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www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes SUNDAY . JANUARY 24. 2016 -Dalwa 04, 1394 HS Yo ur Yo ur ad ad he re he re 0778894038 Karzai’s govt was better than NUG: Ahadi AT Monitoring Desk Kabul: Hamid Karzai had better governance than the leaders of the National Unity Government led to civil war and destruction of (NUG) despite facing challenges, Kabul. They also claim that Paki- a former minister and prominent Analysts stress on improved AfPak ties stan tried its best to facilitate talks politician has alleged. “Karzai’s and bring about unity amongst the administration faced problems Afghans. We have heard all of that likes corruption and inefficiency. narrative. But the reality, support- But in general, the situation was ed by massive amount of research better than it is today,” said An- and evidence, is that Pakistan nev- warul Haq Ahadi, who served as er stopped supporting Hekmatyar finance and then commerce min- and later on Taliban for the sole ister under Karzai. Ahadi who purpose of dominating Kabul’s was supporting President Ashraf foreign policy and security pos- Ghani in the 2014 presidential elec- ture,” the ex-NDS chief said. tions, seems to be disappointed Stressing on the need of improved by new administration. He recent- bilateral ties, Saleh said that the ly formed a political party, chal- two nations should listen to each lenging the government as politi- other for greater good. Head of cal opposition. “We had a grow- the AISS, Dawood Muradian, said ing economy and the graph of un- that purpose of the dialogue was employment was lower. The gov- to provide a “clear picture” to peo- ernance was also in a good condi- ple of Pakistan about position of tion,” Ahadi said told Pajhwok Afghan government on the Taliban. news agency. He calls the govern- “We want to analyze the elements ment unsuccessful, saying that of dispute between governments security, economy and governance of Pakistan and Afghanistan, so we are in the worst condition ever. can resolve these disputes,” he “Changing the government is the said, adding that Pakistani civilians only solution, not repairing it,” and military establishment had dif- he believes. Ahadi accused Presi- ferent viewpoints on the Taliban. dent Ghani of being disloyal to those who helped him during the He said that the bilateral dialogue election, saying that “Ghani ex- would encourage the people of cluded them (including himself) Pakistan to pressurize their mili- by the pretext that he wanted to tary to stop supporting insurgen- AT News Report give chance to the new face”. “But power in 1990s. Addressing the and explore all possible avenues stitutional ways. Last summer, values between people of Pakistan cy in Afghanistan. The former he was not honest in this either as KABUL: Former Chief of the Na- fourth round of the Afghanistan- to resolve the disputes between the scores of mourning ceremonies for and Afghanistan, but there is a Chief of Pakistan’s Naval Staff, he brought a number of the former tional Directorate of Security Pakistan Bilateral Dialogue held in two neighboring countries. The deceased Taliban leader Mullah very sharp axe constantly cutting Fasih Bokhari, said that the joint ministers to his cabinet.” Head of (NDS) said on Saturday that Is- Kabul, Amrullah Saleh said that for session was attended by scores of Omar were organized in almost us apart. That axe is the military, dialogue was a significant step to the National Front for New Af- lamabad has not given up pursu- Afghans the jihad ended in 1992, Afghan and Pakistani officials and every city of Pakistan, under the intelligence and security mindset improve relations between the two ghanistan claimed in his interview ing the strategy of dominating the but for Pakistan the anti-Afghans analysts. Saleh said that it has very nose of establishment. Semi- and establishment in Pakistan. neighboring countries. He said that that the situation was worsening. Afghan foreign policy which led and anti-Kabul jihad still contin- been 24 years but the mainstream naries are collecting donations to They are setting the agenda.” “Af- Taliban insurgents were still “Each government receives both to civil war and unprecedented ues. The dialogue was organized literature of Pakistan’s policy on support militants in Afghanistan, ghans are branded as enemies of present in some parts of Afghani- positive and negative heritages destruction in Afghanistan, refer- by the Afghan Institute for Strate- Afghanistan is jihad, militancy, in- the ex-NDS chief pointed out. The Pakistan, though we are not. Paki- stan, threatening the two countries. from its predecessor that has to ring the factional fightings follow- gic Studies (AISS). It was aimed clusion of anti-Afghan state groups former spy chief said: “There are stan claims that it was division The fifth round of the dialogue is fix it,” he said. ing the Mujahideen’s takeover of to discuss the existing challenges into the system through extra-con- so many commonalities and shared within the Afghan Mujahedeen that expected to be held in Islamabad. BAGHLAN RESIDENTS The Execution of the National Employment Generation FORCED INTO Program for Peace through MRRD/ NSP DIGGING TRENCHES FOR The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) had considerable achievements in rural development across Afghanistan in past few years. Without doubt, this ministry has been able to make TALIBAN NEW DELHI: The great-grand- Pakistani Pashtuns against the people of Afghani- daughter of Khan Abdul Ghaffar stan. “It’s unbelievable that any Afghan would at- great strides in rehabilitation and revitalization of Afghan rural communities. With the help of various PUL-I-KHUMRI: Some residents Khan, after whom the Bacha Khan tack a university that is named after Khan Abdul development programs within its framework, the MRRD has so far been able to successfully execute of northern Baghlan province on University is named, has accused Ghaffar Khan. So the popular notion that Tehrik-e- Saturday accused the Taliban of Pakistan of being behind the attack Taliban is responsible for the attack on the Bacha public utility projects for the sake of villagers in Afghanistan. forcing them to dig trenches for the on the institution, dismissing claims Khan University is a cooked up story,” Yasmin The National Solidarity Programme (NSP) is one of the foremost programs among them that has fighters. Over the past 10 days, that the Taliban was responsible for told Hindustan Times. “I firmly believe none — the militants have been digging the assault. Yasmin Nigar Khan, not even any terrorist organization from Afghani- been able to implement thousands of development projects as wells as enhancing the villagers’ capacity trenches and browbeating localsto who heads the All India Pakhtoon stan — can do any harm to any institutions associ- in terms of developing their communities that indeed brought positive changes to the people’s lifestyles. help them, a resident of the Dar- Jirga-e-Hind, argued the man known ated with Bacha Khan.” Yasmin said she believes One of the main objectives of the NSP is to leave positive and productive impacts on livelihoods and qad village of Dand-i-Ghori district as the Frontier Gandhi is held in the Taliban were also not responsible for an attack told Pajhwok Afghan News on con- such high esteem in Afghanistan on an army-run school in Peshawar in 2014 that left rural living standards. This National flagship proramme could manage to lead villagers towards develop- dition of anonymity. “The insur- gents bring together people and that even terrorists from that coun- nearly 150 people dead. “The Pakistani govern- ment, self-sufficiency, stability and peace with great ambition. The programme has created a sense of try would not attack anything ment and terrorist outfits supported by Pakistan force them to dig trenches. They cooperation and empathy amongst people as well as encouraging them to conform with the demands of takes dozens of youth for work named after him. She accused the are responsible for both the attacks. They have a daily,” he alleged, saying the resi- Pakistan government and terror dual mission: first to vitiate the minds f the Pakh- the modern world so as to have a peaceful and advanced life. dents had no option but to com- groups backed by Islamabad for toons from the North West Frontier Province [Khy- The other objective of the NSP is to alleviate poverty and improve the economy of villagers including ply with rebel orders. Meanwhile, Wednesday’s attack on the univer- ber Pakhtunkhwa] of Pakistan against the Afghans the deputy police chief, Col. Ab- sity that killed 21 people, saying it because Afghanistan is supporting the cause of an men, women, children and the elderly living in rural areas of Afghanistan. Having successfully achieved dul Rashid Bashir,verified the dig- was done to “vitiate the minds” of independent Pakhtoonistan,” she said...P2 this goal uninterruptedly in all 34 provinces, the NSP activities continue expanding broadly across the ging of trenches by the Taliban, saying such a step would not bust Ghani, Carter country on a daily basis. As such, the people of Afghanistan seem to be fully content with this program the moral of the security person- and show strong support for it. Considering the same reality, H.E Muhammad Ashraf Ghani the president nel. “Plans for a clearing operation discuss in the area have been drawn up. of Afghanistan and the founder of the NSP highly trusts both the MRRD and the NSP and attaches great The security forces will destroy Afghanistan significance to their accomplishments. all trenches of Taliban,” the police officer pledged. Separately, peo- security situation H.E, the President of Afghanistan himself formally announced the establishment of the “The National ple complained of disruptions of WASHINGTON : US Defense Employment Generation Program for Peace” on November 17, 2015. telecommunication services in Secretary Ashton Carter met Pres- some parts of the provincefrom ident Ashraf Ghani discussed the “The main objective of this program is to provide people with employment opportunities. We try to 6pm to 6am. A resident of Sha- security environment in Afghani- bless both rural and urban residents with employments within the framework of this national program. habuddin village, Mohammad Gul, stan on the sidelines of the World said the Taliban had warned tele- Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Fortunately, most of our youngsters have been able to learn numerous professions in recent years. “The communication companies to Pentagon Press Secretary Peter National Employment Generation Program for Peace” will also provide a large number of them with the switch off their towers at night. Cook said on Friday. “In their employment opportunities”, H.E the Afghan President added. Subscribers faced problems in in- meeting, Carter and Ghani dis- KABUL: On Wednesday, the White House autho- forming relatives or friends in emer- cussed the ongoing mission to rized the US military to carry out airstrikes against Within a precise and proper mechanism, the National Unity Government has announced the “The gency situationslike evacuating train, adviseand assist the Afghan targets in Afghanistan where a militant group asso- National Employment Generation Program for Peace” that entails the positive changes in people’s living patients to hospital or informing forces as they confront the Tali- ciated with Daesh has emerged. The permission was relatives in case of death, he said. ban, secure their countryand work standards as they may go from “rags to riches”. This program will help the vulnerable and the impover- Two nights back when his wife was closely with the US to prevent ter- ished spheres of society move towards improved livelihoods and social welfare. The “National Employ- in labour, he wanted to call the rorist groups from using Afghani- ambulance service, but there was ment Generation for Peace” is a positive move that will help people get rid of unemployment and will lead no signal. He and his wife had to stan as a safe haven,” Cook said. walk for an hour to the main road- In a statement, the Pentagon the society towards progress and well-being. at night, the man said. But Direc- spokesman said the two leaders Thus, the MRRD prides itself on having support from the government that entrusted this ministry with tor of Telecommunications and discussed the current security sit- Information TechnologyFaiz Mo- uationand the important role Af- such a great responsibility in terms of rural development. hammad Arghand said dozens of ghanistan's new A-29 aircraft “In the first phase of the MCG designed to operate under “National Employment Generation Program towers had been installed in Tali- would play in the future. Carter ban-controlled areas. Each anten- welcomed Ghani's appreciation of for Peace”, more than 235,000 people will be provided with short-term employments in 12 provinces na costs more than $500,000. The the continuing sacrifice