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Taliban rejects Al Jazeera TV  report, says no direct talks with Kabul

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Members of a Taliban delegation take their seats during the multilateral peace talks on Afghanistan in Moscow. (Reuters)
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Head of Political Office of Taliban Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai (R) and chief negotiator Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar (L) attend peace talks with Afghan senior politicians in Moscow, Russia May 30, 2019. (Reuters/ File Photo)
Updated 21 November 2019
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Taliban rejects Al Jazeera TV  report, says no direct talks with Kabul

  • Taliban say prisoner swap deal was only a confidence-building measure for the Americans to restart stalled peace talks
  • Following prisoner swap deal, US had expressed hope for success of intra-Afghan peace negotiations
Updated 21 November 2019
REHMAT MEHSUD

PESHAWAR: A day after the Afghan government released three high ranking Taliban leaders in return for an American and Australian hostage, the Taliban on Wednesday said they rejected media reports that claimed the prisoner swap deal was aimed at facilitating talks between the Taliban and Afghan civilian government.

The US-backed Afghan government’s decision to carry out the swap was being perceived as key to securing direct talks with the militant group, which has consistently refused to engage with what they call an illegitimate “puppet” regime in Kabul. 

But in its report published on Wednesday, Qatar-based television channel, Al-Jazeera, quoted Afghan President Ashraf Ghani as saying that the decision for the prisoner exchange deal was made after consultations with the US and that the deal was aimed at "facilitating face-to-face negotiations directly with the Taliban.”

Following this, the Taliban’s political office spokesman in Doha, Suhail Shaheen, told Arab News that the Taliban had neither reached the prisoner swap deal indirectly with the Kabul administration nor had they set any pre-conditions for sitting face-to-face for direct talks after the deal had gone through.

“We categorically reject Al Jazeera's Television report that three prisoners of the Islamic Emirate have been released for any deal and upcoming face-to-face talks with the Kabul administration. The report is totally untrue,” Shaheen said.

“The prisoners’ swap took place as a result of our talks with the Americans and should be deemed as a confidence-building measure to pave way for peace in Afghanistan,” he continued.

“Now, it is up to the Americans to move forward with the stalled peace talks, otherwise they (Americans) will be held responsible for the enduring unrest in Afghanistan,” Shaheen added.

Soon after the prisoner swap, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan welcomed the release of American and Australian hostages.

The US and Australia confirmed the release of their citizens and expressed hope that the exchange of prisoners might improve chances for dialogue between the Afghans, and an eventual peace agreement.

“The Taliban have indicated that the release of the two professors is intended as a goodwill gesture, which the United States welcomes,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Tuesday.

“We see these developments as hopeful signs that the Afghan war, a terrible and costly conflict that has lasted 40 years, may soon conclude through a political settlement,” Pompeo added.

Pompeo also expressed hope for “the success of intra-Afghan peace negotiations, which the United States stands ready to support.”

The Amerian and Australian hostages, both professors, were kidnapped in August 2016 from outside the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul. They were freed in return for the release of three Taliban commanders including Anas Haqqani, Hajji Mali Khan, and Hafiz Abdul Rasheed after a delayed swap. 

Topics: Afghan Peace Talks Afghanistan Taliban'

Pakistan receives over 22,000 applications for 4,500 scholarships for Afghan students

Updated 10 January 2025
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Pakistan receives over 22,000 applications for 4,500 scholarships for Afghan students

  • The scholarships were announced in July last year under the Allama Iqbal Scholarship program, amid ongoing tensions between the two countries
  • The program, which covers tuition fees, accommodation and monthly stipend, offers scholarships in medical, engineering, agriculture and other fields
Updated 10 January 2025
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has received more than 22,000 applications for 4,500 scholarships it announced for Afghan students last year, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan said on Friday.
The scholarships were announced in July last year under the Allama Iqbal Scholarship program, amid ongoing tensions between the two countries that prompted Islamabad to launch a deportation drive targeting unregistered Afghans in late 2023.
The program, which covers tuition fees, accommodation and a monthly stipend for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral studies at Pakistani universities, was introduced in 2009 to strengthen bilateral ties between the two neighboring states.
In a statement issued from his office, Pakistan’s special representative Sadiq Khan said this is the third phase of the program that will offer fully funded scholarships in medical, engineering, agriculture and other fields over the next three years.
“This month, over 22,000 applicants will take an online test, followed by interviews for final selection. The entire process will conclude within 45 days,” he said.
“Notably, 33 percent of the scholarship seats are reserved for female students.”
Pakistan last year announced the scholarships on the same day its federal cabinet approved the extension of registration cards for 1.5 million Afghan refugees for another year.
Ties between the two countries have been strained because of a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan’s western regions that border Afghanistan.
The attacks particularly surged after the breakdown of a fragile truce between the Pakistani government and the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Nov. 2022.
Pakistan has frequently accused neighboring Afghanistan of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement, insisting Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.
The two countries also conducted cross-border strikes in each other’s territory last month in the latest escalation of hostilities along the border.

