- share, although only about 90 Afghanistan? China does not be achieved through internal ghanistan. How has China’s bi- kilometers (approximately 56 believe there is a void in Af- discussions. China knows this lateral relationship with Af- miles) long, poses significant ghanistan and has no thoughts will be a long-term and difficult LETTER TO THE EDITOR ghanistan evolved? High-lev- security concerns for China. of filling one. The U.S. station- process, but one that needs to el, bilateral exchanges between The Afghan side of the border ing of large numbers of troops begin somewhere. Only then China and Afghanistan have is a hotbed of terrorism and ex- in Afghanistan stemmed from a will new possibilities present Freedom of media become more frequent. In Feb- tremism, while on the Chinese temporary and particular set of themselves. For any country, ruary 2014 Chinese Foreign side sits Xinjiang, a region that circumstances. The withdrawal mediating Afghanistan’s do- Freedom of media was one of main achievements of former President Karzai’s government. During his Minister Wang Yi visited Kab- is especially vulnerable to the of foreign troops from Afghan- mestic conflicts is an undertak- tenure, tens of radio and TV channels were established. Media outlets including TV and radio channels, ul and indicated that China effects of terrorism and extrem- istan will restore the normal ing in which the risks are great- newspapers and magazines improved well. There are more than 35 TV and at least 20 radio channels in would support Afghanistan in ism. The situation in Xinjiang state of affairs there. China has er than the chances of success. Kabul which provide different programs, but sometimes these programs go the wrong way and result in achieving smooth political, se- has become more complicated, always emphasized the princi- China is no exception. Essen- irritation not entertainment. There are a number of radio hosts, mostly girls, which host a number of curity, and economic transi- moving it to the forefront of ples that Afghanistan belongs tially, if China does not suc- programs that are not meeting the culture of Afghanistan. Moreover, these programs waste the time of our tions. In November 2014, the China’s national security strat- to the Afghan people, not to ceed, its credibility will be dam- young generation as they wait hours to connect their call host of such programs which are mostly girls. state councilor responsible for egy. Maintaining security and any other country, and that the aged. For Afghanistan, even if These girls speak with a different tone which is not suitable for youngsters to hear it. Another defect of China’s domestic security, Guo stability in Xinjiang requires a Afghan people should be re- China’s efforts fall short, no these programs is that the anchors use English and Urdu words while they should speak in our beautiful Shengkun, visited Afghanistan dual approach. China must sponsible for affairs in their harm will be done. (Courtesy: national languages. Young boys talk with girl hosts and young girls call and talk with boy anchors in a for discussions that focused combat and control domestic country. Afghanistan is not an Carnegie) number of radio channels. This is against our culture. Radio channels by preparing such programs are violating the right that has been given to them through the freedom of media. It seems that the Ministry of Information and Culture is not informed about the programs and about the radio channels. The programs should be controlled. They should broadcast programs that fit our culture and meet the Disclaimer: real demands of the Afghan society. Jamshid Noori, 4th Macroryan, 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. MONDAY . MARCH 23, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Yemen strife threatens neighbours too Nigerians look to social media amid information scarcity ahead of election LAGOS: One of Nigeria's most can countries. The push toward widely read news sources, Sahar- mobile and social distribution net- aReporters, operates from New works has disrupted a system in York and relies heavily on report- which the government could large- ing by citizen-journalists in Nige- ly control the message. Local re- ria. Still, it has found itself the tar- porters say that government of- get of billionaires, politicians and fices are frequently unresponsive Boko Haram. “If we were in Nige- to press inquiries and that report- ria, basically, in the last nine years, ers who challenge government po- I don't think I would be talking to sitions are harassed. In February you right now,” said Omoyele So- 2015, Nigerian website The Na- wore, SaharaReporters’ founder tion Online reported that Depart- and editor-in-chief. Several multi- ment of State Security officers million-dollar defamation lawsuits broke into the home of Tife Owola- have been brought against Sowore bi, a Reuters correspondent. “The since the site's founding, most re- DSS men stormed my apartment cently a $5 million suit filed with on Saturday to conduct a search the New York Supreme Court by and claimed it was based on an or- a Nigerian government minister. der from Abuja. The DSS men The site has experienced repeated claimed that I am unpatriotic, ow- cyberattacks and was named as a ing to my job and relationship with target by Boko Haram in a 2012 the Thomas Reuters,” he report- video. Nigeria’s press freedom is edly said. According to a dispatch stifled by both government op- from Reporters Without Borders, pression of journalists and armed the editor of the weekly newspa- groups operating in the country’s per Tentacle was arrested on Jan. northeast. Nigeria ranked 112th out 14, after months of harassment for of 180 on the 2014 Reporters publishing an article, “20 threats Without Borders press freedom against Jonathan’s re-election sur- index, and there have been several vey,” referring to Nigeria’s Presi- reports of arrests and harassment dent Goodluck Jonathan. The edi- of local journalists. And in the lead- tor was reportedly held for two up to this year's national elections, weeks by state security, despite a which have since been postponed court ruling ordering his release. to March 28 because of instability The same Reporters Without Bor- in the northeast, press freedom ders article noted the lack of com- groups reported a backlog of visas munication by the Nigerian gov- Only time will tell whether Fri- potential for violence. The Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's initi- Hadi has the political legitimacy should not simply watch the for foreign press. The Nigerian ernment about the ongoing crisis day's deadly blasts in two mosques Houthis, together with the sup- ation of military recruitment in that may attract financial and mil- events unfolding in Yemen from the government did not respond to a in the north, where Boko Haram in the Yemeni capital were isolat- porters of former President Ali Aden and other nearby cities in itary support from Saudi Arabia sidelines. Aggressive and quick dip- request for comment by time of has devastated cities and towns. ed attacks by Islamic State of Iraq Abdullah Saleh, may seize this south Yemen suggests that he rec- and other Gulf Cooperation Coun- lomatic intervention is needed, es- publication. But as traditional me- Before the recent military cam- and the Levant (ISIL) or whether political opportunity to mobilise ognises past mistakes that result- cil (GCC) members. A Sanaa in- pecially from Yemen's neighbour, dia coverage has been tamped paigns launched against the armed the organisation is flexing its mus- people for a military and political ed in the fall of Sanaa to the sider for nearly three decades, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Po- down in Nigeria, Africa's most group, the government was large- cles with the assaults in Sanaa and expansion, probably in the direc- Houthis. Saleh has publicly con- Hadi is highly respected for his litical negotiations in Riyadh populous country, social media and ly silent on the crisis. Jonathan was in Tunisia's capital Tunis. For tion of Taiz and Aden, where the demned Hadi's tactics in Aden, cit- military skills. Unfortunately, his should begin immediately, and Sau- websites like SaharaReporters are widely criticized for condemning now, these attacks have again dem- Shia Houthis face a severe legiti- ing his military offensive in 1994 political skills did not prove equal- di Arabia should pressure Saleh to buzzing, enabling news outlets to the attacks on France’s Charlie onstrated the inability of the macy crisis. Some observers have against the Yemeni Socialist party ly impressive during his time as limit his cooperation with the reach out to their audience for in- Hebdo magazine in January with- Houthi group - which lacks prop- suggested that the Houthis might (YSP) - which Hadi was then a key president in Sanaa. President Hadi Houthis. If Yemen enters another formation and eyewitness ac- out addressing reports that more er training as a police force - to view control of Taiz and Aden as supporter of. Future operations is a huge obstacle to Saleh and the era of civil war, it will not be limit- counts and letting citizens report than 2,000 people were killed by provide security and enforce the higher political priorities than tar- Aden will be the most likely source Houthis, therefore, they are unlike- ed to the Arabian Peninsula nation, news that formal outlets may be Boko Haram in the city of Baga rule of law in Sanaa and other ar- geting al-Qaeda elements. It is un- of any future political and military ly to pass up any chance to elimi- as in 1994. Unfortunately, many afraid to air. SaharaReporters — several days earlier. While his si- eas that are under its control. The likely that Aden will fall quickly operations against Sanaa, and both nate him. Accordingly, the coming in the region who are watching from which made its name in 2009 as lence continued, Nigerians began continued political chaos and un- as it did in 1994 to Saleh forces. the Houthis and Saleh view Presi- days are vital to Yemen's future. outside Yemen will also be affect- the first source to identify the un- expressing their frustrations on certainty is likely to increase the Furthermore, reports of President dent Hadi as their biggest threat. The international community ed. (AL JAZEERA) derwear bomber, a Nigerian man Twitter using the hashtag #BagaTo- who tried to blow up a U.S.