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Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Reduces, Waives Various Taxes

2023-05-17

[ToloNews] The Islamic Emirate announced on Monday that it had reduced value added tax from 4% to 2% for the industrial sector and 7% of withholding tax has been remitted in the agriculture, commerce and industrial sectors. Ahmad Jan Bilal, a representative of the Islamic Emirate leader’s office, at a Finance Ministry press event in Kabul said that the sales tax to attend private schools and religious seminaries and universities in 1402 were also remitted. According to Bilal, the decisions were made based on the decree of the Islamic Emirate's leader in a bid to support commerce and industry in the country. The event was attended by the second deputy of the Prime Minister, Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi. "To support industry and agriculture and commerce, 7 percent of the withholding tax was remitted for them. Also, to support our industrial sector, the value added tax, which was four percent, was reduced by two percent," he said. This comes as the Ministry of Economy (MoE) said that the Islamic Emirate supports the investors and that the domestic companies will be given priorities in extraction of mines. "This is the policy of the Islamic Emirate to trust these domestic traders and companies. We leave the doors open for the foreign companies but if they don’t come, we cannot bring them by force. We should not very much hope and expect it," said Din Mohammad Hanif, acting Minister of Economy. Meanwhile, ...back at the secret hideout, Scarface Al sneeringly put his proposition to little Nell... the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC), Nooruddin Azizi, urged the Afghan traders abroad to return to the country. "Any trader who comes to Afghanistan and invests here -- it is similar as if you pour a drop of water in the throat of an orphan or widow. This is my brotherly request, that if anyone considers himself Afghan and Moslem and whoever love his/her country, come and invest in Afghanistan," he said. "There is a need for improvement of commerce, industry, agriculture and transit in the country. Afghanistan is a central country," said Mohammad Younus Momand, acting head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI). Hanafi also pledged that the Islamic Emirate will bring essential facilities for traders and industrial owners for passports and visas.

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Afghanistan

Who is who in the new government of Afghanistan

2021-09-08

Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. See also here, which lays out the four of five GITMO detainees swapped for Bowe Berghdahl who have been tapped for government posts. by Aleksandr Kots [KP] Noting the capture of Panjshir , the Taliban finally announced the composition of an interim government. It was assumed that it should be inclusive, that is, it should represent not only the terrorist movement banned in Russia, but also other Afghan forces, national and religious associations. However, judging by the key posts announced, ministerial portfolios went exclusively to Taliban members. All positions are still named with the prefix "acting". Prime Minister - Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund. Alternate spelling Hassan Akhund. He heads the Shura (council) of Taliban leaders. Was the governor of Kandahar. Member of the High Council. The top post was received as a compromise figure who arranged all the factions of the Taliban. First Deputy Prime Minister - Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. Warlord and leader of the Taliban's political wing. He fought with Soviet troops. During the first reign of the Taliban, he served as the head of Herat and commanded the military corps of Western Afghanistan. In 2010, he was captured by Pakistani intelligence and released three years later at the request of the Afghan government. Second Deputy Prime Minister - Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi. Alt. spelling Hannafi. In the Taliban - from the day of its foundation, however, it represents the political wing of the movement. He was a key figure in the political office in Qatar. In the 90s, he served as Deputy Minister of Education in the Taliban government. Defense Minister - Muhammad Yakub Mujahid. Alt. Yaqoub. Son of Taliban founder Mullah Omar. He served as the head of the military commission of the movement, was a member of its highest governing council. He is the second deputy head of the Taliban. The Deputy Defense Minister is Mohammad Fazl, one of the GITMO detainees swapped for Bowe Berghdahl. Interior Minister - Sirajuddin Haqqani. Alt. Serajuddin Haqqani. He is the son of the founder of the Haqqani Network terrorist organization, the Taliban's most radical wing. It is currently at the head. Organizer of several terrorist attacks, including the attack on the Serena Hotel in Kabul. Planned the assassination of Hamid Karzai. The US State Department has declared a particularly dangerous international terrorist. A reward of $5 million has been announced for his head. Despite his history and that bounty, the New York Times saw fit to publish an opinion piece in February, 2020 over his signature. The head of intelligence is Abdul Haq Wasik. Alt. Abdul Haq Wasiq. One of the Berghdahl swap gentlemen. Former Taliban deputy intelligence minister. In 2001, he was captured by the Americans in Afghanistan, from January 2002 to May 2014 he was held in the famous Guantanamo prison in Cuba. He was released along with four other members of the so-called five Taliban in exchange for the US Army soldier Bow Bergdahl, who was captured by the Haqqani network. Minister of Culture and Information - Zabihullah Mujahid. He is the official spokesman for the Taliban. Before the capture of Kabul, he did not appear in public, speaking only with written or audio statements. One of the Berghdahl swap gents, Khair Ulla Said Wali Khairkhwa, is also listed as Info and Culture minister. No doubt this will be clarified at some point. null Foreign Minister - Mullah Amir Khan Muttaki. Alt. Amir Khan Muttaqi. Taliban high councilor. In the past, the movement was headed by the Ministry of Higher Education. Represented the movement in the negotiations held under the auspices of the UN. Education Minister - Sheikh Mawlavi Nurullah Munir. Alt. Noorullah Munir. Taliban member. The Economy Minister is Mohammad Hanif, Alt. Qari Din Hanif. a Taliban member. The head of the Central Bank is Mullah Mohammad Idris, a Taliban member. The top five on the government's list are under UN sanctions. Therefore, the prospects for the West to recognize the Cabinet of Ministers, whose members are also on the international wanted list, are very illusory. Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin mentioned in his blog the Russian Federation government is waiting on moves such as these, which will decide if the government recognizes the new Afghanistan government. This won't help. Aleksandr Kots is a Russian military journalist Related: Tolo News has a complete list, including the uninteresting appointments. Such as Acting Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs: Mullah Noorullah Noori, one of the Berghdahl swap gents.

