<p>The United Nations is convening an aid conference in Geneva in order to raise more than USD 600 million in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan. It has warned of a humanitarian crisis after the Taliban takeover.</p>

<p>More than half the population, or 18 million people were dependent on aid even before Taliban's seizure of Kabul last month. The number is likely to increase due to shortage of cash and food as well as drought, UN officials warned.</p>

<p>Abrupt end in foreign donations following collapse of Ashraf Ghani-led government has put pressure on UN programmes.</p>

<p>UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the organisation was struggling financially.</p>

<p>"At the present moment the U.N. is not even able to pay its salaries to its own workers," he told reporters on Friday.</p>

<p>The Geneva conference, due to begin on Monday afternoon, will be attended by top U.N. officials including Guterres, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Maurer, as well as dozens of government representatives including German foreign minister Heiko Maas.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-can-study-but-in-gender-segregated-classrooms-taliban-minister-412606">Afghan women can study but in gender-segregated classrooms: Taliban Minister</a></strong></p>

<p>About a third of the $606 million being sought would be used by the U.N. World Food Programme which found that 93% of the 1,600 Afghans it surveyed in August and September were not consuming sufficient foods, mostly because they could not get access to cash to pay for it.</p>

<p>"It's now a race against time and the snow to deliver life-saving assistance to the Afghan people who need it most," said WFP deputy regional director Anthea Webb. "We are quite literally begging and borrowing to avoid food stocks running out."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The United Nations is convening an aid conference in Geneva in order to raise more than USD 600 million in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan. It has warned of a humanitarian crisis after the Taliban takeover.

The United Nations is convening an aid conference in Geneva in order to raise more than USD 600 million in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan. It has warned of a humanitarian crisis after the Taliban takeover. More than half the population, or 18 million people were dependent on aid even before Taliban's seizure of Kabul last month. The number is likely to increase due to shortage of cash and food as well as drought, UN officials warned. Abrupt end in foreign donations following collapse of Ashraf Ghani-led government has put pressure on UN programmes. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the organisation was struggling financially. "At the present moment the U.N. is not even able to pay its salaries to its own workers," he told reporters on Friday. The Geneva conference, due to begin on Monday afternoon, will be attended by top U.N. officials including Guterres, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Maurer, as well as dozens of government representatives including German foreign minister Heiko Maas. Also Read | Afghan women can study but in gender-segregated classrooms: Taliban Minister About a third of the $606 million being sought would be used by the U.N. World Food Programme which found that 93% of the 1,600 Afghans it surveyed in August and September were not consuming sufficient foods, mostly because they could not get access to cash to pay for it. "It's now a race against time and the snow to deliver life-saving assistance to the Afghan people who need it most," said WFP deputy regional director Anthea Webb. "We are quite literally begging and borrowing to avoid food stocks running out." (With inputs from agencies)

UN seeks to raise $600 million to avoid Afghan humanitarian crisis

Qatar’s foreign minister Abdulrahman held talks with the prime minister of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan in the highest-level foreign visit to Kabul since the group seized the capital last month.

Qatar FM Abdulrahman visits Kabul for talks with Taliban

The Taliban government's new higher education minister said that women in Afghanistan can continue to study in universities, including at post-graduate levels, but classrooms will be gender-segregated and Islamic dress is compulsory.

Taliban says women can study in gender-segregated universities

Inside the Bagram detention centre in Afghanistan U.N seeks $600 mn aid for Afghanistan Who won the second german election debate?

WION Live Broadcast: #Donottouchmyclothes trends on social media

<p>Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan has criticised his Australia counterpart Tim Paine for questioning the Asian team`s right to participate in major events such as the Twenty20 World Cup.<br />
<br />
Paine said the chances of Australia playing a test against Afghanistan in November were "not looking good" with the Taliban unwilling to let women play cricket and he questioned why the game`s governing body (ICC) had remained quiet on the issue.<br />
<br />
"The Afghanistan Team has the right to play not only in this World Cup but in all ICC organised tournaments/events in accordance with the rules and regulations of ICC," Afghan wrote on Twitter.<br />
<br />
"For a less privileged cricketing nation as Afghanistan with zero infrastructure and support, reaching where we are right now and playing shoulder to shoulder with top 10 countries require sheer determination, passion and talent.<br />
<br />
"(You are) mistreating Afghan cricket and all the gains we have obtained with hardship in the past decade. Sports should be separated from politics."<br />
<br />
The T20 World Cup begins next month and Afghanistan are taking part in it. "I imagine it will be impossible if teams are pulling out against playing against them and governments are not letting them travel to our shores," Paine said.<br />
<br />
"Then how a team like that can be allowed to play in an ICC sanctioned event is going to be very, very hard to see."<br />
<br />
Australia`s cricket board said last week it would scrap the planned test match against Afghanistan if it was able to substantiate reports that the country`s Taliban rulers do not allow women to play cricket.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan has criticised his Australia counterpart Tim Paine for questioning the Asian team`s right to participate in major events such as the Twenty20 World Cup.

Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan has criticised his Australia counterpart Tim Paine for questioning the Asian team`s right to participate in major events such as the Twenty20 World Cup. Paine said the chances of Australia playing a test against Afghanistan in November were "not looking good" with the Taliban unwilling to let women play cricket and he questioned why the game`s governing body (ICC) had remained quiet on the issue. "The Afghanistan Team has the right to play not only in this World Cup but in all ICC organised tournaments/events in accordance with the rules and regulations of ICC," Afghan wrote on Twitter. "For a less privileged cricketing nation as Afghanistan with zero infrastructure and support, reaching where we are right now and playing shoulder to shoulder with top 10 countries require sheer determination, passion and talent. "(You are) mistreating Afghan cricket and all the gains we have obtained with hardship in the past decade. Sports should be separated from politics." The T20 World Cup begins next month and Afghanistan are taking part in it. "I imagine it will be impossible if teams are pulling out against playing against them and governments are not letting them travel to our shores," Paine said. "Then how a team like that can be allowed to play in an ICC sanctioned event is going to be very, very hard to see." Australia`s cricket board said last week it would scrap the planned test match against Afghanistan if it was able to substantiate reports that the country`s Taliban rulers do not allow women to play cricket.

Afghanistan captain criticises Australia's Tim Paine for questioning right to play

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="3">Former President Donald Trump slammed US President Joe Biden's pullout from Afghanistan, speculating that China and Russia are already reverse-engineering US military hardware left there.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="4">During an interview with an American media house on Sunday, Trump blasted the withdrawal as "incompetent," warning that it would put the US in jeopardy and help its adversaries.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="5">Trump went on to say that the country's enemies are already taking advantage of the weaponry, armoured vehicles, and aircraft left behind by US forces.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-shows-off-its-might-by-carrying-out-parade-with-us-armys-weapons-410042"><strong>Also read | Taliban shows off its might by carrying out parade with US army's weapons</strong></a></p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="6">"Now I'm saying, ‘How can they take this equipment?’ And I guarantee that China and Russia already have our Apache helicopters and they're taking them apart to find out exactly how they're made. They're the best in the world by far. And they're taking them apart so they can make the same equipment. They're very good at that. It's a disgrace."</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="7">Since 2001, the United States has provided Afghan security forces with over $83 billion in training and equipment.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="8">According to USA Today, the military abandoned 73 aircraft in Afghanistan, some of which were inoperable.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="9">At the airport, soldiers were alleged to be operating Apache attack helicopters, according to Pentagon authorities.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="10">Afghan pilots are said to have flown some of the advanced aircraft to other nations while abandoning the rest.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="11">At a time when tensions are high with both of the US' key adversaries, China and Russia, located on Afghanistan's doorsteps, a European research group has called the choice to leave Afghanistan "inexplicable."&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="12"><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Former President Donald Trump slammed US President Joe Biden's pullout from Afghanistan, speculating that China and Russia are already reverse-engineering US military hardware left there.

Former President Donald Trump slammed US President Joe Biden's pullout from Afghanistan, speculating that China and Russia are already reverse-engineering US military hardware left there. During an interview with an American media house on Sunday, Trump blasted the withdrawal as "incompetent," warning that it would put the US in jeopardy and help its adversaries. Trump went on to say that the country's enemies are already taking advantage of the weaponry, armoured vehicles, and aircraft left behind by US forces. Also read | Taliban shows off its might by carrying out parade with US army's weapons "Now I'm saying, ‘How can they take this equipment?’ And I guarantee that China and Russia already have our Apache helicopters and they're taking them apart to find out exactly how they're made. They're the best in the world by far. And they're taking them apart so they can make the same equipment. They're very good at that. It's a disgrace." Since 2001, the United States has provided Afghan security forces with over $83 billion in training and equipment. According to USA Today, the military abandoned 73 aircraft in Afghanistan, some of which were inoperable. At the airport, soldiers were alleged to be operating Apache attack helicopters, according to Pentagon authorities. Afghan pilots are said to have flown some of the advanced aircraft to other nations while abandoning the rest. At a time when tensions are high with both of the US' key adversaries, China and Russia, located on Afghanistan's doorsteps, a European research group has called the choice to leave Afghanistan "inexplicable." (With inputs from agencies)

‘I guarantee’: Trump claims China, Russia reverse-engineering US weapons left behind in Afghanistan

Afghan women residing in Afghanistan and abroad are posting photos of themselves on social media, dressed in traditional attire in a mark of protest against the Taliban's burqa order.

