::. National
Govt. has Failed to Respond Public Demands: ANF
Update on May 17, 2012
FARYAB - As a part of its spring campaign, Afghanistan National Front (ANF) continues to hold rallies in the Northern Afghanistan. On Wednesday, Maimana, the provincial capital of Faryab, the most populated province of the North witnessed one of the largest rallies of its history.
ANF, which successfully held a big rally last week in Shiberghan, Jawzjan, held its second successful rally in Faryab. Addressing tens of thousands of spectators, Ahmad Zia Massoud, the chairman of the ANF said, "The upcoming presidential election of 2014 has the role of a milestone in the peace and stability of our country… whoever tries to ...
Strategic Cooperation Deal Inked with Germany
Update on May 17, 2012
KABUL - President Hamid Karzai and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday signed a long-term strategic cooperation agreement between their countries in Berlin on Wednesday, a presidential aide said.
Germany is the sixth country with which Afghanistan has concluded such a pact. In recent months, similar agreements were wrapped up with ...
Australia Pledges $300mln to Afghan Transition
Update on May 17, 2012
SYDNEY - Australia pledged to contribute US$300 million to Afghanistan in the years following the withdrawal of foreign troops to assist local forces with the transition.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Canberra would provide US$100 million annually for three years from 2015 "as part of ...
Amu River, Afghan Tajik Oil is Sufficient: Shahrani
Update on May 17, 2012
KABUL - Oil from Amu River and Afghan Tajik oil zones will not only be sufficient for Afghanistan, but also could export oil to other countries, Afghan Mines Minister Wahidullah Shahrani said today.
The oil extraction bidding process will be started in five months ...
MTNA Reduces Calling Rate
Update on May 17, 2012
KABUL – The Mobile Telecommunications Network Afghanistan (MTNA) on Wednesday announced that it will extend its offer of Reduced Rate (0.99Afs) for On-net voice calls. The decision was made based on customer feedback where there was an overwhelming response in overall ...
Strong ANSF Needed to Protect Civilians: NGOS
Update on May 17, 2012
KABUL - As NATO members gear to debate Afghanistan's future at the Chicago Summit, non-governmental agencies said on Wednesday that Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) were not yet ready to take security control and provide adequate protection for civilians. About 15 national and international development, humanitarian and ...
ANSF Unable to Take Security Responsibilities: MPs
Update on May 16, 2012
KABUL - Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) are not able to take security responsibilities and the third phase of transition will face major challenges, Afghan MPs said Tuesday.
The MPs also cited that the decision made yesterday by President Hamid Karzai to start the third phase of security transition should be revised because Afghan forces are still not fully trained and equipped and are not able to hold security without the help of another major military force.
Herati MP Saleh Mohammad Saljoqi believes that the conditions are not ...
Killings Won’t Scuttle Peace Drive: Rabbani
Update on May 16, 2012
KABUL - Chairman of High Peace Council Sallahuddin Rabbani on Tuesday said the killing of political leaders and council members could not derail the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan.
Rabbani and some family members of the late Maulvi Arsala Rahmani were invited to the Senate (upper house of parliament) to offer ...
Senate Approves TAPI Pipeline Deal
Update on May 16, 2012
KABUL - Meshrano Jirga, or upper house of parliament, on Tuesday approved the agreement on a gas pipeline running from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.
The Senate okayed the accord on the multibillion-dollar project, also known as TAPI pipeline, after it was placed before the house by the Public Welfare ...
EU Renews Long-Term Commitment to Afghanistan
Update on May 16, 2012
KABUL - Foreign ministers of the 27 European Union member states on Monday reaffirmed their long-term commitment to supporting Afghanistan during transition and the decade of transformation.
With Afghanistan top on the agenda, the ministers, together with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European ...
ISAF to Continue Playing Combat Role if Needed
Update on May 15, 2012
KABUL - While Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) gradually take over security affairs, NATO troops would support the country in combat operations, if necessary, especially after 2014, an ISAF spokesman said on Monday.
“As Afghan forces move more into the lead for combat operations across the country, ISAF will increasingly take more of a supporting role, but that will include supporting Afghans in combat, if necessary,” Christen Jacobson told a news conference in ...
Obama, Karzai to Confer on Afghan Sovereignty
Update on May 15, 2012
KABUL - The US President Barack Obama has welcomed the beginning of the third phase in the handover of security responsibilities to Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).
Obama welcomed the handover of security duties in 122 more districts across Afghanistan, announced on Sunday by the President Hamid ...
Turkey Approves Deal for Training Pak, Afghan Military
Update on May 15, 2012
ANKARA - Parliament approved a protocol concerning the training of Afghan and Pakistani military personnel. The governments of Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan, emphasizing their desire to improve relations and cooperation in the field of ...
Karzai Names 2 for Top Judicial Slots
Update on May 15, 2012
KABUL - President Hamid Karzai on Monday nominated two members of the Supreme Court's High Council for a vote of confidence from the lower house of parliament, an official ...
EA Launches Mumtaz Behtarin Package
Update on May 15, 2012
KABUL - Etisalat Afghanistan (EA), the first operator to launch 3.75G services in Afghanistan Monday also announced the launch of Mumtaz Behtarin package, with enhanced features including the Best Rate offer to all networks in Afghanistan.
Now customers in Afghanistan have the freedom to enjoy connectivity ...
MPs Fail to OK Changes to House Procedures
Update on May 15, 2012
KABUL - The Wolesi Jirga -- lower house of parliament -- on Monday failed to approve proposed amendments to the house internal procedures due to a lack of quorum.
A bill seeking changes to Rule 11 of the procedures was presented before the house by the legislative commission’s head, Nazir Ahmad ...
Afghans to Take more Control from NATO: Karzai
Update on May 14, 2012
KABUL - Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Sunday announced a new transfer of security control from NATO that will see local forces take responsibility for 75 percent of Afghanistan's population.
Kapisa province, where French troops are based, will be among 11 provinces to come under Afghan control, a statement from the president's office said.
It is the third phase of the transition of military control in the war-torn country and another step towards the withdrawal of 130,000 US-led NATO troops by the end of ...
UN Envoy Hails China’s Strong Support for Afghanistan
Update on May 14, 2012
KABUL - The top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan, Jan Kubis, hailed China's support for the peace and reconstruction process of the war-torn country, saying it is crucial for the rebuilding of Afghanistan.
"The bilateral policy of investment in Afghanistan that is promoted by China is extremely important for the future of ...
Top Afghan, Pak and NATO Commanders Hold High-Level Meet
Update on May 14, 2012
ABUL - Top military commanders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Sunday discussed border control measures and mechanisms to avert "untoward incidents" along the Afghan frontier, as the three sides resumed high-level military contact after a break of several months.
A Pakistan Army contingent led by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and ...
Maulvi Arsala Rahmani Assassinated
Update on May 14, 2012
KABUL - Unidentified gunmen on Sunday shot dead a prominent member of the High Peace Council, Maulvi Arsala Rahmani, in the heavily-fortified capital Kabul, officials said.
The assailants opened fire on Rahmani, a former Taliban leader and sitting member of the Senate, at 9:30am, when he was on his way to parliament, said a spokesman for the 101st police zone, Hashmatullah ...