of Ameri- across Afghanistan”, Eng. Nasir Ahmad Durrani, the MRRD Minster revealed in a press conference. destruction of towers would inflict can forces and President Barack heavy losses on the government Obama's decision to maintain a sig- Indeed, the execution of the “National Employment Generation Program for Peace” is a sensible and that was why services of the nificant US military presence in move towards social welfare as well as bringing glad tidings in terms of livelihood generation to people government-run Salam Company country, both in 2016 and beyond. remained off at night, he argued. They also discussed Afghan inter- across the country. In addition, the MRRD/NSP is the best option whereby certain program would Private telecommunication firms national outreach efforts in advance given to the Pentagon a week ago, according to Wash- efficiently be executed in an effort to promote social welfare across Afghanistan. Roshan, Etisalat, Afghan Wireless of the July 2016 NATO Warsaw ington Post. Before, US forces could use aviation Communications Company Summit.Carter underscored US only in three cases – to protect foreign forces, to The MRRD/NSP Leadership attaches great importance to the financial assistance and contribution (AWCC) and MTN stopped op- commitment to the enduring de- support local troops, and to attack al-Qaeda mili- made by the International Community towards MCG project, planned to operate under “National Em- erations at nights for similar rea- fence partnership with Afghani- tants. Such initiatives should be first agreed between ployment Generation Program for Peace”. son, he concluded. (Pajhwok) stan. (Pajhwok) Washington and the Afghan military and then...P2 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. SUNDAY . JANUARY 24, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Who will Pentagon target in USanti-terror operation...... P1– on the basis of these agree- He assumed that the Daesh ments – approved by the govern- militants the Pentagon intends to ment, Afghan lawmaker Nazifa attack have offended Washington Zaki told Sputnik Dari. According in some way. to him, airstrikes can be carried out “If we take a closer look at against militants only with approv- Obama’s policy toward Afghani- al. Otherwise, the chances are high stan it would be clear that he has that targets not involved in the op- contradicted himself and dodged. eration will be hit. “The destruc- On the one hand, he praises the tion of any terrorist group is our troops honestly fighting terrorists dream since our people are tired of in Afghanistan. On the other hand, war. Afghanistan is an important he labels as liars other countries Jeffrey Stern, a former Pulitzer less. A small bit of freelancing book. Stern spent a lot of time with western armies, leaving. The Haz- The book takes a hard look at geopolitical, and its security which stand against terrorism in Center grantee, is coming out with helped him out, giving him a few Royesh in the next year—as well ara people had disarmed them- what happens to these communi- prompts other countries to fight Afghanistan. Thus he proves he’s his first book, The Last Thousand: hundred dollars here and there, but as a community fearful for their selves, just as the U.S. asked them, ties after the U.S. leaves and they terrorism. But this should be done incompetent,” the analyst said. One School’s Promise in a Nation he needed something stable. And, lives, with the Taliban still en- but now the U.S. would not be fall out of mainstream news.—(Pu- in coordination,” the lawmaker un- According to Sabur, the US is at War on January 26, 2016. 10 days after landing, he found his croaching and their greatest allies, there to protect them. litzer Center) derscored. “Until militants sit fighting two militant groups in This book is the fruit of a first job. Nothing glamorous—an down to talk we will continue fight- Afghanistan. The first is the one dream and also some risky deci- administrative assistant at the ing them – no matter if it’s Daesh Americans created, and they pre- sions. Right after college, Stern American University of Afghani- or Taliban. They understand only tend to be fighting it. The other is wanted to be a writer, but he stan. They provided housing, and one language – force. At the same those who really fight terrorists. wasn’t sure how this was going to the hours were lenient enough so time, there are countries that are “Undoubtedly, the US is tar- happen. that he could also freelance. His interested in the Afghan conflict. geting those terrorists who are use- He had a small portfolio, few supervisor, an Afghan-American They want the country to remain less to the Pentagon. They may contacts, and as he explains it, no and part of the Hazara communi- an international troubled place,” he have provided intelligence data to patience to follow the “normal” ty, launched him into the world of added. For the US, there are “de- the US or refused to do this. As track of starting small and work- the Hazaras, notably introducing sirable” and “unwanted” terrorists for me, I’m skeptical about the ing your way up. So he did the him to the Marefat School. When in Afghanistan, military observer success of another US anti-terror- only rational thing—after gradu- his supervisor fell ill, he asked if Abdoulsabur Sabur said in an in- ism operation,” he concluded.— ating, he took out all the money in Stern could take over the class for terview with Sputnik Dari. (Sputnik News) his bank account and moved to the day. Stern had never taught an Afghanistan. English class to foreigners, but it Now there is a bit of a back- is not exactly easy for anyone to story to this decision. About a say no to their boss. year before he moved to Afghani- Stern made the long drive out stan he was an intern at CNN when into the desert, as the school was one of their correspondents based far from the main city of Kabul, in Afghanistan resigned. Knowing and fumbled through his first En- that he was woefully unqualified, glish class. It would not be his last Stern made a joke to his boss that though. he should be the man to replace The Marefat School was un- ...P1“Second, Pakistan wants pub- the correspondent. The joke was a like any other school in Afghani- lic sentiments to be (once again) in hit. Eventually, everyone in Stern’s stan. Boys and girls were in the its favour after the recent attack on family had been told the one-liner same classroom, students were the Pathankot airbase by terrorist and loved it. However, as time learning to question authority, and outfits from Pakistan,” she added, passed, Stern started taking his the children enjoyed coming to sitting in the ground floor room of joke seriously. “Why not move to class every day. More impressive her house in Park Circus. The room Afghanistan?” he thought. At that was that all the students were Haz- is also the office of the All India time Stern knew that no editor was ara, a group which most of the Pakhtoon Jirga-e-Hind, a pan-In- going take him seriously, but if he Middle East has looked down dia association for the 3.2 million moved to Afghanistan they would upon. Now, their school was more Pashtuns living in India. Yasmin has great-grandfather. She went to Af- have to. So he booked the flight advanced than others, both in aca- been president of the association ghanistan once in 1996 with her and off he went. demics and their progressive poli- for the past 20 years. The attack father to take part in a Loya Jirga Afghanistan was the perfect cies. on Bacha Khan University coin- or international conference of Pa- place to be a war correspondent in He continued to teach the chil- cided with the death anniversary shtuns worldwide. “From the ex- 2007. There was a close-knit group dren, and grew close to the head of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. The perience of my visit to Kabul and of expats and the U.S. was just and founder of the school, Aziz 2014 attack on the school in Pe- from my constant touch with my beginning to escalate operations. Royesh, known commonly in the shawar was claimed by a Taliban relatives and other high-ranked of- Soon, the city of Kabul was bus- community as “Teacher.” The faction led by Omar Mansoor, who ficials in Kabul, I can assure ev- tling and expanding rapidly. This more he learned of Royesh’s jour- has said he also ordered the assault eryone that the Taliban are not re- was where he wanted to be—the ney from holy warrior to refugee on the Bacha Khan University. The sponsible for the attacks in Paki- only problem was that he wasn’t to being the head of one of the fin- leadership Tehrik-e-Taliban’s lead- stan,” she said. “The Pakhtoons a war correspondent. Not techni- est private schools in Afghanistan, ership has distanced itself from the are very much part of Afghanistan. cally, at least. He had just moved the more he wanted to tell the sto- assault on the varsity. Yasmin, 42, Then, why would the Taliban at- there, and his resources were dwin- ry of Royesh and of the oppressed has never visited Pakistan because tack the North West Frontier Prov- dling fast. people, the Hazara. she fears she might be arrested for ince every time, instead of striking Stern figured that he had rough- He pitched the story, found a supporting the cause of an inde- in the Punjab or Sindh provinc- ly two weeks until he was penni- publisher and had a basis for the pendent Pakhtoonistan like her es?”—(Hindustan Times) ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN MINISTRY OF ENERGY & WATER

Project Coordination Unit Rehabilitation Works for KHWABGAH Irrigation Scheme Lot- 3,4 (Q-513) Irrigation Restoration and Development Project NATIONAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING No:MEW/IRDP/HQ/IFB/LIS/313/(Q-513) Date: 24 Jan,2016 Invitation for Bids (IFB) 1.This Invitation for Bids follows the General Procurement Notice for this Project that appeared in Development Business, issue dated 11thJanuary, 2011. 2.The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Ministry of Energy & Water has received a grant from theInternational Development Associationtoward the cost of Irrigation Restoration and Development Project and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this “grant” to payments under the Contract for “Rehabilitation Works for KHWABGAH Irrigation Scheme (Q-513)in 2 lots (Lot- 3&4) 3.The Ministry of Energy & Water, Project Coordination Unit now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the “Rehabilitation Works for KHWABGAH Irrigation Scheme (Q-513)in 2 lots (Lot- 3&4) in Nimroz Province/Charborjak District consisting of: The Works consist of 2 lots as under: 1. KHWABGAH Irrigation Scheme (Lot-3)-Culvert chs (7+950). Chedagichs (17+310). Flume Structure chs(17+350). andmain canal excavation (cut), filling (embankment of canal) and lining of 3 km canal from chainage (6+300 to 17+350). 2. KHWABGAH Irrigation Scheme (Lot-4): Culvert chs(17+350). Of take (18+200),(19+300),(19+310). (19+315),(19+320).(19+325),(19+330).(21+900).(21+925),(22+145)(23+405), (23+235), (23+395), (23+415), (22+165) Foot bridge chs (21+915),(22+135), (25+550),( 17+350 to 28+650). The bidders, at their option, may bid for one or more lots. Each lot will be evaluated separately and the contracts will be awarded accordingly. 4. The Completion Period is 15 Month (including slack period of 1Month) 5. The bids must be submitted along with the bid security in the amount as below in the shape of Bank Guarantee as per Bank Guarantee Form attached to the Bidding Documents in Afs: Lot – 3: Afs 1,200,000 (One million two hundred thousand) Lot – 4: Afs 1,400,000 (One million four hundred thousand) 6.Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) a procedure specified in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Procurement under IBRD Loans and IDA Creditsdated January, 2011 and is open to all bidders from Eligible Source Countries as defined in the Bidding Documents 7.Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from Nasir Ahadi (email:[email protected] No: +93(0)700 686 110), Procurement Officer, Project Coordination Unit, Main officeand inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 to 16:30 Hrs from Saturday to Wednesday 8.Qualifications requirements include: (a) The minimum required (b) Experience as prime (c) Liquid assets and/or credit annual volume of contractor in the construction facilities, net of other construction work for the of at least one work of nature contractual commitments and successful bidder in any of and complexity equivalent to exclusive of any advance the last five years (Afs) this work during the last five payments which may be made (5) years (Afs). under the Contract (Afs). Lot-3:Afs61,000,000 Lot –3: Afs37,000,000 Lot – 3: Afs15,000,000

Lot-4: Afs70,000,000 Lot – 4: Afs42,000,000 Lot – 4: Afs17,500,000

