Asia Times: Kabul hopes the possible peace deal with Hezb-i-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and his return could serve as a template for ending the 15-year war with the Taliban. While the deal with his inactive militant group may be more symbolic, it could help President Ashraf Ghani to win over the Taliban through talks. However, many
VOA News Ayesha Tanzeem May 18, 2016 ISLAMABAD—Afghanistan is showing its anger at Pakistan by downgrading its representation to the international group trying to arrange peace talks with the Taliban. Kabul says Pakistan needs to honor its commitments to take action against militant groups operating from Pakistan. The groups include the Afghan Taliban and the
Khaama Press: The Afghan government has signed the draft peace agreement with Hezb-e-Islami group led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Deputy Chief Executive Mohammad Khan said. He told reporters that the draft agreement has been signed and will become enforceable once the Hezb-e-Islami party signs it. Click here to read more (external link). Related NUG Upbeat About Draft
Press TV May 17, 2016 A Chinese official says neighboring Afghanistan has expressed its support for Beijing amid ongoing maritime tensions between China and regional and extra-regional countries over the South China Sea. “Our Afghan counterparts expressed their gratitude for China’s long-term support over the years, and also said they support China’s position on the
VOA News May 16, 2016 KABUL—Tens of thousands of ethnic minority Hazaras, protesting the rerouting of a power line, were blocked in their attempt to march to the presidential palace in Kabul Monday. Authorities, fearing violence, set up shipping containers overnight, effectively closing off Kabul’s commercial center to foot and motor traffic. Leaders of Monday’s
Axis of Logic: Afghanistan and Pakistan are both U.S. allies, but the latter is accused of destabilizing the former with U.S. help. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani gave a blistering speech on April 25 to a rare joint session of parliament, accusing Pakistan’s government of aiding and abetting Afghan Taliban officials in Peshawar and Quetta. “Today, I
VOA News Ayaz Gul May 15, 2016 ISLAMABAD—Afghanistan security forces said Sunday they have halted advances overnight by the Taliban on a key northern city and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. The fighting on the outskirts of Pul-e-Khumri, capital of Baghlan province, erupted when the Taliban overran several villages and security outposts, residents and
Tolo News: A draft agreement on peace between the Afghan government and Hezb-e Islami political party shows that government could be willing to bring Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of the party, and other key members into the fold by giving them special privileges. Click here to read more (external link).
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty May 14, 2016 The Afghan High Peace Council (AHPC) says it has agreed on the main points of a peace deal with the Hezb-e Islami militant group. A spokesman for the AHPC, the presidentially appointed body tasked with pursuing peace settlements with militant groups, told RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan that the
Tolo News: President Ashraf Ghani’s speech was interrupted at a gathering in Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in the United Kingdom after two Afghans blasted him for what they called injustice against the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TUTAP) electricity project. One of the two protesting attendants Ahmad Bahduri called Ghani a “liar” and claimed that he has failed to fulfill