-bound gether. The military eventually ac- flight with explosives concealed in knowledged the attacks but only his underwear, through crowd- confirmed 150 deaths. With hun- Day of carnage sourcing on social media — is now dreds of thousands of Nigerians one of the fastest-growing web- displaced by Boko Haram and a at Tunisian sites in Nigeria because of social swath of the north under threat by media. The site's content is pushed the group inaccessible to press and museum leaves out through Twitter, Facebook, nongovernmental organizations, In his weekly blog on security issues Imran Khan explains how Tumblr and Instagram, and video Nigeria's Independent National memories, content is produced for YouTube. Electoral Commission (INEC) is attacks like the Tunis one are an easy way to cause chaos. According to social analytics turning to social media to provide questions tracker Socialbakers’ February re- a check on the legitimacy of the port, the site is the third-most- upcoming national elections, which With bullets flying and his heart popular Nigerian media source on were delayed from their original pounding, Spanish tourist Josep Facebook and is gaining followers date of Feb. 14. “A lot of the con- Lluis Cusido never got a clear look rapidly, jumping from 1,079,885 versations around the election hap- at the men shooting their way likes when the report came out to pen in real time. People want to through the Bardo museum in nearly 1.5 million at time of publi- hear what's going on, tuning to ra- Tunis as he hid behind a pillar. The cation. Sowore grew up in Nigeria dio, listening to television, so on, only thing he noticed what that the and was given political asylum in trolling the Internet trying to find attacker closest to him seemed the United States in 1999 after al- out what’s going on with the elec- young. Cusido, the mayor of the legedly being persecuted and tor- tions,” said Amara Nwankpa, the small Spanish town of Vallmoll, tured by police for anti-govern- director of public policy initiatives will never know for certain but the ment activism. He launched the site for the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua man who stood just a few meters in 2006 while living in New Jer- Foundation, a Nigerian public ser- (yards) away was likely 20-year- old Yassine Laabidi - the younger sey, with the aim of keeping a check vice and governance group. The of the two attackers. “They looked on government corruption and mal- foundation is one of several part- to see how they could inflict the feasance in his homeland, relying ners working with the INEC to most damage possible. I saw one on evidence-backed reports from expand election oversight, utiliz- group who was in the museum Nigerian expatriates and local re- ing 10,000 trained election observ- who took refuge in a room... They porters. He moved the offices to ers around the country and a so- went in there and machine gunned New York in 2008. “Because of cial media campaign, complete with them all,” Cusido told The Asso- the notoriety of the site, politi- a push for awareness on Twitter ciated Press Saturday, stifling a cians and police frequently return (using the hashtag #NigeriaDe- sob. After breakfast Wednesday our calls,” says Sowore. “They say cides) and Facebook. It’s the first morning, Laabidi had left home to to us, ‘We hate you — but this is use of Facebook in Africa to en- go to his job making deliveries for what we know.’” Journalists gath- gage voters. The trained election a local business, his father Arbi told ered in Lagos in February for a monitors will monitor social me- The Associated Press outside the social media conference. Skyler dia posts, primarily on Twitter and family’s home in the neighborhood Reid “It is not possible for one Facebook, for information about El Omrane at the edge of Tunis. government to suppress the social problems at polling stations and Later that day he joined up with media of Nigeria. Even if we don't then follow up if necessary. “On 26-year-old Hatem Khachnaoui have Internet, we will find a way election day we’ll see a lot of re- and shot dead 21 people at the re- to reach the Web,” said Nnenna porting. That will be the story of nowned museum - including a Tu- Nwakanma, the Africa regional this election,” says Fatu Ogwuche, nisian security agent who had re- coordinator for the U.S.-based a new-media consultant for the cently become a father - before World Wide Web Foundation, at a INEC. While social media has being killed in a shootout with se- social media conference in Lagos grown throughout Nigeria as an al- curity forces. In El Omrane - a in February. She was at the con- ternative platform for circumvent- poor neighborhood that has prov- ference to discuss implementing a ing the imposition on information, en fertile ground for jihadi recruit- bill of rights for freedom of online it is a far cry from freedom of ex- ers - a mourning tent has gone up expression and communication in pression. Gbenga Sesan, the exec- in front of the Laabidi home, where Nigeria. “Social media is creating a utive director of communications the family is still trying to come to new generation of Nigerians who technology training company Par- grips with the fate of a young man have neither power nor money but adigm Initiative Nigeria, experi- they said “liked the good life.” “We have influence. And this is what enced this firsthand on May 5, want to know who transformed the old stock are afraid of,” she 2014, when the State Security Ser- him, who brainwashed him so that A decade ago, I was sat with a stan, highlight just how effective That is where Islam does not rule. umbine School shooters who killed said after a panel discussion, dur- vice, Nigeria’s intelligence agency, he went to kill innocent people. group of journalists in London at a this is. The very nature of "terror- For ISIL that is the rest of the world. 13 people and themselves in 1999. ing which her criticisms of govern- called on his office. He was at home We have to find the people who security briefing held by former ism" is to terrorize a population. ISIL want chaos in that part of the ?Those attacks on Columbine were ment infringement on free speech when his office called to say agents are sending our children to death intelligence officials. One of the What is more effective than killing world because they see chaos lead- inspired, according to an FBI re- were met with applause. “What- were there to see him. To ensure and setting our country adrift,” analysts told the group of his civilians randomly in the street? ing to the rise of Islam. Using a gun port, by an anger at the world and ever trends on Twitter trends on as many people as possible knew, said his brother, Khaled. Anna "nightmare scenario". It wasn't a These types of attacks are very and attacking tourist sites is a pret- perceived injustices. That is not traditional media. And whatever he immediately sent out a message Tounsia, a neighbor who knows large-scale attack like the one that difficult to defend against and for ty easy way to spread chaos. They that dissimilar to the motivation trends on traditional media trends on Twitter, saying, “The office just the family well, said she mourns killed 52 people in the British cap- Tunisia the effect this will have want Muslims to be vilified in the ISIL fighters have. It is a painful in the policy space. So we are look- told me someone from SSS is wait- the loss of young Laabidi as well ital a month earlier, dubbed the 7/7 will ripple through society. This West as they see that as a way to thing for a society to admit, but ing at a shift in paradigm, in which ing with a letter for me:) I’ll know as the victims of the attack. “Yes attacks. No, what worried this is a country that survives on its make young Muslims angry and attacks like Columbine, like the social media becomes a definer of content in a bit. All we’re saying: he killed. We’re sad for those who former analyst was something else. tourism. An audio tape released stand up. Add that to praise the at- ones in Tunis, will not stop, and social discourse.” Despite the rapid #BringBackOurGirls.” He was lat- died, sad for the security agent who The thing that kept him up at on Thursday suggests that the Is- tack garnered on social media fo- living with them is the only realis- growth of social platforms, Nige- er told that the experience was was killed and left a child,” Toun- night were armed men on the lamic State of Iraq and the Levant rums, such as Twitter, and you have tic option. There are only so many sia said. “Find the people who did ria lags much of the world on In- spurred by a tweet in which he streets of London indiscriminate- claimed responsibility for the at- a powerful attraction. 