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Afghanistan

Taliban Reveals Names of Negotiating Team for Intra-Afghan Dialogues

2020-08-28

[KhaamaPress] Taliban ...the Pashtun equivalent of men... ’s Political Office in Doha revealed names of at least 21 members who form a negotiating team during the Intra-Afghan talks, adding 13 of them are key members of the group. Here is names of the Taliban members for Intra-Afghan dialogues: Maulavi Mohammad Sher Abas Stanikzai Sheikh Abdul Hakim Maulavi Abdul Kabir Maulavi Noor Mohammad Saqib Mullah Mohammad Zahed Ahmadzai Mullah Sheerin Akhund Mullah Abdul Latif Mansoor Qari Din Mohammad Mullah Abdul Salam Sheikh Mohammad Qasem Turkman Mullah Mohammad Fazel Mazlum Mullah Noorullah Noori Mullah Abdul Haq Wasiq Maulavi Mati-ulhaq Khales Mohammad Suhail Shaheen Mullah Mohammad Nabi Omari Anas Haqani Khairullah Khairkhuwah Maulavi Shabudin Mullah Farid Afghan Government had previously announced their delegations, with expectation of holding Intra-Afghan talks in upcoming days in DOHA. Previously, the talks were to begin earlier this month but Afghanistan’s refusal on the release of six detainees and the rise of violence by the Taliban hampered the process.

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Afghanistan

Security Forces Did Not Raid Zaeef’s House: MoI

2019-03-18

[ToloNews] Close aides to Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, a former ambassador of Taliban ...the Pashtun equivalent of men... for Pakistain during their regime in Kabul, said that security forces surrounded and raided Zaeef's residence in Kabul on Saturday night and that the siege continued until Sunday afternoon. All ways connecting to Zaeef's house were closed by security forces, Zaeef's aides said, adding that the security forces raided Zaeef's residence at around 9am Kabul time. In a short faceoff with Zaeef's security guards, the sources said, one of them was slightly injured. "Police vehicles came and were patrolling in the area and they had surrounded Salam Zaeef's house," said Azizullah, a resident of the area. "I saw military vehicles when in the area when I woke up in the morning," said Nek Mohammad, a resident of the area. Meanwhile, ...back at the shootout, Butch clutched at his other leg...... Salam Zaeef said that he had just returned from Kandahar when he witnessed the incident around his house. "We heard sounds and we wondered what has happened. They (security forces) were trying to come inside the house. But they were not allowed by them (his security forces). After that, I made calls. I called to security (agencies), to Mr. (former President Hamid) Karzai and asked him that what has happened," Zaeef told TOLOnews. Zaeef, who has been engaged in the peace talks, was Taliban’s ambassador to Pakistain before the US invasion of Afghanistan. He attended Moscow talks on Afghan peace in February and also he attended the Doha talks. "I am cooperating in the grinding of the peace processor. This is my demand and my ambition that peace should come to Afghanistan. I have not done anything against anyone. I have no idea about it. Anyone who is doing this should find the motivation behind it." He was detained in Pakistain in the fall of 2001 and held until 2005 in the Guantanamo Bay detainment camp. The United Nations ...aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society... removed Zaeef from its list of holy warriors in July 2010. Following the US invasion, Zaeef was forced to end his news conferences, seized by Pak authorities, and handed over to American operatives. Zaeef was released from Guantanamo in the summer of 2005. He has started a normal life in Kabul and also continued his political activities. Nusrat Rahimi, a front man for Ministry of Interior, said rejected the news on raiding Mullah Zaeef’s house. H said the Kabul Garrison forces conducted an operation to arrest Mullah Tokhi, a wanted criminal and a land grabber, whose house is located close to that of Mullah Zaeef. He said Mullah Tokhi was placed in durance vile Drop the gat, Rocky, or you're a dead 'un! in the operation and that a number of weapons were confiscated from his house.