Afghan women post photos in traditional attire to protest Taliban's burqa order

<p>What represents a 'proper' dress? That too for a woman? Common sense dictates that it is she who will decide that and no other. But unfortunately, every culture in the world has its fair share of men dictating what's good/ proper/ admissible/ allowed for women. The list is endless.</p>

<p>Taliban's return to power has seen its all-male government deciding what women should wear in public. They are acting as self-declared custodians of Afghan women and think they have all the rights to dictate terms. They want Afghan women to wear burqa.</p>

<p>And Afghan women are not taking any of this. They are expressing their freedom in a unique way. Dr Bahar Jalali, who started the first gender studies program in Afghanistan wore a traditional Afghan dress and boldly proclaimed "This is Afghan culture. I am wearing a traditional Afghan dress"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is Afghan culture. I am wearing a traditional Afghan dress. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfghanistanCulture?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AfghanistanCulture</a> <a href="https://t.co/DrRzgyXPvm">pic.twitter.com/DrRzgyXPvm</a></p>
— Dr. Bahar Jalali (@RoxanaBahar1) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoxanaBahar1/status/1436845110906478592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The tweet has gone viral and seems to have started a movement among Afghan women</p>

<p>Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi, head of Afghan service at DW News joined Dr Jalali and repeated the chant "This is Afghan culture"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Me wearing traditional Afghan attire in Kabul. This is Afghan culture and this is how Afghan women dress. <a href="https://twitter.com/RoxanaBahar1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RoxanaBahar1</a> <a href="https://t.co/fUZSqy4rRK">pic.twitter.com/fUZSqy4rRK</a></p>
— Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi (@WasHasNaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/WasHasNaz/status/1437156150022221831?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The expression soon found resonance</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">So how do Afghan women dress then? They ask.<br />
<br />
This is how. If I was in Afghanistan then I would have the scarf on my head. This is as “conservative” and “traditional” as I/you can get. <a href="https://t.co/4fjoSUuJZY">https://t.co/4fjoSUuJZY</a> <a href="https://t.co/VkQLQoBXDy">pic.twitter.com/VkQLQoBXDy</a></p>
— Sana Safi ثنا ساپۍ (@BBCSanaSafi) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSanaSafi/status/1436997184671584259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is Afghan culture. My traditional dress <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfghanWomen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AfghanWomen</a><br />
<br />
Thank you to Dr <a href="https://twitter.com/RoxanaBahar1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RoxanaBahar1</a> for the inspiration.<br />
<br />
Our cultural attire is not the dementor outfits the Taliban have women wearing. <a href="https://t.co/i9wFASfWR6">pic.twitter.com/i9wFASfWR6</a></p>
— Peymana Assad 🏔 (@Peymasad) <a href="https://twitter.com/Peymasad/status/1436974465750118403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>"...the black burqa has never been part of the Afghan culture"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is our Afghan authentic dress. Afghan women wear such colorful and modest attires. The black burqa never has been part of the Afghan culture. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeAfghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreeAfghanistan</a>🇦🇫 <a href="https://t.co/v9LIbcvklG">pic.twitter.com/v9LIbcvklG</a></p>
— Spozhmay Maseed (@spozhmey) <a href="https://twitter.com/spozhmey/status/1437022301069922305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is how <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghan</a> cultural dress for women look like. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/mcikMUHilQ">https://t.co/mcikMUHilQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/XPZfstkGc8">pic.twitter.com/XPZfstkGc8</a></p>
— Malali Bashir (@MalaliBashir) <a href="https://twitter.com/MalaliBashir/status/1437124777483853837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is how <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghan</a> cultural dress for women look like. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/mcikMUHilQ">https://t.co/mcikMUHilQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/XPZfstkGc8">pic.twitter.com/XPZfstkGc8</a></p>
— Malali Bashir (@MalaliBashir) <a href="https://twitter.com/MalaliBashir/status/1437124777483853837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">When we talk about Afg clothing, we mean ds beautiful clothing that we have inherited from our elders for centuries.<br />
We meant this beautiful Afg dress that we have always been supported by the Afghan community by wearing it &amp; we have been accepted in every part of the territory. <a href="https://t.co/qSETchvg1e">pic.twitter.com/qSETchvg1e</a></p>
— Zarifa Ghafari (@Zarifa_Ghafari) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zarifa_Ghafari/status/1437081974028570627?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Afghan men raised their voice in support of these women as well</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is how Afghan girls/women dress,<br />
The polar opposite of that radical Arab dress code for women.<br />
<br />
In this picture it’s my sister Zent Jn in shine Laghman our lovely hometown🇦🇫 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfghanWomen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AfghanWomen</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoNotRecognizeTaliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DoNotRecognizeTaliban</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCYaldaHakim?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCYaldaHakim</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSanaSafi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCSanaSafi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Peymasad?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Peymasad</a> <a href="https://t.co/6Oq2D8ryCW">https://t.co/6Oq2D8ryCW</a> <a href="https://t.co/eOrIrTR5bi">pic.twitter.com/eOrIrTR5bi</a></p>
— Ehsanullah Karim (@KarimEhsanullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/KarimEhsanullah/status/1437109520338092032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Many men, pretending to be of 'open minded' sort, proudly proclaim that they let their sisters, wives do certain things. The question is, who put the men on this perch? Who are they to 'let' or 'allow' women to do anything? Who is anyone to dictate terms to anyone?</p>

<p>In today's Afghanistan sadly, these questions find limited resonance in the ruling class.</p>


What represents a 'proper' dress? That too for a woman? Common sense dictates that it is she who will decide that and no other. But unfortunately, every culture in the world has its fair share of men dictating what's good/ proper/ admissible/ allowed for women.

What represents a 'proper' dress? That too for a woman? Common sense dictates that it is she who will decide that and no other. But unfortunately, every culture in the world has its fair share of men dictating what's good/ proper/ admissible/ allowed for women. The list is endless. Taliban's return to power has seen its all-male government deciding what women should wear in public. They are acting as self-declared custodians of Afghan women and think they have all the rights to dictate terms. They want Afghan women to wear burqa. And Afghan women are not taking any of this. They are expressing their freedom in a unique way. Dr Bahar Jalali, who started the first gender studies program in Afghanistan wore a traditional Afghan dress and boldly proclaimed "This is Afghan culture. I am wearing a traditional Afghan dress" This is Afghan culture. I am wearing a traditional Afghan dress. #AfghanistanCulture pic.twitter.com/DrRzgyXPvm — Dr. Bahar Jalali (@RoxanaBahar1) September 12, 2021 × The tweet has gone viral and seems to have started a movement among Afghan women Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi, head of Afghan service at DW News joined Dr Jalali and repeated the chant "This is Afghan culture" Me wearing traditional Afghan attire in Kabul. This is Afghan culture and this is how Afghan women dress. @RoxanaBahar1 pic.twitter.com/fUZSqy4rRK — Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi (@WasHasNaz) September 12, 2021 × The expression soon found resonance So how do Afghan women dress then? They ask. This is how. If I was in Afghanistan then I would have the scarf on my head. This is as “conservative” and “traditional” as I/you can get. https://t.co/4fjoSUuJZY pic.twitter.com/VkQLQoBXDy — Sana Safi ثنا ساپۍ (@BBCSanaSafi) September 12, 2021 × This is Afghan culture. My traditional dress #AfghanWomen Thank you to Dr @RoxanaBahar1 for the inspiration. Our cultural attire is not the dementor outfits the Taliban have women wearing. pic.twitter.com/i9wFASfWR6 — Peymana Assad 🏔 (@Peymasad) September 12, 2021 × "...the black burqa has never been part of the Afghan culture" This is our Afghan authentic dress. Afghan women wear such colorful and modest attires. The black burqa never has been part of the Afghan culture. #FreeAfghanistan🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/v9LIbcvklG — Spozhmay Maseed (@spozhmey) September 12, 2021 × This is how #Afghan cultural dress for women look like. #Afghanistan https://t.co/mcikMUHilQ pic.twitter.com/XPZfstkGc8 — Malali Bashir (@MalaliBashir) September 12, 2021 × This is how #Afghan cultural dress for women look like. #Afghanistan https://t.co/mcikMUHilQ pic.twitter.com/XPZfstkGc8 — Malali Bashir (@MalaliBashir) September 12, 2021 × When we talk about Afg clothing, we mean ds beautiful clothing that we have inherited from our elders for centuries. We meant this beautiful Afg dress that we have always been supported by the Afghan community by wearing it & we have been accepted in every part of the territory. pic.twitter.com/qSETchvg1e — Zarifa Ghafari (@Zarifa_Ghafari) September 12, 2021 × Afghan men raised their voice in support of these women as well This is how Afghan girls/women dress, The polar opposite of that radical Arab dress code for women. In this picture it’s my sister Zent Jn in shine Laghman our lovely hometown🇦🇫 #Afghanistan #AfghanWomen #DoNotRecognizeTaliban @BBCYaldaHakim @BBCSanaSafi @Peymasad https://t.co/6Oq2D8ryCW pic.twitter.com/eOrIrTR5bi — Ehsanullah Karim (@KarimEhsanullah) September 12, 2021 × Many men, pretending to be of 'open minded' sort, proudly proclaim that they let their sisters, wives do certain things. The question is, who put the men on this perch? Who are they to 'let' or 'allow' women to do anything? Who is anyone to dictate terms to anyone? In today's Afghanistan sadly, these questions find limited resonance in the ruling class.

Burqa not part of Afghan culture, defiant women in traditional wear tell Taliban

<p>After the September 11 attacks, the United States involvement in Afghanistan did not bring peace and stability to the region and the Americans did not "achieve their goals", said the Taliban on Saturday. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>While speaking during a walk around the grounds of the now-deserted US Embassy in Kabul on the 20th anniversary of the attacks in the US, a Taliban general said the Americans' goal was to "topple" China, Russia, Iran and all the countries of Central Asia, instead of the former Taliban government in 2001, but they were unsuccessful. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;20 years since the 9/11 horror, the deadliest attack on US Soil</strong></p>

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<p>"We will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against our neighbours, Pakistan or Iran," the general said, saying they had no fear of further conflict with any group. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Taliban raised its flag on the Afghan presidential palace in Kabul on Saturday.&nbsp;The development comes as the groups strengthens its grip on the country after it took over its control last month. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul, has been also put on high alert as the threat of a possible terror attack looms over the city. The city has been facing the danger of a possible attack from ISIS-K militants.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-display-of-unity-biden-obama-clinton-mark-911-anniversary-in-nyc-412414" hreflang="en">With display of unity, Biden, Obama, Clinton mark 9/11 anniversary in NYC</a></strong>&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>This threat has come a little after sources had warned authorities against a possible truck suicide attack in a protest that took place on Thursday. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>An attack can take place in some crowded place by ISIS-K on the anniversary of the 9/11 attack.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


After the September 11 attacks, the United States involvement in Afghanistan did not bring peace and stability to the region and the Americans did not "achieve their goals", said the Taliban on Saturday.