For detailed post qualification verification please refer to Section I. - Instructions to Bidders and Section II- Bid Data Sheet of the bidding documents. 9.A margin of preference for eligible national contractors/joint ventures shall not be applied. 10.A complete set of Bidding Documents in English may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written Application to the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Afs. 5000( for one Lot ) The method of payment will be Cash/Direct Payment. The Bidding Documents shall be collected by the bidders from the address below. 11.The bidders or their authorized representatives are invited to attend a pre-bid meeting which will take place on 15 Feb, 2016 at 10:00 Hrs at the address given below to explain the procedure of proper preparation and submission of bid, clarify issues and to answer questions on any matter that may be raised at that stage. The minutes of pre-bid meeting will be prepared and sent across to all the prospective bidders who have brought the bid documents up to date of pre-bid meeting and also immediately after the pre-bid meeting. 12.SeparateBids for each Lot must be delivered to the address below at or before 10:00 AM on 21Feb, 2016-,the Deadline Date for bid Submission (if the submission date is announced an official holiday, then bids must be submitted next working day at the same time and venue). Electronic bidding shall not be permitted. Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be opened physically in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend in person at the address given below at 10:00 AM on the Deadline Date for bid Submission given above. 13. The address referred to above is: Nasir Ahadi (email:[email protected] Mobile No: +93(0)700 686 110), Procurement Officer, Project Coordination Unit, Main office 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. SUNDAY . JANUARY 24, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES CORRUPTION DECLINES IN HELMAND APPELLANT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE LASHKARGAH : Tribal elders KABUL: The US Department of and provincial council members on Defense (DoD) has approved a Saturday acknowledged corruption foreign military sale (FMS) of and misconduct had declined in the Cessna C-208B Caravan intelli- appellant attorney’s office of gence surveillance and reconnais- southern Helmand province. sance (ISR) aircraft to support the Speaking at a gathering, tribal el- Afghanistan Training Program. der Karim Khan Atal said corrup- Under the terms of the $55m tion had been at peak in the vital agreement, Cessna Aircraft will department until recently but de- supply 18 C-208 B aircraft and clined with the appointment of the one C-208 aircrew training device, EMERGENCY new head. Injustice and growing including maintenance and training. corruption within the judiciary was The C-208B Caravan is a mil- CALLS the main reason behind increasing itarized version of the Cessna 208 insecurity and public sympathy Caravan passenger and utility air- Police with militants, he believed. Due to craft, and features a more power- a corrupt judicial system, people ful PT6A-114A engine, and elec- referred their cases to militants for tro optical sensors and defensive 100 - 119 solution and thus allowed insecu- countermeasures. Work under the rity to increase with each passing contract will be carried out at Kabul day. A civil society group head Sar- Air Base and Kandahar Air Base, Hospitals dar Mohammad Hamdard said cor- Afghanistan. Delivery under the ruption had declined in Helmand contract is scheduled to be com- FMIC Hospital to a great extent. He said earlier pleted by 31 July 2017. “The deal Behind Kabul Medical bribery had been a common trend is part of the country’s efforts to University: people used to seek rapid resolu- enhance military capabilities in tion to their problems. Fazal Sul- order to combat the Taliban mili- 0202500200-+93793275595 tan, the appellant attorney’s of- tants.” The deal is part of the coun- fice chief, said he stressed the elim- try’s efforts to enhance military Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital ination of corruption since day one capabilities in order to combat the in office he assumed four months Taliban militants. Last week, Af- Pule Bagh-e- Umomi ago. He said cases of every pris- ghan Air Force (AAF) received 070263672 oner had been evaluated during the four A-29 Super Tucano light at- past four months. He claimed he tack aircraft from the US Air Force in employing weapon system and ceive a new batch of 12 MD 530F AAF received the first 12 MD fleet of 16 MD 530F choppers. would resign if corruption was as part of the A-29 programme defending the country from insur- helicopters equipped with en- 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters India had also supplied four Mi- Khairkhana Hospital aimed at training the Afghan pilots gents. The country will also re- hanced mission equipment. The last year and currently operates a 25 gunship helicopters to AAF. proved in his department. 0799-321007 2401352

Indira Gandhi Children Hospital, Wazir Akbar Khan, Kabul 2301372

Ibn-e- Seena Pul-e-Artan, Kabul “Are you crazy?” that the 14 years of U.S. military that “even if all the Taliban were 2100359 “Are you out of your mind?” operations had not improved the killed, their sons and daughter lives of Afghan women and chil- would pick up the guns and seek My friends’ concerns were fore- dren. To the contrary, women and revenge,” and that “the millions Wazir Akbar Khan most in my mind as I boarded Turk- children constantly face the lack spent on weapons, drones and Hospital ish Air Flight 706 in December of food, employment, good edu- bombs had only increased the ter- bound for Kabul, Afghanistan. cation and health care. Zarghuna rorism” in his country. 2301741, 2301743 Just a month earlier, the U.S. De- declared, “We do not need sol- He asked that we all take the partment of State had warned cit- diers,” and asked the people of the time to analyze and understand the izens against travel to Afghanistan: United States to recognize that we origins of groups like the Taliban Ali Abad “The security situation in Afghan- are “human beings with human feel- and offered me a copy of “No Shahrara, Kabul istan is extremely unstable and the ings” and that we “need food and Good Men Among the Living: threat to all U.S. citizens in Af- education, not war.” America, the Taliban and the War 2100439 ghanistan remains critical.” When asked what message he Through Afghan Eyes,” by Anand Although apprehensive, I was would like me to take back to the Gopal, as a primer in this regard, honored to be invited to join a small American people, Hoor, an 18- which I highly recommend. Malalai Maternity delegation for a 10-day, person-to- year-old junior in high school, first Although my visit was only Hospital person visit with the Afghan Peace referenced the warning of two of about 10 days, I benefited im- Volunteers (APV). the world’s greatest champions of mensely from my time with the 2201377/ 2301743 I was greeted at the airport by peace: Bertrand Russell, the famed APV. The group’s active pursuit two members of the volunteer mathematician and philosopher, of peace and social justice in ex- Banks group, and, as we taxied into the and Albert Einstein, the world’s traordinarily difficult circumstanc- city, their warm and accepting best-known scientist, who at the es was inspiring. smiles eased my anxiety. height of the Cold War declared: Continuing to delude ourselves Da Afghanistan Bank Upon arrival at the APV cen- “Shall we put an end to the human that military superiority or a mili- 2100302, 2100303 ter, I was welcomed with open race; or shall mankind renounce tary “solution” will provide secu- arms and open hearts. By night- war?” rity and stability — well, that Bakhtar Bank fall, I felt right at home. Hoor questioned why the would truly be crazy and mind- KABUL: The Central Passport stan (MICT) earlier announced er step to fight corruption. Each During my short stay, I wit- American people could not see less.—(Syracause) Department operating within the that a plan has been prepared for day, thousands of Afghan citizens 0776777000 nessed and participated in the var- framework of the Ministry of In- the online enrollment and distri- visit the office in * Kabul, to ob- ious ways these brave souls seek terior (MoI), has received new bution of passports through Af- tain a new passport. With the new Azizi Bank to bridge tribal and ethnic barriers passport printers, purchased by ghan Post. The Afghan government passport machines, the MoI will 0799 700900 in pursuit of peace and social jus- NATO-led Resolute Support (RS) launched distribution of electronic process the passport applications tice. Among their many achieve- mission. The purchase of the new passports in early 2013 by obtain- faster. Before the new passport Pashtany Bank ments, the APV has established a printers comes as the number of ing the biometric data of the appli- machines, each passport had to be 2102908, 2103868 School for Street Kids. The street applicants acquiring passports has cant that can be used to identify hand signed. Additionally, old pass- kids are not able to attend govern- been on the rise with the Central the holder. The new system has ports were easily forged. The new ment schools because their fami- Passport Department personnel made it harder for criminals and passport machine will shorten Air Services lies depend on them to work the working in two shifts to respond insurgents to travel. The launch of prep time for passports and visas streets shining shoes, selling bolo- to the demands of the Afghan citi- online enrollment for the electron- for companies that want to do Safi Airways nis (homemade pancakes), wash- zens. “NATO has purchased pass- ic passports has been widely wel- business in Afghanistan. Accord- ing cars, etc. So the APV started a port printers for the Afghan Min- comed with Chief Executive Of- ing to the MoI, 700-1,000 pass- 020 22 22 222 school for them. Since some of the istry of Interior (MoI). Each day, ficer Abdullah Abdullah saying the ports can be processed daily.— kids are illiterate, they begin with thousands of Afghan citizens visit launch of the system is yet anoth- (Khaama Press) Ariana reading and writing. The kids’ joy the office in * Kabul, to obtain a to be learning is palpable. new passport,” according to an 020-2100270 Recently they started literacy online statement by Resolute Sup- classes for illiterate women as well. port (RS) mission. The statement Jabalus Siraj cement Kam Air The school budget is $50,000 further added that the new pass- a year, the cost of one Hellfire mis- port machines, the MoI will pro- 0799974422 sile, and 92 percent is spent on cess the passport applications fast- factory being providing the street kids and their er. Before the new passport ma- Hotels chines, each passport had to be families with a needed monthly gift Safi Landmark of a sack of rice and a bottle of oil. hand signed. Additionally, old pass- revived: Minister The volunteer organization has ports were easily forged, RS said, also created a Winter Duvet adding that the new passport ma- 020-2203131 Project, which consists of a coop- chine will shorten prep time for erative of seamstresses who work passports and visas for companies SERENA for a decent wage producing du- that want to do business in Af- vets — thick blankets stuffed with ghanistan. According to the MoI, 0799654000 synthetic wool. The duvets are giv- 700-1,000 passports can be pro- en away to those in need to sur- cessed daily. Meanwhile, the Af- New Rumi Restaurant vive the bitter winters. Sixty seam- ghan government is launching on- stresses are selected each year, 20 Zarghuna, a third-year college student studying line enrollment for electronic pass- 0776351347 each from the three main popula- journalism in Kabul, Afghanistan. Her father port in a bid to expedite the pro- tions, Pashtun, Tajik and Hazara. cess for the applicants. The Min- Internet Services The project is in its third year and was killed by the Taliban when she was 7 years istry of Communications and In- 3,000 duvets are distributed each old. Photo courtesy of Ron VanNorstrand formation Technology of Afghani- UA Telecom year. Although they readily ac- 0796701701 / 0796702702 knowledge the uncertainties they face, especially given the continu- NION PRICES SHARPLY INCREASED IN IMROZ Exchange Rate al war waged on their country, the O N APV members remain committed ZARANJ : Onion prices have There are no cold storages in imported from other countries, Purchase: to building a nonviolent, sharing increased sharply in southwest- many provinces of the country and Agriculture Director Mohammad CHARIKAR : Mines and Petro- voirs would be developed in Par- economy where the basic needs of ern Nimroz province due to be- traders could not store their pro- Akbar Sharifi said. “Three decades leum Minister Daud Shah Saba on wan in coordination with local of- all, especially the most vulnerable, ing dependent on imports from duce for long a period of time, back when there was enough wa- Saturday said 100 million afghanis ficials and provincial council mem- One US$ = are met. This inspirational com- Tajikistan, residents say. Mohammad said. ter, farmers in Nimroz would send had been set aside to revive the bers. 68.59Afs mitment is not based on utopian Earlier the province would The onions of Afghanistan are surplus yield to other provinces Jabalus Siraj Cement Factory in Ghulam Bahauddin Jilani, head or academic notions — it arises produce vegetable enough for lo- marketed only for three months a and export to foreign countries,” central Parwan province. of the provincial council, welcomed One Pound Sterling= from their life experiences. They cal consumption and would send year, leaving traders with no op- he recalled. (Pajhwok) During a visit to Parwan, Saba Saba’s plans for the province. He 74.22Afs have spent their entire lives with- surplus to other provinces, but tion but to import onions from said his ministry would start de- said local representatives were One Euro = in the turmoil and convulsions of now due to water scarcity, the neighbouring countries, he said. veloping small mines in the prov- ready to play their role in attract- war. They have experienced first- province could not produce veg- A farmer in Khashrod district, ince and the 100 million afghanis ing foreign investment in exploita- 99.46Afs hand war’s social and moral dev- etable to be enough for domestic Gul Ahmad, said onion production on the factory’s rehabilitation tion of Parwan natural riches. 