Afghanistan's summer harvest will be one of the most critical in years, especially of wheat, its biggest cereal crop, as the country recovers from floods and the worst drought in decades, government and aid organization officials say.

Ample snow and rain during winter partly replenished soil moisture and raised hopes for a better wheat crop, which is a food source for rural families who turn their harvested grain into bread. Last year, however, drought displaced hundreds of thousands of people and also forced farmers who stayed in their homes to sell livestock and tools to survive, making recovery a multi-year challenge.

Many farmers were unable to plant crops last year because of parched conditions.

Jabbar, 44, a farmer in Balkh province in northern Afghanistan, sold sheep, cows and one camel at discounted prices to buy food for his family of 12. Recent floods washed away some of his land that had been planted with peas and wheat.

"I have a big family so it's my responsibility to feed them. If it rains or not, it is harmful to us," he said, referring to the double damage inflicted by drought and flood.

"I hope I can get good results this year."

Floods in March complicated the recovery. Heavy rains killed at least 63 people and destroyed or damaged more than 12,000 homes, affecting 119,600 people, according to the United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Some 243,000 people remain displaced from last year's drought in the western provinces of Herat, Badghis and Ghor, according to OCHA. Many have moved to urban areas where they live in tents on public and private lands, creating tensions with landowners.

"If the harvest is OK, that will help communities come out of a terribly bleak period. If it's not OK, we'll need a massive injection of food quickly," said Toby Lanzer, the UN's deputy special representative for Afghanistan.

The winter wheat harvested in June and July will need to help feed displaced people and some 10.6 million people who are struggling to find enough food where they live, Lanzer said.

Farming accounts for one-third of the country's economy, although only 12 per cent of its land is arable.

The wheat crop's outlook remains uncertain, said Agriculture Minister Nasir Ahmad Durrani, in an interview on March 20. If the temperature warms too rapidly, melting snow could create floods that wipe out ripe crops, he said.

It is also unclear how many wheat farmers were able to plant last autumn, said Rajendra Aryal, the representative in Afghanistan for the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Many farmers used the wheat seed to make bread to survive, rather than save it for planting, Aryal said.

"The people were already poor," he said. "It will be very difficult if the harvest fails, so I don't even want to think that way."

The floods also damaged critical farm infrastructures, such as irrigation canals, reservoirs and wells. The Afghan government is working to repair damaged infrastructure, especially in the provinces of Kandahar and Farah, Durrani said.

Afghanistan produced 3.6 million tonnes of wheat last year, down 25 per cent from the five-year average, according to the FAO.

The country dipped into its grain reserve last year for 190,000 tonnes of wheat, leaving just 50,000 tonnes left, Durrani said.

The expected shortfall between supply and demand this year will be made up through wheat imports from countries including Pakistan and Kazakhstan, he said.

Abdul Majid Khan, who coordinates aid related to food security and agriculture for the UN, said a plan is in place to assist families who return home as the drought abates. It includes food assistance, cash for work and farm supplies, but the plan still requires approval from international donors.

"My biggest concern delays in funding," he said. "We can lose the trust of the people."

A significant number of families should be able to return, as long as it is safe, said Zlatan Milisic, country director for the World Food Programme.

"There are no more resilient people on Earth," UN Representative Lanzer said about Afghans. "But goodness me, it is being tested."

Afghanistan's summer harvest will be one of the most critical in years, especially of wheat, its biggest cereal crop, as the country recovers from floods and the worst drought in decades, government and aid organization officials say.

Afghanistan's summer harvest will be one of the most critical in years, especially of wheat, its biggest cereal crop, as the country recovers from floods and the worst drought in decades, government and aid organization officials say. Ample snow and rain during winter partly replenished soil moisture and raised hopes for a better wheat crop, which is a food source for rural families who turn their harvested grain into bread. Last year, however, drought displaced hundreds of thousands of people and also forced farmers who stayed in their homes to sell livestock and tools to survive, making recovery a multi-year challenge. Many farmers were unable to plant crops last year because of parched conditions. Jabbar, 44, a farmer in Balkh province in northern Afghanistan, sold sheep, cows and one camel at discounted prices to buy food for his family of 12. Recent floods washed away some of his land that had been planted with peas and wheat. "I have a big family so it's my responsibility to feed them. If it rains or not, it is harmful to us," he said, referring to the double damage inflicted by drought and flood. "I hope I can get good results this year." Floods in March complicated the recovery. Heavy rains killed at least 63 people and destroyed or damaged more than 12,000 homes, affecting 119,600 people, according to the United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Some 243,000 people remain displaced from last year's drought in the western provinces of Herat, Badghis and Ghor, according to OCHA. Many have moved to urban areas where they live in tents on public and private lands, creating tensions with landowners. "If the harvest is OK, that will help communities come out of a terribly bleak period. If it's not OK, we'll need a massive injection of food quickly," said Toby Lanzer, the UN's deputy special representative for Afghanistan. The winter wheat harvested in June and July will need to help feed displaced people and some 10.6 million people who are struggling to find enough food where they live, Lanzer said. Farming accounts for one-third of the country's economy, although only 12 per cent of its land is arable. The wheat crop's outlook remains uncertain, said Agriculture Minister Nasir Ahmad Durrani, in an interview on March 20. If the temperature warms too rapidly, melting snow could create floods that wipe out ripe crops, he said. It is also unclear how many wheat farmers were able to plant last autumn, said Rajendra Aryal, the representative in Afghanistan for the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Many farmers used the wheat seed to make bread to survive, rather than save it for planting, Aryal said. "The people were already poor," he said. "It will be very difficult if the harvest fails, so I don't even want to think that way." The floods also damaged critical farm infrastructures, such as irrigation canals, reservoirs and wells. The Afghan government is working to repair damaged infrastructure, especially in the provinces of Kandahar and Farah, Durrani said. Afghanistan produced 3.6 million tonnes of wheat last year, down 25 per cent from the five-year average, according to the FAO. The country dipped into its grain reserve last year for 190,000 tonnes of wheat, leaving just 50,000 tonnes left, Durrani said. The expected shortfall between supply and demand this year will be made up through wheat imports from countries including Pakistan and Kazakhstan, he said. Abdul Majid Khan, who coordinates aid related to food security and agriculture for the UN, said a plan is in place to assist families who return home as the drought abates. It includes food assistance, cash for work and farm supplies, but the plan still requires approval from international donors. "My biggest concern delays in funding," he said. "We can lose the trust of the people." A significant number of families should be able to return, as long as it is safe, said Zlatan Milisic, country director for the World Food Programme. "There are no more resilient people on Earth," UN Representative Lanzer said about Afghans. "But goodness me, it is being tested."

After drought and floods, Afghanistan confronts critical harvest

Afghanistan will return its ambassador to Islamabad after Pakistan clarified Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-slams-pakistan-over-imran-khans-remarks-summons-pak-diplomat-recalls-its-envoy-205858">Imran Khan`s remarks</a> that Kabul had deemed to be political interference, the Afghan foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Khan told Pakistani journalists on Monday that forming an interim Afghan government would smooth peace talks between US and Taliban officials, according to published comments.

The Afghan government recalled ambassador Atif Mashal from Islamabad the next day and demanded an explanation for remarks that it called "irresponsible."&nbsp;

The US ambassador to Afghanistan, John Bass, also rebuked Pakistan. In a tweet on Wednesday addressed to Khan, Bass told the reknowned former cricketer not to "ball-tamper" with Afghan affairs.

But after clarifications from Khan and Pakistan`s foreign ministry, Mashal will return to Islamabad, Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Sibghatullah Ahmadi said in a tweet.

The Pakistani foreign ministry said on Wednesday Khan`s comments, reported by Pakistani media outlets and picked up in Afghanistan, had been taken out of context.

Kabul has demanded an explanation from Islamabad three times in just over a month for comments related to peace talks aimed at ending 17 years of war in Afghanistan.

US and Taliban officials have held several rounds of talks but the Taliban have refused to talk directly to the Afghan government, which they consider an illegitimate "puppet" regime.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani`s mandate officially expires in May and he faces a re-election battle. But the date for the vote has been postponed twice and is now set for September 28.

Ghani has been shut out from the peace talks and is under pressure from rivals to step aside and allow a caretaker government to take over, a suggestion he has rejected.

Afghanistan will return its ambassador to Islamabad after Pakistan clarified Prime Minister Imran Khan`s remarks that Kabul had deemed to be political interference, the Afghan foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Afghanistan will return its ambassador to Islamabad after Pakistan clarified Prime Minister Imran Khan`s remarks that Kabul had deemed to be political interference, the Afghan foreign ministry said on Thursday. Khan told Pakistani journalists on Monday that forming an interim Afghan government would smooth peace talks between US and Taliban officials, according to published comments. The Afghan government recalled ambassador Atif Mashal from Islamabad the next day and demanded an explanation for remarks that it called "irresponsible." The US ambassador to Afghanistan, John Bass, also rebuked Pakistan. In a tweet on Wednesday addressed to Khan, Bass told the reknowned former cricketer not to "ball-tamper" with Afghan affairs. But after clarifications from Khan and Pakistan`s foreign ministry, Mashal will return to Islamabad, Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Sibghatullah Ahmadi said in a tweet. The Pakistani foreign ministry said on Wednesday Khan`s comments, reported by Pakistani media outlets and picked up in Afghanistan, had been taken out of context. Kabul has demanded an explanation from Islamabad three times in just over a month for comments related to peace talks aimed at ending 17 years of war in Afghanistan. US and Taliban officials have held several rounds of talks but the Taliban have refused to talk directly to the Afghan government, which they consider an illegitimate "puppet" regime. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani`s mandate officially expires in May and he faces a re-election battle. But the date for the vote has been postponed twice and is now set for September 28. Ghani has been shut out from the peace talks and is under pressure from rivals to step aside and allow a caretaker government to take over, a suggestion he has rejected.

Afghan ambassador to return to Pakistan after PM Imran Khan clarifies remark

A couple who split after a five-year hostage ordeal in Afghanistan faced each other in a Canadian court Wednesday at the husband's trial for sexually assaulting his wife.

US citizen Caitlan Coleman, 33, recounted her "rollercoaster" relationship with Canadian Joshua Boyle that ended after their 2017 release.

Boyle, 35, was arrested just two months after he and Coleman returned to Canada and was charged with sexual assault, misleading police and making death threats.

Boyle and Coleman, who married in 2011, were kidnapped by the Taliban during what they have called a backpacking trip in 2012 and were transferred to the custody of the Taliban-allied Haqqani network.

The couple were initially separated, and moved around to more than 22 locations in total, but were mainly held together and had three children in captivity -- and another after their release.

Coleman testified via video link from another room in the Ottawa courthouse while Boyle sat quietly, his parents at his side.

She recounted how she had met the defendant when she was 16 in a Star Wars-themed chat room, and became "smitten, rather crushed on him" as he recovered from a break-up with a mutual friend.

She provided a shoulder to cry on when he appeared depressed and the friendship eventually developed into a "powerful rollercoaster" romance.

"He was my first kiss," she said.

Coleman recalled how she told people Boyle was a wonderful boyfriend, when in reality they would fight over her social drinking, the way she dressed and her friends.

Boyle would claim she was "holding him back," the court heard, and would often belittle her and call her a "slut."

The judge was told Boyle had married someone else -- the sister of former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr -- during a break in the relationship.

But that ended in a 2010 divorce and Coleman married Boyle the following year during a trip to South America.

'Didn't have a choice'&nbsp;

She said he became increasingly controlling, referring to her as "helpmeet," and pressed her to travel with him to Afghanistan.&nbsp;

After their frequent fights, she would break down and cry, "babbling incoherently," often storming out, and soon she began to "self-harm."

Coleman said she finally relented and travelled with him to Central Asia with the "firm understanding" that they would not go to Afghanistan.&nbsp;

But after landing in nearby Kyrgyzstan, Boyle sprung on her his real plan to go to Afghanistan, telling Coleman that she "didn't have a choice."

"I was really scared. I thought this was a very bad idea," she said, noting that she was at least four months pregnant. They were kidnapped one week after crossing into Afghanistan.

During five years of captivity, Coleman said Boyle became physically abusive, biting, choking, punching, slapping and spanking her, as well as casually threatening to kill her in front of their children.

"I had to call him sir," she said.

Coleman said the day they gained their freedom, which she said was "exciting" and involved a "dramatic" car chase, her husband's assaults and verbal abuse stopped and she said she became hopeful.

"He started treating me better," she said.

But after a short stay with his parents in Smith Falls, Ontario, they moved into a downtown Ottawa apartment and within weeks the abuse started up again, she said.

"He started becoming verbally abusive, putting me down, then it deteriorated into physical abuse again," Colemen testified.

The court heard Boyle's 911 call on the day Coleman walked out of the couple's Ottawa apartment at the end of December. He claimed she was mentally unstable, struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, and might harm herself.

But the call triggered a police investigation that led to him being charged.

Coleman's testimony is due to resume Friday, in what is expected to be an eight-week trial.

The court has banned the identification of a second alleged victim of Boyle.

A couple who split after a five-year hostage ordeal in Afghanistan faced each other in a Canadian court Wednesday at the husband's trial for sexually assaulting his wife.

A couple who split after a five-year hostage ordeal in Afghanistan faced each other in a Canadian court Wednesday at the husband's trial for sexually assaulting his wife. US citizen Caitlan Coleman, 33, recounted her "rollercoaster" relationship with Canadian Joshua Boyle that ended after their 2017 release. Boyle, 35, was arrested just two months after he and Coleman returned to Canada and was charged with sexual assault, misleading police and making death threats. Boyle and Coleman, who married in 2011, were kidnapped by the Taliban during what they have called a backpacking trip in 2012 and were transferred to the custody of the Taliban-allied Haqqani network. The couple were initially separated, and moved around to more than 22 locations in total, but were mainly held together and had three children in captivity -- and another after their release. Coleman testified via video link from another room in the Ottawa courthouse while Boyle sat quietly, his parents at his side. She recounted how she had met the defendant when she was 16 in a Star Wars-themed chat room, and became "smitten, rather crushed on him" as he recovered from a break-up with a mutual friend. She provided a shoulder to cry on when he appeared depressed and the friendship eventually developed into a "powerful rollercoaster" romance. "He was my first kiss," she said. Coleman recalled how she told people Boyle was a wonderful boyfriend, when in reality they would fight over her social drinking, the way she dressed and her friends. Boyle would claim she was "holding him back," the court heard, and would often belittle her and call her a "slut." The judge was told Boyle had married someone else -- the sister of former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr -- during a break in the relationship. But that ended in a 2010 divorce and Coleman married Boyle the following year during a trip to South America. 'Didn't have a choice' She said he became increasingly controlling, referring to her as "helpmeet," and pressed her to travel with him to Afghanistan. After their frequent fights, she would break down and cry, "babbling incoherently," often storming out, and soon she began to "self-harm." Coleman said she finally relented and travelled with him to Central Asia with the "firm understanding" that they would not go to Afghanistan. But after landing in nearby Kyrgyzstan, Boyle sprung on her his real plan to go to Afghanistan, telling Coleman that she "didn't have a choice." "I was really scared. I thought this was a very bad idea," she said, noting that she was at least four months pregnant. They were kidnapped one week after crossing into Afghanistan. During five years of captivity, Coleman said Boyle became physically abusive, biting, choking, punching, slapping and spanking her, as well as casually threatening to kill her in front of their children. "I had to call him sir," she said. Coleman said the day they gained their freedom, which she said was "exciting" and involved a "dramatic" car chase, her husband's assaults and verbal abuse stopped and she said she became hopeful. "He started treating me better," she said. But after a short stay with his parents in Smith Falls, Ontario, they moved into a downtown Ottawa apartment and within weeks the abuse started up again, she said. "He started becoming verbally abusive, putting me down, then it deteriorated into physical abuse again," Colemen testified. The court heard Boyle's 911 call on the day Coleman walked out of the couple's Ottawa apartment at the end of December. He claimed she was mentally unstable, struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, and might harm herself. But the call triggered a police investigation that led to him being charged. Coleman's testimony is due to resume Friday, in what is expected to be an eight-week trial. The court has banned the identification of a second alleged victim of Boyle.

Afghan hostage abused wife after their release, Canadian court told

Afghan Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah on Wednesday said that the Taliban is an "obstacle" in the way of reaching peace in war-torn Afghanistan.

He also professed that the formation of a negotiation team can prevent the Taliban from making an "excuse" to avoid talks."

''Taliban has been the obstacle for taking the first step (for peace) because they have an excuse that we do not negotiate with government and that is why I say that Taliban is an obstacle on the way of reaching to peace," Tolo news quoted Abdullah said as saying.&nbsp;

"As soon as a single voice represents Afghanistan`s people, including government and others, I think the opportunity for making excuses by the other side (Taliban) will decrease," Abdullah added.&nbsp;

The remarks from the CEO came days after US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad embarked on a visit to seven-country including Afghanistan and Pakistan.&nbsp;

In Kabul, Khalilzad is expected to hold consultations with the Afghan government and the status of US talks with the Taliban.

Afghan Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah on Wednesday said that the Taliban is an "obstacle" in the way of reaching peace in war-torn Afghanistan. He also professed that the formation of a negotiation team can prevent the Taliban from making an "excuse" to avoid talks.

Afghan Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah on Wednesday said that the Taliban is an "obstacle" in the way of reaching peace in war-torn Afghanistan. He also professed that the formation of a negotiation team can prevent the Taliban from making an "excuse" to avoid talks." ''Taliban has been the obstacle for taking the first step (for peace) because they have an excuse that we do not negotiate with government and that is why I say that Taliban is an obstacle on the way of reaching to peace," Tolo news quoted Abdullah said as saying. "As soon as a single voice represents Afghanistan`s people, including government and others, I think the opportunity for making excuses by the other side (Taliban) will decrease," Abdullah added. The remarks from the CEO came days after US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad embarked on a visit to seven-country including Afghanistan and Pakistan. In Kabul, Khalilzad is expected to hold consultations with the Afghan government and the status of US talks with the Taliban.

Taliban an obstacle in peace process: Afghan Chief Executive Officer

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry moved on Wednesday to cool a row with Afghanistan over reported comments by Prime Minister Imran Khan that were taken to suggest that Kabul should set up an interim government to help smooth peace talks with the Taliban.

The comments, made to Pakistani journalists on Monday, prompted a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-slams-pakistan-over-imran-khans-remarks-summons-pak-diplomat-recalls-its-envoy-205858">furious reaction in Afghanistan</a> and led to the government recalling its ambassador to Islamabad in protest at what it described as "irresponsible" remarks by Khan.

It was the third time in just over a month that Kabul has demanded an explanation from Islamabad over comments related to peace talks aimed at ending 17 years of war in Afghanistan.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that Khan's comments, reported in various forms by Pakistani media outlets and picked up in Afghanistan, had been taken out of context and misinterpreted.

