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Putin’s aide holds talks with Taliban leadership

Moscow, on the other hand, said that the main topics of discussion during Kabulov’s trip on Tuesday were the further development of diverse bilateral cooperation in the political and economic fields, and the establishment of regional cooperation with Afghanistan within the Moscow format…reports Asian Lite News

Zamir Kabulov, the Russian President’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, travelled to Kabul to hold meetings with the interim senior leadership of Afghanistan, including Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan Abdul Kabir, Foreign Affairs Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Acting Minister of Interior Affairs, Sirajuddin Haqqani.

“The meeting focused on bilateral relations between both the countries. Regional political and security issues were also discussed,” said the Afghan Interior Ministry in a statement.

Moscow, on the other hand, said that the main topics of discussion during Kabulov’s trip on Tuesday were the further development of diverse bilateral cooperation in the political and economic fields, and the establishment of regional cooperation with Afghanistan within the Moscow format.

“The responsibility of the US and its allies for the negative consequences of a 20-year stay in Afghanistan is emphasised. The need was emphasised for the immediate and unconditional ‘unfreezing’ of the country’s national assets with their transfer to the disposal of the Central Bank of Afghanistan, as well as the lifting of all illegitimate unilateral sanctions against this state,” stated the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Meanwhile, the local media in Kabul reported that, during the meeting with Kabulov, Kabir advocated for the Taliban to be granted Afghanistan’s representative seat at the United Nations and also opposed the appointment of a UN Special Envoy to Afghanistan.

In December, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution requesting the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Envoy for Afghanistan, provided with robust expertise on human rights and gender, as it also stressed the critical importance of a continued presence of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

During a Security Council open debate on protecting women against sexual violence in conflict held on Tuesday, representatives of many member states voiced their concern over the “systematic assault” on women destroying lives and livelihoods in Afghanistan and called for a “speedy appointment” of the UN Special Envoy to support the implementation of the independent assessment’s recommendations.

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Kremlin Key Aide Holds Kabul Talks with Taliban

The meeting focused on bilateral relations between both the countries…reports Asian Lite News

Zamir Kabulov, the Russian President’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, travelled to Kabul to hold meetings with the interim senior leadership of Afghanistan, including Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan Abdul Kabir, Foreign Affairs Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Acting Minister of Interior Affairs, Sirajuddin Haqqani.

“The meeting focused on bilateral relations between both the countries. Regional political and security issues were also discussed,” said the Afghan Interior Ministry in a statement.

Moscow, on the other hand, said that the main topics of discussion during Kabulov’s trip on Tuesday were the further development of diverse bilateral cooperation in the political and economic fields, and the establishment of regional cooperation with Afghanistan within the Moscow format.

“The responsibility of the US and its allies for the negative consequences of a 20-year stay in Afghanistan is emphasised. The need was emphasised for the immediate and unconditional ‘unfreezing’ of the country’s national assets with their transfer to the disposal of the Central Bank of Afghanistan, as well as the lifting of all illegitimate unilateral sanctions against this state,” stated the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Meanwhile, the local media in Kabul reported that, during the meeting with Kabulov, Kabir advocated for the Taliban to be granted Afghanistan’s representative seat at the United Nations and also opposed the appointment of a UN Special Envoy to Afghanistan.

In December, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution requesting the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Envoy for Afghanistan, provided with robust expertise on human rights and gender, as it also stressed the critical importance of a continued presence of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

During a Security Council open debate on protecting women against sexual violence in conflict held on Tuesday, representatives of many member states voiced their concern over the “systematic assault” on women destroying lives and livelihoods in Afghanistan and called for a “speedy appointment” of the UN Special Envoy to support the implementation of the independent assessment’s recommendations.

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Journalists urge Taliban to lift ban on Facebook

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) distributed newsletters expressing their concerns and calling on the de facto regime to reverse this decision…reports Asian Lite News

Amid the recently surfaced reports of restriction of Facebook in Afghanistan, the ‘Committee to Protect Journalists’ based in the United States called on the Taliban government to reverse this decision, according to Khaama Press.

On Tuesday, in response to reports of Afghanistan’s ban on Facebook, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) distributed newsletters expressing their concerns and calling on the de facto regime to reverse this decision.

According to the agency, Afghanistan’s Facebook ban creates barriers to the free movement of information.