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Afghanistan

Four Taliban Commanders Killed In Farah Drone Strikes

2018-10-06

[ToloNews] A bigwig from Farah said four Taliban ...mindless ferocity in a turban... commander'>Taliban Überstürmbannführers have been killed in dronezaps carried out by foreign forces in different parts of the province during the last week. Farah Governor Abdul Basir Salangi said Mullah Bari Jan, a Taliban Überstürmbannführer, who was involved in 300 murders and attacks, was killed in a dronezap in Khak Safid district. He said that Mullah Hanzala, Mullah Mukhlis and Mullah Abdul Salam, including 30 Taliban fighters, were killed in three separate dronezaps in different parts of the province during this week. Taliban has rejected the claims.

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Afghanistan

Panic among Taliban in Kunduz after the death of Mullah Abdul Salam

2017-04-14

[Khaama (Afghanistan)] A panic has erupted among the Taliban bandidos myrmidons in northern Kunduz province of Afghanistan following the death of the group’s most big shot Mullah Abdul Salam. The Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security ...the Afghan national intel agency... (NDS), said the majority of the Taliban bandidos myrmidons are seeking different ways to escape from the battlefield after the killing of Mullah Salam. A statement by NDS said Karimullah son of Sarwar and brother of Mullah Salam was tossed in the calaboose Drop the rosco, Muggsy, or you're one with the ages! before he manage to disguise as another individual and escape from the province. The statement further added that Karimullah was arrested along with another individual after they were identified by the intelligence operatives. The Taliban confirmed the death of Mullah Salam, one of the most senior and a notorious leader, in northern Kunduz province late in February. The group in a statement said Mullah Abdul Salam has been killed, insisting that the group’s activities will not be affected with his loss. The statement further added that Mullah Salam’s main dream was to seize control of Kunduz and vowed that hundreds of more youths will follow his steps.

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Afghanistan

Taliban attacks in Kabul aimed to boost fighters’ morale after Mullah Salam death: Ghani

2017-03-03

[Khaama (Afghanistan)] President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani ...former chancellor of Kabul University, now president of Afghanistan. Before returning to Afghanistan in 2002 he was a scholar of political science and anthropology. He worked at the World Bank working on international development assistance. As Finance Minister of Afghanistan between July 2002 and December 2004, he led Afghanistan's attempted economic recovery until the Karzais stole all the money. .. in reaction to the coordinated suicide kabooms in Kabul ...the capital of Afghanistan. Home to continuous fighting from 1992 to 1996 between the forces of would-be strongman and Pak ISI/Jamaat-e-Islami sock puppet Gulbuddin Hekmayar and the Northern Alliance, a period which won Hek the title Most Evil Man in the World and didn't do much for the reputations of the Northern Alliance guys either.... said the group is attempting to boost the morale of their fighters following the death of its most big shot Mullah Abdul Salam and the recent defeats the group sustained in the battleground. Condemning the attacks in strongest words, President Ghanis said the terrorist groups once again attempted to spread fear and terror in Kabul city. "Following the death of the terrorist group leader Mullah Abdul Salam in Kunduz and back to back defeats on the battleground, the group is attempting to boost the morale of its fighters by conducting terrorist attacks in crowded areas," he added. President Ghani further added that the Afghan nation endorsed support in one voice to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces during the national day of the defense forces. He said the Afghan forces are on the frontline in the fight against terrorism more than any other time to eliminate them in all parts of the country. The Taliban group grabbed credit behind the attacks conducted in Police District#6 and Police District#12 on Wednesday afternoon. The latest information disclosed by the officials show at least 16 people bit the dust and more than 50 others were maimed although the casualties toll could further rise.