"In his comments, the PM had referred to Pakistan's model where elections are held under an interim government. The comments should not be misinterpreted to imply interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs," the statement said.

"Pakistan has no other interest in Afghanistan but to promote peace through an 'Afghan-owned' and 'Afghan-led' political process."

Under the Pakistani system, a neutral caretaker government is appointed shortly before national elections are held to take care of running business during the election campaign.

President Ashraf Ghani, whose mandate officially expires in May, faces a re-election battle this year, but amid gathering political uncertainty the election date has been twice postponed and is now due to take place on September 28.

US and Taliban officials have held several rounds of talks but the Taliban have refused to talk to the Afghan government which they consider an illegitimate "puppet" regime.

Shut out from the talks, Ghani has faced pressure from political rivals to step aside and allow a caretaker government to take over, a suggestion he has rejected.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry moved on Wednesday to cool a row with Afghanistan over reported comments by Prime Minister Imran Khan that were taken to suggest that Kabul should set up an interim government to help smooth peace talks with the Taliban.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry moved on Wednesday to cool a row with Afghanistan over reported comments by Prime Minister Imran Khan that were taken to suggest that Kabul should set up an interim government to help smooth peace talks with the Taliban. The comments, made to Pakistani journalists on Monday, prompted a furious reaction in Afghanistan and led to the government recalling its ambassador to Islamabad in protest at what it described as "irresponsible" remarks by Khan. It was the third time in just over a month that Kabul has demanded an explanation from Islamabad over comments related to peace talks aimed at ending 17 years of war in Afghanistan. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that Khan's comments, reported in various forms by Pakistani media outlets and picked up in Afghanistan, had been taken out of context and misinterpreted. "In his comments, the PM had referred to Pakistan's model where elections are held under an interim government. The comments should not be misinterpreted to imply interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs," the statement said. "Pakistan has no other interest in Afghanistan but to promote peace through an 'Afghan-owned' and 'Afghan-led' political process." Under the Pakistani system, a neutral caretaker government is appointed shortly before national elections are held to take care of running business during the election campaign. President Ashraf Ghani, whose mandate officially expires in May, faces a re-election battle this year, but amid gathering political uncertainty the election date has been twice postponed and is now due to take place on September 28. US and Taliban officials have held several rounds of talks but the Taliban have refused to talk to the Afghan government which they consider an illegitimate "puppet" regime. Shut out from the talks, Ghani has faced pressure from political rivals to step aside and allow a caretaker government to take over, a suggestion he has rejected.

Imran Khan's comments taken out of context and misinterpreted: Pak clarifies to Afghanistan 

Kabul has taken a strong stance against remarks made by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan who had on Monday had called for an interim administration in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Afghanistan has dismissed the remarks by Khan, calling them irresponsible and interference in the internal affairs of the country.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan summoned the counsellor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Kabul over the recent remarks by Pakistan's Prime Minister Mr Imran Khan," Sebghat Ahmadi, the spokesperson of the ministry, said in a Tweet.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
1/3 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, summoned the Deputy Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with respect to the recent irresponsible remarks of Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan. <a href="https://t.co/HnVaB5zVD2">pic.twitter.com/HnVaB5zVD2</a>
— Sibghatullah Ahmadi (@Sibghat_Ah) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sibghat_Ah/status/1110568161802362881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Summoning the deputy Pak envoy in Kabul, the Afghan Foreign Ministry expressed its "grave objection" on Pakistani PM's "reckless statements" about the peace process &amp; establishment of an interim government, "deemed such statements an obvious example of Pakistan's interventional policy and disrespect to the national sovereignty and determination of the people of Afghanistan."

The Afghanistan foreign ministry has also recalled its envoy from Islamabad for consultations in the backdrop of the comments.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan told a public gathering on Friday that peace was "around the corner" in Afghanistan and a "good government will be established".

"Negotiations have been initiated with the Taliban. God willing, our brothers in Afghanistan would live together in peace in the coming days...A good government will be established in Afghanistan, a government where all Afghans will be represented. The war will end and peace will be established there," the Pakistan Prime Minister said.

This is the second summoning of a Pakistani diplomat in 10 days by Afghan foreign ministry. Afghanistan had summoned a Pakistani diplomat on 16th March following comments by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan calling for "new government in Kabul"

Afghanistan in February complained to the United Nations security council (UNSC) against Islamabad due to its engagement with the Taliban and attempts to subvert the Afghan peace process.

Pakistan government in February had invited the Taliban for talks along with the United States in Islamabad infuriating Afghanistan. The meet was cancelled by the Taliban after the letter by Afghan govt to UNSC.

Islamabad sees Afghanistan has its own backyard and since the Afghan war in the 1980s has been trying to prop up regimes, including the Taliban in 1990s, that have been hindering the development of the country.

The development comes even as pressure mounts on Islamabad by New Delhi and Tehran to act on terror safe havens in its territory but Pakistan continues to turn a blind eye on them.

Kabul has taken a strong stance against remarks made by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan who had on Monday had called for an interim administration in Afghanistan.

Kabul has taken a strong stance against remarks made by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan who had on Monday had called for an interim administration in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has dismissed the remarks by Khan, calling them irresponsible and interference in the internal affairs of the country. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan summoned the counsellor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Kabul over the recent remarks by Pakistan's Prime Minister Mr Imran Khan," Sebghat Ahmadi, the spokesperson of the ministry, said in a Tweet. 1/3 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, summoned the Deputy Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with respect to the recent irresponsible remarks of Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan. pic.twitter.com/HnVaB5zVD2 — Sibghatullah Ahmadi (@Sibghat_Ah) March 26, 2019 × Summoning the deputy Pak envoy in Kabul, the Afghan Foreign Ministry expressed its "grave objection" on Pakistani PM's "reckless statements" about the peace process & establishment of an interim government, "deemed such statements an obvious example of Pakistan's interventional policy and disrespect to the national sovereignty and determination of the people of Afghanistan." The Afghanistan foreign ministry has also recalled its envoy from Islamabad for consultations in the backdrop of the comments. Pakistan PM Imran Khan told a public gathering on Friday that peace was "around the corner" in Afghanistan and a "good government will be established". "Negotiations have been initiated with the Taliban. God willing, our brothers in Afghanistan would live together in peace in the coming days...A good government will be established in Afghanistan, a government where all Afghans will be represented. The war will end and peace will be established there," the Pakistan Prime Minister said. This is the second summoning of a Pakistani diplomat in 10 days by Afghan foreign ministry. Afghanistan had summoned a Pakistani diplomat on 16th March following comments by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan calling for "new government in Kabul" Afghanistan in February complained to the United Nations security council (UNSC) against Islamabad due to its engagement with the Taliban and attempts to subvert the Afghan peace process. Pakistan government in February had invited the Taliban for talks along with the United States in Islamabad infuriating Afghanistan. The meet was cancelled by the Taliban after the letter by Afghan govt to UNSC. Islamabad sees Afghanistan has its own backyard and since the Afghan war in the 1980s has been trying to prop up regimes, including the Taliban in 1990s, that have been hindering the development of the country. The development comes even as pressure mounts on Islamabad by New Delhi and Tehran to act on terror safe havens in its territory but Pakistan continues to turn a blind eye on them.

Afghanistan slams Pakistan over Imran Khan's remarks; summons Pak diplomat, recalls its envoy

Local Afghan Taliban leaders are hindering global efforts to end polio, but Afghanistan and Pakistan must continue their fight to "get to zero" cases, the philanthropist Bill Gates said on Monday.

In a telephone interview with Reuters, Gates was optimistic about the global plan to eradicate the paralysing viral disease but said Afghanistan's conflict and power struggles hamper progress.

"The big issue there is always with the Taliban," said Gates, whose multi-billion dollar philanthropic Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is one of the biggest funders of the polio eradication campaign.

Polio is a virus that spreads in areas with poor sanitation. It attacks the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis within hours of infection. Children under five are the most vulnerable, but polio can be prevented with vaccination.

Success in reducing case numbers worldwide has been largely due to intense national and regional immunisation campaigns in babies and children.

Latest Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) figures show that worldwide, there were 33 cases of polio in 2018 and six so far in 2019 - 16 of them in Pakistan and 23 in Afghanistan. These two, plus Nigeria, are the last remaining countries where the disease is endemic.

The GPEI, which includes the WHO, the Gates Foundation, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and others, began its push to wipe out polio in 1988 when the disease was endemic in 125 countries and was paralysing almost 1,000 children a day worldwide.

Since then, there have been at least a 99 per cent reduction in cases. But eradicating the disease - something that has only ever been achieved with one other human disease, smallpox - is proving a long and challenging task.

"We've got to get Afghanistan and Pakistan to zero," Gates said. "We need government donors to stay committed."

Gates, a billionaire who co-founded of Microsoft, said the global polio program is making progress in Pakistan and has a good relationship with Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has prioritised the polio fight.

The "only potential negative" in the region is instability in Afghanistan, Gates said, where Taliban leaders appear to have no single policy but "decide what they will and what they won't allow" regarding polio vaccinations.

"That's what we don't have predictability or control over," he said. "Sometimes they stop the campaigns from taking place. But the ideal is when they allow house-to-house (vaccine) delivery."

Gates pointed to India, which 12 years ago was responsible for 70 per cent of all polio cases and this week marks five years since it last recorded a case.

Gates had previously described the challenge of wiping out polio in India, which has a population of 1.3 billion people and some areas of very poor sanitation, as "mind-boggling". Success there, he said, shows polio can eventually be ended worldwide.

Local Afghan Taliban leaders are hindering global efforts to end polio, but Afghanistan and Pakistan must continue their fight to "get to zero" cases, the philanthropist Bill Gates said on Monday.

Local Afghan Taliban leaders are hindering global efforts to end polio, but Afghanistan and Pakistan must continue their fight to "get to zero" cases, the philanthropist Bill Gates said on Monday. In a telephone interview with Reuters, Gates was optimistic about the global plan to eradicate the paralysing viral disease but said Afghanistan's conflict and power struggles hamper progress. "The big issue there is always with the Taliban," said Gates, whose multi-billion dollar philanthropic Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is one of the biggest funders of the polio eradication campaign. Polio is a virus that spreads in areas with poor sanitation. It attacks the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis within hours of infection. Children under five are the most vulnerable, but polio can be prevented with vaccination. Success in reducing case numbers worldwide has been largely due to intense national and regional immunisation campaigns in babies and children. Latest Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) figures show that worldwide, there were 33 cases of polio in 2018 and six so far in 2019 - 16 of them in Pakistan and 23 in Afghanistan. These two, plus Nigeria, are the last remaining countries where the disease is endemic. The GPEI, which includes the WHO, the Gates Foundation, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and others, began its push to wipe out polio in 1988 when the disease was endemic in 125 countries and was paralysing almost 1,000 children a day worldwide. Since then, there have been at least a 99 per cent reduction in cases. But eradicating the disease - something that has only ever been achieved with one other human disease, smallpox - is proving a long and challenging task. "We've got to get Afghanistan and Pakistan to zero," Gates said. "We need government donors to stay committed." Gates, a billionaire who co-founded of Microsoft, said the global polio program is making progress in Pakistan and has a good relationship with Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has prioritised the polio fight. The "only potential negative" in the region is instability in Afghanistan, Gates said, where Taliban leaders appear to have no single policy but "decide what they will and what they won't allow" regarding polio vaccinations. "That's what we don't have predictability or control over," he said. "Sometimes they stop the campaigns from taking place. But the ideal is when they allow house-to-house (vaccine) delivery." Gates pointed to India, which 12 years ago was responsible for 70 per cent of all polio cases and this week marks five years since it last recorded a case. Gates had previously described the challenge of wiping out polio in India, which has a population of 1.3 billion people and some areas of very poor sanitation, as "mind-boggling". Success there, he said, shows polio can eventually be ended worldwide.

Bill Gates urges Afghanistan and Pakistan to 'get to zero' in polio fight

Two US service members were <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-six-killed-in-blasts-as-kabul-marks-persian-new-year-204661">killed in Afghanistan</a> Friday, NATO said, in the latest casualties to hit the international coalition amid ongoing peace talks between Washington and the Taliban.

NATO's Resolute Support mission would not immediately release any details about the soldiers but said they had been killed during an unspecified "operation" in the country.

"In accordance with U.S. Department of Defense policy, the name of the service members killed in action are being withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete," said NATO.

The deaths come a day after at least six people were killed by blasts in an Islamic State-claimed attack during Persian New Year celebrations in a Shiite area of Kabul.

The number of American casualties has fallen dramatically since the end of 2014 when Afghan forces took over from US-led NATO combat troops to secure the country.

Fighting continues to flare across Afghanistan more than a week after the latest round of talks between the US and the Taliban ended in Doha, as Washington continues to seek an end to the nearly 18-year war.

The Afghan government has complained it is being left out of the negotiations, as many Afghans fear a premature US withdrawal could see the Taliban return to some semblance of power.

The country remains on edge as winter comes to end, with warmer weather sparking the potential onset of a new fighting season as analysts warn the Taliban may increase attacks to gain leverage at the negotiating table.

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is spearheading efforts to strike a peace deal with the Taliban before Afghanistan's presidential election, which was pushed back to late September earlier this week. &nbsp;

Two US service members were killed in Afghanistan Friday, NATO said, in the latest casualties to hit the international coalition amid ongoing peace talks between Washington and the Taliban.

Two US service members were killed in Afghanistan Friday, NATO said, in the latest casualties to hit the international coalition amid ongoing peace talks between Washington and the Taliban. NATO's Resolute Support mission would not immediately release any details about the soldiers but said they had been killed during an unspecified "operation" in the country. "In accordance with U.S. Department of Defense policy, the name of the service members killed in action are being withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete," said NATO. The deaths come a day after at least six people were killed by blasts in an Islamic State-claimed attack during Persian New Year celebrations in a Shiite area of Kabul. The number of American casualties has fallen dramatically since the end of 2014 when Afghan forces took over from US-led NATO combat troops to secure the country. Fighting continues to flare across Afghanistan more than a week after the latest round of talks between the US and the Taliban ended in Doha, as Washington continues to seek an end to the nearly 18-year war. The Afghan government has complained it is being left out of the negotiations, as many Afghans fear a premature US withdrawal could see the Taliban return to some semblance of power. The country remains on edge as winter comes to end, with warmer weather sparking the potential onset of a new fighting season as analysts warn the Taliban may increase attacks to gain leverage at the negotiating table. US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is spearheading efforts to strike a peace deal with the Taliban before Afghanistan's presidential election, which was pushed back to late September earlier this week.

Two US soldiers killed in Afghanistan: NATO

At least six people were killed by blasts in Kabul Thursday during Persian New Year celebrations in a Shiite area of the Afghan capital, authorities said, in the latest violence to hit the war-torn city.

"Twenty-three were wounded and six people were martyred (killed) in today's explosions in Kabul," health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar told AFP, with the interior ministry confirming the toll.

In a message to AFP, the Taliban denied responsibility for the attack, which police said had been caused by three remote-controlled mines -- one placed in the washroom of a mosque, one behind a hospital, and one in an electricity meter.

The blasts were near Kabul University and the Karte Sakhi shrine, where many Afghans gather every year to mark Nawrooz, which is the traditional Persian New Year holiday but considered un-Islamic by Muslim fundamentalists.

"As we celebrate this auspicious day to bind us together our fellow citizens witnessed another devastating day in #Kabul," President Ashraf Ghani wrote on Twitter.

"We lost peaceful citizens to a coward enemy that knows no bounds."

Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid said a fourth mine was defused near Kabul University, and that authorities were searching for any others that may have been placed in the area.

But he added that the mines were far from the main site of the celebrations.

Exactly one year ago, a blast near a crowd celebrating at the shrine killed 33 people in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group.

IS, which regularly targets Shiites in an attempt to stir up sectarian violence in Sunni-majority Afghanistan, has also attacked the shrine once before, in October 2016, when its gunmen killed 18 people gathered there to mark Ashura, an important date for many Muslims, especially Shiites.

At least six people were killed by blasts in Kabul Thursday during Persian New Year celebrations in a Shiite area of the Afghan capital, authorities said, in the latest violence to hit the war-torn city.

At least six people were killed by blasts in Kabul Thursday during Persian New Year celebrations in a Shiite area of the Afghan capital, authorities said, in the latest violence to hit the war-torn city. "Twenty-three were wounded and six people were martyred (killed) in today's explosions in Kabul," health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar told AFP, with the interior ministry confirming the toll. In a message to AFP, the Taliban denied responsibility for the attack, which police said had been caused by three remote-controlled mines -- one placed in the washroom of a mosque, one behind a hospital, and one in an electricity meter. The blasts were near Kabul University and the Karte Sakhi shrine, where many Afghans gather every year to mark Nawrooz, which is the traditional Persian New Year holiday but considered un-Islamic by Muslim fundamentalists. "As we celebrate this auspicious day to bind us together our fellow citizens witnessed another devastating day in #Kabul," President Ashraf Ghani wrote on Twitter. "We lost peaceful citizens to a coward enemy that knows no bounds." Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid said a fourth mine was defused near Kabul University, and that authorities were searching for any others that may have been placed in the area. But he added that the mines were far from the main site of the celebrations. Exactly one year ago, a blast near a crowd celebrating at the shrine killed 33 people in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. IS, which regularly targets Shiites in an attempt to stir up sectarian violence in Sunni-majority Afghanistan, has also attacked the shrine once before, in October 2016, when its gunmen killed 18 people gathered there to mark Ashura, an important date for many Muslims, especially Shiites.

Afghanistan: At least six killed in blasts as Kabul marks Persian New Year

As part of his efforts to garner international support for ongoing peace talks with the Taliban, US special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad will hold talks with counterparts from Russia, China and the European Union on Thursday and Friday.

"Discussion topics include: international support for the Afghan peace process, the role each party can play in bringing an end to the war, and progress to date in peace talks," the US State Department said in a statement.&nbsp;

Khalilzad will host his counterparts Presidential Special Representative Ambassador Zamir Kabulov of Russia, Special Envoy Ambassador Deng Xijun of China and Special Envoy Ambassador Roland Kobia of the European Union at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department on Thursday and Friday.

As part of his efforts to garner international support for ongoing peace talks with the Taliban, US special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad will hold talks with counterparts from Russia, China and the European Union on Thursday and Friday.

As part of his efforts to garner international support for ongoing peace talks with the Taliban, US special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad will hold talks with counterparts from Russia, China and the European Union on Thursday and Friday. "Discussion topics include: international support for the Afghan peace process, the role each party can play in bringing an end to the war, and progress to date in peace talks," the US State Department said in a statement. Khalilzad will host his counterparts Presidential Special Representative Ambassador Zamir Kabulov of Russia, Special Envoy Ambassador Deng Xijun of China and Special Envoy Ambassador Roland Kobia of the European Union at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department on Thursday and Friday.

US envoy Khalilzad to hold talks with Russia, China and EU on Afghanistan

After fighting forced Mohammad Khan, a villager from the northern Afghanistan province of Sar-e Pul, to move his family to the more secure province of Balkh last year, they quickly fell on harder times.

