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Pakistan s cooperation key ACCORD REACHED ON to peace reviving Af-Pak peace jirga success: Tanin KABUL: The Khyber-Pakhtunkh- of the province were also in atten- wa (KP) government and Afghan- dance. WASHINGTON: Cooperation By Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spant a advantage by the use of this word. mandu and in opening ceremony istan have agreed that the refugees Leader of Opposition Maula- between Afghanistan and Pakistan However, the problem is their in- of the National Assembly this year. living in Pakistan will not be forc- na Lutfur Rehman, QWP member is key to the success of peace pro- These days, just turn over pages tensions. The other political figure is Per- ibly repatriated to their home coun- Sikandar Sherpao, provincial min- cess with the Taliban, a top Af- of newspapers or give your ears Using the word of proxy war vez Musharraf, the former presi- try. isters Shahram Tarakai, Inayatul- ghan diplomat told members of the and eyes to analysts on TVs and in current political discussions is dent of Pakistan s military govern- The two sides also agreed on lah Khan, Mushtaq Ghani and Security Council on Monday. radios, you will come across a fre- indebted to two political figures in ment, who in his interview with reviving the Pak-Afghan Peace Jir- other lawmakers were also present. We welcome the new phase quently-used word. the region. The first is Moham- the Guardian divided the people ga, involving government officials, The ambassador said a delega- of cooperation between Afghani- This frequently used word is, mad Ashraf Ghani, the president of Afghanistan into two parts: The tribal elders and public represen- tion of Afghan military officers stan and Pakistan towards the proxy war . Many take advan- of the National Unity Govern- Pashtuns who are pro-Pakistan tatives from the neighbouring would visit Peshawar and Quetta shared goal of peace and reconcili- tages of the use of this word, both ment, who used the word several and non-Pashtun tribes who are countries. The first such forum was soon to forge cooperation against ation, Afghan Ambassador Zahir overt and covert. There is no prob- times including during his speech pro-India. held in 2008 in Kabul. terrorists. However, he gave no Tanin. lem with the way they are taking at the SAARC summit in Kat- See P9... A mechanism to boost bilater- dates. It is essential to the success of al trade and provide better health The neighbours vowed coop- the peace process and heralds a facilities to Afghan patients was eration in the more efficient use of new era of relations between our Obama also agreed, said a joint statement water resources and in areas of two brother nations, Afghan Am- ICJ urged to prosecute Musharraf after Monday s meeting in Pesha- education, research, agriculture and bassador to the UN, Zahir Tanin consulting war. industry. said during UNSC debate. Afghan Ambassador Janan A special mechanism would be He also hailed support from for supporting militancy aides on pace of Mosazai, KP Chief Minister Per- created to promote trade, invest- Afghanistan s partners, particular- By Akhtar M. Nikzad vaiz Khattak, Speaker Asad Qais- ment between Khyber Pakhtunkh- ly in the region and the Islamic er and prominent political leaders wa and Afghanistan. (Pajhwok) world, for facilitating the peace KABUL: Civil society activists comment represented his govern- bility for war crimes in Afghani- drawdown process. Tanin said lasting peace urged the International Court of ment s hostility toward Afghani- stan, but the international commu- st was critical to building a prosper- Justice (ICJ) to prosecute the stan. nity is still reluctant to take any WASHINGTON: US President Kabul to host 21 TAPI meeting ous and stable Afghanistan. former Pakistani military ruler, This is not the first time that action. Barack Obama is consulting his After the debate, the UN Se- Pervez Musharraf, for his support a Pakistani official confess his gov- He added that the Afghan gov- national security team and military AT News Report curity Council unanimously to militant groups in Afghanistan. ernment s inimical foreign policy ernment has constantly mounted leadership on the pace of the mili- Musharraf in an interview towards Afghans, but the Pakistani its concerns over the past 13 years tary drawdown from Afghanistan, KABUL: The 21st steering com- mines and petroleum will chair the adopted a resolution extending the with the Guardian recently con- Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, in that Pakistan is providing sanctu- the White House said on Monday. mandate of the United Nations mittee meeting of Turkmenistan upcoming steering committee meet- fessed that when he was in power, his speech to the parliament had aries to the Taliban and global ter- The president has been close- Afghanistan Pakistan India ing, Mustaghni added. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan Pakistan supported terrorist said that he managed to destroy rorist networks. ly consulting with his national se- (UNAMA) for another year. (TAPI) gas pipeline project is go- He said that technical work groups to undermine the govern- Afghanistan s army by fueling civil US drone strike killed Osa- curity team and with his command- ing to be held on 19th March, 2015 teams of the four shareholders will The Security Council request- ment of the ex-President Hamid wars in the country, Zwak add- ma bin Laden in Abbottabad area ers on the ground about the ed that the secretary-general ini- Karzai. ed. of Pakistan, but the international in Kabul, said the Ministry of For- hold session ahead of the event. proper pace of that military draw- eign Affairs (MoFA). Agenda of the steering com- tiate a process to conduct within Afghanistan Tribal Council, He said that the Taliban by community is yet to take any ac- down, the White House press six months a full examination of Afghan National Movement and receiving support from Mushar- tion against Pakistan for its sup- mittee meeting will mainly revolve secretary said. Josh Earnest told over transparency in giving con- the role, structure and activities of Afghanistan Civil Society s Coor- raf s government in Pakistan port to militants, Amarkhel add- reporters at his daily news confer- dination Center in a joint press launched several terrorist attacks ed. The three organizations also ence the US military personnel tract of the project through a com- conference here on Tuesday came on Afghan government institutions issued resolution, where they continued to serve in Afghanistan petitive bidding, he went on as hard on Pervez Musharraf for his and foreign embassies in Afghani- asked the International Court of -- to carry out some counterter- saying. recent remarks and said that the stan that led to killing of innocent Justice to prosecute Musharraf for rorism missions that protected the The 20th steering committee international community should civilians. The militant group at- war crimes in Afghanistan. American people and the Afghans. meeting of the natural gas pipeline not turn its blind eye towards the tacked Indian Embassy in 2008 and The resolution urged the inter- The American personnel are also project was held in Islamabad re- issue. then it launched an organized at- national community to black list cently. They stressed that Mushar- tack on US embassy in 2011, he Pakistan in order to put pressure engaged in an effort to train, ad- vise and support Afghan security It is pertinent to mention that raf s remarks were not accidental, added. the country to restrain from sup- drafting and technical discussion but had he repeated the same com- He said that based on interna- porting militancy and extremism forces as they have taken security ments in his interview with Wall tional laws, Pakistan s engagement in the region. They in the resolu- responsibility for their country. He over the TAPI natural gas pipeline Street Journal on 25th February this in proxy wars was clear aggression tion sought war compensation added Obama would listen care- project have started in 2002. year, where he said that the Af- of the country against Afghani- from Pakistan. Participants of the fully to advice from his national TAPI is a proposed natural ghan government should share stan s sovereignty. conference said that it was time security team and military com- gaspipeline being developed by the power with the Taliban. Atiqullah Amarkhil, another for militant groups to realize that manders on the pace of the draw- Asian Development Bank. Ghulam Jailani Zwak, a civil participant of the conference, said they are being used as a tool of down. Earnest said by the begin- It is expected to be completed society activist, said Musarraf s Pakistan itself claimed responsi- foreign policy. ning of 2017, the president envi- Shekib Mustaghni, spokesman around 2018, the pipeline will sioned a scenario where the US for the MoFA, told media-men on transport Caspian Sea natural gas Security up in military presence in Afghanistan Tuesday that concerned ministers from Turkmenistan through Af- 729 drug traffickers held: CJTF would be substantially reduced to of the four countries and other ghanistan into Pakistan and then all UN entities in Afghanistan. a Kabul-centric presence: protect- stakeholders of the project will to India. The cost of the pipeline Mazar-i-Sharif for ing the embassy and focused on Tanin welcomed the request. AT News Report gather in Kabul to participate in project was reportedly estimated military coordination and cooper- st The process put forward in to- Nawroz festival 21 steering committee meeting of at $7.6 billion, but a more recent ation. (Pajhwok) day s resolution will allow us to KABUL: Criminal Justice Task TAPI project. Afghan minister of estimate was $10 billion. Forces (CJTF) on Tuesday said MAZAR-I-SHARIF: Security of- fully engage all stakeholders over ficials on Tuesday assured that the next six months through a new that 729 people were arrested on charges of drugs trafficking. Gen- tight security measures would be mechanism which will refine the put in place for celebrations of the UNAMA chief confident on peace talks framework of our partnership... eral Prosecution Director for CJTF, Yar Mohammad Husainkhil Nawroz festival commencing from Opening the debate, UNAMA March 21 in Mazar-i-Sharif, the Russia concerned over IS emergence in Afghanistan, says nascent head Nicholas Haysom referred to told newsmen that 712 drugs-re- lated cases had been registered and provincial capital of northern Balkh peace in Afghanistan should be protected a number of significant develop- scheduled. Balkh acting police ments that had brought renewed where 729 smugglers were nabbed. He also said that 18 public Chief Col. Abdur Razaq Qaderi, AT Monitoring Desk hope for an active peace process, while deploying a security unit at including the formation of a na- workers including police and some other governmental staffs as well the Hazrat Ali Mausoleum, told KABUL: UNAMA head, Nicho- tional unity government. Pajhwok Afghan News the city s These positive developments as three foreign citizens were las Haysom while briefing the among arrested people. 20 female security was maintained to the United Nations Security Council are testament to the efforts of Pres- most extent. Every year, Mazar-i- ident Ashraf Ghani and Chief Ex- smugglers were also arrested, he regarding the current situation in said. He pointed out that out of Sharif hosts a number of pro- Afghanistan, said that phenome- ecutive Abdullah.Their collabora- grammes celebrating the new Per- tive leadership will remain essen- 712 cases 633 were prosecuted. some 114 vehicle were nabbed nal development in peace process He stated that over 1.5 tons of from smugglers. sian year. People from across the has reinvigorate hope and the on- tial for any peace talks to progress, country visit Mazar-i-Sharif to for comprehensive electoral re- heroins, 0.5 tons morphine, 6.5 He insisted that CJTF prose- going conflict will gradually recede tons opium, 1.5 tons hashish, over cuted all the cases transparently attend the celebrations. Qaderi said to zero in the country. Afghani- forms to take hold, and for the security posts had been estab- implementation of the changes re- 3.5 tons precursors and 24,000 al- and is committed to convict ver- stan and Pakistan have carried out coholic beverages were also seized. dict on drug runners by consider- lished after every 73 meters to en- increasingly constructive dialogue quired to reinvigorate the econo- sure foolproof security and the my, he added. (Pajhwok) He also went on saying that ing law. in terms of peace, trade and secu- Mazar-Kabul and the Mazar-Shi- rity, he said. berghan highways were also under He went on saying that these Search launched for elements behind violent protest the security coverage. He said ille- positive developments were a tes- gal weapons were not allowed to tament to the efforts of President SHIBERGHAN: Security officials killed and six others injured on ed the protestors and they at- be entered the city and even li- Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive in northern Jawzjan province on Monday when the protest turned tempted to disarm policemen. censed weapons would be collect- Officer Abdullah Abdullah. Col- Tuesday said search operation has violent. Security forces stopped Residents of Qarqin and ed by police and returned to the laborative leadership is very im- been launched for the individual some people from crossing the Kham Ab districts have long been carriers after the celebrations had portant for any peace talks and who resorted to violence at a Amu River into Turkmenistan. A crossing the river into Turkmeni- ended. Despite tight security mea- also electoral reforms should be peaceful protest a day earlier. fourth man succumbed to his in- stan in search of herbal plants used sures, some resident of the city taken place, he added. Moreover, the Secretary-Gen- Afghanistan and expansion of the Police officer Abdul Manan jures at hospital today. in medicines. The river is an inter- stressed that security organs A proper intra-Afghan peace Raufi said security reinforcements Some enraged people staged a national boundary between Af- should be more active and vigilant eral Ban Ki-moon said that hand- Islamic State s geographical activ- dialoguer required strong regional ful of Taliban commander had de- ities, said Russia Deputy Ambas- had been dispatched to Qarqin to protest and tried to storm police ghanistan and Turkmenistan. to deal with possible plots. backing, with full respect of Af- break up the protest that was still and district headquarters, said Dr. Mohammad Haroon Arif (Pajhwok) clared adherence to Islamic State. sador Vladimir Safronkov. ghanistan s sovereignty, he said in There is no indication of wide- He asked the UN Security in progress around the district Deputy Governor Abdul Rahman Elbegi, the public health director, a media statement. We note the headquarters. Mahmoodi. He told Pajhwok Af- said two of the injured were in crit- spread or systematic support for Council to react immediately to Kidnapped positive initiatives taken by the ISIL in Afghanistan, he said. prevent the IS s further expansion At least three people were ghan News militants had penetrat- ical conditions. (Pajhwok) leaders of Afghanistan and Paki- We do have concerns regard- that could destabilize the nascent passengers stan in recent months, he further ing increase in terrorist threat in peace in Afghanistan. added. rescued in ANA Praising the capability of Af- ghan Security Forces, Haysom said that recent military operations in UN mission s mandate in operation Helmand and Kunar provinces FARAH CITY: Four passengers were a demonstration that the Af- Afghanistan extended for year kidnapped by insurgents on the ghan forces improved their plan- Farah-Herat highway have been ning and operation capacity. They WASHINGTON: The Security role, structure and activities of all released as a result of a rescue op- are now in a position to conduct Council on Tuesday unanimously UN entities in Afghanistan. eration, an army official said on massive-military operations with- passed a resolution renewing the Afghan Ambassador Zahir Ta- Tuesday. out assistance from foreign mandate of the United Nations nin welcomed the request. The Mohammad Hanif Rezaee, the troops, he said. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan process put forward in today s 207th Zafar Corps spokesperson, He termed the indication of for a year. resolution will allow us to fully told Pajhwok Afghan News the Islamic Stat of Iraq, or Daish as a UNAMA head Nicholas Hay- engage all stakeholders over the 19 insurgents killed in military ops Taliban had forced five passengers great concern but said that ISIS sig- som briefed the Security Council next six months through a new KABUL: At least 19 Taliban militants have been killed and another wounded a countrywide operations out of the bus in Kansk locality nificance is not so much a function on the secretary-general s latest mechanism which will refine the launched by Afghan forces over the past 24 hours. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) In a press release issued and had taken them away. of its intrinsic capacities in the area. report regarding the situation in the framework of our partnership... on Tuesday said that Afghan National Police (ANP) in collaboration with Afghan National Army (ANA) He added one of the passen- However Haysom informed the country and the world body s re- For his part, Haysom referred and National Directorate of Security (NDS) operatives conducted military offensive against insurgents in gers was still in Taliban captivity. 15-member body that the ISIL cent work there. to a number of significant devel- different areas of Nangarhar, Takhar, Kunduz, Faryab, Sar-e-Pul, Jowzjan, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Maidan The passengers were on their way The Security Council request- opments that had brought renewed Wardak, Ghazni, Paktika, Farah and Helmand provinces. At least 19 rebels were killed and one other groups were potential to offer an to Farah. Rezaee said at least six alternative flagpole to which oth- ed the secretary-general initiate a hope for an active peace process, wounded in the operation, the statement added. It further said that seven alleged Taliban insurgents were fighters were killed in the rescue arrested and handed over to judicial organizations for further inquiries. erwise isolated splinter groups process to conduct within six including the formation of a na- Afghan security forces also recovered weapons and ammunition during the operations. operation. (Pajhwok) could rally. months a full examination of the tional unity government. PAN 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. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 18, 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES 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. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 18, 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES US to keep more troops FROM AFGHANISTAN S RUBBLE, Whole host of events to in Afghanistan into mark 3-day Nawroz festival a teacher builds a school of ideas KABUL: The Ministry of Infor- of agricultural and industrial prod- Aziz Royesh is a man whose life Gandhi and Abraham Lincoln adorn She remembers him as a bun- mation and Culture announced that ucts. On the first night, we plan 2016: OFFICIALS has been defined by one over-arch- the walls. dle of energy, a man small in stat- the upcoming Nawroz festival to organise fireworks on the Wazir WASHINGTON: The Obama ad- has shown no inclination so far for ing ambition: He says he simply When NPR visited, on a re- ure but with a huge brain and a would be celebrated for three Akbar Khan hill. We hope people ministration is abandoning plans going beyond 2016; that s a hard wants to be a teacher. cent morning, Royesh was in front huge heart. straight days across the country. will enjoy. A tree plantation cam- to cut the number of U.S. forces in line drawn by the president when At 46, he has achieved that of a group of teenaged students, He seized on me, she says, goal in one of the most difficult eagerly kindling a debate. The dis- because he wanted to discuss Afghanistan to 5,500 by year s he announced the withdrawal plan. and dangerous environments in the cussion shifted to a fundamental women s liberation,democracy, end, bowing to military leaders The 2016 deadline is consid- world Afghanistan. He has also question: Should you obey soci- civil society, civil education. And who want to keep more troops ered a politically crucial national founded a school that is now win- ety s rules, if those rules are un- we talked for hours and hours and there, including many into the 2016 security goal for Obama, who ning international acclaim as a mod- just and set by autocrats, like the hours. fighting season, U.S. officials say. promised to get all troops out by el for education in that war-bat- Taliban? The girls in the group The school started out in a While no final decision on the end of his presidency, ending tered nation. weighed in. half-ruined building with only 37 numbers has been made, the offi- America s longest war. Royesh has done this without It quickly became clear that students. Using funds that cials said the administration is Obama, who also pledged to any professional teaching qualifi- Royesh is not one of those teach- D Souza helped raise, Royesh re- poised to slow withdrawal plans end the war in Iraq, has had to send furbished another building. Then, she says, he made a smart move . and probably will allow many of troops back there to help Iraqi se- He put in heating. Local fami- the 9,800 American troops to re- curity forces fight Islamic State lies, struggling to buy fuel for their main well into next year. militants. So his promise to with- stoves at home, flocked in to es- There also are discussions draw troops from Afghanistan has cape the winter cold. about keeping a steady number of taken on more political impor- This gave Royesh an oppor- counterterrorism troops into tance. tunity to set about persuading the 2015, including options under Military leaders want to keep adults particularly fathers which some would remain in the what they consider a modest to let their daughters enroll in the country or be nearby beyond 2016. number of troops in Afghanistan school. Currently, about 2,000 U.S. longer in order to protect Ameri- Marefat School now has more than 3,500 students, of whom near- The festival, which marks the paign would also