'Wannabe ji- resources you can use to fight vio- ternet access and social media us- said people should hack the hash- this. Go to the mosques, monitor ly shooting tourists. His theory tack in Tunis. This is significant hadists' Where there is praise there lence and for most societies those them.” Authorities have said Laa- age per capita. According to We tag for the 2014 World Economic suggested that bigger plots, by for two reasons. Firstly, whether will be those who want that praise resources are concentrated on Are Social, a London-based social Forum to draw attention to the bidi and Khachnaoui had slipped their very nature, could be foiled the group are behind the attack or for themselves and will copy the at- counterterrorism. The "nightmare" across the border to Libya in De- media communications agency, #BringBackOurGirls campaign. cember to reach one of many mili- through intelligence gathering and not, it signals to others that such tack. But this is not unique to "wan- attacks, the shootings that worried Facebook penetration in Nigeria The forum was being held in Nige- tia training camps there. On Satur- surveillance of suspects. That big- attacks are now permissible and nabe jihadists". Let us, for example's the analyst in London, are the ones was only at 6 percent as of Janu- ria that year, which Sesan object- day, 20 other people linked to the ger attacks required coordination that others should follow. The sec- sake, say that you are 15-year-old that require a deeper look at ideol- ary 2014, accounting for 11.2 mil- ed to because it would distract attack were detained in Tunisia, and therefore were more suscepti- ond reason is a little more sinister. boy living in Denver, Colorado. ogy, anger, poverty, racism, reli- lion users. However, increased from the still missing Chibok girls prosecutors said, but didn’t give ble to inadvertent leaks from mem- And has to do with spreading cha- You've been politically engaged for gious hatred etc. That is not the mobile phone usage has been a cat- abducted by Boko Haram. “Social any details. Tunisia’s Interior bers within the cells plotting the os and fear through societies about years, reading about America's ac- job of your average intelligence alyst for increased social media media is a platform where you can Ministry also released security attacks. What are almost impos- Muslims. ISIL want chaos. They tions across the world. You have no service and are generational prob- adoption, and in January of this be the news, you can make the camera footage showing the gun- sible to detect are 'Lone Wolf' at- divide the world into two. Dar al police record, no history of crimi- lems requiring societal change. year Nigeria was among the eight news, you can report the news all men walking through the museum, tacks that required little more than Harb and Dar ul Muslim. Dar al nality. You live in a place where guns There is no doubt we have a prob- countries where Facebook Lite — at the same time. So it empowers a carrying assault rifles and bags. At a gun, some bullets and the will. I Muslim is fairly self-explanatory are easily available. You go on pro- lem with guns and violence. What a stripped-down version of the new generation of individuals,” one point they encounter another was reminded of this as images and literally translates as the house tests, try and make your voice heard. we do not have is a solution to it, Facebook phone app designed for said Sesan. Three days after his man with a backpack walking from Tunis filled our TV screens? of Islam and that is where Islamic What you do is wake one morning whether it is anger-inspired vio- mobile users in emerging markets two-hour meeting with the SSS, he down a flight of stairs. They brief- of panicked tourists running from rule takes place. For ISIL that is and decide to shoot up your school lence in the US or religious-in- — was rolled out. Mobile pene- received an award for social entre- ly acknowledge each other before gunfire outside of the Bardo Na- the caliphate, the territory they in a fit of rage. You are Eric Harris, spired violence in Tunisia, and we tration in Nigeria has reached 65 preneur of the year at the World they walk on in opposite direc- tional Museum. This, and similar control in Syria and Iraq Dar ul and along with Dylan Klebold you are likely to see more of it rather percent of the population, account- Economic Forum. tions. attacks this year in Paris and Paki- Harb is slightly more complex. will go down in history as the Col- than less. (AL JAZEERA) ing for the most users among Afri- (AL JAZEERA) This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. MONDAY . MARCH 23, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES First shipment of Qatari LNG to reach Pakistan on Mar 26

ISLAMABAD: The first cargo of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) ex- ported by Qatari supplier, Qatar- gas, is scheduled to reach the Port Qasim LNG terminal on March 26. Sources said that Qatar is provid- KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia- ing the LNG to Pakistan at $8 to Southeast Asian nations Saturday $9 per Million British Thermal wrapped up a key agreement al- Units (MMBTU). The need to lowing qualified banks to operate import LNG is a result of the rela- freely in each other's countries in a tively higher cost of power gener- push toward greater financial and ation through furnace oil and die- economic integration. The region- sel fuel. Earlier this month, Feder- al banking integration framework al Minister for Petroleum and Nat- is part of efforts to create an eco- ural Resources Shahid Khaqan Ab- nomic community by the end of basi had said “Pakistan heavily the year, making the 10-member relies on its import of furnace oil Association of Southeast Asian and diesel to fuel power stations Nations a single market and pro- and both fuels are relatively expen- duction base. ASEAN finance min- sive as compared to LNG, which isters and central bank governors is cheaper and a more efficient al- said in a joint statement after a two- ternative. LNG is also cleaner and day meeting that qualified ASEAN considered environment-friendly," banks can now operate with great- A deal for the provision of LNG er market access and be accorded was signed in mid-March with flexibilities similar to those of do- Qatargas. According to official mestic banks in the host country. sources at the Ministry of Petro- They said this will help accelerate leum and Natural Resources, the the pace of regional financial inte- first cargo of LNG will arrive in gration and boost cross-border Karachi on March 26. The Qatari trade and investment. "It took us government has informed the Pe- five years from conception to op- troleum Ministry and Engro Cor- erationalize this. This is very ex- poration Ltd that the filling of citing. This is something concrete, 68,000 cubic feet of LNG in the it's a major progress for ASEAN," Q-Flex LNG carrier is currently Malaysian central bank governor underway. After the cargo reaches Zeti Akhtar Aziz told reporters. Pakistan, the LNG will be re-gas- Zeti said allowing qualified ified and, on March 31, injected ASEAN banks to operate as a do- into the Sui Southern Gas Compa- mestic bank across the region will ny Ltd (SSGCL) network through help to deepen trade and invest- Engro’s re-gasification terminal at ment links to "unlock potential Port Qasim. The SSGCL is then growth" in the region. Inter-region- required to transfer it to the Sui al trade is already on the rise, ac- Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNG- counting for just over a quarter of PL) at the Zamzama-Sawan gas ASEAN's trade, she said. No fur- establishment. The LNG will ini- ther details were immediately avail- tially be provided to four Indepen- able on how a bank in one country dent Power Producers (IPPs) in can qualify as an ASEAN bank. Punjab, including Kot Addu Pow- Currently, regional countries place er Company (Kapco). In the sec- stringent limits on foreign banks ond phase of the operation, fuel to protect their domestic industry, will be used for Compressed Nat- including limiting foreign equity ural Gas (CNG) and in the third, it participation and curbing their ex- will be supplied to the fertiliser pansion and market access. sector. Read more: Confusion as imported LNG due next month The $135 million Engro Elengy Russia looks to Terminal Limited (ETPL) — a Hard to reach $100-120 oil again: lift first bar- subsidiary of Engro Corporation terminal at Port Qasim - was com- pleted in record time, according to oil)...On the contrary we welcome rier to Islamic Shaikh Imran-ul-Haq CEO of it, as it balances the market in the ETPL (who made this claim earli- Saudi’s OPEC governor long run." Some producers such as finance as er in March). Imran-ul-Haq had Iran, a diplomatic rival of Saudi gone on to say “If the commodity Saudi Arabia's OPEC governor Arabia, have sharply criticized crisis grows is not delivered