Khan's wife grew gravely ill, he could not find work, and struggled to feed their seven children. So in January, Khan sold their baby, just 40 days old, to a neighbour.

"I sold him for 70,000 afghanis ($929) so that my other children would not die of hunger," he said.

In a country where half the population is younger than 15, Afghanistan's 17-year war has arguably hit children the hardest. Some 927 children were killed last year, the most since records have been kept, according to a UN report released in February.

Aid workers say they are seeing a growing number of children orphaned or forced to work in the streets.

"I think the hope that used to exist, doesn't anymore," said Adele Khodr, the representative for UNICEF, the United Nations' children's agency, in Afghanistan.

Aschiana, a charity that provides school half a day for children who beg and sell in Kabul's streets, has seen the number of Afghan children at risk rise sharply in recent years as the Taliban seized more territory across the country.

It has been forced to reduce the number of children it helps, however, as its funding from donors declined, said Engineer Mohammad Yousef, Aschiana's director.

"Children do not belong to political groups, for this reason they are ignored in Afghanistan," he said, walking through dark hallways and classrooms where lights are turned off to save money. "They don't have power."

Zabiullah Mujahed, 12, is learning to draw at Aschiana and hopes to become a painter. He spends the balance of his day polishing shoes on Kabul's streets to earn up to 100 Afghanis per day ($1.32).

The money is critical to support himself, his mother and six siblings, after his father was killed in a Taliban suicide attack four years ago.

"I'm worried about when peace will come and what will happen to my future," he said. "If I don't work, my mother, brothers, and sisters will remain hungry."

LONG ROAD

Girls were banned from attending school under the Taliban government's five-year rule that ended when the Islamists were ousted by U.S.-backed forces in 2001. Enabling girls' education has been a key goal of Afghanistan's Western-backed government and its foreign allies.

But some 3.7 million school-age children are still not in school, according to a first-of-its-kind UNICEF report in June 2018.

Worsening security, poverty and migration have all made educating children more difficult in recent years, Khodr said.

Sexual abuse and trafficking of boys, a practise that exploded during Afghanistan's civil war in the 1990s, has also worsened, said Yasin Mohammadi, project manager for the non-governmental organisation Youth Health and Development Organization (YHDO).

Boys from rural areas have flocked to cities such as Kabul and Herat to find work to support families, leaving them vulnerable to those employers who take them in and molest them before circulating them to other abusers, he said.

The practice of men sexually abusing boys, known by the Dari slang term "bacha bazi" for "boy play", has been illegal in Afghanistan for only a year, and so far there are few known examples of perpetrators being sentenced.

The Afghanistan government's director of children's issues, Najib Akhlaqi, acknowledges that the situation for children is eroding. Progress is slow, but underway, he said, including drafting a national, long-term plan to help children.

"I am only one person. We can't solve all these problems," he told Reuters in an interview. "It takes a long time."

PERILS OF PEACE

Aid groups welcome the prospect of peace, but worry that the inclusion of the Taliban in any post-settlement government could see a slide back towards the hardline Islamist rule it imposed between 1996 and 2001.

The Taliban's possible role in any new Afghanistan government has not been defined as the latest round of talks with the United States wrapped up.

"The Taliban never supported children, never supported people. I think we would see a worse situation than today," said Pashtana Rasol, executive director of the Afghan Child Education and Care Organization orphanage.

Rasol, who was orphaned herself at age eight after she says the Taliban killed her father, doubts that the orphanages she runs would remain open under a Taliban-led government.

"We are raising very powerful women here," Rasol said in a Kabul orphanage where smiling girls practiced a dance routine, twirling in brightly coloured dresses. "We want the girls to be improved, to be teachers, doctors, but of course the Taliban and the fundamentalist people do not want it."

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the fault for the war's devastating impact on Afghan children lies with "foreign invaders", adding that it has an organisation that helps orphans in areas that it controls.

If a peace accord is struck, the Taliban would encourage non-governmental organizations to continue their work in the country, but they would be under close scrutiny to ensure their activities adjust to cultural and religious values, he said.

Yousef, director of Aschiana, worries that women may not be able to work in a society with greater Taliban influence, putting more children at risk.

"Peace is very important to children," he said. "But we are looking for real peace."

After fighting forced Mohammad Khan, a villager from the northern Afghanistan province of Sar-e Pul, to move his family to the more secure province of Balkh last year, they quickly fell on harder times.

After fighting forced Mohammad Khan, a villager from the northern Afghanistan province of Sar-e Pul, to move his family to the more secure province of Balkh last year, they quickly fell on harder times. Khan's wife grew gravely ill, he could not find work, and struggled to feed their seven children. So in January, Khan sold their baby, just 40 days old, to a neighbour. "I sold him for 70,000 afghanis ($929) so that my other children would not die of hunger," he said. In a country where half the population is younger than 15, Afghanistan's 17-year war has arguably hit children the hardest. Some 927 children were killed last year, the most since records have been kept, according to a UN report released in February. Aid workers say they are seeing a growing number of children orphaned or forced to work in the streets. "I think the hope that used to exist, doesn't anymore," said Adele Khodr, the representative for UNICEF, the United Nations' children's agency, in Afghanistan. Aschiana, a charity that provides school half a day for children who beg and sell in Kabul's streets, has seen the number of Afghan children at risk rise sharply in recent years as the Taliban seized more territory across the country. It has been forced to reduce the number of children it helps, however, as its funding from donors declined, said Engineer Mohammad Yousef, Aschiana's director. "Children do not belong to political groups, for this reason they are ignored in Afghanistan," he said, walking through dark hallways and classrooms where lights are turned off to save money. "They don't have power." Zabiullah Mujahed, 12, is learning to draw at Aschiana and hopes to become a painter. He spends the balance of his day polishing shoes on Kabul's streets to earn up to 100 Afghanis per day ($1.32). The money is critical to support himself, his mother and six siblings, after his father was killed in a Taliban suicide attack four years ago. "I'm worried about when peace will come and what will happen to my future," he said. "If I don't work, my mother, brothers, and sisters will remain hungry." LONG ROAD Girls were banned from attending school under the Taliban government's five-year rule that ended when the Islamists were ousted by U.S.-backed forces in 2001. Enabling girls' education has been a key goal of Afghanistan's Western-backed government and its foreign allies. But some 3.7 million school-age children are still not in school, according to a first-of-its-kind UNICEF report in June 2018. Worsening security, poverty and migration have all made educating children more difficult in recent years, Khodr said. Sexual abuse and trafficking of boys, a practise that exploded during Afghanistan's civil war in the 1990s, has also worsened, said Yasin Mohammadi, project manager for the non-governmental organisation Youth Health and Development Organization (YHDO). Boys from rural areas have flocked to cities such as Kabul and Herat to find work to support families, leaving them vulnerable to those employers who take them in and molest them before circulating them to other abusers, he said. The practice of men sexually abusing boys, known by the Dari slang term "bacha bazi" for "boy play", has been illegal in Afghanistan for only a year, and so far there are few known examples of perpetrators being sentenced. The Afghanistan government's director of children's issues, Najib Akhlaqi, acknowledges that the situation for children is eroding. Progress is slow, but underway, he said, including drafting a national, long-term plan to help children. "I am only one person. We can't solve all these problems," he told Reuters in an interview. "It takes a long time." PERILS OF PEACE Aid groups welcome the prospect of peace, but worry that the inclusion of the Taliban in any post-settlement government could see a slide back towards the hardline Islamist rule it imposed between 1996 and 2001. The Taliban's possible role in any new Afghanistan government has not been defined as the latest round of talks with the United States wrapped up. "The Taliban never supported children, never supported people. I think we would see a worse situation than today," said Pashtana Rasol, executive director of the Afghan Child Education and Care Organization orphanage. Rasol, who was orphaned herself at age eight after she says the Taliban killed her father, doubts that the orphanages she runs would remain open under a Taliban-led government. "We are raising very powerful women here," Rasol said in a Kabul orphanage where smiling girls practiced a dance routine, twirling in brightly coloured dresses. "We want the girls to be improved, to be teachers, doctors, but of course the Taliban and the fundamentalist people do not want it." Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the fault for the war's devastating impact on Afghan children lies with "foreign invaders", adding that it has an organisation that helps orphans in areas that it controls. If a peace accord is struck, the Taliban would encourage non-governmental organizations to continue their work in the country, but they would be under close scrutiny to ensure their activities adjust to cultural and religious values, he said. Yousef, director of Aschiana, worries that women may not be able to work in a society with greater Taliban influence, putting more children at risk. "Peace is very important to children," he said. "But we are looking for real peace."

Killed, orphaned, sold: Afghan war takes brutal toll on children

Abducted Indian national brought back from Afghanistan

Ten months after being kidnapped in Afghanistan's Baghlan province, one of the seven Indians has returned to India, the External Affairs Ministry said Monday.

It said India continued to work closely with the Afghan government for the safe and early return of the remaining six Indian nationals.

The seven Indian engineers were kidnapped by Taliban militants in the restive northern Baghlan province on May 6 last year. India has been requesting the Afghan government to secure the release of the Indians.

"One of the seven Indian nationals, who was kidnapped in Baghlan province of Afghanistan in May 2018, has safely returned to India," the MEA said.

"We are grateful to the Government of Afghanistan for their support in securing the release and repatriation of the Indian national," it said.

The Indian engineers were working on a project for the construction of a power sub-station and they were kidnapped by Taliban militants from the vicinity of Cheshma-e-Sher area.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had taken up the issue with the Afghan government on multiple occasions.

India has been carrying reconstruction activities in the war-torn country. It has already provided at least $2 billion aid to Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Ten months after being kidnapped in Afghanistan's Baghlan province, one of the seven Indians has returned to India, the External Affairs Ministry said Monday. It said India continued to work closely with the Afghan government for the safe and early return of the remaining six Indian nationals.

Ten months after being kidnapped in Afghanistan's Baghlan province, one of the seven Indians has returned to India, the External Affairs Ministry said Monday. It said India continued to work closely with the Afghan government for the safe and early return of the remaining six Indian nationals. The seven Indian engineers were kidnapped by Taliban militants in the restive northern Baghlan province on May 6 last year. India has been requesting the Afghan government to secure the release of the Indians. "One of the seven Indian nationals, who was kidnapped in Baghlan province of Afghanistan in May 2018, has safely returned to India," the MEA said. "We are grateful to the Government of Afghanistan for their support in securing the release and repatriation of the Indian national," it said. The Indian engineers were working on a project for the construction of a power sub-station and they were kidnapped by Taliban militants from the vicinity of Cheshma-e-Sher area. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had taken up the issue with the Afghan government on multiple occasions. India has been carrying reconstruction activities in the war-torn country. It has already provided at least $2 billion aid to Afghanistan.

One of 7 kidnapped Indians returns home from Afghanistan

In the fallout from a feud over US-Taliban peace talks, a senior US&nbsp;diplomat has told Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that US&nbsp;officials will no longer deal with his national security adviser, four knowledgeable sources said on Monday.

The decision to end US&nbsp;contacts with Hamdullah Mohib will almost certainly raise tensions between the allies over Kabul's exclusion from negotiations that have mainly focussed on a US&nbsp;troop pullout and how the Taliban would stop militant groups from using Afghanistan as a springboard for attacks.

Mohib had launched a blistering public attack last Thursday on the chief US&nbsp;negotiator, Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad.

The following day, US&nbsp;Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale told Ghani by phone that Mohib would no longer be received in Washington and US&nbsp;civilian and military officials would not do business with him, the sources said.

"Hale called Ghani and told him that Mohib is no longer welcome in DC&nbsp;The US&nbsp;will not deal with him in Kabul or in DC&nbsp;any more," said a former senior Afghan official, who like the other sources requested anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity.

Kabul fears that Washington is intent on finalising a US&nbsp;troop pullout to fulfil a vow by President Donald Trump, undermining its ability to reach a political pact with the

Taliban that preserves gains, such as women's education, won since the 2001 US&nbsp;invasion ended the militants'&nbsp;harsh version of Islamic rule.

The former Afghan official said he saw the move as an effort to compel Ghani to "oust" Mohib, who became the president's national security adviser after serving as his envoy to Washington.&nbsp;

A second source, a congressional aide, agreed that pressuring Ghani to end contacts with Mohib was "one way of looking at this" because the State Department provides funding for the Afghan president's national security council staff.

The State Department declined to comment. The Afghan embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Simmering tensions over the Afghan government's exclusion from the US-Taliban talks in Doha, Qatar, erupted with Mohib's attack on Khalilzad, an Afghan-born US&nbsp;diplomat, at a news conference in Washington.

He accused Khalilzad of giving the Taliban legitimacy while "delegitimising the Afghan government." He added that Khalilzad perhaps was trying to create "a caretaker government of which he would then become viceroy."

Viceroy was the title of the colonial administrator of British-ruled India.

The State Department responded with a strong statement quoting Hale as telling Mohib later Thursday that his comments "only serve to hinder the bilateral relationship and the peace process."

The latest round of peace talks ended on March 11 after 16 days. The sides reported progress, but no accord on withdrawal of US-led international forces and the Taliban's counter-extremist assurances.

US&nbsp;negotiators also are pressing the insurgents to accept a ceasefire and talks with Afghan society representatives, including government officials. The Taliban have refused to talk to Ghani's government, which they deride as a US&nbsp;puppet.

In an interview on Monday with Reuters, Afghanistan's ambassador to Qatar, Faizullah Kakar, said that another country should not be negotiating on the use of Afghan territory by militants.

"It is the government that should be deciding, whoever the government is, that the territory is used or not used against another country," he said.&nbsp;

In the fallout from a feud over US-Taliban peace talks, a senior US diplomat has told Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that US officials will no longer deal with his national security adviser, four knowledgeable sources said on Monday.

In the fallout from a feud over US-Taliban peace talks, a senior US diplomat has told Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that US officials will no longer deal with his national security adviser, four knowledgeable sources said on Monday. The decision to end US contacts with Hamdullah Mohib will almost certainly raise tensions between the allies over Kabul's exclusion from negotiations that have mainly focussed on a US troop pullout and how the Taliban would stop militant groups from using Afghanistan as a springboard for attacks. Mohib had launched a blistering public attack last Thursday on the chief US negotiator, Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad. The following day, US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale told Ghani by phone that Mohib would no longer be received in Washington and US civilian and military officials would not do business with him, the sources said. "Hale called Ghani and told him that Mohib is no longer welcome in DC The US will not deal with him in Kabul or in DC any more," said a former senior Afghan official, who like the other sources requested anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity. Kabul fears that Washington is intent on finalising a US troop pullout to fulfil a vow by President Donald Trump, undermining its ability to reach a political pact with the Taliban that preserves gains, such as women's education, won since the 2001 US invasion ended the militants' harsh version of Islamic rule. The former Afghan official said he saw the move as an effort to compel Ghani to "oust" Mohib, who became the president's national security adviser after serving as his envoy to Washington. A second source, a congressional aide, agreed that pressuring Ghani to end contacts with Mohib was "one way of looking at this" because the State Department provides funding for the Afghan president's national security council staff. The State Department declined to comment. The Afghan embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Simmering tensions over the Afghan government's exclusion from the US-Taliban talks in Doha, Qatar, erupted with Mohib's attack on Khalilzad, an Afghan-born US diplomat, at a news conference in Washington. He accused Khalilzad of giving the Taliban legitimacy while "delegitimising the Afghan government." He added that Khalilzad perhaps was trying to create "a caretaker government of which he would then become viceroy." Viceroy was the title of the colonial administrator of British-ruled India. The State Department responded with a strong statement quoting Hale as telling Mohib later Thursday that his comments "only serve to hinder the bilateral relationship and the peace process." The latest round of peace talks ended on March 11 after 16 days. The sides reported progress, but no accord on withdrawal of US-led international forces and the Taliban's counter-extremist assurances. US negotiators also are pressing the insurgents to accept a ceasefire and talks with Afghan society representatives, including government officials. The Taliban have refused to talk to Ghani's government, which they deride as a US puppet. In an interview on Monday with Reuters, Afghanistan's ambassador to Qatar, Faizullah Kakar, said that another country should not be negotiating on the use of Afghan territory by militants. "It is the government that should be deciding, whoever the government is, that the territory is used or not used against another country," he said.

US freezes out top Afghan official in peace talks feud: Report

India has said one of the seven Indian nationals, who was kidnapped in Baghlan province of Afghanistan in May 2018, has been brought back to India.

The ministry of external affairs in a release said, "We are grateful to the Government of Afghanistan for their support in securing the release and repatriation of the Indian national."

"We continue to work closely with the Government of Afghanistan for safe and early return of the remaining six Indian nationals," MEA added.

They were abducted in Bagh-e-Shamal village near the Pul-e-Khomri city which is the capital of northern Baghlan province in Afghanistan.

The abducted Indians were working in Indian company KEC headquartered in Mumbai. The company owns an electricity sub-station contract in the area.&nbsp;

More than 60 Indians were working for KEC on different projects across Afghanistan.

Baghlan governor's deputy spokesperson had confirmed to WION last year that Taliban had abducted seven Indian employees of KEC.

Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had spoken to Afghanistan government. Indian envoy to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar had met Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani regarding the efforts for there release.

In 2016 Indian aid worker Judith D'Souza was kidnapped in Kabul and was released after 40 days.

India has said one of the seven Indian nationals, who was kidnapped in Baghlan province of Afghanistan in May 2018, has been brought back to India. The ministry of external affairs in a release said, "We are grateful to the Government of Afghanistan for their support in securing the release and repatriation of the Indian national.

India has said one of the seven Indian nationals, who was kidnapped in Baghlan province of Afghanistan in May 2018, has been brought back to India. The ministry of external affairs in a release said, "We are grateful to the Government of Afghanistan for their support in securing the release and repatriation of the Indian national." "We continue to work closely with the Government of Afghanistan for safe and early return of the remaining six Indian nationals," MEA added. They were abducted in Bagh-e-Shamal village near the Pul-e-Khomri city which is the capital of northern Baghlan province in Afghanistan. The abducted Indians were working in Indian company KEC headquartered in Mumbai. The company owns an electricity sub-station contract in the area. More than 60 Indians were working for KEC on different projects across Afghanistan. Baghlan governor's deputy spokesperson had confirmed to WION last year that Taliban had abducted seven Indian employees of KEC. Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had spoken to Afghanistan government. Indian envoy to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar had met Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani regarding the efforts for there release. In 2016 Indian aid worker Judith D'Souza was kidnapped in Kabul and was released after 40 days.

Afghanistan Saturday summoned a Pakistan diplomat official from the Pakistani embassy in Kabul over Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's remark on new government in Afghanistan.

The Afghan foreign ministery told the Pakistan diplomat that Imran Khan's remarks amounted to interfering in the internal affairs of the country and demanded an explanation to it.