After the September 11 attacks, the United States involvement in Afghanistan did not bring peace and stability to the region and the Americans did not "achieve their goals", said the Taliban on Saturday. While speaking during a walk around the grounds of the now-deserted US Embassy in Kabul on the 20th anniversary of the attacks in the US, a Taliban general said the Americans' goal was to "topple" China, Russia, Iran and all the countries of Central Asia, instead of the former Taliban government in 2001, but they were unsuccessful. Watch: 20 years since the 9/11 horror, the deadliest attack on US Soil × "We will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against our neighbours, Pakistan or Iran," the general said, saying they had no fear of further conflict with any group. Meanwhile, the Taliban raised its flag on the Afghan presidential palace in Kabul on Saturday. The development comes as the groups strengthens its grip on the country after it took over its control last month. Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul, has been also put on high alert as the threat of a possible terror attack looms over the city. The city has been facing the danger of a possible attack from ISIS-K militants. Also Read: With display of unity, Biden, Obama, Clinton mark 9/11 anniversary in NYC This threat has come a little after sources had warned authorities against a possible truck suicide attack in a protest that took place on Thursday. An attack can take place in some crowded place by ISIS-K on the anniversary of the 9/11 attack. (With inputs from agencies)

After 9/11, US failed 'to achieve goals' in Afghanistan: Taliban General

<p>Former Afghan&nbsp;cricketer Asghar Stanikzai has responded to the Australian Test captain Tim Paine's remarks that other countries might refuse to play against Afghanistan cricket team in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup after the Taliban's ban on women's cricket.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Writing a lengthy note on his Facebook account, Asghar said, "Mr. Paine! The Afghan National Cricket Team has the right to play not only in this World Cup but in all ICC organized tournaments/events in accordance with the rules and regulations of ICC, and I'm sure that our brave National Heroes will perform their best in it and showcase their elite Talents Inshallah."&nbsp;</p>

<p>A couple of days ago, Paine stated that it would be "interesting" to see how a team like Afghanistan is allowed to play in an ICC tournament. He also said that the chances of Australia's first-ever Test against Afghanistan are "not looking good" with the Taliban unwilling to let women play cricket.&nbsp;And as per ICC rules, all Test-playing nations must have a women's team as well.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/great-fielding-an-adorable-dog-invades-cricket-pitch-picks-up-the-ball-and-starts-running-watch-412624">'Great fielding': An adorable dog invades cricket pitch, picks up the ball and starts running - Watch</a></strong></p>

<p>Asghar wrote, "As a Sportsperson and Professional Cricketer you know that it require too much of hard work and dedication to reach this level of Cricket."</p>

<p>"For a less privileged Cricketing Nation as Afghanistan with zero infrastructure and support reaching where we are right now and playing shoulder to shoulder with top 10 countries require sheer determination, passion and talent."</p>

<p>"Therefore, you should refrain from delivering aggressive statements which would result in isolating the Afghan Cricket," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Cricket is now the No#1 Sport in Afghanistan and is being followed by nearly 30 million Afghans. This shows, either you are unaware of the circumstances or talking out of contradiction; in any case you are mistreating Afghan Cricket and all the gains we have obtained with hardship in the past decade. (Sports should be separated from politics)," he wrote.&nbsp;</p>

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<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/shane-warne-praises-virat-kohli-but-feels-indias-batting-not-as-strong-as-dravid-ganguly-laxman-tendulkar-sehwag-412587">Shane Warne praises Virat Kohli but feels India's batting not as strong as Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman, Tendulkar, Sehwag</a></strong></p>

<p>Recently, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/do-not-isolate-us-afghanistan-cricket-board-urges-to-keep-game-out-of-politics-412190">Afghanistan Cricket Board</a> (ACB) has urged the Australian cricket board to not penalise the men's cricket team over Taliban rulers' suggestion that they might ban women from the sport.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Recently, a Taliban official said it was "not necessary" for women to play any sport as it would be against Islam if women players faced a situation where their face and body might be "uncovered".&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Afghan board's CEO Hamid Shinwari released a lengthy statement as he expressed "shock and immense disappointment" at the potential cancellation of the Australia-Afghanistan Test. He said it is "sudden and unexpected" and called it a "knee-jerk reaction".&nbsp;</p>

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Former Afghan cricketer Asghar Stanikzai has responded to the Australian Test captain Tim Paine's remarks that other countries might refuse to play against Afghanistan cricket team in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup after the Taliban's ban on women's cricket.

Former Afghan cricketer Asghar Stanikzai has responded to the Australian Test captain Tim Paine's remarks that other countries might refuse to play against Afghanistan cricket team in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup after the Taliban's ban on women's cricket. Writing a lengthy note on his Facebook account, Asghar said, "Mr. Paine! The Afghan National Cricket Team has the right to play not only in this World Cup but in all ICC organized tournaments/events in accordance with the rules and regulations of ICC, and I'm sure that our brave National Heroes will perform their best in it and showcase their elite Talents Inshallah." A couple of days ago, Paine stated that it would be "interesting" to see how a team like Afghanistan is allowed to play in an ICC tournament. He also said that the chances of Australia's first-ever Test against Afghanistan are "not looking good" with the Taliban unwilling to let women play cricket. And as per ICC rules, all Test-playing nations must have a women's team as well. ALSO READ | 'Great fielding': An adorable dog invades cricket pitch, picks up the ball and starts running - Watch Asghar wrote, "As a Sportsperson and Professional Cricketer you know that it require too much of hard work and dedication to reach this level of Cricket." "For a less privileged Cricketing Nation as Afghanistan with zero infrastructure and support reaching where we are right now and playing shoulder to shoulder with top 10 countries require sheer determination, passion and talent." "Therefore, you should refrain from delivering aggressive statements which would result in isolating the Afghan Cricket," he added. "Cricket is now the No#1 Sport in Afghanistan and is being followed by nearly 30 million Afghans. This shows, either you are unaware of the circumstances or talking out of contradiction; in any case you are mistreating Afghan Cricket and all the gains we have obtained with hardship in the past decade. (Sports should be separated from politics)," he wrote. × ALSO READ | Shane Warne praises Virat Kohli but feels India's batting not as strong as Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman, Tendulkar, Sehwag Recently, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has urged the Australian cricket board to not penalise the men's cricket team over Taliban rulers' suggestion that they might ban women from the sport. Recently, a Taliban official said it was "not necessary" for women to play any sport as it would be against Islam if women players faced a situation where their face and body might be "uncovered". The Afghan board's CEO Hamid Shinwari released a lengthy statement as he expressed "shock and immense disappointment" at the potential cancellation of the Australia-Afghanistan Test. He said it is "sudden and unexpected" and called it a "knee-jerk reaction". ×

'Refrain from delivering aggressive statements': Ex-Afghanistan cricketer slams Tim Paine

48 hours before the 31st of August deadlines the Americans conducted yet another strike in Kabul. Now this claimed the Americans was in retaliation to the 26th of august suicide bombing at the Kabul International Airport that resulted in the killing of over 200 of Afghan nationals and about 13 American service personnel.

US strike wipe out Kabul family, brother says

<p>Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani held talks with Taliban Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund in Kabul, according to reports.</p>

<p>Mohammed met the prime minister and a number of other senior ministers, a Taliban spokesman said on Sunday.</p>

<p>“The meeting focused on bilateral relations, humanitarian assistance, economic development and interaction with the world,” according to a statement from Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen.</p>

<p>Shaheen said the leadership of the Islamic Emirate, the term used to describe the Taliban government in Afghanistan, thanked the Qatar government for supporting the Afghan people.</p>

<p>It said the Doha agreement, signed by the United States and the Taliban, was a “landmark achievement, all sides should adhere to its implementation.”</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/panjshir-for-kashmir-a-sinister-plan-of-pakistan-and-the-taliban-411953">Panjshir for Kashmir: A sinister plan of Pakistan and the Taliban</a></p>

<p>Sunday’s meeting in the presidential palace, first reported by Al Jazeera television, was attended by a number of other Afghan ministers including deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Defence Minister Yaqoob Mujahid, Interor Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and intelligence chief Abdul Haq Wasiq.</p>

<p>Qatar is considered one of the countries with the most influence over the Taliban and played a pivotal role in the massive US-led airlift of its own citizens, other Western nationals and Afghans who helped Western countries</p>

<p>The Qatari capital Doha was also the home of the Taliban’s political office which oversaw the negotiations with the United States that eventually led to the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani held talks with Taliban Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund in Kabul, according to reports.

Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani held talks with Taliban Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund in Kabul, according to reports. Mohammed met the prime minister and a number of other senior ministers, a Taliban spokesman said on Sunday. “The meeting focused on bilateral relations, humanitarian assistance, economic development and interaction with the world,” according to a statement from Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen. Shaheen said the leadership of the Islamic Emirate, the term used to describe the Taliban government in Afghanistan, thanked the Qatar government for supporting the Afghan people. It said the Doha agreement, signed by the United States and the Taliban, was a “landmark achievement, all sides should adhere to its implementation.” Also read | Panjshir for Kashmir: A sinister plan of Pakistan and the Taliban Sunday’s meeting in the presidential palace, first reported by Al Jazeera television, was attended by a number of other Afghan ministers including deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Defence Minister Yaqoob Mujahid, Interor Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and intelligence chief Abdul Haq Wasiq. Qatar is considered one of the countries with the most influence over the Taliban and played a pivotal role in the massive US-led airlift of its own citizens, other Western nationals and Afghans who helped Western countries The Qatari capital Doha was also the home of the Taliban’s political office which oversaw the negotiations with the United States that eventually led to the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. (With inputs from agencies)

Qatar foreign minister visits Kabul, meets Taliban PM: Reports

<p>Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, who remained underground for over a decade and only showed his face when the militia group seized control of Kabul on August 15, said he lived in the Afghan capital right under the nose of his adversaries who considered him a “ghost-like” figure during the conflict.</p>

<p>Speaking to Pakistani media outlet The Express Tribune, Mujahid boasted how he “successfully” evaded from the radars of the western forces.</p>

<p>The Taliban spokesman worked under the shadows for many years that there was once speculation as to whether the faceless spokesman might be more than one person.</p>

<p>“They (US and Afghan National Forces) used to think I did not exist,” said Mujahid, who also admitted that he studied at the Haqqania seminary in Nowshera in northwest Pakistan, which has also been dubbed the Taliban University or the “University of Jihad” internationally.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-offers-the-taliban-a-warm-welcome-while-urging-peace-talks-401278">China offers the Taliban a warm welcome while urging peace talks</a></p>

<p>“I escaped so many times from their raids and attempts to capture me that they seriously considered that ‘Zabiullah'’ was a made-up figure, not a real man who exists,” the 43-year-old spokesman said.</p>

<p>“And yet, I managed to move about Afghanistan freely. I think this perception helped with that," he explained.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>The spokesman said he lived in Kabul for a long time, right under everyone’s noses, and freely roamed across the country.</p>

<p>“But due to the nature of this job, there have been times where I could not sleep enough or eat enough. Coordinating with our commanders is a round-the-clock job, as is answering phones and providing information to media outlets,” he said.</p>

<p>Mujahid said he became the spokesman of the Taliban following the arrest of his predecessor. He also said that he had never seen the Taliban founder Mullah Umar.</p>

