Tag: Kabul

  • Video: Toddler handed over the wall at Kabul airport, as the chaos continues

    Video: Toddler handed over the wall at Kabul airport, as the chaos continues

    In a video doing the rounds on social media, it can be seen that a toddler is being handed over a wall to western soldiers at Kabul airport.

    Outside the airport, the situation remains chaotic. The Taliban have been blocking Afghans trying to flee.

    The militants have been going door-to-door to find targets and threaten their family members, reported BBC.

    “There are a high number of individuals that are currently being targeted by the Taliban and the threat is crystal clear,” Christian Nellemann, who heads the group behind the report, told the BBC.

    “It is in writing that, unless they give themselves in, the Taliban will arrest and prosecute, interrogate and punish family members on behalf of those individuals.”

    He warned that anyone on the Taliban’s blacklist was in severe danger and that there could be mass executions.

    Anti-Taliban protests have taken place in several cities. In the capital Kabul, demonstrators waved the national flag while there were reportedly casualties among protesters in Asadabad.

  • China is welcome to contribute to the rebuilding of the country: Taliban spokesman

    China is welcome to contribute to the rebuilding of the country: Taliban spokesman

    China has played a constructive role in promoting peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and is welcome to contribute to the rebuilding of the country, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told Chinese state media.

    “China is a big country with a huge economy and capacity — I think they can play a very big role in the rebuilding, rehabilitation, reconstruction of Afghanistan,” Shaheen told CGTN television in an interview late on Thursday.

    During Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s meeting with a Taliban delegation in Tianjin last month, the Chinese envoy said he hoped Afghanistan could adopt a moderate policy.

    Earlier, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Hua Chunying, told a press briefing that China encourages and hopes that the Afghan Taliban can follow through its positive statements, unite with all parties and ethnic groups in Afghanistan, establish a broad-based, inclusive political framework that fits the national conditions and wins public support through dialogue and consultation.

  • Man who fell from US plane in Kabul is a young Afghan footballer

    Man who fell from US plane in Kabul is a young Afghan footballer

    One of the people who tragically fell from a C-17 US military plane departing from Kabul on Monday was a young Afghan footballer, according to the General Directorate of Physical Education & Sports in Afghanistan.

    As per details, Zaki Anwari, a young footballer, died on Monday after falling from a US military aircraft. The Afghan National Football Team’s Facebook page confirmed the identity and death on August 18, 2021. The news was confirmed by the Sports Directorate the next day.

    Anwari was one of thousands of Afghans who flocked to the Hamid Karzai International Airport  on Monday, the day after the Taliban captured Kabul, hoping to get on a plane out of the country. He reportedly climbed onto a C-17 plane that was about to depart from the capital.

    Anwari played on the Afghan national youth football team.

    A video published on August 16 shows people sitting on the landing gear flap of a plane taxiing for takeoff as people run alongside the aircraft.

    Several videos circulating on Monday showed people falling from a C-17 aircraft that had taken off from Kabul airport. Later, reports said that several bodies had been found in locations east of the airport.

    News of Anzari’s death comes as the US Air Force investigates the deaths, after human remains were found in the wheel well of one of its C-17 planes that departed from Kabul.

  • ‘I am currently in talks to return to Afghanistan’: Ashraf Ghani

    ‘I am currently in talks to return to Afghanistan’: Ashraf Ghani

    Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani has taken refuge in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    Ghani left Afghanistan as the Taliban advanced on the capital city, Kabul, over the weekend.

    The UAE’s foreign ministry said the country has welcomed Ghani and his family on humanitarian grounds.

    In a video address later on Wednesday, Ghani denied fleeing and said he had left to prevent what he described as a “huge disaster”, reported the BBC.

    “For now, I am in the Emirates so that bloodshed and chaos is stopped,” he said, “I am currently in talks to return to Afghanistan.”

    Ghani also said rumours that he had travelled to the UAE with a large amount of money were “completely baseless” and “lies”.

    The Russian embassy in Kabul alleged on Monday that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had fled the country with four cars and a helicopter full of cash and had to leave some money behind as not all of it would fit in, Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti reported.

    Meanwhile, United States (US) President Joe Biden blamed the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan on Afghan political leaders who fled the country and the unwillingness of the US-trained Afghan army to fight the militant group.

    In his speech, Biden said that the US troops could not defend a nation whose leaders “gave up and fled”, as did Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

  • We seek no revenge, will respect women’s rights, want free media, says Taliban spokesman

    We seek no revenge, will respect women’s rights, want free media, says Taliban spokesman

    Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Tuesday said the group does not seek revenge and has “forgiven everyone”.

    “Will support women’s rights and a free media under Islamic law,” said Mujahid in his first press conference since the insurgent group took over Kabul.