The spokesperson of Afghanistan's foreign ministry Sibghatullah Ahmadi said, "Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked Pakistan Counselor for clarification on the recent remarks by Imran Khan regarding new government in the near future. The government of Afghanistan expressed its grave objection and deemed such remarks a flagrant interference in its intern affairs".

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MFA Summons PK Embassy's Counselor 
MFA asked PK Counselor 4 clarification on the recent rmks by PM Imran Khan regarding establishment of a new govt in near future. Gov I.R. AF expressed its grave objection on PK’s Gov&amp;deemed such rmrks a flagrant interference in its intern afrs. <a href="https://t.co/txdVIFZNjO">pic.twitter.com/txdVIFZNjO</a>
— Sibghatullah Ahmadi (@Sibghat_Ah) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sibghat_Ah/status/1106908027465187329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Speaking at a public gathering in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's&nbsp;Bajaur, Pakistani Prime Minister said, "A good government will soon be established in Afghanistan".&nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;

Pakistani diplomatic sources confirmed the development and told WION that a Pakistani diplomat, precisely the third in command at the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul, holding the position of the first secretary namely Mr Adeel Khan was called for a verbal explanation over Pak PM Imran Khan’s comment by the Afghan foreign ministry on Saturday.

The sources added that Pakistan, in their response to the Afghan foreign ministry, stated that Imran Khan's remarks are "self-explanatory. His speech was in good faith, he talked about enduring regional peace and stability.”&nbsp;

Imran Khan's comments come&nbsp;in the backdrop of Islamabad's close ties with the Taliban and Pakistan's attempts to take control of the Afghan peace process.

This is for the second time a Pakistan diplomat has been summoned by Afghanistan in last one month. A few weeks ago Afghanistan summoned Zahid Nasrullah, the Pakistani envoy to Afghanistan after he said Afghan peace talks will be impacted if New Delhi retaliates after the Pulwama terror attack.

Afghanistan Saturday summoned a Pakistan diplomat official from the Pakistani embassy in Kabul over Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's remark on new government in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Saturday summoned a Pakistan diplomat official from the Pakistani embassy in Kabul over Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's remark on new government in Afghanistan. The Afghan foreign ministery told the Pakistan diplomat that Imran Khan's remarks amounted to interfering in the internal affairs of the country and demanded an explanation to it. The spokesperson of Afghanistan's foreign ministry Sibghatullah Ahmadi said, "Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked Pakistan Counselor for clarification on the recent remarks by Imran Khan regarding new government in the near future. The government of Afghanistan expressed its grave objection and deemed such remarks a flagrant interference in its intern affairs". MFA Summons PK Embassy's Counselor MFA asked PK Counselor 4 clarification on the recent rmks by PM Imran Khan regarding establishment of a new govt in near future. Gov I.R. AF expressed its grave objection on PK’s Gov&deemed such rmrks a flagrant interference in its intern afrs. pic.twitter.com/txdVIFZNjO — Sibghatullah Ahmadi (@Sibghat_Ah) March 16, 2019 × Speaking at a public gathering in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Bajaur, Pakistani Prime Minister said, "A good government will soon be established in Afghanistan". Meanwhile, Pakistani diplomatic sources confirmed the development and told WION that a Pakistani diplomat, precisely the third in command at the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul, holding the position of the first secretary namely Mr Adeel Khan was called for a verbal explanation over Pak PM Imran Khan’s comment by the Afghan foreign ministry on Saturday. The sources added that Pakistan, in their response to the Afghan foreign ministry, stated that Imran Khan's remarks are "self-explanatory. His speech was in good faith, he talked about enduring regional peace and stability.” Imran Khan's comments come in the backdrop of Islamabad's close ties with the Taliban and Pakistan's attempts to take control of the Afghan peace process. This is for the second time a Pakistan diplomat has been summoned by Afghanistan in last one month. A few weeks ago Afghanistan summoned Zahid Nasrullah, the Pakistani envoy to Afghanistan after he said Afghan peace talks will be impacted if New Delhi retaliates after the Pulwama terror attack.

Afghanistan summons Pakistan diplomat after Imran Khan's 'good government in Afghanistan soon' remark  

Sitting in his male beauty shop, 25-year-old Zabihullah longs for peace in Afghanistan -- but not one that would see religious police beating people in the streets for their hairstyles or outfits.

He recalled working in a barbershop as a child under Taliban rule. "I remember the Taliban religious police would every day bring young men for their hair to be shaven off as a punishment, because they dared to style it," he says, his own hair long and tied back with a bow.&nbsp;

Today it is a different story, and The Saloon -- one of many such beauty parlours that have sprung up in urban Afghanistan since the Taliban were deposed in 2001 -- buzzes with trendy customers seeking the latest Western styles while loud pop music plays in the background.

Afghanistan's estimated 35 million people are overwhelmingly young, with nearly two-thirds of the population under the age of 25. Millions have grown up in cities swollen by refugees during the years of fighting.&nbsp;

Zabihullah is part of this urban generation -- journalists and activists, models, hairstylists and social media stars -- who have come of age alienated from Taliban rule and ideology.&nbsp;

But as talks between Washington and the Taliban aimed at ending the long war progress, they face the prospect of a peace which could hand the militants some semblance of power in Afghanistan -- and they are afraid.

"I don't want a peace where I would lose my freedoms," Zabihullah says.

Forgiving atrocities&nbsp;

Youth activist Mohammad Anil Qasemi was a student at the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul when the Taliban attacked the campus in 2016.

One militant threw a hand grenade in his classroom, killing many of his peers. The blast wave threw him out of the second-floor window. He survived, but with serious head, stomach and leg wounds.

Now, as he watches the progression of talks between Washington and the Taliban in Doha, he fears his generation will not have a say in what comes next.&nbsp;

"I am prepared to forgive the Taliban for what they did to me and my classmates... but I can't bargain on the freedom and achievements of my generation," he told AFP.

The stance of young urbanites like Qasemi and Zabihullah contrasts with some of the older generation, who have simply lived through more years of war -- Afghanistan has seen nearly constant conflict since the Soviet invasion of 1979 -- and crave any respite.

"I am prepared to grow back my beard, as the Taliban wants," says 50-year-old Haji Ahmad Shah, a customer in a Kabul shopping mall.

"I have lost many friends and family in this war, I just want an end to it," he adds.

Then there is Afghanistan's rural-urban divide.

Some young people living in the countryside -- where deeply conservative, patriarchal traditions stand in stark contrast to the relative cosmopolitanism of places like Kabul -- appear more willing to accept Taliban restrictions to achieve peace.

Faridullah, a 23-year-old gardener in rural Kandahar, is relatively liberal, shaving his beard and listening to music.

If the Taliban come, he says, he may lose those freedoms -- "but it is okay, as I want security. For now I can't even go to my gardens, because they have been heavily mined."

Adapting for peace

The Taliban say they have moderated their stance on some social issues, though those living under their rule have told AFP otherwise.

The group has not spelled out what role it wants to play in Afghan governance and civil society, other than to say it wants an "Islamic system".&nbsp;

Young women, keenly aware of how their gender was banished behind doors and beneath burkas under Taliban rule, are among the most vocal in warning they will not compromise their rights.

"For the Taliban, seeing a woman presenter on TV is intolerable, and for me losing my freedom and rights as a woman is intolerable," said 21-year-old Diba, a newsreader for Afghanistan's Zan TV.

"I might have to leave the country or die of depression living under Taliban rule," she said.

But some urban youth say they are nonetheless willing to make peace at any price -- while hoping for the best.

Farshad, a 23-year-old salesman with a trendy fade haircut who works at a Kabul store selling Western suits and fedoras, said he was prepared to turn it into a shop selling traditional turbans if it meant an end to fighting.

"I just hope they don't touch my haircut," he says.

Sitting in his male beauty shop, 25-year-old Zabihullah longs for peace in Afghanistan -- but not one that would see religious police beating people in the streets for their hairstyles or outfits.

Sitting in his male beauty shop, 25-year-old Zabihullah longs for peace in Afghanistan -- but not one that would see religious police beating people in the streets for their hairstyles or outfits. He recalled working in a barbershop as a child under Taliban rule. "I remember the Taliban religious police would every day bring young men for their hair to be shaven off as a punishment, because they dared to style it," he says, his own hair long and tied back with a bow. Today it is a different story, and The Saloon -- one of many such beauty parlours that have sprung up in urban Afghanistan since the Taliban were deposed in 2001 -- buzzes with trendy customers seeking the latest Western styles while loud pop music plays in the background. Afghanistan's estimated 35 million people are overwhelmingly young, with nearly two-thirds of the population under the age of 25. Millions have grown up in cities swollen by refugees during the years of fighting. Zabihullah is part of this urban generation -- journalists and activists, models, hairstylists and social media stars -- who have come of age alienated from Taliban rule and ideology. But as talks between Washington and the Taliban aimed at ending the long war progress, they face the prospect of a peace which could hand the militants some semblance of power in Afghanistan -- and they are afraid. "I don't want a peace where I would lose my freedoms," Zabihullah says. Forgiving atrocities Youth activist Mohammad Anil Qasemi was a student at the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul when the Taliban attacked the campus in 2016. One militant threw a hand grenade in his classroom, killing many of his peers. The blast wave threw him out of the second-floor window. He survived, but with serious head, stomach and leg wounds. Now, as he watches the progression of talks between Washington and the Taliban in Doha, he fears his generation will not have a say in what comes next. "I am prepared to forgive the Taliban for what they did to me and my classmates... but I can't bargain on the freedom and achievements of my generation," he told AFP. The stance of young urbanites like Qasemi and Zabihullah contrasts with some of the older generation, who have simply lived through more years of war -- Afghanistan has seen nearly constant conflict since the Soviet invasion of 1979 -- and crave any respite. "I am prepared to grow back my beard, as the Taliban wants," says 50-year-old Haji Ahmad Shah, a customer in a Kabul shopping mall. "I have lost many friends and family in this war, I just want an end to it," he adds. Then there is Afghanistan's rural-urban divide. Some young people living in the countryside -- where deeply conservative, patriarchal traditions stand in stark contrast to the relative cosmopolitanism of places like Kabul -- appear more willing to accept Taliban restrictions to achieve peace. Faridullah, a 23-year-old gardener in rural Kandahar, is relatively liberal, shaving his beard and listening to music. If the Taliban come, he says, he may lose those freedoms -- "but it is okay, as I want security. For now I can't even go to my gardens, because they have been heavily mined." Adapting for peace The Taliban say they have moderated their stance on some social issues, though those living under their rule have told AFP otherwise. The group has not spelled out what role it wants to play in Afghan governance and civil society, other than to say it wants an "Islamic system". Young women, keenly aware of how their gender was banished behind doors and beneath burkas under Taliban rule, are among the most vocal in warning they will not compromise their rights. "For the Taliban, seeing a woman presenter on TV is intolerable, and for me losing my freedom and rights as a woman is intolerable," said 21-year-old Diba, a newsreader for Afghanistan's Zan TV. "I might have to leave the country or die of depression living under Taliban rule," she said. But some urban youth say they are nonetheless willing to make peace at any price -- while hoping for the best. Farshad, a 23-year-old salesman with a trendy fade haircut who works at a Kabul store selling Western suits and fedoras, said he was prepared to turn it into a shop selling traditional turbans if it meant an end to fighting. "I just hope they don't touch my haircut," he says.

Resist, forgive, submit? Afghan youth on hopes for peace

Spinner Rashid Khan claimed five wickets to put Afghanistan in sight of their maiden Test victory after bowling out Ireland for 288 on day three of the one-off game on Sunday.&nbsp;

Chasing 147 to win, Afghanistan were 29 for one at stumps. Ihsanullah Janat, on 16, and Rahmat Shah, on 11, were batting at the close of play in Dehradun.&nbsp;

Spinner Andy McBrine had opener Mohammad Shahzad caught behind for two before Janat and Shah, who made 98 in Afghanistan's first innings total of 314, played out the last few overs of the day.&nbsp;

Ireland batsmen Andy Balbirnie and Kevin O'Brien had earlier hit half-centuries before Khan returned career-best figures of 5-82 to bowl out Ireland in the final session of play.&nbsp;

"Feeling happy to get some wickets for the team when the team needed me," Khan, who has taken seven wickets in the match, told reporters.&nbsp;

"It was tough to grip the new ball because I had a finger injury and tough for me to pitch it on the right length as was paining a lot," he said, referring to the injured middle finger of his bowling arm.&nbsp;

Balbirnie made 82 and O'Brien 56 before a 10th-wicket 58-run partnership between James Cameron-Dow and Tim Murtagh set up a potentially tricky chase for the Afghans.&nbsp;

Cameron-Dow was left unbeaten on 32 after number 11 Murtagh, who hit 54 not out in Ireland's first innings score of 172, was the last man out on 27.&nbsp;

"I am not surprised, if you have seen Test cricket even tailenders have records," said Khan.&nbsp;

"Plan was to bowl as many good deliveries as possible. But they chose the right deliveries to score and that's how they made runs."&nbsp;

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An impressive last-wicket stand of 58 has taken Ireland to 288 – Afghanistan will need to chase 147 to get their first win in Test cricket. 
 
Rashid Khan is the leading man for Afghanistan, finishing with figures of 5/82. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AFGvIRE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AFGvIRE</a> LIVE ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/mV1o12EBt1">https://t.co/mV1o12EBt1</a> <a href="https://t.co/H0B8rhGIDW">pic.twitter.com/H0B8rhGIDW</a>
— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1107229347381944320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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'Ebbed and flowed'

Earlier Balbirnie put on 104 runs for the third wicket with James McCollum, who made 39, to frustrate the Afghanistan bowlers in the first session.&nbsp;

An umpiring howler cost Ireland their first wicket of the day with Paul Stirling adjudged lbw off paceman Yamin Ahmadzai for 14 after the opener got a thick edge onto his pad.&nbsp;

Balbirnie, who resumed the day on 14, stood firm to register his maiden Test half-century with a boundary off Mohammad Nabi.&nbsp;

Ireland took lunch at 124-2 but a batting collapse in the second session saw them slip to 157-6, with Khan and Salamkheil sharing the spoils.&nbsp;

Balbirnie was caught behind off Salamkheil after his 149-ball stay at the wicket, and Khan trapped McCollum lbw in the very next over as Afghanistan regained control.&nbsp;

"It ebbed and flowed. We had a good first session and we could have batted for a good part of the day and build a substantial lead," said Balbirnie.&nbsp;

"So from my point of view it was really frustrating because I was a set batsman and it was a lapse of concentration (my dismissal). But the 10th wicket partnership gives us a fight."&nbsp;

O'Brien, who took Ireland past their 142-run deficit and into a lead, then put on 63 runs with George Dockrell, who made 25, to take the attack to the opposition bowlers.

But Khan got the two dangermen back in the pavilion after tea to get into the Ireland tail that once again wagged.

The left-handed batting duo of Cameron-Dow and Murtagh put on another defiant stand for Ireland, who had posted an 87-run last-wicket partnership in their first innings.

Both sides are playing their second Test after making their debuts in the five-day format last year.

Afghanistan lost to India inside two days in Bangalore while Ireland went down to Pakistan in Dublin.

Spinner Rashid Khan claimed five wickets to put Afghanistan in sight of their maiden Test victory after bowling out Ireland for 288 on day three of the one-off game on Sunday.

Spinner Rashid Khan claimed five wickets to put Afghanistan in sight of their maiden Test victory after bowling out Ireland for 288 on day three of the one-off game on Sunday. Chasing 147 to win, Afghanistan were 29 for one at stumps. Ihsanullah Janat, on 16, and Rahmat Shah, on 11, were batting at the close of play in Dehradun. Spinner Andy McBrine had opener Mohammad Shahzad caught behind for two before Janat and Shah, who made 98 in Afghanistan's first innings total of 314, played out the last few overs of the day. Ireland batsmen Andy Balbirnie and Kevin O'Brien had earlier hit half-centuries before Khan returned career-best figures of 5-82 to bowl out Ireland in the final session of play. "Feeling happy to get some wickets for the team when the team needed me," Khan, who has taken seven wickets in the match, told reporters. "It was tough to grip the new ball because I had a finger injury and tough for me to pitch it on the right length as was paining a lot," he said, referring to the injured middle finger of his bowling arm. Balbirnie made 82 and O'Brien 56 before a 10th-wicket 58-run partnership between James Cameron-Dow and Tim Murtagh set up a potentially tricky chase for the Afghans. Cameron-Dow was left unbeaten on 32 after number 11 Murtagh, who hit 54 not out in Ireland's first innings score of 172, was the last man out on 27. "I am not surprised, if you have seen Test cricket even tailenders have records," said Khan. "Plan was to bowl as many good deliveries as possible. But they chose the right deliveries to score and that's how they made runs." An impressive last-wicket stand of 58 has taken Ireland to 288 – Afghanistan will need to chase 147 to get their first win in Test cricket. Rashid Khan is the leading man for Afghanistan, finishing with figures of 5/82. #AFGvIRE LIVE ⬇️ https://t.co/mV1o12EBt1 pic.twitter.com/H0B8rhGIDW — ICC (@ICC) March 17, 2019 × 'Ebbed and flowed' Earlier Balbirnie put on 104 runs for the third wicket with James McCollum, who made 39, to frustrate the Afghanistan bowlers in the first session. An umpiring howler cost Ireland their first wicket of the day with Paul Stirling adjudged lbw off paceman Yamin Ahmadzai for 14 after the opener got a thick edge onto his pad. Balbirnie, who resumed the day on 14, stood firm to register his maiden Test half-century with a boundary off Mohammad Nabi. Ireland took lunch at 124-2 but a batting collapse in the second session saw them slip to 157-6, with Khan and Salamkheil sharing the spoils. Balbirnie was caught behind off Salamkheil after his 149-ball stay at the wicket, and Khan trapped McCollum lbw in the very next over as Afghanistan regained control. "It ebbed and flowed. We had a good first session and we could have batted for a good part of the day and build a substantial lead," said Balbirnie. "So from my point of view it was really frustrating because I was a set batsman and it was a lapse of concentration (my dismissal). But the 10th wicket partnership gives us a fight." O'Brien, who took Ireland past their 142-run deficit and into a lead, then put on 63 runs with George Dockrell, who made 25, to take the attack to the opposition bowlers. But Khan got the two dangermen back in the pavilion after tea to get into the Ireland tail that once again wagged. The left-handed batting duo of Cameron-Dow and Murtagh put on another defiant stand for Ireland, who had posted an 87-run last-wicket partnership in their first innings. Both sides are playing their second Test after making their debuts in the five-day format last year. Afghanistan lost to India inside two days in Bangalore while Ireland went down to Pakistan in Dublin.

Rashid Khan takes five, Afghanistan set 147 to win maiden Test

At least 50 members of the Afghan security forces have surrendered to the Taliban in a fight for control of Afghanistan's western province of Badghis, local officials said.