by March 31, Mohammed al-Madi said on Sun- Riyadh for its decision to let oil 2015, the government would be li- day that he believed it would be prices slide rather than trying to Russian lawmakers have intro- able to pay the capacity charges.” difficult for oil to reach a price support them with an OPEC pro- duced to parliament a draft bill to The cost to the government of not range of $100-120 per barrel again. duction cut. But Madi said on Sun- support Islamic finance, aiming to utilising the ETPL would be "$100-120 - I think it's difficult to attract capital inflows at a time day that the price drop was be- when an economic slowdown is $272,000 per day after March 31. reach 120 another time...We under- cause of fundamental supply and Concerns over the specifications stand that all countries need high- intensifying and Western sanctions demand factors, not any non-eco- show no sign of being lifted. The of the terminal were raised by Qa- er incomes...We want higher in- nomic policies. "Was OPEC able targas with the Port Qasim Author- comes, but we want higher incomes draft law, sent to parliament’s low- to control prices? The answer is, er house, the State Duma, this ities (PQA) at a meeting on March for us and future generations," if OPEC could have controlled the 9. Qatargas officials said a series Madi told an energy conference in week, proposes allowing banks to prices it would have done so, but engage in trade activities, a con- of steps were required to be com- Riyadh. Brent crude is currently "There isn't any political dimen- anybody, our vision is simply the have high costs have to wait for it is not in the interest of OPEC to pleted by PQA “as soon as possi- around $55 per barrel. He also re- sion in what we do at the oil min- following: the producers which their turn to produce," he said. "We cept central to many of the struc- control the prices. "It is OPEC's tures used in sharia-compliant fi- ble in order for the terminal to be peated that Saudi Arabia had no istry - our vision is commercial and have low costs have to have the are not against anybody or against interest to achieve balance in the accessible”. political motives in its oil policy. economic...We didn't mean to hurt priority to produce, but those who the (production of U.S. shale nancial products. While many other market. obstacles remain, the bill is seen a first step to spur development of a sector which has posted double- digit growth in several Gulf and US inflation, Greek Yuan level appropriate, reflects fx Southeast Asian countries, but which has struggled to get off the ground in Russia. Instead of inter- tensions in focus est, which is prohibited on religious supply, demand: China central bank grounds, Islamic finance relies on banks charging service fees and de- ROME : Markets still digesting an ther." There will be plenty more positors sharing in bank profits. unexpectedly cautious message opportunity to decipher the Fed's Turkey is another country that is from the Federal Reserve will get message this week with several looking to expand in the sector. more food for thought this week FOMC members speaking, includ- “During a period of a practically with U.S. inflation data and poten- ing Vice Chair Stanley Fischer on total economic blockade from Eu- tially rising risks of a Greek exit Monday. In the euro zone, ECB rope and the U.S., our banks must from the euro zone. The massive President Mario Draghi will ad- find new ways to attract invest- monetary stimulus programs de- dress a European Parliament com- ment,” said Dmitry Savelyev, who ployed by advanced economies are mittee on Monday, with Greece sits on the Duma’s financial mar- producing fierce foreign exchange and the progress of the ECB's kets committee. Western-imposed swings and fuelling talk of a cur- quantitative easing program sure sanctions on Russian officials and rency war. The euro hit a 12-year to be high on the agenda. On Tues- large firms over the country’s role low below $1.05 against the dollar day, preliminary purchasing man- in the Ukraine crisis have dried up at the start of last week only to agers surveys (PMIs) for March access to international capital mar- jump back to $1.10 on Wednesday will indicate the strength of manu- kets. A collapse in oil prices has - its biggest one-day rise in six years facturing in the world's major econ- further contributed to a slowdown - after the Fed signaled it was in no omies following the currency gy- in the economy, which is expected hurry to raise rates after all. By rations and the plunge in oil pric- to contract by at least 3 percent Friday the euro had eased back to es. In the euro zone, PMIs are ex- this year. The draft law must pass $1.08. The Chinese yuan reversed pected to continue a generally pos- three readings in the Duma before a long declining trend to post its itive recent data trend, as the re- it moves to the upper house and strongest weekly rise against the gion benefits from cheaper energy then to President Vladimir Putin’s dollar since 2007 due to a rush of costs and the weaker euro. Banks desk to be signed into law. Law- dollar sales by major state-owned took nearly 100 billion euros ($108 makers would have to pass fur- banks. Bank of Japan Governor billion) in cheap, long-term loans ther amendments in areas such as Haruhiko Kuroda dismissed talk of from the ECB on Thursday, far taxation before the sector can ful- competitive devaluations to spur exceeding expectations and spur- ly develop. The changes could take economic growth, saying on Friday ring hopes of a long-awaited rise at least a year to be passed, ex- that the Fed, the BOJ and the Eu- in lending. That will be tested this perts say. State development bank ropean Central Bank had all print- week when the ECB publishes data Vnesheconombank and VTB ed money "to achieve their price on credit growth which has been Bank, both hit by sanctions, have stability targets, not to depreciate declining for years. The German sought to build their Islamic fi- their currencies." Currency war or Ifo index of business confidence nance know-how in a bid to devel- not, as long as foreign exchange on Wednesday is expected to sig- op new funding sources. One im- movements remain so sharp, cru- nal further buoyancy in the re- pulse for the recent efforts is that cially determining the outlook for gion's biggest economy. While in- Russia is looking to diversify its growth and inflation, currencies will vestors have been focused on ECB economic ties away from Western remain uppermost in policymak- bond-buying, as well as the timing markets, said Linar Yakupov, the ers' minds. The ECB may be hop- of U.S rate hikes and the plunge in head of the Association of Region- ing the euro continues to slide to- oil prices, the stand-off between BEIJING: The current level of uation of the real economy, reflects playing a balancing act on the individuals to invest overseas," he al Investment Agencies of the Rus- wards dollar parity as it frets over Greece and its euro zone partners China's yuan is the surplus and shortfall in global yuan, because allowing it to weak- told the forum. Yi said such an in- sian Federation. “This is where re- deflation and tries to help a fledg- has been steadily worsening and appropriate because it reflects for- capital, also reflects money sup- en could help support the export vestment scheme would be cent sanctions became a kind of ling euro zone economic recovery. may soon be roiling markets again. eign exchange supply and demand ply of our country and other coun- sector. launched "in the near future". catalyst, an extra push, to further U.S. inflation figures for February At a European Union summit on and economic fundamentals, a top tries," he told reporters on the side- Any sharply depreciation could Shanghai, China's financial hub, look at the economic perspective on Tuesday will be particularly Friday German Chancellor Angela central bank researcher said on Sat- lines of a forum. The yuan's jump undermine efforts to internation- hopes to allow individuals to in- in the relationship between Rus- closely watched after the Fed re- Merkel said Greece would only urday, playing down talk of sus- of close to 1 percent during the alize the yuan. Lu also said the vest in overseas markets this year sia and OIC (Organisation of Is- moved its reference to being "pa- receive fresh funds to ease a cash pected official intervention. On week followed months of weak- government would conduct more through a trial scheme to be lamic Cooperation) countries,” he tient" about raising rates from last crunch once its creditors approve Friday, the yuan ended its best ness. Many forex traders suspect- experiments in making the yuan launched in its free trade zone, a said in an interview in Bahrain. Is- week's policy statement but indi- a comprehensive list of reforms it week since 2007 after a rush of ed the turnaround was engineered convertible on the capital account, city government website has re- lamic finance could attract foreign cated it will be very much data-de- has promised but so far failed to dollar sales over the past few days by the central bank to deter spec- but would take steps to manage ported. investment and also mobilise funds pendent in deciding when to tight- produce. European leaders spoke by major state-owned banks, pos- ulators who had been betting on risks from cross-border