Home » Afghanistan
Kandahar Mayor Killed
July 28, 2011
KANDAHAR - A suicide bomber killed the mayor of Kandahar Wednesday, a further blow to stability in the southern city still reeling from the assassination two weeks ago of President Hamid Karzai's brother. The death of Mayor Ghulam Haidar Hamidi, a U.S. citizen, is the latest in a string of assassinations of powerful southern leaders and ...
Crocker Praises Karzai, Signals Reset in Afghan Ties
July 28, 2011
KABUL - The new U.S. envoy to Afghanistan on Wednesday described President Hamid Karzai as a brave man who holds one of the world's most difficult jobs, strong praise that could signal a U.S. bid to reset an often tense and acrimonious relationship. U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker, speaking a few days after arriving in Kabul, said he had...
Afghanistan Gets Electricity from Tajikistan
July 28, 2011
KABUL - Deputy Minister of Energy and Industries of Tajikistan on Wednesday said that the price of the electricity is less than the electricity from Uzbekistan. According to him the power lines will be extended to Afghanistan trough a 220-kilowatt cable. The project was due to start last year but it was postponed due to political instability ...
Neighbors Should Help Afghans Fight Terror: Sedwill
July 28, 2011
KABUL – Afghanistan needed sincere cooperation from its neighbors in eradicating terrorism from the country and the region at large, Britain's special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan said on Wednesday. The ongoing reconciliation campaign of the Afghan government was important for neighboring countries as well, Mark Sedwill said after a ...
Long-Term Deal with U.S. Must Be on Afghan Terms: Karzai
July 27, 2011
KABUL - President Hamid Karzai said on Tuesday that Afghanistan will only sign a long-term "strategic partnership" deal with Washington if the United States meets Afghan conditions including an end to controversial night raids on homes.
He also pledged that Afghanistan would pay for its own armed forces and police, but the only major prospective income stream for one of the poorest countries in the world is profits...
Afghanistan’s Biggest Need, Flourishing Economy: WB
July 27, 2011
WASHINGTON - American and NATO troops will soon be moving out of Afghanistan, and people are asking whether the Afghan army will be able to provide security. An equally important question is: Will the Afghan economy be able to provide for the country? Without a viable economy, there is little prospect of Afghanistan ...
Karzai Calls for Political Independence
July 27, 2011
KABUL - President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday asked participants of a regional seminar that ways should be explored to defend the Afghanistan's political independence. In his message to participants of the seminar titled "Independence, sacrifice and martyrdom," Karzai said Afghanistan's sovereignty was the result of countless...
Govt. and Int’l Community Reaffirm Commitment to the “Kabul Process”
July 27, 2011
KABUL – The Government of Afghanistan and the international community on Tuesday concluded a series of meetings which reaffirmed their commitment to the "Kabul process." Of the 22 National Priority Program developed by the Government of Afghanistan over the last 18 months, seven were put forward for endorsement at the next ...
President to Decide Fate of Poll Tribunal: Speaker
July 27, 2011
KABUL - President Hamid Karzai would soon announce his final decision on the special election tribunal, denounced by lawmakers as illegal, the Parliament speaker said on Tuesday.The president held out the assurance to a 16-member parliamentary delegation, which met him on Monday night and demanded dissolution of the special...
No Rush for Exits, No Permanent Bases in Afghanistan: Ryan Crocker
July 26, 2011
KABUL – The new U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan said Monday that the United States is not rushing to leave the country and cautioned that what happens in the months ahead will have far-reaching effects across the globe. Ryan Crocker takes over as America's top diplomat in Afghanistan as President Barack Obama begins withdrawing some of the 33,000 American reinforcements he sent in December 2009 as part of an effort to reverse the Taliban's momentum. Some Republican lawmakers called the withdrawal ...
Special Court’s Verdict Challenged
July 26, 2011
KABUL - More than 50 former candidates and MPs have appealed the special election tribunal's verdict on the results of last year's Parliamentary election, a court official said. The Attorney General's Office invalidated some poll results after the election. The special election court was created by the Supreme Court ...