The Committee to Protect Journalists’ response follows earlier announcement made to TOLONews by Najibullah Haqqani, the acting minister for Telecommunications and Information Technology, that the ministry’s strategy to restrict or block Facebook in Afghanistan, reported Khaama Press.

Haqqani justified the restriction, saying that the purpose of this policy was to stop young people from wasting their time and money and to stop the spread of ‘immoral’ ideas.

Facebook is still more popular among Afghan citizens than other social networks. However it is unclear how many of them use it at the moment.

The game PUBG, as well as video sharing social networking service, TikTok were previously banned by the Taliban’s Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology.

UN ‘special representative’

Amid Taliban’s opposition to the move, the United Nations Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said that the process of appointing a special representative for Afghanistan is underway, according to Khaama Press.

In response to questions from journalists regarding when the UN will appoint a special envoy for Afghanistan, Dujarric stated on Monday at a press briefing that information will be provided if progress is made in this regard.

He said there is no set date for the UN special envoy for Afghanistan to be appointed.

Notably, the nomination of a special envoy has been the subject of months of debate inside the UN.

The Taliban regime opposes the appointment of a new special representative for Afghanistan and believes that with the presence of UNAMA, this is an unnecessary move, reported Khaama Press.

The Taliban regime is supported by a number of nations that are against the nomination of a new UN special representative for Afghanistan, including Russia and Iran.

Efforts failed to produce results during the second Doha summit which took place in Qatar in February this year.

It was attended by special envoys of various nations and was followed by a UN Security Council meeting where the appointment of a special representative for Afghanistan was a significant item on their agenda. (ANI)

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Taliban Outlaw Online Currency Exchange

The bank has declared that no company or individual has received a licence to engage in online money exchange…reports Asian Lite News

At a time when Afghanistan is reeling under a poor economy, the Central bank under Taliban control has announced that it has not issued any licences for online currency exchange activities, thus declaring it ‘illegal’, according to Khaama Press.

The bank has declared that no company or individual has received a licence to engage in online money exchange and that any such activity is ‘prohibited.’

The prohibition of online currency exchanges has been put in place under the Taliban’s supervisory and security administration, according to Khaama Press.

The central bank, under Taliban control, has stated that in the event of the arrest of individuals and companies engaging in online transactions, it will take “legal action.”

The bank has issued an alert advising people and businesses not to deal with online currency exchanges.

The bank’s announcement states: “We urge citizens to refrain from engaging in online currency exchange activities considering the risks, damages, and subsequent liabilities of these transactions.”

Earlier, the central bank under Taliban control had declared online trade with foreign currencies in Afghanistan illegal.

Many individuals are turning to internet trade and hoarding digital currencies as a result of the Taliban taking back control of Afghanistan and the escalating economic instability.

Since the Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan, there has been a noticeable shift towards online and digital transactions. However, this transition has also led to an increase in the risks of fraud and deceit. (ANI)

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Austrian Activist Freed From Taliban Custody

Fritz was arrested after he disregarded Austria’s longstanding advisory against traveling to Afghanistan, which had fallen back under the control of the Taliban in 2021…reports Asian Lite News

The Taliban has released Herbert Fritz, an 84-year-old Austrian far-right activist who was apprehended in Afghanistan last May, Al Jazeera reported.

The Austrian government officially announced Fritz’s release in a statement on Sunday, revealing that he had safely arrived in Doha, Qatar, earlier in the day. The release was facilitated through the mediation efforts of the Qatari government.

Fritz was arrested after he disregarded Austria’s longstanding advisory against traveling to Afghanistan, which had fallen back under the control of the Taliban in 2021.

In response to his release, Fritz expressed a desire to visit Afghanistan again, stating, “I think it was bad luck but I want to visit again.” When questioned about his experience, he remarked, “There were some nice people but there were some foolish people also, I’m sorry,” about his captors, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The Austrian far-right activist had drawn attention prior to his arrest when he visited Afghanistan and reported positively on the living conditions there. He published an article titled “Vacations with the Taliban” through a far-right media outlet, contributing to arguments that Afghanistan was a safe destination for refugees to return. The Taliban arrested Fritz on suspicion of spying, and his case gained publicity among Austrian neo-Nazis through Telegram channels, the report added.