kick off as part troops are conducting counterter- ca s investment and provide as ly half are female. rorism missions, and military lead- much training and advice possible His achievements become still new Persian year, would be cele- of the festivities. ers have argued that they will need to Afghan forces. Maintaining a more remarkable when you con- brated by arranging agricultural, (Pajhwok) to continue pursuing the remnants more stable number of troops, mil- sider Royesh s own education. He industrial exhibitions, theatre of al-Qaida and to monitor Islamic itary leaders have argued, would was pulled out of school when he shows, music concerts across Kab- CYCLING State militants looking to recruit allow better support of the Af- was still in the fifth grade, after ul besides other programmes in in Afghanistan. ghans during this summer s fight- cations, and despite being com- ers found in abundance in south the Soviet Union invaded Afghan- Qargha, Badam Bagh, Kart-e-Sa- CHAMPIONSHIP Officials say President Barack ing season and better prepare them pelled by conflict to end his and central Asia who expect istan in 1979. khi, Bagh Babur, Shah Shaheed Obama probably will use a Wash- for 2016 battles. own formal education at the age of their students to write down what His family lived in the eastern Shrine, Bibi Mahro and Wazir Ak- KICKS-OFF IN 10. He is the driving force behind they say, without questioning it. province of Ghazni, in a neighbor- bar Khan areas and the Kabul ington visit by Afghan President Members of Congress, includ- the creation of Marefat School, a All these students around me, hood that Royesh says was con- KABUL Ashraf Ghani this month as the ing Sen. John McCain, chairman cluster of stark buildings amid the they can easily come, and they can trolled by mujahadeen fighters bat- cricket stadium. time to announce his decision on a of the Senate Armed Services Com- mud-bound alleys on the western challenge me, he told NPR. They tling the Russians. There was Musadiq Khalili, the acting Ten females and 35 males have new withdrawal timeline. mittee, also have expressed con- edge of the Afghan capital, Kabul. can reject me. They can oppose much fighting in the area. His fa- Information and Culture Minister, kicked off a 450 kilometers cycling U.S. officials familiar with the cerns about a sharp drawdown this The students are almost all me. They can laugh with me. ther, a farmer, feared for Royesh s told Pajhwok Afghan News that a championship on Tuesday start- debate said it s not clear yet wheth- year. During a hearing last month, impoverished Hazaras, a Shia Sometimes they can even laugh at life, and decided to send him new commission comprised of ing from Kabul and finishing in er the White House will agree to a McCain, R-Ariz., said a lack of Muslim minority that s suffered me. They can! alone to take refuge in neigh- representatives from his and the Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of heavily during Afghanistan s many Marefat School was estab- boring Pakistan. Ministry of Agriculture and the Balkh province. Known as the small, symbolic decrease by the presence in Afghanistan would Gul-e-Surkh Jam Cycling Cham- end of this year or insist on a larg- create a vacuum and allow terror- years of conflict. lished in the Afghan capital in There, Royesh spent his early Kabul Municipality had been He s also one of 10 teachers 2002, just after the U.S. and its teens relying on his wits to sur- formed to make arrangements for pionship, the two top female cy- er cut. They note that there is some ists to foment the same disaster in short-listed for the Varkey allies invaded and ousted the Tali- vive. clists will be selected to partici- stiff opposition to any change, Afghanistan as we have seen in Iraq Foundation s Global Teacher ban from power. Back then, much He says that, to pay for food the festivities. pate in the 2016 Olympics in Bra- largely from national security ad- growing instability, terrorist Prize an award billed as the of the city was damaged and and lodging, he became a child la- Because of the variety of zil and the top six male cyclists viser Susan Rice. safe havens and direct threats to Nobel prize for educators. The so, recalls Royesh, were many of borer, taking whatever work he functions, it has been decided to will be selected to compete in Pa- In recent weeks, Pentagon the United States. The original winner will be announced Sunday. its citizens. could find in factories, and shops. celebrate Nawruz for three days, kistan's cycling competition. The leaders, including Defense Secre- plan Obama announced last year Royesh says, if he s chosen, he ll They were psychologically Throughout this ordeal, he car- he said, adding the festivities would cyclists will be biking from Kabul tary Ash Carter, have acknowl- would reduce the number of U.S. donate the $1 million prize money destroyed. They were very pessi- ried on studying in his spare time. be the same as previous years. to Jabal-al-Siraj of northern Par- edged the discussions about slow- troops to 5,500 by the end of to his school. mistic, you know, full of hatred, At 16, he returned to Afghanistan Khalili said officials in north- wan province and from Jabal-al- ing the pace of troop withdrawal. 2015, and take all but a routine, You only have to step inside [and] cultural violence. and set up a makeshift classroom ern Balkh province, where many Siraj to Pul-e-Khumri of northern Marefat School to realize how Around that time a British bar- in his home to teach basic literacy people gathered from across the Baghlan province then to the fin- But they increasingly are confident embassy-based security force out greatly it differs from others in oness, Frances D Souza, met Roy- to his male friends and his broth- that the military will get its way by the end of 2016. The embassy country to visit the Hazrat Ali ish line in Mazar-e-Sharif. Head Afghanistan. Facilities include esh while she was on a visit to ers. He was eventually recruited of Afghanistan's National Cycling and keep a robust force in Afghan- security mission varies widely music and art departments, and a Afghanistan. She has since become by the authorities to help estab- mausoleum, had also been tasked with making arrangements for the Federation Sadiq Sadiqi expressed istan beyond year s end. around the world, but could total studentradio station. Pictures of Speaker of the House of Lords in lish other schools in the area. his excitement about the competi- The administration, however, 1,000 troops. (AP) Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma the U.K. parliament. (NPR) celebrations. Games, concerts and other tion, calling it a chance for each athlete to improve "their technical programmes would be held in and professional skills." The cy- Alokozay Group to invest $348m in Kabul Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial cap- clists participating in the compe- ital where dignitaries from Kabul tition are in the race to qualify as KABUL: The Supreme Investment Pajhwok Afghan News the group of land. are expected to attend the func- one of the top athletes to be se- Council (SIC) on Tuesday con- wanted to invest in food and tis- The SIC is comprised of advi- tions, he said. lected to move on in the world and firmed the Alokozay Group of sue paper production. sor to the president on economic Nisar Ahmad Habibi, a senior represent Afghanistan. Companies would invest $348 He said the investment would affairs, the mines and petroleum official at the Kabul Municipality, million in various projects in cap- help generate 2,000 direct and minister, the AISA director, secre- said to better organise Nawroz fes- ital Kabul. 10,000 indirect job opportunities taries of economy, agriculture, ur- tivities in Kabul, authorities had The Jebel Ali-based Alokozay in Kabul. ban development ministries. met twice at the Ministry of In- Group of Companies had earlier According to Ahmadzai, the Headed by the minister of formation and Culture and at the requested acquisition of 71 acres SIC in its Monday meeting praised trade and commerce, other mem- Badam Bagh area. Several depart- of land to invest the amount. the Alokozay group for its invest- bers of the council are directors of ments have been given responsi- Roohullah Ahmadzai, the Af- ment plans in Afghanistan and ac- civil aviation and the Afghanistan bilities in this regard. ghanistan Investment Support cepted its request for the acquisi- Chamber of Commerce and Indus- Habibi added some 150 stalls Agency (AISA) spokesman, told tion of more than one hundred acres tries (ACCI). would be arranged for exhibitions 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. WEDNESDAY . MARCH 18 , 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Pakistani Christians hold funerals for victims of church attacks

LAHORE: Members of the Chris- ward the burial grounds, while se- tian community held funerals nior cleric Bishop Irfan Jameel ap- NEW DELHI: India continues ports from 2010 to 2014. "Between verse-engineering, to also emerge as supplies and infrastructure-build- dia' policy over the last 10 months, amidst tight security Tuesday for pealed for calm. Please remain with its embarrassing trudge on the 2005-2009 and 2010-2014, India's the third largest arms exporter. While ing are key to China's expanding there is little to show on the ground the victims of twin Taliban suicide peaceful and carry on the struggle world stage as the largest arms arms imports increased by 140%. Pakistan (41%), Bangladesh (16%) strategic footprint in both India's in terms of concrete action till now. attacks that targeted churches two against terrorism by forging unity importer, which also makes it stra- In 2005-2009, India's imports and Myanmar (12%) are its three immediate neighbourhood as well The SIPRI figures show India is days earlier in the worst attack on as a nation among ourselves, tegically vulnerable. A global think- were 23% below China's and just biggest clients, China also exported as in Africa. India, however, can- the largest arms client for both the minority group in over a year. Jameel said, adding that a memori- tank on Monday said India's weap- over double those of Pakistan," arms to 18 African countries. In sharp not even equip its own armed forc- Russia and Israel. The three larg- Seventeen people died as a result al would be built to honour the ons imports are now three times SIPRI said. There is nothing new contrast, India continues to grapple es properly, leave alone use mili- est suppliers to India are Russia of the suicide bombings in the You- martyrs of Youhanabad . Punjab larger than its neighbours China in India's dubious distinction of with a fledgling DIB, importing 65% tary aid to influence others. India (70%), the US (12%) and Israel hanabad district of Lahore, with and Pakistan as well as cash-rich being the largest arms importer due of its military hardware and software. has spent over $120 billion on (7%). But government figures home minister Shuja Khanzada Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The to its abject failure to build a strong India has spent Rs 1,03,536 crore arms acquisitions over the last 15 show the US has actually overtak- more than 70 wounded. Two men meanwhile told AFP the govern- latest data on international arms defence industrial base (DIB), as ($16.72 billion) in direct payments years, and will spend another esti- en Russia as the largest defence were later lynched by a mob who ment was hunting the culprits of transfers released by Stockholm repeatedly reported by earlier. But to foreign armament companies in the mated $120 billion in the coming supplier in the last three years, suspected they were militants, the attack. Also Tuesday, police International Peace Research Insti- the figures do show how China has last five years, while exporting arms decade, as reported by TOI earli- notching sales worth Rs 32,615 though authorities Tuesday an- said the Muslim family of one of tute (SIPRI) shows India account- got its act together to assiduously worth a paltry Rs 2,644 crore ($426 er. Despite the Modi government's crore as compared to Russia's Rs nounced they were investigating the men killed by a Christian mob ed for 15% of the global arms im- build a stronger DIB, often by re- million) in the same time. Military tom-tomming of the 'Make in In- 25,448 crore. claims by relatives of one of the had reported his death and said he men that he was an innocent shop- was the owner of a glasscutting keeper caught up in the fracas. shop and had no ties to the Tali- India should Take a look: Lahore lynching vic- ban attack. The family of the man, Hasina calls for making Bangladesh tim identified as local glass cutter identified as Muhammad Saleem, play bigger role The attack also sparked two days said in an application that he was Khan in 1958, the movement of rioting by thousands of Chris- innocent and he had no link or a in south China against the Education Commission tians who clashed with water can- role whatsoever in the attacks, sea, says a safe abode for children in 1962, the historic six-point de- on-wielding police, blocked roads city police chief Amin Wains told mand of 1966, the mass upsurge and forced a partial shutdown of AFP, adding his force was investi- Singapore Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yes- gether being imbued with the spirit mands of the people of Bangladesh. in 1969, general elections in 1970 the city's public bus system. At gating the matter. Interior Minis- terday called upon people to take of the Liberation War and build a The main aim of Bangabandhu s and the Independence War of 1971 least two Christians were also ter Khan meanwhile vowed to Singapore said it wants India to a fresh vow to turn Bangladesh into hunger, poverty and illiteracy-free long career was to free the Bangali were steered under the undaunted killed Monday when a panicked bring the perpetrators of the mob play a bigger role in the South Chi- a safe abode for children and build Sonar Bangla as dreamt by the Fa- nation from the shackle of subjuga- leadership of Bangabandhu. Hasi- female motorist drove through a killings to justice. Burning two na Sea as China hastens land recla- a country free from hunger, pov- ther of the Nation. Paying her deep tion, she said. The Pakistani rulers na said his charismatic leadership crowd of protesters, Interior Min- people alive and damaging public mation in the disputed waters that erty and illiteracy as dreamt by homage to Bangabandhu on his 95th at the very outset made onslaught and personality brought the whole ister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told property is also... (a) form of ter- Father of the Nation Bangabandhu birth anniversary and the National on our mother tongue and Banga- carry some of the world s busiest nation under one umbrella. We got parliament Tuesday, revising an rorism, he said. All those who shipping lanes. Singapore has been Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On the Children s Day, the prime minister bandhu was detained on March 11, the coveted independence and a eve of the birthday of the Father conveyed her best wishes to peo- 1948 while a general strike was in earlier figure of one death in the have done this will be identified a strong supporter of India s in- sovereign Bangladesh. The Banga- incident. Around a dozen people through the video footage and will creased engagement in the region of the Nation as well as the Na- ple, especially children. She said force to realise the demand of recog- li nationalism got flourished, she tional Children s Day, I urge peo- Bangabandhu had a limitless affec- nising Bangla as the state language. were also injured. Examine: Mob be arrested. Christians, who make through security forums, Defense said. She said Bangabandhu was lynching is worst kind of terror- up around two per cent of Paki- Minister Ng Eng Hen said in an ple of the country to take a fresh tion for children, and that is why the From 1948 to 1952, Bangabandhu not only the leader of Bangalis but ism , says Nisar In the low-income stan's mostly Muslim population interview on Monday after a meet- vow to transform our beloved day of his birth has been declared as was put behind bars time and again. also a forerunner in realising the ing with Southeast Asian counter- motherland into a safe abode for the National Children s Day. On But he continued to lead the strug- rights of the oppressed and de- Youhanabad neighbourhood, home of 180 million, have been increas- parts in Langkawi, an island in children, she said in a message. this day, I pray to Almighty Allah gle whether he was in jail or in free- prived masses of the world. to more than 100,000 Christians, ingly targeted in recent years, of- Malaysia. The group declared its Hasina said children would have for the eternal peace of the departed dom. During the tragic incident of When Bangabandhu devoted him- police and paramilitary rangers ten over allegations of profanity commitment to the principle of no to learn the true history of the soul of Bangabandhu and for the February 21 in 1952, Bangabandhu self to rebuilding the country, the were out in force preventing out- regarding the Quran or the Proph- first use of force, he said. We motherland and the struggling life prosperous future of our children and was in confinement and gave direc- anti-liberation and reactionary forc- siders from entering. We have de- et Mohammed (PBUH). Sunday's hope that their presence and par- of Bangabandhu to build their per- juveniles, she said. Recalling Bang- tives from internment, she noted. es brutally killed him along with ployed more than 5,000 policemen attacks were the worst on the com- ticipation will increase -- that real- sonality and flourish their patrio- abandhu s long struggling life, Hasi- As a continuation, she said, the vic- most of his family members on and paramilitary rangers," senior munity since a devastating double ly adds up to engagement and con- tism. Let us come and sacrifice na said Bangabandhu was fearless, tory of the United Front in 1954 August 15, 1975 to halt the spirit police official Haider Ashraf told suicide-bombing in the northwest- fidence building and mutual under- our present for the welfare of our courageous and benevolent and the election, the anti-martial law move- of the Liberation War and devel- AFP. Shops were closed as griev- ern city of Peshawar in September standing, Ng said, referring to children s future. Let us work to- last resort for realising righteous de- ment against the military junta Ayub opment spree, she said. ing residents made their way to- 2013 killed 82 people. Asia s third-biggest economy. In- dia is a big country and it s an in- fluential country. India s involve- ment in the region could give South- Rangers register case against east Asian nations a further buffer against China as that country MQM chief Altaf Hussain seeks to enforce its claims to the majority of the South China Sea and push back against decades of KARACHI: The Rangers filed a U.S. military dominance in the case on Tuesday against Muttahi- Pacific. China is also looking to da Qaumi Movement chief Altaf build a maritime trade route link- Hussain for allegedly threatening COLOMBO: The Maldives on Monday sought ing a network of ports through the them. A case has been registered in the support of Sri Lanka and India as the coun- Indian Ocean with Europe via the the Civil Lines police station on try faced international criticism over the impris- Suez Canal, a prospect that has the request of Rangers spokesper- onment of former president Mohamed Nasheed. unnerved India. Ng s comments son Colonel Tahir Mehmood. The Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon said the follow calls for Japan to separate- application has been filed against Maldives was being unfairly judged by some ly play an enhanced role in the the MQM chief for threatening the counties but her government would still engage South China Sea. Vice-Admiral Rangers spokesperson and other with the international community over the is- Robert Thomas, commander of the personnel following a pre-dawn sue, Xionhua reported. "We expect support from Navy s Seventh Fleet, said in Jan- raid on the MQM headquarters, Sri Lanka like we have supported Sri Lanka in uary the U.S. would welcome an Nine-Zero last week. Read: One the international fora. We are communicating with extension of Japan s air surveil- dead, several injured as Rangers raid Sri Lanka. The change of government (in Sri Lan- lance into the area, while Defense MQM headquarters In the appli- the raid threatened Rangers personnel involved in the oper- ka) has not affected our relationship with Sri Minister Gen Nakatani said last cation the Rangers spokesperson ation. According to police, the case has been registered under Lanka," she said here. The minister also said month that Japan would consider upheld the MQM chief in an in- Anti-Terrorism Act with sections pertaining to issuing that India respected the sovereignty of the conducting air and sea patrols. terview with Geo TV following threats to law enforcement agencies. Maldives and she did not expect India or any other country to attempt to give directions to moon, however, insisted that the arrest and imprisonment of Nasheed the Maldives. Nasheed was last week sentenced was a judicial matter and was not influenced by the government. She to 13 years in jail over the alleged abduction and said the alleged abduction of a chief justice by the former president was imprisonment of a former chief justice while he a serious crime and even a former president needed to be accountable for was president.The Maldives Democratic Party such actions. "We will not accept double standards," Maumoon added. (MDP), led by Nasheed, accused the govern- Meanwhile, Maldives Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb said that tour- ment of Abdulla Yameen of trying to prevent ism in the country had not been affected by the latest developments. He Nasheed from coming back to power in the pres- said the MDP had been allowed to stage protests against Nasheed`s idential election scheduled in 2018. Dunya Mau- arrests in order to ensure freedom of speech and expression. MINISTRY OF ENERGY & WATER Project Coordination Unit (Irrigation Restoration and Development project) (H-681-AF) Amendment dated 18 - Mar -2015 to Invitation for Bids (IFB) No: IRDP/IFB/Q-513 The deadline for submission of bids and Date & Time for bid opening as given in clause ITB 22.1 & 25 for Khwabgah Irrigation Scheme (Q-513) advertised against above IFB is hereby extended from 21 March, 2015 @ 10:00AM to 5 April 2015 @ 10:00AM.