    “The Islamic Emirate is committed to the rights of women within the framework of the Sharia. Our sisters, our women will have the same rights and will be able to benefit from them.”

    “They can have activities in different sectors and areas on the basis of our rules and regulations — in education, health, and other areas,” he said, adding that they will “work with us shoulder-to-shoulder”.

    The Taliban would not seek retribution against former soldiers and members of the western-backed government, he said, insisting that “everyone is forgiven”.

    “Nobody is going to harm you, nobody is going to knock on your doors,” said Mujahid

    Mujahid noted that Afghanistan is at a stage where the country’s men and women are looking to the Taliban with regard to their future.

    “I would like to assure [them] that after consultations that will be completed very soon, we will be witnessing the formation of a strong, Islamic, and inclusive government, InshaAllah,” said Mujahid.

    Mujahid said that the security of embassies is of importance to the Taliban and wants to assure other countries that those areas will have complete security.

    “Your representatives, your embassies, your missions, international organisations, aid agencies, we assure you we will not allow anybody to do anything against you. Your security is ensured. Our forces are there round-the-clock to ensure your security,” he said.

    He said that the Taliban “do not wish to see any kind of chaos” in Kabul.

    “Our plan was to stop at the gates of Kabul after capturing all other provinces,” the spokesman claimed, adding that a “smooth transition” of power was what the group had sought to avoid “trouble, harm, and damages”.

    Mujahid also sought to assure the international community and the regional countries that the Taliban “will not allow the use of Afghan territory against anybody”.

    “We are committed to this pledge. You will not be harmed anywhere from our soil,” he said.

    Mujahid said private media could continue to be free and independent in Afghanistan, adding the Taliban was committed to the media within its cultural framework.

    “Will support women’s rights and a free media under Islamic law,” said Mujahid in his first press conference since the insurgent group took over Kabul.

    “The Islamic Emirate is committed to the rights of women within the framework of the Sharia. Our sisters, our women will have the same rights and will be able to benefit from them.”

    “They can have activities in different sectors and areas on the basis of our rules and regulations — in education, health, and other areas,” he said, adding that they will “work with us shoulder-to-shoulder”.

    The Taliban would not seek retribution against former soldiers and members of the western-backed government, he said, insisting that “everyone is forgiven”.

    “Nobody is going to harm you, nobody is going to knock on your doors,” said Mujahid

    Mujahid noted that Afghanistan is at a stage where the country’s men and women are looking to the Taliban with regard to their future.

    “I would like to assure [them] that after consultations that will be completed very soon, we will be witnessing the formation of a strong, Islamic, and inclusive government, InshaAllah,” said Mujahid.

    Mujahid said that the security of embassies is of importance to the Taliban and wants to assure other countries that those areas will have complete security.

    “Your representatives, your embassies, your missions, international organisations, aid agencies, we assure you we will not allow anybody to do anything against you. Your security is ensured. Our forces are there round-the-clock to ensure your security,” he said.

    He said that the Taliban “do not wish to see any kind of chaos” in Kabul.

    “Our plan was to stop at the gates of Kabul after capturing all other provinces,” the spokesman claimed, adding that a “smooth transition” of power was what the group had sought to avoid “trouble, harm, and damages”.

    Mujahid also sought to assure the international community and the regional countries that the Taliban “will not allow the use of Afghan territory against anybody”.

    “We are committed to this pledge. You will not be harmed anywhere from our soil,” he said.

    Mujahid said private media could continue to be free and independent in Afghanistan, adding the Taliban was committed to the media within its cultural framework.

  • Transnational celebrities react on Afghan situation after Taliban take charge

    Transnational celebrities react on Afghan situation after Taliban take charge

    Prominent transnational celebrities have used their social media clout to spread awareness on the plight of civilians in Afghanistan as Taliban took charge of Kabul.

    Pakistani diva Mahira khan also shared a heartbreaking image of Afghans on US Air force plane.

    Taking to Instagram, the Alif star Kubra Khan shared a horrific situation of young girls in Afghanistan after Jihadist commanders reportedly forced the imams in the areas to bring them a list of unmarried girls for their soldiers to marry.

    Fellow Pakistani actors Mariyam Nafees and Ghana Ali also expressed their concern on the matter.

    US supermodel Gigi Hadid also turned to her Instagram stories after thousands of people mobbed the Kabul airport trying to flee the country after Taliban takeover.

    Bella Hadid also took to Instagram to express her concern.

    While Dirilis Ertugrul famed Esra Bilgic also turned to her social media to show her concern for the future of women in Afghanistan.

