1TV: Afghan force reclaimed Bilchiragh district in northern Faryab province from the Taliban, Defense Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Bilchiragh had fallen to insurgents more than 10 months ago. Click here to read more (external link).
Rivals Challenge Ghani’s Legitimacy, Renew Call For Interim Govt
Ghani (left) and Atmar (right)
Tolo News: President Ashraf Ghani’s rival candidates on Tuesday once again challenged the legitimacy of the incumbent government and reiterated the call for the establishment of an interim government in the country so that the upcoming elections are held in a free and transparent way. “This government is illegitimate, its oppressor and corrupt. If the illegitimate tenure of this government continues, this will put the peace process and elections in perils and will further increase discord in the country,” said Atmar. “Just two days ago, they announced the allocation of 400 million Afghanis to celebrate the 100th independence day. It is not legitimate because it was not included in the budget,” said [Hanif] Atmar. Click here to read more (external link).
Another Loss for Afghanistan’s Cricket Team at the World Cup
BBC: Bangladesh moved a point behind England and the World Cup semi-final places as they beat Afghanistan by 62 runs at Southampton. Bangladesh’s total proved too much for Afghanistan but their bowlers would have been relatively pleased at the halfway stage. They have two games remaining, against Pakistan and West Indies, to try and gain a first win of the tournament. Click here to read more (external link).
In male-dominated Afghanistan, justice for women is complicated
The Washington Post: Today, hundreds of Afghan women, mostly poor and uneducated, are serving sentences for crimes such as prostitution or drug smuggling, but rarely for acts of serious violence. Often, experts and legal advocates say, they did not act alone, but at the behest of a man — a father, husband or lover who wielded emotional, sexual or economic power over them. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban Threaten Afghan Media Not To Air Government Ads Against The Militants
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
June 24, 2019
The Taliban have issued a threat to Afghan media, saying journalists will be targeted unless news outlets stop broadcasting what they describe as government propaganda against the militants.
In a statement released on June 24, the group gave Afghan radio stations, TV channels, publications and others a week to cease airing anti-Taliban announcements paid for by the government.
The ads call on citizens to inform authorities if they see any suspicious Taliban activities.
The Taliban, which has targeted media in the past, said that Afghan news outlets that refuse to stop publishing the ads will be considered “military targets.”
Nai, an Afghan media-advocacy organization, condemned the Taliban warning and called on the Afghan government to take stronger measures to ensure the safety of Afghan media.
Nai said nine Taliban-related media incidents have taken place since the beginning of the year, with one journalist killed, and one injured.
Based on reporting by RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan, AP and dpa
Copyright (c) 2019. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.
1TV Afghanistan Dari News – June 24, 2019
Pakistan Key To Bringing Peace In Afghanistan: Hekmatyar
Hekmatyar, head of Hizb-e-Islami.
Tolo News: Hezb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has praised Pakistan’s role in the ongoing peace process for his country and has said that “Pakistan could play a key role in bringing peace in Afghanistan and now they are doing it.” “Pakistan is a very important country and Islamabad could play a key role in bringing peace in Afghanistan and now they are doing it,” Hekmatyar said as quoted by Anadolu News Agency. “I praise Pakistan’s sincere efforts and I am sure they will continue its help to bring peace in our country,” he said. The Americans are also praising Pakistan’s role in bringing Taliban on the negotiating table, he added. Click here to read more (external link).
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MPs Agree On New Faces To Run For Parliament Speaker
Tolo News: After 35 days of turmoil over the election of new speaker for the parliament, lawmakers on Monday agreed on two new candidates to contest for the position of the speaker so that the current crisis in the house comes to an end. From 229 MPs present in the house on Monday, 120 of them voted to invalidate one controversial vote. Meanwhile, 115 MPs voted in favor of the decision to accept the controversial vote. Based on this decision, Mir Rahman Rahmani, who got 123 votes in the previous voting, can enter the race only if no one succeeds to get the required votes in the next two rounds of the voting. The MPs agreed to hold another voting on Tuesday to elect a new speaker for the Wolesi Jirga, the Lower House of the Parliament. The lawmakers appointed Malik Qais Noor Agha, an MP from Nangarhar, as acting speaker of the parliament. Click here to read more (external link).
Afghan businessman offers $120K prize if cricket team beats Bangladesh
1TV: An Afghan business is offering $120,000 if national team beats Bangladesh in World Cup clash scheduled to be played today (Monday). Sayed Jalal Agha, a former parliamentary election candidate from Kandahar, said that he would give $200,000 to the team if it beats Pakistan in their next clash on Saturday. Afghanistan lost all their six games in the tournament so far… Click here to read more (external link).
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Afghanistan seeks membership of International Maritime Organization
A ship at Chabahar Port (file photo, Press TV)
1TV: Afghanistan is seeking membership of International Maritime Organization to use its own ships for trade with India via Iran’s Chabahar port, authorities said on Sunday. Mahdi Rouhani, a spokesman for Afghanistan Transport Ministry, said that a request has been sent to IMO to secure membership of the organization. He said that talks are underway on both IMO membership and purchasing ships. Click here to read more (external link).