Topics: Pakistan Afghanistan Ties Afghan students

Pakistan hopes for stronger ties with Lebanon as Joseph Aoun elected president

Updated 10 January 2025
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Pakistan hopes for stronger ties with Lebanon as Joseph Aoun elected president

  • Aoun’s election came weeks after a ceasefire deal halted a 14-month conflict between Israel, Lebanese group Hezbollah
  • PM Shehbaz Sharif says Pakistan values its ties with Lebanon and looks forward to strengthen bilateral cooperation
Updated 10 January 2025
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday congratulated Joseph Aoun for being elected as the new president of Lebanon, expressing Pakistan’s interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation between both countries.
Aoun’s election came weeks after a tenuous ceasefire agreement halted a 14-month conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and at a time when Lebanon’s leaders are seeking international assistance for reconstruction.
Aoun, no relation to former President Michel, was widely seen as the preferred candidate of the United States, whose assistance Lebanon will need as it seeks to rebuild.
In his message on X, Sharif wished Aoun success in his endeavors to lead Lebanon toward peace, stability and prosperity.
“Pakistan values its ties with Lebanon and looks forward to strengthen our bilateral cooperation,” the Pakistan prime minister said.
Pakistan and Lebanon share close relations. In December, Lebanon helped Islamabad safely evacuate around 300 Pakistani nationals stranded in Syria and transport them back home via chartered flights from Beirut.
Pakistan has also sent several relief consignments for the people of Lebanon during Israel’s bombardment of the Middle Eastern country.

Topics: Pakistan Lebanon Ties Pakistan Lebanon Lebanon president

Pakistan records 5.6% increase in remittances month on month

Updated 10 January 2025
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Pakistan records 5.6% increase in remittances month on month

  • Overseas workers remittances stood at $3.1 billion in the month of December
  • The inflows rose by 29.3 percent in 2024 as compared to the previous year
Updated 10 January 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recorded a 5.6 percent increase in remittances in December on a month-on-month basis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday, congratulating the nation on the record inflows.
Remittances bring billions of dollars annually from overseas Pakistanis and are vital to Pakistan’s economy. These inflows bolster foreign exchange reserves, stabilize the balance of payments, and support the Pakistani currency.
Overseas workers remittances stood at $3.1 billion in the month of December, according to a statement issued from Sharif’s office. The inflows rose by 29.3 percent in 2024 as compared to the previous year.
Sharif said the record increase in remittances was a testament to the determination of overseas Pakistanis to play their role in the development of the South Asian country.
“After economic stability, Pakistan has embarked on the path of economic development,” he said.
Pakistan narrowly avoided a sovereign default in 2023 by clinching a last-gasp $3 billion loan program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The South Asian country has since made some economic gains, most notably slowing the annual consumer inflation to 4.1 percent in December. This was down from 38 percent in May 2023.
Pakistan’s government has vowed to undertake economic reforms mandated by the IMF which include tightening fiscal policies, privatizing loss-making state-owned enterprises and enhancing tax revenues.
“The government of Pakistan is committed to the country’s development and public welfare,” Sharif reassured in his statement.