1000 Pak Rs = astation and degradation. use. According to shopkeepers, had declined in the province due would be spent from the mines According to Saba, the exca- 636Afs When I explained that the war last month, the price of a kilo of to a lack of water and farmers could ministry’s budget. vation process of chromite in is often justified in the United onion was 10-13 afghanis but not grow them. The Jabalus Siraj Cement Fac- Kohi-Safi district would be carried Sale: States as necessary to protect Af- now had shot up and reached 40 A landlord in Kang district, tory was established in 1958 and out by Hiwadwal Company. One US$ = ghan women from the deprivations afs. Earlier, the crop would be Khuda Raham, said he owned 1000 it was the first cement factory in Fifteen kinds of mineral depos- brought from Herat and Farah acres of land in the district which 74.82 Afs threatened by the resurgent Tali- Afghanistan, which had been op- its exist in Parwan. Four mines of One Pound Sterling= ban, one volunteer, Zarghuna, a provinces, but now the onions are remained uncultivated over the erational until 1978, but gradually plumbumb, zinc and coal exist in third-year college student study- being imported from Tajikistan, past 10 years due to water short- declined production and finally Syagard district and four reservoirs 74.82Afs ing journalism whose father was a shopkeeper, Jan Mohammad, age. Onion currently produced in closed in 2004 due to power short- of copper, iron, chromite and oth- One Euro= killed by the Taliban when she was told Pajhwok Afghan News, say- Nimroz could only fulfill the re- age and other issues. er precious stones are available in ing the Tajikistani onions are not quirement of five percent people 99.91 Afs 7 years old, seemed perplexed by Saba also said in the coming Surkh Parsa district. 1000 Pak Rs= 644Afs the justification. She stated firmly as good as the domestic one. who remained relied on onions three months, small natural reser- (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. SUNDAY . JANUARY 24, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Russian Army to hold first mountain India on alert Russian ground forces will hold the first ever military exercises with in face of Islamic drills with Pakistan in 2016 Pakistan in 2016, Russian Army Commander-in-Chief Oleg Salyuk- ov announced on Friday, accord- ing to TASS news agency. State threats “As part of interaction with our foreign colleagues in 2016, we have scheduled seven joint exer- cises with the involvement of the to Hollande relevant units of foreign states. The Army will hold the Russian-Viet- namese exercise and the first ever Russian-Pakistani special drills in mountainous terrain,” Salyukov said. Pakistan, Russia hold talks on sale of military hardware Fur- ther, he said that joint anti-terror command and staff exercises of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisa- tion will be held. “The Peace Mis- sion – 2016, the joint drills of peace-keeping forces of the Col- lective Security Treaty Organiza- tion code-named Indestructible Brotherhood, the Frontier-2016 joint command and staff drills, the Indra-2016 Russian-Indian exercis- es and the Selenga-2016 Russian- Mongolian drills will be held,” the commander added. A Russian del- egation on Thursday arrived in Pakistan to discuss the sale of mil- itary hardware. According to a statement by ISPR, a meeting was NEW DELHI : India is taking no to arrive earlier for flights as air- held between the delegation which chances ahead of President ports tighten security ahead of the was led by Fomin Alexander Vasi- François Hollande’s three-day visit event. lyevich, Director of Federal Ser- on Sunday as threats grow from A drill was conducted by the vice for Military – Technical Co- militant groups including the Is- National Security Guards, the operation of the Russian Federa- lamic State. country’s elite anti-terrorism force, tion (FSMTC) and Chief of Army Police arrested four students at a busy market frequented by Staff General Raheel Sharif at Gen- in their early 20s this week who foreigners in the heart of the capi- eral Headquarters. Pakistan and planned to attack both a Hindu tal. Commandos raided a restau- Russia usher in new era of cooper- pilgrimage site and Delhi shopping rant to free hostages, the Hindustan ation The focus of the discussion malls that are frequented by for- Times newspaper reported. The was on enhanced security and eigners and wealthy Indians, ac- local police is also working on in- training cooperation measures to cording to Arvind Deep, a police telligence inputs and is on alert for further expand joint military ties official in the capital. The men were any terror related incident. between the two armies, the state- in touch with handlers in Iraq and The U.S. Central Intelligence ment revealed. Syria, Times of India reported, cit- Agency is assisting Indian and ing unidentified sources. French authorities to ensure the The threat comes as Islamic safety of Modi and Hollande, the State-linked militants become ac- Times of India reported, citing India one of the most Bangladesh Amb. hands credentials tive in Asia following a high-pro- people it didn’t identify. Home file attack in Paris last year. After Minister Rajnath Singh convened gun and bomb attacks in Jakarta a meeting with top intelligence and stable nations globally: to Armenian President last week killed four civilians, investigative officials last Saturday Malaysian police detained four to discuss the threat of a “lone The newly appointed Ambassador velopment of the bilateral inter- not been done much to develop the people with suspected links to Is- wolf” Islamic State sympathizer CEA Arvind of the People’s Republic of Bang- state relations and to strengthen interstate relations and establish lamic State and Singapore deport- launching an attack during the pa- ladesh to Armenia Jashim Uddin friendly relations between the two cooperation in different areas. ed 26 Bangladeshis it accused of rade, the Press Trust of India re- Subramanian (residence in Athens) presented his peoples. With regard to the devel- According to the parties, the supporting violent extremism. ported. credentials to President Serzh Sarg- opment of bilateral cooperation, appointment of ambassador to Hollande will join Prime Min- Despite being relatively un- syan, President’s Press Office re- the President of Armenian stressed Armenia and Armenia’s readiness ister Narendra Modi at India’s an- scathed, India has seen warnings. ports. The President congratulat- the importance of creating a legal based on the principle of reciproc- nual Republic Day parade on Jan. Last week, the state secretariat in ed the Ambassador on his nomina- base. Noting that the Armenian- ity to appoint ambassador to 26, an honour given to U.S. Presi- Goa received a postcard purport- tion and wished him success in car- Bangladeshi relations date back to Bangladesh, testify to the two dent Barack Obama a year ago. The edly signed by the Islamic State rying out his diplomatic mission the 17th century, and that in the countries’ political will and deter- French leader has vowed to fight threatening to kill Modi and De- in our country. He noted that be- Armenian quarter of Dhaka – Ar- mination to develop relations be- the Islamic State “as long as nec- fence Minister Manohar Parrikar, cause he is the first Ambassador manitola, there still stands the Ar- tween the two states. essary” after terrorists killed 130 PTI reported. The message ex- of Bangladesh in our country, his menian Saint Harutyun Church, At the meeting stressed was people in and around Paris. France pressed anger at a ban on the mission is even more important and the interlocutors concurred that, also the importance of strengthen- has been conducting airstrikes slaughter of cows, which Hindus full of responsibility. The new Am- unfortunately, after the establish- ing the Armenian-Bangladeshi co- against the group in Syria and Iraq. consider sacred. bassador is called upon to create a ment of diplomatic relations be- operation in the framework of in- India, meanwhile, has barely The French consulate in Ban- strong basis for the continuous de- tween the two countries, there has ternational structures. registered among the Islamic galore on Jan. 11 received a three- State’s ranks of 30,000 foreign line letter in broken English warn- fighters despite its 172-million ing Hollande against visiting India, strong Muslim minority popula- Daily News & Analysis reported, tion — the third largest in the citing a police official it didn’t iden- JAIPUR: Chief Economic Advisor India is committed to doing which world. This is even as it faces con- tify. Arvind Subramanian has said that is in the best interest of the coun- stant attacks from Pakistan-based Federal agencies detained six in present volatile global economy, try," he said. extremist groups, including one people in Bangalore in connection India is one of the most stable coun- Asked about the continuing earlier this month at a northern with this threat, CNN-IBN televi- tries and the government is com- problems in China, whose econo- Indian air base that killed 13 peo- sion reported on Friday, without mitted to doing what is best in the my is about five times that of In- ple. saying where it got the informa- nation's interest. dia, Subramanian said that the “We’ve been lucky,” said Sreer- tion. Four other suspected terror- "When things are bad external- neighbouring country's story am Sundar Chaulia, dean of the Jin- ists were arrested in the southern ly, it affects all countries. That will would depend on what actions its dal School of International Affairs city of Hyderabad, the channel re- affect India too but we are one of government takes to address the near New Delhi. “In a sense, we’re ported separately. the most stable countries in the situation. long overdue for an attack, and as Paradoxically, the additional world. Our growth rate is high and "It is all going to depend (in IS loses territory, it’s got to make threat present by the Islamic State India in the current global turmoil China) on actions that the country up for it by terrorist attacks on may help India improve ties with stands out as one of the few coun- takes," he said. soft targets around the world. From nuclear-armed Pakistan, Chaulia tries which are really in a good India had outpaced China as their point of view, India is an infi- said. The two nations have fought position," Subramanian said. the world's fastest growing econo- del country carrying out policies three wars since splitting apart in The chief economist was here my in 2015. inimical to Muslims.” 1947. “We’ve been a little com- to participate in a session 'Fiction In India, he said, that over the Some 8,000 police officers and placent because our focus has al- and Economics' at the ongoing last one and a half years, reduction 12,000 paramilitary personnel will ways been on Pakistan,” he said. Jaipur Literature Festival here. in oil prices helped the country's be deployed in the capital, along “But the Islamic State is a threat "China is a very big country; economy. with more than 200 closed-circuit to the entire subcontinent — we whatever happens to China affects "Fiscal situation was helped by television cameras, snipers atop now have something in common. all the countries. It will have im- the oil prices, inflation came down buildings and sniffer dogs, accord- It means things get more compli- pact on rest of the world, includ- and internal sectors appear ing to a Delhi police spokesman. cated but it also creates opportu- ing India, but the government of healthy," he said. Airlines also requested passengers nities for co-operation.”

