China has been in talks with the Taliban over plans, begun under the previous foreign-backed government, over a possible huge copper mine in eastern Afghanistan…reports Asian Lite News
Afghanistan’s acting commerce minister Haji Nooruddin Azizi has said the Taliban administration wants to join China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. It will send a technical team to China for talks, he added.
Azizi told Reuters that they had requested China to allow Afghanistan to be a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Belt and Road Initiative. He also said the two sides were holding technical discussions.
Taliban officials and ministers have at times travelled to regional meetings, mostly those focused on Afghanistan, but the Belt and Road Forum is among the highest-profile multilateral summits it has been invited to attend, The News reported.
The impoverished country could offer a wealth of coveted mineral resources. A mines minister estimated in 2010 that Afghanistan had untapped deposits, ranging from copper to gold and lithium, worth between $1 trillion and $3 trillion. It is not clear how much they are worth today, The News reported.
China has been in talks with the Taliban over plans, begun under the previous foreign-backed government, over a possible huge copper mine in eastern Afghanistan.
Azizi will continue discussions in Beijing on plans to build a road through the Wakhan corridor, a thin, mountainous strip in northern Afghanistan, to provide direct access to China, Akhundzada said.
Officials from China, the Taliban and neighbouring Pakistan said in May they would like Belt and Road to include Afghanistan and for the flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to be extended across the border to Afghanistan, The News reported.
Azizi encouraged Chinese investment in resource-rich Afghanistan, highlighting lithium, copper, and iron.
He said security is a top priority for the Taliban-led government, enabling travel to previously restricted industrial, agricultural, and mining provinces. At the Belt and Road Forum, Afghanistan and 34 other nations joined forces to advance digital economy and green development.
Concerning trends have emerged over the past two years regarding the regular detention of journalists by Taliban officials in several areas….reports Asian Lite News
The United Nations Assistance Mission (UNAMA) has called on the Taliban to stop arbitrarily detaining journalists in Afghanistan, according to Khaama Press.
Concerning trends have emerged over the past two years regarding the regular detention of journalists by Taliban officials in several areas.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, vehemently denounces this practice, citing it as capricious and posing a serious risk to press freedom in the Taliban-ruled country.
The essential function of a free and independent media in any democratic society is undermined by these detentions, which also violate the fundamental rights of journalists, the mission has time and again, reiterated, according to Khaama Press.
French-Afghan journalist Mortaza Behboudi was, recently released from prison on October 18 after 284 days in Taliban custody. Since his imprisonment, two days after he entered Afghanistan in January 2023, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has never stopped defending him from the Taliban authorities.
According to Khaama Press, Behboudi was freed from Pul-e-Charkhi prison. He was captured in January of this year.
According to Reporters Without Borders, Behboudi has been cleared of all allegations, including “espionage,” “unlawful support for foreigners,” and aiding people in escaping borders, by the Taliban government.
Earlier in April, journalists in Afghanistan once again denounced the lack of access to information under the Taliban regime in the country and said that it results in their loss of timely coverage.
They also said that the de-facto authorities are not cooperating with them in any manner.
Lack of access to information has been one of the main challenges for journalists in Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the country in August 2021.
The ever-increasing restrictions against media in Afghanistan have also drawn widespread criticism globally with the United Nations (UN) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) decrying the arrests, demanding the Taliban stop harassing local journalists and stifling freedom of speech through continued detentions and threats.
Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in mid-August last year, it rolled back women’s rights advances and media freedom revoking the efforts on gender equality and freedom of speech in the country. (ANI)
Following a precise display of batting in the initial innings, the Kiwis left no room for error in protecting their 288-run target…reports Asian Lite News
Tom Latham’s captaincy proved instrumental as New Zealand’s cricket team maintained their winning form in the 2023 ODI World Cup, securing a convincing 149-run victory over Afghanistan at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday.
After a clinical performance with the bat in the first innings, the Kiwis made no mistake to defend the 288-run target.
In the first inning, Devon Conway and Will Young opened for the Kiwis and played a 30-run partnership. In the 6.3 overs, Mujeeb Ur Rahman dismissed Conway for 20 runs (NZ 30/1). However, Young played a solid knock of 54 runs from 64 balls.
In the first powerplay of the game, New Zealand scored 43 runs. On the Afghani bowling only picked one wicket.