Austria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been actively working on securing Fritz’s release since May, expressed gratitude to Qatar and the European Union representation in Kabul for their assistance. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer acknowledged the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his team for their “strong support in releasing one of our citizens from prison in Afghanistan.” Nehammer emphasised the collaborative efforts that enabled the Austrian citizen to return home to his family.

Herbert Fritz, identified as a founding member of Austria’s National Democratic Party (NDP), an extreme right group banned in 1988, had reportedly been researching a book in Afghanistan, as asserted by the far-right Freedom Party of Austria. This party, leading in opinion polls ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections, had been actively advocating for Fritz’s release.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed gratitude to the “caretaker government in Afghanistan” for facilitating the Austrian’s release.

“The State of Qatar has proven, regionally and globally, that it is a trusted international partner in various important issues,” the ministry said, adding, “It spares no effort in harnessing its energy and ability in the areas of mediation, preventive diplomacy, and settling disputes through peaceful means,” Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)

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Taliban detain 10 for singing, playing music

Taliban fighters are seen on a military vehicle in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Aug. 17, 2021. (Str/Xinhua/IANS)

Taliban has been imposing restrictions on the people of Afghanistan for two years now….reports Asian Lite News

As the Taliban continues to expand restrictions on Afghan people’s lives, at least 10 people in the Yengi Qala district of Afghanistan have been arrested for singing and playing musical instruments, sources from Takhar province said, according to Khaama Press.

Taliban has been imposing restrictions on the people of Afghanistan for two years now.

According to the source, “People do not even have security in their own homes.”

The source further said that the Taliban forces raided a house in the Safi Mangal village of Yengi Qala district on Monday, and detained at least 10 individuals who had musical instruments with them, as reported by Khaama Press.

The local authorities of the Taliban have also confirmed the detention of 10 individuals on charges of “dancing, stomping, singing, and playing musical instruments” and emphasised that they were detained from a residential house.

Notably, the Taliban has banned the people of Afghanistan from playing music and dancing.

Under the rule of the Taliban, no one is allowed to engage in playing musical instruments, singing, dancing, or tramping, and this prohibition is even enforced in wedding halls, Khaama Press reported.

Moreover, among other restrictions, the Taliban has also banned women from operating beauty salons across the country.

Earlier this month, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its latest report, indicated a worsening economic insecurity under the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported.

The UNDP report, released on January 18, revealed that 69 per cent of Afghanistan’s population faces a shortage of necessities, including suitable living conditions, healthcare, essential goods, and vital job opportunities.

According to this report, the social and economic situation in Afghanistan has darkened since the Taliban seized power, resulting in severe economic insecurity for the people of the country.

The findings of the report continue to highlight the restrictions on women’s rights and its impact along with the collapse of the banking system in Afghanistan, according to Khaama Press report.

Despite the Taliban’s initial promise to take a moderate approach towards women’s rights after it seized power in August 2021, the ban on higher education is just one of many steps that the group has taken to limit women’s role in society. (ANI)

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China’s move stuns Pakistan Army

What Pakistanis are not admitting is that China had gone over their heads to shake hands with the Taliban regime because of Pakistan’s apparent failure to find a working relationship with Kabul

China’s decision to accept a full-time Ambassador of Afghanistan recently has come as a big slap to Beijing’s `all-weather ally` Pakistan. China’s move comes at a time when Pakistan has failed to persuade Taliban regime to help in containing the terrorist group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has caused immense harm to Pakistani people ever since November 2022 when the group unilaterally called off the secret pact with the army.

More humiliating has been the fact that the Chinese move comes within days of General Asim Munir issuing a direct threat to the Taliban regime. He said the life of one Pakistan was more dear to him than the entire Afghanistan.

The Chinese decision left many red faces in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. What obviously riled Islamabad was that China took such a major decision without taking them into confidence. President Xi Jinping accepted a full-time Ambassador of Afghanistan last month. This action left Pakistan miffed. This became apparent by President Xi Jinping’s hurried move to dispatch his close aide, Special Envoy on Afghanistan Ambassador Yue Xiaonyoung, to Islamabad to smoothen the ruffled feathers.

What Pakistanis are not admitting is that China had gone over their heads to shake hands with the Taliban regime because of Pakistan’s apparent failure to find a working relationship with Kabul. Beijing’s unilateral move comes after regional countries, including China, had decided that the decision to recognise the Taliban regime would be taken with consensus and collectively. But by formally accepting an Ambassador, China has de facto accorded recognition to the regime in Kabul.

