Khaama: The investigation has revealed that the plot to target a heavily protected mosque in the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was hatched in Afghanistan and supported by their intelligence agency, Pakistan’s law enforcement officials said on Tuesday. On January 30, a bomb blast occurred at a mosque in Peshawar during the afternoon players, killing 101 people and injuring more than 200 others. The attacker was in police uniform and riding a motorcycle with a helmet and mask on, entered the high-security zone, officials said. The Peshawar mosque suicide attack plot was developed in Afghanistan and supported by the Kabul-based intelligence agency, officials stated. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban Seizes Afghan Professor For Giving Out Free Books To Women And Girls
By RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi: A man who wheeled books around Kabul and gave them out for free in response to a Taliban ban on higher education for girls and women was arrested on February 2. The day before, RFE/RL interviewed him as he made his rounds through the Afghan capital.
6 Million People in Afghanistan on Brink of Starvation, UN Warns
Khaama: This week, the UN warned all its member states that 70% of the people in Afghanistan are facing extreme hunger and need aid, while six million are facing the risk of famine. Martin Griffiths, the UN humanitarian chief, told the UN Security Council that Afghanistan faces multiple humanitarian, economic, climate, hunger and financial crises and urged donors to restore funding for development in Afghanistan. He asked the donors for about $770m to help Afghans survive the coming colder months. Meanwhile, he added that Afghanistan is facing a critical situation due to the halt to large-scale development aid. He also criticizes the current government that “Afghanistan’s de facto authorities must also do their part. Bureaucratic interferences and procedures slow down humanitarian assistance when it is needed most. Female humanitarian aid workers … must be allowed to work unhindered and securely. Moreover, girls must be allowed to continue their education.” Click here to read more (external link).
ACC increases Afghanistan’s share in revised financial distribution model
ESPN: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has revised its financial distribution model and increased the share for cash-strapped Afghanistan from Asia Cup earnings. Afghanistan became a Full Member of the ICC in 2017, but had been earning a lower share from the last two Asia Cups held in 2018 and 2022, with other Full Members in Asia divvying up the earnings equally. But with a new distribution model now in place, all Asian Test-playing nations including Afghanistan will be getting equal amounts from the ACC – that will effectively raise Afghanistan’s share from 6% to 15%. Click here to read more (external link).
Russia has no plans to close its embassy in Afghanistan, says envoy
Kabulov
Khaama: According to Zamir Kabulov, director of the Second Asian Department of the Russian Foreign Minister, Russia has no intentions to close its diplomatic mission in Kabul, TASS reported. “Such thoughts have not even occurred,” Kabulov said when asked whether Russia had such plans. The Al-Arabiya TV channel stated that several Arab and Western governments have opted to close their embassies in Kabul due to security concerns. Click here to read more (external link).
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Tolo News in Dari – January 6, 2023
AIHRC Condemns Ill-Treatment of Elaha Delawarzai, Demands Her Unconditional Release
Elaha Delawarzai
8am: Afghanistan’s Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) strongly condemned the inhumane treatment of Elaha Delawarzai and demanded her unconditional release. AIHRC issued a press release on Monday, condemning the forced marriage, kidnapping and unlawful detention of Elaha Delawarzai by the Taliban. AIHRC asked the UNAMA office in Kabul, the UN Special Rapporteur, the UN Women’s Committee, and organizations working on women’s rights, to work seriously for Elahah’s liberation and security. Ms. Delawarzai was arrested by the Taliban after her statements and is now in a Taliban prison in Kabul. Click here to read more (external link).
Media Watchdog Urges Release Of Journalist Detained In Kabul
AP: Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) along with 14 French media outlets and production companies called on Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers on February 6 to release a journalist imprisoned for a month in Kabul. In a joint statement, RSF and French media said journalist Mortaza Behbudi, who holds dual French and Afghan citizenship, was arrested on January 7 in the Afghan capital, two days after he arrived in the country as part of a reporting assignment. They said they decided to make the case public after trying in vain for a month to obtain his release. Click here to read more (external link).
Pashtuns in Afghanistan, Pakistan Have Been Victims of Terrorism: Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai
Khaama: Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize winner says that Pashtuns across Afghanistan and Pakistan have been the victims of ‘terrorism’, and have suffered discrimination, displacement, and death for long enough. Malala says, as a Pakistani Pashtun Muslim woman, she seriously opposes the remarks of Pakistan’s Representative to the United Nations about the Pashtuns. Click here to read more (external link).
Mahbouba Seraj Does Not Deserve Nobel Peace Prize: Afghan Protesting Women
Mahbouba Seraj
Khaama: The Coalition of Afghanistan Protesting Women (CAPW) says Mahbouba Seraj does not deserve to be a potential candidate for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. The CAPW in a statement has asked Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) to remove Mahbouba Suraj’s name from the Nobel Peace Prize candidacy. The CAPW in a statement has asked Henrik Urdal, the director of Peace Research Institute Oslo, “Mahbouba Seraj has not made any substantial efforts to restore peace and freedom for Afghan women under the Taliban regime – nor has she done anything to help women participate in education, work or public life”. Click here to read more (external link).
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