CPDW,K a bul 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. WEDNESDAY . MARCH 18 , 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES UN investigators to share Syria war crimes list Secret lists of Syria war crimes suspects that have been compiled by U.N. investigators are now ready to share, the chairman of the United Nations' commission of inquiry said on Tuesday. If re- leased, the list of suspects would be shared with any prosecution authorities preparing cases. Chairman Paulo Pinheiro urged national authorities to contact the independent investigators who have compiled five confidential lists over the past four years. "We can best aid the pursuit of justice at this time through targeted dis- closure. We will share names and Independent investiga- information about specific alleged perpetrators with state prosecu- tor on war crimes in tion authorities that are prepar- Syria Paulo Pinheiro ing cases to be heard before a com- addresses U.N. Human petent and impartial judiciary," Pinheiro told the U.N. Human Rights Council in Gene- Rights Forum in Geneva. va March 17, 2015. Care more about war and peace, less about marijuana : Obama thinking about climate change, the economy and jobs, war and peace, maybe way at the bottom you should be thinking about marijua- na," Obama said. The president has previously been open about smok- ing pot in high school. Obama has long said he supports decriminal- izing marijuana but not legalizing the drug. He has called for reform of the criminal justice system for disproportionately incarcerating LAUSANNE: Switzerland Ef- Iran and six major powers -- the had been made but "important tivities for at least 10 years in ex- major oil exporter's economy. A African Americans for non-violent forts to reach a political agreement United States, Britain, France, points" were unresolved. German change for the gradual easing of senior Iranian official doubted drug offenses like marijuana pos- on Iran's nuclear program by the Germany, Russia and China. "We ll Foreign Minister Frank-Walter some sanctions. The parties have whether a deal would be reached session. The president told Vice end of the month intensified on see what happens the rest of the Steinmeier said a deal could not be set a June 30 deadline to finalize this week as there were gaps on he believes there are "legitimate" Tuesday as negotiations between week but for now we re not there," struck "at any price". With the Ira- all the technical details of an ac- some important issues, although concerns about substance abuse the United States and Iran resumed, a senior Western diplomat said. nian new year holiday of Norouz cord. Western officials say private- the atmosphere at the talks was and marijuana. "There is a legiti- and Western officials warned that "The Americans had the same feel- approaching this weekend, offi- ly that overcoming disagreements good. European Union foreign pol- mate, I think, concern about the tough issues remained unresolved. ing in Lausanne." A senior U.S. of- cials close to the talks say it will on some of the remaining sticking icy chief Federica Mogherini told overall effect this has on society, The U.S. and Iranian delegations ficial, speaking after several hours be difficult to complete a political points would be very difficult. reporters in Brussels the talks had particularly on vulnerable parts of led by U.S. Secretary of State John of talks on Monday, said Iran had agreement this week. If it is not Sticking points include the level of been helpful. A European diplo- our society," he said. "We may ac- Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minis- "tough" choices to make. "We are possible by the weekend, the talks Iran's enrichment activities and matic source, however, said sub- U.S. President Obama said Amer- tually be able to make some ter Mohammad Javad Zarif began trying to get there but quite frank- could reconvene in the final days how sanctions would be lifted. stantial gaps remained and it was ica s younger generation should progress on the decriminalization another round of talks in the Swiss ly we still do not know if we will of March. Zarif said all sides need- Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Zanga- not clear they could be resolved in care more about politics and cli- side," Obama said. "At a certain city of Lausanne after the Iranians be able to," the official told report- ed to keep talking this week to see neh said "unjust" Western sanc- the coming days. mate change, and less about legal- point, if enough states end up de- returned overnight from Brussels ers on Monday. "Iran still has to what could be achieved. "On some tions should be lifted, the official "The talks were lengthy and in- izing marijuana. After being asked criminalizing, the Congress may where they had met European for- make some very tough and neces- issues we are closer to a solution IRNA news agency reported on depth, but they did not enable us in an interview with Vice News to then reschedule marijuana," he said. eign ministers. Senior European sary choices to address the signif- and based on this we can say solu- Monday. He said Iran was ready to narrow our differences," the comment on the topic, the presi- Rescheduling refers to reclassify- officials were expected in Lau- icant concerns that remain about tions are within reach. At the same to increase oil exports by up to 1 source said after Zarif met his dent said the marijuana debate ing the drug as a less dangerous sanne later on Tuesday, with for- its nuclear program." The U.S. of- time, we are apart on some issues," million bpd when sanctions are lift- French, German and British coun- shouldn't be young people's big- substance. The Justice Department eign ministers possibly joining ficial said the sides would work he told the Iranian news agency ed and this would not have an im- terparts. gest priority" when considering his under Obama has taken a hands- them at the end of the week if talks through the end of the month if IRNA. The six world powers are pact on crude oil prices. U.S. and The West suspects Tehran of want- legacy. "First of all, it shouldn't be off approach to enforcing a federal advance. A Western diplomat said needed to secure a deal. Speaking trying to reach a political frame- EU sanctions that came into force ing to create an atomic weapons young people's biggest priority," ban on the drug use in states such "we're still not there yet" on reach- to reporters in Brussels late on work agreement with Iran by the in 2012 prohibit the import, pur- capability. Tehran denies that and Obama said in the interview. as Colorado, Washington and Alas- ing an end-March deadline for a Monday, French Foreign Minis- end of the month that would curb chase and transport of Iranian pe- says its research is for purely "Young people: I understand this ka where recreational marijuana use framework agreement between ter Laurent Fabius said progress Tehran s most sensitive nuclear ac- troleum products, crippling the peaceful purposes. is important to you, but as you be is allowed. US returns more ISIS beheads recruiters for HAIFA: Israelis are heading to the ipi Livni and Finance Minister Yair Joint List "With all these defects, Herzog is a blend of Herzog'sLabor pro-Baghdad polls in a crucial election seen as a Lapid and announced elections for Israel is a very vibrant democracy Party, and former Foreign Minis- than 60 smuggled referendum on Prime Minister the 20th Knesset. Although Her- and people have a good sense of ter Tzipi Livni's Hatnua party. It's Benjamin Netanyahu, who ruled zog and Livni campaigned on the knowing when it's time to change," analliance of two parties. The alli- militia out a Palestinian state as part of a promise to rotate in the role of Trajtenberg told Al Jazeera. "I trust ance is pushing for renewed peace The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria last-ditch appeal to right-wing vot- prime minister, Livni announced in the people and the democratic with thePalestinians. Yair Lapid, a artifacts to Iraq (ISIS) posted pictures Tuesday of ers. Around six million Israelis are late Monday that she was forgo- tradition." Analysts explain that former TV star, leads Yesh Atid. the beheadings of four men it said eligible to take part in the vote on ing that agreement and that only Likud's performance may be Thecentrist party joined Likud in were recruiters for pro-government Tuesday to elect 120 deputies for Herzog will serve as the premier if harmed by the emergence of new 2013 as its senior coalition part- More than 60 Iraqi artifacts ille- that were returned to Iraq. (Reu- militia fighting its militants in the Knesset, or parliament. Short- the Zionist Union wins. The move right-wing parties, such as the Ku- ner. Kulanu is a new party headed gally smuggled into the United ters). The ICE said the investiga- northern Iraq. The images show ly after the polls opened at 7:00am sparked backlash from opponents, lanu party, which draws from by former Likud ministerMoshe States, including items from Sadd- tion identified a broad transnational four men dressed in black kneeling (0500 GMT), Netanyahu and his including the prime minister. "Two Likud's traditional support base. Kahlon. He's campaigning on eco- am Hussein s private airport and criminal organization dealing in il- in an empty street with knife- family cast their ballots at a poll- things are evident: the first is that "The question now is whether it nomics, and could become king- palace, were returned back to Bagh- licit cultural property. Some of the wielding militants standing behind ing station in West Jerusalem. Net- they are lying - either that they will weaken Likud enough to fur- maker of acoalition government. dad on Monday, the Department network s shipments were direct- them, after which they are pictured anyahu's ruling out of a Palestin- lied before or they're lying now," ther fragment the party s dominant Arab-backed parties led by Ayman of Homeland Security s Immigra- ly linked to major museums, gal- being beheaded. Text accompany- ian state appeared to have failed Netanyahu said. "The second thing position on the right," Dahlia Odeh have formed analliance - the tion and Customs Enforcement leries and art houses in New York. ing the photographs said the be- to boost his electoral prospects. - they are unable to handle the pres- Scheindlin, an independent poll- Joint List. Representing Israeil's 20 (ICE) has said. These ancient Some of the artifacts from more headings were carried out in Sala- According to the opinion poll by sure." Time for change Former Is- ster, told Al Jazeera. "If it further percent Arab minority, itcould treasures we are returning do not than 60 Iraqi cultural treasures il- heddin province, where Iraqi troops backed by militia are fight- Israeli daily Haaretz , the Zionist raeli President Shimon Peres pub- fragments it, it could mean that emerge as the third-largest bloc. On belong in the hands of any private legally smuggled into the United Union led by Isaac Herzog is ahead licly endorsed the Zionist Union s Likud may not be able to [catch the far right there's Yisrael Beitenu collection or any one owner. They States that were returned to Iraq. ing to retake the provincial capital Tikrit from ISIS. The exact loca- of Likud by four seats. Herzog Herzog. Zionist Union candidate up to] the Zionist Union," she add- - led by ForeignMinister Avigdor belong to the people of Iraq where (Reuters). The investigation has has also cast his ballot in Jerusa- Manuel Trajtenberg said that Isra- ed. Main players The Likud par- Lieberman. The party's populari- they will be displayed and pro- resulted in one arrest, multiple sei- tion where the photos were taken was unclear, and their authentici- lem. National elections are held ev- el "is at a crucial junction right now. ty is led by Prime Minister Ben- ty has fallen in the polls since tected, said Assistant Secretary zures of antiquities ranging from ty could not be independently con- ery four years, unless Israel s par- We have hit a dead end in terms of jaminNetanyahu, who started the breaking an alliance with Likud, of Homeland Security and ICE Libya, Egypt, and Afghanistan, and firmed. ISIS spearheaded a sweep- liament, the Knesset, votes to dis- socio-economic issues, as well as campaign all but assuring that and after a number of corruption Director Sarah R. Salda a. ICE the return of many of artifacts. A ing offensive that overran large ar- solve the government and hold new our international diplomatic rela- Likud would stay inoffice. But re- scandals. Ostensibly attempting will not allow the illicit greed of repatriation ceremony with Af- eas north and west of Baghdad last elections. In early December, Net- tions. Change has to come". Vox cent polls have rattled that confi- to mitigate the potentially harm- some to trump the cultural histo- ghanistan was held two years ago year. anyahu fired Justice Minister Tz- Pops: Why we will vote for the dence. Zionist Union led by Isaac ful effects. ry of an entire nation. Some of and future repatriations are antici- the artifacts from more than 60 Ira- pated, the ICE added. qi cultural treasures illegally smug- gled into the United States that Syria raids on ISIS bastion kill scores of civilians were returned to Iraq. (Reuters). Death toll rises On behalf of the Government and were the target of the series of people of Iraq, I would like to ex- in cyclone-hit strikes. "Syrian government forc- press my gratitude and apprecia- es have shown flagrant disregard tion to the U.S. Government and Vanuatu for the rules of war in these ruth- HSI special agents (the soldiers The UN says at least 24 people less air strikes," said Amnesty's behind the scenes), and all those are confirmed dead and more than Middle East and North Africa di- who contributed in restoring this 3,000 people displaced by a mas- rector Philip Luther. "Some of priceless heritage that belongs to sive cyclone that hit Vanuatu. Di- these attacks give every indication Iraq and its people, said U.S. saster management officials and of being war crimes," he added. Ambassador to Iraq Lukman Fai- relief workers are still struggling "The government appears indiffer- ly. Some of the artifacts from more to establish contact with remote ent to the carnage caused by these than 60 Iraqi cultural treasures il- outer islands that bore the brunt strikes, refusing even to acknowl- legally smuggled into the United of Cyclone Pam's winds of more edge civilian casualties they have States that were returned to Iraq. than 300 kph on Friday and Satur- caused." Luther acknowledged that (Reuters). Today is a historic day day. Aid agencies and rescue teams Raqqa is a stronghold of ISIS jiha- that documents the deep relation- from Australia and New Zealand dists, but said their presence did ship, cooperation and friendship have flown over the islands, but not justify attacks on civilian tar- between Iraq and the United have so far been unable to land gets. The group repeated a call for States. While we stand here united because of flooding, the Reuters the war in Syria to be referred to with our friends and allies, we send news agency reported on Monday. the International Criminal Court, a strong message to Daesh and its The helicopters will be able to land saying it would "send a message destruction that we are committed on higher ground, giving rescue to all warring parties". It also urged to defeating the terror, rebuilding workers a clearer picture of the an arms embargo to "stem the flow our country and preserving its cul- overall impact. Baldwin Lonsdale, the country's president, said that of weapons being used to commit tural heritage. The return of our these crimes". More than 215,000 looted archeological items is a na- the island nation has lost years of development progress and must people have been killed in Syria tional project and we call upon all "start over" after the cyclone rav- since March 2011, when anti-re- countries to help us in preserving aged most of the islands' buildings. gime protests began, according to this heritage which is not only valu- "This is a very devastating cyclone the Britain-based Syrian Observa- able for Iraq but for all mankind. in Vanuatu. I term it as a monster, tory for Human Rights monitor- Included in the recovered items a monster. It's a setback for the ing group. The government put was the Head of Assyrian King government and for the people of down the demonstrations with Sargon II, a limestone fragmentary Vanuatu," the president said. Loot- force and the situation spiraled head of Lamassu, the winged bull, ing A 6pm to 6am curfew had been The Syrian government killed more than 100 civilians in a series of "ruthless air strikes" on a bastion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) into a brutal civil conflict. Nearly from the Palace of Sargon II. Some imposed in the capital to prevent group last year, Amnesty International said Tuesday. In a new report, the London-based human rights group said some of the strikes launched by a third of those killed in the con- of the artifacts from more than 60 looting, said Colin Collett van the regime in November 2014 on the city of Raqqa gave "every indication of being war crimes". The group said the strikes carried out between flict are civilians, and around half Iraqi cultural treasures illegally Rooyen, Oxfam's country manag- November 11 and 29 killed 115 civilians, including 14 children, and hit non-military targets including a mosque, a transport hub and a busy market. of Syria's population has been dis- smuggled into the United States er. Raqqa city is the self-proclaimed capital of the brutal ISIS jihadist group in Syria, but Amnesty said there was no indication that militant positions placed by the war. 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. WEDNESDAY .MARCH 18 , 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES

We a r e a n a t ion a l in st it u t ion a n d n ot t h e voice of a gov t or a p r iva t e or ga n iza t ion AFGHANISTAN TIMES Editor: Abdul Saboor Sarir Phone No: +93-772364666 E-mail: [email protected]

Email: [email protected] Tajikistan has not held what Western observers would consider a free and fair election since 1992. www.afghanistantimes.af Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi Advisory editorial board Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal Graphic-Designers: Mansoor Faizy and Edriss Akbari Marketing & Advertising: Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press The constitution says

Article 98: The House of People shall not delay approval of the budget for more than one month after receiving it and give permission to obtain or grant loans not included in the budget, for more than fifteen days. If the House of People during this period does not decide on obtaining or granting loans, the proposal shall be considered approved. People vote at a polling station during previous parliamentary elections. (FILE) Tajikistan has not held what West- procedures meant that an honest choice. Amendments in 2014 to announce their goals and programs. ern observers would consider a free count could not be guaranteed. Tajikistan s election law addressed Genuinely democratic elections Editorial and fair election since 1992. The Indeed, more than half of the vote some long-standing recommenda- cannot be held without real debate parliamentary elections on March counts monitored by Western ob- tions by the OSCE Office for Dem- in the media, an independent elec- 1st were no exception and fell short servers were assessed negatively. ocratic Institutions and Human tion administration, and an envi- Peace jirga and Afghan refugees plight of these standards. According to The United States encourages the Rights (ODIHR), but further re- ronment free of repression. Unfor- the Tajik Election Commission, the government of Tajikistan to make form is needed. The law was often tunately all of these were missing, People s Democratic Party of the additional reforms proposed selectively interpreted in a man- Mr. Haraszti said. The United Why things in the Af-Pak remain untidy? Why our region has been Tajikistan led by President Emo- by the OSCE. Although the gov- ner that restricted the freedoms of States encourages the government hit by troubles? Is it the will of God? Or the game of devils? Or the mali Rahmon, reportedly won over ernment of Tajikistan made some expression and assembly, as well of Tajikistan to make the addition- lack of political will and irony in our words and actions? Perhaps, 65 percent of the vote, with some improvement to the electoral law, as the right to access information. al reforms proposed by the OSCE political elites, both in Afghanistan and Pakistan, have been mas- 87 percent turnout. But accord- the Organization for Security and The head of the OSCE/ODIHR in order to ensure that future elec- ing to the head of the European Cooperation in Europe determined long-term election observation tions meet international election tered in looking for troubles and creating them everywhere. And Parliament observer delegation, that restrictions on the right to run, mission, Miklos Haraszti, said that standards, uphold internationally when it comes to diagnose, they do, but incorrectly. And the result Norber Neuser, there were sig- on freedom of expression and as- state-run media outlets were used recognized civil and political rights, is wrong remedies application. Why they should thump their chests nificant shortcomings, including sembly, and on access to the me- by the authorities to promote the and accurately reflect the will of multiple voting and ballot box dia limited the opportunity of vot- ruling party, while other parties the people of for just keeping diplomatic missions intact or trading relations go- stuffing, and disregard of counting ers to make a free and informed were given limited opportunity to Tajikistan. (Courtesy: VOA) ing on? Or why they should boast for holding peace conferences when no sides actually want peace to thrive in the region? Even if one side wants peace desperately the other side (party) denies it. And the result is in front of us all. The result is mayhem and blood- By Gideon Rachman considering its position and other bours as well as the British, who agreement that would bring togeth- large European Union (EU) states have their own hopes for attract- er 12 Pacific nations, but which shed. The two countries have abysmally failed in providing securi- The story of the Asian Infrastruc- are likely to follow Britain s lead. ing Chinese investment seem rather pointedly does not include ty to their publics. Yes they enjoy lingual, religious, cultural and ture Investment Bank (AIIB) is At that point, the only significant to have concluded that it would be China. Once again, the Americans turning into a diplomatic debacle holdouts would be Japan and the foolish to miss out. The AIIB ep- argue that this is a question of geographical bonds but despite that this region has been a hellhole for the US. By setting up and then US. That would look very bad for isode demonstrates that, in the maintaining standards of econom- for the past many decades where people are being killed as if they losing a power struggle with Chi- America. Rather than rallying its struggle for influence in Asia, Chi- ic openness rather than any effort na, Washington has sent an unin- friends in a principled opposition na s strongest card is its growing to build an anti-Chinese bloc. But are insects. Humanity is on the death. Moral corruption on the hike tended signal about the drift of to a flawed venture, the AIIB epi- economic power. America s stron- even some of their allies do not as ever. Amid such a situation hearing about the revival of Af-Pak power and influence in the 21st sode will make the US look isolat- gest card, by contrast, is its mili- wholly buy this argument and some century. As soon as China made it ed and petulant. The story will be tary might and its network of se- mutter that it is a bit peculiar to peace jirga is not a major breakthrough. It cannot be a major break- clear, back in 2013, that it intend- all the sweeter for China because curity treaties. The countries build a new trade agreement that ed to establish the bank, the US it has had a bad couple of years in caught in between face a dilemma. excludes China, the leading trading through because until there remains a lack of political will, holding set about persuading its allies to its developing struggle with Amer- Japan, Australia, the Philippines power in the Asia-Pacific region. such jirgas are meaningless. Even the change of government in boycott the new institution. The ica for power and influence in Asia. and South Korea all have security The big question in this Asian arm- Americans argued that the new By taking an increasingly aggres- treaties with the US. But every one wrestling match between the US Kabul and frequent visits of Pakistan s top military and civilian Beijing-backed bank might follow sive stance in territorial disputes of them now does considerably and China, is whether America s leadership to Kabul didn t bring about much change in the environ- less scrupulous lending standards with its neighbours, it had inad- more trade with China than the US. military muscle will ultimately than the World Bank on issues such vertently managed to strengthen South Korea, for example, relies matter more than China s economic ment. Afghans are being harassed in Pakistan. And Islamabad nev- as clean government and environ- America s position as a series of on American power to ward off might. The answer will vary issue mental standards. But it was also countries including the Philip- North Korea and perhaps, one day, by issue. But, in general, the more er shies away from pointing its fingers at Kabul whenever there is pretty clear that this was a power pines, Japan, Australia and India as a hedge against China itself. But a country feels threatened by Chi- any terror incident in Pakistan. When political and military leaders struggle. The World Bank is based moved to bolster diplomatic and China now takes more than a quar- na, the more it is likely to lean to- in Washington and its president has security ties with the US. But Chi- ter of South Korean exports com- wards America. in the region talk of peace, regional integration and joint coopera- always been an American. The na seems to have learnt from this pared with about 12 per cent that That is why Japan is likely to be tion against terror, they should mean it. Just posing before cameras AIIB, a potential rival, will be experience. In recent months, it has go to America. As a result, the the last big Asian holdout against based in Shanghai and China is the been less overtly confrontational South Koreans are frequently the AIIB. with silliest smiles doesn t make things tidy and reformed. When leading shareholder. Initially Japan, towards its neighbours and instead pulled in two directions. By contrast, if China is sensible developed nations are casting off prejudice on the basis of color, South Korea and Australia decid- stressed its desire to build econom- The AIIB is one example. Another enough not to show its fists too ed to stand aside from the AIIB, as ic ties including a new Silk Road is a fierce debate in the country often, it has a good chance of see- creed, race and religion, in our unfortunate part of the world, the did all the big European nations. of trade and infrastructure through about whether to accede to a US ing its economic might gradually But the news that Britain now in- Central Asia, matched by a mari- request to install an anti-missile translate into increasing political opposite is happening. Racial prejudice as its peak, hatred is dom- tends to join the new bank as a time silk road across the seas of system that might be useful de- and diplomatic weight - even with inating, human minds are filled with intolerance and hearts are be- founder member looks like open- Southeast Asia. The AIIB could fending against the North but close allies of America. ing a decisive crack in the anti- play a big role in financing these which the Chinese see as a threat There was a time when the world ing corrupted. This is the reason Afghan refugees are being ha- AIIB front. I spent last week in initiatives. The hope is to persuade to their own security. The AIIB was said to bow down before the rassed, and people are dying in terrorism and sectarianism in the South Korea and most analysts Asian nations that, rather than fac- episode will only increase Ameri- mighty dollar. But the story of the there believe it is only a matter of ing a threat from the rise of China, can and Japanese incentives to AIIB suggests that these days, even region. Though, apparently the government in Khyber Pakhtunkh- time before the Seoul government they stand to benefit from its grow- conclude negotiations on the many of America s closest allies wa and also the federal government have agreed that the refugees signs up. Australia is already re- ing wealth. Most of China s neigh- Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade have renminbi signs in their eyes. will not be forcibly repatriated to their homeland but covertly they encourage all kinds of police crackdowns on Afghans. Until, Paki- stan, as a state, doesn t throw away the coercive and anti-Afghan policy, holding Af-Pak peace jirga is a futile attempt. The two peo- ples should ask their governments where is the outcome of such jirgas, held in the past. The first peace jirga was held in 2008 in Kabul, but its positive effects are visible nowhere on the ground. Instead of peace jirgas the two neighboring countries should sign some binding agreements. And whoever violates the agreement should be held responsible. Until the two governments show com- mitment and maturity and what they say and do, this region will never see peace. Regional integration is the only answer to our common problems. However this requires stronger democratic foun- dations based on a political will, a will that s aimed at putting an end to terrorism. A will that s intolerant towards strategic designs. 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.