NEW DELHI: In the ongoing stra- tegic power-play in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), two front- adequate food and foreign exchange line Indian warships, including air- reserves. craft carrier INS Vikramaditya, He has said the Bangladesh’s entered Colombo just after three economy was surging ahead with Chinese warships left the Sri Lan- the growth in many fields includ- kan port on Thursday. ing remittance and food produc- INS Vikramaditya and guided- tion. missile destroyer INS Mysore, The Bangladesh Bank gover- under the command of the west- nor spoke of the country’s eco- ern fleet commander Rear Admiral nomic advancement while speak- Ravneet Singh, will be docked at ing at a programme of Rajshahi Colombo till Saturday to further University’s Economics Depart- bolster the ongoing military coop- ment Alumni Association on Fri- eration with the island nation. day on the institution’s campus. The 45,400-tonne INS Vikra- “Remittance has been the main- maditya, or the refurbished Admi- stay of our economy. Around 9.5 ral Gorshkov inducted in Novem- million Bangladeshis working in ber 2013 under a $2.33 billion deal over 150 countries are sending with Russia, is India's largest and home over $15 billion a year,” he most powerful ship. With the 45 said. MiG-29Ks ordered for another $2 Rahman said Bangladesh ranks billion to operate from its deck, seventh in the world and second in the carrier is also the costliest sin- Asia in getting remittance from gle weapon platform India has ever expatriates. bought. “Bangladesh had to seek alms But there is growing concern just after the independence to feed in the Indian security establish- a population of only 70 million. ment over China's gro wing naval The situation has changed. Now forays into the IOR, including the 38.5 million tonnes of food is pro- docking of its submarines in Co- duced a year,” he pointed out. lombo. India is also belatedly try- American Secretary of State ing to counter China's forging of Henry Alfred Kissinger at that time deep maritime links with Lanka and had described Bangladesh as a ‘bot- other countries like Seychelles, tomless basket’. Mauritius, Maldives, Bangladesh Atiur said, “Bangladesh is no andMyanmar. more a bottomless basket; food and India, however, has also invit- held at Visakhapatnam from February 5 to 8. After their Sri Lankan visit, both INS Vikramaditya and INS Stating that Bangladesh is no long- tral bank Governor Atiur Rahman ed Chinese warships for its Inter- Mysore will head for Vizag to take part in the IFR. Navy officials said India and Sri Lanka are "close maritime er a ‘bottomless basket’, the cen- foreign exchange are spilling over has said that the country has now that basket.” national Fleet Review (IFR) being neighbours" with "strong" military and diplomatic ties. 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. SUNDAY . JANUARY 24, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES News-in-Brief Chinese leader in Iran to dis- US ‘prepared’ for military solution in cuss economy, Syria, says VP regional crisis U.S. Vice President Joe Biden ANKARA : Chinese President Xi said that the U.S. was prepared Jinping met his Iranian counterpart for a military solution in Syria on Saturday in Tehran, where they if a political solution was not will discuss how to improve eco- possible. “We do know it nomic and political ties after inter- would better if we can reach a national sanctions on Iran were lift- political solution but we are cluding U.S. philosopher Noam ed. Xi was welcomed by President prepared ..., if that’s not pos- Chomsky, of a declaration that crit- Hassan Rouhanimeet in Sa'dabad sible, to have a military solu- icized Turkish military action in palace in northern Tehran. The tion to this operation and tak- the largely Kurdish southeast. Chinese president will meet Iran's ing out Daesh,” Biden said at a ‘Robbed of opportunity’ most powerful figure, Supreme news conference, using an Ara- Security forces briefly de- Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, bic term for the militant group, tained 27 of the academics on ac- later in the day. "China is seeking which controls large swathes cusations of terrorist propaganda. to improve bilateral ties with Iran of Iraq and Syria. Dozens face investigation by their to start a new season of compre- The suggestion comes as universities. hensive, long-term and sustainable Washington appears to be ramp- Their declaration accused the relations with the Islamic Repub- ing up its rhetoric on ending government of heavy-handedness lic," President Xi was quoted as the civil war, which has dragged in its efforts to weed out autono- saying by Iran's state news agen- on for over four years, and has my-seeking militants in the large- cy, IRNA, on his arrival in Tehran claimed the lives of over ly-Kurdish southeast, where vio- on Friday night. "Some 16 accords, 200,000. lence has flared since a ceasefire including a strategic cooperation The vice president reaf- collapsed last July. agreement, will be signed during the firmed the U.S. government’s Turkish media reports said Chinese President's Iran visit," designation of the Kurdish mi- Biden also met the wife and son of Deputy Foreign Minister Ebrahim litia group PKK, is a terror jailed journalist Can Dundar, edi- Rahimpour said, according to state group “plain and simple,” tor-in-chief of the left-wing Cum- television. Trade between Iran and equally a threat to Turkey as huriyet newspaper, who was ar- China stood at around $52 billion the Islamic State of Iraq and rested in November over the pub- in 2014, Rahimpour said, but fall- Syria (ISIS). lication of footage purporting to ing oil prices caused it to drop last Biden is currently in Tur- show the state intelligence agency year. The Chinese president is the key, where he was set to holds helping send weapons to Syria. first leader to visit Iran since inter- The Turkish government says national sanctions were lifted on talks with Turkey's Prime Min- Jan 16, after Iran reached an agree- ister Ahmet Davutoglu and detained journalists are being held for promoting terrorism or engag- ment with six major powers to lim- President Recep Tayyip Er- it its nuclear program. China was dogan. ing in anti-state activities rather than simply for their journalistic one of the six. Xi is also the first work. Chinese president to visit Iran in U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said impact on the strength of ties with sites like YouTube or Twitter are himself has demonstrated a more 14 years, according to the Iranian US says troops during a trip to Turkey on Friday the United States. shut down and more than 1,000 authoritarian style. Insulting public officials is a state news agency, IRNA. He has ‘needed’ to that intimidating the media, cur- “The more Turkey succeeds, academics are accused of treason Nonetheless, Erdogan is a vi- crime in Turkey, and lawyers for visited Saudi Arabia and Egypt as tailing internet freedom and accus- the stronger the message sent to simply by signing a petition, that’s tal partner for both Washington Erdogan have sued cartoonists, well during his Middle East tour, retake ISIS-held ing academics of treason was not the entire Middle East and parts not the kind of example that needs and Europe in efforts to combat teenagers and a former Miss Tur- which started on Jan. 19. Sunni setting a good example in the Mid- of the world who are only begin- to be set,” he told reporters. Islamic State, end Syria’s civil war, key winner in the past. Muslim Saudi Arabia, Xi's first cities dle East. ning to grapple with the notion of Turkey was cited by Washing- and curb the flow of migrants and Biden, on the first day of a stop, has been at odds with Shi'ite Speaking on a two-day visit freedom,” Biden said, flanked by ton in the early years of Recep refugees. Some of his critics have two-day visit, said: Iran since Saudi authorities execut- The U.S.-led coalition fighting to the NATO ally and key mem- members of Turkish civil society Tayyip Erdogan’s rule, following accused Western governments of “If you do not have the ability ed a Shi'ite cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria ber of the U.S.-led alliance against groups. the AK Party’s election in 2002, pulling their punches over his hu- to express your own opinion, to on Jan. 2. Riyadh severed ties with (ISIS) needs to take back the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria “But when the media are in- as an example for the Middle East man rights record as a result. criticise policy, offer competing Tehran after Iranian protesters cities Mosul and Raqqa and (ISIS) in neighboring Syria and timidated or imprisoned for criti- of a functioning Islamic democra- Erdogan last week denounced ideas without fear of intimidation stormed the kingdom's embassy in will use "boots on the ground" Iraq, Biden said the strength of cal reporting, when internet free- cy. But more recently, reforms as “dark, nefarious and brutal” or retribution, then your country Tehran and its consulate in Mash- as part of its strategy in doing Turkish democracy had a direct dom is curtailed and social media have faltered and President Erdogan more than 1,000 signatories, in- is being robbed of opportunity.” had. so, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Friday. "We need to destroy them Four dead in in those two places, and I'd like US military urges action against ISIS in Libya to get on with that as soon as worst Canada possible," Carter, speaking from Davos, Switzerland, said school shoot- Decisive military action is needed “Four storage tanks together in an interview on CNBC. to halt the spread of Islamic State containing around two million bar- He said the coalition is us- ing in decade, of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Libya, rels of crude oil are on fire,” said a ing raids and bombs to take the top U.S. military officer said security official in the Ras Lanouf control of the routes between suspect caught on Friday, saying the group want- region along Libya’s northern ed to use the north African nation coast. the two cities and cut off com- WINNIPEG: The gunman sus- munication between them. as a platform to coordinate activi- The blaze in one of the tanks pected of killing four people and ty across the continent. is beyond control “and we expect "That'll essentially sepa- injuring several others in Canada's rate the Iraqi theater from the “Unchecked, I am concerned it to collapse at any moment,” he worst school violence in a decade about the spread of ISIL in Libya said. “We are now working on put- Syrian theater," he said. first shot his two brothers at home Carter said more ground ... So I believe that military leaders ting out the fires in the other three before opening fire at the remote owe the secretary of defense and tanks.” soldiers will probably be add- community high school, a family ed to support those already the president a way ahead for deal- “The disaster exceeds our ca- friend and the town's acting may- ing with the expansion of ISIL in pacities,” added the official, ask- there, but part of the strategy or said on Friday. is also mobilizing local forces Libya,” said chairman of the Joint ing not to be named. Police said a suspect was ar- Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Fighting broke out at dawn on "rather than trying to substi- rested after the shooting in La tute for them." Dunford, using an acronym for Thursday in Ras Lanouf, the Na- Loche, Saskatchewan, an impov- ISIS. tional Oil Corporation (NOC) said. erished community about 600 km Speaking to a small group of It said storage tanks filled with Zimbabwe's (375 miles) north of the city of reporters during a trip to Paris, he crude had caught fire, causing Mugabe back Saskatoon. added: “You want to take decisive clouds of dense smoke. The town's acting mayor, military action to check ISIL’s ex- It called the situation “cata- home after heart Kevin Janvier, told the Associated pansion and at the same time you strophic for the environment” and attack rumors Press that his 23-year-old daugh- want to do it such a way that’s said that nearby high-voltage pow- ter Marie, a teacher, was shot to supportive of a long-term politi- er lines and electrical towers had An NOC official told AFP a tion by the international commu- from its stronghold in the city of death. cal process.” also been downed. committee has been formed to eval- nity to "protect oil fields from ISIS Sirte on facilities in the “oil cres- He also said police told him Meanwhile, firefighters on Fri- State news agency LANA said uate the damage. attacks.” Hatem el-Ouraybi said cent” along the country’s northern that the gunman first shot two of day battled a blaze at an oil facili- ISIS group militants were behind The attack came two days af- the government wanted “air strikes coast. Libya sits atop estimated his siblings at home and then made ty in northern Libya for a second the attack and that the storage ter a national unity government against ISIS positions” in Libya. oil reserves of 48 billion barrels, his way to the school. day, an official said, after an as- tanks belonged to Harouge Oil was formed under a U.N.