Some 100 Afghan personnel who are part of the interior ministry's border police attempted to flee their posts into neighbouring Turkmenistan on Saturday, but they were prevented from entering that country, Badghis provincial council chairman Abdul Aziz Bik said on Sunday.

About 50 Afghan border police surrendered, while the remaining 50 continued fighting in the district of Bala Murghab, he said. Bala Murghab is the province's most populous district.

"These soldiers have been fighting against the Taliban for years and if they give up, they will be killed by Taliban," Bik said.

The district was at risk of falling to the Taliban unless Afghan forces receive air and ground reinforcements, Badghis provincial council member Abdullah Afzali said on Saturday.

Provincial councils are elected bodies that sometimes have closer connections to local residents than government officials have.

The Taliban said 90 border police had surrendered to the militant group. It posted photos on Twitter of a line-up of dozens of men who the Taliban said were captured border police, and it added that it had killed many others.

It was not clear how many Afghan and Taliban forces have been killed or wounded in the battle for the district.

Jamshid Shahabi, a spokesman for Badghis' governor, said the Taliban had inflated its estimate of captured forces.

Fighting in the Bala Murghab district has intensified in recent months. The Taliban killed 20 Afghan soldiers and captured 20 less than a week ago.

The Taliban controls or contests nearly half of Afghanistan, the most since US-led forces ousted it from power in 2001, according to the US&nbsp;Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. The militant group conducts frequent attacks on Afghan security posts.

Afghanistan's annual increase in violence typically happens in spring. Taliban and US&nbsp;officials finished the latest round of peace talks on Tuesday, with both sides citing progress.

A spokesman for Afghanistan's ministry of defence could not be reached.

The Taliban, ousted in 2001, say they are fighting to expel foreign troops, topple the Western-backed Afghan government and restore its version of Islamic law.

Some 17,000 foreign troops are based in Afghanistan as part of a US-led NATO mission to train, assist and advise Afghan forces.

At least 50 members of the Afghan security forces have surrendered to the Taliban in a fight for control of Afghanistan's western province of Badghis, local officials said.

At least 50 members of the Afghan security forces have surrendered to the Taliban in a fight for control of Afghanistan's western province of Badghis, local officials said. Some 100 Afghan personnel who are part of the interior ministry's border police attempted to flee their posts into neighbouring Turkmenistan on Saturday, but they were prevented from entering that country, Badghis provincial council chairman Abdul Aziz Bik said on Sunday. About 50 Afghan border police surrendered, while the remaining 50 continued fighting in the district of Bala Murghab, he said. Bala Murghab is the province's most populous district. "These soldiers have been fighting against the Taliban for years and if they give up, they will be killed by Taliban," Bik said. The district was at risk of falling to the Taliban unless Afghan forces receive air and ground reinforcements, Badghis provincial council member Abdullah Afzali said on Saturday. Provincial councils are elected bodies that sometimes have closer connections to local residents than government officials have. The Taliban said 90 border police had surrendered to the militant group. It posted photos on Twitter of a line-up of dozens of men who the Taliban said were captured border police, and it added that it had killed many others. It was not clear how many Afghan and Taliban forces have been killed or wounded in the battle for the district. Jamshid Shahabi, a spokesman for Badghis' governor, said the Taliban had inflated its estimate of captured forces. Fighting in the Bala Murghab district has intensified in recent months. The Taliban killed 20 Afghan soldiers and captured 20 less than a week ago. The Taliban controls or contests nearly half of Afghanistan, the most since US-led forces ousted it from power in 2001, according to the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. The militant group conducts frequent attacks on Afghan security posts. Afghanistan's annual increase in violence typically happens in spring. Taliban and US officials finished the latest round of peace talks on Tuesday, with both sides citing progress. A spokesman for Afghanistan's ministry of defence could not be reached. The Taliban, ousted in 2001, say they are fighting to expel foreign troops, topple the Western-backed Afghan government and restore its version of Islamic law. Some 17,000 foreign troops are based in Afghanistan as part of a US-led NATO mission to train, assist and advise Afghan forces.

Taliban captures 50 border police as fighting intensifies in western Afghanistan

India recently told the US that an elected political structure should remain in place post-US withdrawal from Afghanistan.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, who was in Washington last week, met <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-envoy-says-real-strides-made-in-longest-taliban-talks-203078">United State's special envoy</a> to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad during which both discussed the peace process in strife-torn, landlocked South Asian country. &nbsp;

In a tweet, Zalmay Khalilzad said, "We are moving in the right direction. Briefed USG leaders and many others about the &nbsp;AfghanPeaceProcess including meetings with UNAMA SRSG Yamamato, Indian FS Gokhale &amp; Norwegian Dep FM Halvorsen."

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Back in DC. Depite a slight chill in the air yesterday, it feels like spring today. We are moving in the right direction. Briefed USG leaders and many others about the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfghanPeaceProcess?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AfghanPeaceProcess</a> including meetings with UNAMA SRSG Yamamato, Indian FS Gokhale &amp; Norwegian Dep FM Halvorsen. <a href="https://t.co/kueonVZUr9">pic.twitter.com/kueonVZUr9</a>
— U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) <a href="https://twitter.com/US4AfghanPeace/status/1106671922564263937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Withdrawal of US troops, Afghan territory not to be used by the terrorists, intra-Afghan dialogue and ceasefire are some of the key issues under discussion between US and Taliban.

Zalmay told Gokhale that when it comes to first two, there has been some progress and assured India once American troops leave, Afghan territory will not be used by any terror group or organisation including groups threatening India.

But Zalmay told that progress is yet to be made on Intra-Afghan dialogue and ceasefire. India has asked the US special envoy that given all the efforts made by the US and everyone in the last 18 years it is important that when US troops withdraw a political structure is left in position.&nbsp;

India is in favour of an elected political structure in Afghanistan post <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-taliban-resume-afghan-peace-talks-before-spring-fighting-season-199703">US withdrawal</a> instead of an interim administration since it is not constitutionally mandated nor it has the public endorsement.&nbsp;

India has been engaging inside Afghanistan and with the neighbouring countries --Iran, Central Asia, Russia and Saudi Arabia on the peace process in the south Asian country. India's official policy on the Afghan peace process is that it should be "Afghan-owned, Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled".

India last year participated at "unofficial level" at Moscow format talks by sending its former ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha and former Indian high commissioner to PakistanTCA Raghavan.

India recently told the US that an elected political structure should remain in place post-US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, who was in Washington last week, met United State's special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad during which both discussed the peace process in strife-torn, landlocked South Asian country.

India recently told the US that an elected political structure should remain in place post-US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, who was in Washington last week, met United State's special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad during which both discussed the peace process in strife-torn, landlocked South Asian country. In a tweet, Zalmay Khalilzad said, "We are moving in the right direction. Briefed USG leaders and many others about the AfghanPeaceProcess including meetings with UNAMA SRSG Yamamato, Indian FS Gokhale & Norwegian Dep FM Halvorsen." Back in DC. Depite a slight chill in the air yesterday, it feels like spring today. We are moving in the right direction. Briefed USG leaders and many others about the #AfghanPeaceProcess including meetings with UNAMA SRSG Yamamato, Indian FS Gokhale & Norwegian Dep FM Halvorsen. pic.twitter.com/kueonVZUr9 — U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) March 15, 2019 × Withdrawal of US troops, Afghan territory not to be used by the terrorists, intra-Afghan dialogue and ceasefire are some of the key issues under discussion between US and Taliban. Zalmay told Gokhale that when it comes to first two, there has been some progress and assured India once American troops leave, Afghan territory will not be used by any terror group or organisation including groups threatening India. But Zalmay told that progress is yet to be made on Intra-Afghan dialogue and ceasefire. India has asked the US special envoy that given all the efforts made by the US and everyone in the last 18 years it is important that when US troops withdraw a political structure is left in position. India is in favour of an elected political structure in Afghanistan post US withdrawal instead of an interim administration since it is not constitutionally mandated nor it has the public endorsement. India has been engaging inside Afghanistan and with the neighbouring countries --Iran, Central Asia, Russia and Saudi Arabia on the peace process in the south Asian country. India's official policy on the Afghan peace process is that it should be "Afghan-owned, Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled". India last year participated at "unofficial level" at Moscow format talks by sending its former ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha and former Indian high commissioner to PakistanTCA Raghavan.

Elected political structure should remain in Afghanistan post pullout: India to US

Each time Aryana Sayeed, one of Afghanistan`s most famous singers, returns to the country of her birth, she braves threats and endures scrutiny right down to her choice of clothes.

Still, she returns often, as much to encourage women in a restrictive country as to share her music, a mix of pop and traditional songs.

"It`s really hard for me as a female singer to carry on with my work in Afghanistan with the type of pressure that I have on my mind, the threats that I get on a regular basis, the attacks on social media," she said in an interview in Kabul.

"I get messages, scary ones actually."&nbsp;

Aryana, as she is usually known, had just finished performing last week on Afghan Star, a televised singing competition.

In 2017, Aryana enraged conservative Afghans when she was photographed wearing a self-coloured dress at a Paris concert. Clerics threatened that she would be killed if she returned to perform a scheduled concert in Kabul.

She performed anyway.

"People love to hear her voice. But they don`t love her," said filmmaker Sadam Wahidi, who is working on a documentary about Aryana, who is often compared to Hollywood reality star Kim Kardashian.

Aryana`s success in Afghanistan and among Afghans living abroad illustrates how much the treatment of women has changed since the 2001 ouster of the Taliban by US-led forces. But the vitriol she draws shows how intractable some attitudes remain.&nbsp;

Born in Kabul, she fled Afghanistan`s civil war at age 8 with her family, stopping in Pakistan, then Switzerland. After the family`s asylum case was rejected, they hired a smuggler to get to London and settled down.&nbsp;

Aryana, 34, now splits her time between Kabul and Istanbul.

'SO SCARY'

In her home city, Aryana travels by armoured vehicle, but more often she lives in isolation.&nbsp;

"I’m basically a prisoner in my own room," she said. "All I do is go to my room and back to the set and record the show.”

Women have gained the right to work and girls can attend school since the Taliban government fell.

It is a stark contrast to life under the hardline Islamists, when women were banned even from appearing in public without a male relative or with faces uncovered. Playing musical instruments was also forbidden.

Still, rural Afghanistan remains more conservative than the cities, and many people object to Aryana`s clothing and her promotion of women`s rights.&nbsp;

"Aryana Sayeed`s concerts are not in accordance with our society and Islam," said Layeq Khan Wahdat, 26, a resident of Paktika province. "Dress-up like this can promote prostitution and seduction."

Aryana`s latest return to Afghanistan came as the United States discusses peace with the Taliban to end the 17-year war. The prospect of re-integration of the Taliban is chilling to the singer.

"That’s so scary even to think about it," she said. "I don’t want to accept that this is my last concert. If they come with the same mindset, I’m afraid the rights of women will be taken away from them again.”

The Taliban have said their return to Afghan society would be less harsh and that they do not oppose women`s education or employment; however they are against women wearing "alien culture clothes."

At her Afghan Star performance, Aryana wore a tight-fitting white jumpsuit and cape, with no headscarf.&nbsp;

TOLO TV, Afghanistan`s largest private station that airs the singing show, closely cropped images of her in the outfit to display her only from the chest up.

Several hundred young women wearing headscarves watched in the studio audience admiringly and dozens mobbed her afterwards for photos.

"The Taliban are always trying to cut off the voices of women," said a teenage girl, 17. "But it was Aryana Sayeed who taught us that `you are not weak`."

Each time Aryana Sayeed, one of Afghanistan`s most famous singers, returns to the country of her birth, she braves threats and endures scrutiny right down to her choice of clothes.

Each time Aryana Sayeed, one of Afghanistan`s most famous singers, returns to the country of her birth, she braves threats and endures scrutiny right down to her choice of clothes. Still, she returns often, as much to encourage women in a restrictive country as to share her music, a mix of pop and traditional songs. "It`s really hard for me as a female singer to carry on with my work in Afghanistan with the type of pressure that I have on my mind, the threats that I get on a regular basis, the attacks on social media," she said in an interview in Kabul. "I get messages, scary ones actually." Aryana, as she is usually known, had just finished performing last week on Afghan Star, a televised singing competition. In 2017, Aryana enraged conservative Afghans when she was photographed wearing a self-coloured dress at a Paris concert. Clerics threatened that she would be killed if she returned to perform a scheduled concert in Kabul. She performed anyway. "People love to hear her voice. But they don`t love her," said filmmaker Sadam Wahidi, who is working on a documentary about Aryana, who is often compared to Hollywood reality star Kim Kardashian. Aryana`s success in Afghanistan and among Afghans living abroad illustrates how much the treatment of women has changed since the 2001 ouster of the Taliban by US-led forces. But the vitriol she draws shows how intractable some attitudes remain. Born in Kabul, she fled Afghanistan`s civil war at age 8 with her family, stopping in Pakistan, then Switzerland. After the family`s asylum case was rejected, they hired a smuggler to get to London and settled down. Aryana, 34, now splits her time between Kabul and Istanbul. 'SO SCARY' In her home city, Aryana travels by armoured vehicle, but more often she lives in isolation. "I’m basically a prisoner in my own room," she said. "All I do is go to my room and back to the set and record the show.” Women have gained the right to work and girls can attend school since the Taliban government fell. It is a stark contrast to life under the hardline Islamists, when women were banned even from appearing in public without a male relative or with faces uncovered. Playing musical instruments was also forbidden. Still, rural Afghanistan remains more conservative than the cities, and many people object to Aryana`s clothing and her promotion of women`s rights. "Aryana Sayeed`s concerts are not in accordance with our society and Islam," said Layeq Khan Wahdat, 26, a resident of Paktika province. "Dress-up like this can promote prostitution and seduction." Aryana`s latest return to Afghanistan came as the United States discusses peace with the Taliban to end the 17-year war. The prospect of re-integration of the Taliban is chilling to the singer. "That’s so scary even to think about it," she said. "I don’t want to accept that this is my last concert. If they come with the same mindset, I’m afraid the rights of women will be taken away from them again.” The Taliban have said their return to Afghan society would be less harsh and that they do not oppose women`s education or employment; however they are against women wearing "alien culture clothes." At her Afghan Star performance, Aryana wore a tight-fitting white jumpsuit and cape, with no headscarf. TOLO TV, Afghanistan`s largest private station that airs the singing show, closely cropped images of her in the outfit to display her only from the chest up. Several hundred young women wearing headscarves watched in the studio audience admiringly and dozens mobbed her afterwards for photos. "The Taliban are always trying to cut off the voices of women," said a teenage girl, 17. "But it was Aryana Sayeed who taught us that `you are not weak`."

Defying threats, Afghan singer Aryana comes home for women

In an unusual move, the United States summoned Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib hours after he blasted Special US Representative Zalmay Khalilzad for bypassing the elected government of Afghanistan in their direct <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-talks-end-for-now-with-no-afghan-peace-deal-202982">peace talks with the Taliban</a>.

"Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale summoned Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib today to reject the public comments attributed to National Security Advisor Mohib criticising the US approach to reconciliation," State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino said after the meeting the between the two officials.

Over the past two days, Mohib at various public forums during an appearance at a Washington DC-based think-tank and in an interaction with reporters described the US's talks with the Taliban as surrender discussion.

He alleged Khalilzad was keeping the "duly elected" Afghan government in dark and that in the latest round of talks in Doha, they were humiliated and made to wait in a hotel lobby.

"We don't know what's going on. We don't have the kind of transparency that we should have," Mohib told reporters at a news conference on Thursday.

He claimed the Afghan government was getting the information in bits and pieces.

"The last people to find out (about the peace talks) are us," Mohib claimed.

He alleged the Afghan-born US diplomat Khalilzad has personal ambition in Afghanistan.

"The perception in Afghanistan and people in the government think that perhaps all of this talk is to create a caretaker government of which he will then become the viceroy," Mohib alleged.

But Palladino said Under Secretary Hale in his meeting with the Afghan NSA "underscored" the "longstanding" US assistance and support to Afghanistan.

Hale expressed America's commitment to the Afghan government's stability and full participation in the peace process, the State Department deputy spokesman said.

"He also reminded National Security Advisor Mohib that Special Representative Khalilzad represents the Secretary, and that attacks on Ambassador Khalilzad are attacks on the Department and only serve to hinder the bilateral relationship and the peace process," Palladino said in a strongly worded statement.

It is rare that a visiting NSA is summoned by the US State Department in this manner.

Palladino also said that the US was displeased with Mohib's remarks.

Also expressing his displeasure was US National Security Advisor John Bolton, who reportedly refused to meet Mohib.

Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the US who is now at the Hudson Institute think-tank, criticised the State Department for such a treatment to Mohib.

"Such arrogance! Not expected of US diplomats. More suited to the erstwhile Soviet Union or China," he said.

"Support for" Afghan peace "could have been asserted without such language," said Haqqani.

It was at the Hudson Institute on Wednesday that Mohib launched his blistering attack on Khalilzad.

Mohib said while the democratically elected Afghan government has been kept out of the peace talks, Islamabad was well aware of the developments happening at the talks in Doha.

"The patron (Pakistan foreign minister) tweets and says there was progress in Doha. Were they there? What is the relationship of the Taliban with Pakistan? I have to say it, spell it out," he said.

"What is the relationship (between the Taliban and Pakistan)? Has anybody asked and what does it mean? What will be the end of that relationship? Will peace in Afghanistan mean Pakistan no longer using proxies for their political objectives and terrorists. Will the UN raise that question of what the policy or non-state actors," Mohib asked.

There will be no peace unless Pakistan stops supporting "non-state actors", he said.

"Imagine these discussions were successful. What would be Pakistan's objective? What would it be for the Pakistani military? What would be the incentives for them? The incentive for them is they've just defeated the United States [and] all of its coalition partners," he said.

"It (Pakistan) has the incentive to continue to sponsor and support its policy of Islamic extremist. That is the best weapon they have and they will continue to use it at the cost of all Muslims," Mohib said.

"If we don't hold Pakistan responsible for the use of their non-state actors and terrorists here, you will not be able to hold them back anywhere else," said the Afghan NSA.

On Thursday, he alleged Khalilzad was trying to delegitimize the Afghan government.

"The reason he is delegitimizing the Afghan government and weakening it, and at the same time elevating the Taliban can only have one approach. It's definitely not for peace."

"He is not reconciling, he's alienating", Mohib alleged, "to become the viceroy."&nbsp;

In an unusual move, the United States summoned Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib hours after he blasted Special US Representative Zalmay Khalilzad for bypassing the elected government of Afghanistan in their direct peace talks with the Taliban.