The Kiwis touched the 50-run mark in 10.1 overs. Rachin Ravindra and Young made a strong partnership.
Azmatullah Omarzai picked his second wicket after he dismissed Ravindra for 32 runs from 41 balls (NZ 109/2).
Kiwi opener Young was removed by Azmatullah in the 20.6 overs (NZ 110/3). Daryl Mitchell replaced Ravindra but could not make a mark in the game. He scored only one run from seven balls and was dismissed by Rashid Khan (110/4).
In the second powerplay, New Zealand scored 142 runs. Meanwhile, Afghanistan took three wickets. The Kiwis touched the 100-run mark in the 18.1 overs of the first inning. After two quick wickets from Mitchell and Young, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham and right-handed batsman Glenn Phillips took incharge of the run rate and played a stunning partnership to give 288 runs to chase.
Phillips and Latham’s efforts helped New Zealand to cross the 200-run mark in the 42.1 overs.
Phillips made his half-century from 69 balls after playing 4 fours and 2 sixes. On the other hand, Latham slammed fifty in 67 balls after hitting two fours and no sixes.
Tom Latham’s side made 250 runs in the 46.5 overs.
Naveen Ul Haq kept a check on the run rate after he picked up two wickets in the 48th over. In the first ball, Naveen dismissed Glenn Phillips for 71 runs (NZ 254/5). On the other hand, the Afghani pacer picked up Latham’s wicket for 68 runs (NZ 255/6).
Afghanistan made a few misfields in the first inning and failed to dominate the game. The Afghani dropped four catches in the first inning.
Naveen Ul Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai picked up two wickets in the first inning. Meanwhile, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman took one wicket each in their respective spells.
In the second inning, no Afghanistan batsmen could slam a fifty in the second inning of the game.
Matt Henry made the first breakthrough of the game in the 5.5 overs after dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 11 runs from 21 balls (AFG 27/1).
In the 6.2 overs, Trent Boult picked up Ibrahim Zadran’s wicket for 14 runs from 15 balls (AFG 27-2)
Hashmatullah Shahidi scored eight runs in the game and was dismissed in the 13.6 overs by Lockie Ferguson (AFG 43-3).
The fourth wicket came on late when Boult removed Azmatullah Omarzai from the crease for 27 runs from 32 balls (AFG 97-4).
Soon after the fourth wicket in the second inning, Afghanistan failed to hold their wickets and make a solid partnership.
Rahmat Shah was dismissed by the young Rachin Ravindra for 36 runs from 62 balls (AFG 107-5).
Mitchell Santner dismissed Mohammad Nabi for seven runs from nine balls in the 30.4 over (AFG 125-6).
In the second inning, even Rashid Khan could not stand in front of the Kiwi bowling attack. Rashid was dismissed for just eight runs from 13 balls (AFG 134-7).
Following Rashid Khan’s dismissal, the Kiwi bowling attack dominated the game. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Fazalhaq Farooqi had to leave the crease within the 34th and 35th overs.
Afghanistan’s inning ended in 34.4 overs after they scored only 139 runs.
Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson led the Kiwi bowling attack and scalped three wickets in their respective spells. Trent Boult too picked up two wickets in his seven-over spell. Meanwhile, Matt Henry and Rachin Ravindra picked one wicket each in the second inning.
Brief Score: New Zealand 245/9 (Glenn Phillips 71(80), Tom Latham 68 (74), Will Young 54 (64); Naveen-ul-Haq (2-48), Azmatullah Omarzai (2/56) vs Afghanistan 139/10 (Rahmat Shah 36 (62), Azmatullah Omarzai 27 (32), Ikram Alikhil 19* (21); Lockie Ferguson (3/19), Mitchell Santner (3/39). (ANI)
Afghan refugees living in Pakistan claimed that the Pakistani army has destroyed their houses and forced them to leave their houses…reports Asian Lite News
In an ongoing development concerning the repatriation of Afghan migrants from Pakistan, officials in Balochistan province have announced that over the past 15 days, approximately 5,000 Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported.
Pakistani media reported on Sunday that these individuals have re-entered their home country by crossing the Chaman-Spin Boldak border.
Afghan refugees living in Pakistan claimed that the Pakistani army has destroyed their houses and forced them to leave their houses, reported TOLO News.