capital The new Qualified Domestic In- from Russia’s 20 million Muslims, en policy. "We think annual infla- of "a spirit of mutual trust" and sibly acting on behalf of the cen- further yuan falls. The yuan is cur- flows. Yi Gang, a deputy central dividual Investor program, or Yakupov added Legislation is cru- tion will remain in negative territo- offered Athens a 2 billion euro tral bank. Lu Lei, head of the re- rently allowed to trade within a bank governor who is also the coun- QDII2, is part of measures jointly cial to facilitating Islamic finance ry so that should give more fuel to sweetener to alleviate poverty, but search bureau at the People's Bank range 2 percent above or below the try's top foreign exchange regula- proposed by the municipal gov- transactions which can attract dou- the doves that they don't have to there was little sign of the concrete of China, reiterated the policy goal official fixing on any given day. tor, said China would soon allow ernment, the central bank and gov- ble or triple tax duties as they re- hike just yet," said ING senior econ- progress that will be needed to of keeping the yuan "basically sta- Before this week, the spot rate had Chinese individuals to invest in ernment regulators that would quire multiple transfers of under- omist James Knightley. "Any avoid Greece stumbling towards an ble on a reasonable and balanced been hugging the weakest side of overseas markets using the local promote capital account yuan con- lying assets, moves which coun- downside surprises will hurt the exit from the currency bloc, with level". "We believe the current lev- that band since January. Many an- currency through a pilot program. vertibility and international use of tries like Britain and Luxembourg dollar and see bond yields fall fur- unpredictable consequences. el is appropriate, it reflects the sit- alysts believe the central bank is "We are studying plans to allow the yuan. have addressed. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. MONDAY . MARCH 23 , 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Red carpet round-up: 2015 Comedy Central’s NEW DELHI: She battled Hindi is interested in pursuing and de- Roast of Justin Bieber diction woes and the ‘outsider’ tag veloping art,” added the talented to win over Bollywood audiences actor, who has roots in London. and has worked with top-notch As an actor, Katrina, who has stars and filmmakers in her over shared screen space with super- decade-long acting career. Model- stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Sal- turned-actress Katrina Kaif says man Khan and Aamir Khan, aims the industry only has space for to get her hands on good films, rath- those who are passionate about er than focusing on whom she is their craft — age notwithstanding. cast with. “People want to work Facing the arc lights might seem with them (the Khans) because like a cakewalk for many but Kat- they are icons of Hindi cinema, but rina, who at one point in her ca- I don’t think people are saying that reer, gave six back-to-back hits, that’s all they want to do. If you doesn’t find it easy. “It’s a hard are an actor, your job is to act… to industry to work in. It’s not easy be part of a good film and do good on a person to be sometimes 14 to work,” said the actor, who has done 15 hours on the sets. Sometimes, a film as serious as Raajneeti as you don’t have a lunch or dinner well as a mix of comedies and ro- break. It’s taxing on a person. You mantic films. Having started with have to be passionate about mak- a box office dud like Boom and then ing movies. So, till the time you going on to creating a success sto- are passionate about it, there is ry started with Namastey London, space for you in the industry,” Apne, Partner, Welcome, Race and Katrina told. At 31, she has films Singh Is King, Katrina feels the like Jagga Jasoos and Fitoor in her current crop of films is ‘amazing’, kitty. She doesn’t see age as limi- with women playing strong cen- tation in the field. Citing examples tral roles. “Even in the films which of actors like Madhuri Dixit and I’ve done with Salman and Shah Sridevi, who came back to films Rukh, Ek Tha Tiger and Jab Tak after becoming mothers, Katrina Hai Jaan, both were extremely said that it’s not age that decides a strong roles for me…for any girl woman’s fate in showbiz. “Ac- to do. So, I don’t think it’s just tors like Madhuri and Sridevi have about whom you are acting with,” worked till the time they’ve want- said the actor, who essayed a Pa- ed to. I think what happens with kistani spy in Salman-starrer Ek most women…its law of Tha Tiger. Also a popular dancer nature…if they choose to get mar- courtesy her songs ‘Chikni Cha- ried and if they choose to have a meli’ and ‘Sheila ki Jawani’, Katri- family…and that will take her na is happy that she has worked away from work for that particu- with ‘almost all types of people’. lar time,” she said. “Otherwise, I “I’ve worked with actors like think women work as long as they Govinda, Irrfan Khan, John Abra- choose to. Kajol is doing great ham and Neil Nitin Mukesh. It’s work till today; Aishwarya Rai has all been amazing,” she said. She is started doing some amazing work currently filming Fitoor in which now. It’s up to the she is paired with Aashiqui 2 fame individual…how much he or she actor Aditya Roy Kapur. Ayesha Omar sets Miley Cyrus’ fans send screen on fire in death threats to her beau ‘item song’ teaser in the movie only for the duration of the song. I am the lead actress in this film,” Ayesha said while speaking to The Express Tribune. Karachi Se Lahore, in fact, is a road movie which revolves around a journey undertaken by a group of friends and their encounters while travelling. When asked how her fans reacted to the teaser Ayesha said, “It’s a fantastic reaction. To tell you the truth, in spite of Bul- bulay’s success I wasn’t too con- fident the video would get such a huge response.” She said the di- rector of the film, Wajahat Rauf, is also overwhelmed by the feedback and is excited to release more bits from the film soon. “We are work- ing really hard on it. In fact we haven’t even finished shooting. Our goal is to make sure people love the film,” she added. Ayesha’s KARACHI: A 15-second teaser of look in the teaser is completely upcoming Pakistani film Karachi different from her look in the film’s Se Lahore is creating quite a buzz poster. When asked how the item on social media. It features Aye- number fits in with her character sha Omar who appears on the and in a road movie she said, “Well screen for only four seconds and you have to watch the film to find Singer Miley Cyrus' fans have sent death threats to her boyfriend Patrick Schwarzenegger after photographs manages to take away your breath out!” She did however reveal that emerged of him getting cosy with another woman. The `Wrecking Ball` hitmaker's most devoted followers on and your heart in that brief mo- she has sung the item song — ti- Twitter appear to have taken the recent photographs rather badly, sending vitriolic messages and threats over ment. Here, see for yourself: Al- tled Tooti Frooti — herself. Be- the micro-blogging site, reports dailymail.co.uk. As per reports, some of the messages from her fans -- Ashley Benson: Oozing sophistication, the Pretty Little Liars actor though you can’t tell from the teas- sides Ayesha, the film stars Javed collectively known as the Smilers -- bordered on the dangerous and extreme. `You better run for your life when wowed in a slinky geometric lace number from Jeffrey Dodd’s Fall 2014 er, Ayesha has a lead role in the Sheikh, Rashid Naz, Shehzad you come to LA (Los Angeles),` one angered fan wrote. Another added: `I hope your pizza place burns down,` collection. The demure floor-kissing dress comprised spaghetti straps film and is certainly not playing Sheikh, Yasir Hussain (who is also while a separate troll posed the question: `Who's gonna kill Patrick for us?` Another sought humour in the and a layer of sheer material with an elaborate design. The 25-year-old an ‘item girl’. “The song is not re- the film’s writer), Eshita Syed, circumstance, joking that they would `kill Patrick` if he went astray on his girlfriend of five months. The news star added some glitz to her all-black ensemble with her blingy silver ally an item number because most Ahmed Ali, Aashir Wajahat and of the multiple death threats come just after it was revealed that 22-year-old Cyrus actually knows the girl clutch, while her blonde locks were styled in a wavy bob. item songs feature actors who are Mantahaa Tareen Maqsood. with whom her boyfriend was getting cosy while in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico during the weekend. Jennifer Kendall, Kylie nnounce Garner’s MOBILE GAME HIDDEN

Some people always remember the people who have helped them in the past. Zareen Khan is one among them. At PTC Awards in 2014, Vindu Dara TALENTS Singh was the first person she thanked after winning the best debut award for her movie Jatt James Bond. She was offered quite a lot of movies, but she rejected them. It was Vindu who convinced her to do the movie. She recalled his dialogue to her in Housefull 2 'Sosa pe kar lo bharosa' and it worked like a magic. Now she is working on her second movie called 'Ishq My Religion', and has other big offers, but has not forgotten to thank the person who made it happen.