MPs Oppose Loya Jirga on Deal with US
July 26, 2011
KABUL - President Hamed Karzai is in conflict with Afghanistan's rebellious parliament again, this time over plans for a "loya jirga" or national congress to discuss future relations with the United States.First floated in April, the idea is to convene the traditional congress to underpin the legitimacy of a possible ...
Peace Talks to Be Held in Two Months
July 25, 2011
KABUL - Pointing out to some progress in peace talks with the Taliban, a senior member of the Afghan High Peace Council said talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban leadership would be underway in two months.
There hasn't been an agreement about the venue of peace talks, but there are efforts to make the talks happen inside Afghanistan, a senior member in the High Peace Council...
Etisalat Launches New Power Packed Josh for the Youth
July 25, 2011
KABUL - Etisalat Afghanistan, a 100% owned subsidiary of Etisalat Telecommunications UAE, today launched its new package "Power Packed Josh" with the freedom to make subsidized calls all day to friends and family and enjoying the brand new exclusive features embedded in this unrivaled package. The new product focuses on the ...
US Diplomat Urges Reform in Justice Organizations
July 25, 2011
KABUL - A senior US diplomat at the US embassy in Kabul has called for reform in justice departments in Afghanistan. During his visit to western Herat province Hans Klemm, Coordinating Director of Rule of Law and Law Enforcement at US embassy, said Afghan citizens should be able to get a fair judgments without paying bribe...
Work to Start on the Kinaki Dam Project
July 25, 2011
HELMAND - speech expressed by the minister of energy and water Mohammad Ismail on Sunday in Helmand province. Minister of energy and water came to Helmand province with a senior representative and he met with the governor of this province Mohammad Gulab Mangal, some other local Authorities and representatives of the DFID and USAID in...
WB Grants $50m to Ministry of Education
July 25, 2011
KABUL - The Ministry of Finance signed on Sunday an agreement with the World Bank (WB) for a $50 million grant from the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF). This is the initial tranche of a $73 million grant approved for the Ministry of Education. The additional grant will provide further support to the ongoing Education Quality...
Security for Panjsher Changes Hands
July 25, 2011
>PARAKH - Security for the central province of Panjsher transitioned from NATO-led American troops to Afghan forces on Sunday, officials said. A ceremony marking the security transfer, attended by Afghan, US and ISAF officials, was held in the provincial capital, Parakh, the police chief said. Governor Kiramuddin Karim welcomed the...
Afghan Forces to Get $20b Aid Over 4 Years
July 24, 2011
MAZAR-I-SHARIF - The international community will provide $20 billion in assistance over the next three years to equip Afghan forces, the security transition commission head said on Saturday.
Dr. Ashraf Ghani said this at a news conference after security for Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, transitioned from NATO-led German troops to Afghan forces.
The Balkh governor, ministers of defense and mines, and International Security Assistance Force official participated ...
Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta: Afghanistan, US at Loggerheads on Strategic Deal
July 24, 2011
KABUL - There is no guarantee that Afghanistan and the United States would reach a consensus on strategic partnership agreement between the two nations, Chief of Afghan National Security Council said on Saturday. The Chief of National Security Council, Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta and Foreign Minister Zalmai Rasoul were called over by the House of ...
MPs Urge Travel Ban for AG
July 24, 2011
KABUL - Some parliamentarians on Saturday suggested that the Attorney General should be placed on a travel ban over allegations of possible involvement in corruption.Based on evidence the attorney general has ordered the release of two culprits who embezzled $14 million in a bank, lawmakers said. But Deputy Attorney General said...
Pakistan Allows Transfer of Afghan Cargo
July 24, 2011
KABUL - Islamabad has allowed the transfer of stranded shipments to Afghanistan trough two Pakistani companies for a couple of months, the minister of commerce announced on Saturday. Afghan traders faced numerous problems over the past one year in transporting their goods through the neighbouring country. Some six ...
Mazar-i-Sharif Transitions to ANSF
July 24, 2011
Security responsibility for Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of the northern province of Balkh, will be handed over to Afghan forces on Saturday, the governor's office in northern Balkh province said. The transfer will increase to five the number of areas transferred to local control.The Balkh governor, local officials, high ranking officials from ...