  • ‘Pakistan has taken more than its share of responsibility in last many many years’: Hina Rabbani Khar

    ‘Pakistan has taken more than its share of responsibility in last many many years’: Hina Rabbani Khar

    Former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, while speaking on Microsoft/National Broadcasting Company (MSNBC) political talk show ‘The Mehdi Hasan Show’, said, “1996 and 2021 Pakistan are very different…Please do not judge the Pakistan of 2021 by the role that Pakistan played in 1996.”

    Mehdi, referring to remarks of Prime Minister Imran Khan, said, “PM Khan is right, there is no military solution but do you [Hina Rabbani] think Pakistan is going to help broker the sort of political outcome he talked about. Given your country’s historical role in aiding the Afghan Taliban, providing a safe haven for them on Pakistani soil.”

    “Providing safe haven is very different than not doing kinetic action against a group which seek refuge like millions of other Afghans in Pakistan’s territory,” replied Khar.

    “For a country or a state to choose to go after those who were attacking our own children and policemen and our own soldiers which happened to be Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and many other extremist organisations. So please don’t forget that Pakistan has had an influx of extremist organisations within its own territory that Pakistan had to deal with,” said Khar.

    Khar further added, “For the world to expect to that we would leave all of that and concentrate and go for a full blast military action against the Afghan Taliban clearly did not happen, was not likely to happen. So as far as our responsibility is concerned and our ability to engineer a behavioral change in the Taliban is concerned, I think that is an exaggerated role and has been an exaggerated role — if not the last few decades, at least for the last few years.”

    “TTP, which has butchered our children continues to have links with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA). Now if Pakistan had the type of leverage that the world expects of Pakistan, wouldn’t Pakistan first ensure that TTA and TTP were able to de-link. And TTP was to receive no support from TTA. Pakistan is unable to broker that for itself, do you think Pakistan was able to broker a solution when the United States (US) itself and of course Pakistan encourage whatever role it could possibly,” added Khar.

    Mehdi questioned Khar that Pakistan has strategic geopolitical reasons and supported the Afghan Taliban in Afghanistan. “Are you telling me that you as foreign minister had no knowledge of anyone in your defence establishment, your Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), nobody had contacts with the Afghan Taliban?”

    “For the 20 years that US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) partners were in Afghanistan, I don’t know a single year where the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) did not have contact with the Afghan Taliban. This is what intelligence agencies do. They maintain those contacts to have intelligence and to protect their sovereign territorial boundaries,” said Khar.

    “The leverage that is expected of Pakistan, Pakistan never had,” added Khar talking about negotiations. “Once a date of exit has been given to the people what leverage can anyone have. What leverage can a country like Pakistan with eight billion dollars in defence spending as opposed to the United States, which has 778 billion dollars of defence spending? Do you expect too much?”

    The anchorperson reiterated that Pakistan needs to take some responsibility for its role in Afghanistan referring to the remarks made by Husain Haqqani for Ambassador to the US and no one was denying what the CIA and United States had done in the region.

    “Pakistan has taken more than its share of the responsibility in the last many many years,” replied Khar.

    Replying to the comments of Haqqani, Khar said, ” If Mr Husain Haqqani was not living in the US and was living in Pakistan, he would know that the Pakistan of 1996 and 2021 are very different. Pakistan has made many mistakes but I am proud to say that Pakistan is perhaps one of the few countries left which has learnt the right lessons of history.”

    “I feel Pakistan is getting out the black and getting into to the white or grey area, many countries are actually receding right now. We are very willing to accept the mistakes we made in the past but what we are saying is please do not judge the Pakistan of 2021 by the role that Pakistan played in 1996,” stressed Khar.

  • Pakistan bonds fall as investors brace for Afghanistan fallout

    Pakistan bonds fall as investors brace for Afghanistan fallout

    Pakistan’s international bonds came under selling pressure on Monday as market investors brace themselves for the fallout from the crisis in Afghanistan.

    Afghanistan’s US-backed government collapsed over the weekend as Taliban fighters seized the capital, Kabul, following a stunning advance that had seen the Islamist group take over most of the country.

    The likely evacuation of refugees from Afghanistan could strain the finances of neighbouring countries, fund managers say, and there is also concern over the potential for ‘western retaliation’ against Pakistan for providing a safe haven for the Taliban.

    As per a report of Financial Times, Pakistan’s dollar-denominated bonds fell by about one per cent to just above 100 cents on the dollar, with some longer dated issues sinking to their lowest prices in nine months. The yield on a 10-year bond issued in April this year, which moves in the opposite direction to the debt’s price, climbed by about a quarter of a percentage point to roughly 7.3 per cent.

    The country’s $8.8bn of dollar bonds have now fallen by about four per cent since mid-June.

    “There are a few concerns driving this move,” said head of emerging market debt at Legal and General Investment Management, Uday Patnaik to Financial Times. “One is the refugee crisis — clearly Pakistan is going to be affected by that, and that’s going to be expensive.”