Actress Jennifer Garner, who has children Violet, nine, Seraphina, six, and Samuel, three, with hus- band Ben Affleck, is an accom- plished actress, but also boasts a number of other skills, including playing saxophone and the spoons, as well as clogging, a type of folk dancing. "Besides saxo- phone? Besides playing spoons? Besides clogging? My cup run- neth over with hidden talents. Anything hillbilly I can do," she eality TV stars Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner have followed in said when asked about her hidden the footsteps of their older half-sibling Kim Kardashian by creat talents at "Danny Collins" pre- Ring their own mobile game. Kendall and Kylie, aged 19 and 17 miere here, reports respectively, have announced they are developing an application based femalefirst.co.uk. The 43-year- on their own lives, reports femalefirst.co.uk. "We couldn't wait to tell old actress plays the mother to you any longer! Excited to announce that we are working on our own six-year-old Giselle Eisenberg's mobile game! #KendallKylieGame #staytuned (sic)," Kendall wrote on character in "Danny Collins" and her photo-sharing website Instagram account. Last year, Kim, 34, learned a lot from the youngster, launched her own game for mobile phones, "Kim Kardashian: Holly- including not to be intimidated by wood", in which players can pretend to be a rising celebrity pal of the their legendary co-star Al Pacino. reality TV star. The news comes just a fortnight after the two youngest "I learned a ton from Giselle "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" sisters were added to Kim's game, Eisenberg, who played my daugh- which has been downloaded more than 23 million times and made around ter. $74 million in 2014. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. MONDAY . MARCH 23, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Referee Neil Swarbrick has apolo- gised for wrongly sending off Ga- reth McAuley during West Brom's 3-0 loss at Manchester City. McAuley was shown a straight red card after Craig Dawson fouled Wilfried Bony in the second minute of Saturday’s Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadi- um. However, Swarbrick has ad- mitted a case of mistaken identity in a statement from the Profession- of video technology to assist offi- al Game Match Officials Ltd, the cials. He said: "Refereeing is not organisation responsible for refer- easy, especially at the level we are eeing appointments. The state- at now and how quick the game is. ment read: "In the second minute "This product is one of the great- of Manchester City v West Bro- est products this country now mwich Albion, referee Neil Swar- sells all over the world, but it is no brick made a decision to send off good moaning about referees. What Gareth McAuley for a 'denial of we have to do is find a way to help an obvious goalscoring opportu- referees out. "I would definitely nity' offence. "The referee has con- call now for managers to have two firmed the offence was caused by calls each and every game, where a different player, which should there are 30 seconds and they can be addressed now as a case of mis- have a video link-up with people taken identity. The referee has upstairs who can watch it on vid- apologised for his error." It was eo. "It will eradicate the major de- the second mistaken identity con- cisions referees are getting wrong troversy in the Premier League in that actually affect games of foot- the space of three weeks and the ball. We have to work hard to do third in a year after incidents in- that in what is the greatest league volving Sunderland and Arsenal. in the world. The sooner that City striker Bony was clean comes in the better." Elsewhere, through when he was barged over there was a further red-card mix- by Dawson just outside the box. up in the Sky Bet Championship Confusion then followed after on Saturday. At the John Smith's Bony attempted to play on and Stadium, Fulham's Cauley Wood- was brought down again, this time row was sent off by referee Rich- by McAuley, inside the area. But ard Clark in their 2-0 win over Juergen Braehmer retained his WBA light heavyweight title after stopping Robin Krasniqi inside 10 rounds in Rostock, Germany. Braehmer, 36, was made to work in the fourth defence with Swarbrick having already Huddersfield for deliberate hand- of his title but after landing a barrage of heavy blows in the ninth the fight was waved off as his fellow German attempted to come out for the 10th. Boxing Betting Bet £5 Get £20 Free blown his whistle for a free-kick ball but refused to leave the field After a cagey opening round Krasniqi managed to catch Braehmer with a crisp left hook in the second but the champion soaked up the punishment and replied with a southpaw left which outside the box, it was clear Daw- in protest. He had to be dragged to backed the challenger up onto the ropes. Braehmer went for power in the third round as he tried to land heavy blows, but Krasniqi weathered the storm and switched his attack to the son should have been the recipient the touchline by his team-mates body in the next A short left from Braehmer shook the challenger in the fifth round and appeared to shift the fight in his favour. Krasniqi was wobbled again by a left in the sixth but he of any red card. The incident but Clark consulted the fourth of- continued to fight on the front foot and caught Braehmer with a right hook to the head. Braehmer replied with a short left at the start of the eighth and had Krasniqi in trouble again later sapped West Brom of any ambi- ficial and Fulham's bench after fur- in the round with a left to the head but the challenger hung on and regained his senses. Another heavy left sent Krasniqi sprawling onto the ropes in the ninth which prompted the referee tion and they were comfortably ther protests. He eventually re- to intervene with a standing count and the 26-year-old survived another onslaught before hearing the bell. However, the attack left Krasniqi with a nasty cut lip and after inspection by beaten by a far superior City side. scinded his decision and instead the ring doctor and referee the fight was officially stopped one second into the 10th round. Victory saw Braehmer extend his record to 46-2 (34 KO), while Krasniqi slipped to his fourth After the game, West Brom boss sent off Shaun Hutchinson for the defeat as he was stopped for the first time in 47 contests. Tony Pulis called for greater use offence. Ireland captain Paul Ronnie Bristol City’s O’Sullivan sets Oklahoma City Thunder Frank Fielding O'Connell proud of his up World says League One beat Atlanta Hawks, leaders excited for history-makers Grand Prix Johnstone’s Paint final clash with Miami defeat Denver Trophy final Judd Trump Bristol City are “staying hum- Russell Westbrook posted 36 ble” about their League One title Ronnie O'Sullivan was back to his points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds charge – but are ready to enjoy best as he dispatched Stuart Bing- to lead Oklahoma City to a 123- their big day out at Wembley for ham 6-0 in just an hour and 20 115 comeback victory over the At- the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy fi- minutes to set up a World Grand lanta Hawks. Westbrook now has nal, says ‘keeper Frank Fielding. Prix final against Judd Trump. The nine triple-doubles this season while Steve Cotterill’s men are 11 five-time world champion labelled the Thunder (39-30) increased their points clear at the top of the third his quarter-final performance in lead over New Orleans to a game tier and seem certainties to take Friday's scrappy win over Graeme and a half for eighth place in the the Sky Bet League One crown. Dott "diabolical" - but 24 hours Western Conference. The Hawks However, City fans’ attentions later, after Bingham started poor- (53-16) have lost back-to-back will be on Wembley on Sunday, ly, O'Sullivan was able to go games but still lead the Eastern when their side take on Walsall through the gears for an easy win. Conference by nine games over the in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy It was in contrast to Trump's Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Bet final. “We don’t really look at progress to the final in Llandudno £5 Get £20 Free LeBron James the league table,” Fielding told as the Bristolian was forced to re- fought through a head cold to score Gasol and Zach Randolph com- lyn beat Milwaukee 129-127 in skysports.com. “We take each 11 straight points in the fourth quar- cover from 5-1 down to beat Mar- bined for 36 points as the Grizzlies triple overtime. It marked the sec- game as it comes and keep our ter for Cleveland, who fended off easily dispatched the Mavericks ond time this season the teams tin Gould 6-5. Betting Bet £5 feet on the ground “But Sunday the Indiana Pacers 95-92. James 112-101. Randolph scored a game- played a triple-overtime game in is going to be amazing. It’s great Get £20 Free Both O'Sullivan and was sick enough to miss the team's high 21 points to go with four re- Brooklyn, with the Bucks winning Bingham missed chances in the for everyone at the club. The last morning shoot-around, leaving him bounds and five assists. Gasol add- the first on November 19. Rookie time Bristol City went to Wem- first frame before the former came a game-time decision, but played ed 15 points and 10 rebounds be- Magic rookie point guard Elfrid through with a 46 break, and an 88 bley they won there as well, so through it to finish with 29 points, fore fouling out late. The Grizzlies Payton recorded his second hopefully we can repeat that. “I in the next doubled his advantage. seven rebounds and five assists. had seven players score in double straight triple-double with 22 think we’ve sold just over 40,000 Runs of 72 and 89 made it 4-0 at Indiana began the night tied with figures. Bullish Bulls rookie Nikola points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds tickets so it’s going to be a great the interval and Bingham missed a the Boston Celtics for the final Mirotic had 29 points and 11 re- to help Orlando break a six-game occasion. “We’ve had so many host of chances in the first frame playoff spot in the East and a bounds as Chicago breezed to a 108- losing streak with a 111-104 win Saturday-Tuesday games recent- back, before O'Sullivan took that matchup between the Cavaliers and 92 win over Toronto. Mike Dun- over Portland. Victor