WEDNESDAY .MARCH 18, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES

By Camelia Entekhabi-Fard of cooperation, for the first time line of July 1. It means all of them es of agreeing a framework agree- New Year with more hope and both countries find a common goal are willing to leave Lausanne in the ment is possible within couple of happiness, all evidence shows that Round after round, meeting after to work on as a mutual interest of knowledge that they are close to days. Remaining issues mainly po- Zarif won t disappoint them. Late meeting, finally the major nuclear the administrations. Any agree- reaching a major deal, no matter litical The meetings between the in the evening of Saturday, March negotiators from Iran and the U.S. ment, small or big, gives the nego- what the opponents suggest. The U.S. Secretary of Energy, Ernest 15, Iranian and American officials are in a crucial and the most sensi- tiators an opportunity to contin- trilateral talks between Zarif and Moniz, and the head of Iran Atomic were all separately walking around tive time of the talks and are again ue the talks Lots of preparation Kerry resumed on Monday, March Energy Association, Ali-Akbar Sala- the hotel they are staying at. And having an intense meeting in the city work has been done for some kind 16, with a day s delay due to Ker- hei, starts Sunday, March 15. Ac- all looked occupied and thought- of Lausanne, Switzerland. Just one of ceremonial meeting in Lausanne, ry s late night arrival on Sunday. cording to their aids both parties ful. Whether they reach a deal or week is left until the key deadline, but still nothing can be predicated According to a source close to the have described the meetings as pos- not remains a heavy burden on the set for March 24 by the U.S. Con- as the talks reached this critical negotiations just a few issues re- itive and progressive. The technical shoulders of the negotiators. But gress, to reach a political frame- stage. It s up to the other negotia- main unsolved that need to be tak- aspects of the negotiations were the this potential historical nuclear deal By Shyema Sajjad then delaying even that much ac- work agreement, otherwise more tors at P5+1 (Five permanent en care of. The source said the mat- major issue and it seems as though is not just about this one particu- tion is just sheer apathy. Accord- punishments and sanctions could members of the UN Security Coun- ter of Arak heavy water reactor and they have passed, as Secretary of lar issue - it is seen as the opening Apparently, mob lynching is the ing to the interior minister, it is be expected. Interestingly now the cil plus Germany) to accept the the number of the centrifuges in State John Kerry told MBC on Sat- of a new chapter in the relations worst kind of terrorism at least impossible to secure every place negotiators are working hard to Iranian and U.S. framework agree- Natanz nuclear facility are still urday the remaining issues of the between the two countries, and that is what Interior of worship in the country, and defeat their opponents who are ment. Verbal agreement According under discussion, and there is hope nuclear talks were mainly political. further cooperation and acceptance Minister Chaudhry Nisar seems to while that makes sense for the most considered the hardliners in both to a source close to the negotia- the issues will be sorted by Thurs- The negotiators are preparing the of each other as who they are. think. Disregard terrorist groups at- part, it sounds harsh knowing it is Iran and the U.S. While the Iranian tors, Iran and America have reached day or Friday. Zarif s day trip to ground for another three months Camelia Entekhabi-Fard is a jour- tacking schools, hospitals, church- very much possible to secure ev- officials do not recognize the a verbal agreement on what they Brussels to meet with three EU work on the details of the frame- nalist, news commentator and writ- es and mosques no, it is those ery politician and their residence March 24 deadline - the official one intend to announce and to approve counterparts of Germany, France work agreement in order to prepare er who grew up during the Iranian angry men on the street who are in this country, along with their was supposed to be on March 31 which talks have been positive and and the UK in the presence of Fe- the ground for breaking the main deal Revolution and wrote for leading the real terrorists. Really? Nisar entire family, immediate and ex- as agreed in Vienna when the inter- progressive. Any agreement, small derica Mogherini - who serves as before July 1 All Iranians are keep- reformist newspapers. She is also must have gotten carried away tended and their domestic help. im agreement extended last Novem- or big, gives the negotiators an op- High Representative of the Euro- ing their eyes on Switzerland to see the author of Camelia: Save Your- while condemning the latest lynch- The solution does not lie in plac- ber - Iran has agreed to meet the portunity to continue the talks in pean Union for Foreign Affairs - if the negotiators finally have any- self by Telling the Truth - A Mem- ing episode to happen in the coun- ing four policemen outside every U.S. deadline. In a very unique form the coming months before the dead- raised expectations that the chanc- thing to help the nation welcome the oir of Iran. try and in the heat of the moment mosque and church in the country decided that perhaps mob violence as stated a million times by a is worse than a suicide bombing. million analysts, it lies in clipping Billions of dollars As senseless and damaging as mob the root of terrorism, not in facili- violence is, it happens repeatedly tating it or working your way in our country because justice has around it! Nisar s statements for Egypt, failed, repeatedly. Nobody is held yesterday claiming that the over- accountable for violence on the all security situation in the coun- vindication for Sisi streets these days. When try has improved, holds no value the Sialkot brothers were beaten to when parents have pulled out chil- By Alexander Nekrassov By Abdallah Schleifer lates. The U.S. administration has death by an angry mob a few years dren from schools in the aftermath ness where Putin was and what he "Crimea, The Road Home", was even chastised Egypt for its occa- Well, the wait is over. Having been was up to. Albeit, he did say that first shown the day before Putin ago, Pakistanis vowed they had of the Peshawar attack. Nothing The stunning success of Egypt s sional air-force interventions. Then never seen anything more gruesome. can be considered improved when away from public sight for 11 long he was feeling well and was work- reappeared in public. It ran for two three-day economic conference in in the weeks leading up to the More recently, the country terrorists are still attacking schools days, Russian President Vladimir ing hard, in his regular hardwork- and a half glorious hours and con- Sharm al-Sheikh could not have Sharm conference, a new pattern of urban terrorist activity took mourned over the loss of a Chris- and churches. So it wasn t a police Putin finally reappeared on March ing style. This, of course, made no tained a long interview with the come at a better time, for the weeks prior had been difficult for Presi- place. Instead of occasional but tian couple allegedly accused of blas- headquarter site or a law enforce- 16, hosting a summit with the one any wiser and sent the rumour Russian president, who described dent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. At an in- deadly attacks against police and phemy, who were first beaten and ment army building this time, fact Kyrgyz President Almazbek Ata- mill in Moscow and far beyond his role in the secession of Crimea ternational level there is a disjunc- army personnel at isolated check- then set to fire in a brick kiln. Two remains we are still under attack. mbayev, in the grand surroundings into overdrive. Naturally, all sorts from Ukraine. According to the tion, what he described this month points, there have been low-level as miscommunication between bombings almost daily, targeting days ago, after the tragic twin Whether this is the reason why of the Constantine Palace outside of wacky scenarios were enter- Kremlin spin doctors - I was one foreign and Egyptian-owned busi- church blasts in Lahore, another people are taking the law into their St Petersburg, basking in the glare tained during the 11 days of the myself some years ago - the na- Cairo and Washington. Egypt s struggle against the Islamic State nesses in Cairo and Alexandria. angry mob decided they did not own hands, or whether it s a mass of publicity, Mr. Cool himself. He Russian leader's great disappear- tion works, rests and plays better of Iraq and Syria is not the latest Conference success There was a want to wait for the law to take psychological issue with our coun- was fit and well and appeared to ing act, as some foreign hacks called when it knows that its leader is chapter in some game book for a clear political logic to these attacks: over and instead took matters in trymen, until and unless the jus- theoretical war on terror that is to undermine the confidence of the have no idea what the whole fuss it. Some people speculated that carrying out his duties without many potential foreign investors their own hands, burning alive two tice system doesn t start working over his brief spell out of the spot- there may have been a "palace any interference. The main mes- subject to whims and political ne- cessities like shifting winds blow- invited by Egypt to the highly- people during violent protests. It properly and quickly, such things light was all about. But let me tell coup", waged by a group of "mad sage of the whole interview was ing across Washington. It took the publicized conference. The author- is no secret that our people are im- will continue to happen. School you why there was a fuss in the generals" who were not happy that Putin kept a cool head all public beheading of a U.S. journal- ities are certain that this campaign was carried out by the Brother- pulsive, angry and for some odd bullies from influential families will first place when Putin failed to reg- with the way Putin was handling throughout the events, took mat- ist to shake the Americans into action against the ongoing murder- hood. What is certain is that it did reason, always drawn to destroy- continue shooting whomever they ister a single appearance since the crisis in Ukraine. Failed as- ters into his own hands and per- not work. Some 2,000 delegates at- ing their own property and assets. like. Christians will continue get- ous rampage in Iraq, and the scan- March 5. The Russian president sassination? Others surmised that sonally guided the Russian intelli- dalous collapse of the corrupt and tended, including heads of state, Anything anti-Islamic happening ting killed on alleged reports of blas- is normally such a fixture on Rus- Putin might have been a victim of gence services and the armed forc- sectarian Iraqi army before Wash- princes, high-ranking officials, CEOs of powerful regional and across the world, and Pakistan will phemy. Ordinary glass-cutters will sian TV news bulletins; not a day a failed assassination attempt and es through the troubled waters that ington abandoned Nuri al-Malaki, be the first country to torch gas continue being beaten and burnt for who was responsible as defense global companies, bankers and passes that he is not seen meeting was kept in a secret location by surrounded Crimea - pardon the economists. Considering the pres- stations and shatter windows of no real reason. Why? Because there minister and prime minster for cor- his ministers, or foreign dignitar- his bodyguards, so that no harm pun. The climax of the interview ruption and sectarianism. What ence of Jordan s King Abdullah, the every building possible While burn- is no one to stop it from happen- ies, or paying a visit to some loca- would come to him while his peo- was the revelation that Putin was will it take in Libya? The behead- emir of Kuwait, the king of Bahr- ing vehicles and damaging public ing. The government, pondering ple searched for the perpetrators. at one point considering putting ing of 21 Egyptians is obviously ain, the crown prince of Saudi Ara- tion, or making a speech, or visit- bia, the ruler of Dubai and the prime property is dangerous enough, it is over whether to act or not to act in ing foreign lands. The Kremlin's The more colourful version of that the Russian nuclear forces on not enough, even though ISIS made clear that it killed them spe- minister of the United Arab Emir- far worse, when the very same peo- such situations, is allowing this Troll Army - The Listening Post scenario included Putin hiding in a stand-by, in case the situation in ates - not to mention the managing ple decide to take lives on behalf of madness to advance to alarming cifically because they were Chris- (Feature) According to the Krem- special bunker, in the seaside re- Ukraine got out of control, but lat- tian, and that this was an opening director of the International Mon- a failing justice system. Muham- stages by their inaction. Scuffling lin spin doctors - I was one myself sort of Sochi, waiting for things to er decided not to do it. Now, cyn- salvo across the Mediterranean, etary Fund, and the director the with blind protesters is okay for World Bank - one would have mad Naeem was one of the some years ago - the nation works, calm down. Another version was ics might see something fishy in against Rome as a metaphor for victims beaten and burnt to death our policemen to indulge in but on Christianity - a salvo aimed at the thought that at least U.S. Vice Pres- rests and plays better when it that Putin might have been recov- all this. After all, it is hard to be- ident Joe Biden, if not President on Sunday. He was a glass-cutter, Sunday they claim that using force West. For Egypt, ISIS affiliates knows that its leader is carrying ering from an attempted poison- lieve how the supposedly brilliant maneuver along its borders from Barack Obama, would have made fitting windows in a home in the could have turn the situation ugly. out his duties without any inter- ing by people who wanted revenge Russian military and intelligence sanctuaries in Gaza and Libya. In an appearance, however brief. No, locality where the blasts took place. Two innocent people were killed it would be Secretary of State John ference. Alarm bells So there he for the death of the opposition services failed to see the political portions of Sinai adjacent to Gaza, What was Naeem s fault? Perhaps, and burnt alive is that not ugly a jihadist insurgency has been sim- Kerry who put in a sympathetic was hosting Italian Prime Minis- politician Boris Nemtsov. Putin crisis in Ukraine coming, especial- appearance. What these big-time nothing. But when a mob is charged enough? While bigger, more intri- mering for several years, but only ter Matteo Renzi in the Kremlin and Kyrgyz President Almazbek ly considering the widely-held investors recognized is that after in Pakistan nothing stops them. cate strategies can continue being going beyond sporadic attacks to on March 5 and then - bam! - not a Atambayev in the Konstantin Pal- Russian view that the country's full-fledged assaults against the four years of turmoil, Egypt s pros- No pleas, no conscience and defi- worked upon to tackle terrorism, pects are excellent, and the coun- single sighting the next day and the ace outside St. Petersburg, Russia nemesis, the US, was behind it all, army and police from the moment nitely no police. Meanwhile, vari- a speedy and effective system the Muslim Brotherhood s Mo- try is led by a thoughtful vision- following 10 days in a row. Rus- [AP] The romantically inclined as Putin pointed out in his inter- ous explanations are being given as needs to be devised that does not hammad Mursi was deposed from ary Abdallah Schleifer The most sians expect to see the president were saying that the Russian lead- view. Because it's one thing for Iraq towering investments were in the to why the attack on the churches allow anyone in the street to pull a the presidency by popular will and on television on a daily basis, some- er actually went abroad, to Swit- or Libya to go down in flames, but military intervention. To the north, energy sector: British Petroleum took place the militants are des- trigger or yield a stick just because to invest $12 billion developing gas zerland perhaps, to be present at it's a totally different matter when assaults by ISIS affiliates crossing perate and attacking soft targets injustice is happening around times more than once. So alarm bells fields in the Nile Delta and a U.S. started ringing when he suddenly the birth of his illegitimate son that neighbouring Ukraine loses its pres- the border to hit isolated Egyptian like worship homes. That expla- them. The justice system needs units have been very rare but very firm to build a power plant in the disappeared from sight. All ques- he had supposedly fathered with ident and government and becomes deadly. However, from Egypt s Delta worth $1 billion. Returns on nation may be right but it can in no to be fair and effective in order for their investments are guaranteed by way console or make up for the people to have faith in it, but be- tions directed at the presidential his girlfriend Alina Kabaeva, a re- a hostile entity to Russia. What viewpoint the most recent and vi- cious ISIS attack took place on that contracts with the Electricity Min- loss of the families of the 15 vic- fore that, it is the government and spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, about tired gymnast and former parlia- further fuelled the rumours over istry to purchase electricity. Along Putin's whereabouts and state of mentary deputy. Others claimed Putin's disappearance was the fire blood-soaked Libyan shoreline. tims. The ordinary citizen doesn t law-enforcers job to make sure such International inaction Yet when with investment deals that totaled care about military strategies the incidents are prevented and are not health, bounced off like tennis balls that Putin actually had another that broke out in one of the towers Cairo went to the U.N. Security up to $36.2 billion, and construc- tion projects worth $18.6 billion ordinary victim just wants people allowed to escalate to such a level off a brick wall. Peskov, who of- foreign girlfriend and was visiting of the Novodevichiy Monastery Council, first to call for an interna- tional coalition to militarily con- plus $5 billion in loans, Saudi Ara- to stop dying. And for that, along where they can no longer be con- ten has that mischievous twinkle her in Paris. The less imaginative in Moscow, which was under ren- bia, the UAE and Kuwait an- in his eye and likes to treat his au- entertained the possibility that ovation, on the very night the doc- front ISIS in Libya, a majority on with the army, the government tained. Naeem s blood is as much the Council - which generally is nounced direct grants of $4 billion needs to act too. Pondering over on the hands of the government as diences as if they were small chil- Putin may be suffering from a se- umentary about Crimea was broad- responsive to U.S. concerns - de- each to provide funds urgently needed by the Egyptian govern- committee-making and devising it is on the mob that killed him. dren, stuck to his guns for the rious illness, like cancer or a stroke, cast on Russian television. Some clined to act. Egypt then pressed the Council to lift its arms embar- ment. In all, more than $70 billion new national security plans after a Shyema Sajjad is a former Dawn whole duration of the saga of the with the Kremlin paralysed with people took it as a bad omen, con- were signed off as investments, missing president. His position indecisiveness over what to say to sidering that at the time, no one go on the Libyan government, an large scale attack has already taken staffer. She embargo put in place in 2011 when construction projects, grants and place is too little too late and tweets @ShyemaSajjad was, it was none of anyone's busi- the worried nation. The reality, ac- had any idea where the Russian the Libyan government meant loans, with another $90 million cording to my sources in Moscow, president was, and some even sug- Muammar Qaddafi. Again, the pledged in memos of understand- Council declined. The answer, by ing, the government announced. was less exciting. They tell me that gested that the pesky Ukrainians Generating excitement and confi- ETTER TO THE EDITOR Putin had a cold and was resting at might have snatched Putin. But American spokesmen and echoed L by British officials, is that first - dence was a series of announce- his country retreat outside Mos- now he is back and the Russian before the provision of arms, not ments, such as a new investment Healthcare services cow. Why on earth did the Krem- nation once again sleeps in com- to mention any armed intervention law to radically cut red tape, a sig- - there must be a unity government nificant tax reduction on both cor- Standard and quality health services can enable us to have a healthy society and a lin press people not find the cour- fort with the knowledge that its porate and individual income, and age to just say so, I have no idea. I favourite son is safe and sound. between the elected and interna- healthy society can enable Afghans to grow well in every field. Most people in Afghan- tionally-recognized Libyan gov- a new Egyptian capital. What istan face lack of access or even in some areas people have no access to