Refugees who have been living in Pakistan for a long time now have called on refugees’ advocates for support.
Haji Nazar, a Pakistan-based Afghan refugee said, “Refugee camps of Afghans have been destroyed ruthlessly in the past two days, they (Pakistan’s government) did not care about whether there were women or children inside the houses.”
Moreover, the head of the Afghan Refugees’ Council in Pakistan said that in different parts of Pakistam, the government is destroying the houses of Afghans.
“In Islamabad particularly in B-17, in Karachi and in other areas of Pakistan they [Pakistan’s government] are destroying houses of Afghans and even their personal belongings are being confiscated,” said Mir Ahmad Rauf, head of the Afghan Refugees’ Council in Pakistan said.
The caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwar ul Haq Kakar stressed that the repatriation of Afghan refugees does not mean the end of relations with Afghanistan, TOLO News reported.
However, the Taliban said that such misbehaviour with the Afghan refugees adversely affect relations with Pakistan.
Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesman of the Taliban said, “Their (Afghan refugees based in Pakistan) arrest may not benefit both countries and unfortunately it damages ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the people of both countries. The Pakistani authorities should take care about it.”
Additionally, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation on social media ‘X’ said that 800 families have returned from Pakistan in the last week, TOLO News reported.
Although, according to political analysts said that the Pakistan has taken a large amount of money from International organizations to host the Afghan refugees.
Samiullah Ahmadzai, a political analyst said, “Pakistan has received 21.3 billion USD from International funds since 2021, I am not sure the Pakistan will expel the Afghan refugees.”
Earlier this week, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has strongly criticised Pakistan’s ongoing crackdown against Afghans, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.
He has argued that the action being carried out by authorities is not only targeting illegal Afghan immigrants but also affecting those who are residing legally.
In an ongoing nationwide crackdown on illegal immigrants, law enforcement agencies have apprehended more than 1,700 Afghan nationals in Karachi for residing without valid documents, Dawn reported. (ANI)
Shelter for earthquake victims in Herat whose homes were destroyed is demanded by international assistance organisations to provide relief to the ailing people….reports Asian Lite News
Worldwide organisations and regional and international charities are continuing to distribute relief to all the earthquake-affected villages in Afghanistan. Food, tents, blankets, clothes, and hygiene supplies are all part of the support, reported TOLOnews.
Shelter for earthquake victims in Herat whose homes were destroyed is demanded by international assistance organisations to provide relief to the ailing people.
In the Zenda Jan area of Herat, the village of Nayeb Rafi, hundreds of families have received food and non-food relief from a German charity, TOLOnews reported.
“We have brought aid to the sisters and brothers affected by the earthquake, including tents, blankets, tea, sugar, oil, and flour,” said Mohammad Aalem Shahab, the head of a charitable organisation.
According to Menhajudin Hashemi, a representative for the Afghan Red Crescent, “food and non-food items were delivered to 78 families. From now on, we aim to assist some families whose tents were destroyed by bringing them tents.
The victims of this earthquake, who lost everything including their homes, deemed the relief essential. They claim that international relief organisations saved their lives.
“Every day help comes to us, but we lost all our possessions and our lives are ruined,” said Mohammad Hashem, an earthquake victim, according to TOLOnews.
“Now we survive with this aid and if it continues, it is good, but if the aid is cut off, we need a lot of things including winter clothes,” another victim said.
Herat earthquake victims are pleading with the Taliban and international humanitarian organisations for permanent refuge. According to them, the chilly weather and their children’s illnesses make living difficult under dire circumstances.
An earthquake of magnitude 5.4 on the Richter Scale jolted Afghanistan on Sunday, the National Center for Seismology stated.
Notably, this is the third earthquake to strike the impoverished nation in quick succession and comes just a week after a strong earthquake in Herat province claimed over 4,000 lives.
According to NCS, the earthquake occurred at 9:26 a.m. (IST) at a depth of 10 kilometres.
“Earthquake of Magnitude: 5.4, Occurred on 15-10-2023, 09:26:34 IST, Lat: 34.24 & Long: 62.55, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Afghanistan,” the NCS posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Earlier on October 13, an earthquake of magnitude 4.6 hit Afghanistan. Another earthquake of magnitude 6.1 on the Richter scale jolted Afghanistan on October 11.