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Afghanistan

Taliban confirms death of key leader Mullah Abdul Salam in Kunduz

2017-02-28

[Khaama (Afghanistan)] The Talibs group formally confirmed the death of its key leader Mullah Abdul Salam in northern Kunduz province of Afghanistan. The group in a statement said Mullah Abdul Salam has been killed, insisting that the group’s activities will not be affected with his loss. The statement further added that Mullah Salam’s main dream was to seize control of Kunduz and vowed that hundreds of more youths will follow his steps. A front man for Afghan National Police’s 808th Spinzar Zone in northeastern parts of the country, Mahfoozullah Akbari, earlier confirmed the death of Mullah Abdul Salam and the other holy warriors. He said another senior Taliban leader Qari Amin who was appointed as district chief by the group was also among those killed. The officials are saying that Mullah Abdul Salam had a key role in the collapse of Kunduz city besides he plotted numerous other attacks in this province. Kunduz is among the relatively volatile provinces in northern Afghanistan where the Taliban Death Eaters are actively operating in a number of its remote districts. Taliban launched numerous attacks on Kunduz city since they announced their spring offensive earlier last year. The group also managed to briefly take partial control of the strategic Kunduz city but the bully boyz were pushed back after the Afghan cops launched an offensive with the support of the US forces based in Afghanistan. There are conflicting reports regarding the circumstances surrounding his death as some officials are saying Mullah Salam was killed in a US Arclight airstrike while others are saying he was killed in a special military operation conducted by the Afghan forces.

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Afghanistan

Suicide bombing attack against Taliban underboss in Kunar leaves 4 dead

2017-01-23

A suicide attack targeted a top Taliban leader in Kunduz province in north of Afghanistan, leaving at least four people dead. According to the security officials, the incident took place on Saturday night in Dashti Archi district after a suicide bomber detonated himself among the Taliban fighters. Commander of the 808 Spinzar Zone, Sher Aziz Kamawal, told VOA’s Afghanistan service that four Taliban insurgents were killed in the attack. He said Taliban’s shadow governor for Kunduz Mullah Abdul Salam Akhund was wounded in the attack. According to Kamawal, the suicide bomber had came from the restive Achin district of Nangarhar for the suicide attack. Local residents have said Mullah Abdul Salam was invited in a party in Tark village where he was targeted by the bomber. No group has so far claimed responsibility behind the attack which comes as the infighting among the Taliban group has been rise during the recent years. Taliban is also facing threats from the loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group who are mainly based in Achin, Kot, Haska Mina and some other remote districts of Nangarhar.

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Afghanistan

Taliban’s shadow governor for Kunduz killed during clashes

2016-10-07

[Khaama (Afghanistan)] The shadow provincial governor of the Taliban group Mullah Abdul Salam was killed during festivities with the Afghan cops in northern Kunduz province of Afghanistan. According to the security officials, Mullah Salam was initially injured during festivities with the Afghan forces and departed this vale of tears after he was taken to the hospital Chardara district. The Talibs group has not commented regarding the report so far. The Talibs launched a coordinated attack on the strategic Kunduz city earlier this week with an aim to capture the control of the city but the Afghan forces managed to repulse the attack although sporadic festivities still continue in the outskirts of the city. The Talibs have launched numerous attacks on Kunduz city since it was retaken by the Afghan Special Operations Forces earlier in the month of October. The Taliban Lions of Islam were accused of horrific criminal activities after they seized control of the city, including murders, rape, kidnappings, use of civilians as shields, looting of public and private properties. The Independent Human Rights Commission of Afghanistan said at least 50 non-combatants were killed and over 350 others were maimed. However, there's more than one way to stuff a chicken... the rights organization said the number could be relatively higher as AIHRC said their statistics was based on hospital reports and several others had not been taken to hospital after they were killed or injured. More on Kunduz from the Nation (Pakistan) KUNDUZ: More than 100 Taliban militants have been killed as clash between the hardliner Taliban group and government forces for the control of northern Kunduz city entered its fourth day on Thursday, police spokesman in the northern zone Mahfozullah Akbari said. "Latest update on the situation in Kunduz city is that more than 100 rebels have been killed and scores more injured," Akbari told Xinhua. Several bodies have been collected from different parts of the city and cleanup operation has been continuing to return law and order in the city, the official added. However, he contended that the ongoing cleanup operation against militants has slowed down because the militants have been using the civilians as human shield to undermine the crackdown. "Since the militants have been using civilians as human shields and have taken positions in residential houses therefore, the operations have been slowed down in order to protect the civilians," Akbari asserted. Nevertheless, he stressed that the militants have been retreated from some areas in the city. Taliban militants overrun parts of Kunduz city the capital of Kunduz province 250 km north of Kabul on Monday and the government forces have yet to dislodge militants and clean up the city from the insurgents. During the operations against militants, according Akbari, four security personnel have been killed and eight others injured. However, Taliban outfit in contact with media, besides claiming inflicting huge casualties to the government forces also insisted the militants are in control of major parts of the embattled Kunduz city. Although there is no official statistic about civilians' casualties over the past four days of war in Kunduz, the Kunduz residents say that hundreds of thousands of families have been stranded in their houses due to relentless firing. "We have no power, no water and even no food," Azizullah of Kunduz city told Xinhua. He also noted that many families are looking for ceasefire to leave their houses for safer places, but so far no sign of halting hostility is in sight.