<p>&nbsp;"But I have worked with Sheikh Mullah Mansoor, and Sheikh Hebatullah," he said, referring to Mullah Omar's successors.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, who remained underground for over a decade and only showed his face when the militia group seized control of Kabul on August 15, said he lived in the Afghan capital right under the nose of his adversaries who considered him a “ghost-like” figure during the conflict.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, who remained underground for over a decade and only showed his face when the militia group seized control of Kabul on August 15, said he lived in the Afghan capital right under the nose of his adversaries who considered him a “ghost-like” figure during the conflict. Speaking to Pakistani media outlet The Express Tribune, Mujahid boasted how he “successfully” evaded from the radars of the western forces. The Taliban spokesman worked under the shadows for many years that there was once speculation as to whether the faceless spokesman might be more than one person. “They (US and Afghan National Forces) used to think I did not exist,” said Mujahid, who also admitted that he studied at the Haqqania seminary in Nowshera in northwest Pakistan, which has also been dubbed the Taliban University or the “University of Jihad” internationally. Also read | China offers the Taliban a warm welcome while urging peace talks “I escaped so many times from their raids and attempts to capture me that they seriously considered that ‘Zabiullah'’ was a made-up figure, not a real man who exists,” the 43-year-old spokesman said. “And yet, I managed to move about Afghanistan freely. I think this perception helped with that," he explained. Watch | The spokesman said he lived in Kabul for a long time, right under everyone’s noses, and freely roamed across the country. “But due to the nature of this job, there have been times where I could not sleep enough or eat enough. Coordinating with our commanders is a round-the-clock job, as is answering phones and providing information to media outlets,” he said. Mujahid said he became the spokesman of the Taliban following the arrest of his predecessor. He also said that he had never seen the Taliban founder Mullah Umar. "But I have worked with Sheikh Mullah Mansoor, and Sheikh Hebatullah," he said, referring to Mullah Omar's successors. (With inputs from agencies)

US thought I was a ghost, roamed freely across Afghanistan, boasts Taliban spokesman Mujahid

<p>Taliban fighters have taken over the glitzy Kabul mansion of one of their fiercest enemies -- the&nbsp;<strong>warlord</strong>&nbsp;and fugitive ex-vice president Abdul Rashid Dostum.</p>

<p>Now in the hands of rank and file Taliban fighters, the opulent villa has given the austere Islamists a peek into the lives of Afghanistan's former rulers, and they say the luxury is the proceeds of years of endemic corruption.</p>

<p>Along an endless corridor with a thick apple-green carpet, a young fighter sleeps slumped on a sofa, his Kalashnikov rifle resting against him, as exotic fish glide above him in one of seven giant tanks.</p>

<p>The fighter is part of the personal security detail of Qari Salahuddin Ayoubi -- one of the new regime's most powerful commanders -- who installed his company of 150 men in the mansion on August 15, the day Kabul fell.</p>

<p>The luxury AFP saw on a tour of the mansion would be unimaginable for most ordinary Afghans.</p>

<p>Huge glass chandeliers hang in cavernous halls, large soft sofas furnish a maze of lounges and an indoor swimming pool is finished with intricate turquoise tiles.</p>

<p>It even boasts a sauna, a Turkish steam bath and a fully equipped gym.</p>

<p>It is an out of this world experience for the new occupants, who for years sacrificed creature comforts for rebellion -- living on their wits in the plains, valleys and mountains of rural Afghanistan.</p>

<p>But the new head of the household -- now the military commander of four provinces -- makes it clear his men will not get used to the luxury.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Islam never wants us to have a luxurious life," Ayoubi told AFP, adding luxury comes in paradise, "the life after death". &nbsp;</p>

<h2>The thieves'&nbsp;quarter&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The mansion's owner, Dostum, is a notorious figure woven into the fabric of Afghanistan's recent history.</p>

<p>A former paratrooper, communist commander,&nbsp;warlord&nbsp;and vice president, he was the very definition of a cunning political survivor who weathered over four decades of conflict in war-torn Afghanistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite a series of war crimes linked to Dostum's forces, the former Afghan government hoped his military acumen and seething hatred of the Taliban would help them survive.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But his stronghold was overrun and the greying 67-year-old fled across the border to Uzbekistan.</p>

<p>Dostum is widely suspected to have hugely profited from the corruption and embezzlement that discredited the former government.</p>

<p>Several officials illegally took land to build luxurious mansions in one neighbourhood, earning it the nickname "Thieves' Quarter" among locals.</p>

<p>In one wing of the enormous house, Taliban fighters relaxed in a massive tropical greenhouse of several hundred square metres under a huge glass roof.</p>

<p>That is overlooked by a mezzanine dominated by a dark wood bar -- a testament to the reported decadent tastes of a general renowned for a penchant for late nights and strong liquor.</p>

<p>The Taliban have good reason to hate Dostum.</p>

<p>In 2001, he was accused of killing more than 2,000 fighters -- locking many in containers in the middle of the desert where they suffocated under a scorching sun.</p>

<p>But Commander Ayoubi rejected any desire for revenge.</p>

<p>"If other people who had been oppressed like us came here, you would not have seen the chairs and tables. They might have destroyed them," he said.</p>

<p>But the new regime will not allow such luxury to be built with ill-gotten gains in the future, he said.</p>

<p>"We are on the side of the poor," he says, as dozens of visitors wait patiently in the corridor, idly watching the indifferent fish.</p>


Taliban fighters have taken over the glitzy Kabul mansion of one of their fiercest enemies -- the warlord and fugitive ex-vice president Abdul Rashid Dostum. Now in the hands of rank and file Taliban fighters, the opulent villa has given the austere Islamists a peek into the lives of Afghanistan's former rulers, and they say the luxury is the proceeds of years of endemic corruption.

Taliban fighters have taken over the glitzy Kabul mansion of one of their fiercest enemies -- the warlord and fugitive ex-vice president Abdul Rashid Dostum. Now in the hands of rank and file Taliban fighters, the opulent villa has given the austere Islamists a peek into the lives of Afghanistan's former rulers, and they say the luxury is the proceeds of years of endemic corruption. Along an endless corridor with a thick apple-green carpet, a young fighter sleeps slumped on a sofa, his Kalashnikov rifle resting against him, as exotic fish glide above him in one of seven giant tanks. The fighter is part of the personal security detail of Qari Salahuddin Ayoubi -- one of the new regime's most powerful commanders -- who installed his company of 150 men in the mansion on August 15, the day Kabul fell. The luxury AFP saw on a tour of the mansion would be unimaginable for most ordinary Afghans. Huge glass chandeliers hang in cavernous halls, large soft sofas furnish a maze of lounges and an indoor swimming pool is finished with intricate turquoise tiles. It even boasts a sauna, a Turkish steam bath and a fully equipped gym. It is an out of this world experience for the new occupants, who for years sacrificed creature comforts for rebellion -- living on their wits in the plains, valleys and mountains of rural Afghanistan. But the new head of the household -- now the military commander of four provinces -- makes it clear his men will not get used to the luxury. "Islam never wants us to have a luxurious life," Ayoubi told AFP, adding luxury comes in paradise, "the life after death". The thieves' quarter The mansion's owner, Dostum, is a notorious figure woven into the fabric of Afghanistan's recent history. A former paratrooper, communist commander, warlord and vice president, he was the very definition of a cunning political survivor who weathered over four decades of conflict in war-torn Afghanistan. Despite a series of war crimes linked to Dostum's forces, the former Afghan government hoped his military acumen and seething hatred of the Taliban would help them survive. But his stronghold was overrun and the greying 67-year-old fled across the border to Uzbekistan. Dostum is widely suspected to have hugely profited from the corruption and embezzlement that discredited the former government. Several officials illegally took land to build luxurious mansions in one neighbourhood, earning it the nickname "Thieves' Quarter" among locals. In one wing of the enormous house, Taliban fighters relaxed in a massive tropical greenhouse of several hundred square metres under a huge glass roof. That is overlooked by a mezzanine dominated by a dark wood bar -- a testament to the reported decadent tastes of a general renowned for a penchant for late nights and strong liquor. The Taliban have good reason to hate Dostum. In 2001, he was accused of killing more than 2,000 fighters -- locking many in containers in the middle of the desert where they suffocated under a scorching sun. But Commander Ayoubi rejected any desire for revenge. "If other people who had been oppressed like us came here, you would not have seen the chairs and tables. They might have destroyed them," he said. But the new regime will not allow such luxury to be built with ill-gotten gains in the future, he said. "We are on the side of the poor," he says, as dozens of visitors wait patiently in the corridor, idly watching the indifferent fish.

Warlord chic: Taliban make themselves at home in Dostum's mansion

<p>As international donors gather in Geneva on Monday to discuss humanitarian relief for Afghanistan under Taliban rule, neighbours China and Pakistan have already reached out with aid and discussions of future assistance.</p>

<p>The economy in the war-torn country is in crisis and a humanitarian crisis is looming, experts say.</p>

<p>Yet the United States and other Western nations are reluctant to provide the Taliban with funds until the Islamist militant movement provides assurances that it will uphold human rights, and in particular the rights of women.</p>

<p>The country`s roughly $10 billion in foreign assets, held overseas, are also frozen.</p>

<p>"The understandable purpose is to deny these funds to the de facto Taliban administration," Deborah Lyons, the U.N. Secretary General`s special representative for Afghanistan, told the U.N. Security Council this week.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The inevitable effect, however, will be a severe economic downturn that could throw many more millions into poverty and hunger, may generate a massive wave of refugees from Afghanistan, and indeed set Afghanistan back for generations."</p>

<p>Another possible effect could be to drive Afghanistan closer to its neighbours and close allies Pakistan and China, who have already sent planeloads of supplies to Afghanistan. They have also signalled they are open to ramped-up engagement.</p>

<p>China announced last week it would send $31 million worth of food and health supplies to Afghanistan, among the first foreign aid pledges since the Taliban took power last month.</p>

<p>Pakistan last week sent supplies such as cooking oil and medicine to authorities in Kabul, while the country`s foreign minister called on the international community to provide assistance without conditions and to unfreeze Afghanistan’s assets.</p>

<p><strong>Minerals and Militancy</strong></p>

<p>Pakistan has had deep ties with the Taliban and has been accused of supporting the group as it battled the US-backed government in Kabul for 20 years - charges denied by Islamabad.</p>

<p>China, with a strong alliance with Pakistan, has also been engaging with the Taliban. Some analysts said it was enticed by the country`s mineral wealth, including large reserves of lithium, a key component for electric vehicles.</p>

<p>China has also expressed concern about militancy that could spill over from Afghanistan across its border, which it wants the Taliban administration to help contain.</p>

<p>Beyond humanitarian aid, some experts and officials in the region say China's huge Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) could provide Afghanistan with long-term economic viability.</p>

<p>One possibility is Afghanistan joining the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a central part of the BRI, under which Beijing has pledged over $60 billion for infrastructure projects in Pakistan, much of it in the form of loans.</p>

<p>"The Taliban would welcome joining CPEC, China would also be very happy," said Rustam Shah Mohmand, Pakistan`s former ambassador to Afghanistan.</p>

