US troops withdrawal: Taliban eyeing greater control of Afghan territory

Afghanistan: Violent Clashes Escalate As US Forces Withdraw

UNITED NATIONS: Amid the swift withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, the top UN official in the Central Asian state told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that the Taliban fighters are flexing their muscles to gain greater control of the territory. “The Taliban’s advances are significant,” said Deborah Lyons, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and … Read more

The US Military Forces Might Slow Down Its Withdrawal From Afghanistan: Pentagon

The US Military Forces Might Slow Down Its Withdrawl From Afghanistan: Pentagon

The US military might slow down its withdrawal from Afghanistan as the Taliban arise, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said. Kirby added that the date for the complete withdrawal of the military by President Joe Biden will remain the same. However, the pace of withdrawal could be adjusted based on the conditions. “The situation in Afghanistan … Read more

PM Imran Postpones His Visit To UK Amid Troops Withdrawal

Prime Minister To Visit Gwadar Today To Inaugurate Several Projects

Prime Minister Imran Khan has postponed his visit to the United Kingdom (UK) which will be scheduled next month. According to sources, the Prime Minister has decided not to visit the UK  in view of the internal, political and regional situation in the country. Sources said that the Prime Minister has decided to monitor the … Read more

COVID-19 Pandemic Out of Control in Afghanistan

COVID-19 Pandemic Out of Control in Afghanistan

COVID-19 pandemic is getting out of control in Afghanistan as the cases rise by 2,400pc in the past month. As a result, hospital beds and medical resources are running out of stock as stated by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Societies on Thursday. It was reported by IFRC that among … Read more

Erdogan Offers To Help US Stabilize Afghanistan

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

A day before his first meeting with US President Joe Biden, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey is the “only reliable” country that can bring stability to Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. According to the report, the Turkish president signalled to the United States that it could rely on … Read more

MWL’s ‘Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan’ conference commences today

MWL’s ‘Declaration of Peace'

MAKKAH: The Islamic Conference of Declaration of Peace in Afghanistan, aimed at consolidating peace in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, began in Makkah on Thursday. The conference hosted by The Muslim World League (MWL) will be a milestone to enhance dialogue between senior scholars of Afghanistan and Pakistan in order to reconcile among fighting Afghani … Read more

Rashid Khan: I never wanted to be a cricketer

Rashid Khan shines as Lahore Qalandars defeat Islamabad United.

Rashid Khan recently told in an interview that his family wanted him to be a doctor, as no one is a doctor in his family so his parents never allowed him to play cricket.

Afghanistan’s star spinner Rashid (wrist-spinner) developed himself as one of the most demanded bowlers in the T20 leagues. However, he is currently in Dubai to play for ‘Lahore Qalandars’ in the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Rashid in an interview stated how he worked hard to become a top-class cricketer where his parents wanted him to be a doctor. He told that since no one is a doctor in his family and he was pretty good at studies too, so his parents wanted him to be a doctor and they never allowed him to play cricket.

Rashid said, “I wasn’t allowed to play cricket as such. There were no doctors in our family that is why my parents wanted me to become a doctor. Cricket wasn’t in my initial plans and I had to struggle a lot for it. I was pretty good at studies too and I used to go for matches without telling anyone”.

He also told that he never joined any club or academy to enhance his skills. He believes that he always played his ‘natural game’, which helped him to excel well in his career and also helped him to grow a lot.

He said, “I never went to any academy or club. My friends used to take me to matches and I started performing regularly with both bat and ball. As far as my early training is concerned, I never went to a club or an academy and I haven’t received any coaching as well. I was completely natural and it helped me progress as a player”.

 

[embedpost slug=”afghan-cricketer-rashid-khan-prefers-pakistan-super-league-over-county-cricket/”]

Read more

PPP Calls For Parliamentary Briefing Over Situation In Afghanistan

PPP Calls For Parliamentary Briefing Over Situation In Afghanistan

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has demanded the government to take Parliament into confidence over the regional security situation following the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. According to the details, the demand was made by PPP Information Secretary and former Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi and Senator Rubina Khalid in a news conference … Read more

Afghan security advisor should be ashamed for defaming Pakistan, says FM Qureshi

Shah Mehmood Qureshi Islamabad

Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday said Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib should be ashamed for maligning Pakistan and advised him against using aggressive language against Islamabad. “Listen to me closely,” he said, calling out the Afghan official, “Pakistan has played an important role in helping achieve stability in Afghanistan.” The … Read more

Peace In Region Interlinked With Pak-China-Afghanistan Trilateral Cooperation: FM

Peace In Region Interlinked With Pak-China-Afghanistan Trilateral Cooperation: FM

Pakistan has stressed the need for close trilateral cooperation between Islamabad, Kabul and Beijing for peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. Addressing the 4th China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Foreign Minister said, “Therefore, we must consider how the three neighbouring countries can work together effectively to cope with this changing situation and … Read more

US To Hand Over Its Main Bagram Air Base To Afghan Forces In 20 Days

US To Hand Over Its Main Bagram Air Base To Afghan Forces In 20 Days

KABUL: The US military will hand over its main Bagram airbase to Afghan forces in 20 days, according to an official. This vast base was built by the Soviet Union in 1980 and is the largest military facility in Afghanistan used by US and NATO forces, and at the height of the Afghan war, millions … Read more

US Military To Hand Over Bagram Air Base to Afghan forces in 20 days

US Military To Hand Over Bagram Air Base to Afghan forces in 20 days

As Washington presses on with withdrawing the last of its troops from Afghanistan, an official on Tuesday said that in about 20 days, the US military will hand over its main Bagram Air Base to Afghan forces.