Oladipo and ly we haven’t really had time to and put his opponent out of his Pacers remains possible. Dwyane leavy added 21 points for Chicago, Nik Vucevic added 22 points and think about Wembley, but with misery with a 77. Trump trailed Wade scored 22 points as Miami who won their second consecutive eight rebounds apiece as Orlando the Crewe game out of the way 2-0 after breaks of 50 and 87 from defeated Denver 108-91 at Ameri- game and improved to 3-0 against rallied from a six-point deficit in we can focus on it and have a Gould, and though he cut the def- can Airlines Arena. Wade has scored Toronto this season. San Antonio's the final period to beat Portland. really good trip.” While Walsall icit with a 121 it was only brief over 20 points in eight straight Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points, Philadelphia youngster Nerlens sit 15th in League One, Bristol respite in the early stages. Gould games and the Heat are 6-2 over including 13 straight by his team in Noel had a career-high 23 points City go into the fixture having Captain Paul O'Connell praised outing. O'Connell may retire after had a century of his own, a 111 in that span. Miami opened the fourth the third quarter, as the Spurs beat and added 14 rebounds, five steals lost just three of their last 22 Ireland's history-makers for the the autumn World Cup, though he frame six as he moved within one quarter with a nine-point lead and Boston 101-89. San Antonio (43- and three blocked shots as the Six- matches. It’s a remarkable turn- way they came back from disap- is yet to make a final decision. Ire- frame of victory. But Trump reeled then held Denver to just three 25) have won nine of their last 11. ers beat the Knicks 97-81 in a around for a team who were fac- pointment to secure back-to-back land blew their Grand Slam chanc- off five in a row, helped by breaks points for the first eight-plus min- Brook Lopez scored 32 points and matchup of the teams with the ing relegation last season – and Six Nations titles for the first time es with a 23-16 defeat to Wales in of 55, 61 and 59, to snatch a thrill- utes of the period. The Memphis grabbed 18 rebounds and Thaddeus worst records in the Eastern Con- Fielding credits boss Cotterill for since 1949. Coach Joe Schmidt's Cardiff last weekend, but Schmidt ing win. frontcourt combo=ination of Marc Young added 24 points as Brook- ference. transforming their fortunes. “Our side thumped Scotland 40-10 at insisted he remained proud of his success has been down to a num- Murrayfield to end Wales' last- players. "I think we've done ber of things,” said Fielding, who ditch title challenge, before having enough to come away from the was speaking on behalf of Preci- to watch television sets in agony game proud," said Schmidt. "For Roger Federer excited for Indian Wells sion Goalkeeping. “We have as England battled it out with us, it's a championship that we'll worked on stuff on the training France at Twickenham. Ireland set probably have some regrets about, ground and it’s come off in games, England the challenge of beating last week. "But I think last week's final rematch with Novak Djokovic which is one of the most pleas- France by a 26-point margin to second-half performance did set us ing things. “But the organisation secure the Six Nations crown, and up and it was quite similar to our from the manager, mixed with the the 55-35 victory left Stuart Lan- second-half performance this ovak Djokovic might have the world number one players we had last season and caster's men short. Ireland claimed week. "It's just that we managed title but it is Roger Fereder who has the better head- the new signings we’ve made, it successive Six Nations titles for to get something more concrete in Nto-head record as the top players get ready for the has all gelled well and come to- just the second time in their histo- behind that and those 20 points in final of the BNP Paribas Open. Sunday’s final, live on Sky gether. Fielding – an ever-present ry, emulating the feat of the great the second half could make the dif- Sports 3 from 8pm, will be the 38th meeting between the for the Robins this term – can 1949 team led by Dr Jack Kyle. ference for us." England were two, with Federer currently leading Djokovic 20-17 in their also take satisfaction from the "To win a championship any year forced to watch on in frustration victories tally but Djokovic boasting the defending cham- fact he has kept 16 clean sheets is fantastic," said O'Connell. "I've from Rome last year as Ireland pion tag at Indian Wells. Following Djokovic's comprehen- in League One this season and spent a lot of years in close calls, stole the title with victory over sive 6-2 6-3 victory over Andy Murray, Federer reached his defence have the best record and it's been a great eight weeks. "I France in Paris. Ireland boss his 40th ATP World Tour Masters1000 final with a 7-5 6- in the division, aside from Pre- think we'd be very proud of what Schmidt admitted it was a tortu- 4 defeat of Canadian sixth seed Raonic at Indian Wells. "I ston, who have played two we've done in the last eight weeks, ous experience having the roles re- think it's very exciting for both of us, and also for fans, to games fewer. “That’s what you in terms of how we've addressed versed one season on. "It is the see a rematch of the great final from last year," Federer, aim to do as a 'keeper,” he said. certain things in our performance, system that it is," said Schmidt, of who lost to the Serbian in three sets at Indian wells in 2014, “We can score goals and stop in attack, defence and our resolve the Six Nations' Super Saturday told bnpparibasopen.com. "I'm looking forward to it, and I them from going in and with a to come out and produce a good triple-bill set-up. "I think I can hope I can keep up my good play." Federer defeated Raon- combination like that you’re go- performance like that after losing speak for all the players, that they ic within 86 minutes to move through while Djokovic ing to go a long way. “We’ve giv- last week. "I'm very proud of this love the championship "The Su- ended world number four Murray's run by extending his en ourselves a great chance of squad over the last eight weeks." per Saturday that people have got, head-to-head advantage between the pair to 17-8 with a getting the title but we don’t want Evergreen captain O'Connell set I know people who had put aside sixth successive win. The Scot elected to receive serve after to get carried away. It sounds Ireland's tone with the opening the three slots in the day, and had winning the toss but stumbled as Djokovic quickly reached boring but we do just want to score at Murrayfield, replacing apportioned various amounts of 4-1 before ruthlessly clinching all three of his break points take each game as it comes. We Fred Gardiner's stat that had stood beverage for each slot. "And I just in the set to prevail. "I tried to start with the right intensity, want to stay humble. We know from 1909 as Ireland's oldest try- wish that I was able to join them I got a crucial break at the start,” Djokovic said. "Andy there are hard games to come and scorer of all time. O'Connell is now to be honest, because I would rath- made a lot of unforced errors, his first-serve percentage there’s a long way to go.” For Ireland's oldest captain of all time er have been doing that than being was low. “I'm sure he knows I'm returning well, I know now, though, Fielding and the too, at 35 years and 152 days, and sat in the pressure-cooker that we he's returning well, so that puts added pressure on our Bristol City supporters can en- continues to defy the advances of were in. "But at the same time I serving. joy a trip to Wembley – and the time. After registering his first Test wouldn't swap with anyone work- prospect of winning their first try since November 2006, ing with the group of men that I piece of silverware this season. O'Connell admitted he could be do, and the way that they prepare Watch the Johnstone’s Paint satisfied with his effort should it themselves and put their bodies on Trophy Final live on Sky Sports prove to be his last Six Nations the line." 3 from 3.15pm on Sunday This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. MONDAY . MARCH 23 . 2015 -Hamal 03, 1393 H.S Vol:IX Issue No:227 Price: Afs.15

India reiterates commitment to stay the course List of 16 AT News Report KABUL: The Permanent Repre- sion, a press release sent to Af- terrorism. The Council must act ghanistan s lack of connectivity to regional organization, SAARC, minister-designates to sentative of India at the United ghanistan Times, quoted the am- against this threat with a sense of sea ports, as well as to the faster would further facilitate the move- Nations Security Council Debate bassador as saying. Afghanistan s urgency. growing economic regions of Asia, ment of goods and people from on United Nations Assistance historic political transition remains The UNSG s report has men- are major constraints for private Afghanistan. be sent to WJ today Mission for Afghanistan on course. The patience, forbear- tioned the London Conference on sector investment in Afghanistan. The UN Assistance Mission (UNAMA), Ambassador Asoke ance, courage and democratic as- Afghanistan. In today s global eco- India, Afghanistan and Iran in Afghanistan must continue to AT Monitoring Desk Kumar Mukerji, has said that In- piration of the people of Afghani- nomic situation when the senti- are examining how the existing port play a leading role in shaping and dia reiterates its commitment to stan have strengthened this pro- ment of aid fatigue exists in most of Chabahar in Iran can be devel- coordinating the international com- KABUL: The list of 16 new cabi- ignate of education, Sayed Sadat stay the course in Afghanistan. cess, Kumar Mukerji said. traditional donor countries, Af- oped to help Afghanistan connect munity s efforts to assist Afghan- net picks would be officially sent Nadiri as minister-designate of ur- This is a critical decade of In regard to the cabinet forma- ghanistan s economic transition with the outside world. istan s political and economic re- to Wolesi Jirga today (on Mon- ban development, Abdul Basir transformation for Afghanistan. tion and constitution of electoral will have to be also supported by India has unilaterally offered construction process. UNAMA day), said the minister of parlia- Anwar