-brokered The government has previously the largest in Africa. Officials have not given a mo- sault by militants aiming to seize Operations. deal aimed at ending political divi- called for an air campaign against But output has slumped since tivation for the shooting or named export terminals. The company has 13 storage sions that have seen Libya torn ISIS, like in Iraq and Syria, but the North African country’s long- the suspect or victims. Libya’s internationally-recog- tanks with a combined capacity of between rival administrations. A world powers are first waiting for time leader Muammar Qaddafi was Mass shootings are rare in nized government, meanwhile, 6.5 million barrels at its site, nine spokesman for Libya’s recognized rival sides to endorse the unity ousted and slain in a 2011 revolu- Canada, which has stricter gun laws called for Western air strikes to kilometers (six miles) from Ras government in the east told AFP it government. ISIS has in recent tion, tipping the country into in- than the United States. In the coun- repel the militants. Lanouf port. was requesting a “limited interven- weeks launched repeated attacks security and political chaos. try's worst school shooting, 14 college students were killed at Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique in 1989. A shooting in 1992 at Con- cordia University in Montreal killed four. A family friend said the teenaged suspect shot his two younger brothers before going to the school and shooting a teacher HARARE : Zimbabwean Pres- and an assistant. “After he shot ident Robert Mugabe returned his two brothers, he walked back home late on Friday after a to school and he shot ... a teacher month-long holiday in the Far and a girl. They’re both dead. Four East, just over a week after the of them died,” said Joe Lemaigre, a Istanbul : Turkish President Re- ly watching every military move- branch of the outlawed Kurdistan "For us, there is no difference wrong Russian formation in north- presidency dismissed rumors family friend who lives on the out- cep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday ex- ment on its borders and especially Workers Party (PKK) and has between PYD, YPG, PKK or ern Syria," he added. Hurriyet also that Africa's oldest president skirts of La Loche. “I know the pressed alarm over reports of a the border with Syria," the gov- been alarmed by an apparent tight- Daesh (IS)," said Erdogan. "We will claimed a delegation from Russia's had suffered a heart attack and family. Their mother worked in build-up of Russian troops in ernment source told AFP, asking ening of ties between Moscow and discuss this with Biden tomor- Federal Security Service (FSB), the collapsed. Fort McMurray and his grandfa- northern Syria near the Turkish not to be named. the Kurds after the plane down- row... I hope that this joint stance PYD and the Assad regime was Mugabe, who turns 92 on ther went to Meadow Lake to do border, saying such movements - 'Prevent this formation' - ing. will be aimed at preventing this now in Qamishli. Feb. 21, is the only leader that some shopping. That's when he would not be tolerated. The Turkish army has already the Southern African nation has shot them." The shooting occurred "We have said this from the reinforced security by digging ever known, and his health is in the high school and a second lo- beginning: we won't tolerate such trenches in the border zone, the being closely watched in and cation, Canadian police said, add- formations (in northern Syria) Hurriyet daily said. outside his ruling party, ing they took the suspect into cus- along the area stretching from the It quoted Turkish security ZANU-PF. The party is deep- tody outside the school and seized Iraqi border up to the Mediterra- sources as saying that a Russian ly divided over who will even- a gun. Chief Bobby Cameron of nean," Erdogan told reporters af- military delegation, headed by a tually succeed him. the Federation of Saskatchewan In- ter Friday prayers in Istanbul. general and including members of The president was shown dian Nations, which represents Britain-based monitor the Syr- the Russian military intelligence on the state television network, more than 70 of the province's In- ian Observatory for Human Rights service GRU, had flown into ZBC, arriving with his wife dian bands, said a few students had said that Russia had sent a Qamishli on January 16 to inspect Grace and several security were in surgery Friday evening in number of engineers to the Syrian the airport. aides at Harare Airport, where Saskatoon, the province's largest border town of Qamishli to The Kremlin and Iran are the he was met by one of his vice city. "Everyone is still in shock and strengthen the runway and increase chief remaining allies of President presidents, Emmerson Mnan- disbelief," Cameron said. "It's a the capacity of an airport there. Bashar al-Assad who Turkey gagwa, cabinet ministers and very, very horribly tragic event." Russia's reported move into wants to see ousted as the key to security chiefs. Mugabe did La Loche student Noel Desjarlais Qamishli comes as Ankara and ending Syria's almost five year civil not speak to journalists from told the Canadian Broadcasting Moscow are experiencing their big- war. ZBC or the state-owned press. Corporation that he heard multi- gest crisis in years over the shoot- Turkey has repeatedly ex- . Reports about the declining ple shots fired at the school, which ing down of a Russian war plane pressed alarm about Russia's de- health of Mugabe, who is show- has about 900 students. "I ran out- by Turkey on November 24. ployment of troops to Syria which ing signs of his advancing age, side the school," Desjarlais said. "We maintain our sensitivities Moscow says is aimed at fighting are common, but he likes to "There was lots of screaming, there on this issue," added Erdogan, cit- jihadists but is widely seen as but- describe himself as "fit as a fid- was about six, seven shots before ing reports that Russia had de- tressing the Assad regime. dle." I got outside. I believe there was ployed some 200 soldiers and stat- Education Minister Nabi Avci, On Saturday, Mugabe will more shots by the time I did get ing that he would raise the issue speaking in parliament, claimed meet another long-ruling Afri- out." A cellphone video taken by Saturday in talks with visiting US Russia's forces in Qamishli were can leader, Equatorial Guinea's one resident and broadcast by the Vice President Joe Biden. working with both the regime as Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who CBC showed students walking Observers have said that Rus- well as Kurdish militia of the Dem- arrived in Zimbabwe on Friday away from the school across the sia, which has for years been at ocratic Union Party (PYD). on a three-day official state vis- snow-covered ground and emer- loggerheads with Turkey over the The People's Protection Units it. In 2014 Mugabe was re- gency personnel moving in. "Ob- Syrian conflict, may want to refit (YPG) have established control elected to lead ZANU-PF for viously this is every parent's worst the airport as a Russian base, as over much over the northern Syri- another five years, automati- nightmare," said Prime Minister happened in Hmeimim in Latakia an border region in the past cally making him the party's Justin Trudeau, who initially re- province. months after pushing out Islamic presidential candidate in the ported five people were killed. He Qamishli lies just south of the State (IS) jihadists. next general elections, in 2018. was in Davos, Switzerland, for the Turkish border town of Nusaybin. But Ankara accuses the PYD annual World Economic Forum. "I can say that Turkey is close- and YPG of being the Syrian 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. SUNDAY . JANUARY 24, 2016 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 By Afrasiab Khattak Sharif and Army Chief General provides bases, logistical support nied by the Taliban or the Govern- Editor: Abdul Saboor Sarir Raheel Sharif that no distinction and recruits to Afghan Taliban and ment of Pakistan. The year 2016 was supposed to shall be made between good and they in return do not disturb them Be that as it may, Charsada Phone No: +93-772364666 be the year of final defeat of ter- bad terrorists. But soon after it in border areas in Afghanistan. attack is a rude reminder of the fact rorism in Pakistan if the statements became clear that the state has no Unfortunately discussion that anti-terror campaign in Paki- E-mail: [email protected] of high state functionaries of the intention of acting against private about the presence of major “Jiha- stan is running out of steam, basi- country were to be believed. Ac- militias kept by Lashkar-e-Taiba di” networks inside Pakistan is a cally because the state policy is Email: [email protected] cording to this narrative operation (now working as JuD), Jaish-e- taboo. There is a mistaken belief systematically differentiating be- Zarb-e-Azb has broken the back Mohammad and Afghan Taliban. among some official circles that if tween good and bad terrorists, the www.afghanistantimes.af of terrorism. Similarly if the fig- Now these are the major networks we don’t talk about them they pious noises made to the contrary ures quoted by Chaudhry Nisar Ali and a number of smaller outfits would remain invisible. But by not withstanding. Will Pakistan Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi Khan, the Interior Minister and work under their shadow. They are their very nature terrorist outfits renew her anti-terrorist campaign some ministers of the Punjab gov- the real edifice of the terror syndi- are designed for creating terror and by ultimately going after all mili- Advisory editorial board ernment about the successes of the cate. Moreover, although the afore- when they “act” they make their tant organizations or will it con- “thousands of targeted operations” mentioned networks are based in savage presence felt in a horrible tinue to move in circles is the real Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, after National Action Plan are to Pakistan but they have a regional way by shedding innocent blood. question. be given any credence, 90 percent and international outreach. The They have time and again brought The concern about peace in the Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal of terrorism has already been elim- large scale fighting in Afghanistan themselves on the map with a bang region deepens with the failures of inated. People of Pakistan were during the last year and a half and by striking at hard and soft targets all the stack holders in evolving a Graphic-Designers: told time and again that repetition the recent attacks in Pathankot, inside Pakistan and in the region. roadmap for peace in Afghanistan of the tragedy of APS Peshawar of India is a testimony to this fact. Very often they create huge em- during the meetings held so far. Mansoor Faizy and Edriss Akbari December 16, 2014 will not be al- TTP and other smaller networks barrassment for Pakistan, as she Afghanistan has seen growing lowed. But the gruesome murders that murder innocent people (Pa- has to concede their illegal pres- bloodshed in terrorist attacks. It Marketing & Advertising: of innocent people in the growing shtuns on both sides of the Du- ence after living in denial for quite goes without saying that strategic Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 number of terrorist attacks during rand Line bearing brunt of these some time. Action against JeM af- and ambitious economic initiatives the first month of the new year attacks) are closely associated with ter terrorist attack in India is a case such as CPEC and TAPI can’t have Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan clearly indicate that terrorism in these major organizations. Let’s in point. As far as Afghan Taliban bright prospects in the presence Pakistan is returning with a ven- take the case of the TTP. It is an are concerned their presence in of such a large scale terrorist prob- Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 geance. It is true that the military open secret that after military op- Pakistan is not even officially de- lem in the region. The terrorist Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press operation did disperse terror net- eration in North Waziristan their nied. chose the date of Bacha Khan’s works from their virtual capital but top leadership has crossed over For example on January 19 death to launch their attack on the their recent resurgence clearly in- into Afghanistan and is based in some credible national dailies in students and teachers in a univer- dicates their capacity to strike at the border areas of Nooristan, Pakistan carried an AFP report sity named after him. The constitution says will after regrouping. If there was Kunar and Nangrahar. These days about Taliban’s demand from Af- They wanted to express their any doubt about it, the Taliban at- Pakistani media is full of the suc- ghan mobile phone companies to hatred against the legacy of peace tack on Bacha Khan University on cess stories of the Afghan Taliban pay them “ protection money”. and non-violence left behind by Article 113 January 20 has decisively removed in every nook and corner of Af- But the most disturbing part of the him. But the aforementioned lega- Article One Hundred Thirteen: The quorum of the Loya Jirga shall be it. The blood bath has clearly dem- ghanistan including the capital report for Pakistani readers was cy that has survived colonial re- onstrated that far from being close Kabul. Now the question is that the fact that meeting between rep- pression and tyrannical despotism complete for voting with the presence of the majority of members. The to elimination, the terrorists are why do the Afghan Taliban, who resentatives of Afghan mobile will not be vanquished by terror. decision of the Loya Jirga, except in situations explicitly stated in this staging a return with a bang. are supposed to be close friends phone companies and Taliban Shu- In fact by their criminal act the ter- Constitution, shall be adopted by a majority of members present. Unfortunately there is still a of Pakistan and a shield against anti ra took place in Quetta, the capital rorists have unintentionally divert- dangerous double speak in the Pakistan forces in Afghanistan, al- of Balochistan province of Paki- ed international attention to Bacha anti-terror policy of the state. For low a handful of TTP leaders to stan. It means that Quetta remains Khan’s life and struggle devoted example, after the approval of sit in the border areas and attack a seat of the Taliban who pose to to peace and non-violence that re- National Action Plan on Decem- Pakistan? The answer is that Af- be a parallel government of Afghan- mains to be a source of inspiration ber 24, 2014 it was categorically ghan Taliban and TTP work hand istan. for people around the world.— stated by Prime Minister Nawaz in glove with one another. TTP This report has not been de- (The Nation)