<p>China has not made any comment on the BRI but Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said Beijing is ready to actively discuss the resumption of China-Afghanistan freight trains and facilitate</p>

<p>Afghanistan`s interaction with the outside world, especially its access to humanitarian supplies.</p>

<p>Pakistan`s foreign office and a Taliban spokesperson did not immediately respond to request for comment.</p>

<p><strong>Taliban, China Talk — Source</strong></p>

<p>Taliban leaders in recent weeks have said they want good relations with China.</p>

<p>A senior Taliban source said discussions have taken place with China in Doha about possible investment opportunities. China is interested in mining in particular but any activity in the sector will be open to tender, the source said.</p>

<p>"The Taliban welcomes foreign investment that will benefit the country," he said.</p>

<p>Two sources in Afghanistan and Pakistan familiar with the matter said China had been proactively encouraging Afghanistan to join CPEC for years but had been met with a non-committal response from the previous U.S.-backed government.</p>

<p>The Taliban, with a need for economic stimulus and international recognition, seems more keen.</p>

<p>"The best way forward and the immediately available alternative option for Afghanistan`s economic development is CPEC, which includes Pakistan and China," said Mushahid Hussain Sayed, a Pakistani senator and former chairman of the China-Pakistan Institute.</p>

<p>"The new administration in Kabul would also be receptive to this and they are keen on it."</p>

<p>For China, though, which already has mining interests in Afghanistan that have struggled to get off the ground, any further investment would come with risks attached, given the uncertain security situation in the country.</p>

<p>"Absolutely the security and stability of Afghanistan is also of importance to China," said Wang Huiyao, president of the Centre for China and Globalisation, a think-tank.</p>

<p>"But also links to Central Asia and the connectivity through the Belt and Road, it`s all related for the regional stability and prosperity...There`s a stake there for China."</p>


As international donors gather in Geneva on Monday to discuss humanitarian relief for Afghanistan under Taliban rule, neighbours China and Pakistan have already reached out with aid and discussions of future assistance.

As international donors gather in Geneva on Monday to discuss humanitarian relief for Afghanistan under Taliban rule, neighbours China and Pakistan have already reached out with aid and discussions of future assistance. The economy in the war-torn country is in crisis and a humanitarian crisis is looming, experts say. Yet the United States and other Western nations are reluctant to provide the Taliban with funds until the Islamist militant movement provides assurances that it will uphold human rights, and in particular the rights of women. The country`s roughly $10 billion in foreign assets, held overseas, are also frozen. "The understandable purpose is to deny these funds to the de facto Taliban administration," Deborah Lyons, the U.N. Secretary General`s special representative for Afghanistan, told the U.N. Security Council this week. "The inevitable effect, however, will be a severe economic downturn that could throw many more millions into poverty and hunger, may generate a massive wave of refugees from Afghanistan, and indeed set Afghanistan back for generations." Another possible effect could be to drive Afghanistan closer to its neighbours and close allies Pakistan and China, who have already sent planeloads of supplies to Afghanistan. They have also signalled they are open to ramped-up engagement. China announced last week it would send $31 million worth of food and health supplies to Afghanistan, among the first foreign aid pledges since the Taliban took power last month. Pakistan last week sent supplies such as cooking oil and medicine to authorities in Kabul, while the country`s foreign minister called on the international community to provide assistance without conditions and to unfreeze Afghanistan’s assets. Minerals and Militancy Pakistan has had deep ties with the Taliban and has been accused of supporting the group as it battled the US-backed government in Kabul for 20 years - charges denied by Islamabad. China, with a strong alliance with Pakistan, has also been engaging with the Taliban. Some analysts said it was enticed by the country`s mineral wealth, including large reserves of lithium, a key component for electric vehicles. China has also expressed concern about militancy that could spill over from Afghanistan across its border, which it wants the Taliban administration to help contain. Beyond humanitarian aid, some experts and officials in the region say China's huge Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) could provide Afghanistan with long-term economic viability. One possibility is Afghanistan joining the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a central part of the BRI, under which Beijing has pledged over $60 billion for infrastructure projects in Pakistan, much of it in the form of loans. "The Taliban would welcome joining CPEC, China would also be very happy," said Rustam Shah Mohmand, Pakistan`s former ambassador to Afghanistan. China has not made any comment on the BRI but Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said Beijing is ready to actively discuss the resumption of China-Afghanistan freight trains and facilitate Afghanistan`s interaction with the outside world, especially its access to humanitarian supplies. Pakistan`s foreign office and a Taliban spokesperson did not immediately respond to request for comment. Taliban, China Talk — Source Taliban leaders in recent weeks have said they want good relations with China. A senior Taliban source said discussions have taken place with China in Doha about possible investment opportunities. China is interested in mining in particular but any activity in the sector will be open to tender, the source said. "The Taliban welcomes foreign investment that will benefit the country," he said. Two sources in Afghanistan and Pakistan familiar with the matter said China had been proactively encouraging Afghanistan to join CPEC for years but had been met with a non-committal response from the previous U.S.-backed government. The Taliban, with a need for economic stimulus and international recognition, seems more keen. "The best way forward and the immediately available alternative option for Afghanistan`s economic development is CPEC, which includes Pakistan and China," said Mushahid Hussain Sayed, a Pakistani senator and former chairman of the China-Pakistan Institute. "The new administration in Kabul would also be receptive to this and they are keen on it." For China, though, which already has mining interests in Afghanistan that have struggled to get off the ground, any further investment would come with risks attached, given the uncertain security situation in the country. "Absolutely the security and stability of Afghanistan is also of importance to China," said Wang Huiyao, president of the Centre for China and Globalisation, a think-tank. "But also links to Central Asia and the connectivity through the Belt and Road, it`s all related for the regional stability and prosperity...There`s a stake there for China."

As West ponders aid for Afghanistan, China and Pakistan quick to provide relief

<p>India and Australia have called for "broad-based and inclusive government" in Afghanistan, which is "necessary" for "long term peace and stability" of the country, a point in the joint statement released after the first 2+2 foreign and defence minister dialogue on Saturday. &nbsp;</p>

<p>India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton held the 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi in which a range of issues like Indo-pacific, Afghanistan, defence ties were discussed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The joint statement said that the ministers "expressed deep concern about the situation in Afghanistan" and called on the "Taliban to guarantee safe passage for foreign nationals and Afghans wanting to leave the country". &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India-Australia 2+2 dialogue underway, focus on expanding strategic ties</strong></p>

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<p>Afghanistan saw Taliban takeover in August, after the fall of national capital Kabul. What followed has been heartbreaking visuals of many Afghans trying to leave the country fearing Taliban reprisal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the joint statement, they "reiterated calls on those in positions of power and authority" across Afghanistan to "adhere to counterterrorism commitments and human rights, in accordance with" United Nations Security Council Resolution 2593. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The resolution was passed under the Indian chairmanship of the council on August 30 and is a key document when it comes to situation in Afghanistan and Taliban commitments on counter terror. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Ministers also agreed to "remain alert to the broader repercussions of the developments in Afghanistan for the ongoing terrorist threats around the world, and in our region." &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-undertaking-maintenance-of-mauritius-coast-guards-patrol-vessel-412614" hreflang="en">India undertaking maintenance of Mauritius Coast Guard’s patrol vessel</a></strong></p>

<p>The worry over Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for international terror groups have been a concern globally. India has raised it publicly at multilateral forum at UN and privately with many of its allies, especially with regards to Pakistan-based international terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed finding a safe haven.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the joint statement, ministers "noted reports of a rapid roll-back on women and girls’ rights and access to services and public spaces, as well as targeted violence against women’s rights defenders", and called on for "protection of rights of women and children and their full participation in public life". &nbsp;</p>

<p>Past few weeks have seen restrictions being imposed on women, especially ability to work. Kabul saw massive protest, many of the participants were women, who were beaten up by Taliban, according to videos, which emerged on social media.&nbsp;</p>


India and Australia have called for "broad-based and inclusive government" in Afghanistan, which is "necessary" for "long term peace and stability" of the country, a point in the joint statement released after the first 2+2 foreign and defence minister dialogue on Saturday.

India and Australia have called for "broad-based and inclusive government" in Afghanistan, which is "necessary" for "long term peace and stability" of the country, a point in the joint statement released after the first 2+2 foreign and defence minister dialogue on Saturday. India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton held the 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi in which a range of issues like Indo-pacific, Afghanistan, defence ties were discussed. The joint statement said that the ministers "expressed deep concern about the situation in Afghanistan" and called on the "Taliban to guarantee safe passage for foreign nationals and Afghans wanting to leave the country". Watch: India-Australia 2+2 dialogue underway, focus on expanding strategic ties × Afghanistan saw Taliban takeover in August, after the fall of national capital Kabul. What followed has been heartbreaking visuals of many Afghans trying to leave the country fearing Taliban reprisal. In the joint statement, they "reiterated calls on those in positions of power and authority" across Afghanistan to "adhere to counterterrorism commitments and human rights, in accordance with" United Nations Security Council Resolution 2593. The resolution was passed under the Indian chairmanship of the council on August 30 and is a key document when it comes to situation in Afghanistan and Taliban commitments on counter terror. Ministers also agreed to "remain alert to the broader repercussions of the developments in Afghanistan for the ongoing terrorist threats around the world, and in our region." Also Read: India undertaking maintenance of Mauritius Coast Guard’s patrol vessel The worry over Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for international terror groups have been a concern globally. India has raised it publicly at multilateral forum at UN and privately with many of its allies, especially with regards to Pakistan-based international terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed finding a safe haven. In the joint statement, ministers "noted reports of a rapid roll-back on women and girls’ rights and access to services and public spaces, as well as targeted violence against women’s rights defenders", and called on for "protection of rights of women and children and their full participation in public life". Past few weeks have seen restrictions being imposed on women, especially ability to work. Kabul saw massive protest, many of the participants were women, who were beaten up by Taliban, according to videos, which emerged on social media.