    “A lot of people are also debating the possibility of formal or informal sanctions on Pakistan for working with the Taliban. We’ve been underweight for the last couple months because of these issues but like everyone else we didn’t expect this to happen so quickly.”

    Even prior to the recent sell-off, Pakistan already had some of the highest bond yields among emerging economies that are not considered to be at immediate risk of default. Its debt is rated B minus by Standard & Poor’s and by Fitch.

    The market’s focus has fallen on Afghanistan’s neighbours as the country itself does not have any internationally traded debt, with the ousted government having received most of its financing from western governments and other donors such as the World Bank and the IMF.

    The Current reached out to Chairman of KASB Securities, Ali Farid Khwaja for a word on this situation and said: “Global investors are and will be concerned about the spillover impact of the fall of Kabul and takeover by Taliban. Of course, they will need assurance that such a thing cannot happen in Pakistan and a Taliban government in Afghanistan will not destabilize Pakistan. The jury is still out. I think there are two important aspects of this. First the world would want to see whether Pakistan is standing by them on the values they claim to preach and promote, or do we share the ethos with Taliban. So far, from the commentary it seems that it is the latter. Except for a few media celebrities most politicians seems to be pleased with the Taliban victory. This alone is a bit disturbing purely from an image perspective. Secondly, we need to prove that the wall we have made on the border with Afghanistan will be strong enough to keep Taliban out of Pakistan. Global markets are sensitive to sentiment and hence managing perception is very important,” he added.

    While a Bloomberg journalist in Pakistan, Faseeh Mangi has also shed some light on the situation of Pakistan’s dollar bonds after Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.

  • ‘Don’t want women to be victims, they should be in govt’: Taliban

    ‘Don’t want women to be victims, they should be in govt’: Taliban

    The Taliban declared an “amnesty” across Afghanistan and urged women to join its government, reported Al-Jazeera.

    “A general amnesty has been declared for all, so you should start your routine life with full confidence,” said a statement from the Taliban. 

    Enamullah Samangani, a member of the Taliban’s cultural commission, said, “The Islamic Emirate doesn’t want women to be victims, they should be in government structure according to Shariah law.”

    Enamullah’s statement represents the first comments on governance from a federal level across the country.

    Enamullah further added, “The structure of government is not fully clear, but based on experience, there should be a fully Islamic leadership and all sides should join.”

    Samangani remained vague on other details, however, implying people already knew the rules of the Islamic law the Taliban expected them to follow.

    “Our people are Muslims and we are not here to force them to Islam,” he said.

    Meanwhile, United States (US) President Joe Biden blamed the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan on Afghan political leaders who fled the country and the unwillingness of the US-trained Afghan army to fight the militant group.

    In his speech, Biden said that the US troops could not defend a nation whose leaders “gave up and fled”, as did Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

    “I stand squarely behind my decision. After 20 years, I have learned the hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw US forces,” Biden said in a televised address from the White House.

  • Ash­raf Ghani fled the country with four cars and a helicopter full of cash: Russia

    Ash­raf Ghani fled the country with four cars and a helicopter full of cash: Russia

    The Russian embassy in Kabul alleged on Monday that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had fled the country with four cars and a helicopter full of cash and had to leave some money behind as it would not all fit in, Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti reported.

    Russia has said it will retain a diplomatic presence in Kabul and hopes to develop ties with the Taliban even as it says it is in no rush to recognise them as the country’s rulers and will closely observe their behaviour.

    “As for the collapse of the (outgoing) regime, it is most eloquently characterised by the way Ghani fled Afghanistan,” Nikita Ishchenko, a spokesman for the Russian embassy in Kabul, was quoted as saying by RIA.

    “Four cars were full of money, they tried to stuff another part of the money into a helicopter, but not all of it fit. And some of the money was left lying on the tarmac,” he was quoted as saying.

    Ischenko, the Russian embassy spokesman, confirmed his comments to Reuters.

    President Vladimir Putin’s special representative on Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said earlier it was unclear how much money the fleeing government would leave behind.

    “I hope the government that has fled did not take all the money from the state budget. It will be the bedrock of the budget if something is left,” Kabulov told Moscow’s Ekho Moskvy radio station.

    President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday fled Afghanistan as the Taliban entered Kabul, amidst severe criticism from his opponents, saying that now is not the time for him to leave his country as the dreaded Taliban come back to rule once more.

    Ashraf left a note for his countrymen on social media, stating, “The Taliban have made it to remove me, they are here to attack all Kabul and the people of Kabul. In order to avoid the bleeding flood, I thought it was best to get out.”

    “Taliban have won the judgement of swords and guns and now they are responsible for protecting the countrymen’s honour, wealth and self-esteem. Didn’t they win the legitimacy of hearts,” wrote Ashraf Ghani.