VOA News February 23, 2016 With the announcement of a new round of Afghan peace talks by the first week of March, Pakistan’s military appears to be retaining its role as a key dealmaker in the process. On Monday, Pakistan’s army chief, General Raheel Sharif, met officials from Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political
VOA News Ayaz Gul February 17, 2016 ISLAMABAD—Authorities in Pakistan have reported no progress in their probe to ascertain motives or locate the whereabouts of a visiting senior Afghan politician, nearly a week after he was kidnapped in Islamabad. Fazlullah Wahidi, former governor of Afghanistan’s western Herat province, arrived in the capital city with his
Tolo News: President Ashraf Ghani’s deputy spokesman Sayed Zafar Hashemi said that the Smart City housing contract has been canceled as part of the Presidential Palace’s new decisions on the controversial deal. He added that Ghani fired his legal advisor Abdul Ali Mohammadi and ordered that the court’s decision should be implemented on Khalilullah Frozi, one
Khaama Press: While talking to a gathering in western Herat province, Ismail Khan said that government has failed to maintain security and therefore it should adopt changes in the rankings of security institutions. The former Jihadi leader did not go into specifics but warned government that the situation would worsen if it does not implement a draft
By RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan February 15, 2016 Afghanistan’s leaders have urged the Taliban to end its 15-year insurgency and negotiate an end to the war. President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah both made the calls during an event in Kabul on February 15 commemorating the withdrawal of the Soviet Army from Afghanistan
Tolo News: Speaking at a gathering marking the 27th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, Sayyaf urged government to give the Mujahedeen a part in defending the country in order to help thwart threats against the political system and the country. Sayyaf said that if the government does not allow the Mujahedeen to help
Khaama Press: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday summoned Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan over the abduction of Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi in Islamabad. Islamabad police say they have made progress the case and that Wahidi would be recovered soon. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News: The former NDS Chief, Amrullah Saleh, wrote on his facebook page that Afghanistan’s consulate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued the passports after being pressurized by Kabul to do so. He said passports are issued to family members of Taliban members, who are currently engaged in a war against government. Click here to
Khaama Press: Professor Sibghatullah Mojaddedi, the former President of Afghanistan and a Jihadi leader who backed the incumbent President in his election campaign and asked the nation to vote for him, apparently regrets his support. Mojaddedi has told Ariana News in an interview published on its website on Thursday that the incumbent President reached to power
VOA News Ayaz Gul February 10, 2016 ISLAMABAD—The latest U.S. intelligence assessment is skeptical about prospects for political reconciliation in war-torn Afghanistan and has warned it is at “serious risk of a political breakdown during 2016.” U.S. National Intelligence Director James Clapper told a Senate committee Tuesday the Kabul government faces persistent hurdles to political