India, Australia call for inclusive government in Afghanistan for stability

<p class="MsoNormal">As the world mourned the immense loss on the US went through 20 years ago on 9/11, former US President Donald Trump concentrated on slamming Joe Biden.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Unhappy with President Biden’s decision to withdraw US army from Afghanistan, Trump blamed Biden for the ‘horrible thing’ and called it Biden’s 'incompetence'.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"It's a horrible thing that took place, a horrible, horrible thing," Trump said in televised comments during a visit to the New York Police Department's 17th precinct.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-display-of-unity-biden-obama-clinton-mark-911-anniversary-in-nyc-412414" hreflang="en">With display of unity, Biden, Obama, Clinton mark 9/11 anniversary in NYC</a></strong></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"It looked like we retreated, it looked like we gave up. Like, they use the word surrender," Trump added. "And we didn't surrender, our people didn't surrender and our soldiers sure as hell didn't surrender."<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">He claimed that during his time in the White House, he had a strong conversation with Taliban and warned them to not target any American in Afghanistan. "I had a very strong conversation with the Taliban and we told him if any American is hit, we will hit hard,"&nbsp;he recalled. "And there was not one American dead in 18 months. We lost no soldier in 18 months because of me"<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Trump also blamed Biden for ‘leaving’ some of the American helicopters, guns, and more in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan after the withdrawal. "Now they have our planes, why the hell didn’t we fly them all out?"&nbsp;Trump questioned. "Use them don’t give them away".</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-911-terror-attacks-3-hours-that-changed-the-world-412425"><strong>WATCH |</strong></a></o:p></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-911-terror-attacks-3-hours-that-changed-the-world-412425/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p class="MsoNormal">Local reporters also questioned Trump if he would like to run for the post of New York’s mayor, rather than the post of President. Trump simply laughed describing it as an "interesting idea".<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Taliban took control of Afghanistan on August 16 as former leader Ashraf Ghani fled the country and the US troops started withdrawing from the war-torn country. On August 31, the US announced that the withdrawal process has been completed, and the Taliban soon after declared their new government.<o:p></o:p></p>


As the world mourned the immense loss on the US went through 20 years ago on 9/11, former US President Donald Trump concentrated on slamming Joe Biden. Unhappy with President Biden’s decision to withdraw US army from Afghanistan, Trump blamed Biden for the ‘horrible thing’ and called it Biden’s 'incompetence'.

As the world mourned the immense loss on the US went through 20 years ago on 9/11, former US President Donald Trump concentrated on slamming Joe Biden. Unhappy with President Biden’s decision to withdraw US army from Afghanistan, Trump blamed Biden for the ‘horrible thing’ and called it Biden’s 'incompetence'. "It's a horrible thing that took place, a horrible, horrible thing," Trump said in televised comments during a visit to the New York Police Department's 17th precinct. Also read | With display of unity, Biden, Obama, Clinton mark 9/11 anniversary in NYC "It looked like we retreated, it looked like we gave up. Like, they use the word surrender," Trump added. "And we didn't surrender, our people didn't surrender and our soldiers sure as hell didn't surrender." He claimed that during his time in the White House, he had a strong conversation with Taliban and warned them to not target any American in Afghanistan. "I had a very strong conversation with the Taliban and we told him if any American is hit, we will hit hard," he recalled. "And there was not one American dead in 18 months. We lost no soldier in 18 months because of me" Trump also blamed Biden for ‘leaving’ some of the American helicopters, guns, and more in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan after the withdrawal. "Now they have our planes, why the hell didn’t we fly them all out?" Trump questioned. "Use them don’t give them away". WATCH | Local reporters also questioned Trump if he would like to run for the post of New York’s mayor, rather than the post of President. Trump simply laughed describing it as an "interesting idea". Taliban took control of Afghanistan on August 16 as former leader Ashraf Ghani fled the country and the US troops started withdrawing from the war-torn country. On August 31, the US announced that the withdrawal process has been completed, and the Taliban soon after declared their new government.

As world mourns 9/11, Trump slams Biden for Afghan withdrawal

<p>India's border forces and armed police units deployed in the counter-terrorism grid have been directed by the central security establishment to prepare and administer a new training module on the Taliban and its modus operandi to the troops in view of the "emerging" scenario following the Islamic militia taking over Afghanistan.</p>

<p>Stating that the fall of Kabul to the Taliban last month may have a "serious bearing" on the security situation in India, the ground forces and their intelligence setup have been asked to update both their strategy, tactics and combat syllabus on the new "geo-political situation in central and south Asia and its grave security implication on India's borders and the hinterland."</p>

<p>The directive issued by the security establishment a few days back also envisages a scenario where infiltration from across the border from Pakistan on India's west and illegal entry of terrorist operatives from open fronts in the east may increase including that by foreign terrorist fighters.</p>

<p>Officials in the central security forces and intelligence wings acknowledged the new developments that have taken place in the neighbourhood after the Taliban swiftly took over almost all provinces of Afghanistan last month following the US military retreating from their 20-year war in that country launched after the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001 in their country.</p>

<p>A senior officer told PTI that the existing training module of border guarding forces like the BSF and SSB, state police units and those involved in counter-terrorist duties like the CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police have an existing title "changing dynamics of border management".</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/what-starts-in-afghanistan-does-not-stay-in-afghanistan-china-india-and-iran-grapple-with-the-fallout-405693">What starts in Afghanistan does not stay in Afghanistan: China, India, and Iran grapple with the fallout</a></p>

<p>"This included information on the Taliban as well but it was not updated. That is being added through open-source authentic information and others available in a classified manner to us and the focus is the developments of the last twenty years that took place in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks," the officer said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch</strong></p>

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<p>A full-fledged training, intelligence and combat module on Taliban, its leadership and their modus operandi is being prepared apart from specific case studies that have taken place in that country and the region, he said.</p>

<p>The directives have been forwarded to the central and state police forces which have multiple levels of training centres and academies to train their personnel and officers during induction and while in service.</p>

<p>"It is very important for the last man standing at the border, a checkpost or under a police jurisdiction to know about the Taliban's history and linked activities and strategies.</p>

<p>"Senior and top commanders of the security forces may know most of the things about Afghanistan and Taliban situation but they draw their operational strength from the troops or the constable standing on the ground. They need to be informed well," another senior officer working in the training management division of a paramilitary force said.</p>

<p>At least one such session has been conducted in two central forces post the issuance of the new directives while a webinar for all these forces is being planned in a combined manner to be held later this month, a Union home ministry official said.</p>

<p>A third officer said the latest directions make it clear that such sessions should also be held for the troops and commanding officers on the ground during "daily operational briefing sessions" in their area of deployment and case studies on the Taliban are being prepared in "local and vernacular languages" for the troops.</p>

<p>The security forces are also enhancing their training quota of personnel for understanding IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and vehicle-borne IEDs (VBIEDs).</p>

<p>"IEDs remain a constant threat to the security personnel and their operations everywhere be it anti-Naxal operations or counter-terrorist duties.</p>

<p>"However, for those deployed in the Kashmir valley knowing IEDs and VBIEDs, their detection and crippling is very important post the Afghanistan development," one of the officers cited above said and referred to the fatal and non-fatal casualties suffered by the NATO forces from IEDs in Afghanistan.</p>


India's border forces and armed police units deployed in the counter-terrorism grid have been directed by the central security establishment to prepare and administer a new training module on the Taliban and its modus operandi to the troops in view of the "emerging" scenario following the Islamic militia taking over Afghanistan.

India's border forces and armed police units deployed in the counter-terrorism grid have been directed by the central security establishment to prepare and administer a new training module on the Taliban and its modus operandi to the troops in view of the "emerging" scenario following the Islamic militia taking over Afghanistan. Stating that the fall of Kabul to the Taliban last month may have a "serious bearing" on the security situation in India, the ground forces and their intelligence setup have been asked to update both their strategy, tactics and combat syllabus on the new "geo-political situation in central and south Asia and its grave security implication on India's borders and the hinterland." The directive issued by the security establishment a few days back also envisages a scenario where infiltration from across the border from Pakistan on India's west and illegal entry of terrorist operatives from open fronts in the east may increase including that by foreign terrorist fighters. Officials in the central security forces and intelligence wings acknowledged the new developments that have taken place in the neighbourhood after the Taliban swiftly took over almost all provinces of Afghanistan last month following the US military retreating from their 20-year war in that country launched after the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001 in their country. A senior officer told PTI that the existing training module of border guarding forces like the BSF and SSB, state police units and those involved in counter-terrorist duties like the CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police have an existing title "changing dynamics of border management". Also read | What starts in Afghanistan does not stay in Afghanistan: China, India, and Iran grapple with the fallout "This included information on the Taliban as well but it was not updated. That is being added through open-source authentic information and others available in a classified manner to us and the focus is the developments of the last twenty years that took place in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks," the officer said. Watch A full-fledged training, intelligence and combat module on Taliban, its leadership and their modus operandi is being prepared apart from specific case studies that have taken place in that country and the region, he said. The directives have been forwarded to the central and state police forces which have multiple levels of training centres and academies to train their personnel and officers during induction and while in service. "It is very important for the last man standing at the border, a checkpost or under a police jurisdiction to know about the Taliban's history and linked activities and strategies. "Senior and top commanders of the security forces may know most of the things about Afghanistan and Taliban situation but they draw their operational strength from the troops or the constable standing on the ground. They need to be informed well," another senior officer working in the training management division of a paramilitary force said. At least one such session has been conducted in two central forces post the issuance of the new directives while a webinar for all these forces is being planned in a combined manner to be held later this month, a Union home ministry official said. A third officer said the latest directions make it clear that such sessions should also be held for the troops and commanding officers on the ground during "daily operational briefing sessions" in their area of deployment and case studies on the Taliban are being prepared in "local and vernacular languages" for the troops. The security forces are also enhancing their training quota of personnel for understanding IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and vehicle-borne IEDs (VBIEDs). "IEDs remain a constant threat to the security personnel and their operations everywhere be it anti-Naxal operations or counter-terrorist duties. "However, for those deployed in the Kashmir valley knowing IEDs and VBIEDs, their detection and crippling is very important post the Afghanistan development," one of the officers cited above said and referred to the fatal and non-fatal casualties suffered by the NATO forces from IEDs in Afghanistan.

Indian security forces to have training module on Taliban

Now American president Joe Biden is of course facing a lot of criticism over America's chaotic and humiliating withdrawal from Afghanistan. Now the American president however has defended the process and also the decisions that were made by him saying that perhaps there was simply no other way for the united states to have exited from Afghanistan after having fought there for nearly 20 years.