health servic- suppose that in keeping with the Mind you, some Russian bloggers ernment in Tobruk, and the rival these big-time investors recognized es. Living in remote areas and facing with economic problems create this misery and image of a strong leader, the truth are now asking: where is US Pres- rump government dominated by is that after four years of turmoil, was deemed inappropriate and ident Barack Obama who has not the Libyan Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt s prospects are excellent, deprives people of health services. and the country is led by a Most of Afghans travel to neighboring countries for treatment as they believe that could - in their view - have made been seen since March 8? Alex- whose militia allies took up arms when the Brotherhood did poorly thoughtful visionary Abdallah the country s health services are not based on standard norms, and could not meet their Putin come across as a bit of a sis- ander Nekrassov is a former Krem- in parliamentary elections and Schleifer is a veteran American demands. sy. Putin as Mr Cool And speak- lin and government adviser. The drove both the newly-elected journalist covering the Middle East The Ministry of Public Health has established several health centers in different ing of the strong leader image, it so views expressed in this article are House of Representatives and the and professor emeritus at the American University in Cairo parts of the country particularly in remote areas but their number is insufficient. happened that the eagerly antici- the author's own and do not nec- minsters it had selected to rule out We want quality health services for all Afghans in every hook and nook of the coun- of the capital. This has been the where he founded as served as first pated documentary about Crimea essarily reflect Al Jazeera's edito- Anglo-American mantra concern- director of the Kamal Adham Cen- try. It is the responsibility of related organs including the Ministry of Public Health to ter for TV and Digital Journalism. improve health sector, provide quality health services to all countrymen and provide the becoming part of Russia, entitled rial policy. ing Libya whenever fighting esca- ground to prevent Afghans from traveling abroad for treatment. This needs serious and honest attention by the ministry and we want serious attention of related officials and organs in this regard. Kamran Daudzada, Khairkhana, Kabul Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the author(s) Letter to editor will be edited for policy, content and clarity. All letters must have the writer s name and address. You may send your letters to: and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Afghanistan Times. [email protected] This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. WEDNESDAY . MARCH 18, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Israel to head to polls in elections too close to call As Israel's right-wing Likud and the centre-left Zionist Union par- "It means that Netanyahu is ties are neck and neck in the polls, not quite as strong in his image as experts say the electoral campaigns Mr Security as he presents him- reflect the country's growing divi- self," she said. "Security was the sions towards Prime Minister thing that Netanyahu had going for Benjamin Netanyahu's governance. him, but now you often hear peo- Netanyahu's Likud had for ple say that there weren't any se- weeks been tied with the Zionist rious achievements from the war." Union coalition at a projected 23 Ben Harel, a 28-year-old resi- seats each. Yet, a poll, conducted dent of Tel Aviv, expressed con- one week before the elections by cern that another Netanyahu-led Israel's Channel 2, expects that the government could lead to a further Zionist Union will gain 25 seats to spike in living costs and more con- Likud's 21. flict with the Palestinians. Explain- The elections were announced ing that his views fall somewhere when Netanyahu sacked Justice between the leftist Zionist party Minister Tzipi Livni and Finance Meretz and the socialist Hadash, Minister Yair Lapid over disagree- Harel noted that he still has not ments stemming from the contro- decided for which party he will versial Jewish-state bill, a pro- vote. posed law that defines Israel as "For me, economic issues af- "the nation-state of the Jewish fect me most. I live in Tel Aviv, but people". throughout my travels across Is- During a recent visit to Jerus- rael I see that the economy is the alem, where tensions have soared concern of most people," he told between Jewish Israelis and Pal- Al Jazeera, adding that he none- estinian residents since last sum- theless expects Netanyahu to lead mer, Netanyahu vowed to squash the next government. unrest and continue building Jew- RELATED: Netanyahu is ish-only settlements if he wins the nothing if not a performer elections. Dimi Reider, an Israeli journal- "Unlike Tzipi Livni, who con- ist and researcher at the European demns our building in Jerusalem, Council on Foreign Relations, also and unlike [Zionist Union co-lead- doubts that growing opposition to er Isaac] Herzog, who will allow Netanyahu will translate into his the establishment of a second ter- ouster on election day. "Netan- rorist state in Judea and Samaria, yahu is still the devil we know," we will preserve a secure and unit- he told Al Jazeera. ed Jerusalem forever," he pro- "Despite making very bad de- claimed. cisions and programmes, among A coalition of Shia militias, Iraqi ISIL-held territory in Anbar prov- ities. feel, the superiority is in favour of on March 11 that the Tikrit oper- The Jewish Home (Habayit them destructive economic policies government forces, and volunteers ince, Kirkuk, and the outskirts of The anti-ISIL militias and vol- the Iraqi troops," Misha'an al-Jo- ation could signal a new level of Hayehudit), a right-wing Zionist and issues with the Palestinians, are in the midst of a major military Mosul and northern Baghdad in unteers, collectively known as the bouri, a Sunni lawmaker who is Iranian involvement in Iraq. party that supports unilaterally most Israelis don't regard him as a operation to retake the city of order to distract ISIL fighters and Popular Mobilisation forces, is led commanding Sunni tribesmen in "Iran and its proxies have been annexing large swaths of the occu- particularly bad prime minister," Tikrit from the Islamic State of cut off the group's supply routes. by Hadi al-Amiri, the head of the the battle, told Al Jazeera. Most inside Iraq since 2004," said Demp- pied West Bank, is currently pro- Reider explained. Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) that "When you deal with the ene- Badr Organisation, who is said to of the Sunnis fighting against ISIL sey. jected to gain 12 seats. "Most Israelis see very little controlled it since last June. my [ISIL] for a long time, you get be coordinating closely with the are from the al-Jobour tribe, "This is the most overt con- Most Israelis see very little reason to change the incumbent. If On Sunday, fighting intensified to know its tactics and weak Iraqi army and federal police. though others come from the al- duct of Iranian support in the form reason to change the incumbent. If he wins, and I expect he will, these to the north and south of the city points. Now we can say we defi- RELATED: The risks of mis- Ubaid, al-Jumaila, Dulaim and of artillery and other things. Frank- he [Netanyahu] wins, and I expect are the last elections he will win, perhaps best known as Saddam nitely know how to fight [ISIL] handling the Tikrit offensive Tikarta tribes. ly, it will only be a problem if it he will, these are the last elections Reider remarked. "On the other Hussein's hometown.Iraqi securi- and defeat them," said General Many analysts say the battle When you deal with the ene- results in sectarianism." he will win. On the other side of side of the political map, that ty forces vowed to reach the cen- Dhamin Thamar, who led the for Tikrit has brought into sharp my for a long time, you get to know Shia militias in Iraq have been the political map, that means that means that the Israeli centre-left tre of Tikrit within 48 hours. troops that captured Al-Alam focus the role played by Iran in its tactics and weak points. Now accused of mass killings of Sunnis the Israeli centre-left and left are and left are still nowhere near get- So far, the campaign, accord- town, located just north of Tikrit. fighting ISIL in Iraq. Iran has re- we can say we definitely know suspected of ties to groups like still nowhere near getting back on ting back on their feet." ing to military officials, looks to The campaign, which was portedly funded, trained and how to fight [ISIL] and defeat their feet. Yet the Zionist Union remains be succeeding, expelling ISIL fight- launched two weeks ago, marks equipped many of these militias, them. ISIL. In late January, for instance, Dimi Reider, European Coun- hopeful. Candidate Revital Swid, ers from areas east and south of Iraq's biggest offensive to date and has sent dozens of senior mil- General Dhamin Thamar, led cil on Foreign Relations a criminal defence lawyer from Tikrit. against ISIL. The goal is to regain itary commanders to advise the troops that captured Al-Alam 72 Sunnis were shot dead in north- Ranaana, argued that Israelis want eastern Baquba province, in a mas- The Joint Arab List, a coali- This development, according control of religiously and ethnical- Popular Mobilisation fighters. town tion of four Arab-majority parties, a major change from the last six to analysts, reflects unprecedent- ly diverse Salahuddin province, As a result, Iraq's militias are "The [Iraqi] Ministry of De- sacre believed to have been carried is expected to take 13 seats, as is years of Netanyahu's policies. ed coordination between the Iraqi which was captured by ISIL last armed with weapons that the Iraqi fence was incapable of providing out by Shia militias. Yesh Atid, the centrist party head- The Listening Post - Israel military, the popular mobilisation summer. military has not possessed in large enough weapons, but Iran has de- US officials said that despite ed by former Israeli Finance Min- elections: The media battle forces, and anti-ISIL Sunni tribes- Iraqi forces ramp up fight to quantities since 2003, when the livered all the required weapons the participation of some Iraqi ister Yair Lapid. "That is bringing people out men. wrest Tikrit from ISIL US-led invasion of Iraq destroyed and ammunition," said Jobouri. Sunni tribes in the campaign in More than 10,000 voting sta- of their homes to vote," Swid told The anti-ISIL forces are cur- ISIL currently controls a swath much of the country's military ar- "When I went to [the battlefield] Salahuddin province, serious con- tions will open across Israel on Al Jazeera. "There are problems rently surrounding the city of of land stretching across much of senal. and saw the weapons, I was look- cerns remain as to how armed Tuesday. During the 2013 elec- in education, housing, security and Tikrit from all directions, Iraqi gov- eastern Syria and western and Last week, al-Amiri said in TV ing for Qassim Sulaimani, to thank groups will treat inhabitants of tions, voter turnout was 67 per- especially the economy." ernment officials and military of- northern Iraq, and enjoys the sup- interviews aired on the al-Ghadeer him." these areas. cent, and pollsters predict that it "What we've seen during nine ficers told Al Jazeera. port of some of Iraq's Sunni pop- and al-Forat stations that "about US officials appear to be con- "We're watching carefully. If will be similar this year. years of Netanyahu's governance "The troops have entered the ulation, that were marginalised 100 Iranian advisors had partici- cerned about the growing role that this becomes an excuse to ethnic "Israel traditionally has had a is that we're rolling down a hill," city [Tikrit] from two directions, during the rule of former Iraqi Prime pated in the fighting against ISIL Iran is playing in the war against cleanse, then our campaign has a high voter turnout," Dahlia Schei- she said. "If he's elected again, it the northern and southern dis- Minister Nouri al-Maliki. in Diyala and Salahuddin provinc- ISIL. problem," General Dempsey told ndlin, an independent pollster and will only get worse. The prime tricts, but the advance is slow be- Battle-hardened militias in- es, and they are continuing [work- The US-led military coalition the US Senate last week. writer at 972 Magazine, told Al minister has not taken a decision cause of the snipers and the boo- cluding the Badr Organisation, ing] with us, for free". against ISIL, which has been car- Jazeera. "The last elections saw on any of the issues that Israel is by traps," Jasim Ataiya, the dep- Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, and Kata'ib According to sources close to rying out airstrikes against the Nevertheless, the general pre- dicted that ISIL would lose Tikrit. one of the higher turnouts in re- dealing with." uty governor of Salahuddin prov- Imam Ali are said to be taking the Shia militias, Major General armed group, has not participated cent years, but it is not that high "We will have a strong show- ince, told Al Jazeera. lead in the campaign for Tikrit. Qassim Sulaimani, head of the Ira- in the campaign, and has not been "There's no doubt that the combi- ing in the Zionist Union," she said. nation of the Popular Mobilisation for Israel. From 1949 till 1999, WATCH: Alarm over Iran's ris- However, regular Iraqi govern- nian Revolutionary Guard Corps' asked for air support in the fight turnout for national elections was "All day we meet young people in ing influence ment forces and about 1,500 anti- elite Quds Force, was on the ground for Tikrit. forces and the Iraqi security forc- an average of 80 percent." universities, schools, and in the Meanwhile, other troops out- ISIL Sunni tribesmen are fighting and supervising a part of the Tikrit General Martin Dempsey, the es, they re going to run ISIL out of MK Dov Lipman, a member streets, and we feel that everyone side Salahuddin province have been alongside them, as well as volun- battle for the past few days. chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Tikrit," he said. of the Yesh Atid party, summed is eager for improvement. We need launching small-scale offensives on teers from many sects and ethnic- "It was the first time that, I Staff, told US senators at a hearing Al Jazeera up the elections as "a referendum at least three seats more than the on Netanyahu", adding that a large Likud so that we can build the gov- percentage of Israelis are still poll- ernment." ing as undecided. "We are not talking about mak- An Iran deal could have broader implications "For some people, it's his fail- ing a deal with Likud after the elec- ure in the security realm," he told tions because we believe that Her- As world powers edge toward a walk … will likely be a basis for greater its own influence, but it also pre- energy and has previous nuclear- Al Jazeera. "For others, it's his fail- zog will be the prime minister," possible nuclear deal with Iran, the In this Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014 ties with the world especially sents its actions as part of the related deals with France, Argenti- ure in the economic realm. It has she added. "We will be in the gov- debate has been dominated by the photo, Iranians walk through Te- if post-nuclear-deal Iran takes world's fight with what it casts as na and China. become very personal. There is a ernment without the Likud." question of whether it leaves an hran's old main bazaar in Iran. As steps to further open its econo- a toxic distortion of Islam. And Other Arab countries are eye- very strong and large sentiment Nonetheless, some analysts opening for Iran to acquire a nu- For Western thinkers and poli- my. while Iran's theocracy can seem ing nuclear technology, though like hoping for some kind of change." have predicted the elections will clear weapon. But an accord could cymakers, Iran presents a chal- Majority Persian Iran has cast oppressive to the Western eye, Iran their stated focus is energy On March 7, more than 35,000 result in a national unity govern- have another profound impact: Is lenge. On one hand, it's the mod- an enormous shadow on the neigh- oppressive religious rule in Saudi generation. The United Arab Emir- Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv's Rabin ment agreement between Likud and this the beginning of the Islamic ern manifestation of a proud Per- boring Arab world, in part by play- Arabia has not kept the U.S. from ates is furthest along, with its maid- Square to call for Netanyahu's oust- the Zionist Union - an idea that is Republic's broad acceptance by the sian civilization, a potentially lu- ing on the centuries-old split be- making the kingdom a close ally. en nuclear power plant expected er. Dubbed "Israel Wants Change", unpopular with Israeli voters. community of nations? crative market and the world's in 2017. the demonstration hosted speak- According to a poll conducted On the surface, the answer will fourth-largest oil reserves. On the REGIME CHANGE? ers such as former Mossad chief by Israel's Army Radio, 53 per- almost certainly be no. The P5+1, other, even after a deal, for many For Iran's ruling clerics, a deal Meir Dagan. cent of Jewish Israelis oppose a as the negotiating countries are it would remain a global menace, a would represent crucial recognition As Netanyahu's approval rat- joint Netanyahu-Herzog govern- called, have not linked the nuclear regional meddler and oppressor of by the world of their Islamist the- ing gradually dropped, partially ment; only 23 percent support the issue to anything other than the its people. ocracy. Since coming to power in due to a recent state comptroller's idea. gradual winding down of wither- This week, the U.S. and Iran 1979, the mullahs have been con- report about his lavish lifestyle, Yesh Atid's Dov Lipman ing economic sanctions. are holding down-to-the wire talks vinced the West wants to remove the Likud party was also hit hard pointed out that a national coali- Diplomatic relations between in the Swiss city of Lausanne, with them. Now the leadership can turn by the emergence of Kulanu, a new tion government is not set in stone. the U.S. and Iran remain cut, as no guarantee of a breakthrough. As to its people and tell them: Our breakaway party expected to draw Asked about the prospect of an- they have been since the 1979 Is- events there unfold, here are some worst enemies have been forced to on votes that would have other- other Netanyahu-led government, lamic Revolution and the takeover aspects to consider: deal with us. wise gone to Likud and the ultra- he opined that the worst case sce- of the American Embassy in Te- There is tremendous mutual That might strengthen the ex- orthodox Shas party. nario could be an alliance between hran. Iran is one of only four na- incentive for normalizing business isting system, leaving in place the In addition to the prime min- Likud and smaller religious parties. tions considered by the U.S. to be ties with Iran. After many years careful dance between supreme ister's perceived failures in the "That would close the doors a state sponsor of terrorism. of being largely cut off from the leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, re- realm of economic and social is- on the diplomatic and internal front Rounds of sanctions have driven West, the country is ripe for for- gime hard-liners, and relative mod- sues, Scheindlin argued that Isra- for meaningful change," he added. investors away, leaving Iran with eign investment and a quick im- erates like President Hassan Rou- el's 51-day war on Gaza last sum- "That's a scary notion for the fu- few trading partners and a hobbled provement of infrastructure, and hani. But further opening to the mer has also "harmed Netanyahu's ture of Israel." economy. its oil resources make it a draw. West might in turn embolden the image in the eyes of many voters". (Aljazeera) In the region, Western-allied In Monday, Dec. 22, 2014 tween Sunni and Shiite Muslims. These kinds of complexities moderate camp, increasing their and oil-rich Sunni-ruled Gulf states photo, an Iranian oil worker walks It has a powerful proxy mili- may coax the West to get back to- pressure on clerics to loosen their deeply distrust the non-Arab Shi- at Tehran's oil refinery south of th tia in Lebanon's Shiite Hezbollah gether with a nation whose politi- grip on power. Hilal Khashan, pro- ite powerhouse and see its hand in group, which it arms, funds, trains cal vocabulary labels the United fessor of political science at the destabilizing their part of the world The population is large and guides. This has helped Leba- States "the Great Satan." American University of Beirut, say by backing armed groups from some 80 million people and rea- non's Shiites who enjoy a plu- NUCLEAR DOMINOES changes in Iran will be slow, Lebanon to Yemen to Iraq. That sonably well educated, with some rality over the Sunni Muslims, The reports of a deal all in- "through institutional reform, not distrust fuels sectarian divisions 85 percent literacy and the aver- Christians and the Druse dom- volve leaving Iran just out of reach revolution." Key opposition fig- that course through many of the age person receiving 15 years of inate the country. It has kept Syr- of a weapon, keeping its enriched ures are in jail, and the mass street region's conflicts and get exploited schooling. Per capita income is just ia's Bashar Assad whose mi- uranium but needing more for protests following disputed pres- by