Bagram Air Base was built by the Soviets in the 1980s and is the biggest military facility used by US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. Moreover, during the peak of US military involvement in Afghanistan, ten of thousands of troops stationed there.

a US defense official said,

“I can confirm we will hand over Bagram Air Base.”

On the other hand, an Afghan security official said the handover was expected in about 20 days and the defense ministry had set up special committees to manage it.

It should be mentioned here that Washington has already handed over several military bases to Afghan forces before May 1, when it started the final withdrawal of troops.

Taliban Threatens US Over Delaying In Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan

The Taliban had threatened Washington in March 2021 with dire consequences if it does not abide by the May 1 deadline for the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan.

The Taliban issued the warning during a press conference in Moscow, according to the reports.

The administration of US President Joe Biden says it is reviewing an agreement reached with the Taliban with the administration of former US President Donald Trump.

Biden told ABC News in an interview that May 1 could be the deadline, but that it would not be long if the deadline was extended.

Sohail Shaheen, a member of the Taliban’s negotiating team, told reporters that “they have to go and the withdrawal of US troops beyond May 1 would be a violation of the agreement.”

“And we will not violate the agreement, which will result in a backlash,” he said.

Member Sohail Shaheen did not elaborate on what the response would be, but in compliance with the agreement he signed in February 2020, the Taliban did not attack US or NATO forces, not even the last few.

There has also been an increase in unannounced bombings and targeted killings over the months.

“We hope that this will not happen, they will give up and we will focus on a solution to the Afghan problem and a peaceful settlement so that a political roadmap can be reached and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire can be achieved,” the Taliban leader said.

He also confirmed that the Taliban stood by the demands of the Islamic government.

Sohail Shaheen did not elaborate on the structure of the Islamic government.

He also did not say whether the Taliban would accept the election but stressed that President Ashraf Ghani’s government did not live up to his definition of an Islamic government.

It should be noted that along with Russia, China and Pakistan, the United States has also demanded an immediate ceasefire from the warring parties in Afghanistan.

In addition, a Taliban delegation is meeting in Moscow with the Afghan government to discuss future plans for ending the war in Afghanistan.

[embedpost slug=”/joe-biden-to-withdraw-us-troops-from-afghanistan-sources/”]

Read more

Mortar Shell Hits Afghan Wedding, Kills at Least 10

Mortar shell hits Afghan wedding

A mortar shell hits a house during a wedding ceremony in Afghanistan’s Kapisa province, killing 10 civilians and injuring eight others.

According to Afghan security officials, a mortar shell fell on a house in Tagab district on Saturday evening, where clashes between the Taliban and Afghan security forces continued.

Provincial police, on the other hand, have blamed the Taliban for the mortar attack, while a Taliban spokesman has denied the allegations.

A Taliban spokesman said mortar shells were fired by Afghan security forces in the area.

Earlier, an Alberoni University bus blown up in Afghanistan which killed four lecturers and 13 people were left injured.

The university bus was targeted in the Bagram district of Parwan province.

The bus was carrying about 20 teachers and other staff. The blast was so severe that the vehicle was completely destroyed and passengers were badly trapped in the bus after the blast.

Rescue workers evacuated the passengers from the bus and transported them to a nearby hospital, where the deaths of four lecturers were confirmed.

The blast injured 13 people, most of them being teachers and professors. According to hospital sources and reports, the death toll is expected to rise as six of the injured are in critical condition, while some teachers have lost limbs.

No militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

[embedpost slug=”afghanistan-kabul-mosque-blast-kills-12-worshipers/”]

Read more

Key TTP Commander Mufti Khalid Found Murdered In Afghanistan

Key TTP Commander Mufti Khalid Found Murdered In Afghanistan

Mufti Khalid, a key militant commander linked to banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has been killed by unknown individuals across the border in Afghanistan. According to reports, Mufti Khalid was shot dead and his body was found in the Afghan province of Kunar, adjacent to Pakistan’s tribal districts of Bajaur and Mohmand. Mufti Khalid’s … Read more

NADRA Begins Issuing New Smart Cards To 1.4 Million Afghan Refugees

NADRA Begin Issuing New Smart Cards To 1.4 Million Afghan Refugees

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will issue new biometric smart ID cards to 1.4 million Afghan refugees registered in Pakistan. According to reports, NADRA started issuing new smart cards to Afghan refugees on Tuesday and this process will be completed by the end of this year. The new cards will be valid till … Read more

‘NATO remains committed to our partnership with Afghanistan,’ says Stoltenberg

NATO remains committed to our partnership with Afghanistan: Stoltenberg

Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Tuesday reiterated the determination of continuing efforts to bringing peace in Afghanistan. According to the details,   Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg held a meeting with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas of Estonia at NATO headquarters, where they discussed the ongoing troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and other matters. … Read more

Afghanistan: 50 Taliban Killed In Clashes With Afghan Forces Near Kabul

Afghanistan: 50 Taliban Killed In Clashes With Afghan Forces Near Kabul

The Afghan Defense Ministry says that 50 Taliban were killed fighting between government forces and the Taliban near the capital Kabul of Afghanistan. Tensions in Afghanistan have risen since the withdrawal of US troops began on May 1, and militants are trying to seize new territory, according to the foreign news agency. The latest clash between Afghan … Read more

US To Get Pakistan’s Air, Ground Access Even After Pulling Out Troops From Afghanistan

US To Get Pakistan's Air, Ground Access Even After Pulling Out Troops From Afghanistan

A Pentagon official says Pakistan has allowed the US military to use its airspace and given ground access to ensure its presence in Afghanistan. Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Affairs, David F. Helvey, told the US Senate Armed Services Committee last week that the United States would continue its talks with Pakistan because it … Read more