as minister-designate of India is proud to call itself Afghan- reforms body, he said: A priority a private sector led process. Pres- Afghanistan access to Attari on our must also focus on the important mentary affairs. justice, Abdul Razaq Wahidi as istan s first strategic partner. We is to complete the task of govern- ident Ghani has taken a lead on side of the India-Pakistan interna- role it plays in ensuring delivery Ghulam Nabi Farahi told Aza- minister-designate of telecommu- share the Afghan people s vision ment formation as rapidly as pos- issues of connectivity and we wel- tional border for Afghan trucks and of valuable humanitarian and de- di Radio on Sunday that he will nication and information technol- of a strong, independent, united sible, so that all government min- come and encourage all members goods that till now have transit velopment assistance to Afghani- hand over the list of 16 new cabi- ogy and Ali Osmani as minister- and prosperous state, for which istries can start functioning nor- of the international community to rights only up to Wagah on the stan. The recent avalanches in the net picks to administrative board designate of water and energy. so many Afghans have sacrificed mally. These ministries have to reciprocate in full measure. Pakistan side. Implementation of northern regions of Afghanistan of Wolesi Jirga on Monday. The list also include four so much. India stands ready to do deliver the public services that the As a lead country of the this offer would provide Afghani- only underscore the importance of The list include Hamayun women Dilbar Nazari as minis- all that is possible within our ca- Afghan people have been waiting Trade Commerce and Investment stan significant access to one of this point. Rassa as minister-designate of ter-designate of women s affairs, pacities and our means, to work for so long. In this context, we CBM under the Heart of Asia pro- the fastest growing economic mar- We reiterate our commitment commerce and Industries, Abdul Salamat Azimi as minister-desig- with the Afghan Government and welcome the appointments of cess, India has gained appropriate kets in its region. The proposed to stay the course in Afghani- Bari Jahani as minister-designate nate of counter narcotics, Farida its people, to realize this great vi- some of the key ministers and ex- experience on this issue. Both Af- Motor Vehicles Agreement of our stan, he concluded. of information and culture, Ass- Mohmand as minister-designate of press India s hope that the remain- adullah Zamir as minister-desig- higher education and Nasrin Ory- ing process will be completed at Most of Electoral Reforms Commission s nate of borders and tribal affairs, akhel as minister-designate of la- GHAZNI POLICE the earliest. Kidnappers Mahmoud Baligh as minister-des- bors, social affairs, martyrs and About important tasks of the appointees not professional: Official ignate of Public Works, Abdul Sat- disabled. There is no name for the seek prisoner tar Murad as minister-designate of Ministry of Defense (MoD) in the chief denies Afghan government, the ambassa- AT Monitoring Desk dor said: We note that the Na- economy, Mohammadullah Batash list. passengers tional Unity Government has set KABUL: A number of electoral The commission is led by swap to set 31 as minister-designate of transpor- However, Farahi said that min- itself two important political tasks watchdogs welcomed the forma- Shukriya Barikzai, member of the passengers free tation and civil aviation, Assadul- ister-designate of the MoD will be kidnapping - electoral reforms and the organi- tion of the Electoral Reforms Com- parliament. lah Hanif Balkhi as minister-des- introduced soon. zation of a Constitutional Loya mission but criticized what they However, Barikzai said that AT Monitoring Desk GHAZNI CITY: The police chief Jirga. We hope that these tasks will called the appointment of unpro- members of the commission were for southern Ghazni province on be completed soon, particularly fessional figures and those who appointed on merit based, adding KABUL: Abductors have given Taliban attack on Herat Friday rejected reports that the the task of electoral reforms. have political links in the commis- that a number of members of elec- their conditions for release of 31 Taliban had kidnapped 10 passen- He added, We are concerned sion. toral watchdogs were also pointed passengers in their captivity in gers on Kabul-Kandahar highway. at what the latest report of the Officials in Afghan Civil Soci- in the Electoral Reforms Commis- southern Zabul province, said an security posts repulsed Local residents and officials Secretary General tells us about ety Election Network (ACSEN) sion. She said that the fact should official source on Sunday. HERAT CITY: Security forces charge, Dr. Alauddin Himmat, said told media representatives last the security situation inside Af- suggested that members of the not be forgotten that the donors of Hamidullah Tokhi, a lawmak- have repulsed a major attack by doctors and other officials had been week that the militants had kid- ghanistan. The Report states In Electoral Reforms Commission Afghanistan s election were those er from Zabul, in an interview with armed militants on three security directed to stay alert for an emer- napped 10 passengers in Qarabagh terms of incidents recorded over should not have any political link that were interested in develop- Radio Azadi said that efforts are posts in Shindand district of west- gency situation. (Pajhwok) on their way to Jaghori from Kab- the past 13 years, 2014 was the and should remain impartial dur- ment of democracy in the country on to secure safe release of the ab- ern Herat province, an official said ul. second-highest, after 2011 ing their duty. Radio Azadi on therefore considering national in- ducted passengers. on Sunday. KABUL POLICE But Brig. Gen. Zarawar Zahid which was the year, of course, Sunday quoted the head of ACS- terests and attracting the attention Unidentified gunmen stopped Najibullah Najibi, a spokesman told Pajhwok Afghan News the when Osama bin Laden was neu- EN, Jandad Spinghar, as saying of the international community is two buses in Shahjoi district of for the 207th Zafar Military rescue child, detain insurgents had not abducted any- tralized. These incidents are a mat- that brining reforms in electoral the priority of brining reforms in southern Zabul province on gun- Corps, told Pajhwok Afghan News one in Ghazni. He called the re- ter of great concern. bodies would not be possible when electoral bodies. However, head of point and kidnapped 31 passen- militants stormed three security 4 kidnappers ports rebel propaganda to fan dif- The UNSG s report substan- unprofessional officials are ap- the Independent Electoral Com- gers of the Hazara ethnicity around posts in Maldar, Zughali and KABUL: Police on Sunday ferences among the people. tiates our view that it is terrorism, pointed in the Electoral Reforms plaint Commission (IECC), Abdul a month ago. Paikash areas last night, sparking Security personnel at check- and not tribal differences or ethnic Commission. He said that a few Satar Sadat, has criticized the for- Tokhi said that tribal elders are claimed rescuing a child kidnapped a gun-battle that lasted several from Kabul to in Paghman district points regularly searched suspects rivalries, which is the main source members of the reform commis- mation of the reforms commission negotiating release of the kid- hours. on the Kabul-Kandahar road and of insecurity and instability in Af- sion were professional but not all by the president in his Facebook napped passengers with the abduc- and arresting four individuals in- The Taliban fighters were volved in the crime. kidnap incidents were unlikely to ghanistan. These terrorist groups, of them and this would hamper the page. He wrote in his Facebook tors. One of the negotiators told pushed back and security forces occur on the highway. including the Lashkar-e-Taiba or activities of this body. He added page that the formation of the com- me on condition of anonymity that Brig. Gen. Farid Afzali, Kabul escaped unhurt, he said. criminal investigation head, told We have set up police check- LeT, are active despite the efforts that the reforms commission had mission was illegal and the presi- the abductors demand release of Residents said the fighting posts in restive areas, where peo- of the valiant personnel of the 15 members but one/third of them dent formed the body ahead of his their imprisoned comrades in Kab- Pajhwok Afghan News the child erupted at 12:00pm and continued had been kidnapped for ransom ple could travel without any fear, ANSF and the international coali- had not worked in this field so far. trip to the US to have an achieve- ul and Kunduz provinces, he add- till 4:30pm. Both the sides used he said, blaming some elements for tion forces. It is obvious that their He also said that at least four ment in this regard. Constitution ed. Thokhi said that he was confi- two weeks back and his family heavy and light weapons, eyewit- asked to pay a huge amount. He striking fears into people s hearts. activity cannot be sustained with- members of the commission were of the Election Reforms Commis- dent that the kidnapped persons ness said on conditions of ano- Earlier, Deputy Governor out systematic state support from those that had experience of work- sion was one of the promises of are alive and hoped that they will did not share further details as the nymity. case is under investigations. Gen. Mohammad Ali Ahmadi had con- beyond Afghanistan s borders. ing in electoral bodies. The Elec- President Ghani and CEO Abdul- be released soon. He added that Hospital sources in Shindand firmed the kidnapped of 10 pas- Reports indicate these groups are toral Reforms Commission was lah Abdullah ahead of the forma- people of Zabul province will Afzali indicated more suspects in- district said they had not been de- volved in kidnapping the child sengers. But nine of them were mutating into more virulent forms, formed after a decree by President tion of the National Unity Gov- spare no efforts to secure safe re- livered any casualties. would be netted soon. (Pajhwok) freed later. (Pajhwok) in a region already impacted by Ghani the other day. ernment. lease of the abducted passengers. The district s hospital in- 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.