extremist organizations includ- around $5,000 per person, but nority Alawite sect is a Shiite off- weaponization. This so-called idential elections in 2009 showed ing the Islamic State group, which with cost of living factored in that shoot in power by direct finan- "breakout period" ranges from one a significant base supporting considers Shiites heretics. money goes a lot further than it cial backing and by having Hezbol- year to several. It is not just Israel change. At the same time, it can be A deal could worsen those ten- would in the West a sign of a lah fight alongside his forces. widely believed to have nuclear surprising to outsiders that the Is- sions. Arab powers like Saudi Ara- distorted economy where change Hezbollah occasionally embroils weapons of its own that is lamic Republic is, in its way, less bia and Egypt might conclude Iran could happen quickly. Lebanon in ruinous conflict with worried; Arab countries bristle as than fully dictatorial. There are has been allowed to stand on the "Many people are already Israel as well, and is blamed for well. Prince Turki al-Faisal, an out- elections for parliament and pres- threshold of a nuclear weapon and making plans for Iran's integration terrorist attacks from Bulgaria to spoken member of the Saudi royal ident; the contest is limited to can- decide that they, too, must have into the regional and world econo- Buenos Aires. In addition, Iran is family who previously served as didates approved by a panel of cler- nuclear programs further in- my, particularly the Europeans believed to indirectly back Shiite the country's intelligence chief, ics and legal scholars, but can still flaming the world's most combus- and the Asians, who see Iran as an Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have hinted that continued nuclear ac- leave an opening. It's impossible tible tinderbox. unprecedented opportunity to do in recent months taken over much tivity by Iran could trigger a re- to say what a regime feeling more But it would also remove a gi- business," said Dubai-based geo- of the country and displaced the gional arms race, telling the BBC confident and vindicated by a nu- ant obstacle in Iran's dealings with political analyst Theodore government from the capital, San- that "if Iran has the ability to en- clear deal might do. Would it be- the world. The West's nuclear fears Karasik. "Because the country's aa. rich uranium to whatever level, it's come more open and even invite long ensured consensus around iso- infrastructure is literally 30 years But there have also been com- not just Saudi Arabia that's going back anti-regime exiles? Would they lating Iran. With that removed, calls behind, every sector or commodi- mon interests with the West. Iran to ask for that." be popular if they somehow re- will likely increase for engagement ty is open ... Iran is already pre- and Washington cooperated close- Thanks to its vast oil wealth, turned? Precedents from Iraq to with Iran to resolve other disputes. paring for this." ly against Afghanistan's Taliban in Saudi Arabia has the resources to Afghanistan suggest maybe not. All this could also alter Iran's do- For now, the short-term im- 2001. In a new twist, Iran is prov- pursue its own nuclear program. But Iran's own history says may- mestic politics in unpredictable pact is ending the sanctions, which ing critical to helping the Shiite- The kingdom earlier this month be yes: Ayatollah Khomeini, the ways. hammered the Iranian currency and led authorities in Iraq fight Islamic signed a memorandum of under- key figure of the 1979 Islamic Rev- View galleryIn this Tuesday, caused unemployment and misery. State militants. Iran's goal is to standing to work with South Ko- olution, was a returning exile from Nov. 25, 2014 photo, Iranians The economic deals that follow help fellow Shiites and strengthen rea on the development of nuclear France. ( Al Jazeera) This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. WEDNESDAY . MARCH 18, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES

From P1 Musharraf said they trained and 3. Pakistan claims that In- Salma Dam project in Herat prov- sage of five years Islamabad didn t how to conduct terror attacks and peded. good thing. We should learn that armed the Afghan Taliban as pro- dia helps the Baluchistan freedom ince. Does construction of any dam do anything in this regard. Even whom they should kill. In a num- The two sides while having the how to use the possible coopera- Pakistan fighters for conducting movement via Afghanistan. This poses any direct or indirect threat though Pakistan had pledged it will ber of cases they have been told support of their allies and the tion for defending the country. Our proxy war against India in Af- allegation of Pakistan is also far to any country? Then why did deliver the message within three that if they are not able to kill any groups that were ideologically in- people should know that the coun- ghanistan. (Here I am putting aside from reality. The fact is that after Pakistan send tens of Taliban fight- weeks. In the meeting, former Pres- figure alone, they should seek the terested to them fueled wars but try is under direct invasion by Pa- the legal debate of this issue ac- the martyrdom of Nawab Akbar ers to explode it? ident Hamid Karzai, former For- help of Lashkar-e-Tayyeba. This avoided direct fight against each kistan. What does this country say cording to international laws). Sev- Bugti, a Baluch nationalist leader, 8. The National Assembly eign Minister, Zalmai Rasul, activity is done as much irrespon- other. The battlegrounds of fighter is just excuses. Our people should eral politicians and journalists used in 2006, his family members and of Afghanistan holds its sessions former National Security Advisor, sible as terrorists are ordered to groups from the two sides were know that the US, our main ally this word before and after the re- relatives migrated to Afghanistan, in a substandard building. The In- Spanta, former Ambassador in Pa- kill ex-Jihadi figures and political kept fueling. In other words, two against Pakistan, is pursuing a soft marks by Musharraf. and the then Afghan government dian government is constructing a kistan, Daudzai, (from Afghani- leaders in Afghanistan. There is no ideological groups, capitalism and policy against this country. Our Unfortunately the pro-Taliban gave them refuge purely on hu- proper building for the Afghan stan) whereas former Prime Min- sign and reason that push us to communism, were pursuing their people should be aware that the media outfits and those media or- manitarian grounds because then parliament. Pakistan feels it a ister of Pakistan, Gilani, former expect that the 25-year long war ideological stability at the cost of policies of the colonial powers of ganizations, who usually are the administration informed the UN threat. How can we convince Pa- Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani of Pakistan against Afghanistan destroying the third parties. The the 19th century and modern day victims of the Taliban s atrocities, office and also the embassy of Pa- kistan that the building doesn t Khar, Military Chief of Staff Kay- comes to an end. death and destruction started pose serious threat to us. Their use the word or interested to use it kistan in Kabul. Pakistan blamed pose any security threat to that ani, former ISI chief, General Pa- In above lines, I tried to show through sending weapons, finan- strategies for some of the Europe- alike. The excessive and irrespon- Kabul that it has issued Afghan country? sha (from Pakistan) were present. that our relations with the Repub- cial and logistic support, and ex- an countries are considered as part sible use of this word may give passport to the nephew of Bugti 9. The historical monu- 16. Instead of delivering the lic of India are based on long-term ceptionally through direct interfer- and parcels of their foreign poli- serious backfires, particularly in that enabled him to travel to India. ment of Ostoor Palace inside the letters and messages of Afghani- objectives. Our relations are friend- ence. The Afghanistan war with the cies for their security however Afghanistan. First, the allegation looks ground- yard of the Afghan Foreign Minis- stan to the Taliban leaders, Paki- ly exactly like our relations with then USSR, America s war with they are a biggest security threat The problems include elimina- less. Second, suppose it was so, try was on the verge of collapse. stan helped assassination of polit- Turkey. Nothing more than it. Vietnam, anti-revolutionary rebel- to our independence and national tion of the border between friends then it is not against any interna- On the plea of then Afghan gov- ical leaders of this country one af- Let me say that currently the lion in Nicaragua, or the Saluda integration. and foes, locating victims and crim- tional law, rather Afghanistan has ernment, India agreed to fund the ter another. war in Afghanistan has two sides: codetta in Chili, Angola war in Af- People should once again know inals in one line and undermining the right to allow a migrant to trav- rehabilitation of the historical mon- 17. The head of Pakistan s One is the people of Afghanistan rica and so on are few examples of that the big powers are not trying the resistance of Afghan people el to any country according to the ument. It is beyond understanding army and civilian leaders in that who are represented by the Afghan proxy wars. to implement the values like de- against the invasion of Pakistan 1951 Geneva Convention on mi- that how the rehabilitation of the country promised me (when I was security forces in cooperation with 21. And finally India has a mocracy, human rights and citi- from the first half of 1990s until gration and refugees. Till date, Pa- palace could threaten the national serving as the National Security international troops and the other magic society and pluralistic cul- zens rights, therefore our interna- now. Another biggest backlash kistan has not provided any sub- security of Pakistan. Advisor) to carry out military op- side is ISI, the Taliban and al-Qae- ture. Integration, calm, tolerance tional relations is a kind of strug- would be: Afghans fight for free- stantial information and evidence 10. Afghanistan is an agri- eration against Haqqani Network da who represent Pakistan and among the different races, democ- gle to pursue our national inter- dom against Pakistan is lost and about its claim that Baloch free- cultural country. Afghan farmers in Waziristan. A day after my trip fight against the Afghan security racy full of differences, modern ests. The current situation in Af- relegated by intelligence war be- dom fighters had conducted mili- still pursue traditional ways in to Pakistan, the spokesman for forces. acceptance and tradition, accep- ghanistan is the continuation of tween India and Pakistan inside tary attacks inside Pakistan from their agricultural activities. There Pakistani army announced that The fact is that the Afghan tance of different religious beliefs the colonial prescription however Afghanistan. The army of Afghan- Afghanistan or the claim that they are some areas that follow modern Haqqani Network was one of the forces and their allies are defend- and several other things have made its shape has just changed. People istan is reduced to be pro-India. are being trained here. Should Pa- agriculture but still they face prob- targets of operations of the two ing the territory of Afghanistan this country a magic magnet. I per- should know that India is our Afghan national army is currently kistan s claim be accepted as right, lems in ways of collecting harvests countries in Waziristan. This is a against invasion of Pakistan for sonally respect this pluralistic so- friend and we should respect this busy in a fierce fight against the everyone should know that Af- and using farm lands and orchards fact that Pakistan s spy agency, safeguarding the independence, ciety and culture, and I am deeply friendship. Nevertheless, India Taliban. The Taliban are pro-Paki- ghanistan is not the battlefield. due to environmental and agricul- with the help of Pakistan s army, protection of the law, and the na- interested in it. But let me tell the looks more cautious. It will not go stan. Nevertheless, by the use of Why does not Pakistan fight ture know-how lack. India is build- transferred the Haqqani family and tional integrity of Afghanistan. truth that I have never been hap- beyond the limits that create prob- word proxies, realities are depict- against India in Kashmir? Or any ing an agriculture university in its key commanders to relatively a The other side is the belligerent py about its debility in its foreign lem for it. And India like Afghani- ed but in opposite direction. other place? Why our schoolchil- Kandahar. I don t know how the safe place, at the same time when that fuels conflicts. There is no policy and security. Today when I stan and any other country has its The spy agency of Pakistan dren should be killed in Pakistan s agricultural farms of Afghanistan it was talking with the Afghan del- proxy war in Afghanistan. Be- am writing these lines as a civilian, own priorities. We should not be speaks of India s proxy war in senseless war? are posing threat to Pakistan s na- egation. lief in proxy war can only ema- I should say that I cannot hide my confused in this regard because no Afghanistan against Pakistan. I 4. Pakistan is eying to tional security? 18. I cannot say anything nate from ISI-struck minds. Ha- deep differences in my viewpoints problem is expected from India prefer to point out to a number of compel Kabul on scaling back its 11. Afghanistan signed a about recent information about mid Karzai in a meeting with Sar- in regard to Indian policymakers. even if it has more active presence facts here: relations with New Delhi. India transit agreement with Pakistan. Pakistan and its links with mili- taj Aziz, Pakistan s National Se- We submitted our wish list to the and cooperation in Afghanistan. 1. Pakistan has claimed provides 1,500 scholarships to Pakistan not only failed on many tant groups as currently I have no curity Advisor in July 2013 told Indian officials however our ten- The last word: several times that India has 14 con- Afghan students every year. More- occasions in its implementation access to information by the Na- him that: India and the definition ure ended before receiving New We need relationship and sulates in Afghanistan. This claim over, hundreds of Afghan students but also kept blockade on Afghan- tional Directorate of Security of our relations with India is one Delhi s response. When I traveled friendship with entire world in- is totally baseless. are receiving vocational training in istan because of its landlocked geo- (NDS), but Afghanistan s intelli- of the issues that should be focused to India carrying the proposal of cluding Pakistan, but based on our India has four consulates in India. Afghanistan needs these graphical location. That is why gence agency has access to exact on. You can have strategic depth signing a strategic pact with that national interests and on the basis Afghanistan the same like Iran scholarships. Hundreds of India- Afghanistan faces millions of dol- documents based on which Paki- in Afghanistan, but through extend- country, Hamid Karzai (a man who of sovereignty, good neighborhood and Pakistan. The consulate offic- graduate Afghan students are work- lars loss on annual basis. stan pay money to specific figures ed friendship and cooperation, not has better knowledge about India) and no-interference in affairs of es were established ahead of 2002. ing in different departments of the 12. Pakistan had promised of the Taliban, and it carries on this through anger. Your perception supported the suggestion but at the each other. Now, if ISI s henchmen inside Af- government of Afghanistan. Will Afghanistan to extend the Jalala- process very brazenly in some cas- about Afghanistan s ties with In- same time asked me that what do We should not forget that our ghanistan want the Afghan govern- it be any sane decision to stop bad-Torkham route. This pledge is es, as it transfers the money dia is incorrect. You think that In- you think. Will the Indians accept existence finds meaning in our in- ment to reject the consulates, it is sending Afghan students to India? yet to be implemented. through cash. (I have cognizance dia uses Afghanistan against your this suggestion ? I insisted on dependence. Freedom and inde- up to them, but the freedom fight- 5. India has established 13. Pakistan vowed it will of too many other matters as well country. This is misunderstanding. signing of the agreement. A few pendence of a state in establishing ers of this country will never give power transmission line from extend railway to Chaman and on- but I don t want to share them all Bugti called us for help but I did days later Indians cautiously friendship and cooperation with this right to Pakistan to take con- northern parts of the country to ward to Kandahar. This promise here because I don t want to dam- not respond. Afghanistan will give agreed to ink the pact. When Javid another state doesn t mean it is trol of Afghanistan s foreign poli- the capital Kabul. Taliban mili- has never been translated into re- age anybody. Bomb making facto- you any kid of guarantee that no Ludin, the former political deputy against other states. cy and press Kabul to tell India to tants at the behest of Pakistan ality. ries, producing explosives, train- threat will be posed from our side of the Foreign Ministry, shared the We know that different nations cease its consulates in the coun- exploded these power lines. What 14. Lashkar-e-Tayyeba, an ing centers, informers and Of to you. India is ready to talk with idea of signing a security and stra- were obliterated from the pages of try. is the relation of this issue with ISI-linked militant group, attacked course my concern about security you. Even about your concerns tegic pact with India, me and Lu- history. We should give the high- 2. They also claim that In- proxy war ? the Indian embassy two times and of a number of figures is not be- regarding our relations with India. din after discussing the draft of the est importance to independence as dia helps Tehreek-e-Taliban Paki- 6. India constructed the conducted several attacks on Indi- cause of Pakistan s spy agency Please see your relations with Af- pact, shared the issue with the a main factor for existence of na- stan (TTP) fighters in Kunar prov- Dilaram-Zaranj Highway in Af- an consulates and guest houses only). ghanistan free from your problems former president. Once again, he tions. It didn t change with the ince. They allege the former gov- ghanistan. Construction of this where Indians workers lived. Sev- 19. Pakistan still provokes with India. accepted our suggestions but with onslaught of globalization . Sev- ernment of Afghanistan trained and route, excluded Nimroz from be- eral Indian diplomats and workers the Taliban against our people, or- 20. What is proxy war in hesitation, because he knew that eral economic and cultural relations sheltered Pakistani Taliban in col- ing a far flung province, and on the and several Afghan citizens were ganized, systematically and target- real? This word was largely used cautious Indian policymakers didn t change. lusion with India. This claim is also other side created a new port way killed and injured in the attacks. based. It kills women and children, in political literature and in war and would become concerned about the Even in the face of globaliza- unfounded. Kunar province had with Iran that connects Afghani- Fortunately no Pakistani organi- destroys our schools and hospi- peace researches after the World suggestion. And the fact was the tion, national governments are the never been in control of Afghan stan with the outer world. I don t zation has been attacked in Afghan- tals, and destroys roads and bridg- War II. When the two nuclear blocs same. We submitted our wish list key forces of international laws. security forces until mid-2014. have any clue about it what threat istan so far. es. Lashkar-e-Tayyeba conducts were formed one led by the US to India and we received response And these national governments The US troops had more than 60 this highway had posed to Paki- 15. In a meeting back in terror activities inside Afghanistan. under the umbrella of NATO and after the end of our tenure. I re- despite their dependence on each small and big military bases in the stan. Pakistan so hell-bent on sab- 2011, Pakistan s top leadership The Afghan intelligence agency and another one led by then USSR un- vealed the facts here to tell Afghans other, they enjoy independence and province. In presence of ISAF otaging this project that its spy pledged that they will convey the other covert national agencies have der the umbrella of Warsaw, these that there is no proxy war in national sovereignty. They need to troops, neither Afghanistan nor agency killed one Afghan and one message of the Afghan government access to telephone conversations blocs started a mad run to domi- Afghanistan. Neither India nor any be independent. India could establish sanctuaries in Indian in every kilometer of the to the supreme leader of the Tali- of Haqqanis and the Taliban with nate the world bipolar world. In other country was ready or is Finally, the independence is the areas or could train the mili- route. ban Mullah Omar regarding peace Pakistani officials where Haqqa- this competition the third party ready to accept danger for securi- safeguarded where the people are tants there. 