The twin evils of insecurity and poverty pose great challenge to By Iain Overton previously untouched by sui- There are no legitimate sui- Of course, it would help if Afghans. Insecurity is a leading challenge in many parts of the It was the year of the suicide cide attacks were hit. Chad was cide vest factories that can be more states condemned the use country today. Unfortunately, the government has no mechanism bomber. In 2015, 9,109 civilians targeted for the first time (459 shut down by governments. of explosive weapons in popu- were reported killed or injured civilians killed or wounded), as The materials used in suicide lated areas. Certainly, the UN to protect civilians or garner public support against the militant in suicide attacks and lives were was Cameroon (431). And Ni- bombs often have additional, secretary general has done this groups. The result of this inattention and failed policies increases shattered in 248 incidents in geria’s civilian death and inju- legitimate uses – such as ferti- and around 50 countries have mosques and markets, check- ry rate (which, at 2,062, was the liser – so it is impractical to ban also publicly expressed con- in violence in most parts of the country which has also embold- points and restaurants around highest from suicide bomb- the precursor explosive materi- cern about this humanitarian the world. It was a year where ings) was 14 times that of 2011. als that make up suicide vests. issue. In September 2015, Aus- ened the insurgents who are backed by not-so-invisible spy agen- 21 countries saw men and wom- Last year also showed an- It is true that some states tria hosted a meeting for states cies of the region. Unafraid of the government, the Taliban are en blow themselves up in a ris- other trend: that of the suicide are waking up to the need for a with an eye towards develop- ing tide of violence that seems vest as terrorists’ explosive multi-national, multi-layered ing an international political forcing residents of Darqad village in Dand-i-Ghori district of to be spreading by the day. weapon of choice. Last year, response to the problem. Last plan to reduce harm from the Baghlan province to dig trenches. Having no intention to help The growing cult of the according to AOAV’s data, sui- year, an Afghan resolution was use of explosive weapons, in- suicide bomber urgently needs cide attacks were behind 56% adopted at the United Nations cluding preventing their use in the militants in whatsoever, but tired of the cold shoulder re- to be addressed. During the of the 16,180 civilian deaths or General Assembly, aimed at populated areas. sponse of the security agencies and brutality of the insurgent last five years the charity I work injuries from improvised explo- countering the threat of IEDs. Last week, the UN security for, Action on Armed Violence sive devices (IEDs) worldwide It called for information shar- council held its open debate on group the locals are digging the trenches for over the last 10 (AOAV), has been charting the – including car bombs and ing and a comprehensive ap- the protection of civilians in days. harm caused by all forms of ex- roadside bombs. In 2011, it was proach to countering the grow- armed conflict. Now, more than plosive weapons around the just 38% (5,107 of 13,336). ing threat. ever, is the time for states to Provincial deputy police chief, Abdul Rashid Bashir con- world. In 2011, when we start- What is clear is that the France also led the way in acknowledge that suicide at- ed our monitor of global news people suffering most are Mus- the disarmament forum of the tacks are spreading fast. firms it, but he skillfully dodges the key question: Why police reports, 5,107 civilians were re- lims. Most of the 22 countries UN’s Convention on Certain Governments need to fund officials are acting like spectators despite knowing that the in- ported killed or injured by sui- hit were majority Muslim, and Conventional Weapons in a coordinated response. They cide bombers. Last year that most of the perpetrators were Geneva, hosting side events need to ensure that explosive surgents are torturing and forcing people to dig trenches for was up 78%. doing so in the name of Islam. focusing on this issue. And munitions stockpiles are prop- their fighters? He says that such step of the militants would not I woke up to find my mort- What is less clear, is what the last year Australia ran a global erly regulated; they must help gage owned by the world’s top international community is do- summit of police, intelligence the civilians whose lives have bring down the morale of the security forces. Here we go. An- gun investor ing to stem this rising tide. services and military leaders in been shattered by this perni- other question pops up into mind that why he is talking about Admittedly, it was not the There are no easy fixes. Last Canberra, again seeking ways cious weapon, and engage with worst year for suicide attacks year, when Mozambique de- to combat the threat. religious leaders, charities and morale of security personnel when everyone knows that spirit on record – 2007 was. That clared itself free of landmines, What will it take to end the other groups to find ways to of the security forces is all times high. There is no need to year, according to the Chicago you saw the remarkable result pornography of videoed tor- stigmatise their use. They must Project on Security and Terror- of a coalition of states and char- ture? ensure a co-ordinated re- kindle their spirit. It is not about morale of security personnel ism, some 20,400 people were ities at work. But improvised But these approaches are sponse to transnational smug- but failure of the security officials to prevent insurgents from killed or injured in suicide at- explosive devices which are underfunded or are in danger gling networks. tacks. But in 2007 the vast ma- triggered by the user are not of repetition and a lack of co- But they also need to con- harassing locals and using them as manpower in the attacks jority of these were in Iraq and prohibited under the Mine Ban ordination. Innovative ap- demn the use of explosive Afghanistan and suicide Treaty. proaches are also needed to weapons with wide-area effects against the government. bombs were recorded in just 12 There are no legitimate sui- address this complex threat. in populated areas. That, at People are unable to understand the NUG leaders’ politics. countries. cide vest factories that can be Aerial strikes on Isis targets are least, would be a start. (the- People are also unable to understand their security policies be- By contrast, in 2015 places shut down by governments not going to stop the spread. guardian) cause the policymakers in the Presidential Palace are not an- swering the queries posed by our inquisitive minds. Why ac- tion is taken after incidents and not before? Why the defense ministry and several provinces are run by caretakers to fill the leadership vacuum in the respective areas? Everyone is feeling insecure. Those in the corridors of pow- er are doing the politics of confrontation. Political issues are surpassing the national-security issues. The tug of war between the two parties over key positions is dragging the nation into the pit of violence. The lack of importance given to the security problems can pave way for the downfall of this government. Therefore, the government needs to draft a comprehensive se- curity policy to overcome insecurity. Quick response to such challenges is a key to the success of any security policy and strategy. Subscription Rates Categories Fee Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 3600 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 1800 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $200 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF.

SUNDAY . JANUARY 24, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES FROM THE FIRST GULF WAR TO Egypt's revolutionary

Shenker, who covered the rev- ISLAMICSTATE: HOW AMERICA conundrum olution for The Guardian, in By Khaled Diab The Egyptians, a new book ing this, it hid behind the dem- which will be released soon. WAS SEDUCED BY THE “EASY WAR” In January 2011, Egypt capti- ocratic facade provided by a In addition to the ferocity By SEBASTIAN J. BAE risks and complications of conflict’s duration about sixfold a powerful recruiting tool to the vated the entire world but, pliant Muslim Brotherhood. of the counterrevolution, the ground forces. Thus, the myth and its death toll at least sev- Islamic State, seemingly vali- more importantly, Egyptians When Mohamed Morsi got trouble with the revolution was As the premier military power too big for his boots, he was since the Cold War, the United continued, brushing criticisms enfold, while also exacerbating dating its accusations of Amer- surprised and mesmerised that the euphoria it aroused themselves. unceremoniously evicted and States, like hegemonic powers aside. human rights abuses, humani- ican imperialism against the raised too many high expecta- If revolution means, as the the loyalist he appointed to run tions. Problems that have ac- of the past, is held captive by After 9/11, the mythology tarian suffering, Islamic radical- Muslim world. Lt. Gen. Bob the armed forces, Abdel-Fattah of the easy war unsurprisingly ism, and weapons proliferation Otto, the U.S. Air Force’s dep- word implies, sending the es- cumulated over the six decades the dangerous myth of the tablished order and accepted el-Sisi, became Egypt's newly carried over to the nascent in Libya and its neighbors.” uty chief of staff for intelli- since the army took power take “easy war.” While terms like norms into a spin, then what minted military dictator. time to unravel. months of the wars in Afghan- By avoiding long-term risks gence, surveillance, and recon- “network-centric warfare” occurred in those heady win- The counterrevolution has The brutality of the modern istan and Iraq. Donald Rums- and complications, NATO forc- naissance, recently stated, “If wouldn’t formally enter the U.S. ter days in 2011 was a revolu- been so apparently successful Egyptian state over the past defense establishment lexicon feld, then secretary of defense, es, including the United States, you inadvertently — legally — tion with a capital R. that it seems to have brought two centuries cannot be blunt- until later in the 1990s, the cen- confidently declared in 2002 forfeited control in shaping the kill innocent men, women, and Many had believed that Egypt back to square one. ed immediately. The damage tral notion on which such con- that the Iraq War would last future of post-Qaddafi Libya. children, then there’s a back- only the tyranny of death However, appearances are de- done by foreign control and cepts are based — that preci- “five days or five weeks or five The price of an “easy interven- lash from that. And so we might would manage to oust the age- ceptive. meddling that has been Egypt's sion technology could be lever- months, but it certainly isn’t go- tion” in Libya was a failed state, kill three and create 10 terror- ing tyrant. Instead, millions of The incremental and un- lot for more than two millennia aged to quickly overpower an ing to last any longer than characterized by instability and ists.” The political desire and Egyptians taking to the streets precedented use of force and cannot be repaired in an in- adversary — were validated by that.” The legacy of the First growing violence. expectation for bloodless, risk- gave Hosni Mubarak his march- coercion, not to mention efforts stant. the stunning U.S. success in Gulf War and Kosovo pro- If Libya was the pursuit of free (yet victorious) military ing orders. to frighten the population into A protester in Tahrir Square submission, are signs of weak- the First Gulf War. In a matter duced rapid marches to respec- the easy war, then the current operations has created an im- Egyptians are docile and holds a photo showing Presi- ness, not of strength. It betrays of 100 hours, with overwhelm- tive capitals, highlighting the strategy against the Islamic possible standard in the use of apathetic, was the received wis- dent Hosni Mubarak's face spectacular use of airpower. State spawned its ugly sibling, military force. “Not another dom. But they shook off the just how desperate the regime crossed out (2011) [Getty] ing and coordinated force and has become after everything relying heavily on airstrikes, the The Shock and Awe Doctrine the “half-baked war.” Reluctant Iraq” has become a euphemism chains of apparent lethargy to 'Mini-Mubaraks' rise up, en masse, against the has failed to keep a rebellious largely painless dispatching of was expected to produce an- for a sequel to America’s ad- for the myth of the easy war in When the revolution first despotism of the dictator, the population in check. erupted, I argued that a politi- Saddam Hussein’s forces, the other bloodless victory. How- venturism in Iraq, the Obama Washington — the belief that Graffiti on a wall off Tahrir ever, the wars in Afghanistan administration has relied on an wars can be won without any junta and the theocrats. cal revolution would fail with- world’s fifth largest army, Egyptians need, neigh de- Square in downtown Cairo and Iraq quickly devolved into aerial bombing campaign, hop- costs and from an arm’s dis- out an accompanying social served as an affirmation to sire, the iron fist of a strong- (2011) [Getty] a quagmire of nation-building ing, as administration officials tance. Speaking about the Is- (r)evolution, to dethrone the many of the invincibility of man. Although a surprising And even though Egypt's million "mini-Mubaraks", weed and counterinsurgency. Con- are wont to say, to “degrade lamic