Topics: Pakistan Remittances Pakistan economy

Pakistan to launch pilot motorbike patrol for security of motorways

Updated 10 January 2025
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Pakistan to launch pilot motorbike patrol for security of motorways

  • Motorways in Pakistan have a dedicated police force, but various crimes, including rapes, have been reported in the past
  • Communications minister says 30-35 motorbikes will boost motorway security and improve response time in the first phase
Updated 10 January 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has ordered the launch of a pilot motorbike patrol to enhance security of motorways in the country, Pakistani state media reported on Thursday.
Pakistan’s motorway network has improved road connectivity for the people and the government has deployed a dedicated motorway police force, installed CCTV cameras and established emergency response systems, but security concerns have persisted for travelers.
In 2020, the gangrape of a woman traveling from Lahore to Gujranwala via the M-11 motorway in front of her children sparked widespread outrage in the country, leading to calls for enhanced security measures. In 2023, a motorway police officer was also arrested on allegations of raping a woman on the highway, according to a report in Dawn newspaper.
“Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has directed the motorways authority to launch a pilot motorbike service aimed at enhancing security and surveillance on motorways,” the Pakistan Television (PTV) broadcaster reported.
“The motorway police have been instructed to utilize existing resources to kick-start the service with plans for expansion in the future.”
Khan directed the motorway police to include 30-35 motorbikes for patrolling in the first phase to boost security measures and improve response times, according to the report.
The communications minister urged the National Highway Authority, Motorway Police, Frontier Works Organization, and local police to collaborate in securing the motorways.
“Motorway police must take maximum responsibility for ensuring the safety of citizens while a robust mechanism should be developed to make motorway travel as secure as possible,” he added.

Topics: Pakistan motorway Abdul Aleem Khan

OIC secretary-general arrives in Pakistan to attend summit on girls’ education in Muslim countries

Updated 10 January 2025
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OIC secretary-general arrives in Pakistan to attend summit on girls’ education in Muslim countries

  • The conference’s aim is to stress Islam’s message that both men, women have right to education
  • Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai will also attend the summit in Islamabad in person
Updated 10 January 2025
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha has arrived in Pakistan to attend a global conference on girls’ education in Muslim countries, according to the Pakistani education ministry.
Pakistan’s education ministry will host the global conference titled, “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities,” in Islamabad on Jan. 11-12.
Around 150 representatives from 47 countries, including education experts, religious scholars, diplomats, and politicians are expected to partake in the summit.
Pakistani Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui received the OIC secretary-general upon arrival in the South Asian country.
“Bringing together global leaders, educators, and changemakers to discuss innovative solutions and inspire progress for #GirlsEducation in Muslim communities,” the Pakistani education ministry said on Friday.
“This landmark event is a step toward creating opportunities, breaking barriers, and empowering future generations. Let’s ensure #EducationForAll and drive meaningful #GlobalConversations that transform lives!“
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate the conference and deliver a keynote address at the opening session on Saturday. Pakistan’s foreign office said Sharif will reaffirm the nation’s commitment to promoting girls’ education and gender equality.
An “Islamabad Declaration” will be announced at the end of the conference on Sunday that would outline decisive steps to transform girls’ education in Islamic countries, according to Siddiqui.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai will also attend the summit in person, a spokesperson for the Malala Fund charity confirmed.
Yousafzai was evacuated from Pakistan in 2012 after being shot by the Pakistan Taliban, who were enraged by her activism, and she has returned to the country only a handful of times since.
“I am excited to join Muslim leaders from around the world for a critical conference on girls’ education,” she said Friday in a post on X.
“On Sunday, I will speak about protecting rights for all girls to go to school, and why leaders must hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes against Afghan women & girls.”
Pakistan’s neighbor Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls and women are banned from going to secondary schools and universities.
On Thursday, Siddiqui said the primary aim of the conference is to stress the implementation of the Islamic message, which clearly states that both men and women have the right to education.
“By promoting girls’ education, we can build better homes, a better society and a stronger nation,” he said.
The Pakistani education minister hoped that Afghanistan would also join representatives from other Islamic countries and attend the conference in Islamabad.
“We have extended an invitation to Afghanistan to participate in this conference and hope that their delegation will attend as it is a very important neighboring country,” he told reporters at a media briefing in Islamabad.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, at least 1.4 million Afghan girls have been denied access to secondary education, according to a report by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) released in August last year.
Siddiqui said everyone respects tribal customs and cultures, but all such practices must align with Islamic values in Muslim countries, adding that nothing holds precedence over them.
“In Islam, there is no justification for restricting women’s education,” he added.

Topics: Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Pakistan OIC Ties girls education

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