7. India started work on and vice versa albeit with the pas- nis are ordered by Pakistan that (third world countries) was stam- ty in our country. And this is a well capable. EU urged to use oil embargo, There are zero reasons for the Fed to raise interest rates freeze assets of Libya With Federal Reserve policy mak- quarter have cut capital-spending Plus, 2.4 million more people are year ago. Plus, the fracking revo- impatience stalled the housing re- ers meeting today and tomorrow, plans because of the currency. involuntarily working part time lution adds secular disinflation to covery in 2013 when the Fed pre- investors are fretting that the final Why make it worse? than in 2007. a crucial part of the economy, as maturely signaled the end of quan- march toward higher interest rates Wage gains, while increasing, Inflation is nowhere the Affordable Care Act and pri- titative easing, and sent the S&P is on. are faint Fear of inflation has been the vate-market reforms may do the 500 down 17% as the U.S. im- In a so-called patient panic, Without higher consumer in- hobgoblin of Fed criticism for same in health care. posed fiscal austerity in 2011. Wall Street is obsessing over comes, you don t get the virtuous years, including Dallas Federal It s not just that inflation isn t Why put more weight on in- whether the Fed will signal a rate cycle in consumer spending that Reserve Bank President Donald here. It s that global-labor oversup- flation now, when risks on the other boost as soon as June by drop- the Fed should require before hik- Fisher s persistent calls for tighter ply, energy oversupply and health- side of the scale are clear and infla- ping an assurance that policy mak- ing rates. monetary policy. Yet inflation care restructuring are keeping it at tion is even lower? ers can be patient before raising Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen hasn t resumed, and the list of rea- bay. A handy rule of thumb ex- rates from its post-meeting an- made clear right away that she was sons it won t is getting longer. You can argue that the econo- nouncement. focused on wage growth, and real For the past year, using the my is strong enough to reduce its presses how much weight that in- But it s too soon for the first median household incomes are still personal-consumption-expendi- monetary-policy support. But that flation fears deserve: It s the aver- hike since 2006, or even a clear sig- below late-1990s peaks. Depend- tures measure the Fed does, which case is weaker than it was last sum- age of the last 12 months percent- nal that it s imminent. Central ing on the measure, wages are ris- excludes food and energy, prices mer. The economy s lag may in- age changes in the two broadest bankers job is to balance risks ing around 2% yearly. There are rose 1.3%, well below the Fed s deed be temporary. But premature- U.S. inflation indexes (the person- and they re not balanced. On one some signs of a breakout, but it 2% target and falling. The Con- ly higher rates may make it longer al consumption expenditure and side of the scale, early increases will be gradual. They ve built up sumer Price Index that Main Street or deeper. the Consumer Price Index). The risk U.S. exports, already soft do- for a year without dramatic effect. watches is actually lower than a The same fear-of-inflation answer is zero. AFP mestic investment, corporate prof- its and wage gains. On the other, you have only the weirdly persis- BRUSSELS: Spain said the Euro- to protect airports and other in- tent idea that inflation must be lurk- pean Union should consider an oil frastructure if the talks succeed. ing somewhere, though the infla- embargo and freezing of Libyan She has also suggested EU ships tion measure the Fed uses hasn t central bank assets if UN-brokered could help police an arms embar- topped 2.25% annually since talks to resolve the country s po- go. 1993. litical crisis failed. Italy, Mogherini s home coun- There s lots of evidence that EU foreign ministers agreed to try, wants the EU to act to stop the economy isn t ready. The 5% draw up proposals for an EU mis- the thousands of migrants who set annualized growth in U.S. output sion to Libya if the talks produced off from Libya to cross the Medi- in mid-2014 slowed in the fourth Kuwait has sought help from the surplus in each of the past 15 fis- around 94 percent of Kuwait's cast to end this fiscal year with a a deal between two rival govern- terranean in rickety boats to reach quarter, and 2015 s first-quarter International Monetary Fund to cal years due to high oil prices but public revenues but the sharp drop surplus -- albeit smaller than usual ments and armed factions battling its shores. growth is tracking at about 1.5%. introduce corporate taxes in a bid has also increased public spending in prices is expected to substan- -- for the 16th year in a row. for power and oil wealth four years We expect that Europe sup- Housing markets and wages remain to diversify revenue in the face of from under $13 billion (12.4 bil- tially reduce its income. The government has an- after Nato helped oust Muammar ports the negotiations in Libya and below pre-recession levels; even falling oil prices, a minister said lion euros) to more than $77 bil- Kuwait's revenues in the first nounced the 2015/2016 budget Qaddafi. is ready, once the Libyan negotia- car sales, roaring last summer, have Monday. lion this fiscal year, mostly on 10 months of the current fiscal with a $24 billion deficit despite Spanish Foreign Minister Jose tions have reached some results, slowed. But the four most impor- The IMF will prepare a pre- wages and subsidies. year dropped 16 percent to $74.5 slashing spending by 17.8 percent Manuel Garcia-Margallo told re- to monitor and to provide economic tant signs may be these: liminary report on how to impose Earlier this year, the emirate billion compared to $88.8 billion to $65.1 billion. porters formation of a united gov- support, Italy s Foreign Minis- Earnings estimates are falling taxes on companies in Kuwait, stopped diesel, kerosene and avia- last year, according to finance min- There are about 1.25 million ernment was the last hope for a ter Paolo Gentiloni told reporters. Standard & Poor s Capital IQ Commerce and Industry Minister tion fuel subsidies and the finance istry figures. In the same period, Kuwaitis in the tiny gulf kingdom, peaceful solution . Should the talks EU diplomats said Mogheri- expects S&P 500 profits to rise Abdulmohsen al-Mudej said after ministry is considering similar oil income dived 17.3 percent to in addition to 2.9 million foreign- fail, the EU should take measures ni s plans would necessarily entail only 1% this year, down from the a meeting with IMF representa- measures for petrol, electricity and $68.3 billion from $82.5 billion. ers. It pumps about 2.8 million to force the parties back to the ta- sending some European soldiers to 6.7% gain it forecasted Jan. 2 and tives, the official KUNA news water. Oil income contributed The emirate is however fore- barrels of oil per day. ble. Libya, where Islamic State mili- well below last year s 7.5%. Busi- agency reported. I think we should consider tants have established a presence. ness isn t great. True, energy-com- The two sides discussed ways measures to freeze the assets of A senior EU official said the bloc pany profits are a big part of this of introducing corporate taxes for the central bank ... and possibly could consider sending soldiers to drop, and cheap energy is a net Kuwaiti and foreign companies impose an oil embargo, to convince protect the government and civil- economic good. But the forecast operating in the oil-rich Gulf state all parties that only with political ians to help with counter-terror- also reflects that after the recent introduction of a stability, there can be economic ism. You can argue that the econo- new corporate law, the minister growth, Jose Manuel Garcia- The EU has sent military or my is strong enough to reduce its said. Margallo said. civilian teams to help a number of monetary-policy support. But that Kuwait currently imposes no Ministers backed a call by EU countries recover from conflicts. case is weaker than it was last sum- taxes on local companies, Kuwaiti foreign policy chief Federica The bloc sent border security ex- mer. citizens and expatriates but it re- Mogherini to examine sending a perts to Libya in 2013 but they Exports have fallen for five quires foreign firms to pay 15 per- mission to Libya, without giving were forced to move to Tunisia a months in a row, and the West cent tax on their profits. any details at this stage. Italy s year later. Coast port strike isn t the whole The IMF has in the past ad- foreign minister said sending Eu- A new EU mission would re- reason. A Duke University survey vised Kuwait to subject local com- ropean police officers would be quire a request from Libya and a of U.S. chief financial officers says panies to corporate tax as part of a of huge importance . mandate from the UN Security the dollar has hurt exports, with series of measures aimed at boost- Mogherini has floated the idea Council, where support from veto- two-thirds of firms that make at ing non-oil revenues and cutting of the 28-nation EU sending a team wielding Russia and China is not least 25% of their sales overseas spending. to Libya to monitor a ceasefire or guaranteed, diplomats said. noting a negative impact. Nearly a Kuwait has posted a budget 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. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 18 , 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Fashion forward PIA to glam up air Ayyan: A model Beyond the hostesses with Nomi Ansari's creations bounds of MISGUIDED? Bollywood Between the glitz and blitz of the we sit and watch this and not NEW DELHI: With his roots em- fashion world, it s difficult not to grieve? Why do we rejoice in some- bedded in classical music, Shafqat veer towards one or the other. In one s bad luck? As a mother and Amanat Ali Khan is ready with his an industry that promises fame, grandmother, I can only mourn third album Muh Dikhai, which big bucks and frequent travel, es- Ayyan s fate. will release on March 20 on Times pecially for models, too high a leap Budding model Sana Sarfaraz Music. often leads to a fall. With super- gives it straight from the shoulder. It s an album, which is com- model Ayyan getting arrested for No one really guides you in the ing out after five years. I ve not allegedly attempting to ship modelling world. People usually worked on any specific genre in $500,000 out of the country, a de- manipulate you for their personal this album. There are more Punja- bate sparks on what is it in the gains. There are rare cases where bi songs this time for a change and entertainment industry that, de- you can seek support from oth- spite the exposure it offers, leads ers, she states. Zahir Rahimtoo- to a myopic view of travel regula- la, CEO of Labels, lauds Ayyan s tions. The Express Tribune talks work ethic. I know Ayyan very to industry heavyweights to ex- well. Her first fashion shoot was plore why a model could get for us and I remember her as a pro- trapped in the bait of power and fessional model who strictly ob- money. served punctuality. She was hard- On the perception that wom- working, diligent and always gave en entering the modelling world are her best. She had the zest to grow easy to manipulate, photographer big, he says. Tapu Javeri feels it mainly depends Although Ayyan recently on how the entrant takes it. No- shifted gears to pursue a career in body is naïve. Most of the girls music, she long remained the sweet- know everything. Also, people heart of the fashion fraternity. around them help them understand Having worked with top-notch I m excited about the response the industry, he says. Modelling brands and show-stopping for a from people, said Khan. veteran Iraj Manzoor says, I host of designers since 2010, she The singer, known for deliver- can t speak for Ayyan, but I know raised questions when she retract- ing hit Bollywood songs like Mit- I m not naïve when it comes to ed from the industry in February wa and Yeh honsla believes that these regulations. last year. This could make her fans compact discs are getting phased Event manager and former wonder what catalysed her deci- out by the digital platform even as model Frieha Altaf feels those who sion. Sarfaraz shares that in her there is a spate of demand for mu- pursue modelling learn from trial- personal experience with Ayyan, sic now. Models presenting designer s creations for new PIA uniform in Karachi on Monday. and-error. Most of these girls she found her to be kind and po- Khan said, CD as a format come from a middle-class back- lite. She seems to be a happy girl. may have gone down, but music PHOTO: MOHAMMAD NOMAN/EXPRESS ground, but they haven t seen any- I ve never seen her complain about consumption is at an all-time high. thing. Some of them want money, anything. The difference is that it happens The national flag carrier Pakistan ing to reports, the new uniform Bunto Kazmi who has collected use and reflect Pakistan, Ahmed some, want to be famous, says Designer Deepak Perwani, digitally now. International Airlines (PIA), which will come off the hangers from 16 designers working free of charge said, when asked what the design- Altaf. Ayyan had been here for a once known to be a close friend of The former Fuzon band mem- once had Pierre Cardin design the while and I feel terrible for her. Ayyan s, says, As far as the mod- ber entered Bollywood with the uniform for its cabin crew, will now Knowing her, it seems this was a els who do my shoots are con- popular number Mitwa in 2006 sport local designer Nomi Ansa- pure act of ignorance on her part. cerned, I don t care what they do and has since won hearts of many ri s creations after he won a fash- Model Nadia Hussain shares, [on a personal level]. That s no- Indians. He said singing Bolly- ion face-off for the top honour. As far as models are concerned, body s business. Similarly, de- wood tracks takes up a lot of time The face-off took place in they learn with time. But when you signer Nomi Ansari states, It s which is one of the reasons why Karachi with some of the coun- are a traveller, you know all the personal and I don t get into any- he took five years to come up with try s top designers presenting their rules and laws of travelling inter- body s business. a new album. prospective uniforms for the flag nationally. She adds, The Rahimtoola comments, It s I ve been inundated with fan carrier at what was dubbed the amount of money [Ayyan was car- sad that she got caught in a web of messages for the last few years Runway Collection 2015'. rying] is not small. I myself would the powerful, who are nothing but asking me for a new album and new Designers, who were partici- be scared to carry even $10,000 piranhas that will find another to content. said the singer, who has pating pro bono, included the likes cash. It s not naivety, it is some- feed on once they are done with performed across the globe includ- of Maheen Khan, Shamaeel Ansa- thing beyond that. her. He feels the fashion industry ing India, Singapore, Britain and ri, Sonya Batla, Amir Adnan, Nida Veteran designer Maheen has responded to the situation like Dubai. Azwer, Ismail Farid, Omer Farooq, Khan solemnly says, One more crows and shouldn t be criticis- Bollywood and tours take up Fahad Hussayn, Maheen Karim, girl has become a victim to exploi- ing her for it. I leave it up to the most of my time. So, there was Misha Lakhani, Sania Maskatiya, tation. It s easy to judge and point law to decide what s right and hardly any time for my own Yasmeen Sheikh, Shamoon Sultan fingers but everyone has the right what s wrong. Hopefully, this is project. But I m very happy with of Khaadi, Ali Xeeshan and Hasan to prove their innocence until an eye-opener for young women my work in Bollywood. I ve been Shahryar Yasin popularly known they re proven guilty. She feels in the industry not to be lured by blessed with some really great as HSY. Ayyan has been used. How can pomp, power and wealth. tracks and I ve worked with the The designers showcased con- best music directors and some re- cepts for PIA s new cabin crew ally good compositions, he add- look, including air hostesses and ed. stewards. Bollywood projects mostly At the end of the day, it was a mean singing someone else s com- split decision. Nomi Ansari s out- positions. Instead of considering fit was chosen for the air hostess- it as a restriction, the artiste in es. The dress will be paired with April 18, 2015, so keep an eye out and in national spirit. Kazmi was ers would be working towards Khan takes it up as a challenge. caps and scarves from Sania the next time you re flying on a initially offered to solely design the when it came to the design of the Normally, I m always offered Maskatiya. PIA flight. Last week, while speak- uniforms herself, in turn she turned new uniforms. tracks by producers for movies Their coats will be by Yas- ing to The Express Tribune, orga- to 16 designers to offer inspira- We will have to wait and see which they feel are made for me. I meen Sheikh. niser of the event and CEO of Spec- tion, The Express Tribune learnt. what the vision of the designers is; never feel restricted because sing- For the men, they will wear trum Group Shahnoor Ahmed said, It should be smart, convey a pro- however, they have been briefed ing another music director or com- Omar Farooq s creations. Accord- The key inspiration comes from fessional image, be functional in to reflect our identity, he added. poser s composition is a challenge. You have to meet the requirement and the mark the composer has set SAYS KIM for you in that track; so it is a great I m on mission to get pregnant, experience, he said. Sometimes, when you do not want to sing a particular melody, it becomes an issue because I don t KARDASHIAN like to tell a composer that I don t LOS ANGELES: Reality TV star like the composition as I feel ev- Kim Kardashian is on a mission ery creation is that composer s to get pregnant. She is determined baby. That hasn t happened very to have another baby with her hus- often with me, so its fine, added band Kanye West after their 20- the singer, who has worked with month-old daughter North West. Indian composers like Shankar- Speaking at the premiere of the Ehsaan-Loy and Salim-Sulaiman. new Keeping Up With The Kar- But, he still has the urge to cre- dashians series, Kim said she has ate music for movies. Yes, I m a been in recent consultations with composer myself and would love a fertility doctor in a bid to boost to compose for movies someday. her chances of conceiving, Kherheyan de naal , which is my femalefirst.co.uk reported. composition has been used in Te- Read: Kim Kardashian goes var. But I will compose for a mov- platinum blond ie, the day I receive a meaningful I am so on a mission to get offer, he told. pregnant. I remember growing up The 50-year-old, who believes being so close with my sisters, so music is in my blood and my I want siblings for North. Because DNA , is a frequent performer in it s been so tough I m seeing a fer- India and says visa authorities tility doctor to see, like, exactly have always been kind to him. when I m ovulating and really in- The Pakistani artist might have crease my odds of getting pregnant a large number of fans in India, but naturally, she said. he is yet to be honoured with any The tenth season of Keeping of the prestigious Indian awards Up With The Kardashians was for his talent. premiered on March 15. I won t say that since I haven t bagged any yet, they are MY FILMS ARE MY Although Ayyan recently shifted gears to not important at all. They have an important place in every singer s STYLE STATEMENT: pursue a career in music, she long remained career. But not receiving them the sweetheart of the fashion fraternity. doesn t stop your creativity or you BHARDWAJ creating good music, said Khan. NEW DELHI: National Award- winning filmmaker Vishal Bhard- waj, who has helmed offbeat films, such as Omkara, Kaminey and MOMENT OF PDA: Haider, considers his films as his style statement, which teleport cinema-lovers to a whole new are- na of the film with ease. The 49-year-old attended the Deepika kisses Anushka Blenders Pride Reserve Collection as a style speaker. He also men- Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma crossed each other s path after tioned he uses the camera lens to was at the receiving end of a kiss which Deepika congratulated see the world as, according to him, from none other than Deepika Anushka for her latest film NH10's style means having an open mind Padukone who is well known for success. They later posed togeth- without any prejudice. My films planting kisses on the cheeks of er for pictures.Anushka apparent- are my style statement. If people her friends and colleagues. Deep- ly was slightly taken aback after watch any of my films or hear a ika was seen showering affection the kiss but was left beaming none- dialogue in it, they can easily make towards Anushka, who as we theless. This may be due to the out what the entire movie is know is Deepika s current boy- fact that the two actresses seemed about, he said. The characters I friend Ranveer Singh s ex-girl- to be having a tiff. When Deepika create are different and unique from friend. The Bollywod divas got came on Karan Johar s popular others and that depicts my together to attend a meeting aimed chat show Koffee with Karan, she strength in the film arena, he add- to discuss the Indian censor board s claimed Anushka was her friend ed. proposed ban on abusive language but was mocked by Karan. Later, Bhardwaj has garnered plau- in Hindi films. Read: I receive a lot Anushka denied their friendship dits for Haider, which was felici- of love from Pakistan: Anushka when she appeared on the same tated at Rome Film Festival with Sharma The two reportedly met show. Deepika is not my friend, the People s Choice Award . warmly and hugged when they she had said. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 18, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Sharapova beats Azarenka on 6th match point at Indian Wells Maria Sharapova defeated Victo- Bencic earned her first win ria Azarenka 6-4, 6-3 on her sixth over a top-five player and at 18 match point in a third-round pair- became the youngest player to ing of former No. 1-ranked play- reach the fourth round this year. ers at the BNP Paribas Open on Last year in Istanbul, Bencic failed Paris St Germain striker Zlatan Monday. to win a game off Wozniacki. Ibrahimovic's expletive-laden rant Sharapova hit 23 winners, one In other women's matches, decrying refereeing standards in more than Azarenka, and had 10 No. 6 seed Eugenie Bouchard beat French football will be investigat- fewer unforced errors than Aza- CoCo Vandeweghe 6-3, 6-2; Sab- ed later this week. renka's 37 to even their all-time ine Lisicki beat No. 11 seed Sara The Professional Football series at seven wins apiece. Errani, 6-4, 6-2; and qualifier Le- League (LFP), the governing body Top-ranked Novak Djokovic sia Tsurenko defeated 20th-seed- of French club football, issued a beat Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-5, 6- ed Alize Cornet, 7-5, 1-6, 6-2. statement on Monday saying the 3, rallying from a 3-1 deficit in the Andy Murray outlasted Phil- matter will be taken up by its dis- first set and earning a crucial break ipp Kohlschreiber 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 in ciplinary committee on March 19. with a forehand winner go up 5-3 a nearly two-hour baseline slug- I was talking about football and in the second set. fest under a hot sun. Murray not something else. I was speak- ''I managed to play the right earned the only two breaks of the ing in anger. shots at the right time in the im- third set and closed out the win Zlatan Ibrahimovic, PSG strik- portant moments, and I managed when Kohlschreiber's forehand er to sneak through in straight sets,'' went wide, one of 35 unforced er- Following PSG's 3-2 Ligue 1 Djokovic said on court. rors by the German. The tempera- defeat by Girondins Bordeaux on Azarenka fought off four ture topped 90 degrees (32 Cel- Sunday, Ibrahimovic said: "In 15 match points on her serve in the sius), unusually warm for this time years I've never seen a (good) ref- eighth game to hold trailing 5-3. of year. eree in this shit country ... (they) They dueled through five deuces Albert Ramos-Vinolas, of don't even deserve PSG." until Azarenka fired a big serve to Spain, returns a shot to Novak The Swedish international has keep herself in the match. Djokovic, of Serbia, during their since apologised for remarks he Sharapova took a 40-15 lead match at t was heard saying in Canal Plus TV to set up her fifth match point, Cool mornings, hot afternoons footage, comments that prompted but netted a forehand. She convert- and warm evenings have made for French sports minister Patrick ed on her sixth one with a dipping changing court conditions and ball Kanner to call on him to say sorry. crosscourt backhand that Azaren- speed in the desert, and Murray "Ibrahimovic's disappoint- ka couldn't return near the net. was affected by them. ment does not justify his remarks ''I was aggressive, even though ''When you are playing in those towards the referee and the coun- I was missing some shots, missing matches during the heat of the day, try that hosts him. He will have to quite long and wide at times, I just you need to trust your shots. You apologise," Kanner said on Twit- kept going for it,'' Sharapova said. need to go after them, because if ter and the PSG forward respond- ''Kept being aggressive and stay- you back off and try and sort of ed almost immediately. ing in there.'' guide the ball in these conditions, "My remarks were not aimed She showed off an array of it doesn't work,'' he said. ''During at France or the French people," drop shots, including one that led the day it's ridiculous how high the the Swede said in a statement. "I to her breaking Azarenka to end balls bounce and how quick they ple felt offended." was talking about football and not the first set. Sharapova joked that move through the air and jump off something else. I was speaking in Ibrahimovic is not the first big-name player to speak unflatteringly about France recently. Bayern Munich's France winger Franck Ribery told Germany's Bild-Zeitung last month he could consider taking German citizenship and staying in Germany after his playing career. it's taken her 24 of her 27 years to the court.'' anger. I wish to apologise if peo- work on drop shots, something she Murray moved on to a fourth- never did while learning the game. round match against Adrian Man- ''These are little things that I narino, who beat 14th-seeded Rory McIlroy now the cover boy think I have incorporated much Ernests Gulbis, 6-4, 6-4. Change at FIFA more in my game,'' she said. Fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori Sharapova, a two-time cham- was stretched to three sets before for EA Sports' golf franchise pion at Indian Wells, will meet de- overcoming Fernando Verdasco, 6- fending champion Flavia Pennetta 7 (8), 6-1, 6-4. Nishikori double- important for in the fourth round. Seeded 15th, faulted twice in the final game be- Pennetta beat Sam Stosur 6-4, 6-2 fore advancing to the fourth round on an outside court. for the first time in his seventh Azarenka, who beat Sharapo- appearance at Indian Wells. football va for the title here in 2012, is just John Isner beat 18th-seeded starting to return to form after a Kevin Anderson, 7-6 (8), 6-2, set- Change at FIFA is 'important for "Let's see the programs of the left foot injury limited her to nine ting up a fourth-round match football', said UEFA President four candidates,'' Platini said in the tournaments last year and dropped against Djokovic. Isner has lost just Michel Platini two months before video interview produced by her ranking to 32nd. The two-time 12 points on his big serve in his the world football body's presi- UEFA. Australian Open champion led 4- first two matches. dential election. "But I think it's important for 3 in the first set before Sharapova ''He's one of the best servers Platini, a FIFA vice-president, football that there is a change in won the final three games. in the history of the game,'' Djok- said the governing body needed FIFA.'' Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, ovic said. ''He's 6-foot-10, and he 'new ideas, a new programme' as Platini said at the World Cup returns a shot to Albert Ramos- can hit any angle he wants.'' longtime leader Sepp Blatter seeks last June he would no longer sup- Vinolas, of Spain, during their Jelena Jankovic, who won here a fifth term on May 29. port Blatter, but opted in August match at t ''I'm just really dis- in 2010 and spent 18 weeks at No. UEFA is supporting the cam- not to run against his one-time appointed because when you cre- 1 in the world, outlasted Madison paigns of all three of Blatter's op- mentor. ate opportunities and you don't Keys, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 despite the Serb ponents: FIFA vice-president "Perhaps it is not my time for take them, that's pretty frustrat- having just 13 winners and 42 un- Prince Ali bin al Hussein of Jor- the moment to go to FIFA. We will ing,'' Azarenka said. ''I've got to forced errors. dan, former Portugal great Luis see one day if I go or if I don't go.'' step it up with finishing those Jankovic is coming off a back Figo and Michael van Praag of the Platini is running unopposed games and really taking my chanc- injury and torn muscle in Doha, Netherlands, a UEFA executive for the UEFA presidency next committee member. week in Vienna.

EA Sports has a new face on the ger Woods in the game. Woods and McIlroy has been a playable cover of its PGA Tour golf fran- EA Sports ended a 15-year rela- character in each of the last two chise, and it's world No. 1 Rory tionship in 2013, with the compa- editions of the game and appeared McIlroy. ny not producing a golf title in on a Europe-only cover of the The video-game maker has re- 2014. EA Sports announced it game in 2013, "Tiger Woods PGA named its annual golf game to "EA would be releasing a 2015 game last Tour '14." Sports Rory McIlroy PGA Tour," June, but the title did not have The reboot of the franchise is with the Ulsterman replacing Ti- McIlroy's name in it. expected to debut in June. After years of disappointment, Alistair Overeem back in heavyweight title hunt UFC president Dana White had his opinion on which direction he'd like to see veteran heavyweight Alistair Overeem go toward after "The Reem" delivered a beatdown to fellow vet Roy Nelson on Saturday night. It was suggested that Overeem, the former Strikeforce and Dream champion, should meet up with former UFC champion Junior dos Santos, a bout that was originally slated as a title fight in 2012 before it fell out. "I like it," White said at the UFC 185 post-fight news conference. "Does Overeem like it?" Overeem, for his part, seems to be setting his sights a little higher, as he called out the fighters who will meet for the UFC heavyweight title in June, champion Cain Velasquez and interim champ Fabricio Werdum. "I'm not done yet," said Overeem (39-14, 1 NC). "I'm 34 years old and I'm coming for that belt. Cain or Werdum, I'm coming for you bros." Whether you believe the long-awaited grudge match with dos Santos is Overeem's best bet, or whether you think he's ready for Velasquez or Werdum, the fact that Overeem is again being mentioned for potential pairings with the division's elite is remarkable. Evander Holyfield to fight politician Mitt ROMNEY IN CHARITY BOXING MATCH Boxing legend Evander Holyfield, for all the left-leaning read- 52, hasn t fought since a victory ers out there. over Brian Nielsen in 2011, but he'll Romney, for his part, climb back into the ring on May is seemingly well aware of 15 in Salt Lake City. His oppo- the dangers facing him nent? None other than former 2012 even if it's only sparring GOP presidential nominee Mitt against the former heavy- Romney. weight champion of the It's for charity, of course. world. It will either be a We ll see, said Holyfield in very short fight, or I will an interview with Fox Business be knocked unconscious, Insider when asked if he would Romney said in an inter- actually hit the 68-year-old politi- view with the Salt Lake cian. Tribune. It won t be much I just want him to stop hid- of a fight. We ll both suit ing cause he s gonna get the up and get in the ring and whooping, continued Holyfield. spar around a little bit. You can t run and hide from me. There will be other The match and subsequent fights, with real profession- fund raiser is for Charity Vision, a als, on the May 15 fight Salt Lake City organization that card at the Rail Event Cen- provides surgeries and other ser- ter in Salt Lake City, so all vices to poverty-stricken people the pressure won t solely es.'' Two more former Indian Wells which hampered her practice with vision problems around the fall on the two aging slug- champions and top-ranked play- schedule. Keys, a 20-year-old world. gers to put on a show. ers went out in the third round. American coached by former top- So, it is highly unlikely that Then again, when a Fourth-seeded Caroline Wozniac- ranked Lindsay Davenport, had any blood will be shed when boxer is pitted against a ki lost to 31st-seeded Belinda Ben- her chances to take control, lead- Rumbling Romney meets Real politician, the show kind cic, 6-4, 6-4, and fifth-seeded Ana ing 3-1 in the final set. She hit 39 Deal Holyfield later this summer. of takes care of itself, Ivanovic lost to 25th-seeded Car- winners, but came undone with a We'll dole out boxes of tissues doesn t it? oline Garcia 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. whopping 64 unforced errors. 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. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 18 . 2015 -Hoot 27, 1393 H.S Vol:IX Issue No:224 Price: Afs.15

Bamyan journalists voice Police commander UN calls for consensus on govt-Taliban talks among 8 injured in KABUL: The United Nations on concern at censorship move Paktika bombing Tuesday acknowledged intensified efforts were underway to bring the BAMYAN CITY: Journalists in Roohullah Farogh, the provin- SHARAN: Special Police Com- insurgents to the negotiations ta- central Bamyan province on Tues- cial human rights commission head, mander Azizullah Karwan and ble, suggesting the process should day expressed their concern about said the letter clearly stated that seven other policemen were go ahead in consultation with the wounded in an explosion in south- people. a recent move by the governor s no official could give interviews to eastern Paktika province, an offi- Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN office barring local officials from journalists without consulting with cial said on Tuesday. deputy special representative, giving interviews before consult- the governor s spokesperson. Karwan was among the secu- made the remarks during a meeting ing with the authorities. We are concerned that the rity officials who were accused of with Chief Executive Officer In a letter sent from the gover- departments would use the letter human rights violations in a recent (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah at the nor s office, local departments as an excuse and not provide in- Human Right Watch (HRW) re- Sapidar Palace in Kabul. port. Nabiullah Pirkhel, the gover- The dignitaries spoke on a were asked to consult and coordi- formation to journalists at all, he nor s spokesman, told Pajhwok range of issues including Abdullah s nate with the media office before added. Afghan News the explosion tar- upcoming visit to the United States talking to reporters. But local jour- Farogh said the deputy gover- getting the police commander s along with President Mohammad nalists warned the move could lead nor had promised to consult with vehicle took place in the Goshti Ashraf Ghani, the need for elec- to curtailing the freedom of expres- the acting governor on the issue locality of Wazikhel district. toral reforms and the renewed sion. and if the letter was against the Two policemen are said to be peace campaign. forms in the electoral panels, call- forms to the electoral commis- agreed on developing a framework in critical condition, while Kar- Yamamoto insisted on a gen- ing them vital to restoring public sions. for coordination in this regard. Zafar Bamyani, a reporter law, it would be withdrawn. wan s injuries are not life-threat- eral consensus between the peo- trust in poll result and strengthen- Meanwhile, the Ministry of All ministries spokespersons with the Voice of America, called Abdul Rahman Ahmadi, the ening, according to the spokesman, ple and government on peace ef- ing democracy. Foreign Affairs (MoFA) spokes- had been directed not to comment the move illegal. We don t know governor s spokesperson, said the who said the attack was being in- forts. The process should go Abdullah said his upcoming man said President Ghani and Sau- on the peace process, he added. why they want to impose censor- objective was not to limit the free- vestigated. ahead with the general agreement visit to the US was important for di officials had agreed on econom- Only spokespersons for the pres- ship on us. dom of expression, but to create As usual, the Taliban have of the people and the government. the long-term security and eco- ic, security and cultural coopera- ident and the High Peace Council Bamyan is one of the provinc- better coordination among local claimed responsibility for the at- He underlined the need for re- nomic prosperity of Afghanistan. tion. Ahmad Shakib Mustaghni are authorised to speak on the is- tack, saying the police command- Efforts were ongoing to bring re- told journalists the two nations had sue. es enjoying the freedom of expres- departments in providing accurate er and seven others were wounded Afghan forces sion until recently. information to journalists. in the explosion. (Pajhwok) 75 tonnes of spurious drugs Taliban shadow Afghanistan, Kazakhstan could become held suicide SET ALIGHT IN KABUL district governor bomber in killed in Faryab new global rare earth metals centers Afghanistan and Kazakhstan may in the country s territory is Ministry of Natural Resources for A Taliban shadow district gover- become new global centers of rare praseodymium, which a silver three years after graduation of the Helmand nor for Dawlat Abad district of earth metals production during the metal that is used in the manufac- geology department of the St. Pe- AT Monitoring Desk northern Faryab province and five next several years with Kazakh ture of specialty glasses and for tersburg State University. other insurgents were killed in an government recently approving a the improvement of the proper- Afghanistan s mineral resourc- KABUL: A suicide bomber was Afghan National Security Forces state plan that involves a signifi- ties of some alloys. Among the es were valued at $908 billion by arrested by Afghan National Secu- operation, officials of the 209th cant increase of production and other discovered rare earth metals U.S. Department of Defense s rity Forces before reaching the tar- Shaheen Military Corps said on development of the country s of are cerium, which is actively used Task Force for Business and Sta- get in Helmand province. The Tuesday. rare and REM fields during the next in metallurgy, as well as lanthanum, bility Operations (TFBSO) in Ministry of Interior (MoI) The shadow district governor four years. neodymium, samarium and gado- 2010. However, Afghan govern- spokesman Sediq Sediqi said that known as Mullah Nooruddin and Afghanistan s Rare Earth Ele- linium, the report added. ment s estimate is $3 trillion. the suicide bomber was held in Nad five other insurgents including their ments have been valued at around Gerden is an international free- The resources provide the po- Ali district of the province while leader, Mullah Musa, were killed $1 trillion despite being one of the lance writer, based in St. Peters- tential for Afghanistan to develop he was trying to carry out suicide during the "Khanjar" operation in poorest nations in the world. burg, who specializes on writing its economy, to create jobs and attack. the district, which was launched According to a survey report in the field of mining, metals and build infrastructure, as it goes into three days ago and ended on Mon- by US scientists, Afghanistan may rare earth metals and has worked the future and lift Afghanistan out Afghan forces also seized an day, the head of the media depart- explosive-laden vehicle from sui- be sitting on one of the richest as a senior analyst in the depart- of poverty and fight crime and ter- ment of 209th Shaheen Military troves of minerals in the world, ment of mining of the Russian rorism. cide bomber, he said. Corps, Reza Reza said. No Taliban group has com- loaded with minerals deposited by KABUL (Pajhwok): Ministry of The minister did not say if any Popalzai, Haji Hakim, Mah- the violent collision of the Indian mented on the arrest of the alleged Public Health (MoPH) officials on arrests were made in connection moudkhil, Fatah Baba and Shek- suicide bomber. subcontinent with Asia. Tuesday torched around 75 tonnes with the seizure, but warned offi- han villages of Dawlat Abad dis- The report further added that It is worth mentioning that of expired and low quality medi- cials would continue raiding medi- trict have been cleared of Taliban Afghanistan may hold 60 million Monday afternoon four people cines in the Khak-i-Jabbar district cal stores in search of expired insurgents, he added. tons of copper, 2.2 billion tons of were killed and five others were of Kabul. drugs. The insurgents who were iron ore, 1.4 million tons of rare wounded in a suicide car bomb at- The drugs had been seized Expired drugs are still avail- killed during the operation were earth elements such as lanthanum, tack in Helmand province. from medical stores over the past able in the market despite our ef- involved in the insecurity of the cerium and neodymium, and lodes Helmand is among the volatile one and a half months in coopera- forts to do away with them, the district, Reza said. of aluminum, gold, silver, zinc, provinces in southern Afghanistan tion with officials from the Direc- minister acknowledged. However, he did not provide mercury and lithium. where insurgents group are active- torate of Pharmacy and the pri- Substandard and expired drugs information of casualties to the In the meantime, Eugene Ger- ly operating in different districts. vate sector, Public Health Minis- are smuggled from Pakistan and Afghan forces during the operation. den in his report for Investor In- Helmand is also the largest pro- ter Firozuddin Feroz told report- Iran to Afghanistan due to a weak So far the Taliban has not com- tel, stated that one of the most ducer of poppy and drugs. ers in Kabul. control over borders. mented about the operation. valuable metal that was discovered 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.