Last week, the earthquake in the Herat province of Afghanistan claimed more than 4,000 lives and destroyed thousands of residential houses, Khaama Press reported citing the Taliban-led ministry.
Herat and surrounding regions were shaken by the magnitude 6.3 earthquake and its powerful aftershocks on Saturday. (ANI)
Economic problems, including the cost of rent and supporting families, have added to the challenges faced by teachers in Afghanistan….reports Asian Lite News
People in Afghanistan with disabilities have complained about lack of education, unemployment, and healthcare issues under the Taliban regime, according to Khaama Press.
They have complained of limited opportunities and stated that before the Taliban, they worked in various sectors.
But over the past two years, Afghanistan has been going through a crisis that is hurting all facets of society, especially weaker ones. The Taliban government has been in power for two years, and the blind are now protesting about the lack of employment possibilities, the barriers to education, and the reinforcement of cultural stereotypes.
For three years, 25-year-old Nargis Kazemi and her blind husband have resided in a leased home in a particular area of Kabul. In the past, she has worked as a weaver while also attending classes, earning money for the family by selling her creations. But as she says, “Conditions have changed, and it has become tough for everyone,” reported Khamma Press.
Nargis overcame family opposition and the Taliban’s restriction on girls’ education before earning degrees in law and criminology from Kabul University.
She further emphasised that there are few career options for blind individuals in the nation, according to Khaama Press.
More than four million people in Afghanistan have impairments, and many of them, including the blind, experience various sorts of discrimination, according to the United Nations Human Rights Watch.
Economic problems, including the cost of rent and supporting families, have added to the challenges faced by teachers in Afghanistan.
To address the problems faced by the blind, the UN declared October 15 as “International White Cane Safety Day” in 1969. Since then, this day has been observed annually to promote understanding of and support for those who are visually impaired.
Afghanistan also observes this day with special rituals for those who have impairments. (ANI)
Afghanistan are now at sixth place in points table, just behind England, while Australia are now at bottom of the ten-team tally…reports Asian Lite News
After a lot of one-sided matches, the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup was craving for an upset win and Afghanistan delivered the same with a shocking 69-run victory over defending champions England at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Sunday.
With a healthy amount of home support for them in the crowd of 26,440 in the stadium, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ikram Alikhil slammed 80 off 53 balls and 58 off 66 deliveries respectively in carrying Afghanistan to 284 in 49.5 overs.
In defence, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman took three wickets each in an impressive bowling performance to bowl out England for 215 in 40.5 overs. With this, Afghanistan end their 14-match losing streak in World Cups with the biggest win of their ODI history till date, to send shockwaves in the tournament as well as in the cricketing world.
Afghanistan are now at sixth place in points table, just behind England, while Australia are now at bottom of the ten-team tally. Chasing 285, England were dealt an early blow when Jonny Bairstow was trapped lbw on first ball of Fazalhaq Farooqui, which he reviewed immediately. The replay showed the ball clipping leg-stump on umpire’s call, meaning England retained review, but lost Bairstow.
Though Dawid Malan and Joe Root picked some boundaries, Farooqui continued to bowl probing line and length – like he squared up Malan, hit him on pads (and burnt a review), then beating him. Afghanistan increased pressure on England when Mujeeb Ur Rahman castled Root with a googly that stayed low.
Malan and Harry Brook tried stabilising the chase with strike-rotation and a few boundaries, but Mohammad Nabi took out the former by deceiving him with an outside off-stump delivery which he chipped straight to short extra cover.
Naveen-ul-Haq produced a peach of a delivery – fuller ball coming in from wide outside the off-stump – to castle Jos Buttler through the gate. Rashid entered wicket-takers’ list by trapping Liam Livingstone plumb lbw with a straighter delivery. Livingstone tried to overturn, but it went in vain.
With Brook at the crease and striking boundaries whenever deliveries either wide or overpitched were given to reach his fifty in 35 balls, England held their hopes high. But with boundaries drying up, Nabi struck by using dip, turn and bounce to draw Sam Curran forward and get him edge to slip.