The relationship between the Afghan Taliban regime and Pakistan, once close allies, has hit a series of stumbling blocks in the past two years, especially over the patronage offered by the Taliban to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, a terrorist group which has been targeting Pakistan, on and off, since 2007. Over one hundred soldiers and officers have died in regular terrorist attacks by TTP since November 2022. The Taliban has so far has not initiated any steps to contain TTP despite several diplomatic and military reconciliatory moves.

China’s unprecedented move is warranted by some key underlying reasons. The foremost is its clear move to exert greater influence in the region especially in the light of the renewed move to consolidate its perch in the continent with the help of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The US has expressed its willingness to reopen its consulate in Kabul. China is also concerned about the presence and movement of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) in Afghanistan. The latest UN Monitoring Team

Chinese ambassador Zhao Xing meets with Amir Khan Muttaqi, Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan.

report had pointed out that the Afghan Taliban relocated ETIM from Badakhashan to Baghlan province. The report also noted that the ETIM was active in various parts of Afghanistan and busy recruiting young people. China had depended on Pakistan to influence the Taliban to rein in the terrorist group which had been targeting Chinese territory and interests. With Pakistan’s failure to contain, if not neutralise, terrorist groups operating out of Afghanistan, China decided to move ahead without its `all-weather ally`.

This move is not the only one which has caused Pakistan to pause on its relationship with China. In the military skirmish with Iran, China decided to keep away from supporting Pakistan and chose to `mediate` left many in Rawalpindi and Islamabad wondering about how China will act in crises where its strategic interests clash with that of Pakistan. The Taliban recognition has only added to this discomfiture.

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US calls on Taliban to gain international legitimacy

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said they are committed to all pledges they made with the international community….reports Asian Lite News

The spokesman for the US State Department, Matthew Miller, said Washington would continue to call on the ‘Taliban’ to take steps to gain international legitimacy, TOLO News reported.

He made the remarks at a press conference in Washington, DC.

He said, “We continue to call on the Taliban to take steps to gain international legitimacy, to stop the crackdown on the legitimate expression by its own people, and that’s what we’ve done and what we’ll continue to do.”

He also responded to a question regarding the fate of Afghan allies who worked with the US but are still stranded in Afghanistan, saying: “We have been working very hard to accelerate those cases and work through the backlog, and we’ll continue to do so.”

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said they are committed to all pledges they made with the international community.

“The Islamic Emirate… is committed to the rights of the people and also international laws. It has fulfilled the promises for recognition of the country. Unfortunately, some countries are bringing up their political and personal wishes under various pretexts,” he said, as reported by TOLO News.

Weighing in on the matter, political analyst Saleem Paigeer said, “The Islamic Emirate… should take concrete steps so that the international community recognizes us. We should put aside our ego and act in a way to draw in the international community.”

The Taliban-appointed deputy prime minister for political affairs earlier said the Islamic Emirate will not compromise Islam or the rights of people for international recognition.

Recently, two persons accused of having “extramarital relations” were lashed 35 times in Kabul province, Khaama Press reported, citing a Taliban court statement.

The court confirmed the harsh penalty on Thursday, February 1, stating that each individual received 35 lashes and a six-month prison sentence from the primary court.

The statement issued by the Supreme Court of the Taliban did not specify whether the accused were publicly lashed for extramarital relations or not. Nonetheless, this development underscores the regime’s commitment to enforcing strict punishment measures since reclaiming control over Afghanistan, according to The Khaama Press

The recurrent public lashings under the Taliban regime have sparked international concern regarding human rights and legal standards. These actions reflect the continued imposition of rigorous interpretations of Islamic law by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Since the Taliban has implemented oppressive policies, particularly affecting women who are confined to their homes and barred from accessing education and employment opportunities. Such measures have worsened the already severe humanitarian crisis in the nation as per The Khaama Press.

The return of refugees from neighbouring countries, amid harsh winter conditions and a shortage of funding, has further compounded the dire situation in Afghanistan. The uncertainty surrounding the country’s prospects adds to the gravity of the humanitarian plight faced by its population.

The restrictive measures imposed by the Taliban have disproportionately impacted women, deepening the humanitarian crisis and prompting concerns about the well-being and future of Afghan citizens.