United States President Joe Biden depends Afghan evacuation

<p class="MsoNormal">On September 11, multiple media reports had stated that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is ready to start commercial flights to Kabul. However, PIA has clarified against it now.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Earlier, news agency AFP had quoted PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez Khan who claimed that PIA had received all technical clearances to resume flight operations in Kabul. He had also stated that the first commercial flight between Islamabad and Taliban-controlled Kabul will fly on September 13.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-raise-flag-on-afghan-presidential-palace-as-us-marks-911-anniversary-412376">Taliban raise flag on Afghan presidential palace as US marks 9/11 anniversary</a></strong></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">However, the PIA spokesperson has backtracked now and has denied plans of PIA resuming commercial flights to Kabul just yet, local newspaper Dawn reported.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">He claimed his statements had been taken out of context by western news agency, AFP. "We had actually applied for a charter flight permission to Kabul that was taken up by media and they actually said PIA is now resuming its regular flight operation from Sept 13, which is not the case," Voice of America quoted him as saying.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The PIA had temporarily suspended all commercial flights between Afghanistan and Pakistan on August 16 as Taliban took control over Afghanistan after the former leader Ashraf Ghani fled the country.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-why-pakistan-supports-the-taliban-412381"><strong>WATCH |</strong></a></o:p></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-why-pakistan-supports-the-taliban-412381/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, local reports suggest Taliban is gearing up to resume commercial operations at the Kabul International Airport soon. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Taliban took over the airport after the US troops completed withdrawal process on August 31. Since then, images and reports coming from local media houses suggest that Taliban have started cleaning, repairing and maintaining the airport with the hope of restarting international flights soon.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">As of now, Qatar Airways has chartered two flights since the US troops' withdrawal, which were solely flown into Kabul with the objective of rescuing American and other nationality citizens from the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. <o:p></o:p></p>


On September 11, multiple media reports had stated that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is ready to start commercial flights to Kabul. However, PIA has clarified against it now.

On September 11, multiple media reports had stated that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is ready to start commercial flights to Kabul. However, PIA has clarified against it now. Earlier, news agency AFP had quoted PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez Khan who claimed that PIA had received all technical clearances to resume flight operations in Kabul. He had also stated that the first commercial flight between Islamabad and Taliban-controlled Kabul will fly on September 13. Also read | Taliban raise flag on Afghan presidential palace as US marks 9/11 anniversary However, the PIA spokesperson has backtracked now and has denied plans of PIA resuming commercial flights to Kabul just yet, local newspaper Dawn reported. He claimed his statements had been taken out of context by western news agency, AFP. "We had actually applied for a charter flight permission to Kabul that was taken up by media and they actually said PIA is now resuming its regular flight operation from Sept 13, which is not the case," Voice of America quoted him as saying. The PIA had temporarily suspended all commercial flights between Afghanistan and Pakistan on August 16 as Taliban took control over Afghanistan after the former leader Ashraf Ghani fled the country. WATCH | Meanwhile, local reports suggest Taliban is gearing up to resume commercial operations at the Kabul International Airport soon. Taliban took over the airport after the US troops completed withdrawal process on August 31. Since then, images and reports coming from local media houses suggest that Taliban have started cleaning, repairing and maintaining the airport with the hope of restarting international flights soon. As of now, Qatar Airways has chartered two flights since the US troops' withdrawal, which were solely flown into Kabul with the objective of rescuing American and other nationality citizens from the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

No plans of resuming commercial flights between Kabul and Pakistan yet: PIA backtracks

Days after the Taliban's Interior Ministry issued a dictate regarding protests, about 300 women held Pro-Taliban rallies in the capital Kabul covered head to toe in accordance with the new dress policies for education.

Afghanistan: Burqa clad women march with Taliban flag

<p class="MsoNormal">A recent video evidence of the airstrike by the US in Kabul shows that the American authorities may have mistakenly targeted an aid worker rather than ISIS-K members.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Taliban took control of Afghanistan on August 16 as the former leader Ashraf Ghani fled the country, leaving the locals to defend themselves. After that the US and other countries started evacuating their citizens and allies from the country through the Kabul International airport. The airport was, therefore, secured by the American forces.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-conducts-drone-strike-on-explosive-laden-car-in-kabul-409269">US conducts drone strike on explosive-laden car in Kabul</a></strong></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">While Taliban assured there would be no unjustified attacks, ISIS-K was unhappy by Taliban’s rise to power in the country and decided to get its own revenge. Members of ISIS-K attacked the airport which led to killing of few civilians, injuring many, and death of at least 13 American troops.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">To get justice for the death of the US soldiers, the American forces launched a <strong><a href="Ground report: Chilling details of 10 victims killed by US drone strike in Afghanistan">drone strike in a residential area on August 29</a></strong> — a day before leaving Afghan soil. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">While the US claimed this attack was successfully targeted at ISIS-K militants who were readying themselves to launch another suicide attack at the Kabul Airport, the New York Times has claimed that the American attack may have killed an aid worker instead.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>WION had earlier too reported the chilling details of the death of&nbsp;Ezmarai Ahmadi due to the US drone strike.</o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">When Ahmadi pulled his car into the driveway around 4:30 pm (Kabul time) that day, he was accompanied with his son, nieces, nephews and a few other relatives. His 12-year-old son, Farhad, had requested his father to let him park the car. However, when Ahmadi put Farzad in the driver’s seat and switched over to the passenger side, the "American missile" hit the car and a deadly explosion took place, immediately taking lives of 10 people present there.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-isis-k-group-behind-the-kabul-blasts-408895"><strong>WATCH |</strong></a></o:p></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-isis-k-group-behind-the-kabul-blasts-408895/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">"This was my best friend’s house. He was an engineer and had nothing to do with the army or with Talibs (Taliban) or anyone else either. 10 people were killed including seven children. There’s a lot of fear because of the strike. I came here after five minutes and saw the people lying in terrible condition. I did the best I could,"&nbsp;deceased's friend said minutes after the incident.</div>

<p class="MsoNormal">The US had claimed they were targeting a parked vehicle which was to be used in the suicide attack. Ahmadi, however, claims that the targeted vehicle was parked and was being driven by his brother, Ezmarai Ahmadi, a little before the attack.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Security camera footage, scanned by experts of New York Times, also reveals that there is a huge possibility that the US may have seen Ahmadi and his colleague loading water canisters in the vehicle and picking up a laptop for his boss.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The US had also justified their drone strike by stating that there was a second blast followed by the strike, which proved that the targeted vehicle was filled with explosives. However, New York Times has contested that claim too by saying there is no evidence of a second blast. NYT claims there was only one dent on a nearby gate and the lack of any blown-out walls or any other sign prove that there was no second blast that day.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Ezmarai Ahmadi was an electrical engineer who was working for a California-based aid Nutrition and Education International. He had also applied for repatriation from Afghanistan.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"As Chairman (Mark) Milley said, the strike was based on good intelligence, and we still believe that it prevented an imminent threat to the airport and to our men and women that were still serving at the airport," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby refuted the New York Times report.<o:p></o:p></p>


A recent video evidence of the airstrike by the US in Kabul shows that the American authorities may have mistakenly targeted an aid worker rather than ISIS-K members.

A recent video evidence of the airstrike by the US in Kabul shows that the American authorities may have mistakenly targeted an aid worker rather than ISIS-K members. Taliban took control of Afghanistan on August 16 as the former leader Ashraf Ghani fled the country, leaving the locals to defend themselves. After that the US and other countries started evacuating their citizens and allies from the country through the Kabul International airport. The airport was, therefore, secured by the American forces. Also read | US conducts drone strike on explosive-laden car in Kabul While Taliban assured there would be no unjustified attacks, ISIS-K was unhappy by Taliban’s rise to power in the country and decided to get its own revenge. Members of ISIS-K attacked the airport which led to killing of few civilians, injuring many, and death of at least 13 American troops. To get justice for the death of the US soldiers, the American forces launched a drone strike in a residential area on August 29 — a day before leaving Afghan soil. While the US claimed this attack was successfully targeted at ISIS-K militants who were readying themselves to launch another suicide attack at the Kabul Airport, the New York Times has claimed that the American attack may have killed an aid worker instead. WION had earlier too reported the chilling details of the death of Ezmarai Ahmadi due to the US drone strike. When Ahmadi pulled his car into the driveway around 4:30 pm (Kabul time) that day, he was accompanied with his son, nieces, nephews and a few other relatives. His 12-year-old son, Farhad, had requested his father to let him park the car. However, when Ahmadi put Farzad in the driver’s seat and switched over to the passenger side, the "American missile" hit the car and a deadly explosion took place, immediately taking lives of 10 people present there. WATCH | "This was my best friend’s house. He was an engineer and had nothing to do with the army or with Talibs (Taliban) or anyone else either. 10 people were killed including seven children. There’s a lot of fear because of the strike. I came here after five minutes and saw the people lying in terrible condition. I did the best I could," deceased's friend said minutes after the incident. The US had claimed they were targeting a parked vehicle which was to be used in the suicide attack. Ahmadi, however, claims that the targeted vehicle was parked and was being driven by his brother, Ezmarai Ahmadi, a little before the attack. Security camera footage, scanned by experts of New York Times, also reveals that there is a huge possibility that the US may have seen Ahmadi and his colleague loading water canisters in the vehicle and picking up a laptop for his boss. The US had also justified their drone strike by stating that there was a second blast followed by the strike, which proved that the targeted vehicle was filled with explosives. However, New York Times has contested that claim too by saying there is no evidence of a second blast. NYT claims there was only one dent on a nearby gate and the lack of any blown-out walls or any other sign prove that there was no second blast that day. Ezmarai Ahmadi was an electrical engineer who was working for a California-based aid Nutrition and Education International. He had also applied for repatriation from Afghanistan. "As Chairman (Mark) Milley said, the strike was based on good intelligence, and we still believe that it prevented an imminent threat to the airport and to our men and women that were still serving at the airport," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby refuted the New York Times report.

US drone strike may have killed aid worker, children, and not ISIS-K militants: Reports

In 2001, George W. Bush had declared: "Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists." 20 years later, America's war on terrorism has ended in crushing defeat. The Taliban is announcing its win - by going after rivals and threatening women. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: 20 years after 9/11: Here is how the Taliban is celebrating its victory

The Taliban have banned women's cricket, calling it a violation of Islamic principles. Will the all-powerful ICC suspend Taliban-ruled Afghanistan? What can be done to evacuate women cricketers? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: ICC silent as Taliban ban women's cricket

According to World Food Programme (WFH) 93% of Afghans do not eat enough food. Watch this report to know more.

WFP: 93% of Afghans do not eat enough food

It has been more than 10 days since the last American soldiers left Afghanistan. But there is still a little bit of America is thriving on the streets of the country. WION's Anas Mallick brings you a ground report from Kabul's bush market.