In an unusual move, the United States summoned Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib hours after he blasted Special US Representative Zalmay Khalilzad for bypassing the elected government of Afghanistan in their direct peace talks with the Taliban. "Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale summoned Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib today to reject the public comments attributed to National Security Advisor Mohib criticising the US approach to reconciliation," State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino said after the meeting the between the two officials. Over the past two days, Mohib at various public forums during an appearance at a Washington DC-based think-tank and in an interaction with reporters described the US's talks with the Taliban as surrender discussion. He alleged Khalilzad was keeping the "duly elected" Afghan government in dark and that in the latest round of talks in Doha, they were humiliated and made to wait in a hotel lobby. "We don't know what's going on. We don't have the kind of transparency that we should have," Mohib told reporters at a news conference on Thursday. He claimed the Afghan government was getting the information in bits and pieces. "The last people to find out (about the peace talks) are us," Mohib claimed. He alleged the Afghan-born US diplomat Khalilzad has personal ambition in Afghanistan. "The perception in Afghanistan and people in the government think that perhaps all of this talk is to create a caretaker government of which he will then become the viceroy," Mohib alleged. But Palladino said Under Secretary Hale in his meeting with the Afghan NSA "underscored" the "longstanding" US assistance and support to Afghanistan. Hale expressed America's commitment to the Afghan government's stability and full participation in the peace process, the State Department deputy spokesman said. "He also reminded National Security Advisor Mohib that Special Representative Khalilzad represents the Secretary, and that attacks on Ambassador Khalilzad are attacks on the Department and only serve to hinder the bilateral relationship and the peace process," Palladino said in a strongly worded statement. It is rare that a visiting NSA is summoned by the US State Department in this manner. Palladino also said that the US was displeased with Mohib's remarks. Also expressing his displeasure was US National Security Advisor John Bolton, who reportedly refused to meet Mohib. Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the US who is now at the Hudson Institute think-tank, criticised the State Department for such a treatment to Mohib. "Such arrogance! Not expected of US diplomats. More suited to the erstwhile Soviet Union or China," he said. "Support for" Afghan peace "could have been asserted without such language," said Haqqani. It was at the Hudson Institute on Wednesday that Mohib launched his blistering attack on Khalilzad. Mohib said while the democratically elected Afghan government has been kept out of the peace talks, Islamabad was well aware of the developments happening at the talks in Doha. "The patron (Pakistan foreign minister) tweets and says there was progress in Doha. Were they there? What is the relationship of the Taliban with Pakistan? I have to say it, spell it out," he said. "What is the relationship (between the Taliban and Pakistan)? Has anybody asked and what does it mean? What will be the end of that relationship? Will peace in Afghanistan mean Pakistan no longer using proxies for their political objectives and terrorists. Will the UN raise that question of what the policy or non-state actors," Mohib asked. There will be no peace unless Pakistan stops supporting "non-state actors", he said. "Imagine these discussions were successful. What would be Pakistan's objective? What would it be for the Pakistani military? What would be the incentives for them? The incentive for them is they've just defeated the United States [and] all of its coalition partners," he said. "It (Pakistan) has the incentive to continue to sponsor and support its policy of Islamic extremist. That is the best weapon they have and they will continue to use it at the cost of all Muslims," Mohib said. "If we don't hold Pakistan responsible for the use of their non-state actors and terrorists here, you will not be able to hold them back anywhere else," said the Afghan NSA. On Thursday, he alleged Khalilzad was trying to delegitimize the Afghan government. "The reason he is delegitimizing the Afghan government and weakening it, and at the same time elevating the Taliban can only have one approach. It's definitely not for peace." "He is not reconciling, he's alienating", Mohib alleged, "to become the viceroy."

US State Department summons visiting Afghan NSA in rare rebuke

At a dinner party in Kabul's high-security 'green zone'&nbsp;in March, a senior European diplomat poured himself a glass of red wine and pulled up a photograph on his iPhone.

Released by Qatar's foreign ministry on February 25, it showed seven Qatari officials alongside US&nbsp;and Taliban negotiators as talks on ending the 17-year-old war in Afghanistan had restarted in the Gulf state the previous day.

'If Qatari officials can be at the negotiating table, then how did the US&nbsp;forget to invite its key allies who have fought the Afghan war since 2001 ?'&nbsp;said the diplomat, whose nation has contributed hundreds of troops to NATO's mission in the country.

'We continue to pour millions of dollars as an act of solidarity, but when it comes to peace talks, the US decided to go solo.'

Reuters spoke with 10 diplomats from countries spanning three continents that are among the 39 that provide military personnel to the NATO training operation, known as Resolute Support, in Afghanistan, and those that provide development aid.

Many of those countries are significant, consistent donors. Most of the diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the situation.

The diplomats interviewed said their governments were broadly rethinking their commitments to rebuilding the country. That process had been hastened by feeling excluded from peace talks, and also by a weariness for supporting the Afghan campaign among voters and lawmakers in their respective countries, they said.

Asked about those comments, a US&nbsp;State Department spokesperson said regular reviews of foreign assistance was 'good practice'&nbsp;and Afghanistan's development remained in the interest of the international community.

'We see no signs that interest and investment are wavering,'&nbsp;said the spokesperson, adding that US&nbsp;Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad has briefed NATO allies and other partners three times since December, and effective coordination remained a priority.

Nick Kay, NATO's newly appointed senior civilian representative in Afghanistan, said NATO allies 'fully support'&nbsp;Khalilzad's efforts to negotiate a settlement.

But even the Afghan government has complained of being left out. President Ashraf Ghani's national security adviser on Thursday accused Khalilzad of "delegitimizing" the Kabul government by excluding it from deliberations.

Qatari officials did not respond to a request for comment.

In 2017, US development aid for Afghanistan totalled about $1.2 billion, well ahead of the next biggest donors Germany, European Union institutions, Britain and Japan, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data. But the United States' junior aid partners collectively contributed nearly two-thirds of all development assistance, highlighting their critical if less visible importance to the country's future.

CHANGING PRIORITIES

US and Taliban negotiators wrapped up their longest round of peace talks on Tuesday with the progress made but no agreement on when foreign troops might withdraw.&nbsp;

Whether funding countries keep investing in Afghanistan could prove pivotal to sustaining any peace. Diplomats say that, after troops leave, it may be the only leverage they have to retain influence over future Afghan governments.

Since the 2001 US-led invasion, Afghanistan has been among the top recipients of foreign government aid to promote economic and social development. In 2016, international donors pledged $15.2 billion in aid for Afghanistan until 2020.

With those pledges due to expire, many countries are re-evaluating their military and funding commitments.

"Priorities have changed for every EU nation," a European diplomat said, adding that countries besides Afghanistan needed support.

"The donor fatigue is intense and no one is in the mood to overlook it after 2020," another diplomat said.

A third diplomat said their country was re-evaluating its future aid with different scenarios in mind, including whether to continue development if the Taliban joins Afghanistan's government and what to do if peace talks fail.

Any drop-off in international aid would be disastrous for Afghanistan since much of it funds basic health and education services, said Adele Khodr, country representative for Unicef.

'It is definitely something we are concerned about. Imagine what would happen - (Afghanistan) would be Yemen,'&nbsp;Khodr said. '(By) pulling out, the international community will pay a much higher price in insecurity across the world.'

Ninety per cent of the money spent on the health sector in Afghanistan comes from the international community, said Toby Lanzer, deputy special representative in Afghanistan for the UN.

An official in Ghani's office in Kabul declined to comment on potential risks to future aid.

He said the government was making every effort to hold peace talks with the Taliban. The militant group said on Tuesday that such talks would have to wait until after a troop withdrawal plan is set.

'CRUCIAL TO STICK TOGETHER'

Some diplomats caution against a quick retreat.

'If we leave the country hastily, all these (advances) will go down the drain, 'Ambassador Markus Potzel, Germany's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and one of the 10 diplomats interviewed, told Reuters in Kabul.

Potzel was referring to gains such as Afghan girls' attendance in school and new employment opportunities.

Maintaining aid was also critical to holding influence in Afghanistan, he said.

"That's our leverage. We can attach strings," Potzel said. "It is crucial to stick together."

A spokesperson at the British Embassy in Kabul said any changes to Britain's troop contribution would be made in consultation with coalition partners.

As of March 2019, 39 countries contributed 17,034 foreign forces in Afghanistan for Resolute Support, of which the US&nbsp;provided 50 percent, according to NATO. US&nbsp;troops are also deployed in a separate mission directed against groups such as al Qaeda and Islamic State.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's questioning of NATO's value to Washington, along with the absence of allies at the negotiating table, has deepened the unease within the military alliance created in 1949 by the United States, Canada, and Western European nations.

'The concern is that we need to be appraised of the progress of the discussions and to be involved. We have invested a lot,'said a European diplomat. 'This commitment should be reflected in influence or at least information on the peace talks.'

The diplomat said it was understandable that access to the negotiating table was narrow right now, but "what I would find abnormal is that we would be served a deal in which we had nothing to say and then be asked to foot the bill".

SHRINKING FOOTPRINT?

The senior diplomats interviewed by Reuters, who is based in Kabul and Islamabad, said their governments were finding it harder to justify the continuing presence of their troops and the steady drain of aid funding to Afghanistan.

'It is increasingly difficult to tell our people why we are still here especially when they read reports about more than half of country being under the Taliban control,'&nbsp;said a Western diplomat. 'Almost all NATO countries are now struggling to justify their presence in Afghanistan to voters back home.'

The war's long duration has also weakened commitment.

'If we had known that the war could go on as it has been for 18 years, we would have had a rethink in 2001,'&nbsp;the Western diplomat said.

The withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan has always been the Taliban's main demand, and Trump's interest in drawing down US&nbsp;troops has stimulated efforts to end the war.

'The prime concern is that we may wake up one day to a tweet by Trump about a unilateral withdrawal of US&nbsp;troops before a peace agreement has been negotiated,'&nbsp;said a diplomat whose country supports Afghan healthcare projects.

Neighbouring Pakistan sees a similar danger, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said.

'An immediate vacuum can also be detrimental for peace and security and an indefinite presence is also not acceptable, so this is the detail that has to be worked out,' he said.

NATO members and partners said they also expect regional powers to share costs and step up their roles in Afghanistan to prevent civil war after foreign forces depart.

"China has been sitting on the bleachers for a long time now," a diplomat said.

The Chinese embassy in Kabul did not respond to requests for comment.

Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson Center, said the US&nbsp;continues to count on friends to share the burden in Afghanistan.

'But so long as the war continues with no peace deal, that supply of states willing to assist will shrink,'&nbsp;said Kugelman.

At a dinner party in Kabul's high-security 'green zone' in March, a senior European diplomat poured himself a glass of red wine and pulled up a photograph on his iPhone.

At a dinner party in Kabul's high-security 'green zone' in March, a senior European diplomat poured himself a glass of red wine and pulled up a photograph on his iPhone. Released by Qatar's foreign ministry on February 25, it showed seven Qatari officials alongside US and Taliban negotiators as talks on ending the 17-year-old war in Afghanistan had restarted in the Gulf state the previous day. 'If Qatari officials can be at the negotiating table, then how did the US forget to invite its key allies who have fought the Afghan war since 2001 ?' said the diplomat, whose nation has contributed hundreds of troops to NATO's mission in the country. 'We continue to pour millions of dollars as an act of solidarity, but when it comes to peace talks, the US decided to go solo.' Reuters spoke with 10 diplomats from countries spanning three continents that are among the 39 that provide military personnel to the NATO training operation, known as Resolute Support, in Afghanistan, and those that provide development aid. Many of those countries are significant, consistent donors. Most of the diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the situation. The diplomats interviewed said their governments were broadly rethinking their commitments to rebuilding the country. That process had been hastened by feeling excluded from peace talks, and also by a weariness for supporting the Afghan campaign among voters and lawmakers in their respective countries, they said. Asked about those comments, a US State Department spokesperson said regular reviews of foreign assistance was 'good practice' and Afghanistan's development remained in the interest of the international community. 'We see no signs that interest and investment are wavering,' said the spokesperson, adding that US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad has briefed NATO allies and other partners three times since December, and effective coordination remained a priority. Nick Kay, NATO's newly appointed senior civilian representative in Afghanistan, said NATO allies 'fully support' Khalilzad's efforts to negotiate a settlement. But even the Afghan government has complained of being left out. President Ashraf Ghani's national security adviser on Thursday accused Khalilzad of "delegitimizing" the Kabul government by excluding it from deliberations. Qatari officials did not respond to a request for comment. In 2017, US development aid for Afghanistan totalled about $1.2 billion, well ahead of the next biggest donors Germany, European Union institutions, Britain and Japan, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data. But the United States' junior aid partners collectively contributed nearly two-thirds of all development assistance, highlighting their critical if less visible importance to the country's future. CHANGING PRIORITIES US and Taliban negotiators wrapped up their longest round of peace talks on Tuesday with the progress made but no agreement on when foreign troops might withdraw. Whether funding countries keep investing in Afghanistan could prove pivotal to sustaining any peace. Diplomats say that, after troops leave, it may be the only leverage they have to retain influence over future Afghan governments. Since the 2001 US-led invasion, Afghanistan has been among the top recipients of foreign government aid to promote economic and social development. In 2016, international donors pledged $15.2 billion in aid for Afghanistan until 2020. With those pledges due to expire, many countries are re-evaluating their military and funding commitments. "Priorities have changed for every EU nation," a European diplomat said, adding that countries besides Afghanistan needed support. "The donor fatigue is intense and no one is in the mood to overlook it after 2020," another diplomat said. A third diplomat said their country was re-evaluating its future aid with different scenarios in mind, including whether to continue development if the Taliban joins Afghanistan's government and what to do if peace talks fail. Any drop-off in international aid would be disastrous for Afghanistan since much of it funds basic health and education services, said Adele Khodr, country representative for Unicef. 'It is definitely something we are concerned about. Imagine what would happen - (Afghanistan) would be Yemen,' Khodr said. '(By) pulling out, the international community will pay a much higher price in insecurity across the world.' Ninety per cent of the money spent on the health sector in Afghanistan comes from the international community, said Toby Lanzer, deputy special representative in Afghanistan for the UN. An official in Ghani's office in Kabul declined to comment on potential risks to future aid. He said the government was making every effort to hold peace talks with the Taliban. The militant group said on Tuesday that such talks would have to wait until after a troop withdrawal plan is set. 'CRUCIAL TO STICK TOGETHER' Some diplomats caution against a quick retreat. 'If we leave the country hastily, all these (advances) will go down the drain, 'Ambassador Markus Potzel, Germany's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and one of the 10 diplomats interviewed, told Reuters in Kabul. Potzel was referring to gains such as Afghan girls' attendance in school and new employment opportunities. Maintaining aid was also critical to holding influence in Afghanistan, he said. "That's our leverage. We can attach strings," Potzel said. "It is crucial to stick together." A spokesperson at the British Embassy in Kabul said any changes to Britain's troop contribution would be made in consultation with coalition partners. As of March 2019, 39 countries contributed 17,034 foreign forces in Afghanistan for Resolute Support, of which the US provided 50 percent, according to NATO. US troops are also deployed in a separate mission directed against groups such as al Qaeda and Islamic State. US President Donald Trump's questioning of NATO's value to Washington, along with the absence of allies at the negotiating table, has deepened the unease within the military alliance created in 1949 by the United States, Canada, and Western European nations. 'The concern is that we need to be appraised of the progress of the discussions and to be involved. We have invested a lot,'said a European diplomat. 'This commitment should be reflected in influence or at least information on the peace talks.' The diplomat said it was understandable that access to the negotiating table was narrow right now, but "what I would find abnormal is that we would be served a deal in which we had nothing to say and then be asked to foot the bill". SHRINKING FOOTPRINT? The senior diplomats interviewed by Reuters, who is based in Kabul and Islamabad, said their governments were finding it harder to justify the continuing presence of their troops and the steady drain of aid funding to Afghanistan. 'It is increasingly difficult to tell our people why we are still here especially when they read reports about more than half of country being under the Taliban control,' said a Western diplomat. 'Almost all NATO countries are now struggling to justify their presence in Afghanistan to voters back home.' The war's long duration has also weakened commitment. 'If we had known that the war could go on as it has been for 18 years, we would have had a rethink in 2001,' the Western diplomat said. The withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan has always been the Taliban's main demand, and Trump's interest in drawing down US troops has stimulated efforts to end the war. 'The prime concern is that we may wake up one day to a tweet by Trump about a unilateral withdrawal of US troops before a peace agreement has been negotiated,' said a diplomat whose country supports Afghan healthcare projects. Neighbouring Pakistan sees a similar danger, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said. 'An immediate vacuum can also be detrimental for peace and security and an indefinite presence is also not acceptable, so this is the detail that has to be worked out,' he said. NATO members and partners said they also expect regional powers to share costs and step up their roles in Afghanistan to prevent civil war after foreign forces depart. "China has been sitting on the bleachers for a long time now," a diplomat said. The Chinese embassy in Kabul did not respond to requests for comment. Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson Center, said the US continues to count on friends to share the burden in Afghanistan. 'But so long as the war continues with no peace deal, that supply of states willing to assist will shrink,' said Kugelman.

Left out of peace talks, US allies reassess Afghan support

Thirty-one militants, many of them believed to have been Al-Qaeda fighters, have been killed in airstrikes in south-eastern Afghanistan, officials said Thursday.

The strikes were carried out in Ghazni province late Wednesday, where the defence ministry said they targeted a "base" belonging to the militants.&nbsp;

"Qari Aref, one of the facilitators (for Al-Qaeda) was transferring these 31 terrorists, including nine suicide bombers, in several cars when targeted by airstrikes and eliminated," the ministry said.

It described the fighters as all belonging to the Middle Eastern jihadist group, although a spokesman for the Ghazni governor said fighters from the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network were also present.&nbsp;

The defence ministry did not specify who carried out the airstrikes. Only Afghan and US forces in Afghanistan conduct airstrikes.

The Ghazni governor's spokesman, Mohammed Aref Noori, said the strikes had been carried out by US forces, but there was no immediate confirmation of his claim.&nbsp;

Al-Qaeda is still believed to be active in parts Afghanistan and Pakistan, where some of its surviving leadership such as Ayman al-Zawahiri are thought to be hiding.

While still regarded as a threat by Afghan and US officials, the group has not been able to conduct major attacks in Afghanistan or repeat the spectacular success of the September 11, 2001 attacks by hijacked airliners on New York and Washington.

Thirty-one militants, many of them believed to have been Al-Qaeda fighters, have been killed in airstrikes in south-eastern Afghanistan, officials said Thursday.

Thirty-one militants, many of them believed to have been Al-Qaeda fighters, have been killed in airstrikes in south-eastern Afghanistan, officials said Thursday. The strikes were carried out in Ghazni province late Wednesday, where the defence ministry said they targeted a "base" belonging to the militants. "Qari Aref, one of the facilitators (for Al-Qaeda) was transferring these 31 terrorists, including nine suicide bombers, in several cars when targeted by airstrikes and eliminated," the ministry said. It described the fighters as all belonging to the Middle Eastern jihadist group, although a spokesman for the Ghazni governor said fighters from the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network were also present. The defence ministry did not specify who carried out the airstrikes. Only Afghan and US forces in Afghanistan conduct airstrikes. The Ghazni governor's spokesman, Mohammed Aref Noori, said the strikes had been carried out by US forces, but there was no immediate confirmation of his claim. Al-Qaeda is still believed to be active in parts Afghanistan and Pakistan, where some of its surviving leadership such as Ayman al-Zawahiri are thought to be hiding. While still regarded as a threat by Afghan and US officials, the group has not been able to conduct major attacks in Afghanistan or repeat the spectacular success of the September 11, 2001 attacks by hijacked airliners on New York and Washington.