The recent announcement from the Taliban’s court regarding the punishment of individuals for “extramarital relations” underscores the regime’s commitment to enforcing strict Islamic law. However, these actions have raised international concerns about human rights violations and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, particularly affecting women and refugees. The situation remains precarious, with the Afghan population facing uncertainty amidst ongoing political and social upheaval. (ANI)

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Xi accepts credentials of Taliban-appointed Ambassador

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin clarified that the move does not mean Beijing officially recognises the Taliban government

Chinese President Xi Jinping on January 30 formally accepted the credentials of the Taliban-appointed Ambassador, becoming the first head of state to do so, a media report said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin clarified that the move does not mean Beijing officially recognises the Taliban government, RFE/RL reported.

“Diplomatic recognition of the Afghan government will come naturally as the concerns of various parties are effectively addressed,” he said, the report said.

The Taliban, however, celebrated the move as a major diplomatic victory.

“China understands what the rest of the world needs to understand,” chief Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, urging other countries to expand bilateral relations with his government, RFE/RL reported.

China’s move is a boost to the Taliban-led government, which has not been recognised by any country since the extremist group seized power in 2021.

(Credit X@QaharBalkhi)

Beijing’s expanding diplomatic ties with the Taliban government could prompt other countries in the region, including Iran and Russia, to follow suit, RFE/RL reported.

Ibraheem Bahiss, an Afghanistan expert at the International Crisis Group, said Beijing’s decision suggested that the Taliban is making headway in its strategy to gain official recognition from regional countries.

Countries in the region are growing “more and more skeptical about the Western consensus that the Taliban should stay confined to pariah status on the world stage”, he wrote, RFE/RL reported.

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India participates in Taliban’s regional conference in Kabul

In the case of India, New Delhi has a ‘technical’ team in Kabul, whose head, Rambabu Chellappa, participated in the session…reports Asian Lite News

India on Monday participated in a ‘regional conference’ organised by the Taliban government in the run-up to next month’s UN-convened meeting on Afghanistan. This was the first such programme convened in the Afghanistan capital.

Dubbed Afghanistan’s ‘Regional Cooperation Initiative,’ the meeting was chaired by Taliban’s foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and attended by special envoys from Russia and China as well.

Besides, the resident diplomats from India, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan took part in the meeting.

As the Taliban government has yet to receive formal international recognition, the diplomats present at the meeting were not designated as ‘ambassadors’ but rather ‘chief d’affairs.’

In the case of India, New Delhi has a ‘technical’ team in Kabul, whose head, Rambabu Chellappa, participated in the session.

According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the foreign ministry spokesperson, the India representative said that it actively took part in international and regional intiatives and “supports every effort leading to the stability and the development of Afghanistan”.

The Taliban minister reiterated the opposition to an appointment of a special envoy for Afghanistan by the UN Secretary general.

Last month, the UN Security Council passed a resolution that called for appointing a UN special envoy as part of greater engagement with the war-ravaged country. Russia and China had abstained but did use their veto to stop the adoption.

“Afghanistan as country that has gone through long imposed conflicts, and has achieved peace, security, and stability – does not need another UN special representative and/or new mission with UNAMA already on the ground – but this government stands ready and has the capacity to conduct talks on common and concerning issues with different regional and international sides,” said Muttaqi.

He also urged the participating countries to “portray ground realities of today’s Afghanistan in the upcoming Doha meeting”.

“Calling the current diplomatic relations of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan with the countries of the region remarkable, FM Muttaqi stressed that regional countries should hold regional peace talks to increase and continue positive interaction with Afghanistan, adding Muttaqi asked the participants to take advantage of the emerging opportunities in Afghanistan based on a region-oriented tradition so as to coordinate in managing the potential threats,” Taliban-controlled Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

“Underlying on positive engagement with the countries of the region and the world, FM Muttaqi once again reiterated that there remains no need to appoint a new special representatives in the presence of UNAMA and the existence of an independent central government in Afghanistan, urging the participants to convey the message of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s region-oriented initiative to their countries so that Afghanistan and the region can jointly utilise the new opportunities in the region for the benefit of their governments and nations,” it also said.

The UN secretary General Antonio Guterres will be hosting a meeting of special envoys from regional countries and international organisations on Afghanistan at the Qatari capital Doha on February 18-19.

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