Afghanistan: Bush market sustained itself from supplies from NATO, US Base

<p>America marks the 20th anniversary of&nbsp;<strong>9</strong>/<strong>11</strong>&nbsp;Saturday with solemn ceremonies given added poignancy by the recent chaotic withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and return to power of the Taliban.</p>

<p>Heart-wrenching commemorations will unfold at each of the three sites where 19 Al-Qaeda hijackers -- mostly from Saudi Arabia -- crashed packed airliners, striking the cultural, financial and political hearts of the United States and changing the world forever.</p>

<p>The memorials come with US troops finally gone from Afghanistan, but national discord -- and for President Joe Biden, political peril -- are overshadowing any sense of closure.</p>

<p>At New York's Ground Zero, where two pools of water now stand where the Twin Towers used to, relatives will read out the names of the nearly 3,000 people killed, in a four-hour-long service starting at 8:30 am (1230 GMT).</p>

<p>Six moments of silence will be observed, corresponding with the times the two World Trade Center towers were struck, and fell, and the moments the Pentagon was attacked and Flight 93 crashed.</p>

<p>Monica Iken-Murphy, who lost her 37-year-old husband Michael Iken in the World Trade Center, says this will be a "heightened" anniversary for many Americans.</p>

<p><img alt="A view of the 9/11 memorial pools where once the World Trade Center north and south towers stood in New York, on September 10, 2021" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="24866781-a208-4b0c-8a08-93f1558acfc4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WTO2.jpg" /></p>

<p>But for her, as for many other survivors, the pain has never wavered.</p>

<p>"I feel like it just happened," she told AFP.</p>

<p>A whole generation has grown up since the morning of September&nbsp;<strong>11</strong>, 2001.</p>

<p>In the interim, Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden has been hunted down and killed. A towering new skyscraper has risen over Manhattan, replacing the Twin Towers. And less than two weeks ago, the last US soldiers flew from Kabul airport, ending the so-called "forever war."</p>

<p>But the Taliban who once sheltered bin Laden are back ruling Afghanistan, the mighty US military humiliated. In Guantanamo Bay, accused&nbsp;<strong>9</strong>/<strong>11</strong>&nbsp;mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other men continue to await trial, nine years after charges were filed.</p>

<p>Even the full story of how the attack came to happen remains secret. Only last week did Biden order the release of classified documents from the FBI investigation over the next six months.</p>

<h2>'Honor and memorialize'&nbsp;</h2>

<p>At Ground Zero, some 2,753 people, from all over the world, were killed in the initial explosions, jumped to their deaths, or simply vanished in the inferno of the collapsing towers.</p>

<p>At the Pentagon, an airliner tore a fiery hole in the side of the superpower's military nerve centre, killing 184 people in the plane and on the ground.</p>

<p>And in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the third wave of hijackers crashed into a field after passengers fought back, sending United 93 down before reaching its intended target -- likely the US Capitol building in Washington.</p>

<p>Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will stop at each of these places on Saturday to "honour and memorialize the lives lost," the White House said.</p>

<p><img alt="A view of the One World Trade Center building 'Freedom Tower' in New York" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="99ab719a-7c2b-4a7e-91d6-d9887eaee416" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WTO.jpg" /></p>

<p>The president had planned for this to be a pivotal day in his nearly eight-month-old presidency.</p>

<p>However, instead of presiding over a moment of unity, Biden will traverse a country angry about the messy Kabul evacuation, which included 13 US soldiers killed by a suicide bomber, and stung by the broader realization of failure and defeat.</p>

<p>For the relatives of victims, the anniversary, as always, is about keeping the memory of their loved ones alive.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It's like Pearl Harbor," said Frank Siller, whose firefighter brother Stephen died at the World Trade Center.</p>

<p>"People who weren't alive don't have the same feeling about it as those who were alive. But America has never forgotten about Pearl Harbour and America will never forget about&nbsp;<strong>9</strong>/<strong>11</strong>."</p>


America marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11 Saturday with solemn ceremonies given added poignancy by the recent chaotic withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and return to power of the Taliban.

America marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11 Saturday with solemn ceremonies given added poignancy by the recent chaotic withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and return to power of the Taliban. Heart-wrenching commemorations will unfold at each of the three sites where 19 Al-Qaeda hijackers -- mostly from Saudi Arabia -- crashed packed airliners, striking the cultural, financial and political hearts of the United States and changing the world forever. The memorials come with US troops finally gone from Afghanistan, but national discord -- and for President Joe Biden, political peril -- are overshadowing any sense of closure. At New York's Ground Zero, where two pools of water now stand where the Twin Towers used to, relatives will read out the names of the nearly 3,000 people killed, in a four-hour-long service starting at 8:30 am (1230 GMT). Six moments of silence will be observed, corresponding with the times the two World Trade Center towers were struck, and fell, and the moments the Pentagon was attacked and Flight 93 crashed. Monica Iken-Murphy, who lost her 37-year-old husband Michael Iken in the World Trade Center, says this will be a "heightened" anniversary for many Americans. But for her, as for many other survivors, the pain has never wavered. "I feel like it just happened," she told AFP. A whole generation has grown up since the morning of September 11, 2001. In the interim, Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden has been hunted down and killed. A towering new skyscraper has risen over Manhattan, replacing the Twin Towers. And less than two weeks ago, the last US soldiers flew from Kabul airport, ending the so-called "forever war." But the Taliban who once sheltered bin Laden are back ruling Afghanistan, the mighty US military humiliated. In Guantanamo Bay, accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other men continue to await trial, nine years after charges were filed. Even the full story of how the attack came to happen remains secret. Only last week did Biden order the release of classified documents from the FBI investigation over the next six months. 'Honor and memorialize' At Ground Zero, some 2,753 people, from all over the world, were killed in the initial explosions, jumped to their deaths, or simply vanished in the inferno of the collapsing towers. At the Pentagon, an airliner tore a fiery hole in the side of the superpower's military nerve centre, killing 184 people in the plane and on the ground. And in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the third wave of hijackers crashed into a field after passengers fought back, sending United 93 down before reaching its intended target -- likely the US Capitol building in Washington. Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will stop at each of these places on Saturday to "honour and memorialize the lives lost," the White House said. The president had planned for this to be a pivotal day in his nearly eight-month-old presidency. However, instead of presiding over a moment of unity, Biden will traverse a country angry about the messy Kabul evacuation, which included 13 US soldiers killed by a suicide bomber, and stung by the broader realization of failure and defeat. For the relatives of victims, the anniversary, as always, is about keeping the memory of their loved ones alive. "It's like Pearl Harbor," said Frank Siller, whose firefighter brother Stephen died at the World Trade Center. "People who weren't alive don't have the same feeling about it as those who were alive. But America has never forgotten about Pearl Harbour and America will never forget about 9/11."

US honours 9/11 dead on 20th anniversary of attacks

<p class="MsoNormal">A little after the US troops have left the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, a second charter flight successfully left the country on Friday.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">This flight was carrying nearly 32 American citizens who were stuck in Afghanistan after the US troops completed their evacuation and withdrawal on August 30.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The plane left for Qatar on September 10, a few hours after nearly 100 passengers — including Americans and other allies — left Afghanistan on first successful charter flight out of the Taliban-controlled airport.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-drone-strike-may-have-killed-aid-worker-children-and-not-isis-k-militants-reports-412228">US' drone strike may have killed aid worker, children, and not ISIS-K militants: Reports</a></strong></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">These flights are a ‘promise well-kept’ by the US forces who had assured citizens and allies stuck in Afghanistan to not to panic and had promised that the Biden administration would evacuate them out of Afghanistan as soon as possible.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"Today's departures demonstrate how we are giving Americans clear and safe options to leave Afghanistan from different locations," National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said. "We will continue to provide proven options for leaving. It is up to Americans who remain whether they choose to take them."<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Nearly 158 rescued passengers have arrived at the Doha airport since the beginning of September. Out of these, 49 people were French nationals and a few others were German, Canadian, Dutch, British, Belgian and Mauritanian citizens.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-20-years-after-911-here-is-how-the-taliban-is-celebrating-its-victory-412216"><strong>WATCH |</strong></a></o:p></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-20-years-after-911-here-is-how-the-taliban-is-celebrating-its-victory-412216/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p class="MsoNormal">While the US has appreciated Taliban for being “businesslike and professional” in their dealings with the US since the withdrawal, experts believe the people who have helped the US administration in the past are still at risk from the Taliban.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"We are also concerned that despite the many statements granting general amnesties... there have been credible allegations of reprisal killings," envoy Deborah Lyons said in New York.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, Taliban is readying itself to reopen the Kabul International Airport for international flights as the terrorist group is now working at restoring normalcy in the country since formation of its new government.<o:p></o:p></p>


A little after the US troops have left the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, a second charter flight successfully left the country on Friday. This flight was carrying nearly 32 American citizens who were stuck in Afghanistan after the US troops completed their evacuation and withdrawal on August 30.

A little after the US troops have left the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, a second charter flight successfully left the country on Friday. This flight was carrying nearly 32 American citizens who were stuck in Afghanistan after the US troops completed their evacuation and withdrawal on August 30. The plane left for Qatar on September 10, a few hours after nearly 100 passengers — including Americans and other allies — left Afghanistan on first successful charter flight out of the Taliban-controlled airport. Also read | US' drone strike may have killed aid worker, children, and not ISIS-K militants: Reports These flights are a ‘promise well-kept’ by the US forces who had assured citizens and allies stuck in Afghanistan to not to panic and had promised that the Biden administration would evacuate them out of Afghanistan as soon as possible. "Today's departures demonstrate how we are giving Americans clear and safe options to leave Afghanistan from different locations," National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said. "We will continue to provide proven options for leaving. It is up to Americans who remain whether they choose to take them." Nearly 158 rescued passengers have arrived at the Doha airport since the beginning of September. Out of these, 49 people were French nationals and a few others were German, Canadian, Dutch, British, Belgian and Mauritanian citizens. WATCH | While the US has appreciated Taliban for being “businesslike and professional” in their dealings with the US since the withdrawal, experts believe the people who have helped the US administration in the past are still at risk from the Taliban. "We are also concerned that despite the many statements granting general amnesties... there have been credible allegations of reprisal killings," envoy Deborah Lyons said in New York. Meanwhile, Taliban is readying itself to reopen the Kabul International Airport for international flights as the terrorist group is now working at restoring normalcy in the country since formation of its new government.

Another successful rescue flight from Afghanistan saves 32 people from Taliban's rule

Pakistan wants to make Afghanistan its sixth province. The plan is to use the Taliban to take Kashmir. On Gravitas Plus, Palki Sharma tells you why Islamabad's Kashmir obsession will be its undoing.

Gravitas Plus: Why Pakistan supports the Taliban

On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, we ask: Is the War on Terror truly over? Taliban are showing their true colours in Afghanistan. Global Jihad has got a boost. Al-Qaeda and ISIS still remain a threat. What has the war achieved ?Find the answers on WION Wideangle.

WION Wideangle | 20 years after 9/11: Who won the War on Terror?

On the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, residents of Kabul reflect on the last two decades. Some Afghans claim that these years didn't change much on the ground, others say that the US abandoned them. WION's Anas Mallick brings you a ground report.

Kabul residents react on 20th anniversary of 9/11 attacks

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