Afghan airstrikes kill 31 militants: Officials

US and Taliban negotiators wrapped up their longest round of peace talks on Tuesday with progress made but no agreement on when foreign troops might withdraw, officials from both sides said.

The 16 days of talks, in which the United States also sought assurances that the Taliban would not allow militant groups to use Afghanistan to stage attacks, are expected to resume in late March.

The negotiations in Doha, Qatar included the Taliban's political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and a US team led by special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad.

Khalilzad, an Afghan-born veteran US diplomat, said the sides made progress on discussions about counter-terrorism assurances and a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The conditions for peace have improved. It`s clear all sides want to end the war. Despite ups and downs, we kept things on track and made real strides," Khalilzad said on Twitter.

The Taliban have held multiple rounds of peace talks with the American team led by Khalilzad but have so far refused to talk to the Afghan government.

"When the agreement in draft about a withdrawal timeline and effective counter-terrorism measures is finalised, the Taliban and other Afghans, including the government, will begin intra-Afghan negotiations on a political settlement and comprehensive ceasefire," Khalilzad said.

SOME PROGRESS

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the sides made progress on the issues of withdrawing foreign forces and preventing future attacks on other countries from Afghanistan.

But, in a statement, he stressed that no agreement was reached on a ceasefire or talks with the Afghan government.

A spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani tweeted that he hoped to see a long-term ceasefire agreement and the start of direct talks between the government and Taliban soon.

The talks were held in a closed-off banquet hall at the five-star Ritz-Carlton seaside hotel on the southern end of Doha.

Qatar has hosted the Taliban`s political office since 2013 and has looked to position itself as an important regional player for conflict resolution.

"We appreciate how difficult it is to end 18 years of war. Qatar looks forward to resumption of the talks in the coming weeks," said Qatar`s lead mediator Mutlaq Bin Majid Al-Qahtani.

No date has been set for the next round.

Khalilzad said he would return to Washington to brief US and international officials.&nbsp;

Talks ended on a day in which Taliban insurgents stepped up pressure on the battlefield, killing 20 Afghan soldiers and capturing another 20 in western Afghanistan. In another province, officials said an airstrike killed both Taliban fighters and civilians.&nbsp;

About 14,000 US troops are based in Afghanistan as part of a US-led NATO mission to train, assist and advise Afghan forces. Some US forces carry out counter-terrorism operations.

The United States has been pushing the Taliban to agree to a ceasefire and to talk with Afghanistan`s government, which the militant group considers a US puppet regime.&nbsp;

"The US officials were pressing the Taliban to declare a ceasefire, but our leaders were clear that a ceasefire can only be announced after the foreign force withdrawal announcement (is) made," said a senior Taliban commander privy to the talks.

Another Taliban source said on condition of anonymity there was frustration on some issues during the peace talks and that a senior member of the Islamist group told US officials at one point that the Taliban are "not their servants" and need no US approval for any future decisions.

Washington intervened in Afghanistan in 2001 to help overthrow a Taliban government that had sheltered Osama bin Laden`s al Qaeda group, responsible for the September 11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in the United States.

A US-led international force has fought since then against a Taliban insurgency. The foreign presence peaked in 2010 at more than 130,000 troops including 100,000 Americans but was sharply cut back after 2014.

Nearly 3,500 foreign troops including 2,300 Americans have died in Afghanistan. The United Nations has tallied the deaths of more than 30,000 Afghan civilians since 2009, most killed by insurgent attacks. Tens of thousands of members of the Afghan security forces and an unknown number of insurgents have also been killed.

US and Taliban negotiators wrapped up their longest round of peace talks on Tuesday with progress made but no agreement on when foreign troops might withdraw, officials from both sides said.

US and Taliban negotiators wrapped up their longest round of peace talks on Tuesday with progress made but no agreement on when foreign troops might withdraw, officials from both sides said. The 16 days of talks, in which the United States also sought assurances that the Taliban would not allow militant groups to use Afghanistan to stage attacks, are expected to resume in late March. The negotiations in Doha, Qatar included the Taliban's political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and a US team led by special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. Khalilzad, an Afghan-born veteran US diplomat, said the sides made progress on discussions about counter-terrorism assurances and a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. "The conditions for peace have improved. It`s clear all sides want to end the war. Despite ups and downs, we kept things on track and made real strides," Khalilzad said on Twitter. The Taliban have held multiple rounds of peace talks with the American team led by Khalilzad but have so far refused to talk to the Afghan government. "When the agreement in draft about a withdrawal timeline and effective counter-terrorism measures is finalised, the Taliban and other Afghans, including the government, will begin intra-Afghan negotiations on a political settlement and comprehensive ceasefire," Khalilzad said. SOME PROGRESS Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the sides made progress on the issues of withdrawing foreign forces and preventing future attacks on other countries from Afghanistan. But, in a statement, he stressed that no agreement was reached on a ceasefire or talks with the Afghan government. A spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani tweeted that he hoped to see a long-term ceasefire agreement and the start of direct talks between the government and Taliban soon. The talks were held in a closed-off banquet hall at the five-star Ritz-Carlton seaside hotel on the southern end of Doha. Qatar has hosted the Taliban`s political office since 2013 and has looked to position itself as an important regional player for conflict resolution. "We appreciate how difficult it is to end 18 years of war. Qatar looks forward to resumption of the talks in the coming weeks," said Qatar`s lead mediator Mutlaq Bin Majid Al-Qahtani. No date has been set for the next round. Khalilzad said he would return to Washington to brief US and international officials. Talks ended on a day in which Taliban insurgents stepped up pressure on the battlefield, killing 20 Afghan soldiers and capturing another 20 in western Afghanistan. In another province, officials said an airstrike killed both Taliban fighters and civilians. About 14,000 US troops are based in Afghanistan as part of a US-led NATO mission to train, assist and advise Afghan forces. Some US forces carry out counter-terrorism operations. The United States has been pushing the Taliban to agree to a ceasefire and to talk with Afghanistan`s government, which the militant group considers a US puppet regime. "The US officials were pressing the Taliban to declare a ceasefire, but our leaders were clear that a ceasefire can only be announced after the foreign force withdrawal announcement (is) made," said a senior Taliban commander privy to the talks. Another Taliban source said on condition of anonymity there was frustration on some issues during the peace talks and that a senior member of the Islamist group told US officials at one point that the Taliban are "not their servants" and need no US approval for any future decisions. Washington intervened in Afghanistan in 2001 to help overthrow a Taliban government that had sheltered Osama bin Laden`s al Qaeda group, responsible for the September 11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in the United States. A US-led international force has fought since then against a Taliban insurgency. The foreign presence peaked in 2010 at more than 130,000 troops including 100,000 Americans but was sharply cut back after 2014. Nearly 3,500 foreign troops including 2,300 Americans have died in Afghanistan. The United Nations has tallied the deaths of more than 30,000 Afghan civilians since 2009, most killed by insurgent attacks. Tens of thousands of members of the Afghan security forces and an unknown number of insurgents have also been killed.

US, Taliban talks end for now with no Afghan peace deal

The first shipment of &nbsp;570 tonnes of goods from Afghanistan arrived in India through the Chabahar port in Iran on Wednesday.

The Afghan goods arrived at the port of Nhava Sheva, Mumbai and Mundra. The goods were flagged off by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani a few days ago along with Indian envoy to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar in the western Afghan city of Zaranj, the capital of Nimroz province bordering Iran.&nbsp;

This is also the first shipment from Afghanistan which came via TIR system to India. &nbsp;TIR is ‘Transports Internationaux Routiers’ which is a UN convention that allows goods to be sealed in compartments and requires no need for physical checking of the contents. This enables shipments to pass through countries without being opened at borders.

Reacting to the developments, Umberto de Pretto, the general secretary of the International Road Transportation Union said, "The opening of Chabahar Port for TIR is hugely significant – offering connectivity for landlocked countries, seamless border crossing facilitation and intermodal capabilities. "

"It enables a facilitative and non-intrusive environment for multi-modal transport of goods through several countries. The convention will help in boosting India’s exports and enable greater participation in the global value chains," said Pranab Kumar Das, Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes &amp; Customs (CBIC) of revenue dept in&nbsp;Ministry of Finance.&nbsp;

India joined the TIR Convention (the United Nations Customs Convention on International Transport of Goods under cover of TIR Carnets) on June 15, 2017.

In January, India formally established shipping lanes with the Chabahar port and now every 2 weeks Indian ships go from 3 Indian ports--Mumbai, Kandla and Mundra to the port in Iran.

India took over the operations of a part of Shahid Beheshti Port, Chabahar in Iran in December 2018.

New Delhi has been focusing on connecting itself with landlocked Afghanistan for which it started the India-Afghanistan air corridor in 2017 and developed the Chabahar port, which is also central to International North-South Transport&nbsp;Corridor (INSTC) which will connect Mumbai to Moscow.

The first shipment of 570 tonnes of goods from Afghanistan arrived in India through the Chabahar port in Iran on Wednesday. The Afghan goods arrived at the port of Nhava Sheva, Mumbai and Mundra.

The first shipment of 570 tonnes of goods from Afghanistan arrived in India through the Chabahar port in Iran on Wednesday. The Afghan goods arrived at the port of Nhava Sheva, Mumbai and Mundra. The goods were flagged off by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani a few days ago along with Indian envoy to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar in the western Afghan city of Zaranj, the capital of Nimroz province bordering Iran. This is also the first shipment from Afghanistan which came via TIR system to India. TIR is ‘Transports Internationaux Routiers’ which is a UN convention that allows goods to be sealed in compartments and requires no need for physical checking of the contents. This enables shipments to pass through countries without being opened at borders. Reacting to the developments, Umberto de Pretto, the general secretary of the International Road Transportation Union said, "The opening of Chabahar Port for TIR is hugely significant – offering connectivity for landlocked countries, seamless border crossing facilitation and intermodal capabilities. " "It enables a facilitative and non-intrusive environment for multi-modal transport of goods through several countries. The convention will help in boosting India’s exports and enable greater participation in the global value chains," said Pranab Kumar Das, Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) of revenue dept in Ministry of Finance. India joined the TIR Convention (the United Nations Customs Convention on International Transport of Goods under cover of TIR Carnets) on June 15, 2017. In January, India formally established shipping lanes with the Chabahar port and now every 2 weeks Indian ships go from 3 Indian ports--Mumbai, Kandla and Mundra to the port in Iran. India took over the operations of a part of Shahid Beheshti Port, Chabahar in Iran in December 2018. New Delhi has been focusing on connecting itself with landlocked Afghanistan for which it started the India-Afghanistan air corridor in 2017 and developed the Chabahar port, which is also central to International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) which will connect Mumbai to Moscow.

First shipment of Afghan goods reach India via Chabahar port 

US and Taliban negotiators <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-talks-end-for-now-with-no-afghan-peace-deal-202982">wrapped up their latest round of marathon peace talks</a> on Tuesday with "real strides" made but no agreement on a timetable for troop withdrawal, the US special envoy said.

"Just finished a marathon round of talks with the Taliban in #Doha. The conditions for #peace have improved. It's clear all sides want to end the war. Despite ups and downs, we kept things on track and made real strides," Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted.

Khalilzad said the next step would be discussions in Washington, adding that "there is no final agreement until everything is agreed".

The talks focused on the withdrawal of US troops and assurances that insurgents would not use Afghanistan's territory to stage future terrorist attacks -- one of the initial aims of American policy in the wake of the 9/11 attacks back in 2001.

"Progress was achieved regarding both these issues," said a Taliban spokesman.

"For now, both sides will deliberate over the achieved progress, share it with their respective leaderships and prepare for the upcoming meeting." The Afghan government, which was not involved in the Doha negotiations, said it was pleased with the progress made.

"We hope to witness a long term comprehensive ceasefire with the Taliban and hope that direct negotiations of (the) Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban begin soon," said Haroon Chakhansuri, the president's spokesperson, on Twitter.

On the issue of troop withdrawal, it had been previously speculated that US forces could leave Afghanistan within five years as part of a deal to end the nearly 18-year war. 
The Taliban have called for the withdrawal to be much quicker, around six months.

There are some 14,000 US troops currently based in Afghanistan.

The latest meetings follow marathon talks in January that saw the US and the Taliban walk away with a "draft framework" on the two issues.

Discussions also took place between the Taliban and Afghani opposition groups in Moscow in February.

During the current round of negotiations in Doha, violent attacks in Afghanistan continued.

On March 1, at least 23 Afghan security forces were killed in a Taliban attack on a joint US-Afghan base in southwestern Afghanistan.

Analysts have warned that the Taliban are likely to ramp up attacks in the coming months as they seek to maintain momentum on the battlefield and leverage at the negotiating table.

It is unclear as yet when the next round of talks will take place. The talks which finished on Tuesday spanned 16 days, which is thought to be the longest consecutive discussions held between both sides.

They bizarrely took place in a luxurious Doha hotel village resort, where the negotiating rooms were located only metres (yards) away from a pianist and not far from a swimming pool where Western tourists bathed and drank alcohol.

US and Taliban negotiators wrapped up their latest round of marathon peace talks on Tuesday with "real strides" made but no agreement on a timetable for troop withdrawal, the US special envoy said.

US and Taliban negotiators wrapped up their latest round of marathon peace talks on Tuesday with "real strides" made but no agreement on a timetable for troop withdrawal, the US special envoy said. "Just finished a marathon round of talks with the Taliban in #Doha. The conditions for #peace have improved. It's clear all sides want to end the war. Despite ups and downs, we kept things on track and made real strides," Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted. Khalilzad said the next step would be discussions in Washington, adding that "there is no final agreement until everything is agreed". The talks focused on the withdrawal of US troops and assurances that insurgents would not use Afghanistan's territory to stage future terrorist attacks -- one of the initial aims of American policy in the wake of the 9/11 attacks back in 2001. "Progress was achieved regarding both these issues," said a Taliban spokesman. "For now, both sides will deliberate over the achieved progress, share it with their respective leaderships and prepare for the upcoming meeting." The Afghan government, which was not involved in the Doha negotiations, said it was pleased with the progress made. "We hope to witness a long term comprehensive ceasefire with the Taliban and hope that direct negotiations of (the) Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban begin soon," said Haroon Chakhansuri, the president's spokesperson, on Twitter. On the issue of troop withdrawal, it had been previously speculated that US forces could leave Afghanistan within five years as part of a deal to end the nearly 18-year war. The Taliban have called for the withdrawal to be much quicker, around six months. There are some 14,000 US troops currently based in Afghanistan. The latest meetings follow marathon talks in January that saw the US and the Taliban walk away with a "draft framework" on the two issues. Discussions also took place between the Taliban and Afghani opposition groups in Moscow in February. During the current round of negotiations in Doha, violent attacks in Afghanistan continued. On March 1, at least 23 Afghan security forces were killed in a Taliban attack on a joint US-Afghan base in southwestern Afghanistan. Analysts have warned that the Taliban are likely to ramp up attacks in the coming months as they seek to maintain momentum on the battlefield and leverage at the negotiating table. It is unclear as yet when the next round of talks will take place. The talks which finished on Tuesday spanned 16 days, which is thought to be the longest consecutive discussions held between both sides. They bizarrely took place in a luxurious Doha hotel village resort, where the negotiating rooms were located only metres (yards) away from a pianist and not far from a swimming pool where Western tourists bathed and drank alcohol.

US envoy says 'real strides' made in longest Taliban talks

Afghanistan's National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib has slammed Pakistan for providing support to terror and for not abiding by its United Nations Security Council commitments by allowing free rein to terrorists on its territory.

Speaking at the Asia Society in New York, Mohib said, "Until we see willingness to take action we are not going to buy any more words from Pakistan on what they are and willing to say. They are always very nice. They speak about brotherhood, historical linkages, then all we see is terrorist coming our way and no brotherhood"

He said that the Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) which was agreed by the governments of the two countries for peace has not been implemented by the current administration in Islamabad. The plan in Pakistan was agreed under the leadership of former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

Mohib who was earlier Afghan envoy to Washington said, "There hasn't been action from Pakistan and there hasn't been any interest from Pakistan to implement. There is no cooperation with Afghanistan in any aspect."

He also highlighted how Pakistan blocked landlocked Afghanistan's trade routes due to which Kabul diversified its routes --in the north via Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and via Chabahar in Iran connecting to India.

Lauding India Afghanistan air corridor launched in 2017, the NSA said, "it has opened opportunities for Afghanistan not only to increase our trade but &nbsp;also to give us more options to import"

On Monday the corridor was expanded to Herat.

Earlier speaking at United Nation Security Council, Mohib without taking Pakistan's name said, "Strict enforcement of Security Council sanctions measures contained in its resolutions 1988 and 1267 should no longer be compromised. Any failure in this regard translates to a failure of the Security Council’s response to combating terrorist and extremist groups effectively, and also renders these groups capable of continuing their destructive activities."

Pressure has been growing over Islamabad by Kabul, Delhi and Tehran to rein in terror groups on its territory. Over the weekend, in a phone conversation between Iran's president Dr Hassan Rouhani and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Rouhani called on Islamabad to act on terrorists on its territory.&nbsp;

Dr Hassan Rouhani said, “We are witnessing many terrorist attacks by terrorists who are unfortunately located on the Pakistani soil, and in dealing with these terrorists, whose existence are not in favour of us, you and the region, we are fully ready to cooperate with the Pakistani army and government".

According to Iranian authorities, 27 Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) were killed in a terror attack in Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan Province which was done by Pakistan based terrorist group. 
&nbsp;

Afghanistan's National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib has slammed Pakistan for providing support to terror and for not abiding by its United Nations Security Council commitments by allowing free rein to terrorists on its territory.