Chris Woakes survived an lbw appeal against Mujeeb, but the spinner finally got his man when he got the googly to go past inside edge and crashed into the off-stump. Mujeeb struck the killer blow by having Brook nick behind a quicker carrom ball to Ikram Alikhil. Rashid had Adil Rashid caught at slip, and despite Reece Topley delaying the inevitable, the leg-spinner castled Mark Wood to send crowd into jubilant frenzy.
Earlier, Afghanistan were cruising on a flat pitch at 111-0 in 16 overs, with Gurbaz being unstoppable in his knock, at the centre of which was capitalising on loose balls from England’s fast bowlers. But Adil led a vicious spin web to trigger an Afghanistan collapse, taking his best-ever World Cup figures of 3-42.
From 190-6, Alikhil made a crucial fifty and was supported by cameos from Rashid and Mujeeb to get Afghanistan to a competitive total. Gurbaz began his scintillating show by pulling a wayward Woakes over mid-wicket for six, followed by Ibrahim Zadran cutting him for four past a sloppy Jonny Bairstow.
Gurbaz cashed on struggles of Woakes over a flat pitch by driving and slicing off him for back-to-back boundaries, followed by him and Zadran taking a four each off Topley. Post Afghanistan reaching its fifty in just 43 balls, there was just no respite for England’s bowlers.
Curran, brought into the attack in place of Woakes, there was no change as the left-arm pacer bowled a no-ball on the second delivery of the ninth over and Gurbaz smacked him for two boundaries through cover and fine leg before hammering a pull over mid-wicket for six, as 20 runs came off ninth over.
Post Afghanistan making 79-0 in first power-play, its best-ever start in a World Cup, Gurbaz reached his fifty in 33 balls by sweeping Adil powerfully past square leg for four. He took a liking to Wood’s raw-pace by upper-cutting over backward point for six and pulling to take another boundary.
After an hour of being under the pump, England had a breakthrough as Zadran heaved straight to short mid-wicket off Adil, followed by the leg-spinner having Rahmat Shah stumped cheaply. One brought two for England as Gurbaz was run-out for 80 after going for a non-existent single.
Seeing Rashid fetching wickets, England brought in Livingstone and Root from both ends – a move which worked wonders as Azmatullah Omarzai miscued loft to long-off and Hashmatullah Shahidi was castled by the latter, followed by Nabi being bounced out by Wood.
Rashid got the loudest cheer of the day from the crowd when he got off the mark with a superb drive through extra-cover for four off Wood and hit two more boundaries as Afghanistan went past 200. He found support from Alikhil, who took two fours off Topley in a nice 43-run stand.
But Rashid fell in a bid to attack against Adil, as Root took a stunning diving catch in the outfield. Mujeeb played a crucial hand by hammering boundaries off Curran, second of which was off a no-ball.
He then pulled Curran on a free-hit over mid-wicket for six and got an outside edge off Wood for four, followed by Alikhil getting his third ODI fifty. But he and Mujeeb holed out in quick succession, followed by Naveen-ul-Haq being run-out as Afghanistan’s innings ended with enough to engineer a historic day in their ODI history.
Brief Scores: Afghanistan 284 in 49.5 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 80, Ikram Alikhil 58; Adil Rashid 3-42, Mark Wood 2-50) beat England 215 in 40.3 overs (Harry Brook 66, Dawid Malan 32; Rashid Khan 3-37, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 3-51) by 69 runs
Refugees who have been living in Pakistan for a long time now have called on refugees’ advocates for support…reports Asian Lite News
Afghan refugees living in Pakistan claimed that the Pakistani army has destroyed their houses and forced them to leave their houses, reported TOLO News.
Refugees who have been living in Pakistan for a long time now have called on refugees’ advocates for support.
Haji Nazar, a Pakistan-based Afghan refugee said, “Refugee camps of Afghans have been destroyed ruthlessly in the past two days, they (Pakistan’s government) did not care about whether there were women or children inside the houses.”
Moreover, the head of the Afghan Refugees’ Council in Pakistan said that in different parts of Pakistam, the government is destroying the houses of Afghans.
“In Islamabad particularly in B-17, in Karachi and in other areas of Pakistan they [Pakistan’s government] are destroying houses of Afghans and even their personal belongings are being confiscated,” said Mir Ahmad Rauf, head of the Afghan Refugees’ Council in Pakistan said.
The caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwar ul Haq Kakar stressed that the repatriation of Afghan refugees does not mean the end of relations with Afghanistan, TOLO News reported.
However, the Taliban said that such misbehaviour with the Afghan refugees adversely affect relations with Pakistan.
Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesman of the Taliban said, “Their (Afghan refugees based in Pakistan) arrest may not benefit both countries and unfortunately it damages ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the people of both countries. The Pakistani authorities should take care about it.”
Additionally, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation on social media ‘X’ said that 800 families have returned from Pakistan in the last week, TOLO News reported.
Although, according to political analysts said that the Pakistan has taken a large amount of money from International organizations to host the Afghan refugees.
Samiullah Ahmadzai, a political analyst said, “Pakistan has received 21.3 billion USD from International funds since 2021, I am not sure the Pakistan will expel the Afghan refugees.”
Earlier this week, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has strongly criticised Pakistan’s ongoing crackdown against Afghans, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.
He has argued that the action being carried out by authorities is not only targeting illegal Afghan immigrants but also affecting those who are residing legally.
In an ongoing nationwide crackdown on illegal immigrants, law enforcement agencies have apprehended more than 1,700 Afghan nationals in Karachi for residing without valid documents, Dawn reported. (ANI)
Taliban officials in Takhar have also refrained from making any statements or comments regarding this incident….reports Asian Lite News
An explosion rocked Takhar Province in Afghanistan on Sunday evening, according to Khaama Press.
With the rise in blasts and the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban took control, the details of the explosion that occurred in Taleqan city of Takhar remain unclear. However, an investigation is underway.
According to reports, the incident happened close to the Takhar police command centre and the governor’s office. There are still many unanswered questions regarding this occurrence, like how many people were hurt and what caused the explosion, according to Khaama Press.
Additionally, domestic media outlets have reported hearing ambulances in the area, although more details are awaited about the explosion.
Moreover, the Taliban officials in Takhar have also refrained from making any statements or comments regarding this incident.
In the Baghlan province’s Pul-e Khumri city’s second district, a suicide attack took place on Friday. According to reports, the explosion occurred inside the “Imam Zaman” mosque during Friday prayers.
According to local reports, there were about 30 casualties and 50 injuries. The attack on the Shia mosque in Baghlan has been harshly criticised by Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights. To stop similar atrocities and guarantee the safety and protection of the Shia population, he has demanded quick action, Khaama Press reported.
Bennett extended condolences to the victims’ families and stressed the need for prevention, protection, and response for the targeted Shia population in Afghanistan.
In order to assess the occurrence, the investigating teams on the scene were supported by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). It is noteworthy that the ISIS organisation has taken responsibility for this incident, highlighting the continuous security risks posed by extremist groups in the area. (ANI)
Taliban officials have attended regional meetings, primarily related to Afghanistan, but the Belt and Road Forum is one of the most prominent multilateral summits they’ve been invited to….reports Asian Lite News
Taliban will attend China’s Belt and Road Forum underscoring Beijing’s growing official ties with the administration, despite its lack of formal recognition by any government, the media reported.
Taliban officials and ministers have at times travelled to regional meetings, mostly those focused on Afghanistan, but the Belt and Road Forum is among the highest-profile multilateral summits it has been invited to attend, The News reported.
The forum in Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s ambitious global infrastructure and energy initiative, billed as recreating the ancient Silk Road to boost global trade.
The Taliban’s acting minister for commerce and industry, Haji Nooruddin Azizi, will travel to Beijing in the coming days, ministry spokesman Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad said.
“He will attend and will invite large investors” to Afghanistan, he said.
The impoverished country could offer a wealth of coveted mineral resources. A mines minister estimated in 2010 that Afghanistan had untapped deposits, ranging from copper to gold and lithium, worth between $1 trillion and $3 trillion. It is not clear how much they are worth today, The News reported.
China has been in talks with the Taliban over plans, begun under the previous foreign-backed government, over a possible huge copper mine in eastern Afghanistan.
Azizi will continue discussions in Beijing on plans to build a road through the Wakhan corridor, a thin, mountainous strip in northern Afghanistan, to provide direct access to China, Akhundzada said.
Officials from China, the Taliban and neighbouring Pakistan said in May they would like Belt and Road to include Afghanistan and for the flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to be extended across the border to Afghanistan, The News reported.