State, Donald Trump, a American military might. Com- number of people lamented the jails are overflowing with pris- out endemic corruption, pro- pared to the bitter losses in trary to overly optimistic expec- and ultimately destroy” the Is- Republican presidential candi- downfall of Mubarak, the ma- oners of conscience, not to mote equality and egalitarian- Korea and Vietnam, the First tations, a decade of occupation, lamic State. The hope is that date, said, “I would just bomb jority were jubilant and partied mention all the dead, other ac- ism, create a meritocracy and Gulf War established an un- and roughly $1.5 trillion have American-led airstrikes, ironi- those suckers. That’s right. I’d like there was a tomorrow when tivists, critical journalists and more. equivocal military victory, reaf- failed to produce any sem- cally called Operation Inherent blow up the pipes, I’d blow up the news of his demise broke. outspoken citizens take their While the political revolu- firming the value and domi- blance of security or gover- Resolve, would target key mili- the refineries, every single Five years on: After the place, some many times over. tion has stalled, the social and nance of the American method- nance in either Afghanistan or tary assets and logistical sites, inch, there would be nothing Arab Spring In the face of adversity cultural one is in full swing. It ology of warfare. Or at least Iraq. The notion that toppling enabling Iraqi ground forces to left.” With a similar reliance on that’s how the story is told. a regime and implementing dislodge the Islamic State from airpower, Hillary Clinton called As a result, the First Gulf massive socio-political trans- its centers of power like Rama- for a “more effective coalition War entrenched the notion that formations would be a simple di and Mosul. The strategic vi- air campaign, more allied technology would provide endeavor seems whimsical at sion is frighteningly similar to planes, more strikes, and a near-omniscience on the bat- best, and delusional in hind- the one employed in Libya, broader target set.” Whether tlefield, paving the road to an sight. which ended disastrously. Ad- Republican or Democrat, the uncomplicated victory. Almost Yet despite hard lessons mittedly, over time, the Obama political consensus insists on overnight, in the minds of strat- learned in Iraq and Afghani- administration has deployed reproducing the “successful” egists and policymakers, wars stan, the myth of the easy war 3,500 troops to the region, exercise of airpower in Koso- had become brief, casual affairs. stubbornly persists, permeat- largely limited to training and vo, a neat little war. So as if in a Operation Allied Force, the ing American foreign policy advisory missions. Therefore, constant state of historical am- NATO air war during the Kos- toward challenges ranging from the aerial campaign remains the nesia, the United States con- ovo conflict, only furthered the Libya to the Islamic State. crux of the American strategy tinues to repeatedly pursue the easy war mythology, particular- When the United States inter- in the recurring and misguided easy war mythos with reckless ly the concept of neat, effec- vened in Libya in 2011 with 19 belief airpower will critically abandon. Yet in light of repeat- tive victory through airpower allied states to enforce Securi- weaken the Islamic State. This ed failures of U.S. strategy over alone. The 78-day campaign, at ty Council Resolution 1973, the noncommittal, distant applica- the past decade and a half, the price tag of $3 billion, ex- campaign was narrowly re- tion of force retains the opti- America’s victory culture pended over 28,000 high-explo- stricted to aerial strikes and the mistic reliance on airpower and “starts to look like wishful sive munitions in an enormous establishment of no-fly zones. techno-centric solutions of the thinking, unhealthy braggado- display of airpower. Minus a NATO forces, trying to avoid a easy war mythos. Eliot Cohen, cio, and illusory triumphalism few high-profile cases of col- lengthy engagement analo- in “The Mystique of U.S. Air — good for the nation’s self- lateral damage, like the acciden- gous to Iraq, actively avoided Power,” published in Foreign esteem, perhaps, but not good tal bombing of the Chinese em- deploying any ground troops Affairs in 1994, wrote, “Air for handling reality.” The Unit- bassy (although the Chinese to the frontlines. The interven- power is an unusually seduc- ed States naively divorces mil- insisted the United States de- tion aimed to do as little as pos- tive form of military strength, itary force from the violent, liberately targeted the embas- sible, while retaining the illu- in part because, like modern complicated nature of conflict sy), less than 500 noncomba- sion of decisive action. Assum- courtship, it appears to offer — effectively sweeping away tants died in the course of Op- ing a distant and hands-off gratification without commit- the human costs and fog of eration Allied Force. This strategy, NATO focused on ment.” Nearly two decades and war. But there is nothing easy marked “a new low in Ameri- providing aerial support to ad- multiple military interventions or neat about wars. This is a can wartime experience when vancing local militias on the later, the United States still des- fact — indisputable, unchange- compared to both Vietnam and ground. Subsequently, the stra- perately clings to airpower as a able, and wholly unforgiving. In addition, the crowds' Ahmed Gamal Zyada is just has been spearheaded by Desert Storm.” Following the tegic and operational distance panacea to armed conflict. Ide- Victory is a fickle mistress, here sustained and uncompromis- one "typical" example of this workers demanding their rights, capitulation of Slobodan of NATO forces from local fac- ally, the aerial bombing cam- for moment and gone the next. ing demands for bread, free- courage in the face of adversi- women struggling for equality, Milosevic to NATO demands, tions translated to an absence paign of Operation Inherent Thus, if the United States con- dom and social justice put pay ty. A journalist who previously and the growing assertiveness Operation Allied Force was of control on the ground. Al- Resolve is eliminating key lead- tinues to be enamored by the to the lie that Egyptians do not spent 500 days in prison, he of previously discreet minori- hailed as an unprecedented though NATO support assist- ership and Islamic State fight- myth of the easy war, the coun- desire nor understand democ- was recently stabbed and left ties, such as atheists. for dead in what his family al- success, elevating airpower to ed in deposing Muammar Qad- ers in droves, significantly di- try will only fuel its cycle of racy, even if some are reluctant Young people have perhaps lege was a political assassina- match its land and maritime dafi’s regime, the intervention minishing the group’s capabil- feckless wars, devoid of any or passionate supporters of been the greatest agitators for unleashed instability. Compet- ities. According to the Penta- connection to reality. The myth military or Islamist dictatorship. tion attempt. change and have given their counterparts. Serge Schme- "I'm not going to lie, pre- mann of the New York Times ing factions and militias vied gon, the operation has de- of the easy war only promises Fallen into a wormhole elders lessons in courage, de- Today, it is hard to believe tend that I’m a hero and say I claimed Kosovo provided “a for power and control in the stroyed 16,705 targets, includ- more Iraqs, more Afghanistans, termination and grit - schools that those momentous events don't feel fear," Zyada said in have become breeding grounds refutation of the common wis- ensuing power vacuum, a pat- ing 129 tanks and 4,942 fight- more Libyas, more Syrias. an interview after his release. tern that continues nearly five ing positions as of November Wars are messy, unpredict- occurred only five years ago. for rebels. dom that airpower alone could Like a 21st century Alice, Egyp- "I am afraid, but I’m not going years later. In “Lessons from 13, 2015. Yet, the aerial cam- able, bloody affairs. To forget Whether or not Egyptians never make a despot back tians seem to have fallen into a to be silent." Libya: How Not to Intervene,” paign has failed to translate this fundamental fact is to con- heed the call of the shrunken down.” Airpower had evolved wormhole in which time, space But it is not just revolution- ranks of activist to take to the Alan Kuperman argued, tactical successes into strate- cede success before the first the myth of the easy war to a and history have been warped aries who feel fear. Despite be- streets once again on January martial enterprise devoid of the “NATO’s action magnified the gic advances, while providing shot. and speeded up. ing the one with the guns, the 25, it does not mean they never In only five years, Egypt soldiers, the police and the pris- will again. Egyptians have dis- has gone through more chang- on cells, the Sisi regime is the covered their latent ability to es in leadership than over the one that is acting terrified, es- move immobile mountains and LETTER TO THE EDITOR pecially so in the run-up to Jan- preceding six decades. The have broken the fear barrier. country has hurtled through uary 25. When they do eventually revolution, counterrevolution, The trouble with the revo- rise again, a deep social revo- and anti-revolution, and its lution was that the euphoria it lution may enable them to un- people have ridden the emo- aroused raised too many high leash their creativity to the max- tional rollercoaster that has tak- expectations. imum - perhaps even reinvent- Legitimacy of the government en them from the heights of ela- This panic was amply dem- ing democracy to suit their tion to the depths of deflation. onstrated this month by what needs. Though everything prom- has been described as "the "I am deeply convinced Chief of the Afghanistan New National Front Party (ANNF), Anwarul Haq Ahadi, is a staunch opponent of the current government. He got ised change, nothing seems to toughest security crackdown in that the future is ours and that some reasons to oppose it. However, on the legitimacy he cannot be correct, at least absolutely, because the 2014 presidential election was Egypt's history" which has in- contested by both Muhammad Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah. have changed. This has led to we are now witnessing the be- No matter who rig the polls and how, but the important thing is that both leaders are part of the government now thus, proving that they a sense of despondency and cluded a spate of arrests, the ginning of the end of this ty- have mandate of the public. It is a win-win situation both for the government and public. How the government is performing is entirely a despair, with many signing off random, arbitrary searching of rannical state," believes different topic and issue that needs a comprehensive debate. on the revolution's death cer- thousands of downtown apart- Khaled Fahmy, a history pro- Till then terming the government illegitimate is injustice, especially to those who defied the odds and went to the polling ments. stations to cast vote. We shall not hurt public sentiments through such statements. Their mandate shall be respected by the tificate or, worse, claiming that fessor who has been chroni- former officials. it was never born in the first The underlying reason for cling the revolution. Ahmadullah Sakhi Kabul city place. this fear are clear: while Egyp- Khaled Diab is an award- Letter to editor will be edited for policy, content and clarity. All letters must have the writer’s name and Though everything prom- tians have changed, their lead- winning Egyptian-Belgian jour- address. You may send your letters to: [email protected] ised to change, nothing seems ers have not, and they live in a nalist, writer and blogger. He is to have changed. But is this delusion that the old ways can the author of Intimate Enemies: disillusionment justified? be restored through violence. Living with Israelis and Pales- It is true that the existing "A profound gulf now ex- tinians in the Holy Land. Disclaimer: order has proved remarkably ists between a ruling class in- He blogs at adept at clinging on to power. tent on governing as if noth- www.chronikler.com. The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the author(s) First, the regime sacrificed its ing has changed and large The views expressed in this head to save its body. Then the swaths of a democratic citizen- article are the author's own and and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Afghanistan Times. military tried to rule directly and ry for whom something funda- do not necessarily reflect Al co-opt the revolutionaries. Fail- mental has altered," writes Jack Jazeera's editorial policy. 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. SUNDAY. JANUARY 24, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES

In an environment where econom- ranking of the top destinations for years has been laid down. In November 2015 the Cabi- land, the foreign companies will is now allowed in Regional Air tified in the report where signifi- ic growth is modest, India today greenfield investment (measured Other forward looking initia- net approved a bailout plan for have a stake of the remaining 74% Transport Services; FDI of up to cant policy changes have been stands as a bright spot among the by estimated capital expenditure) tives by the government include state government-owned electrici- in each of the plants. The plants 49% is allowed in the defence sec- made include: FDI; tariffs and cus- global economies. The Internation- in the first half of 2015 shows In- nod for IPOs/FPOs by banks to ty distribution companies (Dis- will be up and running within 3 tor under the automatic route and toms procedures; local content and al Monetary Fund (IMF) in its dia at number one, having attract- raise funds