Afghanistan's National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib has slammed Pakistan for providing support to terror and for not abiding by its United Nations Security Council commitments by allowing free rein to terrorists on its territory. Speaking at the Asia Society in New York, Mohib said, "Until we see willingness to take action we are not going to buy any more words from Pakistan on what they are and willing to say. They are always very nice. They speak about brotherhood, historical linkages, then all we see is terrorist coming our way and no brotherhood" He said that the Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) which was agreed by the governments of the two countries for peace has not been implemented by the current administration in Islamabad. The plan in Pakistan was agreed under the leadership of former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Mohib who was earlier Afghan envoy to Washington said, "There hasn't been action from Pakistan and there hasn't been any interest from Pakistan to implement. There is no cooperation with Afghanistan in any aspect." He also highlighted how Pakistan blocked landlocked Afghanistan's trade routes due to which Kabul diversified its routes --in the north via Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and via Chabahar in Iran connecting to India. Lauding India Afghanistan air corridor launched in 2017, the NSA said, "it has opened opportunities for Afghanistan not only to increase our trade but also to give us more options to import" On Monday the corridor was expanded to Herat. Earlier speaking at United Nation Security Council, Mohib without taking Pakistan's name said, "Strict enforcement of Security Council sanctions measures contained in its resolutions 1988 and 1267 should no longer be compromised. Any failure in this regard translates to a failure of the Security Council’s response to combating terrorist and extremist groups effectively, and also renders these groups capable of continuing their destructive activities." Pressure has been growing over Islamabad by Kabul, Delhi and Tehran to rein in terror groups on its territory. Over the weekend, in a phone conversation between Iran's president Dr Hassan Rouhani and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Rouhani called on Islamabad to act on terrorists on its territory. Dr Hassan Rouhani said, “We are witnessing many terrorist attacks by terrorists who are unfortunately located on the Pakistani soil, and in dealing with these terrorists, whose existence are not in favour of us, you and the region, we are fully ready to cooperate with the Pakistani army and government". According to Iranian authorities, 27 Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) were killed in a terror attack in Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan Province which was done by Pakistan based terrorist group.

Pakistan taking no action on terror; talks of brotherhood but sends terrorist: Afghan NSA

On February 20, WION held its first ever Global Summit, “Unleashing the Power of South Asia” in Dubai, UAE. At the event, influencers from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Maldives, UAE, USA and India, came together to provide suggestions to improve regional relations. As a guest speaker, I was fortunate to speak about ‘Women in South Asia: Are we caught between Tradition and Modernity?’ Afghanistan plays a significant role in the success or failure of women in South Asia, so I focused on Afghan women. &nbsp;

I began my speech with a historical story that has resonated with me since childhood: The July 1879 Second Afghan Anglo War. British forces of the 66th regiment, equipped with modern machinery, encountered Afghan troops under the command of Ghazi Ayub Khan at Maiwand region of Qandahar province. As the fighting intensified, the Afghans were at the bottom of Maiwand mountain holding on to their swords, as the British came down the mountain on high morale assured by their modern weaponry advantage. As the British advanced to the Afghan position, several Afghan fighters were killed and many others were injured. At that moment, Commander Ayub Khan didn’t know what course of action to take. Amongst the ranks of the Afghans were many women - to help the wounded. Malalai, a daughter of a shepherd from a local tribe, watched as her father and her fiancé battled on. As the situation dramatically worsened when the Afghan flag bearer was killed, Malalai appeared on the battlefield, removing her veil, shouting "Young love, if you do not fall in the battle of Maiwand, someone is saving you as a symbol of shame." This battle cry gave the Afghan warriors new resolve and their efforts redoubled. Her leadership drove the Afghans to victory. &nbsp;

Malalai of Maiwand is a legendary icon of bravery. There are many Malalai amongst us in the modern era, ready to be recognised. In my speech, I highlighted important Afghan women in countering violent extremism and tech, noting that women are in a constant process of modernisation. Afghan women have become change agents in Afghanistan, modernising what it means to be an Afghan woman while maintaining Afghan traditions. We believe that educating and strengthening a female translates to building the family unit. That is why, in honour of Women’s month, I wanted to shed light on a few influential Afghan women who deserve recognition.&nbsp;

These four Afghan female figures have influenced not only Afghan women but women all over the world. Mariam Atash is a member of the International Association of Women; US-Afghan Women’s Council; American Women for International Understanding; Virginia and California State Bar Association, entrepreneur, mother and a mentor. She is passionate and outspoken about women’s empowerment. From writing to advocating on major news stations, radio stations and speaking events, she wants to help identify paths to better the lives of women and ultimately improve society as a whole. &nbsp; 
 
<img alt="Mariam" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5ed3973b-6f24-42af-80d0-6afdb0b9bfee" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/thumbnail_Mariam%20Atash.jpg" />

Picture Courtesy - Mariam Wardak

The second is a&nbsp;television artist, Munaza Shaheed. Munaza is becoming a household name in South Asia with her strong and confident Pashto literacy skills. Munaza’s most indelible contribution to broadcasting has to be her interviews that bring attention&nbsp;to the new issues and people, particularly stories of women.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="Munaza" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="78df201e-70a7-4f3f-b9d2-0d8a7a18db9f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/munaza.jpg" />

Picture Courtesy: Mariam Wardak

Sana Safi is an Afghan broadcast journalist, currently working for the BBC World Service. Sana’s impact as a presenter for BBC Pashto’s TV show made local, regional and international news. Aside from her journalistic skills, she is known for her fictional writing, mainly short stories. Sana provides phenomenal commentary on her Twitter platform, where she constantly encourages, highlights and motivates women from all communities, races and ethnicities. Sana is a global role model. &nbsp; 
 
<img alt="Sana" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="52d7ff4c-65b8-4827-861e-68374097ec3d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/sana.jpg" />

Picture Courtesy: Mariam Wardak

After the Soviet invasion, the strong stories of Afghan women were rarely told as the focus turned to war. The rise of the Afghan Mujahideen, a term for one engaged in Jihad (literally, ‘struggle’), was coined by their spokeswoman, Fatima Gailani, a living embodiment of empowerment. Fatima Gailani obtained her BA and MA degree in Persian Literature and Sufism and another MA in Islamic Studies. Intelligent and articulate, the Afghan aristocrat played a vital role in drawing the world's attention to the events taking place in her country. She attended the Bonne Conference on Afghanistan. After her return to Afghanistan, she was chosen as a delegate to the Emergency Loya Jirga – Grand Council and appointed as a constitution drafting and ratifying commissioner. Following her decorated political career, she joined the Afghan Red Crescent to follow her passion, making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable in her country and around the world. Today, Fatima Gailani is the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council Cluster on behalf of the International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent and is a leading Afghan humanitarian. &nbsp; 
 
<img alt="Fatima" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="37c655e0-565b-4354-9317-668bd37b2b11" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Fatima%20Gailani.jpg" />

Picture Courtesy: Mariam Wardak&nbsp;

I find the below passage a fitting choice for the circumstances of Afghan women today:&nbsp;

Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and though&nbsp;

We are not now that strength which in old days&nbsp;

Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;&nbsp;

One equal temper of heroic hearts,&nbsp;

Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will&nbsp;

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.&nbsp;

This passage demonstrates the past holds no bearing on the future. The women of Afghanistan are strong in will and determination, and shall push past historic barriers to redefine what it means to be an Afghan woman. These four women are strong examples of female empowerment, as they seek to improve and strengthen women in every society. &nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

On February 20, WION held its first ever Global Summit, “Unleashing the Power of South Asia” in Dubai, UAE. At the event, influencers from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Maldives, UAE, USA and India, came together to provide suggestions to improve regional relations.

On February 20, WION held its first ever Global Summit, “Unleashing the Power of South Asia” in Dubai, UAE. At the event, influencers from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Maldives, UAE, USA and India, came together to provide suggestions to improve regional relations. As a guest speaker, I was fortunate to speak about ‘Women in South Asia: Are we caught between Tradition and Modernity?’ Afghanistan plays a significant role in the success or failure of women in South Asia, so I focused on Afghan women. I began my speech with a historical story that has resonated with me since childhood: The July 1879 Second Afghan Anglo War. British forces of the 66th regiment, equipped with modern machinery, encountered Afghan troops under the command of Ghazi Ayub Khan at Maiwand region of Qandahar province. As the fighting intensified, the Afghans were at the bottom of Maiwand mountain holding on to their swords, as the British came down the mountain on high morale assured by their modern weaponry advantage. As the British advanced to the Afghan position, several Afghan fighters were killed and many others were injured. At that moment, Commander Ayub Khan didn’t know what course of action to take. Amongst the ranks of the Afghans were many women - to help the wounded. Malalai, a daughter of a shepherd from a local tribe, watched as her father and her fiancé battled on. As the situation dramatically worsened when the Afghan flag bearer was killed, Malalai appeared on the battlefield, removing her veil, shouting "Young love, if you do not fall in the battle of Maiwand, someone is saving you as a symbol of shame." This battle cry gave the Afghan warriors new resolve and their efforts redoubled. Her leadership drove the Afghans to victory. Malalai of Maiwand is a legendary icon of bravery. There are many Malalai amongst us in the modern era, ready to be recognised. In my speech, I highlighted important Afghan women in countering violent extremism and tech, noting that women are in a constant process of modernisation. Afghan women have become change agents in Afghanistan, modernising what it means to be an Afghan woman while maintaining Afghan traditions. We believe that educating and strengthening a female translates to building the family unit. That is why, in honour of Women’s month, I wanted to shed light on a few influential Afghan women who deserve recognition. These four Afghan female figures have influenced not only Afghan women but women all over the world. Mariam Atash is a member of the International Association of Women; US-Afghan Women’s Council; American Women for International Understanding; Virginia and California State Bar Association, entrepreneur, mother and a mentor. She is passionate and outspoken about women’s empowerment. From writing to advocating on major news stations, radio stations and speaking events, she wants to help identify paths to better the lives of women and ultimately improve society as a whole. Picture Courtesy - Mariam Wardak The second is a television artist, Munaza Shaheed. Munaza is becoming a household name in South Asia with her strong and confident Pashto literacy skills. Munaza’s most indelible contribution to broadcasting has to be her interviews that bring attention to the new issues and people, particularly stories of women. Picture Courtesy: Mariam Wardak Sana Safi is an Afghan broadcast journalist, currently working for the BBC World Service. Sana’s impact as a presenter for BBC Pashto’s TV show made local, regional and international news. Aside from her journalistic skills, she is known for her fictional writing, mainly short stories. Sana provides phenomenal commentary on her Twitter platform, where she constantly encourages, highlights and motivates women from all communities, races and ethnicities. Sana is a global role model. Picture Courtesy: Mariam Wardak After the Soviet invasion, the strong stories of Afghan women were rarely told as the focus turned to war. The rise of the Afghan Mujahideen, a term for one engaged in Jihad (literally, ‘struggle’), was coined by their spokeswoman, Fatima Gailani, a living embodiment of empowerment. Fatima Gailani obtained her BA and MA degree in Persian Literature and Sufism and another MA in Islamic Studies. Intelligent and articulate, the Afghan aristocrat played a vital role in drawing the world's attention to the events taking place in her country. She attended the Bonne Conference on Afghanistan. After her return to Afghanistan, she was chosen as a delegate to the Emergency Loya Jirga – Grand Council and appointed as a constitution drafting and ratifying commissioner. Following her decorated political career, she joined the Afghan Red Crescent to follow her passion, making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable in her country and around the world. Today, Fatima Gailani is the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council Cluster on behalf of the International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent and is a leading Afghan humanitarian. Picture Courtesy: Mariam Wardak I find the below passage a fitting choice for the circumstances of Afghan women today: Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and though We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. This passage demonstrates the past holds no bearing on the future. The women of Afghanistan are strong in will and determination, and shall push past historic barriers to redefine what it means to be an Afghan woman. These four women are strong examples of female empowerment, as they seek to improve and strengthen women in every society. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Here's how Afghan women are trying to empower others in society

India-Afghanistan air corridor was expanded on Monday to Herat with the launch of &nbsp;Herat-NewDelhi air corridor. It was inaugurated by Governor of Herat Abdul Qaiyoum Rahimi, Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry Minister of Afganistan Ajmal Rahimzai and India's Consul General to Herat Kumar Gaurav. Air freight of 200 kilograms of Afghan saffron and 1600 kilogram of pistachios reached Delhi via the corridor on Monday.

Herat, situated in Northwestern Afghanistan, is the third largest city of the landlocked South Asian country. The air corridor will help the products from the region get a huge market in India.

Speaking to WION from Herat, CG Kumar Gaurav said, "It is a great step in the regional connectivity in the face of denial of transit rights for Afghan imports and exports by Pakistan."

"Such initiatives of air corridors and a fully operational Chabahar route will transcend the petty barriers created by the common neighbour of India and Afghanistan," he added.&nbsp;

Pakistan has been denying an overland route for India-Afghanistan trade due to which both countries decided to open an air corridor.&nbsp;

The establishment of an air freight corridor between India and Afghanistan was discussed during the visits of Afgan President Ashraf Ghani to India in September and December 2016.

The corridor was formally launched on June 19, 2017, with the first cargo flight going from Kabul to Delhi. Subsequently, the corridor was expanded to Kandahar with the first flight between Delhi and the Afghan city talking place on June 24, 2017.

Other than the air corridor, India has been connected to Afghanistan via the Chabahar port in Iran. The port was taken under Indian operations in December 2018 with Afghan goods being officially sent to India from February 2019.

India-Afghanistan air corridor was expanded on Monday to Herat with the launch of Herat-NewDelhi air corridor. It was inaugurated by Governor of Herat Abdul Qaiyoum Rahimi, Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry Minister of Afganistan Ajmal Rahimzai and India's Consul General to Herat Kumar Gaurav.

India-Afghanistan air corridor was expanded on Monday to Herat with the launch of Herat-NewDelhi air corridor. It was inaugurated by Governor of Herat Abdul Qaiyoum Rahimi, Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry Minister of Afganistan Ajmal Rahimzai and India's Consul General to Herat Kumar Gaurav. Air freight of 200 kilograms of Afghan saffron and 1600 kilogram of pistachios reached Delhi via the corridor on Monday. Herat, situated in Northwestern Afghanistan, is the third largest city of the landlocked South Asian country. The air corridor will help the products from the region get a huge market in India. Speaking to WION from Herat, CG Kumar Gaurav said, "It is a great step in the regional connectivity in the face of denial of transit rights for Afghan imports and exports by Pakistan." "Such initiatives of air corridors and a fully operational Chabahar route will transcend the petty barriers created by the common neighbour of India and Afghanistan," he added. Pakistan has been denying an overland route for India-Afghanistan trade due to which both countries decided to open an air corridor. The establishment of an air freight corridor between India and Afghanistan was discussed during the visits of Afgan President Ashraf Ghani to India in September and December 2016. The corridor was formally launched on June 19, 2017, with the first cargo flight going from Kabul to Delhi. Subsequently, the corridor was expanded to Kandahar with the first flight between Delhi and the Afghan city talking place on June 24, 2017. Other than the air corridor, India has been connected to Afghanistan via the Chabahar port in Iran. The port was taken under Indian operations in December 2018 with Afghan goods being officially sent to India from February 2019.

India, Afghan air corridor expanded to Herat

Taliban founder Mullah Omar lived within walking distance of US bases in Afghanistan for years, according to a new book that highlights embarrassing failures of American intelligence.

Washington believed the one-eyed, fugitive leader had fled to Pakistan, but the new biography says Omar was, in fact, living just three miles from a major US Forward Operating Base in his home province of Zabul before his death in 2013.

"Searching for an Enemy", by Dutch journalist Bette Dam, reveals the Taliban chief lived as a virtual hermit, refusing visits from his family and filling notebooks with jottings in an imaginary language.

Dam spent more than five years researching the book and interviewed Jabbar Omari, Omar's bodyguard who hid and protected him after the Taliban regime was overthrown.

According to the book, Omar listened to the BBC's Pashto-language news broadcasts in the evenings, but even when he learned about the death of al-Qaeda supremo Osama Bin Laden rarely commented on developments in the outside world.&nbsp;

Following the 9/11 attacks in 2001 which led to the fall of the Taliban, the US put a $10 million bounty on Omar and he went into hiding in a small compound in the regional capital Qalat, Dam writes.&nbsp;

The family living at the compound were not told of the identity of their mystery guest, but US forces twice almost found him.

At one point, a US patrol approached as Omar and Omari were in the courtyard. Alarmed, the two men ducked behind a woodpile, but the soldiers passed without entering.

A second time, US troops even searched the house but did not uncover the concealed entrance to his secret room. It was not clear if the search was the result of a routine patrol or a tip-off.

Omar decided to move when the US started building Forward Operating Base Lagman in 2004, just a few hundred metres from his hideout.

He later moved to a second building but soon afterwards the Pentagon constructed Forward Operating Base Wolverine -- home to 1,000 US troops, and where American and British special forces were sometimes based -- close by.

Despite his terror at being caught, he dared not move again, rarely even going outside and often hiding in tunnels when US planes flew over.&nbsp;

According to Dam, Omar would often only talk to his guard and cook, and used an old Nokia mobile phone, without a sim card, to record himself chanting verses from the Koran.

Omar's Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001 and has waged an anti-government insurgency since then.

Omar, who delegated effective Taliban leadership after 2001, appears to have acted as more of a spiritual leader, and the militant movement kept his death in 2013 secret for two years.

Taliban founder Mullah Omar lived within walking distance of US bases in Afghanistan for years, according to a new book that highlights embarrassing failures of American intelligence.

Taliban founder Mullah Omar lived within walking distance of US bases in Afghanistan for years, according to a new book that highlights embarrassing failures of American intelligence. Washington believed the one-eyed, fugitive leader had fled to Pakistan, but the new biography says Omar was, in fact, living just three miles from a major US Forward Operating Base in his home province of Zabul before his death in 2013. "Searching for an Enemy", by Dutch journalist Bette Dam, reveals the Taliban chief lived as a virtual hermit, refusing visits from his family and filling notebooks with jottings in an imaginary language. Dam spent more than five years researching the book and interviewed Jabbar Omari, Omar's bodyguard who hid and protected him after the Taliban regime was overthrown. According to the book, Omar listened to the BBC's Pashto-language news broadcasts in the evenings, but even when he learned about the death of al-Qaeda supremo Osama Bin Laden rarely commented on developments in the outside world. Following the 9/11 attacks in 2001 which led to the fall of the Taliban, the US put a $10 million bounty on Omar and he went into hiding in a small compound in the regional capital Qalat, Dam writes. The family living at the compound were not told of the identity of their mystery guest, but US forces twice almost found him. At one point, a US patrol approached as Omar and Omari were in the courtyard. Alarmed, the two men ducked behind a woodpile, but the soldiers passed without entering. A second time, US troops even searched the house but did not uncover the concealed entrance to his secret room. It was not clear if the search was the result of a routine patrol or a tip-off. Omar decided to move when the US started building Forward Operating Base Lagman in 2004, just a few hundred metres from his hideout. He later moved to a second building but soon afterwards the Pentagon constructed Forward Operating Base Wolverine -- home to 1,000 US troops, and where American and British special forces were sometimes based -- close by. Despite his terror at being caught, he dared not move again, rarely even going outside and often hiding in tunnels when US planes flew over. According to Dam, Omar would often only talk to his guard and cook, and used an old Nokia mobile phone, without a sim card, to record himself chanting verses from the Koran. Omar's Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001 and has waged an anti-government insurgency since then. Omar, who delegated effective Taliban leadership after 2001, appears to have acted as more of a spiritual leader, and the militant movement kept his death in 2013 secret for two years.

Taliban founder Mullah Omar lived next to US-Afghan base: Biography

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