Women, Ethnic Groups Crucial for Afghan Peace: Clinton
Saturday July 23
KABUL - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday asked Pakistan to pressure the Taliban to join Afghanistan's peace process.
She also urged Pakistan not to allow militants to use its territory to stage attacks against Afghanistan and India.
Clinton met with her Indian counterpart, S.M. Krishna, and spoke about Pakistan Thursday during a visit to the Indian port city of Chennai.
Regarding the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, she remarked, according to a transcript of the speech ...
ANP Equipped with Night Vision Scopes
Saturday July 23
KABUL - Afghan police were equipped with new weapons, including night vision scopes, by the International Assistance Force (ISAF) on Thursday, days ahead of Kabul's transition to Afghan security lead.
ISAF training mission chief, Maj. Tora, told a ceremony at the interior ministry the weapons and equipment would meet requirements of the police ...
Singh Invites Karzai to Visit India
Saturday July 23
KABUL - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said his country remained committed to providing long-term assistance to Afghanistan. Singh held out the promise during a telephonic conversation with President Hamid Karzai, the Presidential Palace in Kabul said in a...
Governor Blasts Project Contractors for Corruption
Saturday July 23
KABUL - A number of contractors are committing corruption in executing foreign-funded projects in eastern Khost province, Governor Abdul Jabbar Naeemi alleged on Friday.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony for Terazai and Alisher district headquarters buildings, Naeemi accused contractors of providing wrong ...
Germany to stand by Afghans: German FM
Saturday July 23
KABUL - Germany will continue to assist Afghanistan beyond the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country by 2014, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle promised on Thursday. The pullout of international troops does not mean that the global fraternity will abandon Afghanistan, Westerwelle told a joint news ...
Afghan-NATO Forces Kills 50 Insurgents in Paktika
Saturday July 23
KABUL - International and Afghan troops battled heavily armed insurgents holed up in caves and bunkers that served as a way station for foreign fighters crossing into the country from Pakistan, the U.S.-led coalition said Friday. The two days of fighting killed more than 50 of the militants, it said. The foreign fighter encampment is...
Herat City Transitions to ANSF
Saturday July 23
HERATCITY - Security responsibility for Herat City was handed over to Afghan forces on Thursday, increasing to four the number of areas transferred to local control. Marking the transition, two separate ceremonies took place on the Herat Airbase and at the 207the Zafar Corps of the Afghan National Army. Head of Security Transition...
Afghans Fear Taliban Return
July 23, 2011
WASHINGTON - Afghans are worried about Taliban resurgence in various provinces, as NATO troops begin to pull out of the country. As the foreign presence recedes, many fear the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan's eastern Nuristan Province and Kunar Province. According to the Christian Science Monitor, the responsibility of ...
Lashkargah Handed to ANSF
July 21, 2011
LASHKARGAH - Security responsibility for the southern city of Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand province, was handed to Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) on Wednesday, an official said.
Afghan officials and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commander Gen. John Allen attended a ceremony, marking the security transfer to local forces, said Daud Ahmadi, the governor's spokesman. After the ceremony, Governor Gulab Mangal told a news conference government institutions in ...
Former Militants to Be Given Jobs: Minister
July 21, 2011
KABUL - The Ministry of Public Works will provide jobs for those who join the peace process in their areas, an official said on Wednesday. Public Works Minister Abdul Qudus Hameedi said at a hearing in the Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of Parliament, that commanders who joined the peace process would be hired as managers and their men as ...
Karzai Bans U.S. Treasury Officials from DAB
July 21, 2011
WASHINGTON - Amid a growing financial scandal, President Hamid Karzai has banned U.S. Treasury officials from his country's central bank (De Afghanistan Bank), hampering work to fight the flow of money to insurgents, a report revealed Wednesday. The Treasury advisers won't return because working conditions at the ...
Clinton Reassures India over Afghan Troop Drawdown
July 21, 2011
CHENNAI – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday sought to soothe India's concerns over a US troop drawdown from Afghanistan, stressing Washington's commitment to the war-torn country. The United States has announced plans to withdraw from Afghanistan 33,000 surge troops by the end of September 2012, with 10,000 due to ...