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Afghanistan

Ex-Taliban leader slams Pakistan for Torkham issue

2016-06-17

[Khaama (Afghanistan)] The former top Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef has slammed Pakistain for the deadly issued in Torkham, warning that Islamabad is responsible for those killed in the clash in the past three days. Zaeef who served as Taliban’s ambassador to Pakistain has in the meantime called on the Afghans to unite in a bid to protect the national illusory sovereignty and interests. He has criticized Pakistain for the misuse of the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan and said Pakistain would be responsible for each drop of spilled due to Torkham clash. In the meantime, the observers believe Pakistain has raised the issue Torkham to deviate attention from the growing international pressure on Islamabad mainly due to supporting the Afghan holy warrior groups. The observers are saying that Islamabad is fearing isolation due to the latest upheavals, mainly due to the killing of the Taliban group leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor in Pak soil, restriction of military aid by US, and the conclusion of Chabahar port. In the meantime, Pakistain claims that the construction of the gate would help improve situation in Afghanistan as well as Pakistain by scanning those commuting between the two countries. However, corruption finds a dozen alibis for its evil deeds... Pakistain has been harshly criticized by the leaders of the former and the present government for allowing the Afghan holy warrior groups, specifically the Taliban and the notorious Haqqani terrorist network to use the Pak soil to plan and coordinate attacks in Afghanistan.

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Afghanistan

Three Taliban Spokesmen Arrested in Maidan Wardak

2015-02-15

[Tolo News] According to Afghan security officials, following the arrest of an self-identified Islamic State ...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems.... front man in Afghanistan, three Taliban leaders were apprehended in Maidan Wardak province this week. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) reported laptops and other intelligence materials were confiscated when the Taliban representatives, who officials said were recruiting holy warriors, were enjugged Into the paddy wagon wit' yez! The news comes after rumors have spread that the Acting Governor of Ghazni has engaged representatives of the Islamic State terrorist group. Military commentators and politicians in the House of Representatives have expressed grave concern about the matter. "I know that our governor is not so stupid as to become a member of IS, but when someone comes right under his nose and becomes the front man for IS, it shows that the governor has been slacking in his work and must be relieved of duty and the issue must be addressed," Ghazni MP Muhammad Aref Rahmani said on Saturday. Meanwhile, ...back at the pound, the little lost dog had finished eating the rat terrier... independent analysts have been more damning, suggesting the Acting Governor of Ghazni, Musa Khan Akbar Zada, has allowed Taliban rockets to pass through Ghazni city. "Mr. Musa Khan Akbar Zada, the Acting Governor of Ghazni, has done and said things that show connections, that clearly indicate he has relations with anti-government gangs in his province," military analyst Jawid Kohistan ...a backwoods district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa distinguished by being even more rustic than is the norm among the local Pashtuns.... i told TOLOnews. "His adviser has also used government resources against the government." Experts believe that Abdul Qader Wahedi, known as Ibrahim Khurasani, acted as a front man for the Islamic State in Afghanistan. He is not thought to be in the custody of the National Directorate of Security ...the Afghan national intel agency... (NDS). Although many have alleged that the Acting Governor was cooperating with him, Mr. Zada has categorically denied the claims. "In regard to the corruption, many committees have visited Ghazni, and we have provided them with detailed six to seven pages of our work," he said. MoI officials said the Taliban spokesmen apprehended this week were found in the Nerkh district of Maidan Wardak province. The three men were active in the province for a long time and served as recruiters for the Taliban. "One of these men named Abdul Wahab, a resident of Nerkh district of Maidan Wardak province, is the brother of Mullah Abdul Salam, the commander of a group of 10 people in Maidan Wardak," MoI front man Sediq Sediqqi said. "His brother was also in charge of press related issues for the Taliban." The media and publicity arm of the Taliban, though non-violent, is considered one of the most threatening strategic aspects of the murderous Moslem group. While the Internet and spread of telecommunications technology in Afghanistan has done much good, the use of it by krazed killer groups has allowed them to reach and recruit individuals more effectively.

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